Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Who is Marlene McNew?
I am a 59 year old woman, happily married with no children and one very much loved golden retriever. I have Parkinson's Disease, a fact that I, at times, allow to define me more than I would wish. I am a wannabe artist, an avid gardener, a terminally intermediate skier and, among other things, a genuinely good human being. Although I know my intentions, my moment by moment actions are, at times, disappointing ...mainly, I think, based on just how conscious I am at any given moment. I am becoming more aware of my desire to be a force for inclusion, acceptance, love and I seek a path down that road that sidesteps judgment and attempts to simply remain open.....this is not particularly easy.
As to my background, I was born on Guam, a U.S. territory. When I was about 3 years old, my mother had a nervous breakdown. I can still remember that day. Through the course of my childhood, my mother went in and out of mental hospitals. My father became an alcoholic; I became a high achiever. We lived in Guam, the Philippines and the U.S. When I was in the sixth grade, we made a permanent move back to the U.S. (for my benefit) despite the fact that it meant living at poverty level. I completed high school and college in Northern California, graduating with honors from UC Davis. I spent a couple of years working for the University before going to USC (full tuition fellowship 2 years) for an MBA. Following the MBA, I returned to Northern CA to work for a "big 8" CPA firm. After 4 years, I left to go to work for Tandem Computers for 10 years. After working as a GL accountant, cost accountant, Consolidations/GL manager, I accepted an assignment in Germany as a sales office Finance manager and then returned for the final three years with Tandem U.S. as a Plant Controller. I worked the next 4 -5 years in two different regional/division controller roles for companies based in Europe and then went to work with a former colleague as the Controller for a public medium sized company for the next 10 years. I left that company as a result of my PD diagnosis.
Within that time frame, at the age of 48, I married. Though not every single moment has been bliss, I have been and remain, very happily married! When we decided to bring a dog into our family, that was another brilliant change! With each of these changes, the degree of happiness in my life notably escalated.
I am a wannabe artist. I started writing poetry spontaneously one morning after I woke up from a nightmare on PD (drowning in a sea of whys). I have produced 20+ poem videos that are on Youtube. In addition, I was part of a photography workshop for a while and have dabbled with most forms of painting. No, I'm not naturally talented and, yes, I like both abstract and realist visual art. I think that one should study both types (just as Picasso did). In some ways, I prefer the built-in open mindedness of abstraction. Like poetry, it is subject to the viewer's personal interpretation more than realist art. Art, it seems to me, comes from the soul and, accordingly, it is meant to be felt, rather than rationalized.
I am also a wannabe athlete. I have done a couple of half marathon walks and two sprint triathlons, all with Team in Training. Exercise is incredibly beneficial for PD but why do a triathlon? I am signed up to do another and have started out being in the worst shape of my life. So, why?? Am I simply a glutton for punishment? NO!! It is because the act of training is an act of hope, of belief in self, the acceptance of help. It is not only an incredible symbol but proof that the spirit can endure.
As to my background, I was born on Guam, a U.S. territory. When I was about 3 years old, my mother had a nervous breakdown. I can still remember that day. Through the course of my childhood, my mother went in and out of mental hospitals. My father became an alcoholic; I became a high achiever. We lived in Guam, the Philippines and the U.S. When I was in the sixth grade, we made a permanent move back to the U.S. (for my benefit) despite the fact that it meant living at poverty level. I completed high school and college in Northern California, graduating with honors from UC Davis. I spent a couple of years working for the University before going to USC (full tuition fellowship 2 years) for an MBA. Following the MBA, I returned to Northern CA to work for a "big 8" CPA firm. After 4 years, I left to go to work for Tandem Computers for 10 years. After working as a GL accountant, cost accountant, Consolidations/GL manager, I accepted an assignment in Germany as a sales office Finance manager and then returned for the final three years with Tandem U.S. as a Plant Controller. I worked the next 4 -5 years in two different regional/division controller roles for companies based in Europe and then went to work with a former colleague as the Controller for a public medium sized company for the next 10 years. I left that company as a result of my PD diagnosis.
Within that time frame, at the age of 48, I married. Though not every single moment has been bliss, I have been and remain, very happily married! When we decided to bring a dog into our family, that was another brilliant change! With each of these changes, the degree of happiness in my life notably escalated.
I am a wannabe artist. I started writing poetry spontaneously one morning after I woke up from a nightmare on PD (drowning in a sea of whys). I have produced 20+ poem videos that are on Youtube. In addition, I was part of a photography workshop for a while and have dabbled with most forms of painting. No, I'm not naturally talented and, yes, I like both abstract and realist visual art. I think that one should study both types (just as Picasso did). In some ways, I prefer the built-in open mindedness of abstraction. Like poetry, it is subject to the viewer's personal interpretation more than realist art. Art, it seems to me, comes from the soul and, accordingly, it is meant to be felt, rather than rationalized.
I am also a wannabe athlete. I have done a couple of half marathon walks and two sprint triathlons, all with Team in Training. Exercise is incredibly beneficial for PD but why do a triathlon? I am signed up to do another and have started out being in the worst shape of my life. So, why?? Am I simply a glutton for punishment? NO!! It is because the act of training is an act of hope, of belief in self, the acceptance of help. It is not only an incredible symbol but proof that the spirit can endure.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
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