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| My People |
| Melissa and I met at MIT while
working in the same graduate research lab. Melissa is also a
mechanical engineer, receiving both a B.S. and M.S. degree from MIT.
She is now staying busy working at Sensata in
Attleboro, MA. In addition to Mel's natural brilliance in
math and science, she is also a gifted photographer (I should give her
credit for a number of the photos on this website). Granted,
I might be a bit biased, but it is hard not to love her. |
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As
I mentioned earlier, I grew up in the small town of Grass Lake,
Michigan. My mom and dad are both active community members
and
are really great in their respective work areas. My mom,
Barb, is
a clinical social worker at the University of Michigan
Hospital.
She works in the pediatric cardiology area of Mott Children's
Hospital. She is also an active member of several area
bands. She is an amazing clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone
player...well, she basically plays all of the woodwinds. If
you
catch her in the right mood, she can also play a mean polka on the
accordion!
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My
dad, Larry, recently retired from working as elementary and high school
teacher in Grass
Lake. He spent most of his career teaching physics,
chemistry,
and physical science. In fact, he was my teacher
for five
of my classes in high school! I take pride in admitting that
he
was my favorite teacher both in and out of school. Recently,
he
has also begun teaching computers to kidlets at the elementary
school. He now works as a network consultant and theater manager
for the school system. As if that didn't keep him busy enough,
both he and
my
mom are active participants in local theater productions and in their
church. My dad is an exceptional singer (seriously) and can
be
seen performing at various events throughout the Jackson area. I owe my parents more than I
can ever say. They are both truly amazing people!
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I
also have a
younger brother, Bill. Yes, that is right...we are named Bill and
Phil! As my parents put it, "when we named the both of you we
thought, Phillip and William, no problem there." I can only
shake
my head... Anyway, Bill received a degree in music
education from Michigan State University and recently finished his
Masters degree at the Boston
Conservatory. As the song
says, "I don't want to work...I want to bang on the drum all day."
Bill is now an instructor at Evansville
University as well as the principal percussionist of the
Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.
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My
new Mami and Papi are originally from Peru, having moved to the States
in the late '80s. I can't say enough good things about my new
family. Bertha is in the realty business in Glen Cove, NY.
She is warm and kind and makes an excellent flan.
Cesar is an incredibly imaginative craftsman who owns his own
home remodeling company in Long Island (http://homeimprovementli.com/default.aspx).
I strongly recommend talking with him if you ever are looking to have
some work done on your home.
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My
new brother and sister -in-law, Fabi and Fressia, are now
undergraduates attending schools just outside of Philadelphia.
As a sophomore, Fabi was elected to be the student council
president at Haverford College. When not studying, Fabi also
stays busy performing in the school's theater. Fressia is
enjoying life as a freshman at Villanova University. Fressi
speaks four languages and enjoys having fun.
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