Knowing each other a little bit more

[camille1585]

Cool thread!! I really loved the photo thread that's been going for a few years already, where you could put a face to a name. This thread is a nice addition, since you can learn so much more about people!

Where do you live/Where are you from?
I'm born in New Haven, Connecticut to French parents. I lived in Connecticut and then in northern Virginia, and after 15 years of life in the USA my mother, sister and I moved back to my mom's hometown (Lyon) in France after my parents divorced. Still live in Lyon, although I spend most of my time in the Netherlands.

What do you do for a living?
Nothing for now! Got my MSc in Plant Sciences in the fall from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, then worked as a research assistant for 5 months, studying the flight behavior of malaria mosquitoes. Now I'm busy applying for PhD positions over there, in plant-insect interactions. I hope to work in plant breeding companies afterwards, working on developing insect resistant crops.(the natural way, not by making GMOs!)

What are some of your hobbies (besides orchids)?
I love fencing, it's a great sport! Also did horseback riding for 10 years, but stopped 5 years after a very bad riding accident. I love gardening, right now I'm so busy with the vegetable garden and flower beds. I also like photography, but don't have the time or money to get serious about it.

Pets
Have a tank full of tropical fish
An 8 year old male canary named Alphie
A very cuddly and loving guinea pig named Snoopy

A few pics to come later, they're all on my laptop.

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by help

here is a pic of me with my beloved "mega-phal"


conn ie- didnt you go to highschopol in pa?

I did indeed got to high school in Harrisburg PA. Also in New Jersey and on Long Island. My parents moved twice when I was in HS.
My spirits home is Star Island, off the coast of New Hampshire (yes, NH has a coast)

[Connie Star]

PS- love the Phal, Bob

[Call_Me_Bob]

thats awesome connie! seems like you've gotten to live in alot of different places

ps. thanks

[Angurek]

Interesting thread.

Where do you live/Where are you from?

I currently reside in Tampa, FL, but I'm originally from Salt Lake City, UT. I'm half Italian and half Mexican, but my parents witheld most of their cultural practices when I was growing up, so I know nothing about either of my roots (they naturalized in the US back in '83, about five years before I was born). Sure, my mom taught me Spanish, but that's about as far as it went. And much to my chagrin, dad never taught me Italian. There are times I wish they had kept some of their original customs and traditions, just so I could get a glimpse into their worlds.

I'm hoping I'll be able to remain in Florida for as long as possible, but I'm open to moving to another state if my career demands it in the future, when I join the workforce. I'm a creature of the tropics - I need my warmth and sunshine.

What do you do for a living?

I'm a student at the University of Tampa, majoring in Marine Biology. I'm about a year away from graduation. I'm excited about it, but at the same time, I'm kinda nervous about making the transition from student to worker. I just hope I can contribute something meaningful to society.

What are some of your hobbies (besides orchids)?

I like DJ'ing, Road Tripping, Going to the beach, cooking, and eating. I'm a foodie LOL.

I'm gonna work on adding "Scuba Diving" to that list this summer. But first I have to figure out where I can get a prescription mask, since I wear glasses and I can't see much without them. I've thought about using contacts, but I've heard too many horror stories about them and saltwater.

Do you have any pets?

I don't, and truth be told, I'm not much of a pet person. I'm actually scared to death of dogs. People always tell me their dog is nice, and it ends up being the other way around.

Funny thing is, I'm not afraid of wild animals. Go figure.


Other than that, I'm a pretty boring person. There are stories of people who meet famous people or go to exotic places, but I can't say that I'm one of them. I've also been battling depression and family problems.

[abigaillevans]

I'm about a year away from graduation. I'm excited about it, but at the same time, I'm kinda nervous about making the transition from student to worker.

Congratulations on being so close to finishing! Don't worry TOO hard about the transition -- it's not too bad. I graduated from college in 2009, and, even with the economy the way it is, there's stuff out there for newly graduated students! If you have internship it's even better! I bet Tampa has some jobs available in your area, too.

I'm in Lakeland -- are there any good nurseries out there in your neck of the woods?

[nenella]

Great Idea Ysa! ok here goes...

Where do you live/Where are you from?

I am an Italian national born from Italian parents in Kenya E. Africa. I left Kenya when I was 22 years old, lived in the UK for 6 years & then got a job in France where I live to this day. I also met my husband in the UK (he's English)

What do you do for a living?
I manage a Holiday Park & am lucky to work together with my husband. We have been married 22 years. The company I work for is expanding and buys new holiday parks every couple years... so we get to move alot as 'love' creating and getting things up and running.. We've been lucky to move around alot on the whole of France's coasts - Atlantic & Mediterranean.

What are some of your hobbies (besides orchids)?
I love growing indoor plants my home is filled with plants! I also love painting, reading, snorkling & exploring (the sea and especially the reef in Kenya); decorating, photography - very amateurish for now, need to find the time to go for 'lessons'..

Do you have any pets?

I love all animals (except one, Mosquitoes!!!as, they to my knowledge are the only ones that attack you for No reason!)
We have 2 male Persian cats; Sasha (6 yrs) & Enzo (2 yrs) who are adorable & a real pleasure to be with.

PS: will have a look for photos this weekend.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Angurek

What do you do for a living?

I'm a student at the University of Tampa, majoring in Marine Biology. I'm about a year away from graduation. I'm excited about it, but at the same time, I'm kinda nervous about making the transition from student to worker. I just hope I can contribute something meaningful to society.

Cool! I love marine life. They're so mysterious and beautiful.

Originally Posted by Angurek

There are stories of people who meet famous people or go to exotic places, but I can't say that I'm one of them.

You wanna bet!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Where do you live/Where are you from?

I was born in Surabaya, Indonesia, but I'm of Chinese decent.

I came to the US when I was 3 yrs old, and have lived in the Los Angeles area for most of my life.

I currently live in the city of Rosemead, an area within the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County.

What do you do for a living?

I've been in the entertainment industry for roughly 12 or so years, primarily in the field of acting.

A couple of notable shows I've been on that I can be seen in are:

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

and

Sonny with a Chance (ep: Falling For The Falls Part 2)

I've also been on a commercial for the video game Ratchet and Clank for the PS2.

I hope to branch out into production as I feel that that is where I will be able to stay associated with the film and tv industry the longest.

What are some of your hobbies (besides orchids)?

Although I haven't been doing it much of late, I enjoy drawing.

I enjoy watching online movie reviews and cartoons.

Do you have any pets?

I have 4 German Shepherds (1 male, 3 females). They are brother and sisters, but the male is kept separate from the females.

I also have 1 indoor cat - not exactly sure what kind it is.

A couple of Keeled Slug Snakes (Pareas carinatus).

A male Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi). I had 2 the other one didn't make it - maybe it got bullied too much.

As well as one female Phelsuma nigristriata.


I used to keep freshwater and saltwater tropical fish.

My favorite groups of freshwater fish to keep are Tetras and Rasboras.

My favorite groups of saltwater fish to keep are Pygmy Angels (Centropyge spp.), Fairy Wrasses (Cirrhilabrus spp.), Flasher Wrasses (Paracheilinus spp.), and some of the nano-gobies in the genus Eviota.

I don't generally like keeping birds, but one of my favorite pet birds in the past were Gouldian Finches.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is a photo still from Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End. I'm on the far right of the pic.

The photo on the right is my most recent headshot without all that grungey make-up.


@ Carl: I may not be famous, nor does anybody know that I exist in the world of film and television, but now you know that you actually do know someone from the big and little screens. Not quite so boring of a life you have there, huh?