A True and Dear Friend

"

" A true friend is someone who thinks
you are a good egg
even though they know
you are slightly cracked. "

************************************************************

************************************************************


Friendship Tree


Life gives us many blessings
but there are only a few
that compare to the joy
I have knowing you

Your are dependable and true
and always there for me
thank you for everything
you do so thoughtfully

You are so very dear to me
and very special too
I am truely Thankful
that I found a friend in you


Your Greatful and loving friend,
Lisa (Lee Lu) Westberry


***********************************************************************************

***********************************************************************************

My name is Ana Maria Padurean (Anamaria to be KISS = keep it short and simple), and I was born in Oradea/Romania. The first thing I did after coming on this World, was to upset my father, because he was egarly waiting for a boy and not for a girl! But with my charm and kindness (LOL) I softened his heart and he get learned to love me very much; maybe even more than he loves my brother. He always uses to say that I’m his favorite daughter (he has none other LOL). As you could already find out I also have a brother; he is with 8 years younger than me; along my father is my mother (who would believe this!) and hope God will keep them both with us still for a long time.

I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents at the countryside, not too far from my city. My parents had a very hard time because they were working and learning at the same time, to fit into the “socialist work field”, as their origin was not “too healthy” at that time! – meaning that their families were too rich for the party’s concept! I won’t get into this too deep because this bio will be endless than. Anyway, thanks to my grandmother, I never knew anything about this until I grow up! They were always telling me that it is better for me to stay at fresh air at my grandparents than in the city where I’ve got always sick! My grandmother did her very best to educate me in a very disciplined and in a dignified manner (almost aristocratic). Latter, because of this, many people around me thought I grow up with a governess and never had to do anything in my life; even if I’ve told them how much I helped in the garden for sawing and harvesting, and kept looking for geese and everything a child could do around the household! And I was enjoying doing everything because I knew that it makes my grandma very happy. This was a very happy period of my life. I’m very sorry not being able to “deliver” for my kids some countryside grandys! They have no idea how is to run along a street without being afraid a car will crash on you any minute! I hope that one day my grandchildren will have at least a part of it. I dream about my quite, retired place somewhere to live and to listen to the birds chirping and trill.

Than when I had to go to school I’ve got back home with my parents. I become a 7 years “responsible grownup”, taking care of my lessons and my swimming, because I started to swim daily, 2 hours. Than when I was in the 2nd class, finally my brother has borne, and the family becomes complete, everybody being very happy! Especially me because I could help my mother with taking care of him. And so have passed 12 years until I graduated high school and went to the University to Timisoara (where the 1989 revolution has started from)! There, I’ve met my husband! This was very interesting because we were at the same high school, but we didn’t meet before!
When getting into our last year of study, we decided to marry. Till than I’m with him and we are living happily (hope) ever after LOL!

We have two kids: Ramona – our daughter; she is 20 years old and is a law student at Bucharest University; and Alex – our 17 year old son – who is eager to join his sister in Bucharest. He uses to say that his sister is in Bucharest learning how to become a lawyer liar! He is not yet decided what kind of “liar” to be, but the most he would love, is to become a politician, because in his opinion when it comes to lies, they are the best.

Our family is completed with Missy, our Collie dog, and Kitty the kitten that has grown up to a cat meanwhile. We love to go on summers, on camp trips, to enjoy the freedom of nature. The only occasions when Missy gets into the car by herself, without being dragged there, is when she hears the word “trip” or when she sees us putting the camp into the car. Than, she is the first there on the chair near the wheal! LOL

That was a glimpse about my family and the life we are enjoying together! Now some words about me as a “professional”
I graduated as a chemical engineer, the same as my husband – Nicu (Nick - in English!)
After graduation I came home to Oradea, and I had the chance to see my dream with my bear eyes! At first I worked as an engineer in the Chemical Plant, for about 3 or 4 years and than in a research lab (doing what I dreamed of) as research scientist. But after the “Revolution” of 1989 things has changed and research lost very much in its importance and I learned that there is no satisfaction in doing what you like best, if there is no use of your work. So, I decided to challenge myself in something radically different – marketing, selling, PR, client service, management, training. Of course not all together at once, but one by one, as I get into the area. First I was very frightened not knowing what else to do than chemistry, as that was the only thing I learned and I thought I was able to do! But, by time, I realized that actually I can do something else too; and more I’m actually able to be very good in! This gave me wings to fly in another direction and to be happy with this. For me it is always exciting to learn and explore new and unknown resources of mine. I'm sure there is hiding such “treasure” in each of us; it only needs to be discovered and put to work! Most of my colleagues thought I’m in saint! LOL Now when we are meeting on the street or where ever, they keep telling me that I was a very clever pioneer! LOL
For more than 10 years by now, I become a counselor. The last 6 years I worked as an independent life insurance and financial consultant. Now, since January I made another change and started to teach and train others how to sell financial products, being the representative of a well known European Bank, in my county. The product of this bank being rather new, both for the bank officers and the potential clients, I have a lot to travel and to work with the people; I have to teach them (the officers) how to think and approach the market. Because I’m not too sure how to explain this shortly for you to understand, I won’t get into it any further.

Last year was one full of changes and new beginnings in my life! Besides changing entirely our house (we are still living in the middle of a yard), I gave up with life insurance and financial concealing; than I adventured myself into the Internet. About one year ago, I knew almost nothing regarding the Internet; I have only navigated a few times. I found lots of sites claiming they are the ones who knows “The SECRET” and that its “easy as 1.2.3 –“ And all that without doing anything! Just sitting in the comfort of your own home! Sounds familiar, isn’t it? LOL
I was very intrigued with this because I couldn’t believe that there is something as “easy “ and there are still many pour people in the World. Than finally I’ve got to Jim Daniel’s site and Report! Reading that I begun to learn something! (a twinkle in my mind LOL) Than, looking for free advertising, I think at Jim’s recommendation I’ve ended up here at AdlandPro. When I’ve got Hans’ invite to become friends I wasn’t really sure what does that mean. Than there came those Forum invites?! I didn’t dare to post, in order not to do something wrong, or so… Than by time “stilling” from the pros, I begin to realize what is it all about. And now, look at me; with lots of friends, and here in The Spotlight! I’m not too sure what did I really done to deserve this, but I thank you so very much.

Nothing of this could have been possible without your help and guidance, my dear Adlandian Friends; I learned and I still am learning from each of you! And I just want to take the opportunity to twist the Spotlight upon YOU, because you are the ones deserving this.

There are some of you so very special to me, but because I do not want to turn this into an Oscar speech, I stop here saying a humble THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Sincerely, your friend,
Anamaria

***********************************************************************************

***********************************************************************************
Congratulations Ana Maria for being our Spotlight!!!