Kaaren Janssen
Hello, Everyone! It's been rather
amazing to read all the news, learn
all the history – sort of like being in one of those movies [Back to
the Future, Blast from the Past, Peggy Sue etc.]. But of course, it's
all real and therefore, all the more surprising to me to see this
unfold. Terrific of the reunion committee to have tracked us all down
and organized the event this evening – thank you very much. Very
sorry that I'm unable to make it - but will be thinking of all of you.
Here's a brief update [shall try to keep it brief] – after WVU I went
to graduate school in Cambridge, MA, studying molecular biology and
biochemistry. We then moved to Southern California where we lived for
the next several years, working in research labs at UCSD and the Salk
Institute. Both my children were born in La Jolla – it's a great place
to be pregnant and to have little ones, nearly altho not entirely
effortless. We moved back to New England and have lived near New Haven
CT for the past 20 years – I'm now a science editor, working at the
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press on Long Island. My daughter [a
lovely girl but rather high maintenance] has just returned from San
Francisco – she now works at the NY Times Digital and plans to go to
medical school next year. And my son [he's the low-maintenance family
member], recently graduated from college and is now trying to figure
out his future. Being an avid fan of Law and Order, he thinks law
school may be a suitable option for an English/Classics major. We
have, at any given time, either two or three dogs [the less said about
them the better]. My father, now 87, lives with his wife near
Morgantown, at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, and continues to remain
healthy and strong and entertaining as ever – I see him as often as I
can. Thanks again to all of you for getting in touch. Paul suggested
that we [the collective 'we'] compile these messages - a great idea.
But I wondered also whether the photos taken this evening and over the
weekend could be posted on a website for us all to access [something
like Snapfish?] Fun for all, but especially for those of us who cannot
join you.
Take care and have a wonderful time this evening!
Kaaren [Janssen]