My name is Ronica. No, that's not short for anything.
I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, daughter of a Norwegian Republican and a Norwegian/German Democrat. We called it a mixed marriage. When I was in college studying Music Education, I met a great guy who gets me, married him, and we moved to Wisconsin while he went to graduate school. I worked as an elementary and middle school Band Director/Music Teacher while he pursued his dream of becoming a Jack of All Sciences. We got a great dog named Lucy.
When he got his PhD, he helped me pursue my dreams: living in Paris, having children, staying home with them, staying active in music, and traveling.
I've been described as voracious, fantastic, incredibly organized (I say that one to remind myself because I don't always agree), hilarious, thoughtful, passionate, creative and a force to be reckoned with. Someone once said of me, "she's great; but I wouldn't want to get on her bad side." Yeah, I've got a temper. I'm working on it.
I have a lot of friends from all walks of life. I am proud of that; I love to meet new people and learn new things. I love to talk and write. I love to dance, to eat, cook, read, watch movies and television, sing, play my clarinet, direct bands, work with kids, coach musicians, take photos, listen to music, and learn about everything. I tend to get obsessed with historical periods or cultural groups and read everything I can get my hands on about them. I think I might be a little bit OCD. I am a Christian and my husband is a Buddhist. We make it work. I am frugal, probably to a fault, but it makes living on one income possible. My dad hunts big game; I hunt bargains. I'm a terrible knitter and I am at war with my sewing machine.
I used to blog at MrsBinParis when I lived in France. I met some great friends and learned so much about both French and Parisian culture as well as my own. It was the most wonderful thing that had happened to me up to that point, and one of the most challenging. That old saying about someone else's moccasins is very true--and it sure makes you evaluate your own Converse All-Stars at the same time. Dr. B and I both dream of someday owning a home in France and going back.
When we moved back to the US, we expected culture shock. What we didn't expect was for our other dream of having children to come true within weeks--I got pregnant very soon after our feet hit American soil. Our daughter, Rowan, was born in June. Four days later, Dr. B was offered a job at a major university in the middle of nowhere on the East Coast. This was when my dream of staying home with our kids came true. I'd love to say it's been all butterflies and happy thoughts, but it hasn't. It's been hard. I wouldn't trade it for anything though--I love it. Our second daughter, Anya, was born in May, nearly 3 years after her sister. She looks so much like Rowan, but her personality is completely different. We lived through colic with the first one, and as a reward, we've got an easy baby who sleeps a lot, eats well, grows fast and is already blessing us with big grins. Her sister is absolutely in love with her. So are her dad and I. Even the dog sneaks kisses when she can.
As for the future, I don't know what will happen. Guess you'll just have to stay tuned.
