Bio Sketch
About Julie Borel
If you are interested in knowing a bit more about Julie Borel, here is some biographical material for your reading pleasure.
Caveat: In an effort to seem fabulous and fascinating, I have cleverly avoided mentioning most of the more mundane stuff.
I was born in Washington, DC, in 1947, and grew up in the surrounding area in Virginia. After graduating from high school in 1964, I attended the "family" college, i.e., the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and graduated in 1968 with a B.S. in journalism.
Flower Child Days
Several months later, I moved to San Francisco, where I worked as a waitress at the Orion coffee house. It was a great, fun place to work, run by two terrific German fellows named Fred and Wolfgang.
Of course, I didn't make much money working there. You see, I worked solely for tips, and most of the customers would leave me flowers, joints, brownies, etc., instead of cold hard cash.
However, I did manage to get by and I certainly enjoyed living in that fine and exciting city.
 Volkswagen Vagabond
In the early 1970s, I traveled the country in my VW bus, working various odd jobs (including being a bus driver for Head Start and a barker on the midway at the Texas State Fair).
Here I am during a break from my job working a booth on the midway.
Backpacking Through Europe
I also hitchhiked through Europe for six months. Below is a photo of me on the sunroof of an Athens pensione in 1972. 
During that adventure, I also lived in a cave for a month on the Greek island of Ios. It wasn't really a "proper" cave -- more of a protected outcropping with a half-wall of stacked stones in front that had been built by a goatherd.
It was big enough for my sleeping bag, backpack, and campfire, but I could not stand up in it. But it was free and saved me the expense of paying $1.00 a day to stay in the "hotel" (I use the term loosely) on the nearby beach.
 Skydiving Camaraderie
Upon my return to the USA, I began skydiving, making 319 jumps in all. I was a member of the Pelican Skydivers and made most of my skydives at the little airfield we called Pelicanland in Ridgely, Maryland.
I was on two "relative work" teams. Relative work is when a bunch of skydivers exit the airplane at the same time at high altitude and make formations while in freefall before pulling their ripcords.
One team I was on was a 4-man (or "4-way") team and the other was a 10-way team.
The 4-way team was named "FUBAR." Here is a photo of me and my FUBAR cohorts from the mid 1970s.
Law School and Marathon
In 1980, I moved back to Lawrence, Kansas, and began attending law school at the University of Kansas in 1981.
During those three years, I decided to run a marathon. In 1983, I successfully completed the Wichita Marathon.
 Still Searching for Balance and Fulfillment
Since graduating from law school in 1984, I have been living in Kansas City, Missouri. I enjoyed many aspects of being an attorney, but all in all, it really wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I was restless and filled with wanderlust and I longed for adventure!
I quit practicing law in the 1990s to travel more and to spend more time working on arts and crafts projects and other creative pursuits.
I was happy as a clam for a brief and shining moment, but, alas, I had no source of income so eventually I needed to return to gainful employment.
You see, I was spending all my time creating (which I love to do) and no time on marketing (which I hate to do and am lousy at). So, alas, I had to return to a "real job."
For a while I worked as a home health aide, which I found tremendously rewarding. It didn't pay all that great, but I really got a lot of satisfaction from feeling I was doing something worthwhile. I drove from house to house too, so I wasn't stuck in an office all day! (How I loathe that!)
I also have done volunteer work at a nearby geriatric center and have served as a mentor with high school students who need help with their writing skills.
Eventually, I started doing some high level paralegal work in long-term temporary positions, which paid pretty decently and still allowed me a lot of freedom. (I just hate feeling trapped!)
In 2000, I began working full-time as a research analyst for large law firm and I remained there for five years. I was able to really sock away some retirement savings as a result of that stint.
 Retirement -- and Freedom!
In 2005, I left that position and was semi-retired for five years. During that period, I had a great arrangement -- a long-term, part-time, temp position as an attorney with very flexible hours, reviewing and summarizing documents in preparation for litigation. I made enough money to be comfortable and I had lots of free time. It worked out great.
I was able to do a lot of traveling, including a 10-day trip to Argentina. Here is a photo of a llama kissing me in Buenos Aires!
In 2010, I decided to completely retire -- and I must say that I love, love, love the freedom! I currently am living on early social security benefits and the commissions I make from my website. My lifestyle at present is quite frugal but comfortable, and so far I haven't had to tap into my retirement savings. I plan to wait until I am at least 66 before I start doing that.
By watching my pennies and using frequent flier miles, I also am still able to take trips and go on adventures, which I love to do.
I have learned from experience that I enjoy my creative endeavors a great deal more when I feel no pressure to produce and sell. I also have no interest whatsoever in marketing. That's just the way I am. I make stuff for the pure joy the creative process gives my soul.
That is why I am not selling my own crafts or artwork on this website. What I DO want to do -- so very much -- is to share my enthusiasm with you and to inspire you to indulge your own creative spark as often as you possibly can! If I succeed in doing that, I will consider myself very successful indeed.
|
