Jean Thomas (McClendon)

I really can't believe it's been 20 years! I have discovered that just about everyone has lead a much more exciting life than I have. After looking at some of the old photos posted I'm amazed at how successful we all were at rockin' the 80's hairstyles! I'm not sure how to recap the last 20 years without you falling asleep, not to mention I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast this morning, but here's the short, edited for television version of the story so far...

Then:

I knew it was time to hit the road when my graduation gift from my Mom was a set of luggage! Once I graduated I couldn't wait to get off The Hill so I packed up and moved all the way to Albuquerque (guess my wings didn't spread too far). I decided to get my license in cosmetology, not sure why but it seemed like a good choice since I had absolutely no desire to head to college. During those days I still enjoyed the carefree lifestyle having a good time with lots of LAHS Alumni who ended up at UNM and I have been in Albuquerque ever since. I worked in a salon for a little while and got married in 1990 and started making plans to move to the West Coast where my husband was going to be stationed once he finished basic training in the Navy. Funny how things just don't work out the way you plan and shortly after getting married I decided I didn't like my career or my husband so I found myself without either one of them. However, all was not lost, I did get a couple of really nice toasters as wedding gifts and a last name that was a lot easier to spell so I kept them.

Shortly after my divorce I enjoyed a brief stint as roomies with Trisha Hernandez and an occasional guest appearance from Kellie Dunn. Fortunately we all made it out alive, I think, I haven't talked to them in forever, but thanks for the memories ladies, I think we had some good times. Since I still didn't feel like college was my thing I worked several different jobs in retail and purchasing not really knowing what I wanted to do. My sister Kay gave me a lead on a job at the company she was working for and I landed a job in the education department for Sun Healthcare Inc. I was also living with my sister at the time, helping her get through a divorce with two small children. Those were the good old days, fun job, met lots of interesting people, had a great boss, and never wanted to work anywhere else again. I had a great time playing back-up Mom to my niece and nephew but eventually my sister re-married and is now living happily-ever-after in Durango, CO.

So I worked hard, played hard and successfully stayed off the FBI's Most Wanted List. I cruised along and enjoyed and endured the challenges of life, learned a few valuable lessons, and managed to collect only a little scar tissue and a few wrinkles along the way. After enjoying some great years with Sun Healthcare the company filed bankruptcy and my department had to go. I tried out unemployment for a few weeks but found that sleeping in, shopping, and hanging out at the pool all day wasn't much fun when you had to worry about how to pay the rent! It didn't take long to update the resume.

Now:

For the past 5 years I've been working for UNM Hospitals in the Organizational & Professional Development department. We are a division of Human Resources that provides management and professional development training for the hospital staff. I've come to find that I thoroughly enjoy working in health care and after a few years of regretting never going to college, I decided it was time for a change. I'm still working full time but am currently finishing up my course work for a Radiological Technology degree and will apply to the clinical program this fall. I guess it's never to late for an education or a career change.

As of today, I am still happily single with no kids, but an adoring Aunt to some wonderful, intelligent, and cute as hell nieces & nephews. I'm not a complete failure at raising a family as I have managed to keep a cat alive for the past 4 years but that is as far as my nurturing skills go. I think my Mom is secretly terrified I'm going to turn into one of those strange, old, crazy cat people who hang out in their bathrobe all day and have 80 cats running wild. I'm not that bad off just yet and too make her happy I'm considering doing some serious speed dating to find a husband before the reunion! It looks like everyone else out there has multiple children so maybe a few of you will be willing to sell off one or two of your least favorite offspring. This way my mother can relax a little and I'll be all caught up with the rest of you.

As much as I've started to wrinkle, sag, and decay in general there are one or two things about me that haven't changed. You'll still find me playing softball every summer (luckily they have a geriatric league here). I've been known to still flash one or two truck drivers during a road trip (flashing my smile that is, what were you thinking). Getting "shushed" in public places for laughing to loudly (people still always recognize me by the laugh).

I wasn't sure about coming to the reunion, I figured if we've lived 20 years without seeing each other what's a few more. I've been the absolute worst at keeping in touch with anyone but I'm so proud you all turned out so well without my help. My family left LA shortly after I did so I rarely make the trip up. After looking at old pictures and reading bios, I'm reminded of some really outstanding people and a few great moments in my past life. Just thinking that some of us started pre-school together and here we are celebrating our 20th reunion just blows my mind! I'm going to try to make it back up in July, besides if I don't attend, my sister Kay (Class of 84) is threatening to show up and pose as me. We decided that she could probably pull it off if she made sure to have a drink in her hand at all times and whenever anyone said "Remember the time we..." All she would have to do is nod her head and say, "Good times" or "I must have been really drunk that night because I don't remember any of that". So keep an eye out for possible imposters! She'll be the one still trying to figure out if anyone found her shoe from prom night of '82 at the Dome. If anyone feels the need to reminisce or trade war stories I'd love to hear from you.

Jean

For those of you that remember my family Joan & Wally (Mom & Step-dad) are still kickin' it in Green Valley, AZ. Here are some pictures taken at their place in March.

Here are those cute nieces & nephews (Taylor, Jacob, David & Liana)





Can't believe I spent my summers in High School babysitting this one (my niece Melissa).

Me with Janet & Kay (my much older sisters). Who do you think had the most to drink in this photo?