Jacqueline Kolakowski (Keane)

For the last three weeks I have been corresponding with a few people I haven't connected with since we graduated. Like everyone else, I think--wow, 20 years, where has it all gone?

I have been asked to post a bio and really have not wanted to do it.However, after reading about where we are twenty years later, I thought I might as well add my name to the pot.

After graduation, I stayed in Los Alamos. I had a great job with the Laboratory and they offered me an undergraduate position should I decide to go to college. I really never thought about college, but figured it was a great opportunity--so I took it. I ended up earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree to my surprise. I am now thinking about finishing my Ph.D. It's never too late, right?

I married in 1992, had one son, Zack, in 1994, and a few years later I was divorced. I was scared because it was my first time on my own. However, with a lot of encouragement and support from friends and family, I survived. I pretty much stayed with the Laboratory first as a training specialist and then onto a QA Specialist. I currently work with the Laboratory as a Quality Assurance Engineer supporting construction projects. In 2004, I took a hiatus from the Laboratory and Los Alamos and moved to Omaha, NE for one year. Returning to Los Alamos in 2005 with my new husband.

I met my second husband, Michael, the summer of 2004. I had never believed in the love at first sight garbage--but it does happen! Ladies, don't fret, it will find you! To this day, I am convinced we never had a real date--we went from friendship to marriage. However, I believe that is the way it should be--being married to your best friend. We are now three years strong! We love to hike, ride our mountain bikes, rock climb, ski, motorcycle (yes, I learned to drive one!), and read. We are now learning to play tennis together (whew).

Zack (12 year old son) is my pride and joy. I truly believe until one has a child, one does not truly know what the term unconditional love truly means. My son has taught me how to be patient, acceptance no matter what happens, and to appreciate the here and now. After my divorce to my first husband, he was the reason I kept going. We learned to laugh together during the turbulant times. He is great! He loves to snowboard, hike, baseball, and skateboard. He has kept mom young that is for sure. Get this--he also loves 80's music!!! Needless to say, I keep hearing 80's lingo sneak into his vocabulary such as "totally awesome!" Oh to live through this with my son...He saw the ONE picture of me in the highschool yearbook and said that I looked like Velma from Scooby Doo (1987)...He said, "Boy, mom, I'm sure glad you don't look like THAT anymore..." Uhh, yeah...

I will eventually post pictures of my son, and maybe myself (I am a bit camera shy since that one picture in our Senior yearbook)...

I hope to see many of you at the reunion. And for those of you posting pictures of Mesa School days--thanks!

Jackie