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Who WHO IS KRISTY DARLING?

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diamondfan

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Kristy, I would love to know a bit more about you!! (I am know I am not alone!)
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Me too, me too!! We would love to know a bit more about you. We know you have great taste in jewelry, but do tell us more about yourself!!!
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me three..we also know you have a couple of little ones and live in CA. Please tell us more.
 
I was once on the Bozo Show.
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More little tidbits to come!
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A child star!!!!
 
ME FOUR!
 
Yes! Do tell!

I have to say now that I know that we share a city I keep my eye out for eye-popping bling on the playgrounds!

But I promise I''m not a stalker

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When DiamondFan started this thread, I blushed. I do that a lot. Particularly when the attention is on me. Dang that introvert gene! Here goes…

Born in early 1970’s in Chicago, raised in the burbs from age 3 on.

Oldest of 3. I have a cute “little” 30-year-old brother with dimples who loved Transformers and Voltron…who is now a professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. My “littlest” brother is 27 years old. He started wearing bifocals at age 8 and is the brain of the family…he’ll start the MBA program at Wharton in the fall. (I’m the underachiever, as you'll see)

Mom and Dad are immigrants from Asia who came to the U.S. for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Paternal grandparents and our beloved, gentle schizophrenic aunt lived with us all throughout childhood. Big, loud extended family under one roof. Many happy memories of being loved, disciplined, and singing Japanese children’s songs.

Raised in an overwhelmingly musical family. Mom was a piano teacher, both my grandmothers were as well. Was soloist with a touring children’s musical group and spent my childhood from age 8 to 16 traveling worldwide, performing in concert halls and having the honor of meeting politicians, royals, celebrities, and the Pope himself. I’ve even met Oprah, years before she became God. Being a musician pretty much defined my childhood (was only able to attend school a few days a week) but I’ll spare you the details. We played some dumps too so it wasn’t all roses and glory.

Since music was all I knew, I did the logical thing and got my B.M. in music performance, got my first and only music-related job straight out of college, in symphony concert production. Did that for 2 years while living in Chicago in my shoebox apartment in the Gold Coast ‘hood. That’s also where I met my sweetie. Introduced by mutual friends at a cheesy, guys-in-shiny-tight-shirts club called Karma, which has since been shut down due to a fatal shooting.

Dated for 6 months before moving out to SF together. Continued dating off and on (yeah, we had issues) for another 2 ½ years before he finally admitted he’d “never do better” than me (huh?!? Is that a compliment or not? Still don’t know) and proposed on a street corner while the poor valet stood there awkwardly, holding the door open and waiting for his tip. So romantic….not! It worked out just fine though…been married now almost 5 years. He’s my truest and best friend. Had difficulty starting a family…thank goodness for medical technology! It resulted in 2 beautiful successes, the best things I’ve ever done: my son (3 in June), and my daughter (turned 1 in January).

Since moving to SF 8 years ago, my career has been a mixed bag, and completely unrelated to music. I think I subconsciously rebelled against that part of myself…was getting sick of it, frankly. Career “path” while in SF: product marketing, wanna-be pre-med student (but pregnancy and bed rest derailed me from that route), neuropsych research associate, and now health research editor. It’s been fun.

The great sadness of my life: at age 39, Mom was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. She was fine and functional for 10 years before suddenly falling into a decline. Her illness became so severe that we finally had to make the toughest of all tough decisions….we moved her into a nursing home in Asia, where having a 24-hour-caregiver is affordable, nursing homes are MUCH nicer, and elders are revered. I miss Mom so much it hurts. My heart aches for her every day and there’s nothing worse than feeling helpless like this. I try to get out to her place at least once a year, I try to bring the kids but it’s a rough trip for a preschooler and a toddler (after 3 nightmarish trips with them, we’re gonna take a break). We keep in touch mainly via email, snail mail, phone, and webcam. I miss her. I feel so sad that she’s in her situation. She is not who she used to be, which was energetic, loving, affectionate, outgoing, vibrant, funny. It hurts to see that she’s painfully lonely and a shell of her former self, and hurts even more to think about what she must be thinking/feeling inside and cannot communicate to others. But when I start to get too down, I think about what she would want for me. Which is not to mope and to just be a happy person and enjoy life. I’m trying.

Well, on that cheery note…..I’ll sign off for tonight. I’m spent! Feel free to ask random questions (easy dummy-proof ones, please) or make a joke. I think I need one now!
 
Thanks Kristy, I enjoyed reading your story very much - thanks for sharing! With your Mom being a piano teacher, do you play? I do but have been neglecting it recently. I wasn't sure if by a soloist that mean vocal or piano/instrumental?
 
Date: 5/2/2006 2:41:43 AM
Author: Lorelei
Thanks Kristy, I enjoyed reading your story very much - thanks for sharing! With your Mom being a piano teacher, do you play? I do but have been neglecting it recently. I wasn't sure if by a soloist that mean vocal or piano/instrumental?
I do play, but not nearly enough. If my kids are awake, I'm with them. If they're asleep, I'm either tidying up or dawdling on PS!
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My bachelor's degree was in piano performance, but my chops now are pretty much nonexistent.
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When I was a kid with the touring group, I was a violinist.
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I gigged around Chicago in various chamber ensembles, church programs, and weddings...I also taught violin/piano lessons on the side. It's been years since I last did that, though. Having 2 little kids changes a lot of things!

I didn't know that you play piano too.
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What sort of repertoire?
 
KD
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thanks for sharing your life story.very interesting
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do you like living in S.F. ?
 
I play the Beethovens - Sonata Pathetiqe, Chopin's Nocturne etc being recent ones, lots of the classics, but I have a love for the old standards and Barry Manilow for fun! I want to get the music for A Wink and a Smile from Sleepless in Seattle next, so quite varied I guess!

I always wanted to learn the violin, but DH says it would sound like the cats around the dustbins!
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WOW Kristy, thanks so much for sharing your story. My hubby is from Chicago, grew up in Winthrop Harbor and commuted to DT when he was 17 to work
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. I absolutely LOVE it there and going to visit is so much fun. Anyway, I''m about the same age as you with 2 little ones myself. Your story about your mom made me cry. My mom is one of my best friends and lives only 20 minutes away. I could not even fathom her being ill and on the other side of the world, but I completelty understand you did what''s best for her, even though it breaks your heart. I can tell from your posts you are such a caring person and a great mommy, with great taste in jewelery too
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HI:

Interesting read--nice to "know" you and thanks for sharing!!

cheers--Sharon
 
Thank you for posting a little biography Kristy. You live in heaven up in the Bay area. I was just up there recently, and I would love to go back again. For a brief while when I was a child, I lived in Santa Clara.
 
KristyDarling, thanks for posting your story.

Even though you said you need a joke, I have to say that I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I was reading and my eyes were getting all misty and I was feeling kind of choked up (and I''m not really an emotional person). I''m from an asian immigrant family, so I think I can understand in some ways what a very hard decision that must have been. I am very close with my mom and I thank God every day that she is healthy and we can continue our relationship.

I think you are right...your mom sounds like a lovely person and she wouldn''t want you to feel helpless and depressed on her behalf. You were blessed with two great children and you are rightly focusing on the happiness of your family here and now.

So, how about some "dummy" questions? What were your kids first halloween costumes (I just love babies in funny outfits)? And speaking of costumes, did you ever give a concert wearing something you think is god-awful now? I remember when I played piano, it seemed somehow mandatory that the girls wear some poofy dress with puffed sleeves....
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Kristydarling,

After reading your post, I want to give you a hug! And tell you that somehow everything will be OK. The irony is that the reason your mom is so very far away is that she has a family that cares about her so much. It would have been easier to find a place somewhere in california and put up with the substandard care--she is fortunate to have you. And from experience I can tell you that if she was in San Jose or Santa Rosa, you would still not be able to see her enough with your kids being so little, and then the close distance would seem like a guilt-inspiring problem. There is no right or wrong way to make it through these tough situations, and you should remind yourself of that. And what you say about reverence for the elders is so important...

Do you still have relations in Japan who are able to see her?

On a more light note, is your eldest starting preschool next year? I''m curious how that nasty application process has been for you. San Francisco is insane. Just wait till they hit kindergarten!
 
Loved reading your story kristy. Sounds like we both have some things in common...music & diamonds! Next time I come to SF we should get together for a lovely afternoon of going to a concert and jewel talk. :)

pb
 
thanks for sharing your story KD.

your childhood sounds amazing. musical family!
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my mother too had MS- it''s such a debilitating disease. My heart goes out to you.
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Kristy it''s so nice to learn more about you in addition to what we already know - that you seem like a lovely woman and have fantastic taste in jewelry and a beautiful collection!

I am sorry to hear about your mother''s MS and the painful decisions that you have had to make and live through. I am awed by your strength!

I would love to know some silly things - how about favorites? Favorite meal? Cuisine? Place to vacation? Thing to do in your spare time? Book? Movie? Etc?!
 
KD, I am soo sorry about your mom. Illnesses like that (and Alzheimers etc) that rob the physical are hard. You see this strong amazing person going through changes and it is tough. I hope and pray she continues to get amazing care. I am sure you miss her a lot.

Music is such a powerful thing...sounds like you have had it in your life so long and it is a great thing, hope your kids get into too. My oldest is into the guitar and vocals and wants to learn pianoi, and my middle is a drummer, I have the makings of a band if my little one plays bass! (I can play the triangle or the tambourine a la Shirley Partridge...)

You are a lovely person. I have enjoyed your posts. I am glad you were able to have kids, nothing worse than wanting and not being able to. Blessings on that, and I am sure they are just precious.

I love your engagement story...reminds me of Charlotte on Sex in the City who freaked because one night at dinner she says something to Trey about getting married and he says, "Alrighty!" and she is so worried that THIS is her engagement story she is going to tell her kids...so he drops to one knee in front of Tiffany''s to make amends!!!

Keep anwering the questions, I am glad you did and know a lot of PS''ers are glad to read all about you. Congrats on your absolutely stunning new ring, too!
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Date: 5/2/2006 3:27:15 AM
Author: Dancing Fire
KD
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thanks for sharing your life story.very interesting
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do you like living in S.F. ?
Hi DF! I LOVE living in SF. As far as I''m concerned, it''s the best city in the U.S.
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Great weather, beautiful views in every direction, rolling hills, awesome old world architecture, diversity, great food...I could go on and on! The only things it''s lacking are 1) good public schools, but then again, what big city has them?? 2) a theater and classical music scene. Aside from the ACT, the SF Symphony/Opera...there isn''t much. (but I''m from Chicago, which has a HUGE arts/music scene. I think I got spoiled there.)
 
Kristy,
I loved hearing your story. I''m sorry about your mom. I know that it''s such a debilitating disease. You are such a warm and caring person. It comes through loud and clear in your posts. I''m so glad to know more about you. Lisa
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KristyDarling:

Thank you for sharing some of your life story with us!
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I am sure your heart aches for your mom and I am sorry to hear about her MS. I have a few people in my life with MS and it is such a scary and brutal disease!

Heather
 
Date: 5/2/2006 10:15:51 AM
Author: mrssalvo
WOW Kristy, thanks so much for sharing your story. My hubby is from Chicago, grew up in Winthrop Harbor and commuted to DT when he was 17 to work
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. I absolutely LOVE it there and going to visit is so much fun. Anyway, I''m about the same age as you with 2 little ones myself. Your story about your mom made me cry. My mom is one of my best friends and lives only 20 minutes away. I could not even fathom her being ill and on the other side of the world, but I completelty understand you did what''s best for her, even though it breaks your heart. I can tell from your posts you are such a caring person and a great mommy, with great taste in jewelery too
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Hi Mrss (my computer tech teacher!)! We have a lot in common.
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It''s so great that your mom lives so close by and that you''re best friends! One of my big regrets is that I didn''t become very close with my Mom. We are very different people and were never super-close. But, there''s a lot of affection there and I have a lot of happy memories of growing up with her.
 
Date: 5/2/2006 6:03:49 PM
Author: TravelingGal
KristyDarling, thanks for posting your story.


Even though you said you need a joke, I have to say that I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I was reading and my eyes were getting all misty and I was feeling kind of choked up (and I''m not really an emotional person). I''m from an asian immigrant family, so I think I can understand in some ways what a very hard decision that must have been. I am very close with my mom and I thank God every day that she is healthy and we can continue our relationship.


I think you are right...your mom sounds like a lovely person and she wouldn''t want you to feel helpless and depressed on her behalf. You were blessed with two great children and you are rightly focusing on the happiness of your family here and now.


So, how about some ''dummy'' questions? What were your kids first halloween costumes (I just love babies in funny outfits)? And speaking of costumes, did you ever give a concert wearing something you think is god-awful now? I remember when I played piano, it seemed somehow mandatory that the girls wear some poofy dress with puffed sleeves....
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Thanks for your sweet and thoughtful respnse, TG.
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Well-put, about how I should be focusing on the happiness of my own family, especially since I''ll always love and honor my mom and that will never change.

My son''s first halloween costume was Eeyore. He looked hilarious, with the floppy ears and tail with little bow. My daughter''s first costume was a pink pig outfit...fitting, since that girl eats like a truck driver!

Our violin touring group had to wear these godawful matching uniforms at every concert. Super-60''s style psychedelic creations in polyester with flutter sleeves. I shudder to think of them! But, they were sort of our hallmark look so we had no choice!
 
Date: 5/3/2006 1:21:31 PM
Author: Pearberry
Loved reading your story kristy. Sounds like we both have some things in common...music & diamonds! Next time I come to SF we should get together for a lovely afternoon of going to a concert and jewel talk. :)


pb
Sounds like my idea of a perfect day!
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Anytime, Pearberry!
 
Date: 5/3/2006 6:36:46 PM
Author: sevens one
thanks for sharing your story KD.


your childhood sounds amazing. musical family!
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my mother too had MS- it''s such a debilitating disease. My heart goes out to you.
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Oh, I''m sorry that your mom had MS too.
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it''s amazing how often I come across people both in real life and online who have been affected by this disease.
 
Date: 5/4/2006 5:04:19 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Kristy it''s so nice to learn more about you in addition to what we already know - that you seem like a lovely woman and have fantastic taste in jewelry and a beautiful collection!


I am sorry to hear about your mother''s MS and the painful decisions that you have had to make and live through. I am awed by your strength!


I would love to know some silly things - how about favorites? Favorite meal? Cuisine? Place to vacation? Thing to do in your spare time? Book? Movie? Etc?!
Thanks, FG! It''s odd, but I don''t think of myself as being particularly strong about my mom''s disease. I break down in tears on a regular basis and although you''d think it gets easier over time, it really doesn''t. You just get more "used to" it. You just keep going and try your best to be happy. I know you''re going through hell yourself with your mom''s recent diagnosis. I''m thinking of you and your family.

Favorite meal: too many to choose from, but a top contender is barbeque chicken pizza with LOTS of cilantro. Or, a really tender and juicy filet mignon with potatoes and a salad.
Cuisine: Japanese
Vacation spot: Cabo San Lucas, but I love Europe too.
Spare time: Sleep! Browse PS. Read. Watch CSI, Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace, Talk Soup.
Book: Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Movie: Schindler''s List if I feel like being really depressed, but I''d rather laugh so Spinal Tap.
 
Date: 5/4/2006 6:38:36 PM
Author: diamondfan
KD, I am soo sorry about your mom. Illnesses like that (and Alzheimers etc) that rob the physical are hard. You see this strong amazing person going through changes and it is tough. I hope and pray she continues to get amazing care. I am sure you miss her a lot.


Music is such a powerful thing...sounds like you have had it in your life so long and it is a great thing, hope your kids get into too. My oldest is into the guitar and vocals and wants to learn pianoi, and my middle is a drummer, I have the makings of a band if my little one plays bass! (I can play the triangle or the tambourine a la Shirley Partridge...)


You are a lovely person. I have enjoyed your posts. I am glad you were able to have kids, nothing worse than wanting and not being able to. Blessings on that, and I am sure they are just precious.


I love your engagement story...reminds me of Charlotte on Sex in the City who freaked because one night at dinner she says something to Trey about getting married and he says, ''Alrighty!'' and she is so worried that THIS is her engagement story she is going to tell her kids...so he drops to one knee in front of Tiffany''s to make amends!!!


Keep anwering the questions, I am glad you did and know a lot of PS''ers are glad to read all about you. Congrats on your absolutely stunning new ring, too!
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Awwww, DF you are the sweetest thing.
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I bet you''re a warm fuzzies lady in person, too! I appreciate your warm sentiments about the situation with my mom. You''re right that the hardest thing has been seeing a "Super-Mom" and professional woman weaken to this extent. If anything, it has taught me that anything can happen to anyone...even the best of us....at any time. It''s literally a crap shoot. You just never know when it''s your turn to get really really sick, or when it''s your turn to leave this earth. Mortality at its most concrete. All we can do is love and honor the people in our lives as best as we can while also finding our own personal happiness.

Yes, DH will NEVER live down his underwhelming proposal, nor his abysmal behavior at our wedding reception (a whole other story!), but he has turned out all right.
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He loves me and wants me to be happy. And he''s a great dad who worships his kids. I really lucked out in the man department!
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Hey, you guys would be proud. I wore my new ring EVERY day this week! I just can''t bear to leave it at home so I''ve been wearing it to Oakland (eeek!) to work every day. Man, I love looking at this thing, how it dances and glitters in almost every light condition. It puts a little spring in my step every day! And now, after wearing it for a full week, I''m no longer intimidated by its size. Not shrinkage exactly, but more like becoming accustomed. I know I made the right decision with this ring.
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Good night, all!
 
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