Virginia Fortner
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Birthday:
08/09
About me
A retired teacher, grandmother, and lifelong learner, I got to know China's kindergartners after teaching college English majors for the past three years. It's a toss up whether mountains or oceans call with the most force. I like nature, people, music, art, animals, books, and candles (in that order). I'm still trying to figure out what I'll do when I grow up--and writing about the journey along the way.
Why I travel
It feeds my soul and sense of adventure.
Travel style
"Off the beaten track" catches my interest.
Ideal place to watch the sunset
Cone Cliff above my Montana house, with a picnic supper
Ideal place to watch the sunrise
Valley High above my Montana house, with breakfast in my backpack
Before I die I'd like to
master Tai Ji
I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when
China has been my most immersed experience; it takes time and patience.
Let's collaborate
I've good China pictures and information and have given several programs since returning from LinAn, my last job. I'm good at proofing and editing, I'm told. I tutor people in how to learn, especially gifted ones with learning disabilities (that's my Ph D).
Favorite artist(s)
I like my own watercolors, learned a lot from Scott Christiansen about colors.
Sports I do
Biking, Tai Ji, Walking, Kayaking
I want to make a difference by
Writing something of quality and substance is important to me. Helping learners of all ages brings out the best teacher part of me.
Tunes I rock out to
I like anything sung by Joan Baez, Cheryl Crowe, Placido Domingo. I sang on the same stage as John Denver once; I still return to his lyrics.
Favorite books
Whatever I'm reading (recently 1421, by Gavon Menzies)
My links
is my blog (unavailable in China, but I've a computer guru daughter who posts it
Looking to Meet:
I hope my nephew will take me on part of his sail around the world.
Other Languages:
I've a smattering of many languages, little mastery of any.
Favorite Quote:
I like taking tourists on trips and seeing them become travelers.
Favorite Places:
I've explored every continent but Antarctica. Teaching in China, home for part of the last four years, has been a terrific immersion experience. I'll remember a long time: waterfalls in Hawaii, the terraces on Machu Pichu, riding across eight lanes of Jogjakarta, Indonesian traffic on the back of a bicycle, a massage by a Maori woman, dancers on an Austrian anniversary, temples on a Yantzee Cruise, and coming to the end of a 17-day Nepal trek.
Places I Want To Go:
Return anywhere I've visited, see Japan for the first time, and see those Antarctic penguins.