Rachael 101: An Introduction

Because we haven't formerly been introduced, here are the imparative parts of me.

1. My name is Rachael Yvonne Smyczak. My varios alias' include Rachola, Chola, Choles, Svetlana, Rach, and Freak Bitch. I usually tell people to call my Rach or Rachael or whatever comes out first. Sometimes I am surprised by the people who actually call me Rachael.

2. I am 23. I graduated from North Branch High School in '02 and got my BA in English with a focus in Womens and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan in sunny Flint.

3. I have worked at the same library for nearly eight years. I started as a page when I was 16 and was promoted to Clerk when I was 20. I LOVE my job which is pretty much a customer service position. I remain at the front desk 99% of the time I am here and dodge people's anger with a smile.

4. I am in lovely with a lovely man who I shall only call Captain J. I decided on the name because I was looking at a romance novel called A Pirate of Her Own and remembered that one of J's ex-girlfriends used to call him Pirate J. But he is my captain, calmly steering me through the rough waters. We have been together just three months less than I have worked at the library.

5. I have three cats. September (aka Septypie) is the oldest. She is gray and stripped. She was a stray who just showed up as a kitten, put her paws on my dad's cowboy boots, and fell right into our hearts. Storm and Bear are sister and brother. Storm (aka Stormin Normin, Stormypie, and Sister Bear) is gray and white and likes to jump at any dirt spots on the wall. Earnest "Bear" Hemmingway (aka Bubba, Baby Bear, Bear Butt, Ernie) is literally my baby. When he comes in after being outside, he jumps up in my arms and gives me all kinds of love. He also enjoys sleeping in drawers and drinking from the bathroom faucet.

6. I still live with my parents. We are working on changing that. My parents are as crzy and me.