In another recent topic, someone wrote the following to me:
Pray you are well [...]
In this case, it is entirely possible that this was meant sincerely and genuinely. Chances are, it was. And in writing the following, I mean no affront to the person wishing me well.
That being said, in most cases on this forum or in the outside world when I've run into an AARC grad/staffer, it is not meant in such a nice way.
The implication underlying this type of statement is that since I have not graduated AARC and embraced the AARC way, I could not possibly be doing well. The belief is that us poor AARC strays must be having such a hard go of it being "dead, in jail, or in the gutter".
So, having heard this one too many times, I'd just like to say:
I'm fine! I am happy! I love my life and the people in it!
I am doing well, at one point a year or two ago I listed some of the things I've been doing since escaping AARC, maybe it's time to do so again...
I work for an Oil and Gas company playing on computers and making more than any other person I've met my age (and it just gets better with pending raises). I absolutely love my job and the people I work with; I can't wait to get to work in the mornings. I spend my day fixing complicated technical problems, responding to emergency situations and speaking with interesting people from across Canada in French and English.
My partner and I celebrated our three year anniversary on Boxing Day 2006, and we are expecting a baby girl to be born anytime now (due March 3). We are both completely ecstatic to be starting a family together and it's all fallen into place just at the right time. Both of our families are closely involved and also very excited about the first grandchild/great-grandchild.
I am a semi-professional athlete and spend part of my summer every year traveling across N. America going to races with my partner and also my youngest sister who's just started competing with us. I compete in speedboarding and streetluge.
I'm on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization that promotes safety and our sport. As well, our non-profit is now in the second year of putting on an event with a budget of just over $110 000.
And of course, the only point which most AARCites seem to care about... I have not used any mid-altering substance since two weeks before I entered AARC. That is to say, I have not used any drug at all, with the exception of the very occasional glass of wine or beer (never more than one, and certainly not at all since I've been pregnant). I didn't smoke before AARC and still don't, and I even stay away from caffeine, save the occaisional tea that may have a bit. Of course, before I entered AARC I had already decided not to use drugs again (and stated so on many occasions), so take that as you may.
So... that being said, thank you all for your concern, but I am doing marvelously.
Rachael
(posted earlier on the AARC Survivor Forum)
