Suite101

Allison Hunter


Suite101 Member

<img src="/files/topics/6319/files/bio-photo.jpg" width=192 height=232 alt="Autobiography Photo" align=center>

I was born in Newfoundland to Robert and Esther Hunter. Four years later, my mom died. Growing up as an only child of a single father was an experience! I expect that my peers often didn't know to relate to me, especially since I was shy and so definitely didn't know how to relate to them! I spent a lot of time in my own world.

My aunts sometimes tried to give me advice, no doubt in an attempt to fulfill the role of a mother. I also regularly played with my younger cousins, which made my childhood feel somewhat less alone. It also helped that my dad regularly showered me with books as well as encouraged my literary aspirations. I grew up with him and books as my best friends. We generally also had a dog as a pet. Even so, sometimes I felt lonely without a mom or siblings.

The fictional world played a determining factor in many decisions I made in my earlier years, including the college that I choose to attend. I had read books and seen television shows about girls' schools. In all of them, friendship seemed to be a huge part of the school life. Thus, it seemed natural that when faced with the choice of which college to attend, I chose one for women--Judson College in Alabama!

Two years later, I made the cloudy choice to return home to finish college. When I didn't find a marital partner in my early adult years, I tried instead to figure out what in the world to do with my life. I submitted creative writings to publications with minor success, enrolled in distance-education courses with our provincial university, helped students in my dad's grade-five class, and volunteered at our local church. Still, I felt adrift and lost. Even my dad started to get exasperated with my world. Finally, at age twenty-four, I took a program designed to help women figure out their life goals and to get into the workforce. By the end of the program, I decided that I wanted to become a graphic designer.

My venture into my own desktop publishing business lasted just four years, but it opened up new doors that changed my life. I became an editor for our youth newsletter at my church and formed the friendships that I'd lacked in high school. I also served as a distance-education tutor with McGill University in Quebec. I continued in this position, even after I became a Behavioral Aide.

While all these things were going on in my life, I also discovered the Internet! Through it, I met a man who's been my best friend now since 1996. He introduced me to yet another world, that of web design. From 1998 to 2004, I worked as a web production specialist with the University of Nebraska.

Aside from work, my time is spent partially on my family (which now includes my step-mom and a younger brother and sister), friends, and two guinea pigs. Relationships form a huge part of my life, including a spiritual relationship with God. My time is also largely spent on studies (to become a Special Education teacher) and on creative endeavors. The latter includes writing and design projects that incorporate my interests in nature and travel. Other interests include reading, gardening, playing games, listening to music, and watching television.