After Booker T, I went on to Brooklyn Technical H. S.. With a graduating class
of 1300 students, everyone was just a face which made it tough to form long
lasting friendships. The time there was a definite switch from what I was
used to and didn't go by fast enough. In 1980 it was on to St. John's University.
The freedom that College had to offer was more than I could handle. I spent
a year and a half partying and having way too much fun, which didn't mix well
with passing grades. I decided to take a leave of absence (which I'm still
on) and join the workforce. Not enjoying what I was doing at the time, in
September 1981, I decided to join the Army and give marriage a try. I needed
some time away from NYC to calm myself down. Two years in Oklahoma was more
calming than a 20-year-old Latino from NYC could handle. The only bright spot
was becoming a father to my first son. After earning my freedom in 1984, it
was back home to the city I had missed so much. This time with a whole new
attitude, I jumped right into a Continuing Education Electronics/Telecommunications
Program at NYC Technical College. Within a year we took a practice exam just
to get the experience of what a "real" job exam was like. I wound
up getting hired by Metro-North Commuter Railroad where I've been for the
past 17 years. Being back in the city got me on the wild side again and helped
play a role in my divorce. I bounced around a few boroughs and a few relationships
and finally found the piece of the puzzle that was missing from my life. I
met my wife in '89 and we married in '93 and have two healthy and happy boys
of our own. I've definitely gotten the marriage thing right the second time
around. We've been living out on Long Island for the past ten years where
I spend my time fixing "this old house" and enjoy watching my boys
grow up. To make life even better, I'm now having a great time reconnecting
with my friends from the past and making new fond memories for the future.
ENJOY THE
RIDE,
ELVIS MADURO