About Me – Challenge

On January 17, 2024, Wynne Leon addressed her “About Me” section in her blog “Surprised by Joy“, originally published in 2022. Being new to blogging and having joined WordPress in September 2023, I hadn’t read her initial post. In her blog, she discussed the importance of refining this section to connect people with our work and challenged us to enhance our own. Here’s my attempt, aiming to better represent who I am.

Current “About Me”:

My name is Edward Ortiz, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 24 years of leadership and management experience. I started this blog to comment on leadership, history, religion, and current events. I hold a BS in Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez and an MA in Management and Leadership from Webster University. My hobbies include running, reading good books, and blogging. I’m married to my college sweetheart and have a wonderful son.

While this provides typical information on professional and educational background, hobbies, and family, Wynne’s challenge asked us to do a little better. Here’s my extended version.

Extended “About Me”:

Hi, I’m Edward Ortiz, or technically Edward Ortiz-Vazquez as per my Puerto Rican heritage (Vazquez being my mother’s last name). An introvert who can play the extrovert role when needed. Growing up as an only child, my mom did an outstanding job raising me after her husband (I don’t want to call him my father) abandoned us. Despite contemplating a name change to “Vazquez,” I chose to keep “Ortiz” and take on the challenge of redeeming the name.

I was born in the Empire State but we moved to Puerto Rico when I was young, facing financial struggles but still having a decent childhood. However, a dark side persisted—domestic violence marred my formative years. Witnessing my mom’s unfortunate relationships fueled my determination to break the toxic cycle. I finally helped my mom divorce her last husband when I was 29 years old, ending that painful chapter. I remembered that afternoon when I confronted him in front of my mom and wife. I think he saw in my eyes how serious I was, and he left the house and never came back.

I know I jumped ahead a little so let me go back. Always aspiring to serve my country, I joined a military youth organization as a teenager and later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991. Financial constraints during college led me to pause my education temporarily. The Army became my male role model, teaching me vital lessons and eventually allowing me to resume and complete my degree in Chemistry in 1998. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, I served until my retirement in 2023.

While in college, I met the love of my life in 1993. Life happened, and after a long separation, we reconnected and married a decade later in a beautiful ceremony in Puerto Rico. Our son was born in 2008 while we were stationed in Atlanta, Georgia. We moved a lot over the years but finally settled in the beautiful Quad Cities along the Mississippi river. I deployed four times over my military career, and I still have some open wounds that I’m dealing with. Hearing the “incoming” sound and the feeling of not knowing if one of those rockets will hit your sleeping area, the bathroom, or where you are eating is traumatic and stays with you for a long time. Despite all my ups and downs, I consider myself a happy man, husband, and father.

In my blog, I write about topics close to my heart—leadership (a skill I acquired in the absence of a father figure), history (to understand and resolve past pains), religion (grateful for divine protection and my beautiful family), current events and social issues (because my life was impacted by poverty, domestic violence, and the lack of a father figure). My hope is to find answers to my questions and share my findings with you.

I believe this extended version provides a more profound insight into who I am. Wynne, if you are reading this, I hope I have met your standards. At least the new version is under 1,000 words.

51 thoughts on “About Me – Challenge”

  1. Edward, I can’t find an email address, so I’ll put what I want to say here. I enjoy your posts enormously, for their humanity, their intelligence, and humility, and their honesty. I’ll be following them as faithfully as ever, despite not posting myself … at least for a while. I value the friendship I have found with you through your blog. 😊💕

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  5. Well done, Edward. This is a marvelous About page now. It’s personal but professional and gives insight into your personality.
    I’ve been blogging since 2012. When I encounter someone new, I always check their About page.
    Coincidentally, I revised mine earlier this month — maybe there’s something about the beginning of a new year that lends that urge. I’ve made small changes to mine over the years, but I started feeling it was a generic author page. Wishing you and your family great things in 2024. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you so much. I’m thinking about keeping the short version and adding a link on my current About Me page to this post. Or maybe I just need to replace the old with the extended version and start the year boldly.

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      1. If you can’t decide, then do both? 😀 Why not?
        Maybe it depends on the target audience of your blog and future book. I’ve been trying to finish an urban fantasy novel that I hope will in a small way shed a light on Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy. That’s what prompted me to revise mine. I hesitated, because I don’t want to seem to look for sympathy. That’s the last thing I’m interested in. However, because of that book, it seems like the right thing to do.

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  6. Thank you for the extended version. We have somethings in common. Our son who is the firstborn came in July of 2008. That means we’re both facing the challenges of raising a teenager. Secondly, my siblings and I had some issues with our father concerning his treatment of our mother before he was born-again, which made it difficult sometimes to offer him the respect due to a father. However our mother emphatically insisted that we tow the cultural and biblical line; respect despite his behavior. She always said that your father is your father, period. There’s no other here on earth.

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    1. Thank you very much for reading, commenting, and sharing a little bit of your story. As a born-again Christian, I forgave him a long time ago. He never looked for me, so it’s hard for me to call him father, but technically, that’s his title, I guess.

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  11. Your extended “About Me” is a compelling and authentic narrative, offering readers a deeper understanding of your journey, challenges, and triumphs. It provides a personal touch that goes beyond the typical professional background, aligning well with Wynne’s challenge. Well done on sharing your story with sincerity and depth.👍🤝

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  12. I am truly impressed with how you mastered the “About me” challenge, so skilfully. Inspiring life and a great post.

    I especially liked this, because I can relate to it: “An introvert who can play the extrovert when needed”. Take care Edward 🙏

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      1. Yes, same here. The playing of an extrovert for an introvert is a high performance act.

        I admire that you served you country for so long, and although I don’t live in the US, let me say thank you for your service. I have nothing but the highest respect for the military. Take care Edward 🙏

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  13. I so love both versions and of course your second version truly hits my heart with your vulnerability, Edward. Thank you for sharing your history, your mission in writing, your gifts, fortitude, knowledge, perseverance, painful past and power to “chase the last husband of your mother out” Kudos to you. I love knowing you married your high school sweetheart and you have a wonderful son. Truly a gift of sharing and I’m so sorry you have had to weather the storm of an absent father but have replace the pain with being an incredible dad. I love your blog and learn a lot from you! ❣️❤️💓

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    1. Cindy, thank you so much for your warm words. I have also learned a lot from you, your blog, and especially from your wonderful book. Many blessings and good health to you so that you can continue writing and helping others.

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      1. You’re so very welcome Edward. It’s most deserved. Awwww I’m most honored and touched and happy to know my book and blog have been meaningful to you on your path. Thank you so much for your heartfelt wishes. 💓💓💓

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  14. So nice to meet you, Edward. As Sheila said, thank you for your service. I enjoyed reading your “About Me” and love that you took Wynne up on her challenge. She’s amazing. Oh….and from one introvert to another…one who also knows how to dabble at being extroverted…thank you for the smile. 😉

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  15. Edward, your revised “About Me” section is incredibly powerful and deeply personal. It’s admirable how you’ve transformed your challenging experiences into a source of strength and inspiration. Your journey, from overcoming domestic violence to serving your country and finding love, is a testament to resilience and determination. Your openness about the struggles and triumphs in your life makes your blog more than just a collection of topics—it’s a narrative of personal growth and overcoming adversity. This honest and heartfelt approach will surely resonate with your readers, offering them not just insight, but also hope and encouragement. Keep sharing your unique perspective and experiences; they are truly inspiring. 🌟💪📖

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    1. Thank you Melissa. I’m with you and I think I’m going to keep my short version and the extended will stay in a post format. I’ll keep all the details for when I publish my autobiography one day. 🤣

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