Glad to see you stepping forward Linda. You have always been an excellent participant in these processes, in my opinion.

You are an amazingly credible board candidate Linda!

Selecting a board is something to be thoughtful about. It turns out I've got a favorable impression of all them candidates, so I've been thinking about their qualities.

The word that came to mind thinking about Linda Nowakowski was "stealth." Immediately the furtive connotations of stealth didn't seem right, but there still was something about the characterization that seemed right.

Nicolai Tesla could think in pictures, so it's said he could construct a motor in his mind, run it, then disassemble it to examine the parts for wear. I don't know whether Linda thinks in pictures. What I do see is that she's exceptional in her capacity to understand the consequences of actions. Her understanding is not limited to linear sequences rather understanding the dynamics of interacting systems.

Linda contributes freely, so she's not at all secretive. So I suspect the word "stealth" comes to mind as pointing too her ability to understand systems and the largely hidden interactions between systems. She's not secretive, rather understands the differences that really do make a difference, but which mostly go unnoticed.

Stealth--like a racing car perhaps--is one quality that highly recommends Linda Nowakowski. Another is her highly developed humanity. I know of no other denizen of ONet who so consistently amplifies and facilitates communications across cultures and physical boundaries.

I'm still carefully following the discussions about board candidates, but I'm already convinced I'll vote for Linda and I hope many others will too.

I am overwhelmed.

I thought of being witty and making comments about looking for a mirror to see if I could see the person that John was describing. That seems to belittle John's thoughtful post.

His post describes a person I aspire to be like. I would hope that after going on 10 years in Thailand now (wow...that is hard to say!) that I have learned to slow down and think through the consequences of of my words and actions. Sometimes I succeed (I advise a lot of international students!) and sometimes I don't. I suspect the times that I don't are more here than in real life. As I just thought about that and discovered it, I think I might have found another problem of mine to work on.

Where lines are clearly marked, I have some facility at working through understanding and being understood. On a daily basis I work with people from at least 5 or 6 distinct cultures. Where I have the biggest problem is with people who I think should be able to understand me just as I am and I should be able to understand them clearly because we are from the same culture (or at least pretty close).

Well, I am sure no one wants to sit here and listen to (read about) my self-psychoanalysis.

Thank you for your confidence, John. I hope I can live up to your expectations and even more, I hope to be the person you described when I grow up.

John i just like the "stealth" quality you point out of the many weaknesses in Linda's personalty. Doesnt need emphasis! It will complement the board highly. It is needed.

Richard<4LiA>, LOL I agree with you.

Linda isn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, it's just she thinks quicker and further ahead than anyone else. What's the use in telling someone what lies ahead when you know they aren't yet in a position to see it? Linda communicates so well. Part of that her understanding that even while her mind has raced ahead, she must present a narrative about the journey there so others can understand. And she does it patiently.

You guys have me speechless and that doesn't happen often!

I voted for Linda, Meron, Mark, Lars and David B. to represent me.

Thank you for your trust, Gayle.

Interesting vote, Gayle.

I also trust Linda!

Congratulations! Linda

Kudos Linda!

Thanks to everyone for your support. Now to live up to the trust you have placed in me.

Back to bed.

Wonderful!!! Congratulations Linda.

Those were not even fourty winks Linda, otherwise, I can "see" you snore. You need enough rest lest you sleep on the job.

Congratulations once more!

Linda ทรัพยากร Nowakowski (CCAL30) said:

Thanks to everyone for your support. Now to live up to the trust you have placed in me.

Back to bed.

Congratulations Linda. I know you will add tremendous value to the Board.