Palm Addict Profile: Cindy Sue Aten

As I begin this Palm Addict Profile, I’d like to thank Jimmie Geddes for agreeing to be interviewed for the last profile. I have enjoyed getting to know Jimmie, and not only is he a talented writer, but he’s a smart, funny, very good friend. Since his profile was published, he has started a great website called Gadgets On the Go. It is a fun, well written, informative site, devoted to tech news about gadgets of all kinds. It is already on my list of several-times-daily must-visit sites. Thanks, Jimmie, for your cooperation, and I’ll be watching Gadgets On The Go, as it gets up and takes off!

Today’s Profile spotlights another one of our Associate Writers, Cindy Aten. I remember when Cindy first started sending submissions to Palm Addict. Her posts were always interesting, but they also had a special quality that made you feel like you had just had a visit from a good friend. It didn’t take long for Sammy to recognize her writing talent and to bring her on board as an Associate Writer. Since then I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with her. She is one of the sweetest people I know. Her kindness and positive attitude not only shine through in her personality, but bring life to her writing. I’m sure anyone who has ever had dealings with Cindy, will agree that she is very warm and caring, and makes everyone feel special and loved. I am honored to be able to present Cindy Aten for this edition of Palm Addict Profile.

1. Name? Cindy Sue Aten

2. Occupation? Specialist, Marketing Services (for a global office furniture company)

3. Where do you live? Dorr, Michigan -- a lovely small town/suburb of the Grand Rapids area, on the southwest side of Michigan.

4. How did you get involved with Palm Addict? Searching Google for Palm news, and I've been a regular reader ever since. In February of 2004, Sammy invited me to an associate writer, and I was (and still am) so thrilled to do it!

5. What do you like best about the Palm Addict community? The friendly, relaxed atmosphere that Sammy maintains. And that Palm users of all levels (and all ages) can learn something by reading Palm Addict regularly.

6. How many PDA's do you own? Only one, it’s a Tungsten E. But I have owned 5 different models since 1997. So far, every time I get a new one, the old one goes to a family member.

7. Favorite PDA? That I’ve actually used - Tungsten E. (That I’d like to use - a Zire 72 or the new Life Drive.)

8. What makes it your favorite? (1) great screen (2) ever-expandable memory via SD cards (3) it’s ability to entertain me through games, mp3s and ebooks.

9. What about PocketPC devices? “Don’t fix what isn't broke” attitude -- I figure why try something different when a Palm works so well for me. I never even considered one.

10. What other hobbies/passions do you have?
Too many, with too little time! (1) To learn to speak & read Hebrew (2) Bible College correspondence course (3) oil/kerosene lamp collection – Ed and I own around 160 at last count (4) watercolor painting, and last but not least, (5) fishing!

11. What is your favorite color? I really don't have an overwhelming favorite, so guess I’ll go with Blue, as in a clear blue sky on a sunny day.

12. Favorite food? Definitely chocolate – I think it should be listed as a food group of it’s own.

13. What is your favorite fruit? Apples – as in home-made applesauce, apple salad, apple crisp, apple pie, apple butter…etc. (Better stop now since I'm beginning to sound like Forest Gump's friend talking about shrimp.)
14. What is your favorite candy? A Hershey bar – plain or with almonds.

15. Favorite dessert? A hot fudge sundae

16. Favorite season? Fall. The harvest season (apple-picking time :-)), harvest moon, leaves crunching underfoot, the smell of leaves burning, and the crisp morning air.

17. Are you a "morning" or an "evening" person? I’m an evening person at heart – but don’t get to live it out, since I need to be up early and to work in the office. My work hours would be more productive if they were 10 am – 6 pm.

18. Do you have any pets? My brown tabby cat, Junior is 3 yrs old. We adopted him from a pet rescue at 5 months old. My wonderful Rat Terrier, Buddy is just a year old. He was a gift for our 30th Wedding Anniversary last September. He is SO smart, cuddly and fun – I want to get another one! Junior and Buddy each weigh about 10 lbs, and they have a great time playing with each other.

19. If you could be an animal, what kind would you be?
A horse – probably a Percheron, but maybe an Arabian or a Quarter Horse. Why? They are not only beautiful, but useful and generally have good relationships with humans.

20. Favorite places to go? (1) Israel – only went there once, but I can’t wait to go back. (2) Fort Worth, Texas – where I attend a Christian convention every summer, it’s always wonderful. (3) Anywhere I can visit family or friends – I love to travel. (4) Dream trips – Yosemite Ntl. Park and Ireland, because they are both so beautiful.

21. Favorite movies? You may not recognize some of these… (1) Much Ado About Nothing (with a young Denzel Washington), (2) Yankee Doodle Dandy (with James Cagney), (3) Sister Act 1 & 2, (4) An Affair to Remember, (5) Love Comes Softly (a made-for-TV movie). And, I can’t wait until the new movie on Narnia (The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe) comes out next December!

22. Favorite book? My Bible – I’m always learning something new from it!

23. Favorite band?Glenn Miller – which will probably really seem odd to some, but I just love the Big Band sound!

24. Favorite song? Only one? Okay, the song by Chris Rice titled "Untitled Hymn, Come to Jesus. But I like lots of different types -- contemporary Christian music, Messianic music, country music and of course Big Band!

25. What makes you smile? (1) Thinking about my husband, kids and grandkids, family, friends, and fellow Palm Addicts, and of course my pets. (2) Jesus – He is the reason I’m so blessed.

26. What's the one word or short phrase that would best describe you? Highly optimistic -- content now, but expecting the future to be even better!

27. If you could pick any 3 people (real ones) to have dinner with…alive or dead…who would they be, and why? (1) Jesus. He is the expression of God’s Love, and I want to know Him more. (2) The Apostle Paul. I would love to ask him some questions about his Epistles to the church. (3) Kenneth Copeland. Because my life has been so impacted through his ministry, I just want to sit and listen..., and say thank you.

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It was great to read Cindy’s answers and to learn a little more about her. We are lucky to have her on the Palm Addict staff. She shares information and knowledge with her unique cheerful style. If I had to think of one thing to say about my friend Cindy, it would be that everyone who has the opportunity to cross her path will feel better for having done so.

Thanks Cindy!

As always, I have enjoyed doing this interview! I will soon be back with the next installment of Palm Addict Profile.

- Jan, Deputy Editor US, (Alpine, UT, USA)