About Amy
I’m Amy and I was born 29 years ago in the small city of Stirling, in Central Scotland, where the River Forth twists and turns its way through the landscape, and the Ochil Hills hug the earth. I’ve moved around a bit, but always staying in my beloved Scotland: Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Sutherland. I am now living back in the place of my birth surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins. My family goes back generations in this city and I feel in my bones it’s where I belong. I am blessed with the love of a wonderful man who has been my husband now for the last 10 years, and together we have 3 lovely children whom I home educate. I am also currently engaged in a phd on the work and career of Stephen King, which I hope to submit later this year, and I teach English Literature to 1st year university students. I love writing, blogging, photography and exploring new exciting opportunities.
In everything I do, I try and live a life less ordinary.
If you want to get in touch, please feel free to email me at amypalko at madasafish dot com
You can find me elsewhere on the net at my Tumblr blog, my professional Blog, my Voice Threads, and my Flickr page.
You can also hook up with me on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon and Del.icio.us.
Lives Less Ordinary 
Christopher replied:
Amy,
I saw your comment on Hero’s and Zombies about fitting in more activities in life. I hope you don’t mind me commenting here, as I am not sure where you might see this.
I went into a doctor’s office and they had a sign on the door that said, “It’s not about adding years to life, but life to years.”
My take on doing things, is to do less, slowly. Well, that’s the motto of SlowDownNow.org, but more correctly I would advocate doing fewer things, but enjoying them more.
But keep up the tango though!
September 11, 2007 at 3:41 pm. Permalink.
Christopher replied:
I meant Heros and Zombies, not Hero’s and Zombies.
September 11, 2007 at 3:42 pm. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
Thanks, Christopher. What a great motto! I am definitely guilty of trying to fit too much into too few hours. It comes from having difficulties saying “No”! I’m working on it, though, and I think recognition is one of the first steps towards remedy. I’ll definitely check out SlowDownNow.org too! Thanks again, Christopher, for taking the time to respond.
September 13, 2007 at 10:27 am. Permalink.
Nicholas replied:
I love the smell of old books too. And brand new books. I haven’t had Galaxy Minstrels since moving across the pond 6 years ago.
September 14, 2007 at 6:16 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
If I ever move from the UK, I’ll need to get a regular supply of Galaxy Minstrels shipped to wherever I’m staying!
September 14, 2007 at 3:43 pm. Permalink.
YRC replied:
Hi, although it is sad, I think you will need to update your list of the women you would like to meet on this earth.
September 19, 2007 at 3:00 pm. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
You know, YRC, you are quite right! I will update it a.s.a.p. Thank you for drawing it to my attention!
September 19, 2007 at 4:16 pm. Permalink.
Damien Riley replied:
I wanna try a Galaxy Minstrel. Thanks for your comment on my TT. If you are serious about starting a WP blog, let me know . . . I’d be delighted to help.
October 12, 2007 at 2:10 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
I don’t blame you, Damien – I would want to try one if I’d never had the pleasure before 😉 In fact, I want to try one now, and I’ve no excuse other than the fact they’re delicious! I may well take you up on your offer of help. I am very intrigued about altering themes, although I’m kind of intimidated by all that code. When I’ve set up an experimental blog, I’ll let you know. Thank you so much for offering to help me!
October 12, 2007 at 8:45 am. Permalink.
Penelope Anne replied:
Definitely going to blogroll you in my homeschooling roll…I like other homeschoolers to connect when they can…hope you will stop by even if it is jsut for an occassional T13
November 1, 2007 at 2:51 pm. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
Thanks Penelope Anne! And yes, of course, I will drop by.
November 19, 2007 at 7:17 pm. Permalink.
neomyth replied:
Hi Amy, I saw you on the iCing project comments and just thought I’d say I love your site (and I’d also love to meet Nigella Lawson – she’s just fabulous, isn’t she?) and i’ve added you to my links list 🙂
November 27, 2007 at 11:36 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
I’m so glad you found Lives Less Ordinary, Neomyth. Icing is a wonderful blog, isn’t it! Also, thank you so much for adding me to your links list. I do hope you’ll come back often 🙂
November 28, 2007 at 8:57 am. Permalink.
getty72 replied:
What a great way to introduce yourself. You are such an interesting lady and have a great blog here. I look forward to visiting more and enjoying more of your posts.
Kindest regards and have a great weekend ~ Graham 🙂
December 8, 2007 at 1:48 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
That’s funny that you say that, Graham, because I was just thinking of changing my ‘About’ page! Maybe I’ll keep it the same for a little longer… I’m so pleased that you like my blog though, and I hope you come back for another visit soon.
December 9, 2007 at 5:10 pm. Permalink.
Penelope Anne replied:
Dearest, do you pen pal?
Curious because I love to connect with our homeschoolers and like-minded individuals the old fashioned way by putting pen to paper as well. Let me know, by dropping me an email.
December 17, 2007 at 3:17 pm. Permalink.
A New Look « Lives Less Ordinary replied:
[…] About Amy […]
December 18, 2007 at 3:25 pm. Permalink.
Damien replied:
I like your About and your new theme. I hate those snap-up windows, but that’s just my quirky opinion that extends to many of the blogs I read … no big deal.
December 18, 2007 at 5:57 pm. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
I hate them too, Damien, and I had thought I’d switched them off. Clearly I forgot to save the change! Sorted now.
Glad you like the changes to the blog 🙂
December 18, 2007 at 6:25 pm. Permalink.
kathleen replied:
Lovely blog, lovely story. I homeschool too. 🙂
February 3, 2008 at 12:46 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
It’s always good to meet another home-edder, Kathleen! Hope you’ll visit often 🙂
February 3, 2008 at 2:34 pm. Permalink.
joker the lurcher replied:
hi amy – was trying to work out how to contact you but can’t find your e-mail! it was only to make sure it was ok with you to include a couple of your quotes in my tumblelog. i have put a link to you – if you want me to take them off please let me know and i’ll do so. angharad
March 10, 2008 at 11:56 am. Permalink.
amypalko replied:
I think I’m going to have to make my contact details clearer, Joker! Sorry you couldn’t find them.
As for the quotes on your tumblelog, I’m honoured that you chose to include them! I recently decided to protect my blog and my photos at Flickr with a Creative Commons license, which means that the material can be used and altered by others, as long as it remains attributed and it’s not used for profit.
To my mind, blogging is mostly about getting your ideas out there. Thank you so much for helping me in this endeavour 🙂
Oh, and I just love your Tumblog! It really is beautiful and I am now following you.
March 10, 2008 at 12:32 pm. Permalink.
paraks replied:
I stumbled upon your blog from a link on http://www.skelliewag.org, and just wanted to say that I enjoy your writing.
April 19, 2008 at 3:07 pm. Permalink.
Chantelle oliver replied:
Very enjoyable writing and knowing you on Twitter!
April 27, 2008 at 1:30 pm. Permalink.