Hello!
I wanted to take a little time and put together this blog so I can share a bit about myself to my newly discovered family! This might not be the most organized piece of writing, but I thought it would give you some info on my background!
I'd like to start with a bit about the two wonderful people who adopted me. My dad's name is Thomas Dorsett. He was born in Jersey city in 1945. He came from a small family and has one brother. His family immigrated to America from England generations before he was born. He was always fascinated with science, literature, music and learning new languages. He attended Med school and moved to New York to do his residency at Roosevelt Hospital in the 60's I think. It was during that time that he met my mom, Nirmala. Nirmala is from India. She comes from a large family. She was one of 8 brothers and sisters. Her family was very progressive for that era; the girls in the family were encouraged to focus on their education as well as have the freedom to have a love marriage (at that time and still today in India many people were pushed into arranged marriages.) My Mom excelled in her school work. She attended both college and medical school in India. She practiced medicine in India for a couple of years, then moved to America. Both of my parents are pediatricians. They married in 1974. They were unable to have children, so they decided to adopt. That's where I come in! They said they visited and considered adopting different children until they found me. Apparently when they saw me I was happily smiling at them; something told them I was the one! I believe I would have been almost 2 months old. When the adoption was finalized, they moved me to Baltimore and that's where I lived for the majority of my life. I was raised as a single child and had a very loving and supportive childhood with them.
As a child I was shy, but extremely curious about how things worked. Around the age of 6, I spent half my time playing with my toys and the other half taking them apart and putting them back together (at that age it was more taking them apart and not so much being able to put them back together). I also loved to play with Legos. This interest in building/creating things and figuring out how things work has always stuck with me and shaped me into who I am today. My parents enrolled me in The Friends School of Baltimore when I was 4 (pre- school); I attended that school all the way through high school. Friends is a Quaker school; I feel lucky to have attended that school instead some of the other private schools in the area. Aside from the school being very good at academics, they also teach how to be a caring, open-minded, and peaceful person. This also shaped who I am. Along with how my parents raised me, Friends School and maybe some genetic traits, I would describe myself as very empathetic, caring, patient and nurturing. I always take care of my friends, people I love, and try to help those who need it. During my time at Friends School, I also discovered my love for art. I have been involved in art programs/courses since I was 5 years old. Drawing, painting, and pottery were some of my favorite things to do as a child. Another way I channeled my creative side was through music. My dad has played the piano for decades; when I was 7, he enrolled me in private piano lessons. I still play piano to this day, but only once in a while (life and work have a way of taking you away from your hobbies). Though if I practiced for a week or 2, I would be able to play the songs I loved while growing up. I also played the trumpet for years but have not been back to trumpet playing for years.
I was lucky to be able to travel abroad with my parents as a child and got to visit India several times, during which I visited mom's family. My parents took my to France, Germany, and Africa as well. At the time I didn't appreciate the trips as much as I would now, but looking back on our travels I now know how special it was to be able to see these places.
(Visiting family in India when I was younger)
(My dad, me, and my mom in India)
(Me and my cousin, he's 4 days younger than me!)
(Me and my grandmother on my mother's side)
(Me in my spiderman swim suit in India)
I grew up in a suburb of Baltimore city. There is a stream that runa behind our neighborhood; I would spent hours during the summer with my friends exploring the little bits of nature in the area. Since I was so fond of natures, my parents took me on hikes/walks in the mountains of Shenandoah valley every summer (though it turns out at that age I liked sitting in nature more than walking). They also sent me to summer camps that opened up a whole new world. I would go on canoeing/camping trips, learned how to use a bow and arrow, how to rappel, build a camp fire etc.. My childhood experiences of being outdoors remain with me to this day! Some of my favorite things include bike rides in the parks of Maryland and snowboarding. ( I tore the tendons in my shoulder in a snowboarding accident a couple years back and had to give snowboarding up for a while).
As I've always been involved in art programs in school, towards the end of high school I was trying to figure out how to keep art as a major role in my life and how to be profitable at it. An art teacher who was also a mentor to me in high school suggested that I look into a college that offered product design (also called industrial design). I knew nothing about it at the time, but after some research, I discovered I would be able to create things with my hands, solve complex design issues, draw, learn about marketing, 3D computer design, research, psychology, and more in the field of product design. I chose to apply to The Savannah College of Art and Design at the end of 12th grade, visited the school, had a portfolio review and was accepted. I moved to Savannah and loved it! Aside from product design I also got interested in photography, video editing, and photoshop. Below are parts of my college portfolio projects.
While I was in college I worked part time as a car audio technician at Best Buy (I'm a car guy and car audio really intrigued me). Now I had to figure out how to bring product design and customizing cars together. I realized I could use my design skills to customize cars and car audio systems. After I graduated from college, I started working at the local car shops in the Baltimore area. I learned as much as I could from each shop and when I hit my limit with their pay and what knowledge/opportunities they could offer, I moved up into a more advanced position at another shop. I ended up working at 5 or 6 shops in the area until I was running a store and could advance no further. That's when a coworker and myself decided to open a shop and be small business owners. I have always liked doing new and challenging things and this is the most challenging thing I have ever taken on. I'm happy to say that we have been steadily taking over the car customization market in our area and though we are a small shop, we have one of the biggest names around! My next step is to grow the business out in different directions. I'm currently studying on how to win government contracts for electronic vehicle work. Over the last year we have been subcontracted many government jobs ranging from installing emergency lighting in local police vehicles, to full blown vehicle builds for the federal government. (I can't describe or name some of the branches and work due to security reasons). Being able to win the contracts myself will help grow the income for the business; I'll also be able to afford hiring a team of technicians. Another thing I am doing is getting back to my design roots. I've recently purchased my own 3d printer, cnc machine and laser engraver. I hope to be able to offer more services with this equipment.
(My 2007 Audi A4. Been customizing it for a couple years now.)
As for my personal life, I haven't had any children of my own, but I am in a relationship with a lovely woman who has a 7 year old daughter. Her daughter, Hailey, is adorable and I am very close to them both. In fact I'll be taking them to the beach for my birthday next week (neither of them have seen the beach before, so I'm very excited!) I forgot to mention I LOVE to cook! I'm pretty good in the kitchen and love to cook for my family and friends. I'm just learning now how much of a challenge it can be to cook for a 7 year-old picky eater, though lol! I am lucky to have several of friends in my life that I care about deeply, and would call them all best friends. One of my closest friends made me the godfather of her son last year, and been the best man at two of my male friends' weddings.
I have always felt loved and would say I've never had issues abou knowing I'm adopted (I've had some friends over the years that dealt with their adoptions differently). I've known from a young age that my birth name is Michael and I was born in IL. Details of who my mother is have been scarce, but I always knew that she had my best intentions at heart by giving me the chance to have opportunities which she may not have been able to provide herself. Of course I've always been curious about my background, the possibility of family out there, who my mother is, and how she is doing etc... Finding you all has been the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me! I look forward to getting to know you and meet you all! Thanks for reading and I hope I gave you all a little more insight into what happened to Michael!
I'd like to start with a bit about the two wonderful people who adopted me. My dad's name is Thomas Dorsett. He was born in Jersey city in 1945. He came from a small family and has one brother. His family immigrated to America from England generations before he was born. He was always fascinated with science, literature, music and learning new languages. He attended Med school and moved to New York to do his residency at Roosevelt Hospital in the 60's I think. It was during that time that he met my mom, Nirmala. Nirmala is from India. She comes from a large family. She was one of 8 brothers and sisters. Her family was very progressive for that era; the girls in the family were encouraged to focus on their education as well as have the freedom to have a love marriage (at that time and still today in India many people were pushed into arranged marriages.) My Mom excelled in her school work. She attended both college and medical school in India. She practiced medicine in India for a couple of years, then moved to America. Both of my parents are pediatricians. They married in 1974. They were unable to have children, so they decided to adopt. That's where I come in! They said they visited and considered adopting different children until they found me. Apparently when they saw me I was happily smiling at them; something told them I was the one! I believe I would have been almost 2 months old. When the adoption was finalized, they moved me to Baltimore and that's where I lived for the majority of my life. I was raised as a single child and had a very loving and supportive childhood with them.
(me after my parents moved to to Baltimore)
(Me and my Dad)
(Me with my Grandparents)
I was lucky to be able to travel abroad with my parents as a child and got to visit India several times, during which I visited mom's family. My parents took my to France, Germany, and Africa as well. At the time I didn't appreciate the trips as much as I would now, but looking back on our travels I now know how special it was to be able to see these places.
(Visiting family in India when I was younger)
I grew up in a suburb of Baltimore city. There is a stream that runa behind our neighborhood; I would spent hours during the summer with my friends exploring the little bits of nature in the area. Since I was so fond of natures, my parents took me on hikes/walks in the mountains of Shenandoah valley every summer (though it turns out at that age I liked sitting in nature more than walking). They also sent me to summer camps that opened up a whole new world. I would go on canoeing/camping trips, learned how to use a bow and arrow, how to rappel, build a camp fire etc.. My childhood experiences of being outdoors remain with me to this day! Some of my favorite things include bike rides in the parks of Maryland and snowboarding. ( I tore the tendons in my shoulder in a snowboarding accident a couple years back and had to give snowboarding up for a while).
(excited about snowboarding)
(The aftermath of the snowboard accident.
Had to wear a sling for 6 weeks and physical therapy for 6 months)
As I've always been involved in art programs in school, towards the end of high school I was trying to figure out how to keep art as a major role in my life and how to be profitable at it. An art teacher who was also a mentor to me in high school suggested that I look into a college that offered product design (also called industrial design). I knew nothing about it at the time, but after some research, I discovered I would be able to create things with my hands, solve complex design issues, draw, learn about marketing, 3D computer design, research, psychology, and more in the field of product design. I chose to apply to The Savannah College of Art and Design at the end of 12th grade, visited the school, had a portfolio review and was accepted. I moved to Savannah and loved it! Aside from product design I also got interested in photography, video editing, and photoshop. Below are parts of my college portfolio projects.
And a couple of sculptures, drawings and photoshop pieces
While I was in college I worked part time as a car audio technician at Best Buy (I'm a car guy and car audio really intrigued me). Now I had to figure out how to bring product design and customizing cars together. I realized I could use my design skills to customize cars and car audio systems. After I graduated from college, I started working at the local car shops in the Baltimore area. I learned as much as I could from each shop and when I hit my limit with their pay and what knowledge/opportunities they could offer, I moved up into a more advanced position at another shop. I ended up working at 5 or 6 shops in the area until I was running a store and could advance no further. That's when a coworker and myself decided to open a shop and be small business owners. I have always liked doing new and challenging things and this is the most challenging thing I have ever taken on. I'm happy to say that we have been steadily taking over the car customization market in our area and though we are a small shop, we have one of the biggest names around! My next step is to grow the business out in different directions. I'm currently studying on how to win government contracts for electronic vehicle work. Over the last year we have been subcontracted many government jobs ranging from installing emergency lighting in local police vehicles, to full blown vehicle builds for the federal government. (I can't describe or name some of the branches and work due to security reasons). Being able to win the contracts myself will help grow the income for the business; I'll also be able to afford hiring a team of technicians. Another thing I am doing is getting back to my design roots. I've recently purchased my own 3d printer, cnc machine and laser engraver. I hope to be able to offer more services with this equipment.
As for my personal life, I haven't had any children of my own, but I am in a relationship with a lovely woman who has a 7 year old daughter. Her daughter, Hailey, is adorable and I am very close to them both. In fact I'll be taking them to the beach for my birthday next week (neither of them have seen the beach before, so I'm very excited!) I forgot to mention I LOVE to cook! I'm pretty good in the kitchen and love to cook for my family and friends. I'm just learning now how much of a challenge it can be to cook for a 7 year-old picky eater, though lol! I am lucky to have several of friends in my life that I care about deeply, and would call them all best friends. One of my closest friends made me the godfather of her son last year, and been the best man at two of my male friends' weddings.
(Me and my friend Portia; in this picture, she was almost ready to give birth to my godson)
(my girlfriend Ibiene, and her daughter Hailey)
(My family recently, cousins, aunt, uncle, parents)
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