CURRENT MISSION

Drink tea with cool people in interesting places

ABOUT ME

Howdy! I'm terrible at writing descriptions of myself, but, well here goes...

I'm a somewhat eclectic person with a wide range of interests so I love meeting a wide range of people. I've worn a variety of hats--I've been a camp director for a Boy Scout camp (funny story...), a science teacher for a nonprofit (in spite of the fact I am not a science major...), a park ranger intern, a copy-editor, a competitive ballroom dancer, and some other things sprinkled here and there. I got my degrees in creative writing and anthropology, so I love learning about new people and writing about them.

This summer, I’m starting my PhD in anthropology doing research into creating sustainable public health programs in India as related to waterborne diseases and sanitation. I like to keep research grounded in practical ways lives can be improved. I'm always interested in ways that people try to improve the lives of others.

PHILOSOPHY

"Everyone must have beliefs. I believe I’ll go canoeing." -–Thoreau

Interests

Writing, hiking, SCUBA, camping, snorkeling, reading, ballroom dance

• writing
• dancing
• drinking
• reading
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• anthropology
• teaching
• science
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Franny and Zooey, Jane Eyre, Siddhartha, Desert Solitaire, Man's Search for Meaning

Music: Anything from Bollywood music in the morning (it's better than coffee), jazz music in bars, Irish on weekends, tango music while I'm studying, Red Hot Chili Peppers at night...It's hard to narrow it down.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Jumping into the Ganges River with a group of Indian women; being an extra in a Bollywood film (but got cut out of it); dodging lightning in Guadalupe Mountains

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm willing to give dance lessons. I know first aid. I can show kids cool science experiments with simple items. I can tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the cultural complexities of public restrooms. I'm a good writing critic and I love to edit or make comments. I hope to learn how people from different parts of the world make tea.

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, India

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States