my best friend

Ever have one of those friends that just makes you be the real you? For the last ten years I have had the privilege of knowing one of those people: my best friend Luke. Besides being supa-cool, he and I have developed similar interests and ways of thinking. I know he accepts me just as I am and loves me... not just in spite of my faults, but because of them. I love this man!

bright lights, big city

New York City is fabulous.

Having never spent any time here until just the last few weeks, I am floored by the endless sea of opportunities, buildings, people, and motion.

Everywhere there are dichotomies: rich and poor, mundane and eccentric, development and decay, despair and hope. Change is perhaps the only constant.

I just got back from a short jaunt to Philly, and the contrast is unbelievable. Philadelphia's history and old architecture have given way to big time urban decay. Though the same thing surely exists in NYC, New York's sheer size may keep the degeneration at bay. With so many residents constantly coming and going, regeneration is an inherent part of this city.

While I'm not sure I could ever live here for more than a few years (maybe it's just too fast for me), I'm enamoured by NYC's unparalleled energy.

visit to grandma's house

Here I am with grandma on my recent trip to Houston. She'll be turning 80 in just a few days!

This side of the family has such a rich history, and several individuals have worked hard to keep that history alive. My ancestors were immigrants from Germany who settled in Texas in the 1800s - six generations ago. Others from Scotland and Ireland were here in the U.S. even before that. They were true pioneers: building log cabins, defending themselves from rogue Indians, and serving in the civil war.

My grandmother herself is a pioneer. She is a self-made woman who grew up poor in the 30s and 40s. She became a business woman later in life - despite opposition and gender discrimation. I am proud to have a such a role model!

by way of introduction

Originally from Dallas, Texas, I am set to attend graduate school in Boston in just over a month (beginning September 2006). The following descriptors should give you some idea of who I am...

world traveler - I have spent close to one year of my life traveling through 20 countries in Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

international educator - I have lived overseas for six years (in addition to travels), working in three countries as an elementary school teacher, English teacher, Peace Corps volunteer, and education program developer.

animal-lover - I love rescuing abandoned animals.