I was born in Chicago, as were my parents and grandparents. I lived 10 years in Wauconda, Illinois, and then moved to northern California where I attended Log Gatos High School and the University of California at Berkeley. In high school I studied abroad in Costa Rica and Brazil. There is no better way to learn a language or to really become familiar with a culture than to just immerse oneself in it for a while! Who I am today is a sum of a lot of things, including my experiences living abroad and having had many international friends.
Interest
Books—My house and my office are littered with books of many kinds. I particularly like mystery novels featuring women detectives; my favorite authors are Dana Stabenow, Patricia Cornwell, and Carol O'Connell. I also enjoy the mysteries of John Lescroart and Tom Corcoran which take place in San Francisco and Key West, respectively. I read fiction by Arab and Arab American women, biographies of all kinds, and virtually any book that tickles my fancy.
Movies—My husband and I are avid moviegoers, and we are regulars at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival (www.ebertfest.com), held every year in Champaign, Illinois. My favorite films? Singin' in the Rain, Chariots of Fire, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.
Photography—I love to take pictures, especially of tidepool life and flowers. I like taking close up shots of small things, really easy to do with a digital camera, I have happily discovered.
Travel—the last few years I have traveled more in the US than abroad. I have visited 42 states and have lived in five. Favorite spots are hard to choose because I have so many, but the coast of Northern California probably tops the list, followed closely by any other place near ocean and trees. When I travel, I try to take advantage of an area's natural scenery and activities, though I also enjoy art museums, historical sites, and ethnic restaurants.
Cooking—when I have time, I enjoy cooking, particularly Middle Eastern and Latin American dishes. Hardly surprising, they are also my favorites to eat!
Tea and Chocolate—these are two of the major food groups, aren't they?
Gorillas—I hope one day to see them in the wild. Until then, my collection of stuffed ones will have to do
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