I was born in Tokyo, raised in Louisiana, and schooled in Vermont before landing in Sonoma County in 2003. In addition to teaching English at SRJC, I edit Made Local Magazine and write profiles, features, and personal essays for national and regional publications. When I'm not teaching or writing, I'm having dance parties with my two young daughters, trying out a new recipe, training for a half marathon, or hiking, swimming, camping, and backpacking on this gorgeous slice of green earth. As an avid budget traveler who's visited some 25 countries, I've done outdoor aerobics in Bangkok, scaled the jungle to Machu Picchu, dined with pink pelicans in Turkey, and waited in long queues for ice cream in Cuba.