As you may have surmised, the web is one of my outlets... authoring and surfing. I enjoy digital imaging and photography. I am constantly amazed at what a little cropping and editing can do to an image, and the effects different color combinations play on your senses. I also love music, and mixing my own CD's (from our collection) and making the cover art to go with them. As for band addictions, I need my fix on the Scabs!

Dining out is something I enjoy, I love trying new flavors, and combinations, and seeing how a wine can influence and enhance the flavor of a meal. My husband also is creative in his cooking, so I am spoiled even by eating at home.

I become enthralled in science-fiction and fantasy books. My current favorite author is Terry Goodkind who wrote the "Wizard's First Rule" series. Melanie Rawn is a close second for her Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, although she is on hiatus rather than finishing the Exiles series which I live. I am also reading The Eye of the World series by Robert Jordan. As you may have guessed my passion for reading began when I was young.

I love anything Renaissance especially Dragons and chainmaille. In fact, my husband and I tied the knot at the Renaissance Festival in full garb with a horse drawn carriage, bagpipes, sword arch, and a parade in an ivy covered chapel. I have been modeling my wedding gown for Ann's Specialities at the Houston Bridal Extravaganza since the wedding. Check out the photos from my first show - Beginning, End

I am a Star Wars fan - my husband & I camped out for Episode I and got tickets for the 12:01am show in Austin when it was released in May of 1999. We had a blast and meet some other avid fans. And spoiled our friends by getting them tickets as well.

Kevin Smith is my favorite movie guy. I own autographed copies of the Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Clerks Uncensored DVD's and movie posters. We also have signed Jay and Silent Bob action figures. We have Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy on VHS and the Clerks, Mallrats, and Dogma soundtracks. I am counting down the days to the Aug. 22nd released of "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back!" The soundtrack will even include Bob Schneider one of my favorite musical artists (and lead singer for the Scabs!)

Believe it or not, but I am a gamer chick! I have several games under my belt but my top favorites are Earthdawn (Windling) and Call of Cathulu (FBI Agent). My first game was Mage (Life was my focus sphere) followed closely by Werewolf (a Galliard). Star Wars (an Ewok fascinated with shiny objects), Mage in the 60's (Verbena, miss this game...), Paranoia, Rifts (Verdant Dragon), and Dungeons & Dragons are some of the other systems I have played in the past 6 years. My boys are excellent GameMasters! We play board games including Cosmic Encounter, Advanced Civilization, Talisman, Wiz War, Magic, and Dungeon along with your regular party games - Guesstures, Trivia, Pictionary, Taboo, Dirty Minds, Mind Trap, etc.

Not much of a TV fan, but I am a Dawson's Creek & X-files addict. If I am not statisfied by my two hours of TV, next in line is "Friends" (which I started watching with my friends in the dorm) followed by "What about Joan?".

Yes, I am a very sedentary person. However, I do enjoy Kickboxing (recently promoted to orange belt in Shaolin Karate), and dancing in clubs. I have taken merengue lessons, and would like to learn to swing dance. I love sunlight and fresh air, but not the animals or bugs that come with it. Fishing is also fun as long as I don't have to touch the fish - the worms are fine, just not the fish. I love the beach, but I burn if I am in the sun for more than 15 min unprotected...

School & Work

I graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 1999. I have passed the FE/EIT Professional Engineering Exam and have been inducted into the "Order of the Engineer", so I am on my way to being a professional engineer. I am currently working for an major oil and gas company in Houston, Texas as a Commercial Analyst. I have attended the Colorado School of Mines Petroleum Super School in Golden, CO and supervised wellwork in Farmington, NM for 2 1/2 months. I return to my alma mater as a recruiter from time to time as well.

Family

I have a wonderful "little" brother (about 6'5"). He is currently attending The University of Texas in my footsteps. The girls just don't leave him alone - he plays basketball and guitar, and is quite the comedian. My mom is still working at Exotherm. My dad has a new job as the information technology head for a credit card company, and he has tried his hand at a web page. He even has his own dotcom I am sooo jealous! But since he got a fishing boat, he hasn't done much updating.

That's it for family directly blood related, but my extended family includes our closest college friends - Ben, Chris, and Farah. My best friend since Kindergarden - Adie - will always hold a place in my heart. My blood related extended family includes quite a few aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins (David, Lisa, Leslie, Jessica, Katie, and Adam), and my new third cousin, Cody. I married into a wonderful family, so now I have an even larger extended family.

Last Update: July 19, 2001.