It's fairly cliche to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway: I'm not good at writing about myself. But, here goes...

I am an external processor. Around close friends, if I think something, I say it. The reactions of my friends help me work through an issue and come to the conclusion that works best for me. I have a hard time not talking about things happening in my life and therefore, I have a hard time being alone for long periods of time.

As an external processor, the people around me are very important to me. I live with friends and cannot imagine doing anything else right now. The community that we are able to build sustains me. I am also sustained by the friendships of people outside my home.

Loyalty is very important to me. I don't see loyalty as always agreeing with what I say, but sticking with me and challenging me as I work through issues.

I like to think about the world. I am very interested in politics and religion - especially if and when those two intersect. However, I also love pop culture - I love watching movies and reading celebrity gossip.

I currently work in higher education administration. When I started college I never thought I would be where I am, but I feel lucky to have had opportunities in my life that have led me here. I like my job and the people I work with, and I feel really committed to the work that the college where I work does.

Having conversations. I think that I enjoy talking about issues that I am passionate about as well as listening to similar and differing opinions on those issues. I also think I am really good at connecting with people through conversations that we have. I often feel immediately at ease with certain people.

People usually notice that I am very out-going (which sometimes manifests itself as being loud...). I think that people's first impression of me is that I'm very fun and enjoy being around people.

My favorite books include To Kill a Mockingbird, The Brothers K, Bel Canto, Snow Falling on Cedars, East of the Mountains, Invisible Man, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Namesake, and Beloved.

My favorite movies include Mean Girls, any Christopher Guest movie (Best in Show is probably my favorite), Mystic River, Slumdog Millionaire, Angels in America, Sister Act II, A River Runs Through It, and Y Tu Mama Tambien

My favorite music includes Indigo Girls, K'naan, Leona Lewis, Whitney Houston, Regina Spektor, Paul Simon, Norah Jones, and Storyhill

I like all kinds of food but I especially love Middle Eastern food