My two brothers and I grew up just outside of Sanger, California (that’s near Fresno for those who know the area). I’m a cradle Catholic with a large extended family. My parents and relatives are fairly well educated and always encouraged my brothers and me to learn, experiment, create, question, pray, play, and joke around.
I moved into town (Clovis) while I was in college. When I graduated in 2004 I had a desire to leave the Fresno area, but wasn’t sure where I wanted to live. In 2005 my roommate decided she wanted to go to college in Portland, Oregon, so we moved up here on little more than a whim. That whim has proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
Education
I was educated in public schools from kindergarten through college, earning my BA in English at CSU, Fresno. I attended my first private school (University of Portland)after joining the Sisters of St. Mary of. I have earned my Master of Arts in Teaching and am finsihing up work in Theology this semester.
Ministry
I currently minister to middle school students at Valley Catholic at our campus in Beaverton, Or. I am teaching three courses of eighth grade religion, and finding out quickly which students are kinesthetic learners.
Favorites
Books
My all time favorite book is Jane Eyre, but I need to give honorable mention to Pride and Prejudice, Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Lord of the Rings. I’m also a fan of Thomas Greene, Dave Barry, Ron Koertge, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. My most recent guilty pleasures include The Essential X-men and The Twilight Series.
Movies
Movies
My favorite movie is The Quiet Man. Some favorites to a lesser extent include Chocolat, Life is Beautiful, The Princess Bride, Lawrence of Arabia, While You Were Sleeping, any Star Wars movie (even episode I if I’m in the right mood), Steel Magnolias, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Selena, The Trouble With Angels, Beauty and the Beast, and What’s Up Doc? (which is the FUNNIEST movie I have ever seen!)
Television
Television
I usually only like certain seasons of shows (e.g. the first three seasons of Gilmore Girls, the first two seasons of The Office). Plus, What not to Wear, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and Dog the Bounty Hunter never seem to get old!
Music
Music
My theme song right now is Hillsong's Now That You're Near, followed by Hawk Nelson’s Friend Like That, While Again by Jennifer Knapp, and Franco Un-American by No-FX. I also generally enjoy Enya, Metallica, Andre Rieu, Great Big Sea, Lifehouse, Joia Farmer, Matt Maher, Michael W. Smith, Fat Lip Lucy, Shania Twain, CCR, Frank Sinatra, Selena (mostly her Spanish stuff), and Celtic music.
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