I am a proud Minnesotan who loves Minneapolis, though I have spent the past four and a half years in Austin. I laugh very loudly and with my mouth open wide. My memory is eerily strong and sometimes I pretend I don't remember things so that I don't creep people out. I love being around or in water and wandering through fabulous book stores. I am married to Robin, fellow U of M graduate and a man who will make me pancakes when I am sad. We welcomed Lydia Cecille into our family on March 12, 2009. My students have told me that I look like "that Freedom Writers lady" and "a little cheerleader," on separate occasions, of course.