I am a writer, currently working on a non-fictional novel. My time is usually spent typing away or researching things. In my free time, however, I take part in photography, and cook for my always-hungry family.

As a recent convert to Islam, my days are now busy with learning the Quran and parading around the grocery store with my headscarf- an unusual sight for the people in our suburbian village. My friends and family take delight in walking places with me- just to see the looks on people's faces!

I listen to nasheed, opera and rock music- with an occasional Simon and Garfunkel tossed in there. I'm an old soul at heart- and a true retro for my friends. I would rather die than give up my walkman and portable CD player for an Ipod or any other digital music thing- there's nothing better than being able to proudly display the stacks of tapes and CDs you own, instead of stating how many "songs" you have. Even my cooking is old-school- mixers are for lazy people!

Truly an oddball for our village, I love culture and exoticism, and I reasearch and live everything from African to Greek ways of life. My keys are full of indigenous charms, and my notebooks are full of cultural notes and customs that I can't help but use every chance I get. Being born in America, there is no culture to call my own- so I take them all!