Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
I wanted to join the USC Newcomers because my husband and I had just had our second child, I wanted to get involved with the Progressive Dinner, and I like going to a book club.

Where did you recently move from? 
Andrew, our son George and I moved back to the area from Cambridgeshire, England.

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a small town with a lake called Pewaukee.

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and made the National Dean’s List. Then, I was off immediately to Savannah, Georgia to study Historic Preservation and Museum studies at Savannah College of Art and Design. I graduated with honors earning a Master of Fine Arts two years later.

What do you do for your day job? 
I teach four and five year olds at St. David’s Christian Early Learning Center in Venetia (only about a mile from my house).

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
Andrew and I have two little boys. George is 10 years old and Joss is five years old.

Do you have any pets? 
This year, in October we got a lovely German Wirehair Pointer and named her Marlena.

What do you like to do for fun? 
I love being creative and working with my hands. I paint, draw, collage, stitch (a little), and garden. I also really enjoy being outside! Our family loves camping, swimming, biking and hiking.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read? 
The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now? 
I have taken on a leadership position at church in the Children’s Ministry. We have begun to shift our curriculum to include Godly Play. This ministry teaches classical Christian language in a way that enhances the child’s authentic experience of God so it can contribute to the creative life of the child and the world. We are just at the beginning so, we are collecting the materials, setting up the classroom and learning the stories to share with the children.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending? 
Book Club and the Progressive Dinner.

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
It’s sometimes hard to live in the suburbs, we are all so busy taking care of everyone and everything that it can feel a little bit isolating. Newcomers is a great way to break the ice, find some common ground and reach out to friends. This is an open invitation to anybody needing a friend, call me or drive by and see if we are home. Bring your kids, stay, play, have a cup of tea and a biscuit with me.

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
I was looking for a playgroup for my then one year old daughter.

Where did you recently move from? 
I lived in Ardmore, PA, which is a suburb of Philadelphia. I lived there for two years while my husband earned his MBA from Wharton.

Where did you grow up? 
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I lived in a small part of the city called Swisshelm Park, which is close to Squirrel Hill.

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I went to Duquesne University for both undergrad (elementary education) and masters degrees (reading specialist). I worked as a Reading Specialist in the Penn Hills School District and a math and reading specialist in the Non-Public School Services department of the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.

What do you do for your day job?
I stay at home with my two younger children.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
I have three- Evan 16, Olivia 5, and William 2

Do you have any pets? 
No, but my daughter is saving up to buy a dog 🙂

What do you like to do for fun? 
Unfortunately, I don’t get to go out much, but I do like to try new restaurants. Most recently I ate at 9 on 9 which is a restaurant downtown- very good! My husband and I like to take our children to the zoo (when it is warm), the aviary, and the Carnegie museums. I love the beach, and we go every summer to Stone Harbor, NJ.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read? 
I like the idea of reading and miss it, but since having my youngest child I have a hard time finding time to read.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now? 
Trying to exercise more and to teach my daughter to read. Both are pretty challenging!

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending? 
I like the progressive dinner and Morning coffees. I am also going to try a book club (although I might not get to read the book beforehand!)

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself? 
I am happy that we moved to USC and, through participating in different playgroups, I have met many great people and learned so much about this community.

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
I joined Newcomers to meet new people since I didn’t know a soul when we moved here. Luckily, Newcomers has fixed that.

Where did you recently move from? 
We moved here 4 years ago from Atlanta when my husband joined Bayer’s corporate headquarters in Robinson. While I love my new hometown, this winter has me missing the warmth.

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia (which is just as small town-y as it sounds). But, our claim to fame is that the Pop Warner of Pop Warner Football is Warner Robins.

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I went to Emory University in Atlanta for my undergrad (Political Science and English major), and the University of Georgia for my Masters in Journalism and my law degree. Yes, I spent waaaaay too many years in school.

What do you do for your day job? 
I’m the Executive Director of the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA North America). It’s a minority bar association representing lawyers of South Asian descent in the U.S. and Canada.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
One goofy kid, Ayan, age 5. He’s my primary job, the other one is part time.

Do you have any pets? 
Between Ayan and myself, we’re allergic to everything cuddly. And I’m not getting scales in this house.

What do you like to do for fun? 
I love to read as long as there’s a happy ending (which mostly restricts me to romance and mystery), do puzzles, watch movies and bother my husband and son. So, basically, I’ve embraced my innate uncoolness.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read? 
I’ve become a total addict to digitally checking books out of the library, so I have an insane number of books on hold, just waiting for me.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now? 
My biggest goal is made up of a thousand little goals. I desperately need to get both my house and my work organized. I keep hoping the efficiency fairy will stop by…she hasn’t.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending? 
Two of my favorite events of the year are still on the slate for this year: the Progressive Dinner and the Family Picnic/Egg Roll/Spring Event. Also, Community Day since I’m charge of it.

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
When I moved to USC most of my friends lived in various Pittsburgh neighborhoods. I purchased my home because of the excellent schools, walking distance to the rec center and the (relatively) flat back yard. All that was missing was feeling like part of this community. Making friends as an adult, particularly after divorce, can be challenging. After running into Elizabeth Schwall at a a mutual friend’s going away dinner, she convinced me to join newcomers and co-chair the book club. I’m so grateful I took the leap and agreed to both before I had even attended my first meeting.

Where did you recently move from? 
Charlotte, North Carolina.

Where did you grow up? 
I was extremely fortunate to be raised as an expat brat/third culture kid. I was born in Brazil to an American Dad and a Brazilian Mom. My Dad’s job enabled us to live in São Paulo, various parts of the US, Germany and Singapore. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Morocco, the Maldives and the Iguazu Falls are at the top of my extensive travel bucket list.

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I initially studied early childhood education at Clemson University. I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where I majored in psychology.

What do you do for your day job? 
My primary job is being a Mom to my two beautiful children. I do a little copywriting and also sell Stella & Dot jewelry as side businesses.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
Andrew is 5 and will be starting kindergarten at Baker elementary in the fall.  Olivia turns 4 in 2 weeks. She attends Mushroom Family Learning Center in Mt Lebanon.

Do you have any pets? 
I have a dog, Penny, who fell in love with my parents’ dog while they watched her this summer. At this point we share custody. 😉

What do you like to do for fun?
I love discovering small, independently owned restaurants. Luckily Pittsburgh’s food scene is thriving. Since I love food and red wine I exercise a lot. You can find me at the rec center almost every evening. Kettlebell is my absolute favorite class, but love anything that will let me sweat away stress.

Other activities I enjoy include; scouring thrift and secondhand stores for mid-century furniture, cooking, hiking, attending art and literature lectures, painting, blasting really bad pop music while running, Bloody Mary brunches and cheering for the Steelers

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I am a voracious reader. My goal is to read a different book every day, but life doesn’t always allow that to happen. 3-4 books per week is about my average. Recent books I have read and highly recommend include; The Rosie Project, You Before Me, The Goldfinch, Burial Rites, What Alice Forgot, Beautiful Ruins and Where’d You Go, Bernadette?

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
I’m training to run the half-marathon in May. I’ve had three surgeries since July so may not be the fastest, but as long as I manage to beat the sweep vehicles and raise money for Komen I’ll consider it a win.

I purchased my home from the estate of the original owners. To say it needs updating is an understatement. There is a lot of painting, wall paper peeling and landscaping I need to finish. Luckily, I plan to live here forever since tackling the projects while my children are sleeping makes for very slow progress.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
Wine club. I mean, book club are my favorite events. Amazing women, food, wine and books. What else is there, really?

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
After years of navigating through early intervention services I have become extremely knowledgable about the various service providers, integrating multi-sensory therapies that result in dramatic language, behavioral and motor improvements, writing IEP goals and advocating for services for your child. My son is the poster child for early intervention success. I have happily shared what I have learned with other parents I have encountered. I am starting a new blog and consulting service for fellow parents. If anyone in the newcomers sees their child struggle, but isn’t sure what options are in the area feel free to contact me. I’m always available for coffee www.MomVocate.com will be live shortly.