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.

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
Having moved a few times before, we knew how difficult it could be to meet and make new friends. Also, this was our first move without our children so meeting people through their activities would no longer be possible. We thought a Newcomers club would be a great way to make new friends & sure enough — IT IS!

Where did you recently move from?
Rochester, Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit.

Where did you grow up?
Just south of Cleveland, Ohio in a city called North Royalton.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
The Ohio State University. Received a B.S.B.A with a Marketing major.

What do you do for your day job?
For over the past 26 years I have been at home raising our three children — The Best job I ever had! Prior to that I was a Product Engineer for BF Goodrich Chemical and a Department manager/Corporate Trainer for The Higbee Company. Along the way I also got certified as a Jazzercise Instructor. Currently, I am managing our household, keeping the long distance relationships between our children strong, making new friends & exploring Pittsburgh.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
Shannon – 27
Ryan – 25
Daniel – 21

Do you have any pets?
No pets. When my daughter was living with us we always had a guinea pig in the house. Love those piggies.

What do you like to do for fun?
Exercise ( run, bike, racquetball, hike…), Garden, Stampin Up, Read & go to the Theater.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
Plan to read Killing Lincoln. Currently, I am reading a fictional series called the Wheel Of Time. My sons got me hooked on it. Each book is about 800-1,000 pages and there are 14 in the series.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
Finishing the renovations and interior decorating we started on our home 14 months ago.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
The Sweetheart Soirée on 2/8/14 and the Progressive Dinner in May are high on my list. My husband, Ken, has particularly enjoyed the Couples Events. It gives him an opportunity to meet other people as well.

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
Who says you can’t buy friends? Being totally new to Pittsburgh and living in a hotel for 12 weeks, I was overwhelmed with starting over. I saw the wide variety of activities the Newcomers club offered and thought “Why not? There’s nothing to lose!” I wrote one $25 check, attended a few free events and developed several very valuable friendships!

Where did you recently move from?
Bob and I moved here from Charleston, West Virginia or “West, by God, Virginia” as natives teasingly call it!

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia aka “Almost Heaven!”

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where I had a double major in Social Work and Spanish.  I started, but have yet to complete, an MBA. Can you say “bucket list!?!”

What do you do for your day job?
For years, I managed West Virginia’s statewide gambling addiction help-line and outpatient treatment program.  Here I manage my executive-level husband and my fourth-grade daughter. Also, I manage our beach house in South Carolina.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
Bob and I have a precious daughter Cana, who is 9 years old, and the blessed miracle of our marriage!

Do you have any pets?
I don’t….but my daughter has a guinea pig named Rosie.   Does that make me a grandmother?

What do you like to do for fun?
I never went to Disney as a child so I am busy making up for lost time, going annually since my first visit in 2007!  I love to try new foods at new restaurants.  I really like traveling to new places. I love taking photographs. I enjoy Broadway musicals and most “performing “arts!” l love to read anything: books, magazines, cookbooks, even the backs of cereal boxes!  I love to grow flowers..but I hate to weed!  What gives me  a thrill is the hunt for bargains at estate sales, yard sales and thrift stores!  I love to turn  flea market finds into beloved  treasures. Who’s in for the next rummage sale?

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I bought a whole bunch of books by Jodi Picoult at last year’s  MoreFest rummage sale and I am working my way through them. Last summer during a family genealogy trip, I found “Reflections of Growing Up Poor in West Virginia” written by Dorothy Brown, a cousin I never knew I had!  For Christmas, I was given “Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats” and I’ve adored all the photos. Now it’s time to read the text. And a friend just just gave me a “A Pennsylvania Gardeners Guide” so I guess it’s time to read that next as surely, sometime sooner or later, we’ll have Spring here!

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
There is a long list of home improvements on my list, from renovating the office den to building a fish pond… it’s always something around here. And with swimsuit season right around the corner, maybe more time in the gym and less time at the table should be my biggest personal goals!

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
I collect vintage hats so I am really looking forward to sharing some of them at the “Chat in a Hat” at Bella’s House of Teas on March 11th!

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
Starting with a few pieces of my grandmother’s, I am now an avid collector of Fiestaware.  Anyone up for a road trip to tour the Homer Laughlin factory? It’s just an hour from here.  I am an active member at St. Thomas More Parish across from South Hills Village Mall, volunteering at both the church and school.  Spanish is my second language, having been an exchange student in high school to Mexico.  I attended summer school in Spain during college.  Bitten by the travel bug, I have since been to Venezuela,  Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Canada.  A brand new fan of Riedel glassware and Swarovski crystal, I am thinking about a trip to Austria in Summer 2015. Right now, though, I am looking out the window at all the snow and dreaming of a trip to someplace tropical for Christmas vacation this year!

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
Although I had already lived in town for 2 years, I had recently stopped working (and travelling out of town for business each week) . I had received a mailing from Newcomers when we first moved in, and now had the time to actually attend events – and I really needed a chance to meet people in town. In those 2 years, I had only met my immediate next door neighbors!

Where did you recently move from? 
We moved here from Rockville, Maryland – although my husband grew up in this area and his extended family lives nearby.

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. My town had 5 different public beaches on Long Island sound – the more I move – the more land-locked I get! I still have a brother and 2 sisters in Connecticut, another brother and my parents in Virginia, and a sister who splits her time between Florida and Pittsburgh (her 2 oldest kids now live in Pittsburgh too – so I now have my niece and nephew in town representing my side of the family).

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I attended the University of Connecticut, and have a BS in Public Relations (in which I never found employment….)

What do you do for your day job? 
I’m currently a stay-at-home Mom. I was 41 before we were able to start our family through adoption, and we waited so long for a family, we decided it was best for me to suspend my career for a few years. Previously, I was a business consultant for a large healthcare company called Kaiser Permanente, helping with process improvements and IT system implementations.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
We have a son, Teddy. He is three (and a half, he’ll tell you.)

Do you have any pets? 
We have a mini-Dachshund named Gus.

What do you like to do for fun? 
I like to quilt, watch movies, read, and play with my son. I enjoy cooking and baking (but hate dishes).

What books on your shelf are begging to be read? 
I have a stack of books on my nightstand right now – a mix of fun fiction books and parenting books. Some are partially read, some are begging me nightly to be read. I used to read about 2-3 books a month, but now with a 3 year old, it just doesn’t seem to work out that way….it’s a New Year’s Resolution to read more and use my iPad for internet surfing less.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now? 
I’m trying to declutter our house. Too much stuff seems to suck the life out of my soul. When we lived in Maryland, I used to volunteer once a month at our church’s thrift store, which helped me to constantly weed out our belongings and bring in donations once a month. Without that monthly reminder, things have piled up….THIS YEAR – I swear – I’m going to finally have a tag sale (a New England term – I think here they’re garage sales? Even though I’m not selling my garage?). And learn to sell on EBay. And give more often to Goodwill.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending? 
We belong to a weekly playgroup, but I enjoy the Craft Nights the most. It’s nice to have sounding boards in my fellow crafters (although I’m not always working on a craft per se: I’ve completed thank you cards, invitations, and once just went empty handed to talk to some women).

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself? 
I found one of the hardest things to do was walk into my first few Newcomers coffees by myself – I’m not very outgoing until I know people better….but I’m so glad I forced myself out of my comfort zone! Our club has something for everyone – watch the calendar and Facebook page – and GO to something. I look forward to meeting you!