Hello all ;) So, thanks to the ontd_p Iranian friending meme I have scads of new awesome people I know nothing about other than that they are awesome. Also they know nothing about me, and just wandering in here it might seem like all I ever talk about is Shakespeare Rap, which is of course patently untrue (guys, don't tell them it actually IS true).

Okay, so I just finished my first year at the University of Ottawa (quite a different experience for me, since I am from a woefully small WASPy town), which I positively LOVED. I'm studying International Studies and Modern Languages, which is like a blend of politics, history, economics, and international relations, with minors in French and Arabic. Arabic is such a neat language and I'm loving it. While at school I'm heavily involved in international development clubs like Engineers Without Borders (not what it sounds like) and Free the Children. Next year I'll be living downtown in a house with four friends. I mainly survive school by posting hilarious exerpts from my class readings, cooing over Christmas lights, and tea.

I'm from central/northern Ontario in Canada: I have two younger (both taller, le sigh) sisters, and a wonderful family that gets along awesomely. I'm back home for the summer, mainly to be eaten by mosquitoes, perform in a production of The Tempest, and work at a toy store. I spent the first month of my summer vacation, however, in Kenya with Free the Children building a school, travelling, and learning about international development, which is sort of my baby. I love learning and talking about poverty issues, developing countries, and many other world issues, and I'm very passionate about them. I loved Kenya, and I definitely have vague pipe-dreams of careers off in sectors of diplomacy, politicking, development, or NGOs (I also plan on taking over the World Bank and/or becomming Prime Minister on days in which I am frustrated). Whatever I do, though, I just want to be good enough at it that I will one day be interviewed by Jon Stewart.

I do lots of travelling, lots of reading, lots of playing Bruce Springsteen far too loud, and lots of hanging out at RBR. I am Terminally Single, and yes I am fine with that. (Mostly.) I like learning about stuff. Any stuff (different religions and ninja polar bears alike). Occasionally I write things, and I usually update fairly frequently. I have an obsession with tags.

Things I Am Useful For: I am a massive history/linguistics/politics/geography geek, and will gladly freak out with you over glossy tidbits of information any day of the week. Book recommendations (want something to read? XD). Toy recommendations (need a present for your little sister?). MINDLESS AND GRATUITOUS CAPSLOCKING. Comments in the form of gifs. Links to articles/pieces of writing/awesome things (for a given definition of 'awesome'). Inappropriate metaphors. Canadiana. Editing (I put on my robe and editing pants). Writing letters for fun.
Things I Am Useless At: Public transportation (seriously). Walking and chewing gum at the same time. Growing up (I don't wanna be legal! You can't maaaaaake me!). Remaining calm. Cooking. Being pessimistic. Maturity.

I can't promise I don't bite, but I can at least assure you I don't have rabies. Let me know if there's anything I should know about you ;) For your viewing pleasure: