Fusion Reaction

A little bit about me?

I’m a writer. Travel, culture, science and technology are my non-fiction bailiwick and I’m working on a science fiction novel. Recently I was bitten by the acting bug and I’m exploring where that’ll take me.

I’m also an All-But-Thesis graduate student of anthropology, with training in physical and forensic anthropology, archeology, and linguistics. My research area of interest is cultural: the development of new forms of culture online as well as the creation and maintenance of communities as extended kinship groups. Technology is second nature to me and I’ve spent most of my adult life helping others understand and use it. For almost two decades I worked in higher education, designing, building and maintaining web sites and teaching faculty, staff and students how to make the most of emerging technology while advocating for accessibility.

My ethnic background is diverse – my mother is from Finland while my father is from India/Pakistan. I was born in the United States and have lived most of my life near the Gulf Coast in Houston, Texas. I now call Central Texas home with my geek-of-all-trades husband, Jeff, and a cat named after a computer game.

I chose the name “Fusion Reaction” for my weblog to reflect myself and the way I see and interact with the world. I love both the hard and the social sciences. I’m a geek and an artist. I’m an enthusiastic teacher and a perpetual student. Half my ethnic heritage comes from the quiet and frozen north and the other comes from the steamy and lively south-of-Asia. I want to be the host of a travel show and see every inch of this globe or be an astronaut and see as much as possible beyond. I love cultural fusion and every single shade of grey.

In short, the name points to the paradigm that defines me – the melting, blending and fusion of cultures, ideas and realities, in everything from music to food to people. My interests reflect this and are diverse and wide ranging. I’m an optimist and I love to teach and inspire others.

Welcome. Sic itur ad astra.