What an amazing adventure for me! As the resident counselor, I look forward to bringing metaphysical support to this group. I know I will continue the progress that being first reader in the Jerseyville church (just finished!) afforded me.

This abroad is a unique departure from my daily routine and responsibilities as the director for computer services for Principia College. I couldn't do this trip without the help of some wonderful friends I work with who are covering for me! Using the laptops and contributing to the web page puts me on the user end - an opportunity I never dreamed I'd have when working to get these components in place for others.

Though immersed in technology for the last 17 years, my undergraduate degree is in education and English; I have been involved in teaching and educating since high school. Raising two kids and teaching all my life (everything from PACE to pre-school, including Sunday School), has kept my hand in education. Working with our student workers in CIS is one of the perks of my job.

Gardens are a great love of mine and I hope to see great examples of plant material and design techniques in China and Mongolia. It will be exciting to see so many of the plants, like roses and rhododendron, in their native habitat. Watch for pictures on the web site.