This is the section of my website about me.

<That seems a little redundant>

(Maybe I'll revise it later)

I am a dynamic young professional who has just earned an M.A. in International Affairs at American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C. with interests in IT, marketing, web/graphic design, writing, broadcast journalism, teaching, and cross-cultural communication. While in D.C., I have done work and/or consulting for a variety of firms, including TechAmerica, a leading technology advocacy firm, and the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning at American University.

To learn more about my professional experience, please consider reviewing my resumé...

I originally became interested in studying Asian cultures through watching Japanese films and animé. After reading more about life in Japan, particularly the experience of living as a 外国人 (foreigner) in Japan, I developed a powerful interest in the country. Over time, this interest evolved into looking at how Americans perceive the Japanese through historic representations in popular media. This was explored during three years of scholarly study at Hampshire College and a six-month study abroad experience at Sophia University in Tokyo.

During my time at American University, I broadened my studies, looking at topics of U.S.-Asia Policy, global political economy, international theory, communication and relations. These studies directly led into a Master's thesis on how East Asian states exploit territorial disputes to develop nationalism, and how nationalism may (in turn) inhibit a resolution of those disputes. A short sample of the work can be downloaded and viewed here (all rights reserved, additional writings can also be made available by reasonable request).

I have spent much of my life in the wintery New England region, particularly Massachusetts and Maine, so I have dreams of traveling extensively and seeing the world. In my spare time, I enjoy baking desserts, reading, watching movies, and perusing the internet.

I also enjoy blogging. You can check out my blog here.

I am also (personally and professionally) a student of Asian languages. Most recently, during the summer of 2010, I had the opportunity to attend the Middlebury College Summer Language School's Program in Japanese; a nine-week intensive language course where I was only allowed to speak the target language. In some ways, I found it more immersive for the language than my six months in Tokyo. You can follow my experiences from last summer, as well as my ongoing Japanese language study by checking out my Japanese blog, Searching for the Sol. I may be starting a third blog soon in order to practice my blossoming interest in Chinese as well, so stay tuned...

If you have any other questions about me, please feel free to Contact Me!