I am a long-time Jersey City resident, descended from long-ago Irish immigrants who settled here. I grew up in Bergen County, NJ and went to Rutgers (English Lit/Creative Writing major and a Cinema Studies minor). My work life has mostly been spent at New York City-based nonprofits. I am a vegetarian due to a tremendous affection for animals; I aspire to go vegan, but my favorite food is cheese, so a work in progress. I love to be outside running or walking, especially at Liberty State Park. I was raised to have a love of music and am grateful that piano playing, singing, and blasting the stereo were nurtured activities in my home growing up.