I spent 3.5 years living in Palestine volunteering with several NGOs in several different cities in the West Bank ~ primarily Beit Sahour, Ramallah & East Jerusalem. Before moving I spent 4 yrs at UC Berkeley trying to learn Foos’Ha only to discover that hardly anyone could understand what I was saying. I’m very close to Islam. It’s the only religion I’ve ever known that’s real to me. Of course I’m a convert and I do have a firm belief in human rights, and in animal rights, as well as a deep connection to art, Islamic art and Architecture specifically, but also much of art history around the world. These are things that sometimes I differ on with some Muslims. However, the major differences between my day to day life and that of any other Muslim woman in the US are virtually non-existent. I am from San Francisco and that city will always be home. Though none of that changes the fact that I am a Muslim and I feel most at home with other Muslims. But I haven’t connected with that many people since being here in southern California. I moved to Long Beach/OC in 2017, from San Francisco and the environment is very alien. I’ve been in a PhD program at CSU Long Beach for 2 yrs. although I’m hoping to finish my doctorate at Berkeley beginning January 2021. Prior to returning to grad school, I worked in Humanitarian Relief around the world. I previously lived in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Paris, Tel Aviv, Ramallah, East Jerusalem, Beit Sahour, London, Edinburgh, Singapore, Brisbane, Auckland and Vancouver. I do cover my hair at times. I may more often in the future. Right now I’m at a bit of a crossroads and very slowly deciding which way to go~