A Brief History of Me

This is the place that I should put one of those survey questionnaire-type thingies that people are always sending around that have important questions like: croutons? Yes or No. But I didn't. I just gave you the bare minimum--just enough to whet your appetite. You'll have to actually ask me if you're curious about anything not mentioned here. Enjoy!

Name: Julia Besharat Grace Parish
Birthdate: December 25, 1980
Birthplace: Juneau, Alaska
Home: King Salmon, AK
Parents:
  • David Parish, father
  • Snova Parish, mother
  • Deborah Sogge-Kermani, biological mother
  • Mahmud Sogge-Kermani, stepfather
    Siblings:
  • Noora Parish
  • Justin Parish
  • Aaron Smith
  • Bahiyyih Parish
  • Elliot Smith
  • Maya Parish
    Romance: Jeffrey Paul Morris. I am madly in love!
    School: Graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA (May, 2003), and now at Temple University getting my Ph.D in child developmental psychology!!
    Favorite Food: Fresh, cool, ripe mango (chocolate fondue is not necessary, but is a pleasant augment!) Ecuador had the most amazing mangos I have ever encountered. They were as big as a child's head!
    Easy Listening: My favorite artists are for the most part the ones that "enhance the calm". I love Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Seals and Crofts, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Aerosmith (okay, maybe that's the exception to my "enhance to calm" rule), the Nylons, the Noteables, Mucho Mojo... :) I really enjoy listening to classical clarinet music as well as Benny Goodman. Old blues make me happy. New blues like the AMAZING Bonnie Raitt (whose music I worship) and Tracy Chapman make me happy, too. Nice, tight harmonies a la the Andrews Sisters give me very pleasant shivers, as does the creamy smooth voice of the guy from the Fleetwoods (Mr. Blue--that's amazing!). Of course I like reggae, calypso, and much of what I hear on popular radio. My latest craze is SALSA music! I love to dance to it, but I love to listen to it as well. My favorite groups tend to be of Cuban origin such as DLG, the Afro-Cuban Allstars, etc. I'm also in the process of developing a taste for the music of Tango. I guess about the only kind of music I DON'T dig is the really negative, hurtful (not bluesy--hurtful), hatred-filled music. I just don't understand it, and I don't subject myself to it. :) Everything else, though, bring it on!
    		•  Hobbies:
  • Dance--ballroom, latin (anything with my partner, Jeffrey)
  • Clarinet
  • Guitar
  • Cooking--sushi is a specialty... :) And, I bake pretty well if I do say so myself.
  • Alaska! Hiking up there is great, as is the kayaking and fishing...
  • Singing
  • Reading good books (I'm currently reading a book on Happiness by the Dalai Lama)
    Interests: Things about which I would like to learn more
  • All kinds of dance, along with the history and culture behind them
  • International Politics--I've loved this topic ever since Model UN in high school
  • Islam, Buddhism--world religions (I took an amazing class on Islam at Smith!)
  • Abnormal and Behavioral Psychology
  • Midwifery
  • Computers in general
  • Ancient civilizations--particularly in the Middle East and Africa
  • Indigenous rights
  • Parenting
  • Electricity and wiring
  • I want to learn how to make fabulous desserts like my mom and sister!
  • Traveling
    Faith: Baha'i
    Future Plans:On May 15, 2003, I graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor's degree in psychology (emphasis on social psychology). During the winter of 2002-2003 I traveled all over Spain and returned for an encore performance in Ecuador. I worked as a Children's Services Specialist in King Salmon, AK doing child protection for a year from 2003-2004. NOW, I'm a graduate student at Temple University! My plans are to finish up here but continue learning forever.
    Career Goals: Mmmm...professor? Researcher? Professional world-traveler and true love of one Jeffrey Morris? The world is my oyster. I just want to give back and help make it a better place. :)