Woodlands : The Woodlands

Melanie Merle Root

Born in Sherman, TX, birthplace of Eisenhower, I spent my formative years is Tulsa, OK. I went to small, Catholic schools all the way through college, graduating from Regis University in 1991, with degrees in English and philosophy. And now, the short form:

Family: ten kids, five of whom have four legs, a very cool husband, and more extended family than the Greek wedding people

Passions: travel, language, art in all its glorious forms, yoga, animals (dogs in particular), food and my people (I don't believe in distinguishing between friends and family) .... Oh! And FOOTBALL!

Allergies: dust, live oak pollen and narrow-mindedness

Favorite quote: to be fair, this changes regularly, but currently: Be curious, not judgmental. - Walt Whitman

Heroes/Idols: I admire a great many people, many of whom are nowhere near famous, but when I think of folks I want to emulate, the first two who spring to mind are my Mom and my Grandfather. My Mom was never afraid to swim against the current, yet she did so with grace and character. She had a very tough childhood, but I've never heard her complain about it. My Grandfather was never afraid to learn something new, to experiment, to tackle the unknown. He was an immigrant with limited education, but that never defined him. Our circumstances don't define who we are. Our behavior, our choices, our attitudes define us. Another favorite quote, from a better know idol: if you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain. - Maya Anjelou

Favorite cities: New York, Galway and Austin (though I'm nowhere near finished traveling)

Favorite yoga posture: Vrksasana: tree

Favorite Hindu deity: GANESH