Ashley Paris-Hansen

Greetings fellow book lovers :D

This is my first semester toward my library science degree, and so far these past five weeks have been great!

I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska where I am still currently living with my husband and puppy. (We've had a few snowfalls but nothing has stuck yet!) There are no library programs in Alaska, and since I love it too much to leave, I had no choice but to complete my degree online. Kent state seems to have a great program, especially in children librarianship, which happens to be my dream job.

I received my bachelors from the University of Alaska, major in History with a minor in French, taking my time with various breaks to travel the world (we just returned from five weeks in India). I spent a year teaching English in France where I really came to realize I love working with children. Reading was so important to me growing up and it would be so rewarding to help inspire that in others. (I also love singing and crafts, storytime programs would be so much fun!). I initially wanted to be a school librarian, but life is ever changing and I am open to any opportunities that come my way.

I currently work in our children's room at the public library and the local museum. Yes, I love to read (I recently discovered a particular correlation between my favorite authors, Dumas, Dostoevsky, Dahl, Dickens) classics mainly and graphic novels. I love listening to audio books while driving and walking my dog. All those additional hours of book time!!

My husband and I love to go hiking and camping. My husband and I have recently started making a video segment called "The Trails of Alaska" of some of the hikes we do. We started late in the season, so hopefully next summer we'll get more. Check them out on his video bog site! Kundalini Yoga is also a large part of both our lives, we are both yoga teachers. And I always love to learn!

Favorite Bands: The Cardigans, Mother Mother, James Taylor, Miniature Tigers,

Favorite Movies: My Neighbor Totoro, Amelie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Fanny and Alexander (and I love British Television. currently on a Foyle's War kick)

Best of luck to everyone in the program! and although I am thousands of miles from everyone, I'm so glad we can have this feeling of an online community!