My name is Natalie, but my family and friends also call me Talia, Natalka, Nat and Rowsky.  You can tell the origin of my relationship with a person based on the name that is used.  To keep it simple, I will mostly use my face-to-world name: Natalie.

I would like to share some details about myself.  Although by no means comprehensive, the information should provide you a flavor about me and the things that are a part of me.  I live in Princeton, NJ with my husband Paul.  I am a wife, sister, daughter, aunt, sister-in-law, niece, cousin, neighbor, colleague and friend.  The top of my list of things I'd rather be doing includes cycling (no surprise), skiing and scuba diving.  I think it is fair to say that I am accomplished in each activity, but the cycling adventure across America is the most ambitious endeavor I have ever undertaken.  I am also zealous about books.  I love reading them, reading about them and --who knows?-- may one day take a shot at writing one.  I consider myself a oenophile, having spent years acquiring a hands-on education in wine.  Today, I am comfortable stating that I am not intimidated by any wine list.  

It would be remiss not to mention my professional background after 20+ years of building a career.  My most recent position was Senior Business Director at National Starch and Chemical (www.nationalstarch.com), a specialty chemical company headquartered in Bridgewater, NJ.  I am grateful to the organization for its progressive career break policy, which enabled the one year hiatus to pursue my current goal.  To avoid the danger of sounding like a resume, here are just a few career-oriented points that may be interesting.  I hold 4 US patents, worked overseas for several years and was a YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry honoree.

I will step back into the corporate world soon enough.  Now, I am taking pleasure in living as a free spirit and look forward to the fulfillment from being a traveler and strengthening the community.