Coldspaghetti is written by Holly, a 30-something Mother of two locked in the endless pursuit of a PhD.  We live in 100+ year old construction zone home in New Orleans.

About that PhD…

My dissertation involves research into the lives and health beliefs of Latin American immigrants who came to New Orleans after the hurricanes of 2005.  Initially, my research was going to be in focused on how violence shapes community development in a shantytown on the outskirts of Lima, Peru.  Instead, we were fascinated with the changes to New Orleans post-Katrina and decided that it was worth putting aside a year’s worth of work to be a part of this beautiful city’s rebuilding.  We have no idea what will happen when I finally graduate.  I consider it more socially acceptable to ask me how much I weigh than to ask when I will finish this degree.

But are you a real person, too?

I love photography, painting, drawing, design, and all things that merge with any of the above.  I jumped into the world of public health because I wanted a career where I could fuel my intellectual curiosities and believe that happy places, sunshine, and moonbeams are all possible.   And because I wanted to fuel my inner science-geek.  Personal passions including exploring the realities of health and understanding the problems public health and development seek to remedy.   Commonly heard phrases include: “But can we measure it?” “Paul, can you fix this?” and “Please do not put your feet on the dinner table.”

And the people that matter…

Husband, Paul, who not only can fix anything, but can do it without throwing around 4-letter words.  Except for plumbing.  All bets are off when plumbing is involved.  When not using power tools, Paul is a technology consultant and software architect.  Commonly heard phrases include, “I just need to check my email for a second.” “Where does this go?” and “Wake me up in 15 minutes.”

Primary Child, Will, who is 4 and has a reputation for being so sweet and wonderful that it inspires the conception of other children.  Commonly heard phrases include, “I have a tummy ache, that means I need chocolate milk.”  “Remember that time when we went to the beach?” and “My sister is a crazy monkey.”

Backup Child, Kate, who is 2.  Tomorrow Kate will take over the world.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.  Commonly heard phrases include, “I don’t like that.”  “Where my PapPap?”  and “No more sleep in bed.  I go play now.”