Since some of our families and friends only really know one of us (and how well do you really know us? Really?) we will use this space, since we have it, to introduce ourselves in a bit more detail. I'm going first, because I happen to be logged in. So here goes! -M
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This is me in Antwerp with some penguins.
Mandy originally hails from a combination of Louisville, Kentucky and Atlanta, Georgia. After attending the performing-arts magnet of the Kentucky Nerdly Nerd High School for Nerdy Children, she ventured eastwards to attend Duke University, where she double-majored in Medieval and Renaissance Studies and Theatre Studies and graduated magna cum laude. Her crowning achievement at Duke was earning Highest Distinction for her honors thesis by convincing several of her very nice friends to put on a fifteenth-century play about the Virgin Mary. Her other crowning achievement was setting her fraternity's official unofficial record for pogo stick jumps. She was and is a proud brother of Psi Upsilon Fraternity.
Mandy is now a PhD candidate in Medieval Studies at Cornell University. Her research focuses on fifteenth and sixteenth century Flemish drama, particularly the plays of Cornelis Everaert, who is featured prominently in a few of our engagement photos. Sometimes, her work takes her to small archives in Belgium, and you should really not get her started on that unless you want your ear talked off for the next hour (Josh can attest to this). She is also an instructor for the Cornell Prison Education Program.
In her spare time, Mandy plays bridge, and is a member of both the Bridge Club of Ithaca and the bridge team at Cornell. She loves game shows and schlocky horror movies from the 70s and 80s, playing with her crochet hooks and spinning wheel, singing, board games, and open-water swimming. Her favorite book is The Long Walk by Stephen King. Her favorite TV show is Babylon 5. Her favorite movie is The Wicker Man (the good one). Her favorite medieval philosopher is Robert Grosseteste. She loves manatees. She does not like cheese.