Nadia Santiago

Nadia Santiago - Profile

As a contributing writer, I hope to share with readers the knowledge and expertise I've gained through experience and research in a variety of areas, including but not limited to dancing, dieting, fitness, body image, and social issues.

I am currently in my second year of graduate study at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA working on a PHD in the focus areas of Teaching, Education, and Research as well as Creative Expression. As a student, the topics that interest me most are Issues of Intimacy, Love, Romance and Relationships, Culture, Self-confidence and Self-esteem.

For a year I attended Naropa University in Boulder, CO where I became Co-editor, Tendrel Diversity MagazineDuring this period I attended performances, protests, town meetings, and rallies to keep up with pressing issues in the community surrounding diversity, conducted interviews with students, professors, and staff, wrote and edited featured articles, and served as Host/MC for what is now their first annual People of Color Reading and Performance. It was a wonderful experience, one which I hope to help recreate as I become part of the Bay Area community.

During my undergrad, I was also very active in student organizations (perhaps a few too many at times). I held many officer positions - Publicity Officer, Secretary, Vice President - in up to five clubs at a time. My most memorable and fulfilling was Rivier College's Social and Behavioral Sciences Association (SBSA) for which I became President during my senior year. Balancing this role in addition to a double major in the fields of Psychology and Communication helped me learned a great deal about time management and personal organizing. Because I was responsible for representing the SBSA and spearheading group activities, the role also gave me the skills necessary to become more confident in planning events, public speaking, fundraising, and networking.

Since then my entrepreneurial spirit has grown. My goal for this year is to combine this drive with my interest/study in teaching and expressive arts by working with my school commuity in an area that I love: Dance.

I began at the age of two (some would say I was born dancing). Since then I've accrued 13 years of team athletic and dance training with performances. Dance styles include ballet, tap, jazz, acrobat, african, afro-modern, salsa, merengue, bachata, and traditional ballroom. Sports are basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, cheerleading, cross-country, and track & field. As an athlete you have to be savvy when it comes to training. Flexibility and spot training becomes important for excelling in certain sports. And when your season comes up (yes, there is an off season for non-professionals) you have to know how and when to start working on getting back into shape.

A Few Silly Little Somethings:

I'm a self-proclaimed romantic. When it comes to romance, trial and error is my policy, but... not before a little research. I search for anything from first date suggestions to getting over a break-up. I check on Google, search the local library, browse in my favorite bookstores, and gather advice from loved ones. And whether or not it works out, this is my absolute favorite topic to write poetry on and blog (i.e. complain) about.

I've just had orthodontic surgery. My teeth are sealed shut by rubber bands and I cannot speak or eat solid food. You can laugh. It is rather funny and just a little sad. Thanks to this amazing and horrifying adventure, I've learned a thing or two about having your mouth wired shut, so for those of you who need information, keep a look out for some helpful articles soon to come... straight from the patient's mouth ^_~