     Hi! I\'m Laila (and I do like it when people sing me the Eric Clapton song).  People at work have said being around my desk is like Sesame Street because I\'m always smiling. :)  I love spending time with my close friends and family and showing them how much I care.  I thrive on connecting with people, one-on-one, and having meaningful conversations about what really matters to them, and musing about all of the other wonderful and confusing things about being human. :) I\'m always looking for ways to grow, personally develop, and try something new.  
I grew up in California and have two older siblings who were also born in the US (my parents immigrated in the 70s).  I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley (Go bears!) which evolved into a career in project management in medical devices.  My career interests have always been directed towards helping people and I\'m exploring new ways of doing that more directly (which you can ask me about when we meet).  :)  I think about how I am engaging with this world everyday and if I am living my life in the way God intends for me.  I try to remind myself everyday that things are always unfolding according to His perfect plan.  I would consider myself a practicing Muslim; there are some elements of the faith I have practiced my whole adult life (fasting, praying, etc.) and at the same time I like to keep an open-mind about practicing- I believe my partner and I should practice to the degree to which we each choose.  I love to learn about other faiths and how we have more in common than different.  I meditate daily and believe that self-reflection is a responsibility in cultivating healthy relationships with ourselves, and others.  
I like exploring new hobbies and the ones that have stuck with me are pottery, yoga, tennis, improv, and capoeira (I do have a green belt, so watch out)! I  love to make other people laugh (I have a sarcastic sense of humor and a soft voice so it creates a humorous combination in and of itself).  I\'ve traveled a lot and would love to discover some new places with my future partner, and I think there can always be something fun to discover locally too.  I love to see live talent-  performances (concerts and musicals) and hockey games too!  I mostly always prefer to be outdoors unless it\'s cold in which case I like to sit directly in front of my heater covered by a fuzzy blanket. :)  I\'m excited to find a partner  who I can support, learn from, and be with to continue exploring life and this world! 