Taking public transportation is great- it allows me to keep up on my reading. The following is a list of the books I highly recommend.
Usability / Design Books
"Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with Disabilities"
by Marcia J. Scherer
"In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World"
by John Thackara
"The Art of Innovation "
by Tom Kelley
"Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution"
by Howard Rheingold
Fiction
"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton
"Jane Eyre " by Charlotte Bronte
"Little Women " by Louisa May Alcott
"Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card
"Persuasion" by Jane Austen
"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas
Argentine Tango
Starting in February 2006, I've been taking Argentine tango lessons. It's such an elegant dance. And very addicting! It's also a great way to socialize. Similar to sports, tango allows for interaction with people of different backgrounds, cultures, and who may not speak the same language. It's a shared activity that can open doors to getting to know people. I've danced in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and the one and only Buenos Aires :).
Basketball
I've been playing basketball since I was eleven years old, and it remains my favorite sport. I'm one of those people who likes to point out similarities between life and basketball. Since I love to travel, I enjoy the fact that basketball is a very universal game.
Playing the Guitar
My Dad gave me a guitar when I was 12, and I finally picked it up about a year ago and have been learning how to play. I enjoy attempting to play Beattles, Dylan, and Jewel tunes.
Volunteering as a 'PAL'
While in Boston, I've been volunteering as a Playspace Activity Leader (PAL) with 'Horizons for Homeless Children.' It's a program in which volunteers play with kids for a couple hours a week in a designated play space. It gives the kids something fun to look forward to in addition to giving their parents some free time. It's been a very rewarding experience. To learn more about this program, visit: www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org
