Age: 40.

Occupation: Vice president of human resources.

Family Members: My husband, Alfonso, and my daughter, Victoria.

I’ve lived here for: Nine years.

I live here because: I love being outdoors, and I also love the “will do” attitude that is so prevalent here. Houston is perfectly located, just far enough south that any appearance of snow is called “freak.” Many of our own backyards provide us the opportunity for swimming, gardening, or grilling.

My neighborhood: I live in Cinco Ranch, which is in the western suburbs.

My favorite restaurant: Las Alamedas (www.lasalamedas.com).

If you go to this restaurant, be sure to order: Sunday brunch. It’s fabulous and comes complete with mimosas and a Mexican mariachi band.

My favorite museum: Go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science (www.hmns.org) for everything from the butterfly center and insect zoo to the IMAX Theater and revolving exhibits.

My favorite tourist destination: Our downtown entertainment district. The theater district has major theater companies, the ballet, the Houston Symphony, and the opera. If none of those tempt you, check the schedule of events at Houston’s downtown arena, the Toyota Center (www.houstontoyotacenter.com.)

Overrated tourist destination: Reliant Astrodome. At one time, it was considered one of the “wonders of the world,” but now the new Reliant Stadium (home to our NFL team) overshadows it.

Best insider spot: Café Adobe (2111 Westheimer Street, 713-528-1468) for its Tex-Mex cuisine and top-shelf margaritas. It resembles a Spanish mission inside.

My favorite area: Rice Village. It’s a fantastic walking neighborhood located near Rice University, with restaurants, nightlife, and many shops.

Best place to go shopping: The Galleria (713-622-0663) is the best place for shopping, but you’ll need two or three days. It’s the fourth-largest mall in the country and the biggest mall in Texas. The lower level has an ice-skating rink.

When you visit, don’t forget to pack: Blue jeans and boots.

But leave room in your suitcase for: The obligatory cowboy hat, which you are not allowed to leave the city without.

The one local cuisine you should try when you’re in town is: Barbecue. It’s truly an art form here, so you can find great barbecue just about anywhere. But the best always originates in someone’s backyard — try to swing an invitation from a local.

The best way to get around: Despite my environmentalist leanings, the best way to get around Houston is still by car or truck (hopefully a hybrid).

The one thing most outsiders don’t know about this city is: Just how diverse it is. There are more than 90 different languages and dialects spoken in Houston, and you can enjoy just about any cuisine you can imagine.

If I had to describe this city in one word, it would be: Serendipitous — an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

I tell my friends to stay at: The Four Seasons Hotel Houston (www.fourseasons.com/houston) for its exceptional service and pet-friendliness.

They say “Virginia is for lovers.” So fill in the blank: Houston is for...the adventurous.