There’s been loads of talk that President-elect Obama is poised to pick Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as his secretary of Homeland Security, so we thought we’d do a bit of digging and find out more about this dynamic politician.

As we told you yesterday, Napolitano got her start helping Anita Hill pursue sexual harassment charges against Clarence Thomas, but there’s lots more to know about this 50-year-old. For example, she’s about to turn 51 — her birthday’s next week!

Here are ten other tidbits about the woman who may help secure our homeland.

1. Yes, being a governor takes poise and composure, but Napolitano’s known for her sense of humor. In fact, the governor is constantly cracking herself up with Monty Python quotes.

2. Like millions of other women, Napolitano surived a bout with breast cancer, and had a mastectomy in 2000, just three weeks before she addressed the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

3. In addition to letting off steam with jokes, Gov. Naplitano relaxes on long hikes and by river rafting. Her hobby has taken her all over the world, including to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and the Himalayas.

4. Napolitano’s got the home-state love — she’s a die-hard fan of Arizona’s Diamondbacks baseball team.

5. The good governor shared a home with three men while studying law at the University of Virginia. The pals apparently love to play bridge.

6. As a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America, Napolitano no doubt lives by the group’s motto — "Be prepared" — which would come in handy if she heads Homeland Security.

7. Napolitano doesn’t just play politics — she plays the guitar. Well, she took lessons as a kid, at least, but we’re sure she kept some of the skills.

8. She loves junk food — something to which we can definitely relate.

9. Of all the places in the world, Napolitano would most like to see the Nile and Egypt’s ruins. She’s also interested in traveling to Jordan and Ephesus, an ancient city in Turkey.

10. And, finally, a fact we found intriguing: While in the Himalayas, Napolitano and some friends were trekking around Kashmir, where the governor encountered a wild dog, which bit her, thus sending her on a quest for a rabies shot. She finally found one after asking a rug merchant for assistance.