At heart, I’m a biologist, and that's not just what I do for a living—it's more of a personal philosophy. Biology is everywhere, and it fascinates me. I love being surrounded by things that are living, growing, changing, and adapting. I have a window garden that is lush and green and has a new growth or development every day: a new leaf, a sprouting seed, and opened flower. This is what I wake up to in the morning and keeps me going through the day.

I am, of course, an active participant in biology myself, and being alive is probably my favorite activity, followed closely by kayaking, snorkeling, and eating chocolate. I hike in the wilderness, cook an excellent mushroom gratin, and press flowers/algae/mushrooms. I also dabble in jewelry making and amateur wildlife photography and have a nice collection of interesting things I found at sea or on beaches—scallop shells, urchins, shark teeth, otoliths, etc.

Creativity is important to me, and I prefer to always have a project to work on. Lately it's been fish prints and zen gardens. Ask me about it and I'll send you a picture. When I need to figure something out, I go to a hardware store and wonder around until I solve it. I'm also a fan garden stores and Ikea (that place is huge, and Swedish).

I enjoy philosophical discussions, including politics, feminism, gender identity, and environmental issues. Although it's nice to agree on the big issues, I also like getting to know points of view different from my own.

J’adore le français, et j’écoute souvent la Radio France Bleu (IDF).

I am independent, a tad quirky, and have little concern for being "normal". That person carrying a fig tree on the bus--yeah, that's me :)

At the end of March I got back from two and a half months in Alaska working as a fisheries observer, so right now I'm relaxing and enjoying all the perks of being on land and in a city again. I plan to stay in Seattle now and find a somewhat more "normal" job, hopefully biology related. I've got plans for grad school either this fall or next.

You should know that I spent almost all of 2012 out of commission with a severe illness. I've recovered now, but if you ask about what I did last year, most of it will be about that (or the seven days I spent on vacation in Dutch Harbor).

Growing things, moving around water, finding cool stuff to do on a boat, fitting everything into my duffel bag, eating wild berries, making custom gifts from things I found on the beach/in the woods/underwater, applying math and science to mundane tasks, and organizing.

Also, if you own a fireplace, I can build you the perfect fire. It's really kinda dreamy :)

Food: Chocolate, cheese, wine, hard cider, maple syrup, berries, mushrooms, french bread, nutella, peanut butter, crème brûlée...

Books: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, The Tao of Physics, Cod, Salt, Four Fish, The Unnatural History of the Sea, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and any kind of dichotomous key

Music (Artists): The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Ingrid Michaelson, Simon & Garfunkel, Regina Spektor, Queen, Lady Gaga, U2, Lemon Jelly, Led Zeppelin, BTO, Springsteen, Chimène Badi...

Friends
Water
Wilderness
Waterproof boots
Backpack
Passport

Usually one of the things I'm good at (see above), that's why I'm good at them :) And what to eat--a good meal can make my day.

I've already put Lady Gaga on my favorites list, you should be satisfied with that.

You are smart, interesting, independent, and have a passion for language, art, wilderness, or something ending in –ology.

Or, you want to hang out and eat Lindt 85% cocoa dark chocolate. I think I could base a relationship of just that :)