I love meeting new people and making connections. I moved to Chicago a few years ago for graduate school and have been building friendships ever since. I want to find someone who values the relationships in his life too, family, friends or otherwise.

OK, so I know that sounds serious, and I am always up for a deep or serious conversation, but I can have fun, too :) Even though I've been here for about six years, I still love exploring the city. I love going out to try a new restaurant or visit a part of the city I haven't seen yet.

I also like long talks, traveling to far away places, non-fiction, red wine, singing, eating out, sleeping in, nighttime walks, movies at the theater, family, friends, fireplaces, coining phrases, sad music, summer nights, blue moon, thunderstorms, freshly fallen snow

I am patient, funny, and sweet.

teaching 2nd grade in Little Village.

singing, making people laugh, organizing, keeping in touch with old (and new) friends, listening, talking, hanging out with kids.

my smile

[Food:] Mashed potatoes and corn -- I'm a midwest girl at heart :) Avacadoes are also pretty great.

[Music:] Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Jason Mraz, Coldplay, U2, Simon and Garfunkel, Michael Jackson, Gavin DeGraw, Diane Birch, Aimee Mann, Arcade Fire, Tori Amos, The Shins, Ray Charles, Pete Yorn, Billie Holiday, Pink Floyd, Over The Rhine, Our Lady Peace, Madonna, Kanye West, Aqualung, Amy Winehouse, Black-Eyed Peas, Iron & Wine, Michael Tolcher, Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee, Lady Gaga, The Fray, Aerosmith, Mumford and Sons, Fun., Of Monsters and Men, Awolnation

[TV:] Arrested Development, ER, The Office, Brothers and Sisters, Lost, True Blood, The West Wing, Sex and the City, Bones, Parenthood, Downton Abbey, SVU

[Movies:] Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Seven, The Life of David Gale, Fight Club, Juno, Garden State

[Books:] anything by Anne Lamott, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, 1,000 Splendid Suns by Khaleid Hosseini, anything by Jodi Piccoult

music
family
books
good friends
good food
the ability to teach and learn

working on how to make myself and others happy.

at a bar with friends or relaxing at home.

you know the difference between your and you're.

And you're looking to really put yourself out there and meet someone new. I don't mind a few emails back and forth, but I'm more interested in meeting for a drink to see how we might get along!