I just got into grad school so I'll be heading down to Nashville this summer! In the Valley for another 5-6 months...then off I go to the next adventure.

I've been living in Western Mass for about a year now and still have so many places to explore! I really love it here, and I'm trying to meet more people. I'm originally from Connecticut and went to college in Baltimore, but it's nice to be back in New England. I studied English and French in college, and I love poetry and all things French. Paris is my favorite city in the world. Nashville's probably my favorite city in the states, and I have a soft spot for the South. I never considered myself a California girl, but I've fallen in love with it this past fall. I'd love to drive an RV to visit every state. So much emphasis is put in foreign travel, but there's so much to see in the US.

I do a lot of (domestic) travel for work now, and enjoy going out to eat the local food and visit museums when I'm on the road. I am madly in love with my job and higher education in general (I work for a college). I'm serious about the things that matter, but I definitely have a goofball side, too, and know how to have fun.

I hate when people think the word "culture" is reserved only for fancy restaurants, world travel, and art museums. I enjoy all those things, but I think people misuse the word "cultured" if they ever describe themselves this way. I'm just as interested in the culture of craps tables in casinos.

Nine times out of ten I prefer an intellectual conversation while getting schooled in a game of Scrabble to going out drinking--I'm a cheap date, anyway. Sometimes I make mental lists of words I like and dislike--maybe that's a little nerdy, but then maybe I'm a little bit of a nerd. I'm a glass-half-full girl with a sunny disposition and I'm compulsive about being on time. I can get sassy, I have an embarrassing laugh, and I'm great at laughing at myself. I'm terrible at calling people back and I have a fear of the right side of airplanes.

I just realized how many times I've used the word "I" here, and I know it's a self-summary, but it still makes me feel a little uncomfortable! Make no mistake; I'd always rather talk about you.

I work in Higher Ed and absolutely love it. I got so lucky with this job, and being able to immediately jump right into my career field. I'll be headed to grad school this fall to keep doing what I'm doing, and I couldn't be more excited!

having a terrible sense of direction, making people laugh, striking up conversations with strangers, and overtipping. I'm very good at making stupid puns, and even better at laughing at them...usually by myself!

People tend to say I have a pretty smile! I'm also the nice girl.

I don't have as much time to read as I would like, but my favorite books are anything by David Sedaris or Agatha Christie. (I love a good murder mystery.) Other books include The Secret History, The Glass Castle, The Hours, and The Beautiful and Damned. (I guess titles that begin with "The"?)

I admit to watching those horrible reality tv shows from time to time, but my all-time favorite shows are The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters, Jeopardy, Modern Family, and Seinfeld. I love Sex and the City, too--no judgement. I wake up extra early during the week to watch the Today Show and local news. It's hard to pick a favorite movie, but I actually really love Remember the Titans! And Office Space and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

I listen to a huge variety of music, and am getting more into country, actually. I LOVE Ludacris (this surprises most people), and I think Jay Z is a lyrical genius.

Ice cream is hands down my favorite food (does that count?). I'm a pickier eater than I like to admit, but I'm very easy to please. In the food world, there is little that can outdo a good, giant steak, and it's a wonder I don't weigh 500 pounds for the amount of food I can pack away.

my family, a sense of humor, Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream, poetry, A job I love, and traveling.

My work, honestly, but it never feels like work. I also think about how much I wish I knew how to cook! My mind often wanders to varying and sometimes obscure things, but the ways of the world and where life will take me is definitely on my mind.

I'm usually doing something low-key--going out to dinner with a friend, seeing a movie, or just hanging out with a group of friends. I'm not huge into the bar scene, but a glass of wine has been known to get me to do karaoke (badly). I love trivia nights and board games, even though I get a little competitive.

This isn't private so much as embarrassing, but as much as I hate flying, I really like airplane food. Isn't that questionable?

you like what you've read and you want to get to know me more. I'm looking for friends and maybe something more. I'm friendly and I love meeting new people!

One of the most important qualities in a partner is that they are driven. Passion and independence are also important. Life goals are incredibly important to me, and I want to be with someone who makes me a better person, who challenges and encourages me, and with whom I can grow and learn--about myself, each other, and the world.

...but if you're just looking for someone to go bowling with, well, I just might be your girl.