I am compassionate, engaging, and endearing.
My Self-Summary
I am a passionate and motivated person with pretty much everything
in my life, especially my work, family, and friendships. I like
spending time engaged in meaningful conversations with those around
me. The surface just doesn't suffice.
I am a social worker with a strong commitment to social justice and
decreasing the inequality that surrounds us. Some people say that I
analyze a little too much, but I have also been accused of wearing
my heart on my sleeve. I love to think, but I also love to
feel.
Things that always make my day brighter: laughing with friends, a
long drive, reading an engaging book outside in the sun, sharing
words with a stranger, a good beer, a phone call from my niece,
coffee in the morning, and stepping on crunchy leaves in the fall.
What I’m doing with my life
For my job, I do research in child welfare at an organization that
allows me to think and analyze with my teammates. I love my job,
but it's also important for me to have a good balance between my
work time and my play time.
Outside of work, I like to spend time with my friends, go on hikes
in the summer, and snowboard in the winter. My current endeavors
are getting back into photography and learning guitar.
Someday I'd like to get a Ph.D. and teach social work, specifically
in the area of generational poverty and ending that cycle with
youth.
I’m really good at
patience, listening, photography, making chocolate chip pancakes,
being thorough and methodical in all my pursuits, drinking beer,
and working with youth (generally those last two not at the same
time).
The first things people usually notice about me
are my height and my openness--people tend to feel comfortable
talking to me right away.
My favorite books, movies, music, and food
Books: The Velveteen Rabbit, Man's Search for Meaning, The Tao of
Pooh, and all poems by Tony Hoagland.
Good books I've read recently: Middlesex and History of Love.
Movies: Oliver!, Top Gun, Beaches, Before Sunrise, Love Actually, A
Mighty Wind, Juno, and Six Feet Under. Okay, so I have a soft spot
for romantic comedies.
Music: Ashleigh Flynn, The Be Good Tanyas, Bishop Allen, Carbon
Leaf, Catie Curtis, The Weepies, Great Big Sea, Iron & Wine,
Erin McKeown, Little Sue, Pink Martini, Rogue Wave, The Shins,
Tegan & Sara, and Sara Evans.
Food: Italian, a good burger--my favorite is at Lovely Hula Hands,
crepes at Le Happy, happy hours. I'm not a big fan of spicy.
The six things I could never do without
coffee, a good book, my friends and family, a job that I am
passionate about, alone time, natural light (although, living in
Portland, I somehow seem to do without that for several months at a
time).
I spend a lot of time thinking about
I've written a children's book, so I think about how to revise it
and whether it's time to pitch it to publishers. I'm also
fascinated by Portland hipster culture, so I want to find a way to
document it through photography. I'm also thinking about destiny
vs. free will, and if there is any order in life--or is it
completely random?
On a typical Friday night I am
out with friends, drinking and eating cheap booze and snacks. Or I
may be at home watching a movie and practicing guitar, or hosting
friends for a night of board games.
You should message me if
you are an honest and open communicator, are a good
conversationalist, and have a great sense of humor.
I'm also looking for someone to teach me guitar.