"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." -Helen Keller

So... who am I?

My mission is to be a beacon of light, radiating love, wisdom, and joy to Mother Earth and all those that I touch.

I am optimistic and believe that life is meant to be joyful and fun. I possess a spiritual worldview with compassion, kindness, and love not only as its goals, but also the primary means of achieving them. I believe that when we put goodness into the universe that's what we receive in return.

My beliefs and values determine how I live my life and inform the choices I make. It sounds a bit serious when put that way, but I spend the majority of my time simply enjoying my life and the world in which I live. Sometimes it's in little ways (stargazing, observing nature, skinny-dipping, meditating, people-watching) and sometimes it's more involved (global travel, ballroom/ latin/ swing dancing [though I haven't done much of that in the last few years], kayaking). I don't believe in complaining - when I find a situation unpleasant, I attempt to take steps to correct the issue or accept it; complaining simply breeds more discontent.

If we're not having fun, we're doing it wrong! ;)

P.s. One of my friends told me I left out my "great sense of humor and wit". So as it turns out, at least one person (who loves me dearly, and is therefore completely unbiased) thinks I'm funny. ;)

Recently moved to Edinburgh, Scotland (from the Washington, DC area) to pursue a postgrad degree in Nursing. (Yay!!) My present goal is to be work in the fascinating realm of Nursing Education and Research. Or to be in the pubs enough to make me a raving lunatic.... One of those.

Being new to the Edinburgh, I'm looking for new friends with the potential for romance. I want to get to know this gorgeous land! I have a great interest in ancient sacred sites and have spent loads of time touring the little-known stone circles of Ireland (as well as the touristy ones). I'd love to meet someone interested in showing me around - or at least someone willing to explore with me!

Singing (opera, jazz, pop, etc). Traveling. Trying new things. Understanding people. Relaxing. Nurturing. Healing. Helping others find their life purpose. Teaching. Massaging (I'd say giving massages, but honestly, I like the symmetry of all the words ending in "-ing".) Ooh! Punctuating. >;-)

1. My awesome presence.
2. My physical body (in that I have one, and am not simply a floating head nurse - give yourself 20 points if you get that reference).
3. I like this poem. (Okay, people don't often notice I like this poem, so now you will!)

SONG OF ONE OF THE GIRLS
by Dorothy Parker (whom I am now affectionately calling "Dot")

Here in my heart I am Helen;
I'm Aspasia and Hero, at least.
I'm Judith, and Jael, and Madame de Stael;
I'm Salome, moon of the East.

Here in my soul I am Sappho;
Lady Hamilton am I, as well.
In me Recamier vies with Kitty O'Shea,
With Dido, and Eve, and poor Nell.

I'm of the glamorous ladies
At whose beckoning history shook.
But you are a man, and see only my pan,
So I stay at home with a book.

My favorites change frequently, but here's a smattering:

"The Hobbit"/ "Lord of the Rings" (I loved the books waaaay before the movies)
Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters
Harry Potter/ Artemis Fowl Series
"That Which You Are Seeking Is Causing You To Seek" by Cheri Huber (Zen Teacher)
"Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia" by Elizabeth Gilbert
Poetry by Dorothy Parker

The Goonies
The Princess Bride
The Last Unicorn
The Usual Suspects
The Never-Ending Story
Indiana Jones Trilogy (I really just love H.F. with the hat & whip - so sexy! And yes, I said trilogy on purpose.)
P.S. I Love You

NCIS- I'm totally in love with both McGee & Gibbs.. a strange combo, but I like both the innocent sweetheart & the man who'll take charge...!
How I Met Your Mother
Lost
The Office (American version, sorry Brits)
Heroes

I put TV shows, because my music tastes are way too eclectic - but if I must... my latest iTunes download included Michael Jackson, Price, and Ella Fitzgerald, and I'm never without Bon Jovi, Counting Crows, Kenny Loggins, Sarah McLaughlin, Guns & Roses, Donna Summer, and my iPod with its 158 audiobook tracks, & 4678 other items. I love stuff I can sing too, like Broadway belters & Opera.

Meatball Subs
Stacked Enchiladas (family recipe)
American style breakfast (for any meal)

1. Love/ affection/ friendship
2. Great massages (I give excellent ones, but I expect to receive them in return!!)
3. Nature/ Water (to drink as well as to live near [lakes/rivers/oceans])
4. Travel
5. Quiet Time
6. My singing voice

I'm taking my dog off this list, as I'll be without her for at least my first year in Edinburgh, so obviously, I CAN live without her, but I don't like it... :( I mean, for that matter, I could do without, well, everything. But why?!?

Myself - what I'm creating in my life, what I want in my life, ways to be a better, more authentic version of myself.

Work - what do I REALLY want to do when I grow up...?

The World - the impact of humans, global warning (lordsuperfast pointed out that I probably mean global warming here, but now that I'm thinking about it, global warning is an issue too...), the strange and wild weather we've been experiencing, how we can join together to make it a better place.

My Loved Ones - what they're doing, what they need/want, how they're feeling.

If my profile is too long. (Still reading? Message me with the header: I promise not to take you on any bike rides!)

Travel - where I've been, where I haven't been, where I'm going next. Top 2 favorite places: Chile & Ireland. And should I move overseas? [UPDATE: I AM moving to SCOTLAND - YAY!!!]

Well, I just decided I had to change my drinking status from "rarely" to "often" since my move from the US to Edinburgh, so that about sums it up, now doesn't it? ;)

I don't know how to ride a bike. I tried again recently and found it um.. terrifying. (I grew up on a hill, okay!)

Update (Aug. 2009): I just found a pair of hot pink fishnet stockings, and I can't bear to simply throw them out!

Also, I have two large-ish (semi-hidden) tattoos that only certain people earn the right to see. ;-O

...you want to have an interesting conversation made up of actual words and complete sentences (unlike the hastily texted scraps of conversation we send to people we already know & love)

...you are single & kind (highly important!)

...at least one of your profile photos shows your eyes (sans sunglasses) and smile (because really, if you can't post one photo that shows your eyes & smile, that concerns me!)

...you're an affectionate, optimistic, intelligent, emotionally healthy man who understands & enjoys the cosmic joke that is life...

...and you want to get to know me and show me around Edinburgh. (I didn't cross the ocean to stay home and send emails!!!)

P.s. Compliments & musical skill (piano, guitar, etc.) will get you everywhere (or at least off to a good start!)!