It's so hard to just write a little note about yourself in a box. I could write almost nothing or I could write a book- hell, I could probably write more than one! lol, What should I write about?

Well, I love to do things with people. It can be anything from just hanging out, to watching a movie, to going out to dinner and/or a movie, to going to a cafe, to bar-hopping, or partying. I love taking walks (anywhere)!

I also really love animals. If you believe that humans are somehow "better" than other animals, we probably won't get along. Sure humans have a lot of qualities that make us very different, but does it really make us "better"? The fact is that humans ARE animals, and I believe that specism is just as bad as sexism or racism. I refuse to try to put a value judgment on something like that. (And I certainly do NOT think that humans are "special" because we're the "chosen ones" of some sort of deity. I mean, come on.) (Also, I am not a vegetarian. While I heartily disagree with the way "meat production" animals are treated, I still think that humans are naturally omnivores.)

I have been questioning my sexuality for a long time. I am definitely attracted to people of both sexes, so I suppose that you could call me bisexual. I'm just looking for the partner of my dreams, no matter what their sex.

In terms of relationships, I want the real thing. I'm looking to make a real, honest connection with someone. I think chemistry is a really important part of that "connection", and quite frankly, I am very doubtful that I'll meet someone I have the right kind of chemistry with online. (I keep meeting really cool people and realizing that I'm just not "feeling it", and- well, that sucks.) Despite this, I'm definitely interested in meeting new FRIENDS as well, so if you're in the area and looking for more people to hang out with, send me a message!

As for more about me, see the list of things that interest me under the "favorites" section, or just ask.

*I know the first thing everyone looks at is the pictures page (guilty!), so I thought I would mention that my pictures are in order from most recent to least recent.*

*I have changed my "smokes" status from "trying to quit" to "no"! I used to smoke cigarettes regularly (though not excessively), but I have successfully quit and now I never crave them at all. Yay!*

*I do not like the OkCupid IM feature, so I've basically blocked everyone from messaging me on it (unless on some strange whim, I decide to IM you first- in which case, your replies will come through). In any case, this is not an attempt to block people out completely, so feel free to send messages to my inbox!*

I went to Western Connecticut State University for two years after I graduated High School. I transferred to Michigan State University in Fall 2006 because they have an impressive zoology department. I was a zoology major with a specialization in gender and sexuality, but the size of the school really overwhelmed me.

In August 2008, I moved to Kalamazoo with my two cats. I'm taking classes at Western, and I'm majoring in Psychology. Eventually, I would like to earn a PhD and conduct research in the field of non-human animal cognition.

I've been told that I'm a good writer. I believe it, but I still think my skills could be better. I do think that I'm good at making my point clear- but people sometimes tell me that I over-clarify my points. I feel like I need to explain everything in the most precise way possible.

I'm really good at finding/spotting things. Not only do I have an unusually keen memory for where I've seen things placed, I can also visually recognize an object very quickly (an "eagle eye" kind of thing- but eagles are still way better at it). I've found so many 4-leaf clovers in my life that I can't even count. In fact, I've found a few with more than 4 leaves (and I don't even put a lot of effort into it)! If only they were actually lucky.. :/ (I still hope they are and all that luck I've acquired is stored away somewhere for future use..)

My smile, maybe? People always tell me I smile a lot.

I've also been told that I have really pretty eyes.

There are other things that people comment on pretty frequently, but I'm not sure it's necessary to list them here.

I kind of wish people would notice more valuable things (such as aspects of my personality) before my appearance, but I suppose that's not too realistic..

I don't really do favorites. I like some things and love other things and dislike some things and hate a few things. Those preferences seem to shift and change whenever my mood changes..

Here is an alphabetical list of things that I am interested in (from my livejournal info page): acceptance, animal cognition, animal psychology, animal science, animals, art, bars, biological diversity, biology, bipolar, bipolar disorder, birkenstocks, borderline, borderline personality disorder, bpd, cats, chocolate, clubs, cognition, computers, crafts, creativity, critical thinking, critical thought, crochet, dancing, deep thinking, deep thought, depression, design, discovery, diversity, diy, drawing, earth, ecology, ecosystems, equality, essays, evolution, evolutionary biology, exploration, expression, francais, free speech, freedom, freedom of speech, french, friends, gender, happiness, having fun, honesty, hugs, hypomania, ideas, imagination, intelligence, intuition, kissing, learning, life science, love, lust, mania, movies, music, natural science, nature, nonfiction, nudity, observation, originality, pajamas, parties, passion, pets, philosophy, photography, poetry, psychology, random acts of kindness, reasoning, respect, science, self expression, self-help, sensuality, sex, sexuality, sleep, the environment, thought, tolerance, traveling, truth, uniqueness, vivariums, weirdness, wildlife, wildlife rehabilitation, wit, words, writing, zoology ... among other things.

my mind, family (includes my pets), animals (this means wild animals and other people's pets), friends, internet access, and my laptop

I don't know- it changes all the time! Ask me :)

Usually just at home fiddling around on my computer and watching tv, or reading, or studying; but sometimes I'm out to dinner, or a movie, or partying, or at the bar.

What is the point of this question, anyway?

... you want to.

I don't really like woos/winks. If you have something to say, say it. I am a very open and honest person, and I like people to be direct as well. If you need help, think, "Why do I want to contact this girl?" and write your answer in the message box.

Incidentally, I was on OkC's FAQ and it reads: "A wink is a friendly way of saying, “Sup, I want you.”". That's exactly why I don't want them- it's like, a socially acceptable internet cat-call? lol, come on, really? The FAQ also says: "IF you have no interest in winks you may declare yourself totally impervious". I wish there were a way to declare myself totally impervious to real-life cat-calls! lol