I have a lot of energy and love to discover/experience new places, events and people. I'm very optimistic and rarely let little things get to me.

I like to be teased and I need someone who challenges me. I like silly arguments that end up with laughing so hard it hurts. I'm an artsy kind of person so I tend to take conversations to a ridiculous level. At the same time, I do a good job at being ridiculous and complete sensible. It's all about balance.

I'm immeasurably patient, which is probably a characteristic that has led me to pursue a master's in Special Education.

This might be a strange thing to post but I'm fairly conservative with my money. I like a fun night out, but I'd rather have several nights out than one big blowout. Hopefully this makes sense without making me sound like a stiff!

I just began my graduate degree in Special Education at the University of Illinois. I'm really looking forward to starting a rigorous program that requires me to devote my time to helping others learn how to live successfully.

I tend to wander into the travel section at the bookstore and drool over all the countries I want to visit one day, after I buy an SLR camera and can photograph all the beautiful sites around the world.

This last year, I spent teaching as a Fine Arts substitute, volunteering for a project at a theatre company that works with kids with special needs and assistant directing a brand new work with a theatre company in Chicago.

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I look like a dancer! I'm slim and graceful, but I really only studied ballet for a short time. I was at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago seeing a Joffrey Ballet performance and one of the Joffrey staff asked me if I was one of the new trainees.

I also look young! At a school event, a parent asked me if I was a junior or senior. I had to tell her that I was a teacher and that I had had her son in class.

Books: Sedaris, Albom, Arthur Miller, Shakespeare, and Mary Zimmerman. A LOT of plays. On my list to read: Democracy by Michael Frayn, The Mahabharata, Dramatic works of Samuel Beckett, Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Movies: Everything is Illuminated, Singin' in the Rain, The Notebook, Amelie. There's a film producing company called Focus Features and pretty much anything they produce, I'll watch.

Music: Bajofando Tango Club!! Other than that, I don't really have a FAVORITE per say, but here are my Pandora stations: Mika, Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Norah Jones, Fatboy Slim, Sing Sing Sing and bubblegum oldies. I also love various broadway musicals- but I subject only myself to listening to them. I will never force anyone listen to them. I also listen to whatever music is on the radio, and I like to be introduced to new bands/musicians.

Food: Sushi, fresh bread, pastas, ice cream cones, garlic, creamy soups, and my dad's hamburgers. And of course, chocolate--but only in its pure form...none that chocolate flavored stuff.

TV: Lost, Colbert Report, 30 Rock, The Office. Pretty much anything I can watch on the internet at my leisure. I also like having Chicago Tonight on in the background....

Innovation
Leadership
Defining Successful
How to gain strong focus
Achieving balance
How to be a better educator
Solving life's little problems
Bringing people together

...you like a low-maintenance girl, who occasionally likes getting dressed up. If you want someone that you can take camping and not worry about complaining about dirt and bugs. If you want someone who balances practicality with spontaneity. If you want someone who has been described as a "free spirit" but also "type-A".