I'm an atmospheric science PhD student who recently moved to Jersey. I was born in upstate NY but lived a lot of my life in NC, so I guess you can say I'm a northern girl with southern charm. ;) I love to travel and explore new places. I have been doing more and more cooking lately and I am finding it is something that interests me. It gives me a chance to be creative - "hrm what can I make with what I have left in my fridge..." but I would love to find someone to create new dishes with. I am also into photography and hiking/camping. I like to stay active and have been trying to get into running - having a partner to run with would make it easier! :)

I am genuinely a caring, extremely loyal person. I cherish my relationships with my family and closest friends and I would do anything for any of them. I tend to keep people around me that reciprocate those feelings and that love to laugh and just enjoy doing whatever it is we are doing. I try to make the best of any situation and can have as much fun exploring a new city in a foreign place as I can being at home with a glass of wine, fun game and great friends.

I am looking for someone to share things with. I am looking for a guy who takes care of himself both mentally and physically, and is funny and adventurous. I would love to have someone to share new experiences with - so someone with an open mind, who is open to trying new things is something I am attracted to. Knowing how to cook is a plus but even a willingness to learn is great! :) I want to find someone who is passionate about something(s) in their life, and someone who can challenge me. Someone who can make a fun time out of most things. Friendly competition is welcomed - I will totally try to beat you in a free-throw competition, make a tastier dessert, or finish my sudoku first - but I'll also congratulate you on kicking my butt *if* you do. :)

P.S. I grew up with a bit of a techy nerd in me (my dad works in computers), so I do sometimes "nerd out" with new computers, gadgets, etc. And I can hold my own in video games :p

I just started a Ph.D program at Rutgers in the atmospheric sciences. I originally went to college to be a graphic designer for marketing and then decided architecture was the way to go. And.... that's how I became a meteorologist...

I obviously had some trouble deciding what I wanted to do in college, but a weather and climate class changed my mind to meteorology/atmospheric sciences and now I am working towards my doctorate and trying to decide if I eventually want to stay in academics as a professor or do research at a company. My decision changes daily... ;)

good conversations, listening, honesty, planning trips (to the next state over or around the world), making an edible dish with the stuff left in my fridge, getting to the subway right as the train is leaving, and naps.

are my eyes (they are blue but change color slightly depending on the weather, what I'm wearing, and my mood) and my curly hair (which I sometimes straighten).

Books: When I have time away from school to read... I like fiction and non-fiction equally. Non-fiction is usually dramatic true stories or interesting lives - First Person Plural is one that really stuck with me, also Jon Krakauer (Into Thin Air). In fiction I usually go for mysteries. I am currently reading a whole mystery/comedy series by Janet Evanovich but some other recent ones include Angels and Demons (and other books by Dan Brown), Girl in Hyacinth Blue, etc. I have been looking into reviews to choose some books for the summer. Recommendations are welcomed :)

Movies: I like action films and romantic comedies, equally. The Bourne series is one of my favorites. I also like Ocean's 11, 12, 13, The Italian Job, Transformers, The Dark Knight, The Proposal, Notting Hill, Hitch .. I do not like horror movies.

TV: Big Bang Theory, Person of Interest, Awake, Grey's Anatomy, Glee, White Collar, and as my reality-TV guilty pleasure: Biggest Loser (part of me has always wanted to be a personal trainer to help people lose weight and feel good about themselves, so this show is fun for me to watch)

Music: My music tastes are vast so I can't be too specific - I like everything from hip hop to oldies, rock, some rap, a little country (very little), and even some metal. It really depends on my mood...

And my friends' band: We Buy Gold

Food: I rarely find food I don't like or won't at least try. Italian and sushi are high on my list. I love a really good hamburger. Greek food is really good too and I've recently been introduced to Indian dosa!

So besides my friends and family... (in no particular order)

My camera
Strawberries
My iPhone
My contacts/glasses (I'm totally blind without them)
My 2 cats (not a cat lady, they're just awesome)
Chocolate

My future, where I want to travel to next and.... what I would do if I won the lotto ;)

either out with friends, traveling to see family/friends, relaxing at home with a good movie or show, or working on research for my thesis (obviously not what I would prefer)...

I have a teddy bear that I have had since I was young and he travels with me a lot, including Europe. I think at this point its more that I feel bad leaving him behind...