I'm the kind of person that always puts the grocery cart back in the cart corral ... partly because I like saying "I'm going to put the cart back into the cart corral" but mostly because I think it's a good (and kind) thing to do.

I'm a native Californian, but a Midwesterner at heart.

I'm not a afraid to say that I'm looking for someone to share my life with. I think love is great and settling in with someone that really gets you is even better. I like to process, I tend to be honest and wear my heart on my sleeve. I've been told I'm too nice and friends are often surprised to see I have a devilish side. I'm compassionate, but a bad ass. I break out into spontaneous meowing when I'm happy or frustrated ... or when forget the words to a song on the radio.

I like to travel. I've done a lot of it in my life. I hate to fly. Seriously. HATE it. However, my love to see new places and visit my family makes it impossible for me not to fly.

I'm not a fan of unkind people. I know it sounds trite, but I'm being incredibly serious.

I'm still finishing my masters degree ... that's always the first thing that comes to mind when asked this question. However, what I'm really doing with my life right now is pruning and covering my rose bushes so they don't freeze (although going out into the yard at this late hour to prune my rose bushes seems a little too Joan Crawfordesque). Really, my area of study involves helping others and it kills me that I'm dragging my feet on my thesis. However, I'm not doing nothing ... I keep busy (mostly with my house) and work a regular sort of job that pays the mortgage. My life is good and I know I'm very lucky.

Making grilled cheese and oatmeal.
Being honest.
Using a map.

I'm short and I have small feet.

I smile lots.

Books:
I love to read cookbooks. I like to cook, but love to read cookbooks. I find myself reading fewer books (although I have loads of them) and reading more short stories, articles, recipes. I subscribe to Cook's Illustrated and The New Yorker and they are currently quite sufficient in filling my free time.

Food:
I'm Jewish by birth, not in practice, and I love good Jewish food. Give me a good deli and I'm happy.
When I was little, we lived in LA and I was exposed to lots of great food very early (used chopsticks by the time I was 7, ate sushi before I was 11 ... ). I eat everything that agrees with me (and the list of food allergies is long and makes me feel like the kid in 1st grade that couldn't drink milk, eat peanuts or chocolate, but had no problem eating paste and crayons). Just in case you're confused, I do not eat paste or crayons.

Music:
I like music, but totally consider myself a novice and dork when it comes to music. I love The Decemberists and Neko Case, but also have Supertramp and Neil Diamond in my itunes library. I just like what I like when I like it, and if I don't like it anymore, I stop listening to it.

Movies:
I have a strange affection for newer-ish gangster movies. Good Fellas, Casino. I loved Rear Window when I saw it as a kid and remember thinking it was really creepy. I also like Star Wars flicks. It's the very first movie I actually remember seeing in the theater when it came out 1977 - I fell asleep, but I remember it. I love Mad Men ... not a movie, but worthy enough to mention. I have a bit of a sick crush on Don Draper.

Clearly this is the list of things that I prefer not to do without at random times in my day, week, month ... I assure you I will not perish should these items suddenly become unavailable to me.

1. smartwool
2. fleece
3. toast
4. my cat sleeping at my feet
5. scratch-off lottery tickets
6. the dried figs in the bulk section of the coop

Mowing my lawn.

Not mowing my lawn.

I was in the high school band.