I am a native Chicagoan. And by "native Chicagoan," I mean I grew up in Chicago's actual city limits. I was born and raised on the Northside but now live on the Southside. Go Sox!

Diversity is the spice of my life. I embrace all kinds of people, places, ideas, activities. However, I try to do so while always remaining true to myself. I never want to be bored with life, and I want to follow my own script.

I can talk about Jane Austen novels, women's rights or children's cognitive/brain development...until you put on Arabic music. Then I start bellydancing.

I’m more introverted than extroverted. I enjoy traveling alone, but I would like a travel companion once in a while...

If you are into personality tests, I am an INTJ and am most likely an Enneagram type 1. I am a huge fan of the Enneagram!

My ancestry is Eastern European and African-American. I've been mistaken for every culture with tan skin.

I write part time and work in a school full time. On weekends, I take dance class. I like trying to learn other languages too. Also, I participate in a few young adult groups.

Once in a while, I visit bars in my neighborhood. I prefer fruity, girly drinks, but I am learning to like beer. I drink mostly Polish beer and Stella. Recommend me something that tastes like one of those!

When the weather is nice, I bike to the Lakefront. I visit street fests and parades during summer. In any weather, you can find me at book fairs or browsing forever at a used bookstore.

My life is quite rich, but I can always make time for good people...

my job and my hobbies, obviously. My cooking is improving. I am better than my mother at cooking vegetables, so that must be good! My cats are happy and healthy. I am better at writing my thoughts that speaking my thoughts. I am also usually the resident computer geek at work as I am always the youngest one, and therefore the most computer savvy.

are my smile and curly hair. Well, guys might add more than that...

People say I'm nice, a good listener and intelligent when they first meet me.

I'm in a Read the Classics book club, but I also will read contemporary bestsellers if someone recommends one to me. My favorite author is Jane Austen, but my favorite book is "The Mists of Avalon."

Deep down, I think I wish my life was a romcom sprinkled with elaborate dance numbers. Hence, my movie collection is mostly musicals and romantic comedies. My favorite movie is "Gone with the Wind." I also own some of my favorite movies from when I was a kid, such as "Nightmare Before Christmas." I love stand-up comedy and improv!

I'm Vegan but I don't mind if you eat meat. My whole family does, and I still hang out with them. My "favorite" dishes change with the seasons (or with whatever is on sale). Ask me what I'm liking now...

For music, I like stuff that's danceable. So I prefer acid jazz, electronica and pop. I also like music in different languages, such as Flamenco and Arabic music. I'll listen to anything once. I also enjoy punk and metal shows, believe it or not. The Fisticuffs are a lot of fun! My pre-set stations in my car include Kiss FM, V-103, Rewind 100, and B96. I need to balance all that intelligent reading with mindless pop music.

I am trying to be a good liberal and listen to NPR more. I do get bored with hearing the same five Rihanna and Katy Perry songs over and over.

Tuesday night is my sacred TV night. I love "Glee" and "New Girl!" Zooey Deschanel is one of my favorite young actresses. On days off, I do enjoy laughing at other people's pain on "Maury" and I get health tips from Dr. Oz. FYI, your purse should not weigh more than five pounds.

"Food" for my spirit
Quiet
Time to dream
Opportunities to be creative
Meaningful work
Nature in my home

how to live an amazing life; how to veganize non-vegan foods; where I will travel next.

at home, unless it is the 1st or 2nd Friday of the month. Care to join me at MCA's First Fridays or the Pilsen Second Fridays? A few times a year, I perform during the Second Fridays.

I have never seen Star Wars. You want to introduce me?

If you prefer critical thinking over blind believing, diversity over homogenity (yes I just made that up), dancing over standing on the side and you neither have nor want kids, I might be your match.