I am a student, once again. This time, I'm pretty sure about what I'm doing.

I'm a voracious reader, am a tad obsessed with my dog, love to try new foods, and love to scuba dive when I have the chance (read: not so often, but I am certified). I'm adventurous and really like novelty. I have been described as intelligent, sarcastic, talkative, funny, and most of all, cute. That cute thing really bugs me, but I can't seem to escape it. Although I'm not that far from "normal and nice," I seem to cringe when I hear those words applied to me, for some reason.

I'm more of a homebody now than I used to be, but I still love to go out and see live music.

I'm very, very liberal. If you are very conservative and/or religious, we will probably not have too much in common. I'm just sayin'.

I tend to be drawn to men who are tall, dark, thin, and slightly nerdy :) Just my thing, I guess. Not to say that someone other than this wouldn't potentially blow my socks off. I really wanted to get the phrase "blow my socks off" in my profile. From past experience, I don't mix well with vegans (I respect their committment, but find myself annoyed with their dietary restrictions; Note: does not apply to vegetarians. Yes, I discriminate on the basis of eating habits.). I like personality quirks and sarcasm and a good mix of extroversion and introversion. I also like a mix of ambition and creativity.

After having a "real" job for 4 years in Chicago, I have decided to go back to school to become a nurse midwife and nurse practitioner. That's the big plan. I absolutely adore what I am doing. I love the mamas and babies.

I study. All of the time. And attempt to have somewhat of a social life on an occasional basis.

Organizing, logical thinking, certain circus skills, having fun while dancing, mixing drinks, training my dog, listening to other people, giving advice.

My eyes. I think everyone expects me to have brown eyes and is suprised when I don't.

My glasses (although I am tempted to get Lasix in the next couple of years...).

Used to be the fire-engine red stripes in my hair, but those are gone now.

What I can think of off the top of my head:

a) Me Talk Pretty One Day; Our Bodies, Our Selves; anything by Anais Nin (fiction, diaries, and erotica); Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood; The Shadow of the Wind; Where the Red Fern Grows, The Sparrow, Pushed, Baby Catcher.

b) American Beauty; Kissing Jessica Stein; The Godfather; Clerks; Silence of the Lambs; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; The Wizard of Oz; Big Fish; Almost Famous; Usual Suspects; The Shining; Lord of the Rings trilogy.

c) Matisyahu, Robert Randolph, Tegan & Sara,Indigo Girls, the Cure, Dixie Chicks, bluegrass, Radiohead, Beck, Massive Attack, Portishead...

d) Thai, sushi, Ethiopian, French, Chicago-style pizza, Italian...anything involving yummy wines, cheese, bread, and olives :)

- My dog
- My shoe collection
- My family
- Love, in some form or another
- New experiences
- Travel

The future.

Trying to relax, either with a movie or some mindless tv or at a hole in the wall bar. Otherwise: possibly catching a baby.

I have several personality attributes that are seemingly in contradiction to each other, and would like to find someone with a similar personality.

You consider yourself to be educated, interesting, intelligent, open-minded, liberal...and if you like dogs :)