I don't live in the DC Area right now. I'm just not ready to get messages from anyone in my new location yet.
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I spent the first half of my life on the East Coast, and the second half of my life in the Bay Area. I'm interested in Product Design, Psychology, Art, and a bunch of other stuff.

I love exploring new things, people, and places. Within the last year or so I've dabbled in salsa dancing, improv, and triathlons. I've also gone out of the country a couple times, and plan to do so again. I'm pretty active, and like to challenge myself physically and mentally. Recently, I've been trying to cook more, with varying amounts of effort, but generally good results. I like cooking for someone else more than for myself.

I'm looking to meet someone I can laugh with, stay home and snuggle with, go on adventures with, and grow with. He has his own passions and interests, but we share some values and goals. And it would be lovely if we have some mad physical chemistry, because that's important too.

I am vibrant, vivacious, and vivid

- Successfully maintaining or increasing the fun quotient, ostensibly while also being responsible enough to do the following:

- Working on obtaining a PhD. My research interests include design team dynamics, the design process, Human-Centered Design research methods, and how best to communicate the results of user research to designers. I also get paid to make 3D solid models to be turned into products. That's kinda fun, but I'm glad I don't spend all my time doing it.

- Dancing with Salsamania

- Training with the Berkeley Triathlon team. I did my first tri ever this past Spring.

- Just participated in my third AIDS/Lifecycle - a bike ride from SF to LA to raise funds and awareness for AIDS programs. Now, I'm training to do the Nike Women's Marathon in October.

-Being enthusiastic about learning stuff.
-Seeing things from a different point of view than my own (it helps with human-centered design, don't ya know).
-Making things in 3D that people can then build (this is my day job)
-Having Fun
-Dancing and stuff
-Cooking yummy food (I'm still improving)

Undoubtedly my figure (aka my glorious badonkadonk).
As they get closer, my curly hair and sparkly blue eyes.
But what I secretly hope is my confidence and sense of humor.

Movies: those which facilitate being curled up in an intimate snuggle, or laughing with a bunch of friends, or getting my socks rocked by some amazing imagery or action sequence. The Big Lebowski and Fifth Element come to mind.

Books: fiction, if the story is deep and the prose is kickin'; nonfiction that makes me think, helps me improve my life in tangible ways, or helps me understand how me, myself and the world work

Games: Guitar Hero/Rock Band, Rez, but mostly the game of life (I think I might win this one)

Music: it changes from day to day, and it's probably easier to list the things I don't like. That's more negative than I like to be, so instead, here's a list of artists from my collection: Goldfrapp, Lemon Jelly, Kanye West, Shaggy, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Mika, Rihanna, Sea Wolf, The Eels, freezepop, Halou, Loop!Station, Lady Gaga, Tchaikovsky, OK Go, The Notwist

Food: I'm open to anything that tastes good and/or makes me feel great (like fruit). I've been cooking for myself a lot more lately and working on my culinary skills. Personally, I find the food tastes and feels better when I make it for myself (or it's made for me, *winkwink*) - delicious, fresh, foody goodness.

everyone knows that anything on this list is likely hyperbole, but nevertheless: my friends, my family, something to learn about, my external brain (aka, the internets), human touch, my internal dialog

patterns. I like to find patterns in behavior, tasks, anything actually. It's like a never ending puzzle and can make even the mundane fascinating.

how to create balance and rhythm in my life while still embarking on the adventures and explorations I so enjoy.

and of course, my research.

With some friends, out dancing, at home, or all three if I'm really lucky.

Sometimes I stay in on Fridays so I can get up early and go on a nice long bike ride on Saturday morning. But, I'm just as likely to go out anyway.

Before we get any further in to this, I want to note that I think first dates should be low-key, especially when arranged through a medium where you get to go read up on and analyze the other person before you ever get to meet them, and I don't think it's a good idea to spend a long time bantering over email. I sweetly request that you go read this: http://benjyfeen.com/2008/11/12/low-stakes-first-dates/

Saying all that, do message me if you love your life and you'd like to share or, if you'd like to talk shop about design, or just go climbing or something.