Hi there. Well, let's get started. I am a super laid back girl (really!) who grew up spending 6 months a year on both a ranch outside Dallas, TX and a cabin in CO. I love laughter, genuine and honest people, and just enjoying my time in the moment. Of course, there are plans for the future, but that's secret...I don't even know you yet!

I moved to the DC area after living abroad for six years working in international development. It has been interesting trying to figure this place out and I've met some interesting people along the way. Before D.C., I lived in six countries in six years, so it was a difficult transition getting back in touch with the U.S. I was actually completely blind-sided with the challenges I faced upon moving back, but I think I may finally have the hang of it again. It's also been really nice being closer-ish to my family and reconnecting with the many friends I left during my 20s - a decade of wanderlust. Staying put is great too. I appreciate home, solid relationships, and the U.S. now like I never would have without leaving.

I can be happy doing anything with people that I care about. I value individuals who in a certain sense, wear their hearts on their sleeves. Those with passion for something, whom are giving and empathetic, have a story(ies) to tell, and the ever curious are my types of folks. I tend to surround myself with dependable and honest (even brutally honest. No need for candycoating) people. Luckily, I've been able to find many lifelong friends such as this around the globe. The salary you earn and what material possessions you own are at the bottom of the importance hierarchy.

I have been teaching 12th grade science, math, and special education in Southeast D.C. since January 2011. My students keep me going back with a smile on my face everyday. Before that I worked in various capacities in the international development field with a focus on environmental issues. I also just finished up an M.Ed. in Education Policy (finally! Glad to be done).

Other than that, I am still finding pleasure in simple things I missed while living in developing countries. For example, peanut butter that is readily available less than a 5-hour bus ride away...yes! I also practice yoga several mornings per week, cycle regularly and enjoy taking in live theater and comedy. Mostly, I'm just trying to find balance, contentment and also, maintain the spark of excitement in this little life we're living.

Making people feel comfortable to express themselves around me. Also, I am a good cook when I want to cook. Living in developing countries has taught me how to somehow scrounge up most things from scratch.

My webbed fingers. Haha! Just kidding. I really don't know. There have been many different comments. You'll have to see for yourself.

MUSIC:
A little of everything: mostly indie rock, but also enjoy blues, r&b, rap, salsa, cumbia, and some jazz. The first 10 artists currently on my playlist are: the Lumineers, Matt and Kim, Jack White, Atlas Genius, the Wombats, Hot Hot Heat, the Black Keys, the Strokes, Tupac, and Biffy Clyro. Hmmm...Tupac seems largely out of place in that lineup.

The neighborhood I work in has introduced me to Go-Go, which is a nice representation of the soul of D.C. When Chuck Brown died it was a party in the streets outside my school. Pretty cool to take part in.

T.V.:
I don't have cable T.V. (typical, I know), so what I watch is found on Netflix.
I like Wilfred, Parks and Recreation, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and South Park, the Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margerat, the Walking Dead, amongst others.

Movies:
Exit Through the Gift Shop, Blood Simple, Midnight in Paris, the Tree of Life, Trouble the Water, Trees Lounge, Moscow on the Hudson, This is England, Death to Smoochy, Amadeus, King of Kong, Lonesome Dove, Winnebego Man...so so many more

Foods:
good cheeses, fruit (insert tear for the tropical Ecuadorian fruits that are sorely missed), artichokes, soups, Southern comfort food

I love to read, but have had to sacrifice leisurely reading since being in grad school and working in education. The last book I read was A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

Trees
Companionship
Comfortable shoes
A goal
Opportunity/Choice
Wine

The plight of the world's poor and how to give them a fighting chance

Creative ways to maintain order in a classroom full of 16 to 20 year- olds when they are usually much bigger than me and outnumber me by far. Also, how to teach them to understand higher order concepts when often they read at a 2nd or 3rd grade level.

Why people in D.C. don't use blinkers.

How to somehow make money while simultaneously spending most of my time hiking, biking, kayaking, and sleeping in the woods.

I've also been wondering why there have been so many beaver attacks against humans in the VA area over the past year. Haha! I can tell you some stories about that one, if you ask.

On Fridays, I'm usually pretty exhausted. It may be happy hour with friends and coworkers followed by a bite to eat or maybe dinner and relaxing at home. Depends.

I often put cleverly hidden messages or pictures on my worksheets and powerpoints in hopes my students will find them.

If you want to chat and see what happens. We may end up not clicking at all or maybe we'll find we can be friends or possibly more. Bye!