It feels weird to write an entire paragraph of praise for myself but how else would you get to know me? So here goes...

The basics
I'm short and sweet (literally, in reference to the former and figuratively to the latter). I enjoy being outdoors and doing athletic things. I'm crazy about volleyball and snowboarding. I like gettin' down and dirty (like camping or playing in the rain), but also enjoy girly things like scrapbooking and knitting (did I just admit to those two things on the internet?). I love trying new things and eating new foods. I have a huge sweet tooth, so if I'm ever upset w/ you (which doesn't happen too often since I'm generally a happy person), you can woo me with sweets. I'm open-minded and like like-minded people. I like a good challenge.

I grew up in Fort Worth and escaped Texas for undergrad in sunny California. Unfortunately it was the year of El Nino and was raining all the time! I was somewhat miserable and was beginning to regret my decision of moving out there but the sun eventually peeked out from the clouds and CA's charms (and obviously my friends, too) won me over. I ended up living out there for quite some time before I moved to Chicago for grad school.

I love learning. When I graduated from Cal, I decided that I wanted to take a new class every year or try something new. So far so good!

The quirks
When I get a craving, I'll crave it until I get it (usually chocolate). I have three dishes that I like to try out at different restaurants (chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and chicken salad sandwiches). I like to eat nacho cheese doritos with chocolate milk. Cleaning and organizing is therapeutic for me. I love to bake (not a bad quirk). I don't like touching food or for it to touch my face (but I'm not as crazy as that lady on Glee), but I don't mind touching dry things like fries or tots. If a book doesn't grab me within the first chapter, it's over. I love crosswords and would love to finish a NYT crossword someday. Music moves me. Please tell me you can decipher the difference between "Eats shoots and leaves" vs "Eats, shoots, and leaves." I'm an animal lover. I like plants, too, although my mom's the one w/ the green thumb.

How Texas left a stamp on me even though I haven't lived here for 11 years (just moved back in August).
I drive a big car. I've never found a replacement for the ribs here. I love steak. Ranch dressing makes everything better. I could never be a vegetarian (though it's totally cool if you are, although you may not be cool with me).

volleyball, snowboarding, and artsy things. Being Chinese, my parents made me choose between violin or piano lessons. I chose piano, so I suppose that I'm good at that too. I'm learning to play the guitar but am much better at guitar hero and rock band. (I LOVE the new Beatles version!) I'm also good at baking and cooking. I make a mean lemon bar and cheesecake as well as yellow curry. I'm also pretty good at knitting. I've made enough scarves for all of the kids in The Sound of Music to have two each, a few beanies, and even a Christmas stocking. I also have a gift for making lots of things fit into a tiny suitcase.

I'm always smiling, and I have one dimple (same as my grandma).

Family and friends are clearly at the top of this list. Material things can be replaced (for instance, my load of laundry w/ my fav shirt and tank top which was stolen earlier this week). Sigh. Goodbye, fav clothes. You were oh so good to me.

lots of things! You'll have to pick my brain on this one.

hangin' out with family or friends over some good grub and drinks. Sometimes I like to stay in and veg out. Who doesn't?

you're full of life!