I have lived in Houston for a year and a half while working on my master's degree - I'm originally from Ohio, and I did my undergrad at Ohio University. Texas has grown on me, especially recently, and I'll be staying here for at least another year as I wrap up my thesis and figure out where I want to go from here.

I love the outdoors! I'm an archaeologist and I spend my summers doing field work. This past summer I was in Belize for five weeks excavating Maya ruins, and will be returning for a longer period of time this summer. I love to go camping and hiking, that sort of thing, but sadly haven't had an opportunity to do any of that since moving to Texas.

I ran my first marathon this January, and I'm in a local running club, which is a lot of fun. Growing up I had horses, but had to give it up in college, but I still love horseback riding or anything horse related. I also love to travel, especially as it relates to my academic/career interests.

Working on a master's degree and learning to love Houston. I volunteer at a museum, I'm in a running club, and I'm just starting Krav Maga classes with my roommate.

Procrastinating like a champ. Also running for long distances. Horseback riding. Taking tests. Fantasy football (okay, not really - my team sucked last year, but the great thing is that there's always next season).

I will also add that I like to cook, but I'm not necessarily good at it, and I don't cook for people I don't know, so please stop asking - believe it or not, I actually get messages from people asking me to cook for them, which I think is a bit weird.

I used to have "You tell me" as my answer to this, but so many guys answered (even though I meant it to be rhetorical) and said my smile, so I guess I'll go with that!

I LOVE to read! I usually have a ton of stuff to read for school, but I make time for fun reading, too. I won't try to convince anyone that I have classy taste in books, though, haha. Authors I like include Janet Evanovich, Deanna Raybourne, Jane Austen, Karen Chance, Lauren Willig, and lots of others.

My absolute favorite show is Happy Endings, and my best friend and I quote it endlessly. You should watch it! I also like Castle, Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, and Criminal Minds.

I'm not particularly a big music person, but I love the Black Keys, Mumford and Sons, Coldplay, AWOLnation, Lana Del Rey, The Fratellis, Two Door Cinema Club, The Neighbourhood, Foals, Miike Snow

Food: Steak is delicious, and I love pretty much anything made out of a potato. I like junk food but try to eat healthier. Like Italian, sushi, etc. But one food I hate is cheese.

1. Family, which I know is cliche, but I mean it sincerely. Living over a thousand miles away for going on two years has been kinda tough!
2. My best friend/roommate - she's leaving me to move to England this fall, though, so I guess I will have to.
3. My 2 cats
4. Books
5. Running
6. Good beer

I spend a ton of time thinking about what I need to get done for school. As the world's worst procrastinator, I sadly never actually get around to doing it.

I enjoy staying in just as much as going out, although lately I have been spending more time out. That doesn't necessarily mean at a bar or club, although I'll do that, too. I also like to hang out in bookstores for hours and going for coffee.

I really love my cats. I know that has led some people to label me as a "cat lady" but I can live with that. They're cute and they make me happy.

You should message me if we have anything in common, really, and if you think we'd get along, or if you just want to. The only caveat I have is that I don't really respond if there's nothing to respond to, meaning that if you just write "hey" or "how are you" it's kind of hard to reply. What am I supposed to do, just say "Hi" back? That's not going to get us anywhere!

So take my advice, if not for me than for any girl you want to write to in the future whom you would really like to hear back from: take the time for a well thought-out message that shows you took the time to read her profile, that you are aware of what her interests are, and that you have clear intentions of actually taking it somewhere - not to the bedroom, but on an actual date. Because that's what we're on here for!