I think I am witty, generous, fun, confident, self assured, a good listener, know what I like but open to new experiences and adventurous, loyal, imaginative, silly, serious, keenly interested in US and world affairs, art, music, city life but am also drawn to the countryside and wide open spaces.

I lived in Italy and Germany for school and work, and the experience was very influential. I've had some great trips abroad. I went for work to Argentina and took off for 10 days on my own to Iguazu Falls and Uruguay exploring. A year ago I visited the village in Bohemia where my great grandfather came from and then went with a small group thru Transylvania.
I am happy to explore nearby as well and am happy being home and in my neighorhood.

As far as personality I am quite smart (and modest) and have a quick sense of humor and can be a big goof. I try to live a balanced life and recycle and try not too overconsume, I am very interested in politics and current events and try to affect change by my actions in some small way rather than just bitch. I have a wide range of interests and am always looking to try something new. We moved a bit as I was growing up and it certainly shaped who I am today.

I work for a non profit international exchange program. It's important personally to feel like I am working for the greater good. I have had the opportunity to travel frequently for work, often very off the beaten path. I feel lucky for the experiences and people I've encountered.

I have a couple of places for which I volunteer, including MPR and the humane society dog walking. I purchased a new bike last fall and have had lots of fun exploring the area on it- a whole new perspective! Yeah #2 bikeable city in the US! I have relished long bike rides this summer, huge fan of the greenway and the fabulous bike paths around the twin cities. I cycle to work some days, should do it more...
Would love some company on my bike rides!

I do have a weakness for excellent coffee and think there is nothing better than savoring the perfect cup. And I do know the best place in Minneapolis/ St Paul for coffee. It's not well known. Ask and I just might tell you where it is...

Although I don't have one I am a dog person and have been known to borrow dogs, with permission of course, and go to the dog park.
I crave being outdoors- hiking, kayaking, etc... Favorite season is fall but I try to find a few good things to appreciate about the winters here.

parallel parking. and I can beat anyone in tying cherry stems into knots with just your tongue contests, consider the gauntlet thrown down.

my eyes.

books- as far as the classics; Tender is the Night (love living in F Scott Fitzgerald's neighborhood), My Antonia, To Kill a Mockingbird, Something Wicked this Way Comes, Kristen Lavransdotter, Anna Karenina, and reading works set in places I am going and places I have been.

movies- have a penchant for classics and foreign films. My first job in high school was at the oldest theatre in Indiana built for showing movies. We showed classic films and second run movies. I did everything from pop popcorn to shut down the projector at the end of the night.

music- I think I have a rather wide variety of music taste, Johnny Cash, Neko Case, Housemartins, opera, classical music, my favorite is Great Big Sea (from the tropical island of Newfoundland) and will travel to see them live. I like to listen to the CBC radio 2 and radio linea.

food- I'm open to trying new types of food, gravitate to non chain restaurants. On the lookout for true, authentic Italian, Indian is fabulous, am hitting the farmer's market as much as possible to take advantage of locally grown food, trying to eat simple, delicious food!

travel
my 5 yr old niece and nephew
dark chocolate & coffee
NPR
good books
my bike

where my next trip will be.

I don't do typical.

you are effortlessly authentic. Or if you think we'd have something in common.

No particular types, but if you're smart, witty, interested in the world around you and in art/ culture, fun to be around, open minded, thoughtful, and kind then that'd be a good start :-)

N. B. If one of your pics is you shirtless in your bathroom move along please.