I am a journalist. I feel like this one sentence defines a lot of who I am. I've always been self-motivated and eager to learn and I'm interested in getting to know people inside and out, all of which help me as a reporter. I'm also in love with the written word -- both as a writer and an avid reader -- and finding or crafting that perfect turn of phrase.

I am a feminist and I like to question my own and others' assumptions about gender roles on a somewhat frequent basis.

I love sleeping, but I hate going to bed. I don't mind cleaning, but I can almost always find something I'd rather do, so I basically live in squalor.

My family is really important to me, even when it's being totally dysfunctional.

I recently finished school with a bachelor of science degree in journalism and history (yes, a science degree in two humanities/social science majors. It made sense at the time) and am now working for a news outlet near where I live.

Besides working pretty much constantly, I have never met a museum I didn't like -- be it art, historical or science-related. I like going to the zoo, as well (especially to see the giraffes), but I often feel guilty that we're locking some of these very intelligent animals up in confined spaces for our own enjoyment. I haven't done any of these things nearly as often in recent months as would be ideal.

Googling things. Like, scary good.

My big, curly hair. And that I'm always touching it.

Not inclusive, but a representative smattering...

Books: The World According to Garp, White Teeth, On Beauty, A Widow for One Year, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Alchemist, 1984, Brave New World, Lolita

Half-Price Books is my home away from home. I'm a little surprised they haven't started charging me rent.

Currently reading: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Also, I fucking love the Twilight series. I almost put this under "the most private thing I'm willing to admit here," but it's really not private at all. I will shout it from the rooftops, metaphorically speaking, because I firmly believe in the right to guilty pleasures.

Movies: Igby Goes Down, Closer, Charade, Amelie, Breakfast Club, Mallrats, Frida, Roman Holiday, Wait Until Dark, Breakfast at Tiffany's, City of God, Ghost World, Clerks, Lars and the Real Girl

When I am in a bad mood, I don't watch romantic comedies -- I watch Closer. It makes me feel infinitely better to know that people are fucked up in many various ways.

That being said, my all-time favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn. I have read her biography, and not only is she a joy to watch on film, she's an amazing person. Look her up if you don't believe me.

Music: Belle & Sebastian, Elliott Smith, Regina Spektor, Feist, Iron and Wine, Elvis, The Promise Ring, Simon and Garfunkel, Jason Mraz, The Weepies

My song of the moment is: "Ashes and Wine" by A Fine Frenzy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj8COjwOrUI

Food: Cheese, cheese, cheese, good bread, pasta (especially filled ones), frozen custard, fruity/chocolate-y breakfast cereal, egg foo young, bagels with (lox and) cream cheese, pesto, salmon sushi, french fries with mayonnaise, pad lao, Indian food (especially malai kofta)... the list really goes on forever. I could talk about food for days.

iPod, computer/Internet, my glasses/contacts (at least until I get Lasik surgery -- my contacts have a -8.5 prescription, which is incomprehensibly bad to most people), cheese, books, a pair of comfortable jeans

The news, baseball, my horrible fantasy baseball team, how this planet even exists.

Update: I am no longer thinking about baseball or fantasy baseball if possible. It's for the best. (Thanks a lot, Brewers).

Either out with my friends, in front of my computer, or behind a really good book.

I'm afraid of the dark.

You have ever found yourself awake at 5 a.m., wondering how you spent the last eight hours on Wikipedia.

You want to talk about moving to New York with an unknown level of certainty about whether this will ever happen.