"When life gives you lemons, just say eff the lemons and bail." Paul Rudd "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

I'm a St.Louis native, but I came to the Kansas City area for college. I've flip-flopped between KC and St.Louis my whole life. I have absolutely NO desire to go back to St.Louis; KC is definitely home!! I have been a Kansas City Chiefs fan since I can remember--my 4th gerbil was named Joe Montana.

Family and friends are my first priority. I'm willing to bend over backwards for any of them when they need my help. My grandma is a very influential person in my life.

I try to stay busy during the week with work. The evenings are my time to relax. My job is one of the most important things to me and definitely defines me as a person. I work at a before and after school program and I'm responsible for up to almost 60 kindergarten through 6th graders. I'm the director so I manage a fantastic staff of 4 people. We have the biggest enrollment out of all the schools; I'm very proud of that! Working with these kids has been one of the most rewarding experiences and I love knowing that I'm someone they can depend on to be there for them every day!

I love music and I'll listen to pretty much anything. I listen to different genres, but I of course have a few favorites and they include (not limited to) Muse, Taylor Swift, Simple Plan, soundtracks from musicals (Hairspray and Rent), McFly, Hanson, AAR, Johnny Cash, the Fray, Offspring, Nirvana, Keith Urban, Craig David, Blink 182, Sublime, Kid Rock, Al Green (he's the man), Good Charlotte..should I really continue? Singing in my car is one of my favorite things to do, depending on the passenger and the song. At some point in my life, I WILL learn how to play the guitar, drums, or the piano..or some instrument, even if it's the kazoo!!

I'm a total movie addict. My weekend treat is to go to a movie, whether it's at the regular theater or the discount. I'm pretty picky about my movies, but if it has horror or gore in it, I'm automatically not interested. Favorites include chick flicks, Harry Potter, Rent, Hairspray, Fame, Disneys, Juno, The Chronicles of Narnia, Cruel Intentions, Whip It, Role Models, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, American Pie. I saw the last "Xmen" willingly--and I survived--I guess that says a lot!

I love to travel. I've been to several states including Hawaii,and would someday like to see more. I went to Paris and Amsterdam in May of 2008, and it was an absolutely life changing experience. I'm very anxious to go back!

I love to write. I've written two novels. I recently completed an online class on writing children's books.

I LOVE laughing. My sense of humor is very dry, blunt, and sarcastic. Sometimes, I can be very quiet and then BAM! I'll come up with a line that will pretty much dominate.

Goals: I'm ready for my own classroom and to start my teaching career. I feel like I have an obligation to the kids in my program to stick with them for the rest of the year. At some point, I'd like to write a children's book series. Who knows-maybe I'll be the next JK Rowling.

Dislikes (are you taking notes?): Cats, snakes, bad spelling and grammar, douchebags, Britney Spears, Hannah Montana, silence, bad drivers, bird poop on the windshield, bananas, people who are unreliable and when the bottoms of my pants get wet when it rains. Also, I can't believe I forgot this one..CLOWNS!! If I see a clown, I will seriously start crying (yes I'm really 25).

My Passions: Education, the environment, politics, history, writing.

I've lost a lot of great people in my life--some were taken away WAAAY too young. My best friend in high school died when I was 16, she's the reason I've conquered my fear of needles to be able to donate blood. I've taken whatever life lessons they've taught me (laughter, friendship, love, acceptance) and try to live them through every day. I honestly believe that it's those people that have made me who I am today.

You want to know--just ask.

I'm a fan of long walks on the beach, candle light dinners..are we done with the cliche stuff now?
Depends on who I'm with and our interests. If you can make me laugh, I'll probably be a fan. You'll know when I'm really into you if I spring for the most amazing cheese dip in the world from a Mexican place here in St.Joe. Movies (are only fun if we can talk about it afterward and over analyze it), dinner, drinks, mini golf, bowling with bumpers (Uh..yeah, I suck at bowling but I still have a good time)..options could be endless. Honestly---surprise me! :)

If you're read this far-congratulations. You get a prize!