I am currently working on my coursework for a PhD in American history at LSU. I would not be doing all of this except that I really want to teach in the university atmosphere. Of course, the job market is terrible for history PhDs, so I am open to working in public history, doing something with the family farm for a living, or some combination of the two. Of course, I may also just give up on academia and become a survivalist : ) If I have learned anything from my experience of attending 4 undergrad universities in 4.5 years (earning my BA from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2007), then going to pastry school, then back to the east coast for the MA, then back home to Louisiana, it's that making definitive plans for the future is often futile. I do, though, know that I want to settle back near home because it is where everything important is.
My home and family mean the world to me. I am proud of my Louisiana heritage and my Dad's insistence on raising my sister's and me as part-time farm hands. I can do a lot of things many people don't know how to because of it (operate heavy equipment and repair fences, for example) and it has given me an invaluable sense of self-sufficiency. I am very close to my family and consider that a real blessing.
As for what I am looking for: I want a real man, a guy that can stand on his own two feet, has a good relationship with his family, is educated, intelligent, fun, and does not take himself too seriously. I want someone who inspires and invigorates me, particularly when it comes to little adventures and physical activity. A guy that can or is willing to learn country/cajun dancing, is into the outdoors and enjoys getting dirty, but who can clean up well (to take me out dancing, of course) would be ideal. I like to just hang out at home, but not all of the time. I also love to travel to both cities and rural areas. Confidence is attractive, obnoxiousness (especially about money) is not. 'Smiling eyes' are a bonus.
As for politics, I am a fiscal conservative and social liberal; basically, libertarian. I would like to find someone with similar values.
As I'm sure you know, it's difficult to really describe oneself particularly well, so if you'd like to know more, just ask! : )
