I graduated from ECU with 3 Masters degrees in the field of Mental Health Counseling. I'm now practicing as a licensed outpatient therapist, with an extremely diverse clientele who have a wide range of diagnoses. I absolutely love what I do! There's never a boring day on the psychiatric unit, that's for sure! Also, I am planning on going back to school for my Ph.D in the near future, but just trying to figure out the right timing. My Undergraduate degrees were in Dance and Theatre. I love the Arts, and I love helping people. So I plan on combining those 2 passions by developing a career in Expressive Arts Therapy, and hopefully one day will be opening my own private practice, and/or teaching at a University
I live by the saying: "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience." I think spirituality takes on many forms, and cannot be contained into one set "religion," so I try to maintain an outlook of open-mindedness, curiosity, and gratitude at all times
At first glance one might wrongfully assume that I am "high-maintenance," because I do enjoy taking care of myself and looking my best most of the time. However,they are usually surprised to learn that I actually enjoy most things that you guys do-- I go to baseball games and drink beer, I like camping and go rockclimbing, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, snowboarding, surfing, wakeboarding (really any kind of boarding), and I can probably eat more spicy buffalo wings than any man! So dont let the mascara and hairspray fool you. Just because a girl likes to dress up and look nice does not necessarily make her prissy and uptight. haha
I'm pretty outgoing, free-spirited and tend to be the "class clown" in most situations. However, romantically I tend to prefer taking it slow at first, which may come off as being shy. I appreciate when a man takes the wheel when it comes to dating: making the first move but knowing the appropriate boundaries.
Although I have a somewhat liberal belief system, I am also very traditional in many ways. I love the old days of "courtship" dating and I wish they still existed. Yet at the same time I feel like its appropriate for a woman to pay for dates too. I guess I'm looking for a true modernized "gentleman": who honors courtship etiquette and treats a lady as such, but still values independence in a woman.
I'm a complex blend of liberal and traditional. I'm very career-driven but also family-oriented. I believe that there are certain things a woman should do for her man, like cook for him and keep a good house. But that's not to say she is a servant; there should be reciprocity.
The top 5 qualities I look for in a man:
(1) Honesty / loyalty, which I think go hand-in-hand with maturity
(2) Nonjudgmental and kind to others-- It is very important to me to find someone who has the capability to fully accept me and others exactly as we are in this moment. And I will naturally share that unconditional acceptance in return
(3) Good communicator, which takes being in touch with and in control of your emotions
(4) Compassionate
(5) Humble
Top 5 Turn-Offs / Potential Dealbreakers:
(1) Cold and distant, or plays games
(2) Obsessed with money and/or physical appearance
(3) Always needing to be "right" / close-minded
(4) Self-absorbed / Arrogant
(5) Bad kisser!
Oh... (6) Smoker
Obviously physical chemistry has to be there, but I don't really have "a type" that I prefer. My "type" is a good, honest heart with good selfless intentions.
Anyway, I never feel like this type of encapsulated version of self-description ever does anyone true justice. I am a person with much complexity and uniqueness, someone that cannot quite be summed up in a bunch of self-reporting sentences. I'm sure you are as well. I feel like the best way to truly get to know somebody for who they are is to just spend time with them. Words on a page, or even from your mouth, can only say so much...
