Things I Really Enjoy Talking About

In my 23 3/4 years of living, I have spent a lot of time being criticized for being shy. I am shy. Very very shy. And a little withdrawn. And socially awkward in what is sometimes an adorably endearing way. But, I guarantee that when you hit any of the following topics, my shell will immediately fall away and I will not draw breath (until London. That was for you if you are reading this, mom)...

1.) Poetry. (Especially Cummings, Eliot, Baudelaire, Frost, and Collins. I have a lot of feelings about these poets. Especially after the Franzia kicks in...)

2.) Musicals. I am in love with musicals. It is a serious and torrid affair, and if you know anything at all about musicals, I will listen and try to absorb all of your knowledge like a sponge. (And probably get a little starry-eyed as well.)

3.) Fall. I'm obsessed with the leaves changing colors and the way the air on fall mornings adopts that vague chill, a crisp breeze that ruffles the dry leaves on the street or stirs around the puddles. It always always always reminds me of walking down the street to the busstop in Beavercreek, OH, blowing my mom a kiss from the corner. I love fall colors, fall fashion, with its boots, sweaters, and light scarves. Then there's apple cider...You get the point. (My birthday is also a key factor in this love.)

4.) Love. I love love. I love romantic love and platonic love and love for your neighbor and love for your dog and love for the chocolate bar you venture to 7-11 in the middle of the night to acquire. Love makes the world go round and if you have a story about love, looking for love, finding love, losing love, I will be rapt. And yes, in case you were wondering, I do truly believe that All You Need Is Love.

5.) Educational Psychology. I have most of a teaching degree and I really enjoyed my psychology classes. Ask me about the way a kid's brain develops and I'll be able to tell you much about the way our educational system excels and hiccups. (I'm also a great lesson planner.)

6.) Books. Duh. I read anything that is stationary, so I feel like this is a given. I'll fall in love over and over again over a good cup of coffee and an intelligent conversation about the book I just read.

7.) Places I Want to Visit. I am constantly battling my wanderlust and consequently have about a million trips planned out in my head that maybe I'll take someday. I'll talk your ears off about any of them. Or all of them.

8.) The things my faraway friends are doing. I am a proud mama hen about my friends who have scattered throughout the world and I'm a threat to brag about them and how great they are to anyone trying to get to know me. It's just because they make me so proud in their bravery and pursuit of their dreams.

9.) Fashion. What are you wearing? What am I wearing? Do those shoes really complement that hem length? Eyes or lips? The green dress with the straps or the black one with the bow? If you've seen my filled-to-the-point-of-bursting closet, you know.

10.) Chicago History. I read a lot of books to prepare to move to this city so I'm fulllll of useless information about where there used to be brothels and what survived the fire and when this and that appeared in the skyline...I am also useful as a tour guide or reference material when seeking something new and exciting to do.