Never would I have imagined that I would be putting a profile on this type of site . . . but, I joined brickfish so I could vote for my best friend's daughter and here I am. 

I was born and raised in Southern California and spent most of my life in "The OC".  I am one of the few California natives, but left it all behind for city living.  Two-and-a-half years ago, I headed East/Mid-West and started a new life in Chicago.   I LOVE this city!  Chicago is a great combination of mid-west friendly and cosmopolitan hustle-bustle.  I live in a great neighborhood by Wrigley Field and I can walk just about everywhere or take the "el".  I have no idea if this is where I am ultimately meant to stay, but for now it feels like home.

My life is filled with lots of travel back-and-forth to Vegas, where I do interior design work for a friend.  Since leaving a 12-year design career in California, I have been contracting out my design services.  My goal is to get my own business off the ground (I keep sending out those marketing packets!), but it is no easy feat with the building industry suffering right now.  Truly, I am one of the lucky people who gets paid to be creative . . . and although I miss dressing for the corporate world on occasion, working in my home office in comfy jog suits is pretty great.  I do believe people are much more productive when comfortable.  My days can be quite long, but I have the flexibility of making up my own hours.  So, if I put in a 13-hour day I can take half the day off the next.  The work is very rewarding, but much less glamorous than most people imagine.

On another creative note, I enjoy designing/creating hand-made cards, invitations and announcements and I make all of my Christmas cards every year!  Sometimes, it is a daunting task but there is such a feeling of accomplishment when everything is complete.  Also, it makes me happy to know that my friends and family look forward to my creations each year.    

While my musical taste is diverse, my preference is mellow "adult alternative" such as John Mayer, Five For Fighting, James Blunt, etc.  Recently, I began listening to "light classical" and found it to be great background music while I am working.  I do have a strong dislike for rap (except for some Eminem music), heavy classical, heavy metal and opera.  Every now-and-again I will get in a mood for the old music that I grew up with . . . that would be a bit of classic rock, disco and new age!  I admit to playing Neil Diamond and singing along when I'm feeling nostalgic (a tribute to my dad, as Neil was his favorite).  I know I am one of the only people on the planet who does not own an IPOD, but hopefully I will join the masses soon!  

Just like my taste in music, my taste in movies is quite diverse.  I really do enjoy just about anything and I am easily entertained . . . a good thriller, an Oscar worthy film or even a cheesy comedy such as White Chicks is okay with me!  However, my favorites tend to be musicals and deep-thinking indie films and I am a definite critic when it comes to Oscar contention films/actors.  A few of my all-time favorites (here's some diversity!) . . . Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Big Chill, A Beautiful Life, American Beauty, Moulin Rouge, The Pianist, Chicago and Copote.

As far as tv goes, there are too many shows that are must-see tv for me . . . Grey's Anatomy (I loved Patrick Dempsey even in his geeky days!), LOST, Dancing With The Stars, Project Runway, Desperate Housewives, Entourage (so disappointed when it goes on hiatus) and Nip/Tuck (disturbingly entertaining).  I enjoy My Name Is Earl, Medium, and ER but I do not watch them faithfully.  I miss watching Gilmore Girls (one of my past all-time faves), but DWTS has taken it's place for now.  I'll have to catch the entire season on reruns.  No, I don't have TIVO or a DVR . . . one of the few who does not, just like the IPOD! 

Most important, is my little pup Hannah!  Okay, so she's not a person . . . but she acts like a baby and is quite spoiled (much like a real child).  She is well trained and quite well behaved especially for a small dog.  She is a frequent traveler and has put in more miles in the air in her almost two years of life than the average person does in their entire life!  My mom is the best and I am grateful that I get to see her often in Las Vegas.  I was raised as an only child, but I do have a half-sister and a half-brother.  My brother has two daughters, Shauna and Chelsea.  Shauna is already married and Chelsea will be graduating from high school this year.  I have several friends that mean the world to me but the one who has shared my whole life is Laura . . . we have known each other since we were five years old!  We have a rare and valuable friendship that few people experience in life (we are so lucky) . . . LYLAS!  I am an honorary "Aunt" to Laura and Steve's children, Meghan and Matt.  Somewhere, I just know my future husband is trying to find me . . . he's a nice Jewish guy who's stylishly nerdy and isn't too short! 

I grew up in Southern California and spent most of my life there.  Moved to Vegas to live with my mom and help her out for a short while, then moved to Chicago.  I have been to over half of the states in the US and Hawaii ranks among my favorite as far as a vacation spot.  Also, I have traveled to Thailand and to several islands in the Caribbean.  My dream is to travel to Europe . . . I'd love to spend three weeks just seeing Italy!