I think of a first date as more of just an opportunity for me to make sure you actually exist in REAL life, not just online. With that in mind - something very simple and boring, like Starbucks works well. . .

One of my favourite lines from a book by Mr. Rogers. . . . . "Love and Trust - in the space between what's said and what's heard in our life, can make all the difference in this world."

Looking forward to seeing Jesus very soon - and that I have a responsibility to let others know that, too. . . .

I was thinking that learning Estonian would be kind of fun. . . . . In the Estonian university town of Tartu, one of the universities offers summer Estonian classes. . . . . . I really should get more into running. . . . Although I can sew, I wouldn't mind perfecting my skills.

I like the story of the floating ax head. . . and the talking donkey. . . and the two men walking on the road to Emmaus. I like stories where God surprises humans.

A short list of random facts:

a) I love reading The Economist - it's my favourite magazine (National Geographic Traveler is a distant second)

b)When visiting relatives in the Orlando area, I'd rather go canoeing at a local state park than visit Disney (nothing against M. Mouse, just not so fond of standing in lines for hours and hours in a park jammed full of people)

c)I was in Pakistan when Be%$#!%r Bhutto was assassinated

d) three summers ago I volunteered at a small bush hospital in western Tanzania

e)I'm a huge fan of Greg's Ice Cream in Toronto

f) I'm a disaster with technology

g) My last grandparent died just over a year ago. I have so many wonderful memories of playing hide and seek with my grandpa on Friday nights. He used to tell me stories about when he was a little boy in North Dakota growing up on the family farm. I also remember loving the stories about adventures he and my grandma had while attending college in Nebraska. . . .

h) Because I have summers off, I travel. . . . This past summer I was in Europe (Germany, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland) for 5 weeks and then in British Columbia for almost 3 weeks.

i) One of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday involves purchasing a day pass and riding the 501 street car her in Toronto - getting off at all of my favourite bakeries and restaurants for treats

j) I always look forward to seeing 'A Christmas Carol' at Soulpepper, a theater in Toronto

k)I enjoy doing laundry

l) Ethiopian restaurants are generally my favourite

m) Gelato Fresco is the best in Toronto and yes, I go directly to the factory to buy mine.

n) Have you tried the Milka Philadelphia cream cheese in Germany? For the record, the main reason I visit Germany is to see family and friends, but. . . . dreams of creamy chocolate, spread on my breakfast toast, also have considerable pull.

o) I like milk chocolate with sweet Indian curry powder and coconut flakes

p) I am addicted to CBC's Metro Morning - a radio show here in Toronto that makes my morning commute tolerable.

q) During international soccer matches, I always cheer for Germany. . .

r) I'm not a "shopper" - but I LOVE grocery shopping. . . . especially at Highland Farms

s) Although I love language - I'm generally a terrible speller (and I don't care)

t) I love being read to. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Chronicles of Narnia, Dr. Seuss. . . doesn't matter. . . .

u) The summer I was 16 my parents sent me off to Romania to work in an orphanage - that experience changed my life

v) Joshua Tree is my favourite American National Park - it's such an extreme place. . .

w) I'm dreaming of a trip to Beirut. . . .

x) The smell of fresh wood shavings takes me back to the long winter evenings of my early childhood in Saskatchewan when I'd sort through my dad's nails while he worked on a woodworking project. . .

y) I love a man who is man enough to be honest, kind, considerate, introspective. . . . a man with integrity who lives his life with purpose. A man who lives in the here and now, and cares enough to communicate through the natural peeks and valley's of a relationship. I love a guy who is into life for the thrill of the everyday adventure. . . .Without fail, I'm attracted to intelligent, hardworking men who don't let the grass grow under their feet.