The List (dun dun dun)

Well I'm happy to announce I'm mostly stress free at the moment. I finally was able to meet with my academic advisor yesterday and plan the next 4 years of my life with my major, my apartment for the next year is squared away, and now I'm just waiting for the next semester of school to start in a month. About the only this that stresses me now is dating and being financially stable while paying rent and tuition.

Speaking of dating, right now at work I'm the only single person on staff. Everyone else that works here is married. The end result of that is I'm constantly asked how dating is going, who I'm interested in, updates on girls I have mentioned, etc since they no longer are in the dating mess. I've gotten used to it as this isn't the first branch I've worked at that puts me in this situation. It also doesn't help that most of the staff are girls. Anyway, the last couple weeks I've been asked what my "List" is, meaning what I look for in a girl and what not (looks, qualities, traits). Although most people wouldn't believe me, call me a liar, or say I'm kidding myself, looks actually only takes up a couple spots on this list. Even though an initial physical attraction is important, and usually is part of the first sparks of dating and what not, I look more into the other parts of that list. So I thought I'd post a portion of that list here for kicks and more just to see it here for myself jotted down. I'm not putting it here for attention or to imply certain things to certain individuals or anything of that sort. Just for fun. So without further introduction, here's part of the list. (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

-I want to date someone that is less than a foot shorter than me (I'm 6'3"). I've dated a couple girls that didn't fall under that, and it was just awkward, especially hugging them

-If I was dating a girl, and I randomly said, "Hey let's go skydiving!", the correct response would be "Heck yes! Let's do it!" or something along those lines. The reason being is not only because skydiving would be way fun, but because I want to date a girl that would be spontaneous like that. The girl I'd want to date would be willing to do things on they fly, and not be afraid to try new things.

-A really big thing for me is that I don't want to date a girl that is shy. It's not something that attracts me to a girl I'm afraid. (I refer again to the spontaneous point above) I want to date a girl that is willing to speak up in groups instead of being quiet on the side. Don't get me wrong, I have some great friends that are shy like that, and I know they are great.

-A girl would stick out a lot to me if she didn't fall back to all of the hints and games I talked about in one of my previous posts. (http://andrewbaham.blogspot.com/2011/05/dating-hints-and-games-lame.html) I want a girl to tell me how she's feeling about things instead of leaving hints and hoping that I get them and vis versa.

-About the only other physical feature that I'd put on here (but isn't required) would be the color of hair. Currently my favorites are redheads and brunettes. I dunno why, but I like them. I've never really dated anyone with red hair, mostly because they seem uncommon, but everyone else I've dated has had brown hair. It just seems to work out that way.

-You're probably also expecting this one too since everyone puts it on their list, but hey, it's important; Sense of humor. A girl that can take jokes and dish them out would be great. This also falls under the "not being shy" category.

-Anyone who knows my family or how we are would know how much we kid around or be sarcastic with each other. Each family meal is in itself it's own adventure. Usually when someone is getting to know me better I tell them that if they knew my family or saw me around them, they'd understand why I am the way I am better. We're all a little strange. My family is great, so if a girl is okay with how they are when she ever meets them, it's a good thing. (And believe me, a lot rests on this point, more for her than me)

-I also don't want to date a girl that is a "Debbie Downer" (taken from SNL). She should be upbeat, positive, and help keep me the same way. We all have down moments and I wouldn't expect her to be exempt from those, but if she's able to positively think her way out of those instead of dwelling, great.

-The biggest and most important thing I'd put on this list is her testimony of and willingness to follow the standards of the Church. Putting it bluntly I want to date someone who wants to and is working towards being married in the temple. If we end up getting married, I want them to be strong enough to keep those standards and testimony strong through family life. I want those standards to be important to her, not something that is followed just because.

-Lastly, (at least for this part of the list I'm posting) I'd like the girl to be smart. Girls that overuse the word "like" or have nothing else to talk about other than Greys Anatomy or what happened in the latest episode of the Bachelor aren't attractive to me. Sorry but it's not. As one of my friends recently said, I'd like someone who can carry on an intelligent conversation.

Anyway, that's the list for now. Yeah, I have high hopes, and the chances aren't the best. I'm describing the perfect girl for me. Usually when I share parts of this list with people they roll their eyes and say "Good luck", but I say when you dream, dream big. I know probably won't end up dating/marrying a girl that hits everything on this list (or the complete one), but as long as she hits some of them (especially the standards) it should be good. (Long post....sorry!)

P.S. If you feel like you fall under this list, are single, and I haven't asked you on a date yet, you have my permission to come up and smack me.  :)