dhulse

**PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE NOT BEEN ON SWAPBOT IN A FEW MONTHS DUE TO A CRITICAL FAMILY MEDICAL EMERGENCY BUT I AM BACK :) **

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY/STATE/COUNTRY ON YOUR SWAPS... I AM MARKING OFF ON MY MAPS WHERE I SWAP WITH :)

My name is Dani (please note the 'i' not the 'y' at the end lol). I am a 33 year old female living in Virginia. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Psych- Mental Health Counseling and I work in the field of Psychology and Mental Health at an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital. I believe I have been drawn to this profession as a way of giving voice to those who are misunderstood and unaccepted due to their illness. I am interested in clinical care, research, and teaching. I am also an EMT and a CERT member.

My interests include hiking, giving massages, anything that gives me an excuse to be outside, making handmade soap and aromatherapy mixes, tending to my plants (39 and counting currently inside), going to the zoo and botanical gardens, attending lectures on various things, all things science, reading (non-fiction), art (viewing and producing), traveling, researching, a good hot cup of coffee or tea, working with rescue animals, volunteering in my community, and learning new things. I believe one should never stop learning in life; there is so much knowledge out there to be discovered and letting a single day pass without learning is a waste. I joined Swap-bot as a means of expanding my experiences, having some fun with creativity, and making some interesting connections along the way :)

On a side note: I love animals! I own a red footed tortoise (Tank), a black cat (Vala), a cinnamon ball python (Addy), a giant Madagascar hissing cockroach (Sammy), a quinea pig (Chunk), and 7 tarantulas (Slate, Salem, Saphire, Boo, Indie, Culo, & Pinky), 2 beta fish (Cookie & Oscar), two sucker fish and 4 aquatic snails !!

I have no real dislikes for things I recieve, I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have received... I especially like when people read my profile and make the PC, letter, gift personalized to the info in my profile.

Due to allergies- NO LATEX or BEEF containing products please!

Is there such a thing? Can one have a single favorite music genre... thats like asking if someone can have a singe mood. Music can be healing, uplifting, motivating, and grounding. I find solace and enjoyment in all types of music depending on my emotional expression at the time. I go to concerts for everything from Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie to Jason Aldean to Santana to going to the opera and symphony. There is a time and purpose for every type of music.

I am a non-fiction reader for the most part and if it is science, history or sociologically related all the better! I have been known to enjoy the occasional Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss :) I collect antique books of any kind and condition; particularly like old prose, poetry, and children books. I read quite a bit of political and historical narratives and references on everything from counter-terrorism to the history of witchcraft and occult practices.

Two of my favorite books have been *Mammoth: The Resurrection of an Ice Age Giant by Richard Stone *Women Who Run With Wolves by Clarissa Estes *Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose *Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: & Other Lessons From the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

I enjoy pretty much all science channel programs, history channel programs, and shows including Big Bang Theory, Frasier, Ancient Aliens, Unearthed, Extinct or Alive.... but I am a sucker for binge watching the classic comedies like I Love Lucy and the British show Keeping Up Appearances! I grew up watching, and still watch on dvd the original Wild Wild West show. I am a horror movie and bad B-grade movie junkie lol!

I tend to focus on quilting, photography and photo editing, painting with watercolor and acrylic, homemade soap and aromatherapy making, and working with charcoal. But I have never found a medium I couldn't get into! I think my favorite artistic expression is when it is just for release in my art journal; which can make use of pretty much anything crafty in it :)

Aside from the above some of the random little things I enjoy in life are:

-Colorful fun socks, especially those with toes -Loose leaf tea -Spices for cooking -Gluten free & beef free recipes or snacks -Reusable hard straws -Jerky of any kind (except beef) -Random large decal stickers, I am working on covering the whole top of my desk -Lord of the Rings & Star Wars anything -Crystals & stones!!! -Navy related memorabilia & challenge coins -American pride/patriotic themed things, we are a proud Navy family, Go USA :) -Endangered species related things -Ancient civilizations related things -Anything related to religion and spirituality (Buddhism, Hinduism, Occult, Pagan, Catholic, Muslim, Native American, etc.) -Cacti & succulants -Memo pads for writing notes in my husbands lunch box -Water flavoring packets/liquid -Dried/pressed flowers or leaves and random nature items such as gumballs, acorns, pine needles, etc.