Chelsea\nSecond-year College student
Major?\nForeign Affairs and Elementary Education
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?\nI am in UNICEF-UVA and am also a peer health educator!
What do you like to do in your free time?\nI LOVE hanging out with my amazing and beautiful friends, running, cooking, reading, sleeping, meeting new people, traveling, being near the ocean, going to parties, etc.
What are the physical and personality attributes you are looking for in a date?\nGenerally prefer tall, dark and handsome; should be outgoing, caring, confident, friendly, passionate about his interests.
Do you smoke? Do you drink? Do you work out? Do you attend religious services? Are you passionate about politics?\nI do not smoke. I love running a couple times a week. I am technically Catholic and go to mass pretty often. I am extremely passionate about politics; I am generally liberal and love discussing political issues!
What are your favorite TV shows?\n"Gossip Girl," "Grey's Anatomy," football, "Friends," "Glee" (whoo!)
What music do you like (genres and bands)?\nI LOVE everything basically; indie and what's popular; rap, country, rock, pop, etc. Currently obsessed with Matchbox Twenty
What's your favorite food/favorite restaurant in Charlottesville?\nBodo's, Littlejohn's, the Virginian and the College Inn on the Corner!
What are your favorite books and authors?\n"A Long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah, "Audacity of Hope" and "Dreams of my Father" by Barack Obama, anything by Barbara Kingsolver, Jane Austen
When are you at your happiest?\nI am my happiest right after I complete something, such as a class project or a long run! I am also my happiest when I am with my friends doing simple things: hanging out, going to football games, just "being" on a beautiful day. I love the simple things.
What are deal breakers (won't date a smoker, age, etc.)?\nIdeally cannot be a smoker and must be within a few years of age. Also must be taller than me (which is not hard to do).
You're stranded on an island. What three foods would you bring? Which three people would you want with you?\nI would probably bring raspberries, spaghetti (my two favorite foods) and water (necessity). I would probably bring my mom, dad and sister Randa with me to have my family there.
What do you want to do when you graduate?\nI would love to work for the government, either for the CIA or the State Department or something. I could also picture myself teaching elementary school.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?\nDefinitely settled, maybe traveling the world, working. I really want to have a family at a young age, though, hopefully before 30!
If you were a member of the circus, who would you be and why?\nMaybe the backstage manager or the guy cleaning the elephants ... I'm not one for being in the spotlight!
Describe yourself in one sentence.\nI am really forgetful - things like leaving the stove on or putting on shoes before I leave the dorm.
Michael\nSecond-year College student
Major?\nHistory and Foreign Affairs
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?\nUniversity Guide Service, Madison House
What do you like to do in your free time?\nRunning, watching movies, playing golf, hiking, backpacking, skiing, playing guitar, late-night food, parties.
Do you smoke? Do you drink? Do you work out? Do you attend religious services? Are you passionate about politics?\nDon't smoke, yes drink, yes work out. I go to either Catholic Mass or Methodist Services on Sundays. Love politics, it's my major; I'm a moderate Republican but I have friends from both parties.\nWhat are your favorite TV shows?
"Band of Brothers," "The Pacific," "Family Guy," "Sports Center," "24."\nWhat music do you like (genres and bands)?\nLove country music and bluegrass. Also Dave Matthews Band, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, U2. But I like most of the top 20 when I'm out.
What's your favorite food/favorite restaurant in Charlottesville?\nMexican food is the best. Favorite restaurant in C-ville has got to be The Aberdeen Barn.
What are your favorite books and authors?\nI read mostly history and non-fiction about WWII and the Civil War, but I like Steinbeck, Hemingway and "Harry Potter."
When are you at your happiest?\nWhen it's warm and I'm outside, definitely at the beach or just hanging out with friends.
What makes you a good catch?\nI like to have fun and laugh, tell stories and get to know people really well.
Describe where you would go on your ideal date.\nIf it was in Charlottesville, Zinc Bistro is really good, or Court Square Tavern.
What are deal breakers (won't date a smoker, age, etc.)?\nSmoking is a definite no.
You're stranded on an island. What three foods would you bring? Which three people would you want with you?\nBojangles Cajun Chicken Biscuits, Cheerwine and my mom's black beans and rice. I think I would probably bring my best friend because he could definitely build us a boat to get off the island, and Taylor Swift so she could sing to me. That's all I would need.
What do you want to do when you graduate?\nI want to travel in Europe for a summer, then probably go to work either in Washington or with the Foreign Service.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?\nStable job, married and still having fun on weekends.
If you were a member of the circus, who would you be and why?\nSomeone far away from the clowns, I hate clowns. I'd rather be in a rodeo.
Describe yourself in one sentence.\nI would say that I'm a risk-taker of strong convictions who loves to have a good time and try new things.
Michael: [When I found out I was chosen for Love Connection] I was obviously anxious to see who she would be and what she would look like, and I guess I was a little bit nervous because I'd never done anything like this before. I never go into battle without ammunition; it was kind of strange not knowing anything about this person. A blind date is something I would never normally do. At the same time, it's college, so I'm always up for trying new opportunities and new things.
Chelsea: I was a little nervous [to go on a blind date] but kind of excited just because I went out on a limb. To be honest, I forgot about signing up for Love Connection because I did it in October with a couple of friends. I'd been busy the past couple of days, so I was just ready and I was just excited to meet someone new.
Michael: When I told my friends about it, they just laughed; they thought it was really hysterical ... But they were also interested to see how it went. They were like, "You never know who will be your future wife."
Chelsea: My mom was excited [when she heard about the blind date], and my sister thought it was really funny - and kind of weird, too.
Michael: We met outside of Boylan, and I pretty much figured it was her because she waved at me, and I was assuming it wasn't some crazy person waving at me.
Chelsea: He had texted me beforehand and said, "I'm in a bright green polo," so I knew what to look for when I got to Boylan, and I was about 3 minutes late. I first thought that he was very punctual and thorough with letting me know where he was going to be. Right away, I thought he was really cool and seemed really nice. One thing I did notice was that he had a very firm handshake. He wasn't nervous at all. He seemed really chill and happy to be there.
Michael: When I first saw her, I thought she looked really nice. She was definitely more dressed up than I was. She had a dress on, and I was just in jeans and a polo. She looked really pretty, polished and well put-together. I was impressed, but I don't really have a physical type - my type is the kind I can get along with.
Chelsea: We walked in and sat ourselves at Boylan and just started talking from the get-go about everything. There was no lag in the conversation; it was really interesting and fast-paced. There were no awkward silences and we talked about a lot of different things. I ordered a grilled cheese, but I didn't realize it was on the Kid's menu. He ordered a burger with barbeque - Boylan burgers are awesome. Then even after we ate, we stayed a bit longer and just kept talking.
Michael: The conversation was really good. We really hit on almost anything you could talk about. We both really like Tom Hanks and Disney movies, so that was pretty cool. Somehow we got to the volleyball scene in "Castaway" when Wilson floats away and how it is the saddest moment in any movie ... even though it's about a volleyball. Nothing really awkward happened; I think the funniest moment was the time I told her that "Marley and Me" brought me to a level of a 4-year-old child crying and how it's the most depressing movie ever made ... It definitely wasn't superficial conversation. I feel like we got on a level where we felt pretty comfortable with each other. We got to know each other really well and explored different aspects of each other's interests. It was almost as if I had already known her and we were having a good chat. It was like [talking to] a good friend.
Chelsea: We started talking about majors - specifically classes we took, good professors, what he'd recommended for Foreign Affairs, since it's both of our majors. Then we led into extracurriculars. I was really impressed that he was a University Guide. He asked me about some stuff I did, and I told him I worked at a day care. He was from Southern California, which I found really cool because my aunt's from there, and I've always wanted to go. We talked about cultural differences between [the] North and South. We're both baseball fans, so it sort of went into sports, as well.
Michael: I did have fun, and I'm glad I did this and kind of put myself out on a limb. We're both interested in the same things and have sort of similar personalities. She's a little quieter than me, but that's not a big difference because I'd say I'm loud and awkward. I don't think there's a spark, but she's definitely along the lines of someone I'd maintain a very good friendship with for a long time. In terms of romance, I'd have to get to know her a lot better, but she was shorter than me, and that's good because I'm not very tall.
Chelsea: It was really great that we had a ton in common and no awkward silences, but I would say it felt pretty platonic; it was really friendly. He had no problem talking about isolated incidents and he was really relaxed; all-around really mild-mannered and easy to get along with. I didn't sense romantic potential, but he'd be fun to hang out with again in a friendly atmosphere.
Michael: At the end of the date, she had to get going, and so did I. We both walked back toward the Corner, and I said bye to her at Rugby because we both live pretty far away from each other. I did give her a hug though.
Chelsea: We exchanged numbers, too, and it ended fine. My friend said not to [rank the date] above a six just in case he ranked it really low, but I think I can easily say it was a seven. There's a possibility for maybe a hangout session because he was such a nice guy. He definitely wasn't the type I normally go for ... Usually they have a big and athletic build, but he was such a cool and nice guy.
Michael: I don't go on dates very much, but I would say it went well. I'd give it a seven or an eight. I don't think there's a spark, but we got each other's numbers, and we'll definitely stay in touch. It's always good to have another good friend. And now I can check this off of my list of things I've done at [the University]. Everyone should put themselves out on a limb like this.
A few hours after the date, Michael and Chelsea became Facebook friends. Though they might not change their relationship status anytime soon, the two plan to stay in touch. Michael said he is up for something like a movie night with her, though it's probably not in his best interest to suggest "Marley and Me"
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