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Dating Diaries: Jenn Heilman

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By Kelly DiNardo Published Thursday, January 08, 2009

Today we introduce a new member of our Dating Diaries group, Jenn Heilman. Are you interested in being a Dating Diaries participant? We’re always looking for new additions. If so, just fill out this questionnaire.

Jenn Heilman, 23.

Lives in: Columbia, MD.

Makes a living: Doing public relations for a nonprofit that deals with health issues.

Background: I grew up in a small town north of Baltimore. My parents have lived there my entire life. I have one younger sister. I went to college in North Carolina and graduated with a degree in journalism in 3½ years. After three internships writing for two different newspapers and a teen magazine, I decided a career in journalism wasn’t going to pay my student loans. I practically live in DC between working full-time, graduate school, and my social life, but I shower, sleep, and eat an occasional meal in Columbia.

I’m close with my family and have a close-knit group of friends, but I’m finding myself with more time on my own, which has me exploring the dating scene—a lot. I love Italian food, a good bottle of wine, relaxing outside, visiting museums, spontaneous road trips, cooking extravagant meals that are too good to be enjoyed by only one, Ravens football, and traveling—I’ve lived in Hawaii and Italy. I’m always up for trying something new. I’m currently taking pole-dancing classes in Bethesda and am on to level three. My condo is neat and organized, and I love cleaning, which is a little weird, I know.

Dating history: I started dating in high school when I was 15. I had a couple of boyfriends, but nothing serious. In college, I dated a guy who was eight years older than me. We dated for 2½ years, and during that time he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We got through that, but then my parents caught him with another girl. There’s no second chance after cheating. I saw in the paper that he married her this summer. Everything happens for a reason, I guess.

I dated a couple of guys after that, but again nothing serious. Then I started dating this guy when I moved to DC. I actually moved to Columbia because we moved in together. We had been together for a year. He worked in Baltimore and I worked in DC, so Columbia was halfway between. Last spring we went through some tough things, and I had to ask him to leave. That was really hard. It was pretty extreme, but it was the best decision I could’ve ever made for myself and am happier every day for it.

Since then I’ve gone on a lot of first dates, not too many second dates. At first I started to just go out with friends and tried to meet people that way. That wasn’t working out so well. My friend and I ran an ad on Craigslist to go on double dates together. We went on a few dates.

My best friend lives in Albany. She went on 35 dates in a year. She told me she was on Match.com. She was the last person I thought would be on the site. That convinced me to create a page. I’ve dated a couple of people from there, but nothing too interesting.

Your type: I don’t necessarily think I have a type in terms of how looks are concerned. I do look at if he’s a good dresser or not. It’s important to me that he puts a little bit of effort into how he looks, because I do. I like someone who’s very motivated, someone who has goals in his life. I find that older guys—26 or 27—have those goals. I feel like that’s the main thing that’s attracted me to older guys: I’m mature for my age. I’m looking more for a serious relationship, not casual dating that leads nowhere.

Celebrity crush: Justin Timberlake. He’s got the looks. He can move. He can sing. He’s got everything in one package.

Things that sweep you off your feet: Small surprises. Once, someone brought me lunch on a Saturday when I was in class all day. That was a nice surprise.

Finish these sentences:

My high school prom was . . .
. . . actually my 18th birthday. I took one of my guy friends so I could look back on it and have good memories, instead of just some guy I was probably never going to see again. He actually bought me 18 pink roses. We’re still good friends.

“Happily ever after” is . . .
. . . growing old with your best friend. Having a fulfilling, balanced life with friends and family.

Romeo and Juliet is . . .
. . . a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Clare Danes. It’s also summer high-school reading.

A dealbreaker is . . .
. . . a smoker, having kids, and wearing really bad shoes. Shoes are the first thing I look at on a guy. Tevas are the worst—there’s nothing fashionable about them.

FAVORITES:

Music: Justin Timberlake, Dave Matthews, Eric Hutchinson, Kanye West. I love ’80s music. I like Journey for karaoke with my girlfriends.

TV: Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, and Grey’s Anatomy. I hate to admit it, but I still watch The Hills.

Movies: The Notebook, Wedding Crashers, Sex and the City. I tend to go for the romance and the comedy.

Books: Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of . . . series. Yesterday I sat down and read My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler in one sitting. I found that really funny.

Drink: That’s a hard one. I was a bartender in college. If I go for a beer, it’s Yuengling or Blue Moon. If it’s wine, I usually drink Cabernet. For mixed drinks, I like Bloody Marys in the morning and a dirty martini at night.

Bar: Poste. It has a lavender margarita, which is good. And I like the atmosphere.

Restaurant: I like Sequoia in Georgetown for the view and Perry’s in the summer for sushi.

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Comments

Thanks for the great reading, "http://www.universityloveconnection.com/university dating" . I will pass this on to our ira clients to read.

Posted by: university, Oct 28, 2009 06:18:14 AM

Advice for Geraldine on her Miscellaneous Birthday

stay in line. stay in step. people
are afraid of someone who is not
in step with them. it makes them
look foolish t’ themselves for
being in step. it might even
cross their minds that they themselves
are in the wrong step. do not run
nor cross the red line. if you go
too far out in any direction, they
will lose sight of you. they’ll feel
threatened. thinking that they are
not a part of something that they
saw go past them, they’ll feel
something’s going on up there that
they don’t know about. revenge
will set in. they will start thinking
of how t’ get rid of you. act
mannerly towards them. if you don’t,
they will take it personal. as you
come directly in contact face t’ face
do not make it a secret of how
much you need them. if they sense
that you have no need for them,
the first thing they will do is
try t’ make you need them. if
this doesn’t work, they will tell
you of how much they don’t need
you. if you do not show any sadness
at a remark such as this, they
will immediately tell other people
of how much they don’t need you.
your name will begin t’ come up
in circles where people gather
to tell about all the people they
don’t need. you will begin t’ get
famous this way. this, though, will
only get the people who you don’t need
in the first place
all the more madder.
you will become
a whole topic of conversation.
needless t’ say, these people
who don’t need you will start
hating themselves for needing t’ talk
about you. then you yourself will
start hating yourself for causing so
much hate. as you can see, it will
all end in one great gunburst.
never trust a cop in a raincoat.
when asked t’ define yourself exactly,
say you are an exact mathematician.
do not say or do anything that
he who standing in front of you
watching cannot understand, he will
feel you know something he
doesn’t. he will react with blinding
speed and write your name down.
talk on his terms. if his terms
are old-fashioned an’ you’ve
passed that stage all the more easier
t’ get back there. say what he
can understand clearly. say it simple
t’ keep your tongue out of your
cheek. after he hears you, he can
label you good or bad. anyone will
do. t’ some people, there is only
good an’ bad. in any case, it will
make him feel somewhat important.
it is better t’ stay away from
these people. be careful of
enthusiasm...it is all temporary
an’ don’t let it sway you. when asked
if you go t’ church, always answer
yes, never look at your shoes. when
asked you you think of gene autry
singing of hard rains gonna fall say
that nobody can sing it as good as
peter, paul and mary. at the mention
of the president’s name, eat a pint of
yogurt an’ go t’ sleep early...when
asked if you’re a communist, sing
america the beautiful in an
italian accent. beat up nearest
street cleaner. if by any
chance you’re caught naked in a
parked car, quick turn the radio on
full blast an’ pretend
that you’re driving. never leave
the house without a jar of peanut
butter. do not wear
matched socks. when asked to do 100
pushups always smoke a pound
of deodorant beforehand.
when asked if you’re a capitalist, rip
open your shirt, sing buddy can
you spare a dime with your
right foot forward an’ proceed t’
chew up a dollar bill.
do not sign any dotted line. do not
fall in trap of criticizing people
who do nothing else but criticize.
do Not create anything. it will be
misinterpreted. it will not change.
it will follow you the
rest of your life. when asked what you
do for a living say you laugh for
a living. be suspicious of people
who say that if you are not nice
t’ them, they will commit suicide.
when asked if you care about
the world’s problems, look deeply
into the eyes of he that asks
you, he will not ask you again. when
asked if you’ve spent time in jail,
announce proudly that some of your
best friends’ve asked you that.
beware of bathroom walls that’ve not
been written on. when told t’ look at
yourself...never look. when asked
t’ give your real name...never give it.

Posted by: anon, Oct 06, 2009 08:17:09 AM

A Dream Within A Dream by Edgar Allan Poe
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow--
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand--
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep--while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

Posted by: edgar allan poe, Sep 30, 2009 12:54:29 PM

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Posted by: friday is a fun day, Sep 30, 2009 12:50:42 PM

Things that seem nice about Jen:

1) the dog is super cute
2) she works and studys- that is drive
3) she looks purdy in the picture
4) the top is cute
5) her hair is shinny

Also major props to her for putting herself out there. More women should be so brave!

Posted by: lalalady, Sep 30, 2009 12:47:10 PM

Major props to any girl who works and goes to school at the same time! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Posted by: superwoman, Sep 30, 2009 12:41:53 PM

well i think jenn’s hot!

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Posted by: wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 12:39:16 PM

monday was a few days ago

Posted by: monday, Sep 30, 2009 12:36:38 PM

I have never met Jen but based on the rude comments posted above I would venture to guess they were made by shallow men who were rejected by a fabulous young lady and decided to seek revenge. Clearly they are just nasty boys with small dicks.

Good luck finding someone with more class Jen!

Posted by: Lauren, Sep 29, 2009 02:13:11 AM

I have known Jenn since we were 15 and her match pictures are very representative of her. I don’t know what the guys are talking about. Obviously, they are bitter that things didn’t work out. Jenn is much too mature to be dating these fine gentlemen. :)

Posted by: Camille, Sep 27, 2009 04:03:20 PM

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Posted by: John Fureey, Apr 15, 2009 05:03:08 AM

Most years contained twelve lunar months; occasionally an intercalary month was inserted in order to keep the calendar roughly in step with the seasons. The lunar month commenced with the first visibility of the crescent Moon after conjunction. Months contained either 29 or 30 days, each day beginning at sunset. Unfortunately, in only a small proportion of instances is the date fully preserved; often the year number is missing.

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Posted by: Max, Feb 24, 2009 03:36:14 AM

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Posted by: Alex Appleton, Jan 22, 2009 04:13:20 AM

Bahahaha I love your sentence-completing skills! Romeo and Juliet actually IS a movie with Leo and Clare! I had no idea it was a book, too!

lol I look forward to reading more about your dating life :)

Posted by: Jeska, Jan 13, 2009 11:06:26 AM

Haha TEVAs......just say no

Posted by: Camille, Jan 12, 2009 08:26:17 AM

I was Jenn’s boss at her first job after she finished college. Of all the applicants for the job opening she was the applicant who impressed me the most, and that’s saying a lot because I’m not a pushover. You can get to know someone really well in a work environment, because you’re in a confined area for hours and hours every day. What I learned about Jenn is that she has a great sense of humor and is very easy-going -- two traits that I think are among the most important for a relationship to work. Unfortunately I retired after only a few months together, before getting to know Jenn even better. But one thing I know for sure is that whatever Jenn puts her mind to she will accomplish. I look forward to following her dairy and hopes she finds what she’s looking for.

Posted by: Steven, Jan 08, 2009 06:23:40 PM

Super cute! Good job Washingtonian. You will make some guy lucky.

Posted by: DBS, Jan 08, 2009 12:16:56 PM

You know what "drinking dirty martinis" means, guys!!

Posted by: dirty!, Jan 08, 2009 11:53:26 AM

Will you help me clean and organize my condo?

Posted by: R, Jan 08, 2009 10:22:57 AM

I hope you find Mr. Right!

Posted by: Laura, Jan 08, 2009 10:17:00 AM

You failed to mention your amazing trivia ability & pool shark skills. And the fact that you always request the remix version of "Sexual Healing" out at bars (and are very disappointed when they play the outdated Marvin Gaye version).

Best of luck in dating land, my friend!

Posted by: Lisa, Jan 08, 2009 08:49:50 AM

Dating Diaries: Jenn Heilman

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