Subtitle: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me And Probably Didn’t Need To Know But I’ll Tell You Anyway
I’ve been seeing the rounds on Facebook where people reveal a certain number of obscure and unknown things about themselves and invite others to “like” their status. In return for liking, they’ll be assigned a random number and complete the same assignment on their Facebook.
I don’t play those kinds of games. I mean, I do. Just not this time. I figured if I was going to take the time to tell my close friends and family these things, I might as well share it with all of the internet.
Some of these things you might know. Some you might not. My real hope is that I’ll finally find something new to surprise my husband with. After 13 years, it sometimes feels like we’ve heard it all. So here goes.
1. I worked at a cancer research center.
It’s not fun or cute but it’s true. In fact, I sort of forgot about my time at the Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland until I recently traveled to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. We were fortunate enough to tour one of their research labs and I was surprised to learn that after 20 years, labs still pretty much look the same. In fact, I wish I had my own micropipette. They make them in pink now!
2. I never flew on an airplane until I was 17 years old.
On the rare occasion my dad had to fly somewhere, I loved going to the airport and watching all the travelers moving at such a hurried pace. I couldn’t wait to start my exploration of the world and it didn’t really begin until I was 17. I was in NJROTC in high school and over my spring break during my senior year, we took a bus to Illinois where I spent a hellish week at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. For the return trip, we scored a military flight on a commercial airplane and landed at Andrews Air Force Base.
3. I’m the queen of small coincidences.
I once took a flight from Orange County, CA to Sacramento and sat next to a guy who grew up in Alaska. It turns out that he lived in the same town as one of my college friends in Cleveland, whose dad was the mayor of that town.
Speaking of college in Cleveland, during freshman orientation, I met a student from Singapore who was born in the United States. In Maryland. In the exact same hospital I was, in the same year, exactly one week after I was born.
And do you know Susan Pazera? I’ve known her for a few years through blogging and we recently discovered she lives right next to my husband’s old air force buddy.
4. I believe in reincarnation.
I never really call it reincarnation because then people look at you like you’re nuts. But I truly believe we’re here to learn and we don’t learn it all in one lifetime. Want to read a mind-blowing book? Try “Past Lives, Future Healing” from Sylvia Browne. It changed my perspective on everything.
5. I partied at a club on Sunset Boulevard.
I can’t remember the name of the club. I want to say it was “The Lounge” but it was for a private party held by Linkin Park. Don’t ask me how I got invited but it was incredibly exciting to walk past the crowd of people outside and inform the bouncer that I was on “the list.” Indeed I was and he pulled back the red velvet rope and let me in. I met a few member of the band, talked with Tom Green, met Kelly Osborne, and learned the dangers of Red Bull and vodka.
6. I’m a genius.
No, really. I am. I’m not in Mensa or anything but I’ve always scored pretty high on IQ tests and fall in the genius category. In fact, growing up when I felt insecure about my looks, I always felt comfortable falling back on my smarts. I’m not Einstein-smart though. I reserve that status for my older brother who I truly think is one of the smartest people I know (and he has the IQ to prove it).
7. I stop for turtles.
After a rainstorm, I’m always looks out for the turtles on the road. And if I see one, I’m apt to find a safe place to stop and help that guy across the road. I’ve helped box turtles, sliders, and even a snapping turtle (that was a little scary). But I always do it with extreme caution because I would hate to have “saved a turtle” on my gravestone. I also brake for butterflies.
8. I’m extremely noise sensitive.
This was something I first became aware of when I was pregnant. Too much noise would literally make me feel nauseous. The sound of crying babies make me tense up (even my own) and I often drive with no music (I do listen to audiobooks). At home, I never use the TV for background noise. It’s on if I’m watching it and off if I’m not.
9. I can identify most trees, even in the winter.
During my senior year of college, I had a field lab in tree ecology. I learned about the leaves, the bark, the seeds. It’s something that clicked in my brain and I’ve never forgotten it.
10. I really want to take tae kwon do.
I’ve never been an athletic person and I don’t even particularly like to exercise. But since I signed my son up for tae kwon do, I often sit watching him and imagine I’m doing the punches and the kicks. I would ROCK it. They do have adult classes but it’s not quite in the budget right now.
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And there you have it. Ten things about me that may or may not be interesting to you. Now, instead of me “assigning you a number,” tell me something really interesting about you that most people don’t know. Or do your own list and leave me the link here!
15 comments
I can spray water through the space in my front teeth like a dolphin and I do a MEAN dolphin sound to accompany it! Oh and I also didn’t fly til I was 17 and I also believe in reincarnation! I am super noise sensitive too and yeah I would stop for turtles and DEFINITELY I brake for squirrels!!! 🙂
I used to be able to squirt water through my front teeth. Haven’t tried in a while though. Maybe it’s time to revisit that talent.
And I believe squirrels pick my car to run in front of because they know I’m always looking out for them!
Anyone who breaks for turtles is A-okay in my book. Well, a seasonal fact about me is many greats back Edward Doty an original pilgrim on the Mayflower was an relation of mine.
Oh my goodness! I think that is SO cool about your ancestry. So I guess I should say thank you for whatever role you played in shaping this country 😉
We stop for turtles, too! Over the past two summers alone my husband has rescued a good amount of them. 🙂
I just always make sure it’s safe because I would hate paying the ultimate price to save a turtle!
I’m with you on #8. I just can’t handle loud noise, which is always at odds with my daughter who seems to be at a volume 100 all the time! And I’m constantly saying “turn the tv off” or “mute it!” When she leaves the tv.
I wrote a post a while back called The Introverted Mother and I think the noise and motherhood don’t always go well together. I’m often telling the family that Mommy needs some chill time!
I already knew #6. You radiate genius!
I have a tattoo, I drank champagne with Bret Michaels from Poison, and I am ridiculously scared of bees. There you go. 🙂
I think the only thing that really shocks me is that you drank champagne with Bret Michaels. Because really… he drinks champagne??
Also, I’m ridiculously scared of spiders. Like total FREAK OUT!
I love lists like this. You find out such interesting things about people. We stop for turtles, too.
I did a list on FB last week and meant to also post it to my blog. Thanks for the reminder.
Loved it!! We must be twins!
In 1998(?) I flew on the Concord from NY to London. It was pretty cool. I also believe in reincarnation.
Ooh, that is cool. I’ve heard that it’s not the most comfortable flight. Like, it’s loud and not that smooth because of the speed. But I bet the food was good 🙂
Oooh, I love random facts! I especially am impressed with the “I am a genius” one. If I were, I’d say it all the time. Especially if I had the test to back up the claim!!