Blue Steel

"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?" - Derek Zoolander



-Photo courtesy of my brother Neil and Photoshop

25 things about me, turned 55

I've received several requests to do a list of things about me on Facebook, but I can't bear to put it out there in cyberspace for just any Joe Schmo to read. So if you're interested, here it is. By the way, I really got on a roll and ended up with a list of 55.

55 things about me (in no particular order):

1. If I ever find out that I have a terminal illness, I will rent a gigantic house at the beach and invite all of my friends and family to join me for a week each, so I can tell them in person what they mean to me and bodysurf in the waves.
2. Christmas isn’t complete without watching The Muppet Christmas Carol.
3. I abhor Las Vegas’ strip. Too many overweight Americans in white running shoes spending money they don’t have.
4. I have expensive taste but currently a meager budget. I would shop solely at Anthropologie if I could afford it.
5. I started “couponing” lately, and although it’s extremely nerdy, it is really fun in a way. (See # 6.)
6. I love, love, love a good deal. Especially on high-end items.
7. I love to sing, but not in public unless accompanied by at least two other individuals or the radio/CD played at full volume to drown me out.
8. I have a vicious sweet tooth. Anything with caramel and toasted pecans being my fave.
9. I have moved 6 times in the last 6 years.
10. I was born without wisdom teeth, which I like to think saved my parents some money and made up for some of the cost of braces.
11. I had to wear braces and a head gear for at least 5 years. Can’t be too sure on the number though, because I’ve blocked it out.
12. I am sick of the whole “green” fad. Do your part to take care of the earth/environment. Enough said, move on.
13. Likewise, I can’t stand to see “save the polar bear” campaigns touting big stars when we haven’t even cared for all of the humans yet!
14. I didn’t eat pork my freshman year in college. I can happily report that I love bacon again.
15. I love sushi, but I’m always hungry again an hour later.
16. There is no better feeling than a clean/organized house.
17. My biggest regret in high school is not befriending some of the “odd ducks.” As it turns out, they were just more confident and mature than the rest of us who were so self-absorbed.
18. I have been previously accepted to and will one day attend Occupational Therapy school thanks to the movie Regarding Henry.
19. My religion is the backbone of my existence, but admittedly, I usually side step the topic so as not to look like a zealot or make my non-religious friends uncomfortable.
20. I have always thought I’d be a good stage actress or spy.
21. I have a psychology degree but any child psychology training I had only worked until Sebastian turned 3.
22. I have a passion for traveling, especially to Europe. I know that’s totally cliché, but there it is.
23. In college, I set a goal to live in LA, NYC, and Europe. I have lived in the latter two and visited LA once. It has since been crossed off of my list.
24. I come from a family of movie-quoters. It’s a disease. My husband fits right in.
25. I love to read, especially memoirs.
26. I wish I was really creative in a " here-come-look-at-my-most-recent-painting" sort of way.
27. I hate being unprepared.
28. I love to teach.
29. I love the idea of living an urban life in a big city again, but I have discovered that I heart suburbia. At least while I have kids at home.
30. I used to use the phrase “for all intensive purposes” regularly; until it was pointed out that the phrase is actually “for all intents and purposes.” I was 26 years old.
31. I like to re-fold air mattresses, quilts, etc. exactly as originally packaged. I also keep all of my cords neatly coiled and twist-tied. I learned this from my dad.. (My brother Neil shares the same sickness.)
32. My favorite thing about Mia’s appearance is her loose curls in back after a bath.
33. My favorite thing about Sebastian’s appearance is the gap between his front teeth.
34. My favorite thing about Sam’s appearance is his full lips.
35. I am good at instructional/technical writing, but I wish I could write fiction.
36. I love good grammar.
37. I love to learn, especially in a formal class setting.
38. I can’t stand the thought of someone disliking me.
39. I am moderately skilled at dozens of things, but not an expert at any.
40. Discovering the young age of an Olympian or pro-football player always depresses me.
41. I am an organizational freak. So much so, that I considered started an organizational business before I had our second child.
42. I am an over-reactor by nature (not to be confused with a drama queen).
43. I love food. I love food. I love food.
44. A holiday, sporting event, weekend, or party is not as fun without good food.
45. I have obviously indoctrinated this belief into my son Sebastian who asked me, “Mom, is Valentine’s Day the holiday about candy?”
46. When first married I vowed not to have a TV in my home. I now have two. Heck, I also said I’d never let the TV baby sit my kids, but I gain an extra 30 minutes of sleep every morning while Sebastian watches a cartoon. Trust me, it’s much better for my children’s development to have a well-rested, cheerful mom. My husband can vouch for this.
47. I long for the day when I can have a closet full of shoes and little black dresses, as I did in college.
48. I have an extremely adaptable personality and can find something in common with just about anyone.
49. Unfortunately, I am not a great conversationalist.
50. I love to cook. (See #42.)
51. I love kickboxing, basketball and volleyball. (See #38.)
52. Three things I’d do if I had all of the time in the world: (1) live abroad with my family, at least for three years (2) read one book a week (3) attend culinary school just for fun
53. One of my New Year’s resolutions in 2008 was to learn to sew, and I did! That’s a first for me-- the completing a New Year’s resolution part.
54. I super-duper wish that I was witty, always having the perfect comment for a situation.
55. I love my family more than anything in the world.