I love rainy afternoons. Right now, I've got two sleeping kids, a yummy cookie, and the house to myself. It's Labor Day weekend. I've done some chores, the washer & dryer are humming along, and chick flicks are playing in the background (just ended: Bridget Jones 2. Just started: The Lake House). It's kind of an ideal setup for me. So here's what I'm about to do: write a list of 100 things about myself. I've seen this done on numerous blogs. It's regarded as somewhat of a challenge. You are under no obligation to read these things. In fact, I'll quote my friend Elena by saying: ". . . it might be fun for posterity's sake. Maybe I'll have a granddaughter one day who can relate to me. If you don't want to read the whole thing - great. Nobody is policing my site to see if anyone skips over anything. If you do, don't get too bored. I'm only human."
Let's get to it! And by the way, these are in no particular order, chronologically or otherwise.
1. I was born in Sacramento, California, which is near the area where my mother grew up.
2. I became a Christian when I was 11 years old.
3. I have never turned away from my decision to follow Christ.
4. I strive to live my faith authentically, and I am still learning what that means.
5. I mess up all the time, and I try to be okay with that (2 Cor. 12:9).
6. My elementary school years took place primarily in San Marcos, California (outside of San Diego). They were good years for me.
7. My favorite teacher in elementary school was Mrs. Kreid (3rd grade).
8. Sixth grade was probably the hardest school year for me. A close second would be seventh.
9. That's probably what motivated me to teach middle schoolers. I taught 6th grade for 2 years at the middle school I attended as an 8th grader.
10. After that, I taught juniors & seniors at a high school in Prague.
11. The following year, I taught ninth graders at a high school in Budapest.
12. In the middle of that eventful life overseas, I fell in love with the man who became my husband. (He was also a teacher . . . my amazing Philly boy).
13. Dave proposed to me on our one-year dating anniversary, at Disneyland (on Main Street).
14. We were married on the grounds of his college campus in June 2003. It was beautiful.
15. My wedding dress was made in Spain and rented from a Hungarian dress shop. I only have pictures of it now.
16. My husband and I regularly converse in movie quotes, mostly from A Few Good Men, Tommy Boy, Wayne's World, Empire Records, and The Goonies ("Goonies never say die!" "But I'm not a Goonie.")
17. In high school, I became obsessed with film musicals. My favorites: Oklahoma!, State Fair, & West Side Story.
18. As a 10th grader, I joined the colorguard to make more friends. That's when I met Abby, one of my dearest and lifelong friends.
19. I was in 7th grade when I had my first boyfriend, Brian. We "went together" for about 2 months. We were really shy and hardly ever spoke to each other.
20. I've kept a journal since I was 15.
21. Langston Hughes is my favorite poet.
22. Every now & then I get inspired and write a whole bunch of (mediocre) poetry. I have two that I am proud of. Maybe one day I'll post them.
23. I tan easily. I get that from my mom.
24. I love mushrooms.
25. In the Czech Republic, I couldn't get enough of the potato dumplings.
26. In Hungary, I couldn't get enough of the soups. Every kind was phenomenally delicious, especially "gombaleves" (mushroom).
27. On a dare, I once sang the entire National Anthem in front of a sold-out movie theater crowd before the film started.
28. Due to a reckless trampoline stunt, I sliced my tongue open with my teeth at age 13. I almost bit it off.
29. My first mission experience was spending the summer of '97 in Russia. It was also my first teaching experience.
30. I'm a magazine junkie.
31. I have attended two Harry Connick, Jr. concerts. He's as incredible as you'd imagine.
32. My favorite Harry Potter book is the fourth, Goblet of Fire.
33. In HP & the Deathly Hallows, I started crying in chapter 34 and found it hard to stop the rest of the way through.
34. I've been to major league baseball games in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, & Baltimore. I have fond memories of Candlestick Park in S.F.
35. 90% of my wardrobe is from Old Navy. It's the easiest place to shop.
36. I went repelling once in Colorado on a youth group trip. I didn't do well. It was traumatic. I've never tried it again.
37. I love to sing.
38. I've been a part of five worship teams since college, and I've learned a ton about myself (and about singing) in each group.
39. Every time I am asked to sing a solo, I practice for hours so I can be ultra-prepared (that way I can push through my panic). My voice usually cracks anyway.
40. I've never had a voice lesson.
41. One time, when my friends & I were singing on the quad in college, a girl I didn't know came up to me and asked me if I'd be interested in singing at her wedding.
42. After many attempts, I have never finished The Catcher in the Rye.
43. I have every intention of reading The Brothers Karamazov before I die.
44. I saw Titanic in the theater eight times. I don't remember another movie holding audiences captive quite like that one. Some people call it cheesy. I think it's excellent.
45. I'm a night owl.
46. I like being organized and tidy. I get that from my dad.
47. I wish there was a better way to organize pictures than in just albums & boxes.
48. There are 24 photo albums on our living room shelves. Plus a large red box filled to capacity with pictures.
49. Dave & I spent New Year's Eve 2002 in Venice, Italy, with Ryan, Aimee, Becky, & Erika. It was the funnest New Year's I can remember.
50. My involvement in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship throughout college matured my Christian faith in tangible and profound ways.
51. I applied and interviewed to go on staff with InterVarsity, but God closed that door. If I hadn't gone on to teach, I wouldn't have met Dave.
52. If I was ever to do karaoke, I'd sing "Stay", by Lisa Loeb. But I'm afraid of karaoke. I'd worry too much about how good or bad I'd sound rather than just have fun with it.
53. I have always been enthralled by the Lincoln Monument. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
54. I love to drive, but I still can't drive a stick.
55. I am very deliberate about keeping my kids' baby books up to date.
56. One of my heroes is Rich Mullins. I have been moved by his music, his writing, his ministry, and his example.
57. If I had it to do over again, I'd have majored in writing and publishing, and I'd have pursued a career in editing.
58. I could listen to people with British accents speak all day long.
59. Dave and I have attended 4 Nat'l Youth Workers' Conventions (Charlotte twice, Dallas, & Pittsburgh), and we're heading to Atlanta for this year's conference in November.
60. I used to have all of Isaiah chapter 40 memorized.
61. I don't enjoy cooking. When I eat alone, I usually just grab a box of Cheezits. Thank God I married a man who likes to cook!
62. One time I actually considered applying to go on Jeopardy. Then I realized what a moronic idea that was. I only know maybe 5 questions in a single game. I'm better suited candidate for Wheel of Fortune.
63. My favorite Jeopardy categories are literature, pop culture, and grammar.
64. I played softball in middle school. I really loved it. My dad taught me everything I know about playing.
65. I love playing catch or throwing the football around with my dad.
66. Bright overhead lighting hurts my eyes. I prefer lamps.
67. The vast popularity surrounding American Idol remains a fascinating mystery to me.
68. I once lived in a house with four other girls. It was SO FUN.
69. My first roommate was my best friend Jenny. We got an apartment our senior year of college.
70. I love hosting/going to game nights with friends.
71. My favorite games are Scrabble, Monopoly, and Loaded Questions (great for groups!)
72. I've been to Auschwitz/Birkenau.
73. I'm trying to drink more water every day.
74. I've seen the view from the top of the Empire State Building, and it is as incredible as everyone says it is.
75. I have numerous OCD tendencies.
76. Since I was a teenager, I've been putting Vaseline on my lips every night before going to bed.
77. I love New York City.
78. I know every word to the Bruce Hornsby & the Range songs they still play on the radio.
79. I was born in CA, but I consider San Antonio my hometown.
80. I'm a sucker for buying journals, datebooks, and calendars, even if I already have one.
81. Electronic birthday cards annoy me. I'm all about sending real ones. I'm pretty good about remembering birthdays.
82. Thanksgiving morning at my parents' house is my favorite smell; it's right when my mom starts cooking the onions.
83. My favorite required reading books in high school were Lord of the Flies and My Name is Asher Lev.
84. On 9/11, I was riding a metro in the bowels of Prague when a stranger told me and my roommate about the terrorist attacks on the WTC. I had a hard time believing him.
85. I am awed by my husband's sincerity, kindness, patience, and depth of faith.
86. I think he's also very funny.
87. I have never been skiing, water or otherwise.
88. For some reason, I used to bake snickerdoodles all the time.
89. I've been writing a Christian fish symbol after my signature on cards and letters for as long as I can remember.
90. The first "cool" Christian I ever met was my youth pastor, Ed Sned. He remains one of my heroes. I haven't seen him since I was 13.
91. It's an impact like that that makes me so proud to have a youth pastor for a husband.
92. I love my husband and children more than anything in the world.
93. I like that Lucy is spooked by certain things (like thunder), so I can snuggle with her when she is afraid.
94. I've started calling Eli "Cowboy" for some reason.
95. I like receiving UniBall pens for gifts. I never buy them because they're so expensive.
96. I keep a photoblog and post pictures on it every week. You should check it out.
97. My first car was a 1984 Pontiac Firebird, and I loved it.
98. I'm very sentimental. I've saved almost all of the letters & cards I've received in my life.
99. Mine was voted Best Smile in the 7th grade.
100. I'm going to get the kids up from their naps now.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Post your own so I can get to know you better!
