25 Random Things About Me

1. I always complete mazes from finish to start. And I never consider that cheating. I just like being unconventional :)

 2. I am absolutely addicted beyond hope to Pibb Zeroes; I love that sugar-free spicy cherry soda!

3. I am obsessed with reality TV, especially celeb-reality. Housewives, Rehab, Jersey, Tabatha, Rachel Zoe, etc. I find the sociological revelations fascinating (and the gossip factor irresistible, of course).

4. I am terrified of dying of cancer because it is incredibly rampant in my family. My cousin (leukemia), 2 sisters, 1 brother, my father, both grandfathers. It's overwhelming to say the least.

5. I abhor condescension. It is the quickest way to get me to shut down and shut you out. I expect and deserve your respect because I give you nothing less than that.

6. I used to be a doormat and a pushover with no voice or identity of my own. Then God breathed life and passion into me and now I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut.

7. I have a burning desire for justice: I want to see it carried out in every aspect of my life and the lives of others. And when I see something that is unjust occurring, it infuriates me.

8. I am afraid to pray for healing. This is the hardest thing for me to admit. I know God can heal, I know he does heal, and I know that he will heal when it's within His will. But I feel guilty for asking because my dear cousin died from Leukemia after we begged for her healing. I think it's a guilt thing. This is an issue I'm trying to deal with because I know how this lack of faith hurts Him.

9. I carry others' problems and burdens on myself and tend to get overwhelmed and overburdened at times. When I see someone hurt, I literally hurt. If someone is in pain, I feel it. If someone is angry, I get angry with them. And the hardest thing in the world for me is trying not to fix it for them or take it from them. I spend too much energy trying to fix problems that aren't mine to fix.

10. I enjoy vocabulary. It's kind of a hobby of mine: finding words which embody the exact sentiment I'm trying to describe at that moment. The fact that one word can encompass all my thoughts trips me out.

11. I use phrases like 'trips me out'.

12. I don't think that certain words are cuss words. Now, of course, some are indisputable; but, try going to New York and telling them that piss is a bad word-- it won't fly. This is a regional thing and I don't plan on changing my mind on this matter any time soon ;)

13. I don't like eating the pointy ends off of French fries. When I lived in FL, I would break the ends off and give them to my BFF Vickiy. Now, I just have to throw them away :(

 14. I love to write. One day I want to publish books. I don't care what kind. I have an idea for a series of children's books that I'm currently working on. I would love to write a book about my life one day, and I hope my life gets interesting enough for someone to want to read it.
15. If my boss, Dave, were to read this, he would probably laugh and roll his eyes because this note is way too long, just like my emails usually are. This is typical for me. I'm afraid of not saying enough.

16. I recently found out that I have a completely irrational fear of being held completely upside down when I got on an inversion table and was flipped me over. I've never been so certain that I was dying, and I began to scream and cry beyond consolation. It took a solid hour for me to compose myself from this traumatic event.

17. I never feel as if I measure up in life. I try my hardest to be good enough... and I try to be satisfied with my best, but it always feels I fall short no matter what.
18. I will probably spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the mistake I made 10 years ago, even though I've been forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled for it. And I'm okay with this.

19. I try to be positive, I can't stand negative people- especially those who offer only problems, never solutions. Or only criticism, never compliments. Condescension and injustice are the only two things that create chronic negativity for me.

20. I have pulsating tinnitus and I've had it for about 4 years now. It's the most frustrating, constant noise in the world. Any time you see me, I'm hearing you as well as what sounds like a really loud fetal heartbeat on an ultrasound machine in my right ear. It sucks.

21. I love chickens. I used to raise them in 4-H and they are my favorite animals. I wish I could still raise and show them. Or even just walk around my yard with a whole flock of them following me around like feathery disciples. Maybe one day...

22. I have one tattoo (of Foghorn Leghorn, the rooster). I've also had my tongue, eyebrow, and navel pierced. The tongue and eyebrow were done in my adulthood. I did the navel piercing myself- twice- when I was in the 8th grade. I secretly wish I could pull off a small pretty stud in my nose. This probably won't happen though.

23. I believe my children prove that Creationism and God exist. There is no way that my genes alone could have produced two boys who are so perfectly, fearfully, and wonderfully made. I will never understand what I did to deserve the type of kids that they are. I hope I do as right by them as God expects me to.

24. My mom taught me to stand up and fight for what I believe in. My dad taught me to enjoy the things that matter to me. They were not perfect, but they were exactly what God needed them to be in order to turn me into the person He wanted me to be. And I am grateful for them both.

25. I can't stand the thought of not living up to my expectations. Whether it's in my friendships, my parenting, or my work, I want to give nothing short of my most excellent potential. Anything less frustrates me to no end. Expectations are very significant to me. Even in my thinking about your reading this, I'm really hoping that doing so has not been a waste of your time. And I'm hoping beyond hope that you have not been disappointed in what you've read.

26. So, now this is number 26. You were guaranteed 25, but of course, that's not good enough for me. I have to one-up myself. You can see how I have to say just a bit more than you expected, or even desired. What can I say? It's a compulsion. All I can do is apologize. And thank you for understanding :)