33 Things About Me!

Some of the Charlotte-area bloggers have been posting 25 random things about themselves, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon as well. To mix it up just a bit--and for a spin on the monthly Kate updates that coincide with her age--I thought I'd list 33 random things about myself. So here we go ... in no particular order ... 33 completely random things about me (some of which you may know already ... and others you may not) ...

1. My favorite letter is "R." It has been since about the first grade, I guess. Not sure why, exactly, but it is. I remember telling this to my BFF at the time--her name was Rachel--and she seemed very touched and then told me that her favorite letter was "K." LOL! I remember thinking that seemed very sweet and that I didn't want to tell her that it had nothing to do with her name. haha
2. I love getting the mail and going to the post office. I really do! I think it would be so fun to work at the post office--it is really neat to me to think about all the letters and pacakges that are passing through and where they are going, where they have come from, etc., etc. I also like to get different kinds of stamps--not because I collect them, but just because. I like to send cards and letters and decorate the envelopes with stamps and stickers and such. I have slacked on doing this in the last year, though.
   
3. I love Coke. And I don't really drink adult beverages. Not that I have anything against drinking in general, but I would rather have a Coke. I need to work on not drinking so much of it, though. I try to order sweet tea or water more when we are out and about.
   
4. I wear contacts. I didn't need any corrective lenses until I was in my 20s, though. (Working at a computer all day, I suppose.) I never had braces.
   
5. I have two older sisters and a younger brother. My oldest sister is almost exactly five years older than me (her birthday is the day after mine). My next sister is just two years older, and my brother is only 10 months younger.
6. I am not a "food" person. I don't really enjoy eating like a lot of people do (unless it's chocolate, of course). I eat a lot of the same things over and over, and I typically don't enjoy trying new foods or flavors. I don't care much about dining out at fancy restaurants (except for people-watching--haha)--I would just as soon go to Cracker Barrel. I am not good in the kitchen. (Poor Tanna.) But I have made some remarkable improvements in this department in the last several years.
7. I was born in Tennessee, and I love the South. I grew up in a beautiful community called Piney Flats--home to some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
8. When I was in high school, I had a great time entering talent shows and other contests (like the ever-popular lip sync contest). It was always a lot of fun, and sometimes I joined friends for a performance. One time, I did a solo re-enactment of the INXS "Mediate" video. It took me forever to make all of those cards. Another time, a couple of friends and I hummed (yes, hummed) Christmas carols wearing sunglasses and Santa hats. Then there was the time my friend Wendy and I performed the laughing jingle bells song. I could go on, but this is getting long.
   
9. I was a cheerleader in 8th grade. I tried out with my friend Michelle, who had been a cheerleader and dance champ since she was itty bitty. You know the girl that could do back flips across the whole gym? That was her. I was not into dance or gymnastics or anything like that. When it was time to do our flips and such--keep in mind this is in front of the whole school--there she goes ... She was very good! What did I do? A front roll. The contrast was hilarious, I'm sure--which is probably why I made the squad. That ... and my big mouth.
10. Also 8th grade ... I was voted class clown and something else ("most original" or something like that). I also tied with another friend for "most likely to succeed." One of the teachers asked me if I minded to let the other girl have it since I already had two superlatives. I agreed. Why do I remember this? I think because a friend told me that her mom said that I would regret that. LOL! Isn't it funny what you remember? I sometimes shudder to think what people remember about me.
    
11. Embarrassing: I used to collect Beanie Babies. It's true. I ended up putting many of them in shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child (they were NWT, of course). And I still have several--the kids love to play with them when they visit.
12. I have a birthmark on my left arm. When I was little, it was bright red, but it has faded so much you can barely tell it is there now.
    
13. I am not really into jewelry, shoes or handbags. I admire them on other women, but just don't think that much about buying these things for myself. Tanna has been after me for a long time to buy a new purse. I'm just not interested in shopping for one. Maybe one of these days ...
14. I first smoked a cigarette in the 6th grade. I never smoked regularly (or even close to regularly)--and I am thankful that I never became addicted--but I can appreciate a good cigarette. (Some of you are probably shocked at this! Many years ago, my BIL didn't believe that I had smoked, so we went to the store and bought a pack right there--proved him wrong! LOL!)
    
15. I have had A LOT of jobs in my 33 years. I have had some of the best bosses ever--and some pretty shitty ones, too.
    
16. Yes, I just said "shitty." I must be feeling sassy.
17. Before I moved to Atlanta, I was afraid of driving here. Now it just pisses me off.
18. I got my ears pierced at the doctor's office when I was in the second grade.
19. I was baptized in the Baptist church when I was in the third grade. I have been a Presbyterian since the sixth grade.
    
20. I have never used an ATM card for myself. If someone tried to kidnap me and take me to an ATM to withdraw money, he would be SOL!
21. I am very afraid of fire.
22. I love to take pictures--and look at them. Even when I was in middle school, I had a Kodak Disc--remember those?--and loved snapping random things. Later in middle school and high school, I would take my parents' camera to school to take lots of photos. If you've been around me for any length of time, this is no surprise to you.
    
23. I used to own every copy of Sassy magazine (up to a certain date). I still remember the day I threw them all away. Anyone remember that mag?
24. I was on the newspaper staff in middle school, in high school, and at both colleges I attended.
25. Growing up, I participated in sports (tee-ball, softball, volleyball, track, etc.)--but I wasn't very good. My siblings were, though. Playing sports is kind of what you did in my family.
26. I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. One year, I sold enough cookies to go to Girl Scout camp for only $5. Really, my mom sold most of them. She worked at a doctor's office and hospital. I'm sure she hit up every office staffer, nurse, doctor (and maybe even patient) to enter the doors. LOL! I remember our dining room being full of cases of cookies.
    
27. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 1:6: "I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
28. I am the messy one.
29. I had mono in college and had to take incompletes one semester. Not fun.
30. I had a scandalous science project in the seventh grade. It was about cryobiology, and I froze a goldfish. (Ended up freezing more than one before it was all over, but it's a long story.) I was on the news and everything. Actually, the whole thing is kind of a long story.
31. Summer is definitely not my favorite season. I'm not an outdoorsy person, and I can't stand summer clothes--on the other hand, I love fall and winter clothes. I'm sure a lot of this goes back to my pasty-white complexion (as recently discussed on a certain message board ;o)). It's true--my BIL used to call me "Powder." Remember that movie?
32. I guess it's kind of strange that I don't like summer really ... because I get cold very easily. I moved to the mountains of North Carolina in June of 2001. I would turn my heat on when I got home from work because I was so cold. I also remember taking a coat to wear in the office because I would freeze at work.
    
33. I like all kinds of music--from country to classical ... and even some rap (old-school).

Wow, this is a long post. If anyone is still reading this ... YOUR TURN!