I really love when bloggers divulge what makes them tick or little-known information about themselves. Inspired by 26 Confessions by Dave Ursillo, I thought I’d spill a few of my own secrets.
♦ I daydream about crisscrossing the United States in an RV. I don’t particularly enjoy driving these days, but I imagine myself as a navigator-hostess extraordinaire. I want to head west via the south, then head back east via the north.
♦ I often identify with this quote from Proof, “I feel like I could crack open, like an egg, or one of those really smelly French cheeses that ooze when you cut them.” Frequently, I feel raw and crave time alone to recover. I’m trying to accept living vulnerably is a kind of strength.
♦ I believe in therapy. Many of us have experienced trauma on some level & carry residuals of those experiences into every aspect of our life in the present. But, we don’t have to.
♦ Three years ago, in a guided meditation, I had a very clear vision of cuddling with a gentleman on a couch under a set of large windows with sunlight streaming in & a breeze billowing the curtains. I distinctly remember the wood flooring and the sensation of feeling like I was in the right place. Now, I live in Phnom Penh; my bedroom (with hardwood floors) is flooded by light & I sit in my room and think, “I belong here.” I wonder when the couch and gentleman friend will manifest.
♦ This Something Corporate lyric appeals to me,
“I met a girl who kept tattoos for homes
That she had loved
If I were her I’d paint my body
Until all my skin was gone”
I have two tattoos, one commemorating my move to Cambodia. I play with the idea of getting symbols for other places that mean a lot to me. Then I think about how trashy it would be to have a tattoo of New Jersey and hesitate.
♦ Three(ish) years ago, I found out I am gluten-intolerant (probably have Celiac’s Disease). As a girl who loved wheat beers & pizza, the news was devastating.
♦ I struggle with staying present. My mind wanders to the future. During difficult times, I shut down & disengage. I resent people who talk about staying present like it’s a super easy thing to do.
♦ For years, my summer job involved managing games at a theme park. During my fifth summer, I was fired for job abandonment despite having never deserted my post.
♦ I’ve always lived on the blunt side of honest. I try to be more careful with my words, but I’m comfortable being outspoken & candid.
♦ I had a bit of compulsive shopping habit back in the day, which resulted in thousands of dollars of credit card debt and a terrible credit score. I used shopping to fill an emotional void the way some people use food or drugs. I was deeply ashamed. I am now very close to paying off my credit cards & feel way better about myself. (If you are in a similar situation, head over to ManVsDebt for incredible resources on becoming debt-free.)
♦ I started a team for New York AIDS Walk in 2007, which continued on for a year after I moved to Cambodia. Sadly, the team disbanded last year.
♦ I lived in Maine for one year. The winter was depressing and I referred to spring as mud season. However, summer in Maine is divine. There’s a reason they call it Vacationland.
♦ My best ideas (& blog posts) are typically conceived of during tuk-tuk or taxi rides.
♦ I have an inappropriate sense of humor & distinctive laugh. That suicide scene in The Rules of Attraction? I laughed during its entirety.
♦ Given my family’s history with addiction & alcoholism, I cannot watch shows like Intervention or Breaking Bad because they induce stomach cramps and nightmares.
♦ Speaking of nightmares, I have an irrational fear of tornadoes and tidal waves. This time last year, I had recurring dreams about tidal waves that were deeply unsettling.
♦ At University I studied Theater & Political Science. The two subjects seemed intertwined to me but clashing to others. In my experience, both are explorations of power (how it is won, displayed, wielded, and lost).
♦ I never imagined I’d moved to Cambodia, but I’ve always harbored dreams of travel & doing good. Other careers I’ve considered include theater director, writer, artistic director (theater), graphic designer, and shop owner. For a few brief (& desperate moments) I thought about becoming a wedding & events planner.
♦ I often feel like the lone sane person in a sea of crazies, which I fully admit might be it’s own kind of insanity.
Thank you for permitting me this post of self-indulgence. It feels nice to share. Why don’t you do the same? Leave a comment, drop a note on facebook, send an email, or write your own post telling us a bit more about you.
