100 things you didn’t know about me

At my current Post, new colleagues have to share “one interesting fact” about themselves when they introduce themselves. I noticed most people get nervous, including myself. And I feel second-hand anxiety when people stumble. So it got me thinking; what are some fun facts about me? Surely I can think of some appropriate things to say next time?

There used to be a challenge going around on Facebook, eons ago, asking people to share 100 things about themselves. I think it was around 2008. When I Google it now, I see this is still popular among primarily Christian mom bloggers. Anyway. I didn't do it back then but I’m doing it this weekend because I’m home—it’s my son’s birthday weekend—and I need something fun to occupy my brain between all the cleaning and catering!

1. Being a diplomat is my dream job and pretty much always has been (my original goal was: Secretary General of the United Nations)

2. Maybe it’s because I always see two sides of things, or more

3. And I’m a middle sister

4. I grew up in a commune

5. I had pink hair for a while

6. I love 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles

7. I usually sneeze six times in a row

8. I saw my father save a boy from drowning for which he received a hero medal from the fire brigade

9. I used to play the accordion

10. I’ve bunjee jumped

11. Obama shook my hand

12. I acted in three movies

13. I drink nettle tea every morning

14. My first job was delivering magazines, including Playboy

15. I was in Playboy once (with underwear on—but still too inappropriate I guess)

16. I ran a marathon (okay, everyone knows that about me!)

17. I’ve always been a pretty accurate shooter

18. I can sleep anywhere, through any noise

19. Massages make me deeply uncomfortable

20. My first kiss was with a boy named Rafael. I was told he was a refugee from the Dominican Republic

21. I know how to knit and sew clothes

22. I hate cleaning but I really love organizing

23. I want to be Marie Kondo

24. And I love making lists

25. And budgeting (but never STICKING to a budget)

26. I went to Las Vegas once and won $150 in a slot machine on my second try. I've never tried it since

27. I have a beautiful family seal, but no notable ancestors

28. I’ve recently been called intimidating

29. My kids don’t think so

30. I can’t stay mad for long

31. I’m scared in cars

32. I get sick in cars

33. I hate cars in general

34. Me being a “bad driver” is one of our main family jokes

35. Another one is that I have no sense of direction

36. My daughter has a Nigerian name

37. I don’t like cookies or pies or ice cream

38. I’ve have the same best friends for almost 28 years

39. I got engaged in Mendoza

40. I like being married, but after 12 years it still feels strange sometimes

41. I took my husband’s name when we got married, then changed my mind and kept my old name

42. I don’t wear a wedding ring

43. I love swimming, especially outdoors

44. Running and shopping are my therapy

45. I learned to speak Russian in 2017, then promptly forgot it in 2018

46. But I still speak Dutch, English, German, and Spanish (with a little memory jog) fluently

47. I recorded a German study book before I spoke German

48. I don’t want people to carry stuff for me—l need that workout

49. If I don’t sleep for at least seven hours, I feel terrible

50. If I skip any meal I feel terrible

51. But I don’t enjoy restaurant food (too heavy)

52. I don’t use flat sheets, but I keep them in case someone needs to be a ghost for Halloween

53. Growing up my favorite book series was Mallory Towers. I wanted to be in boarding school

54. I love twinning, even though I also think it’s ridiculous

55. My favorite Spice Girl was Mel B

56. I’m competitive with cards and board games

57. I lived in 9 different countries

58. I keep track of the stock market because I have a substantial amount invested in it

59. My first car was pink

60. I can say the Ancient Greek alphabet in ten seconds

61. I’m named after my mother’s sister who passed away as a baby… :(

62. According to Gallup Strengthfinder my number one strength is “learner.” The second one is “wooing”

63. I think birthdays are the most important holiday

64. I only like to live in hot countries

65. I’m optimistic

66. I love to work hard

67. And to party hard

68. I’ve made photo scrapbooks about my whole adult life (and for my kids)

69. Though I rarely take pictures

70. I feel good about my legs

71. I’m vain about my hair, my weight and my clothes

72. I once flew to Norway for a guy I’d met at the Copenhagen airport (and because he had tickets to see Tina Turner perform live)

73. I find it nearly impossible to memorize dance routines

74. I’m not a fan of animals inside the house

75. Fandom, celebrity quotes and life mottos make my skin crawl

76. But if I had a motto it would be “Try everything at least once”

77. When my plate is too full I completely lose my appetite

78. I don’t understand why coffee tastes great in the morning and bad in the afternoon

79. I don’t understand why people complain about flying. Even if I’d have to stand up I’d still think it’s worth it to see the world

80. Going to an ecumenical school turned me onto religion. Going to a Christian school turned me into an atheist

81. I have an irrational fear about eating cooked tuna or salmon (though I eat them raw)

82. I’m attracted to unique people and perspectives, and annoyed by group think

83. I believe not everything bad is worth getting outraged about

84. I avoid negative people out of self-preservation (and because complaining bores me)

85. I’m short for a Dutch person (barely 5’5”) but everywhere else in the world I have a normal length

86. I was taught not to “make” my bed but to “air” my bed

87. I was also taught that only cotton and linen clothing is acceptable. But I don’t accept fashion limits anymore

88. I have tics

89. I rarely listen to music but approximately once a year I become OBSESSED with a song

90. It’s usually a wild, obnoxious song

91. The thing that annoys me most about other people is flakiness

92. The thing I adore most in others is a well-developed sense of humor

93. I don’t collect anything but I would like to collect books

94. I enjoy giving gifts (and especially experiences) to people

95. I constantly make up theories and share them with anyone willing to listen

96. I love to teach people stuff, but only to smart people because I lack patience

97. I don’t believe in astrology because I don’t understand it but I think I’m a typical Gemini (flexible, extroverted, smart, nosy, playful, and I can’t keep a secret)

98. I’ve had run-ins with the police but it’s okay because my employer knows about it

99. I don’t watch TV but I keep up with celebrity gossip

100. I stopped following U.S. politics on November 9, 2016