The Lists… things you never knew

I’ve decided to write to another Mama Kat’s writing prompt.  It is a bit of a tough one… I had to copy and paste it here to get all the wording right:


Five Things. List 5 things we don’t know about you, 5 things you’re knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe.


Five things. … It sounds so simple, but – actually it is so tough.  I mean… what if I hit publish and then suddenly remember something different that should have been on that list?  What if there are not 5 things people don’t know about me? I mean… I’ve shared a lot.  And just today I was in awe of a blogger who revealed some things that I could not have put on the internet.  Do I reveal those things? eeek! So here goes… my lists of 5.

5 things you don’t know about me:

1.  I once rode to Florida in the bed of a pick-up truck.  Yes, the bed had a cap on it.  No, that still doesn’t make it quite legal.  In my defense…. it seemed like a brilliant plan at the time.  We put a futon mattress in the bed of the truck and 2 people drove while the others slept.  We were able to make an 18 hour drive strait through and feel like a million bucks when we got there.  We also had a blast on the way there.

2.  I am a psychologist / sociologist at heart.  I’ve worked in the social work field before.  I scored a perfect on those parts of my “teaching” tests.  I love the way the mind works.  The way people work.  I love arguing the other side.  I love sharing both sides of life… in the science of people.

3.  I know how to paint. As in… I’m actually pretty decent at it.  People (including myself) always laugh at my drawings – because I don’t take the time to make them good.  It is funnier and faster to just pretend you are terrible… but – I actually have pretty decent talent.  Some day I will dig up my old paintings / drawings and put something on here. Until then – you will just have to trust me.

4.  I love to bake.  I used to bake pies and cookies and cheesecakes and … pasta dishes and chicken cordon bleu from scratch. … when I was off work on maternity leave.  I enjoy it.  I enjoy making a mess and having a meal come out just right.  I enjoy finding a recipe and anticipating that first bite. Love it.

5.  I have a fear that deep down people will not like me.  I hate to go to parties alone (I end up acting desperate for a friend.) I sometimes obsess over what I said… did I say too much? too little? Was I too aloof? or to sociable?  Was I really funny? or just obnoxious?  I can drive myself crazy sometimes.  I’m better (a little) now… but usually because I have a kid with me.  How sad is that…. I use my kids as my “wingmen?” *sigh*


5 things I’m knowledgeable about:

1.  I know a lot more about WHS than any person ever should.  When Alexander was diagnosed, I did what I do best… learned.  I learned and continue to learn… how to care for him, how to help him, how to …. I would consider myself an expert in my son’s life with this syndrome.

2.  I know how to build things.  I actually think I’m “male” brained.  If it is broken, I can usually fix it.  I can usually find my way out of some lost situation, and I knew how to change the oil in a car before I could drive.  I’m pretty handy with a saw (yes… even a table saw), drill, and all those sort of “fix it” tools.  I actually like to build things and usually I’m the one who puts things together in our house.

3.  I know how to write.  Although… this is a passion I’ve only recently begun to indulge.  I was always good at writing papers.  I could whip up a research paper at a rate of about an hour a page in my hay day.  A persuasive paper? with no sources? a page in 10 minutes or less.  These blog posts take much more time, but they also require much more thought and care with my words.

4.  I know a lot about kids.  It turns out… I know more about babies than I thought I did.  A mothering instinct did exist in me (I thought it might not.)  I actually like small children.  (I didn’t used to.) I honestly like teenagers.  I sort of “get it.” I mean… growing up is rough.  I usually can figure out a scene and have basically a good relationship with most people age 18 and younger. (Older… maybe not.)

5.  I am knowledgeable about history.  I am a total history buff and love stories about Rasputin and Gandhi and the Louis *of France* – see the next list.  I like geeky things like the history channel and the Biography channel.  A great biography? – there is nothing like it.  I always said my dream in life was to be featured on A & E’s Biography Show… because that meant I did something special.


5 things I know nothing about:

1.  I do not know a foreign language.  I can’t memorize for the life of me.  I took 3 years of French and could not pass the test to get into basic French in college.  I was going to have to take “remedial” French … as if 3 years wasn’t remedial enough.  So…. foreign diplomat – gone.
 
2.  I don’t know anything about how to live in wealth.  There is this phenomenal book by Ruby Payne … and in that book she actually has 3 tests.  “Can you survive in Wealth?” “Can you survive in the Middle Class?” and “Can you survive in Poverty?” It turns out – I am strait up Middle Class… although, I could survive in poverty.  The skill set needed to survive in wealth escapes me – so when I hit Powerball or the big time, I will have to hire someone to help me.

3.  I know nothing about mechanical advantage.  I specifically put this here because… despite the efforts of many people to teach me the laws of physics (while I was in physics class and later in life) and specifically mechanical advantage – I do not get it.  The only real law I understand is * If you drop something on your foot – it will hurt.*  Other than that – I don’t understand it. And … to tell you the truth… I really don’t care.  So, yes. If I have to lift something heavy, I WILL have to call someone for help.

4.  I don’t know how to to rap.  And I sort of wish I did. (This probably could have gone under things you didn’t know about me also.) It could also be because I’m watching the Grammy reveal and it is a country / rap song performance… sort of weird.  But – I do practice “rapping” when I’m alone in the car and need to vent out some frustrations.

5.  I don’t know how to get rid of my stress. There – the serious part of this post.  I really don’t.  As soon as I figure it out – I’m going to let you all know. 


5 things I believe:

1. I believe in God.  I believe that he exists.  I believe that heaven exists.  I believe I will go there someday.  I believe that I will be reunited with the people I love in heaven.  I believe that this life is only temporary… 

2.  I believe 99% of the population was born good.  They want to be good and just don’t know how.  I believe people can be reached… changed… if only you can find the way. 

3.  I believe that somehow I am going to change the way people look at the world… for the better.  I don’t know how.  I don’t know if it will be through this blog or through teaching or … some other way. But… I believe that I will help people to stop using the “R” word, that people will learn acceptance of others, and that I can have a part in this.

4. I believe you should own your actions.  I believe that you should stand up for what you believe in… but own those things. If you believe in something – say it out loud… and stand by it.  I rarely even get angry when students break a rule.  It is when they don’t accept the punishment that I become disappointed.  You can break a rule… but own it.  Be prepared to accept the consequences.  Be prepared to accept the consequences of your life. I believe that.

5. I believe that life is a gift.  That every moment wasted is … well – a moment you will never get back.  I believe you should live hard and love harder.  I believe you can have bad days and good days …. and bad moments and good moments – but you should still live hard… and love harder.  Because – tomorrow is just one more day closer to no more days together.
 
Thanks MamaKat – for making me really think this week.