fives.

I missed Blissdom Canada.  This year.  Again.  Yes, I was sad.  Very.

Then my gorgeous bloggy friend Loukia wrote a post in response to a prompt in the opening keynote speech delivered at the conference by the lovely and talented Catherine

I thought I'd do it too as a part of my bloggy re-birth and my way of introducing myself to the many who are new to my blog and me.  Also so I can pretend that I went to feel like I somehow learned from Blissdom.

Some of my regular/past readers probably know many of these things about me already, so if you fall into that category, (a) please bear with me, (b) thank you for sticking by me and all of my crazy all these years, and (c) I wish I could send each of you some of my favourite salmon sashimi. Because nothing says "I love you" like a piece of dead fish. Yeah, that's weird.

Anyway...

Five things you don't know about me:

1.  I have a birthmark on my upper left arm.  Unless you know me in real life and have seen me wearing a short-sleeved or sleeve-less top, you wouldn't know this.  It's about the size of a 50 cent piece.  And people either think it's a bruise or a tattoo.

2.  My left hand is stronger than my right hand.  Even though I am right-handed.

3.  I get my hair cut once a year.  It's not because my hair grows slowly.  I probably have the fastest growing hair of anyone I know.  I grew out my chin-length bob down to my armpits in less than 2 years.  It's because Jane, my hair stylist, gives me such great cuts that my hair still looks gorgeous 9-12 months later.

4.  I love to wear jeans because of the pockets.  I don't like slacks, skirts, or dresses because there's no place to put my wallet and keys.  I carry a purse but my wallet and keys stay as close to my person at all times.  Namely, in the pockets of my jeans.  It's a security thing.

5.  I am an introverted extrovert.  My Myers-Briggs type is E/INFJ.  I'm seriously right on the border.  I have lots of acquaintances from many walks of life, but I have a few very close friends who I consider family.  I can organize and schmooze with the best of them, but I tire quickly in crowds and recharge the best when I'm alone.  Roomie claims I hate people.  That's not entirely true.  I like all of you.   :)

Five things I am knowledgeable about:

1.  Knitting/crocheting.  I've made blankets, throws, scarves, sweaters, hats, etc.  I've followed patterns and made stuff freestyle.  It gives my hands something to do in front of the tv... instead of just vegging.

2.  Breastfeeding.  I breastfed my babies for just over 2 years each.  I've had countless plugged ducts and breast infections, and I know how to deal with them.  I'm not Canada's foremost expert, but I have first-hand knowledge, which is better than many who claim to know but have never even had breasts.

3.  Programming.  I'm a computer nerd.  Give me some code, a decaf venti latte, and a large carpet to sprawl on, and I'll figure out what that piece of software will do before you know it.

4.  Primal/Paleo.  It's pretty straightforward... no grains, no dairy, no sugar, no bad fat, lots of veggies, lots of fruit (but only after desired weightloss), quality protein, good functional exercise in an interval fashion, resistance training.  Now, whether I will actually do it consistently, well, that's another kettle of fish... which is, by the way, also good paleo eats.

5.  Small talk.  That's the ENFJ coming out.  I can very easily talk to anyone anywhere.  At Starbucks. At a checkout line.  At the kids' swim class.  But of course, I also at time choose not to, which is very INFJ-y.

Five things I know nothing about:

1.  The Philippines.  I'm 100% Filipina, and I understand, read, and speak Tagalog.  I was even born in the Philippines.  But ask me who the president is and I'll just look at you blankly.  It's Benigno Aquino III by the way.  I had to google it.

2.  Investing in the stock market.  Add to that the fact that I have the courage of a mouse when it comes to gambling, and you have us still living in our little leaky house in winterville instead of vacationing at a villa in the tropics with the hammock by the beach.

3.  Sewing.  Okay, so I sewed my livingroom curtains.  But that was pure luck and a bunch of straight lines.  Mrs. Cordner, if she were no longer alive, would be rolling in her grave.

4.  How to teach my kids to get rid of the crap they don't use or play with.  Does anyone know?  I find it easy to get rid of junk.  My kids don't have that ability, and I'm really scared I'll be seeing them on an episode of Hoarders one day.

5.  Keeping my family organized.  We've got a calendar.  We make it to every appointment.  Permission slips are signed and submitted way in advance.  Kids are fed, clothed, and well-rested.  But just how do we do it?  I have no flippin' clue!  I always feel like we're riding a rollercoaster everyday, and if we make just one false move, we're off the track.

Five things I believe:

1.  Karma.  If you do good, good will come to you.  If you do evil, evil will come to you.  Balance must be maintained.

2.  Humans were never meant to live in -30C climates.  As an island girl, I'm totally with Loukia on this.  This is why humans were by nature nomadic and migrated south when it would start to get cold.  Stupid agricultural revolution.

3.  Canada is the best country to live in.  Granted I've never lived in Europe, but I've lived in Hawai'i, and though I loved it there, I simply couldn't wait to come back to Canada.  It's home.  Now if we could only annex some tropical island...

4.  Stay-at-home Moms should be paid.  It's awful that some women are forced to choose between staying at home to care for their young children at a time when they are needed the most but going hungry versus going to work to put food on the table but leaving their little ones to be cared for by strangers.

5.  With hard work and determination, you can accomplish anything.  Really.  Everything great in my life I got not by sitting on my bum but by making the effort to bring it to reality.

Okay, now you.  What are your fives?

8 comments:

  1. Love this! Canada is absolutely the best country to live in, and I live in jeans, as well. :) I also have no idea how to get rid of all the stuff our kids accumulate throughout the years! SO MUCH STUFF! And clutter!

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  2. Great post! I am a regular reader, and still most of this I did not know!

    I have only lived in Canada, though in 4 different provinces, but have travelled the world, and there is no where I would rather live! And yes we should so annex some tropical island...

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  3. I followed you here from Twitter. I loved learning so much on my first visit.

    May I borrow/steal? I'm doing NaBloPoMo and if I divide your idea into three, that's three days' of posts!

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  4. I loved reading this, too! I learned a few new things about you. :)

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  5. Typically, one's non-working hand is stronger than one's working hand. This is because your working hand is your finess/fine-motor skills hand and your non-working hand is your gripping/bashing hand.

    So, technically, I didn't *know* that about you, but I would have assumed it ;-)

    Of course, I punch with my right hand (I'm RH), but I'm not strong in general, so should punching ever become necessary, the only way it would be effective would be if I were to use razor-like precision in the delivery. Should it ever become necessary.

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  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog because it led me to yours and this is such a great post! I'll be visiting more often.

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  7. Great lists! I've never been to Hawaii, but I have a feeling if I went, I wouldn't want to leave!

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  8. I get a haircut maybe once year cuz I'm lazy :)

    I'm right-handed but I bowl and/or throw balls left-handed.

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