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?
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/746ced_1a7fd14266b24c3abfc58752ae030fe7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_828,h_989,al_c,q_90,enc_auto/746ced_1a7fd14266b24c3abfc58752ae030fe7~mv2.png)
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!
Being a diplomat is my dream job and pretty much always has been (my original goal was: Secretary General of the United Nations)
Maybe it’s because I always see two sides of things, or more
And I’m a middle sister
I grew up in a commune
I had pink hair for a while
I love 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles
I usually sneeze six times in a row
I saw my father save a boy from drowning for which he received a hero medal from the fire brigade
I used to play the accordion
I’ve bunjee jumped
Obama shook my hand
I acted in three movies
I drink nettle tea every morning
My first job was delivering magazines, including Playboy
I was in Playboy once (with underwear on—but still too inappropriate I guess)
I ran a marathon (okay, everyone knows that about me!)
I’ve always been a pretty accurate shooter
I can sleep anywhere, through any noise
Massages make me deeply uncomfortable
My first kiss was with a boy named Rafael. I was told he was a refugee from the Dominican Republic
I know how to knit and sew clothes
I hate cleaning but I really love organizing
I want to be Marie Kondo
And I love making lists
And budgeting (but never STICKING to a budget)
I went to Las Vegas once and won $150 in a slot machine on my second try. I've never tried it since
I have a beautiful family seal, but no notable ancestors
I’ve recently been called intimidating
My kids don’t think so
I can’t stay mad for long
I’m scared in cars
I get sick in cars
I hate cars in general
Me being a “bad driver” is one of our main family jokes
Another one is that I have no sense of direction
My daughter has a Nigerian name
I don’t like cookies or pies or ice cream
I’ve have the same best friends for almost 28 years
I got engaged in Mendoza
I like being married, but after 12 years it still feels strange sometimes
I took my husband’s name when we got married, then changed my mind and kept my old name
I don’t wear a wedding ring
I love swimming, especially outdoors
Running and shopping are my therapy
I learned to speak Russian in 2017, then promptly forgot it in 2018
But I still speak Dutch, English, German, and Spanish (with a little memory jog) fluently
I recorded a German study book before I spoke German
I don’t want people to carry stuff for me—l need that workout
If I don’t sleep for at least seven hours, I feel terrible
If I skip any meal I feel terrible
But I don’t enjoy restaurant food (too heavy)
I don’t use flat sheets, but I keep them in case someone needs to be a ghost for Halloween
Growing up my favorite book series was Mallory Towers. I wanted to be in boarding school
I love twinning, even though I also think it’s ridiculous
My favorite Spice Girl was Mel B
I’m competitive with cards and board games
I lived in 9 different countries
I keep track of the stock market because I have a substantial amount invested in it
My first car was pink
I can say the Ancient Greek alphabet in ten seconds
I’m named after my mother’s sister who passed away as a baby… :(
According to Gallup Strengthfinder my number one strength is “learner.” The second one is “wooing”
I think birthdays are the most important holiday
I only like to live in hot countries
I’m optimistic
I love to work hard
And to party hard
I’ve made photo scrapbooks about my whole adult life (and for my kids)
Though I rarely take pictures
I feel good about my legs
I’m vain about my hair, my weight and my clothes
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)
I find it nearly impossible to memorize dance routines
I’m not a fan of animals inside the house
Fandom, celebrity quotes and life mottos make my skin crawl
But if I had a motto it would be “Try everything at least once”
When my plate is too full I completely lose my appetite
I don’t understand why coffee tastes great in the morning and bad in the afternoon
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
Going to an ecumenical school turned me onto religion. Going to a Christian school turned me into an atheist
I have an irrational fear about eating cooked tuna or salmon (though I eat them raw)
I’m attracted to unique people and perspectives, and annoyed by group think
I believe not everything bad is worth getting outraged about
I avoid negative people out of self-preservation (and because complaining bores me)
I’m short for a Dutch person (barely 5’5”) but everywhere else in the world I have a normal length
I was taught not to “make” my bed but to “air” my bed
I was also taught that only cotton and linen clothing is acceptable. But I don’t accept fashion limits anymore
I have tics
I rarely listen to music but approximately once a year I become OBSESSED with a song
It’s usually a wild, obnoxious song
The thing that annoys me most about other people is flakiness
The thing I adore most in others is a well-developed sense of humor
I don’t collect anything but I would like to collect books
I enjoy giving gifts (and especially experiences) to people
I constantly make up theories and share them with anyone willing to listen
I love to teach people stuff, but only to smart people because I lack patience
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)
I’ve had run-ins with the police but it’s okay because my employer knows about it
I don’t watch TV but I keep up with celebrity gossip
I stopped following U.S. politics on November 9, 2016
Comments