addy 101: karaoke, Egypt, girl scouts, mochas, and bob dylan (old myspace blog re-posted here)

1. I feel most comfortable and content in a baggy pair of jeans and a t-shirt (and a hooded pull-over sweatshirt if cold).
2. My favorite author is Brett Easton Ellis. I have read The Rules of Attraction four times and plan on starting it again soon. (The movie didn't do the book an ounce of justice.)
3. I have won every limbo contest I have entered.
4. I have taken the equivalent of three years of Spanish and three years of French – but can barely form a sentence in either.
5. "When one door of happpiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see that one which has been opened for us." Helen Keller - I always try and look for that open door.
6. I have always wanted to write a book about my own life – but feel egotistical to assume that my life is of enough greatness to warrant writing a book about, let alone people being interested enough to read it. Besides, I am only 23 – maybe I should live thru a few more chapters before contemplating a memoir.
7. I am completely attached to my cell phone. If I leave it at home, I actually feel lost without it.
8. My middle name is Mae and all the women in my family for at least the past four generations have it as well.
9. I can't stand ignorant and inconsiderate people. I don't mind if a person has a different opinion than my own if they are willing to be respectful about it.
10. I thought about being both a mathematics and dance major in college. In the end, I earned my bachelor's degree in women studies.
11. I have to balance my checkbook daily.
12. I named my first pet, a hamster, Teeka. Her actual name was Teacup but I couldn't pronounce it correctly.
13. I told my first grade teacher that when I grew up, I either wanted to be a mud wrestler or a rock star.
14. I have never had a relative pass away.
15. I am addicted to reality television shows, especially the ones on MTV or VH1.
16. I love making collages out of pictures, magazine clippings, stickers, ribbon, paint, etc.
17. Ever since the 5th grade, I have wanted to travel to Egypt and touch a pyramid.
18. Someday I hope to have one of my original paintings hang in a gallery and/or sell one to someone who is not a friend or family member.
19. I want to be the leader of a Girl Scout Troop.
20. My biggest phobia is slugs.
21. My biggest fear is letting others down and failure.
22. I still have my childhood Strawberry Shortcake blanket and take it with me every time I move.
23. I truly believe that one person can make a difference.
24. My first car was my dad's in college: a white 1972 Volkswagen Beetle with green shag carpeting and an eight-track player. The gas gauge didn't work so I had to count my mileage – which I miscalculated twice, leaving me stranded.
25. Ever since tenth grade if I have had to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I want for Christmas, I always tell him I want bigger boobs. So far, he hasn't delivered.
26. Thanks to my college days, I can now no longer eat a Jolly Rancher candy without it tasting like vodka.
27. I hate condiments. I don't eat mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, salad dressing, etc. The only one I really like is Barbeque Sauce.
28. I really enjoy playing video games… but am terrible at them. I will gladly join in a round or two if invited, but it's usually by the third round I am kicked off by my competitor. Only games I seem to be pretty good at are Tetris, Dr. Mario, and Mario Party.
29. I absolutely believe in karma. Treat others how you want to be treated.
30. I think that music and lyrics can touch every person.
31. My favorite quote: "Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." Vanilla Sky Every moment in your life can completely change your future.
32. People who talk during movies in the movie theater really aggravate me – especially the ones who answer their cell phones!
33. I think schools should make children take life-skills classes each year. Learn how to do everything from home improvements to auto repair, to learning about their legal rights and the voting process and how to pay taxes, buy a house, and balance a checkbook. I find it asinine that schools don't prepare kids for life. I plan on teaching my children how to do everything they need to do to feel empowered and self-sufficient. (I had to steal this one from my fellow blogger Shannon because I couldn't agree more!)
34. I love sushi. I have even learned how to roll several kinds thanks to my Japanese Grandmother.
35. When I was in elementary school, I hated my first name. So I asked my mom to address me as Clarissa (from the Nickelodeon Show) and Stacey (from the Baby Sitter's Club) for several months each. And bless her heart, my mom did both times
36. My parents met at a Garage Sale.
37. I want to design and make my own clothing. Not for a profession, but just as a creative outlet.
38. I love to play board games or cards. From Pictionary to Jenga, from Cranium to Monopoly, from Five Card Stud to Black Jack – you need another player, count me in! You won't be turned down.
39. I tell people I am most like the Friends' character Rachel…
40. But I am truthfully most like Monica.
41. I almost always wear flip flops. Even in the pouring rain, I will be wearing them. I am more comfortable with my baggy jeans getting soaked from the puddles and my bare feet getting drenched than when wearing tennis shoes!
42. I have always wanted to own a Jeep Wrangler – even though sunshine is rare in Seattle. Some of my favorite memories from high school were driving around in my best friend's jeep with the top off, blasting music, and enjoying the sunshine.
43. I am an extremely loyal person... almost to a fault.
44. The only cars I or my family has ever owned have been stick-shifts.
45. I make it a goal to drink two or three Nalgene water bottles of water everyday. I fail at this daily goal 80% of the time.
46. I think personalized license plates are cheesy. My mom just got one earlier this year. I still think they are cheesy.
47. I tried out for the Washington State's Women's Soccer team and after several cuts, I was finally offered a position on the team. However, the offer was rescinded at the last minute because they decided against having someone so young on the roster. The cut off age is usually 16 years old – I was only 14.
48. I had a pet chicken named Cordon Blue.
49. I get annoyed at people who don't take me or my ideas seriously because of my age. I shouldn't be discredited just because I am 23 years old.
50. I love Starbuck's double tall flavored mochas; my favorite flavors are orange, raspberry, and peppermint.
51. As cliché as this sounds, my mother is my hero. Her passion for life and determination to achieve her dreams, no matter the obstacles, is not only amazing but inspiring. I know she has changed many people's lives, not just my own.
52. At least once a day, I dance. While cooking, in the living room, on my way to work, in the shower – it doesn't matter. I will dance at least once.
53. I have never had a cavity.
54. My father taught me how to change a tire and even timed me when I practiced. I thought he was being overbearing until the day my date got a flat tire. I was able to change the tire in less than ten minutes in my dress and high heels while my date couldn't even find the car jack.
55. I am horrible at giving directions. I don't think I even have a sense of direction.
56. I love fashion. I know all the latest trends, upcoming designers, thousand dollar purses with month long waiting lists, etc. However, I don't look or dress the part. I just can't justify purchasing clothes that cost more than my monthly rent or shoes worth more than a monthly health insurance payment.
57. I always sing in the shower.
58. I have to have my clothes folded at all times. Even if I am 'throwing my jeans in the corner', they have to be folded. This is one of my many symptoms of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
59. I used to love Scratch and Sniff Stickers. But I was always disappointed because they smelt as good as I had expected or the smell would be completely gone a minute later.
60. I am fascinated with books, movies, documentaries, anything on the addiction and debauchery of the drug scene and culture.
61. I have wanted a tiny Yorkshire Terrier since high school. I am so happy I finally have my dream puppy, little Skeletor, but am annoyed that people assume I only bought him because small puppies are trendy right now.
62. I have been pulled over about 15 times... but only gotten three tickets. But I am not bragging - three tickets aren't good. It's no wonder my car insurance is so high.
63. My brain soaks up song lyrics like a sponge. I can listen to a song once and sing it almost word for word the second time it plays.
64. I worked at a fireworks stand for two summers in high school. I was the top seller both years.. but had never lit a firework in my life. I still have only once.
65. The first CD I ever bought was Dookie, by Greenday, back in Middle School. My dad had recommended it to me.
66. I love to smoke big cigars.
67. My best friend in high school and I bought matching rings and we wore them on our left thumb. We go for months, or even years, without speaking now but I still have never taken that ring off. I still think of her and all those wonderful memories when I look at the ring.
68. I have never broken bone but always wanted to as a kid because I wanted to have all my friends sign my cast.
69. My karaoke songs of choice are Don't Stop Believing by Journey, Here I Go Again by Whitesnake, and Baby Got Back by Sir Mix A Lot.
70. I love to give presents.
71. I have a new fascination with Edie Sedgwick, the muse of Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan. I suddenly have been reading every article I can find about her and want to read her newest biography, Girl on Fire, as soon as it is published this November.
72. I think roses are overrated. I would much rather have a bouquet of colorful and funky flowers like Gerber daisies, lilies, gardenias, or orchids. I especially love the bouquets at Pike Place Market.
73. I have always wanted to see Marvelous 3 in concert, but it will never happen – they broke up in 2001.
74. I love costume parties. I have a huge box stuffed full of costumes I have collected over the years. I think people who come to the parties without a costume are lame. Most of the time I feel they don't dress up because they think it's silly and will be embarrassed. I think they stand out more not being dressed up.
75. I believe the separation of church and state is crucial. Religion principles should not govern national politics.
76. I love cooking, but I am not very good at it… yet! I am practicing and enjoy testing out new recipes. So far the damage has been minimal – I have only shattered one glass pan.
77. My grandpa served in the infantry in World War II, Vietnam, and Korea.
78. I love to spontaneously jump in a pool, lake, ocean, river, etc. with all my clothes on… especially if my friends will join me.
79. I am a bit rusty with my outdoorsman skills, but eventually I want to go backpacking and rock climbing more often.
80. I love balloons. I think they are completely underrated.
81. I have one 'American' shaped eye and one 'Japanese' almond-shaped eye.
82. I love when a movie quote can be thrown in a perfectly good conversation to emphasize a point or to create a well-timed joke. However, this usually only works with friends who have the same taste in movies you do.
83. I am extremely ticklish. I become helpless when I am getting tickled.
84. When I am on a plane, I hate bothering the people around me by getting up to use the bathroom. Everyone has to shuffle around the cramped space just for me and I feel like such an inconvenience. Because of this, I usually drink as little as possible and hold it for as long as I can.
85. I enjoy watching football.
86. I love picnics, even if they're just on my living room floor.
87. I want to learn how to barbeque. First step – I need to get a barbeque.
88. I rarely ask for help. I like trying to learn how to do things on my own. Because of this, I often get frustrated but feel such a sense of accomplishment in the end.
89. I want to eventually teach a yoga class where I play punk, pop, and/or alternative music instead of the usual soothing background music. I feel not everyone relaxes to Yanni or Deep Forest and changing the tempo may change the rigidity of traditional yoga and make it more modern.
90. I love haunted houses. I try to go to at least one every Halloween.
91. Throughout high school, I only wore colored socks. Like the ones kids wear with the cartoon characters, fun patterns, argyle patterns, etc. I wouldn't wear plain white socks. I have no good explanation for why; I guess it was just a phase.
92. I love to read the Sunday Comics.
93. I have all the notes my friends and I passed in class from Middle School and High School in boxes.
94. I started training to be a massage therapist but quit to go to college. Now that I have my degree, I think about going back and finishing the training.
95. I want to learn how to play the guitar.
96. Checking luggage always stresses me out because I always fear my bags will be lost. I worry about it until I see my luggage again at baggage claim. Knock on wood – I haven't lost anything yet.
97. I love to make snow angels. No matter what I am wearing or where I am, if it starts snowing I get an urge to drop to the ground and make one.
98. I enjoy running… but only if I can listen to music while I run
99. Once I found a clover patch and I picked about 20 four leaf clovers. I still have everyone of them saved. I have never found a four leaf clover since.
100. I believe best friends are brought into your life when you least expect them. Yet somehow, once you have met, it seems to be perfect timing and they change your life.
101. I never want to become complacent with a mediocre life that I just settled for because it was easy. I always strive to be a better person, learn new skills, take on new challenges, and have faith to take risks.