Ten .to. One

Before we get started, I’ll have you all know that this is stolen– aren’t they all?

TEN random things about me:
1. I wear socks to bed in the winter- even in Australia. 
2. I put ketchup on everything from omelettes to grilled cheese sandwiches on raisin bread.
3. I don’t like chewing gum, I much prefer mints.
4. I still own a New Kids On The Block CD… In fact, I skipped World Issues to go for lunch with my best friend and buy it… in 1999. lol. 
5. I need coffee to survive, particularly cappucinos from “my coffee lady” at the train station.  She calls me her princess.
6. At the moment, I have a thing for New York, but it will be years before I ever get there.
7. I have reading glasses which I need to wear more often.
8. I have yet to find a decent bagel in this country (no offense Aussie land!)
9. The longest phone conversation I’ve ever had lasted for nearly 7 hours.
10. I’m afraid of birds.  

NINE places I’ve visited:
1. Grand Forks/Fargo- With my parents when I was small, and on road trips with the girls as I got older.
2. Alberta- To Banff for a singing competition in junior high (concert choir), and several times afterwards with family and friends.  I almost moved there to work when I was 19.
3. Germany- Summer tour of Europe with school when I was 16.
4. France- The same summer tour.
5. Chicago- That same summer I went with a church youth group to do volunteer work with inner city kids.
6. Denver- Same idea, a year later.
7. England- Stephen and I went there on our honeymoon, we also spent 4 days in Paris.
8. New Zealand- We had to go to pick up my permanent residence visa in July ’03, since you can’t get it in the country.
9.Australia!-  I guess I’m not really “visiting”, but I am still getting to know the place  

EIGHT things I want to before I die:
1. Visit New York in the fall.
2. Have a family, live in a beautiful home close to relatives, particularly my brother because I know how much he wants to be an uncle.
3. Brush up on a second language, either french or german.  I know a little of both.
4. Re- learn how to play the piano. 
5. Teach myself how to play the guitar.  I have one, we just haven’t had enough bonding time yet. 
6. Write a book of some sort and have it published.
7. Learn more about my family history.
8. Live a long and healthy and (most importantly) happy life!

SEVEN ways to win my heart:
1. Be kind and thoughtful.
2. Make me laugh.
3. Be supportive.
4. Teach me things.
5. Be generous and giving. 
6. Be romantic.
7. Be my husband, he’s the only man my heart belongs to!

SIX things I believe in:
1. Love. 
2. God.
3. A spiritual realm, it’s a mystery to me but I know that there are more souls on this planet than those we can physically see.
4. The therapeutic value of a glass of wine, a good book and a warm bath.
5. The power of music.
6. That true talent should never go to waste.

FIVE things I’m afraid of:
1. The dark.  I love night time when I’m with others, but still get spooked when I’m alone.
2. Birds.  A bit of 3D Hitchcock “The Birds” action when I was a munchkin took care of that for me…thanks Mom and Dad.
3. Clowns.  Again, blame a family member.  My cousin let me watch Stephen King’s “It” when he was babysitting.   
4. Losing those who are closest to me.
5. Heights, depending on the situation.  I can lean over a 20th floor balcony, but can’t climb on rocks or jump off 6 foot cliffs at the lake. 

FOUR of my favorite items in my bedroom:
1. My bed!  It’s awesome.
2. My bathroom, particularly the shower…it feels like a hot rain storm.  SO good.
3. My Mona Lisa print I got at the louvre, my parents had it framed for me. 
4. My books, pens and journals.  Sometimes I can’t get to sleep without them.

THREE things I do everyday:
1. Tell Stephen I love him.
2. Check my e-mail. 
3. Play with my cat, Java.

TWO things I am trying not to do right now:
1. Fall asleep.  It’s 11:30 and my eyes are definitely getting tired. (Not wearing the glasses.)
2. Feel thirsty.  I need a drink!  Must go downstairs and get water.

ONE person I want to see right now:1. Stephen.  Less than a week to go, hopefully.