The timer on the cake I’m baking just went off, so I figured today was a good day to post 21-34 of my list of 100 things about me… after 20 minutes of trying to format it the same way as the last one, I realized it was impossible (once again, compulsive perfectionist).
21. I typically detest fast food—and I really try to eat healthy—but put a bag of cheese doodles in front of me (only the puffy kind) and it won’t be there for much longer.
22. I have an irrational fear of stairs which have no backs. Come to think of it, it probably isn’t all that irrational—when I was little my friend’s older brother went under our basement stairs and grabbed my feet as I was running up them. As a result of all of this, I was traumatized—not only am I terrified of all stairs without backs, but still, at 20 years old, I sprint up those steps as if my life depends on it—and don’t even try to get me down in that basement alone at night.
23. I waited 8 years to see Wicked. For my 20th birthday, my dad bought tickets for me and my mom. I cried 3 times during the show out of sheer joy and amazement.
24. Two weeks before my 20th birthday, I discovered I’m slightly lactose-intolerant—I’m Italian—I love pizza and ravioli is my favorite meal—imagine my predicament.
25. I think coffee is gross, and I can’t stand the smell, let alone the taste, of energy drinks—as a college student, this is unheard of, and also results in me consuming far too much soda during finals.
26. I never learned to swim. Yes, I know, I live on an island. Yes, my parents taught both my brother and sister, it wasn’t like they failed me—I just never learned. Last summer, I learned that I get the basic idea of it, and wouldn’t drown because I do in fact know how—I’m just incredibly unconfident in my abilities.
27. I could not wait to get out of high school, yet I stood in the cafeteria with many of my friends crying my eyes out an hour after the final bell rang.
28. I believe in that “moment” when you know something. Bryant was the first school I visited—I applied early decision. On the other hand, I tried on at least 50 other dresses before finding my prom dress.
29. I am similar to both my parents in many ways. However, my mom says she “can’t stand” when my father and I are together because we’re so similar it drives her crazy—I remind her that she was the one who married him.
30. I’ve been to over 50 concerts. In high school, I frequently spent my weekends in NYC, waiting on lines, no matter the weather, to get a good spot. I once waited 10 hours to see All Time Low—I was first on the line and by the time doors opened my body was completely numb, but it was worth it. That concert I not only got to sit on stage, but caught Rian Dawson’s drumstick. For my pre-teen All Time Low obsessed self, this was heaven.
31. I love the banana flavored laffy-taffy. My friends tell me it’s the worst flavor, but I think I win in the end, because no one else will eat it and I get it all!
32. The summer before my senior year, my parents sent me to Europe. I can remember coming home that day with the information forms, just knowing my dad would look at me and say ‘no way.’ Instead though, he told me it would be an amazing opportunity, and that as long as I provided my own spending money, I could go. I spent two weeks traveling all through France and Spain—it was literally the most amazing thing I have ever done.
33. I usually take life as it comes—good or bad. I’ve had many amazing experiences and opportunities fall into my lap this way. Although I do believe in going after what I want at all costs.
34. I decided long ago that I’m going to name my first daughter Paetyn Rae. My mother thinks this is some sort of plot against her because my dad’s name is Ray.
.. on that note, Happy Father’s Day!
