For my facebook-challenged friends...

(...all 2 of you?)

There's this craze that's been going around facebook where you write 25 random things about yourself. I think yesterday 90% of Sojourn did it (note: exaggeration) and I had a ball reading random factoids about people I didn't know very well. So whether you know me well (or think you know me well!) or not, here's my list:

1. I started this list 20 minutes ago; my computer randomly shut off as I was typing #23. I lost everything. Typically that would make me very mad, but I'm interested to see how this list differs from the last.

2. I am listening to Clair de lune as I type. It is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. I don't care if that's cliché.
2a. I will go out of my way to use accent marks on words that need them when typing, even when I'm in a hurry.
2b. You're not supposed to have an "a" without a "b" in a subset, so here you go.

3. I love grammar and punctuation. It is impossible for me to read things without editing in my head. In my last note I had four points about how angry I get when people don't use apostrophes correctly. I can't talk about it anymore because I really do get very angry.

4. On Thursday God answered a prayer that I have been praying for 4.5 years. It was the longest time I've ever prayed for something and honestly, I never expected that God would answer it. I find that sad. But I have felt more alive since Thursday than I thought possible.

5. If asked, there is a 50/50 chance I will admit to playing the piano. I am extremely embarrassed about my lack of ability for as long as I studied.

6. I always sing harmony when I sing. Always. I actually find it distracting to sing the melody. Oh, and I always sing a lower harmony -- for some reason, I find higher harmonies annoying, especially in female voices.

7. At some point in life I'd like to have laser hair removal done on my legs.

8. I was offered my current job (working as a Leasing Consultant at our apartment complex) because my boss told me I was the most annoying tenant he had.

9. I think I am a talented writer and editor, but I feel narcissistic when I say that. But if you think about it, it's narcissistic for me to feel narcissistic. I shouldn't feel prideful in admitting talents or skills I have -- I am not my own! Every gift I have comes from God. Does anyone else struggle with "admitting" their talents because of this kind of thought progression, or do you think I'm crazy?

10. I think one of the best qualities a person can have is to be teachable.

11. I really like the word "snarky." I would like to incorporate it into my vocabulary more often.

12. If I could do anything, I would own my own stationery shop. I think there is no substitution for handwritten cards. Snail mail in general is one of my love languages. (I have never read the love language books, so I'm not totally sure what that means.)

13. I had my handwriting turned into a font. I really enjoy my handwriting.

14. I am hopelessly addicted to Diet Coke. Diet Pepsi runs a close second. If you want me to be specific, I prefer Diet Coke in a bottle and Diet Pepsi from a fountain. I rarely drink water, although I'm trying to drink more.

15. I am actually not trying to drink more water, but I feel as though I should say that. Also, I feel the need to say that I think regular soda is disgusting, and I drink diet for the flavor (not for the lack of calories).

16. I had a really hard time learning how to spell the word "bizarre." My husband had to create a sing-song rhyme for me to learn it, and I still sing it whenever I type the word. "One z, two rs, that's the way you spell bizarre!" Bizarre, right?

17. I get a pedicure at least once a month. I can't stand it when my toenails aren't painted, but I rarely paint my fingernails.

18. I am terrified of bugs; mostly ones that fly. Yes, even butterflies. Please don't mock me.

19. I met my husband, for all intents and purposes, on a plane to China. I thought he was awkward, dorky, and skinny. And I spent most my time in China avoiding him.

20. I have a girl crush on Mariska Hargitay. I think she is incredible. I want to name a child after her, but Wes says no. I have thought about naming a puppy after her, but I can't decided whether or not that would be weird/demeaning to Mariska.

21. I scrape everything off my pizza when I eat it, including the cheese. This makes my husband mad.

22. I genuinely believe I would enjoy life more in a warmer climate.

23. I am in the midst of reading every novel that Barbara Kingsolver has ever written (currently reading Animal Dreams). The Poisonwood Bible is one of my favorite books ever. She's brilliant.

24. I think that you can ruin words by saying them aloud. This especially applies to poetry. There's something about a phrase being spoken that can lessen its beauty -- don't you think?

25. I love to clean, and I'm pretty OCD about it. It stresses me out when my house is dirty. But the worst part of being like this is other people feeling that they have to apologize for not being clean. Once I stayed at a friend's house and she apologized for how her tub looked. She then told me she had spent an hour scrubbing it, but it was stained. I felt horrible. I still feel horrible, actually. Let me use this as an opportunity to make a public service announcement: I do not judge your house when I come over! Please quit cleaning just because I'm coming! I probably do, however, judge your punctuation usage. I'm sorry; I can't help it. It's just because I know you can do better....

Were there any surprises??

In other news, I got a new cell phone -- and have my old number back! Hooray! Call me, text me... I'm sooooo excited. :) Now I'm off to enter 28493829 numbers in it by hand because my SIM card was stolen along with my old phone. Don't you wish you were me?