1. I love... my cat.
2. Right now I want... to feel better about the world.
3. I feel like... a depressed person.
4. I hate it when... people don't keep their word.
5. I fear... rejection.
6. I'm lonely without... my cat.
7. I need... help getting the odor out of my carpet.
8. Today I... had lunch with Tishie.
9. Tomorrow I'm... going to a counseling appointment.
10. I just... graded some papers.
11. I want to meet... Amy Ray.
12. I'm hungry for... Basque food.
13. I love it when... there are lots of dandelions.
14. I'm afraid of... the cat food recall.
15. I'm listening to... my cat rustle through the blinds and chirp at the creatures outside.
16. I'm wearing... pajamas
17. I wish I was in... France.
18. I'm craving... mushrooms.
19. I want to... go to Ireland.
20. I can... give feedback on poems very quickly.
21. I can't ... read student essays with any speed.
22. I have... to buy some cat food.
23. I haven't... talked to Josh in a while.
24. I'm nervous... about my poetry class not happening this summer.
25. My Mom thinks I'm... a good teacher.
26. My Dad thinks I'm... happy.
27. I think... I need to go to bed.
28. I'm happy when... I am around people who are always the same. That's what I like most about my best friends. They're always the same. We can go six months without talking, and when we do finally talk, it's like it was yesterday. I like that.
29. I'm sad when... people are mean.
30. I like eating... just about anything.
31. I hate eating... tuna.
32. I love watching... Will and Grace.
33. I love listening... to treefrogs.
34. I like playing... cards.
35. I hate waking up to... James Dobson blathering on about stupid shit.
36. I can see... my clover plant.
37. I'm glad that... I will have such a fun poetry class this fall.
38. I'm disappointed... that my rent is going up.
39. I look like... my mother.
40. I wish I looked like... well, I wish I had my grandmother's eyes. My sister got them.

Weary

I'm so very tired. That is all.

Some Dreams

I made a list some years back of things I wanted to do in my life. I have done nearly all of them, with the exception of meeting Anne Lamott and reading all of the Harry Potter books. The latter will be accomplished when the final book is released this summer. With the list so near completion, I thought that it was time for a new one.

Some Dreams:

The obvious ones first:
1. Find a partner
2. Have some kids

The perhaps less obvious dreams:
3. Go to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival
4. Meet Anne Lamott
5. Meet the Indigo Girls
6. Adopt another cat or possibly two
7. Buy a house
8. Grow a garden
9. Go to Ireland and stand on the coast where my ancestors left from to come here
10. Go to Greece and see the remains of the early church
11. Find the family cemetery (it's overgrown now)
12. Join the teacher's union
13. Buy one of those fabulous round chairs
14. Learn basic car maintenance
15. Get my book published
16. Visit Powell's Books in person
17. Speak about being gay and Christian at my undergraduate school
18. Learn Italian
19. Learn to kayak
20. Teach a Chicana literature course
21. Study liberation theology in school
22. Meet Mary Oliver and tell her how much her work has meant to me
23. Go to Temuco, Chile and walk where Mistral and Neruda walked
24. Hike between the Cinque Terre towns
25. Take my sister to London for a couple of weeks and see a show every night and drink cream tea every day
26. Visit Josh overseas
27. Travel with Judith

That's one for every year of my life thuse far. It should keep me busy for the next few years :)

The bud
stands for all things,
even for those things that don't flower,
for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;
though sometimes it is necessary
to reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on its brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing

--Galway Kinnell

more surveys

1. Where is your dad right now?
in another state

2. Last time you kissed someone?
it's been a while

3. Name five things you did today.
woke up, felt lousy, read all of the undergrad poetry contest submissions and picked my favorites, came to school, felt lousy

4. Last person u text messaged?
no

5. What kind of phone do you have?
Verizon

7. Where does your best friend work?
one teaches little kids, one teaches college kids and works at a pharmacy

8. What are you listening to?
nothing

9. What do you smell like?
my perfume

10. What color are your eyes?
blue

11. Have you ever done a chinese fire drill?
maybe?

12. What color is your bedroom floor?
tan

13. Do you have a chair in your room?
no

14. What are you doing tomorrow?
going to church. it's Palm Sunday.

15. Do you know anyone who is engaged?
probably...

16.What is your favorite #?
7

17. Do you know someone named Betsy?
no

18. What color is your mom's hair?
brown

19. Do you have a dog? Breed? Name?
no

20. Do you remember singing any songs as a kid?
yes, we sang all the time with my mother.

21. Are you married?
no

22. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings?
last weekend

24. Do you play an instrument?
yes

25. Do you like fire?
campfires yes

26. Are you allergic to anything?
penicilyn

27. Do you have a crush on anyone?
yes

28. Best friend?
what?

29. Have you ever been to a spa?
yes

30. Did you take science all four years of high school?
no, I got hell about this for a while. I didn't care then, and I don't care now.

31. Do you like butterflies?
yes

32. Do you miss someone right now?
yes

33. Do you think they miss you too?
probably some of them do

34. Have you ever seen your school counselor?
I went to the counseling center for a while, but I can't now because I'm not a student.

35. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
no, but I am and I love it.

36. What is one thing you've learned about life?
it's short.

37. Whats your favorite color?
blue

38. Is anyone jealous of you?
I doubt it.

39. Ever been stuck in an elevator?
no

40. What does your mom call you?
my name

41.What do your friends call you?
my name

42. What does you hair look like right now?
it's nice today, well-behaved and clean (I just washed it a little bit ago).

43. Has a friend ever used you?
I hope not.

44. Has anyone told you that they like you more than a friend?
yes

45. What have you eaten today?
not much

46. Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
curly unless I brush it out

48. Who was the last person you drove with?
my parents probably

49. What are you looking forward to?
reading Jasper Fforde's new book.

50. How are you today?
sad, sick

[02] Have you ever been given roses?
yes

[03] What is your all-time favorite romance movie?
Tipping the Velvet and A Walk in the Clouds

[04] have you honestly been in love?
yes

[05] Do you believe that everyone has a soul-mate?
yes

[07] Have you ever had your heart broken?
yes

[8] Your thoughts on online relationships?
I've met nearly everyone I've ever gone out with online.

[9] Have you ever seen a friend as more than a friend?
yes

[10] Do you believe the statement, "Once a cheater always a cheater"?
yes

[11] How many kids do you want to have?
three or four

[12] What is your favorite color(s)
blue

[13] What are your views on gay marriages?
should be legal

[14] Do you believe you truly only love once?
no, but I believe there is only one true love, if that makes sense.

[15] Imagine you're 79 & your spouse just died, would you re-marry?
who knows? maybe.

[16] At what age did you start noticing the opposite sex?
never have. same sex--I remember really having a thing for my sixth grade teacher.

[17] What song do you want to hear at your wedding?
I don't know. I put a lot of thought into this when I was engaged, but at the moment, I could care less.

[18] Do you Know someone who likes you?
honestly, I have no idea.

Sanctuary

Tonight was my final night working at the homeless shelter. I just got home a few minutes ago. The reason it was my final night is because it closes on Sunday. I am overwhelmed at the thought of all of the beautiful people I have come to know there now sleeping on the street at night because there is nowhere else to go. I wish this shelter was open year round. We simply do not have the funding to keep it open at this time, and that is a crime.

I began volunteering every Friday night for several hours down at the shelter in January. The first few times I went, I came home and threw up afterwards. That's how I knew I had to keep going back. It really makes me sick to see so many people without anyone to help them.

At least 75 percent of the people at this shelter are Vietnam veterans who suffer from PTSD and have substance abuse problems as a result. Why isn't the government taking care of these men? Other residents are young couples, young gay people who have been disowned by their families, mentally ill people of all ages, and people who are addicted to meth. Over half of the residents have full-time jobs, but do not make enough money to have a life outside of the shelter. The shelter has had an average of 80 people every night since it opened in November.

I have met so many fascinating people at the shelter. Scott is a middle-aged man who reads constantly. I spent a lot of time talking with him about books and about his experiences living on the street in other cities in the northwest. Charles is a very educated man going through a divorce that left him without a place to live. He can talk about almost anything and can quote more authors than I can. He has grown more and more frustrated with his situation as the winter has gone on. I hope he can get off the street soon. I met Samuel tonight. He is my age and has been living on the street in various cities for the last couple of years. He has finally gotten off of meth and is looking for a job. Richard tries to give me a different book every week, all of them on Christian themes. He finally approved of the one I was reading tonight, Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott, although he still encouraged me to give Phillip Yancey a try. Richard is trying his hardest to live a good Christian life, but he is still traumatized by his experiences during the war. Sometimes his flashbacks cause him to drink more than he should. The Christian shelter no longer lets him stay because of this. Another young gay Asian man was one of my favorite residents. He is always on campus in the student union and in the library. He has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.

One of the most touching things I have seen at the shelter was when a young family came seeking a place to stay and a shower. They had come to this city expecting to have a place to live and it did not work out. They lived out of their car for a few days. Before the left the shelter for the last time, the dad and the son who was the same age as Bella's son came in and donated the only thing they had to give--their hats--because they said that other people needed them more than they did.

I don't know if the church who donated the building that housed the shelter the last couple of months knows how much the lives of so many people were bettered by their actions. I don't know if any members of that church even ever came to volunteer there. I do know that they did something good, and I can only hope that somewhere, someone will be generous enough to enable the shelter to stay open all year.

Survey

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
my thumb, I scraped it across a tape dispensor when I was nine.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
pictures, postcards, and a bumper sticker that says "I heart dykes."

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
snore sometimes, grind my teeth lately

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
anything. I'm ecclectic.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
1:03 a.m.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
to be in another state, holding Bella's hand during her mother's funeral.

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
my college years

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
my cat

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'3"

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
sometimes

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
not usually

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
no comment

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PERFUME FOR A GIRL?
I like a lot of different ones. It depends on the girl.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I don't like the oposite sex

15. WHO CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF GETTING PROPOSED TO?
what?

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
coffee

17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?
veggies

18. IF YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
not really hungry.

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
enchilada and granola

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLD FISH?
no

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU?
I don't know. Probably something when I was a baby.

22. DO YOU LIKE ANYBODY?
yes

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
no

24. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND?
don't have one

26. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW?
yes

27. WHAT KIND IS IT?
cat

28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING?
probably, that sounds like me

29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU?
just say it

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
7

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
whatever

32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFTEN?
bella's

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
yes

36. MET ANYONE FAMOUS?
yes

37. FIRST JOB?
JCPenney

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
yes

39. FIRST VACATION YOU EVER TOOK?
I don't know.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE DOING THIS?
feeling sad.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
yes

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
my hair, ironically. I don't think it looks particularly nice, but there you go.

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
yes

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
it was a month ago. acknowledgement usually is plenty.

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT?
several.

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
no

47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
no

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
whatever's on sale

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
yes

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
no

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
yes

53. WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARRASING CD ON YOUR SHELF?
awful Gospel CD that I can't seem to get rid of. no one wants it.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
yes

55. FAVORITE GUM?
no

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
no, not really

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
I write.

58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
Judy's house

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
my stuffed dog that my grandmother made

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE?
not as many as there used to be. I lost most of them when my phone broke. This is my request for people's numbers again.

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A KID?
no

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
yes

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
both

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
kindness, compassion, intelligence

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
no.

67. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE BAND/SINGER?
Indigo Girls

68. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Designing Women

69. WHAT WAS YOUR ACT SAT SCORE?
I honestly don't remember.... I know I scored highest in English on the ACT and math on the SAT...

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
peanutbutter chocolate

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
yes

72. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
couple days ago.

74. WHATS THE FASTEST YOU HAVE GONE IN A CAR?
80?

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
nothing

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
iced tea

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Bella last night

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I don't.

80. FAVORITE THOUGHT PROVOKING SONG?
depends on the day

81. FAVORITE THING TO HATE?
Bush

82. FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR?
May or June

83. FAVORITE ZODIAC SIGN?
my own?

85. WHAT IS YOUR NATURAL HAIR COLOR?
brown

86. EYE COLOR?
blue

87. SHOE SIZE?
6

89. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTURANT?
Wendy's

90. YOU LIKE SUSHI?
yes

91.LAST THING YOU WATCHED?
One Night with the King. It was terrible.

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Dec. 26

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
yes

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
Green

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
both

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
iced tea

98. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
ford focus

99.WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott

100. DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE?
non-existent

High School

1. Who was your best friend?
Josh

2. What sports did you play?
cross country

3. What kind of car did you drive?
my dad's old van

4. It's Friday night, where were you?
at the football game or the basketball game with my french horn

5. Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?.
nope. wasn't out then.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
no

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
yes, no, and yes. we didn't have an orchestra to be in.

8. Were you a nerd?
yes

9. Did you get suspended/expelled?
no

10. Can you sing the fight song?
just my mom's version of it, which is not really the official version

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
my calculus teacher. just to specify, I hated calculus, but I loved him.

12. What was your school's full name?
Cakeweed

13. School mascot?
knight

14. Did you go to Prom?
yes, with a group of girls, half of whom are gay

15. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
no

16. What do you remember most about graduation?
I gave a speech. I was the valedictorian.

17. Where were you on senior ditch day?
probably in school.

18. Did you have a job your senior year?
JCPenney

19. Where did you go most often for lunch?
we weren't allowed to leave, so the cafeteria

20. Have you gained weight since then?
yes

21. Where did you go after graduation?
my graduation party

22. When did you graduate?
1998

23. Who was your Senior prom date?
didn't have one, wasn't out then.

24. Are you going to your 10 year reunion?
no

25. Who was your home room teacher?
I have no idea.

Prayer Request

I've been trying to post this for days, but my parents' computer is a grouchy hunk of metal. At any rate, now that I'm home again, here it is.

Bella's mother died a few days ago. She is currently in another state far away making all kinds of arrangements. There is a service tonight and a service tomorrow. I know she would appreciate all kinds of good thoughts sent in her direction. It's certainly been a hard few days for her, and it will be hard for a long time to come, I am sure.

Whine

I feel lousy. I've felt lousy for the last couple of days. My stomach hurts, and I'm now having dry heaves. Which is more than you wanted to know, I am sure. Ugh.

survey

Your Heritage:
Irish and Swiss

The Shoes You Wore Today:
my fabulous Columbia sandals

Your Weakness:
tea

Your Fears:
currently worried about my cousin's new baby girl. she was born Friday, she's going to be having surgery in the next couple of days for her cleft palate. at the moment, she is on her way to the big city because she's having trouble breathing. prayers and good thoughts would be most appreciated.

Your Perfect Pizza:
veggie with pesto

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:
get a better job

Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:
cool

Thoughts First Waking Up:
where's the cat?

Your Best Physical Feature:
eyes

Your Bedtime:
whenever I get tired. usually 11 or 12

Your Most Missed Memory:
college, especially my senior year

Pepsi or Coke:
iced tea

MacDonalds or Burger King:
Wendy's

Single or Group Dates:
Single

Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:
Tetley's British Blend

Chocolate or Vanilla:
chocolate

Cappuccino or Coffee:
coffee

Do you Smoke:
no

Do you Swear:
yes

Do you Sing:
yes

Do you Shower Daily:
yes

Have you Been in Love:
yes

Do you want to go to College:
I already have. I will probably go back for more degrees someday.

Do you want to get Married:
when I find the right girl

Do you belive in yourself:
usually

Do you get Motion Sickness:
when I'm in the back seat on really curvy roads

Do you think you are Attractive:
sometimes

Are you a Health Freak:
not as much as I should be lately

Do you get along with your Parents:
yes

Do you like Thunderstorms:
rarely

Do you play an Instrument:
yes, French horn, a little piano, and a little guitar

In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:
yes

In the past month have you Smoked:
no

In the past month have you been on Drugs:
no

In the past month have you gone on a Date:
yes, two

In the past month have you gone to a Mall:
yes, actually

In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:
no

In the past month have you eaten Sushi:
no

In the past month have you been on Stage:
no

In the past month have you been Dumped:
no

In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:
no

In the past month have you Stolen Anything:
no

Ever been Drunk:
no

Ever been called a Tease:
no

Ever been Beaten up:
no

Ever Shoplifted:
no

How do you want to Die:
in my sleep

What do you want to be when you Grow Up:
um, a college professor?

What country would you most like to Visit:
all of them. Ireland, Greece, New Zealand, Chile

another survey

Sleep with or without clothes on?
usually with

Prefer black or blue pens?
black

Dress up on Halloween?
oh yeah

Like to travel?
absolutely

Like Someone?
yep

Do they know?
yep

Who sleeps with you every night?
my cat

Think you're attractive?
sometimes

Want to get married?
absolutely

Are you a good student?
i was when i was in school

Are you currently happy?
yep

Have you ever cheated?? Been cheated on?
no and not that i know of

Birthplace?
in my hometown

Christmas or Halloween?
christmas

Colored or black-and-white photo?
both

Do long distance relationships work?
they can

Do you believe in astrology?
nope. i do find it interesting, though. as in, most of my friends are cancers, and most of my romantic interests have been aquariuses. what's up with that?

Do you believe in love at first sight?
yep

Do you consider yourself the life of the party?
not a chance

Do you drink?
yep

Do you make fun of people?
no. i tease people, though. there's a difference.

Do you think dreams eventually come true?
they can

Favorite fictional character?
Lupe in Sandra Cisneros' story "Little Miracles, Kept Promises." I can't read that story without weeping through the last two pages. I also adore Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. I also really like Corinthian in Sheri Reynolds' The Rapture of Canaan. She's a minor character, but she's fascinating.

Go to the movies or rent?
both

Have you ever moved?
i don't know. five?

Have you ever stolen anything?
no

How's the weather right now?
cold

Last time you cut your hair?
i don't know, but it's time for a cut.

Last person you talked to on the phone?
bella

Last time you showered?
last night

Loud or soft music?
depends on my mood

Mcdonalds or Burger King?
Wendy's

Night or day?
both

Number of pillows?
one

Piano or guitar?
i like both. i'd like to learn more guitar.

Future job?
tenured creative writing professorship

Current job?
adjunct poetry professor

Current love?
iced tea

Current longing?
kept promises

Current disappointment?
i really missed working at the shelter tonight. i have done it every Friday since January, and this week, i'm working on Saturday. i missed it tonight. i want to know how my people are doing.

Current annoyance?
boredom

Last thing you ate?
tortellini

Last thing you bought?
tortellini

Most recent thing you are looking forward to?
um, going to the movies with cassie sometime this weekend and working at the shetler tomorrow night.

What are you hearing right now?
some random tv show

What are your plans for the weekend?
um, see two questions before this

What did you do today?
helped bella hobble around, taught, napped, watched movies, chatted with bella, and am now doing a survey

Pick a lyric, any lyric or song?
But I, I could never follow.

Pick a movie quote?
Where's Olive?

survey.

1. What is your best friend's Mom's name?
Judy

3. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?
i always had a crush on my spanish teacher when i was in high school. in college, i had a huge crush on my british lit teacher. i took five classes from her.

4. Have you ever made out in a movie theater?
no

5. What body part do you wash first?
hair

6. Do you have any piercings?
yes. my ears.

8. Do you have an innie or an outtie belly button?
innie

9. What's your favorite flavored Pringles?
salt and vinegar

10. Have you ever been tied up?
no

11. What was the worst thing you ever got grounded for?
my parents never grounded me.

13. Have you ever had two dates in one night?
no. there was a time when i had three blind dates in one week. but that was several months ago.

14. How many times have you been cursed out?
no idea. a couple times, probably.

15. Which shoe do you put on first?
whichever i find first

16. How old are you?
27

17. Have you ever been to a gay bar?
um, yes. those are usually the only ones i go to.

18. Have you ever had any Friends with Benefits?
nope

19. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?
they've been female. most have been writers but not all.

20. Did you french kiss before you were 16?
nope

21. Have you ever been cow-tipping or snipe-hunting?
nope.

22. Who is the last person you usually think about before you fall asleep?
i don't really.

23. Have you ever had a poem or a song written about you?
nope. i'm usually the writer.

24. If you had to choose to not ever wash your bed sheets again or not wash your bath towel ever again, which would you rather not wash?
ew.

25. Have you ever found anything in your parents' bedroom that was questionable?
nope

26. What was your childhood nickname?
i had a couple. they were all plays on my real name, which i don't use here.

27. When is the last time you played the air guitar?
i have no idea.

28. Have you ever peeked in the opposite sexes bathroom?
no.

29. What's the weirdest thing you have done while driving?
i don't know.

30. Have you ever bitten your toenails?
not that i can remember.

31. How do you normally eat your oreo cookies?
i like them in milk. i haven't had any in years.

33. Name something you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of others?
i talk to my cat and i talk back in "her" voice. i have an online/now irl friend who does this with all seven of her animals, as well.

36. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?
i have no idea. i've never been drunk. therefore, probably not many.

37. Have you ever sniffed an animal's butt?
not on purpose?

39. Do you scrunch or fold your toilet paper?
scrunch

41. Do you have any strange phobias?
elevators. is that odd? my aunt has that one, too. and parking garages.

42. Have you ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?
yes. a bead. when I was 1-1/2

43. What is the stupidest thing you've ever done at a bar?
karaoke?

44. Have you ever been dared to do something you totally regretted?
no

45. Have you ever called your love interest by another girl/guys name?
no

47. Have you ever played naked twister?
no

48. Have you ever been drunk at work/school?
no

49. Have you ever found your date's/lover's brother or sister more attractive?
no. I've actually never been interested in a girl who had a sister. How weird is that?

50. How many Bryce's do you know?
maybe one?

Heh.

My cat is so the reincarnation of a goat. I caught her eating my socks (?!) a couple days ago, and a couple days before that, I caught her snacking on my pajamas (?!). How does one prevent this sort of behavior???

Of course, she's not 27.

Mom and Dad are Proud to Announce the Birth of their Child, Emily, on February 20, 1980.

Unfortunately, Emily is the reincarnation of a goat.

Mom and Dad are visiting an exorcist soon.

What Did Your Birth Announcement Say?  at  QuizGalaxy.com

Be kind to one another.
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Be hospitable to strangers, for you were once a stranger yourself.
Serve the poor; make the world a better place.

--I'm sure this is a quote, but I pulled it off of a newsletter and it wasn't cited.

Sounds about right

You Are a Centaur

In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person.However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways.You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order.You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatmythologicalcreatureareyouquiz/">What Mythological Creature Are You?

Survey

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
phone bill

2. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
I tend to like homey kind of places, like my favorite Italian place or the Basque place in town. Neither would probably really qualify as romantic to anyone else, though.

3. When was the last time you puked from drinking?
never have

4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar?
never have

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
sitting with Bella at the airport

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
a minister

8. How many colleges did you attend?
two. one undergrad and one graduate

9. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
it's clean and I like tie-dye?

10. GAS PRICES First thought?
glad I don't use much gas

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
no alarm went off

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I hope Joe's okay. Joe is one of the guys at the shelter. He left around midnight last night, and I saw him walking downtown alone. It kind of worried me. It's still cold at night here.

14. What chore do you despise?
washing dishes

15. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
sure, why not.

16. Get up early or sleep in?
sleep in

17. What is your favorite movie?
Lady in the Water, Little Miss Sunshine, Napoleon Dynamite, D.E.B.S.

20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
watch movies, play games, sit and chat

21. A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing?
I still have my Christmas tree up.

22. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
probably for a while

23. If you are not married, do you see yourself married
in the next 5 years?
if I find the right girl

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
no

25. What do you get every time you go into a Wal-Mart?
my prescription--it's only $4 there, and I don't have insurance

26. Beach or lake?
beach

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual that was invented by people who died at 20?
I have no idea. I wish same sex couples could marry, though.

28. Who do you stalk on MySpace?
no one. I do read two blogs, but they're friends' blogs: Bella's and Tishie's.

29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
salt and vinegar potato chips

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
It's in the Water? No one else seems to like that one at least.

31. What's "your" drink?
uh, Fat Tire?

32. Non alcoholic:
tea

32. Cowboys or Indians?
no

33. Cops or Robbers?
no

34. Do you cheer for the bad guy?
no

35. What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best?
can't think of one

36. If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be?
never seen it

37. What do you want when you are sick?
someone to hold my hand

38. Who from high school would you like to run into?
alicia. she was brave and came out when we were 16. I'd like to talk to her about that and tell her she was brave.

39. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
the radio station that sponsors Pride

42. Norm or Cliff?
???

43. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons??
tend to watch the Simpsons more

44. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
none

45. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
no one does

46. If you could get away with it, whom would you kill?
i'm not a violent person

47. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Amy Ray

48. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
no

49. Last book you read for real?
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

50. Do you have a teddy bear?
nope. I have a stuffed lion, but my cat is terribly jealous of it.

51. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
in the woods with a toothbrush made out of a stick (seriously, this is a wilderness trick in case you get stuck in the woods)

52. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
San Francisco

53. Number of texts in a day?
none

54. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?
relationship

55. Pencil or pen?
whatever

56. How many jobs have you had?
I have no idea. Several.

57. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
married with kids and in a tenure track teaching position.

Survey

1. Hi, my name is: Emily

2. Never in my life have I: desired to jump out of an airplane

3. The one person who can drive me nuts is: my dad's mom

4. High school: is not something I care to relive.

5. When I'm nervous: I talk really fast and giggle.

6. The last time I cried was: when I watched disc 5 of Fullmetal Alchemist.

7. If I were to get married right now my wedding party would be: my sister and Judith and Josh

8. My hair is: frizzy

9. When I was 5: I could read

10. Last Christmas: I spent the day with my family

11. I should be: I really don't have anything I should be doing right this moment.

12. When I look down I see: cat toys

13. The craziest recent event was: I haven't done much lately...

14. If I were a character on 'Friends' I'd be: white

15. By this time next year: I want to be going to Europe

16. My current worry is: money

17. I have a hard time understanding: fundamentalists

18. There's this girl I know who: is fuzzy and likes to snuggle and purr.

19. You know I like you when: I introduce you to my cat.

20. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: my sister

21. Take my advice: claim who you are. No one else will.

22. My most wanted item is: new music

23. If you visited the place I was born: you'd understand a lot about me.

24. I plan to visit: Ireland, Portland

25. If you spend the night at my house while my parents are gone: you'll have two cats sucking up to you like you wouldn't believe.

27. The world could do without: fundamentalists

28. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: no

29. Most recent thing I've bought myself: lunch

30. Most recent thing someone else bought me: movie ticket and popcorn for my birthday (from my friend, Cassie)

31. My favorite blonde is: Cassie

32. My favorite brunette is: Erin

33. My favorite redhead is: Josh

34: My middle name is: Bronte

35. This morning I: got up early and did laundry and graded papers

36. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: giraffes

37. Once, at a party I: compared cat notes with one of my favorite poets

38. Last night I was: at the movies and then sleeping

39. There's this guy I know: who is overseas. I want to visit him.

40. I don't know: how to snowshoe.

41. A better name for me would be: Catwoman

42. Tomorrow I am: going to grade papers

43. My birthday is: next Tuesday

44. What I really want for Valentine's Day is: a romantic girlfriend.

Woohoo!

Yay, Dixie Chicks!

I'm bored. Sigh.

TEN FAVORITES

01. show: Law & Order: SVU, Designing Women
02. flower - Sunflowers
03. color – blue
04. sport – no
05. mall – the one my sister and aunts and I go to the day after Thanksgiving. It isn't so much the mall as the company.
06. music – Indigo Girls
07. food - Italian, Mexican
08. season - Summer
09. day - Saturday
10. city – Venice

TEN FACTS

01. hometown- Small Town, Midwest
02. hair color - brown
03. hair length - short-ish
04. hair style - shaggy
05. eye color - blue
06. shoe size – 6
07. mood – somewhat stressed
08. smell - um, Japanese Cherry Blossom perfume?
09. available – yes
10. lefty/righty - righty

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

01. have you ever been in love – yes
02. do you believe in love - yes
03. why did your last relationship fail - sick of answering this one
04. have you ever been heartbroken – yes
05. have you ever broken some one's heart - yes
06. have you ever fallen for your best friend – no, but the person I've fallen for has become my best friend
07. have you ever loved someone but never told them?- yes
08. are you afraid of commitment? no
09. have you ever had a secret admirer – yes, twice, actually. They ended up being not so secret (because I know about them). One I went to high school with and he named his daughter after me. The other was one of my students. I found out about it later.
10. do you believe in love at first sight – anything's possible

TEN THINGS: THIS OR THAT

01. love or money - love
02. hard liquor or beer - beer
03. vacation in Hawaii or Paris - Paris
04. one night stands or relationships -relationship
05. television or Internet - both
06. Pepsi or coke - neither
07. wild night out or romantic night in – romantic night in
08. colored or black and white pictures -whatever
09. phone or in person - in person
10. aim or myspace - whatever

01. are you missing someone right now – my sister, Josh
02. are you happy - yes, except for the state of my checkbook :(
03. are you talking to anyone right now - not at the moment
04. are you bored - yep
05. are you German - a little
06. are you Scottish - no
07. are you french - no
08. are you Italian - no
09. are your parents still married - yes