Seven Random Things About Me

So here they are, in no particular order except that in which they popped into my mind over the course of a day.....

1. I am afraid of cutting/chopping new vegetables and fruits

I know this sounds strange coming from someone who posts picture of food, most of which includes a healthy dose of fruits and veggies. Before going vegan, my cooking experience included pouring cereal and milk into a bowl three times a day. When I first started cooking, I was very nervous about how to chop veggies and fruits. I was worried I would do it wrong. Things like butternut squash, onions, mango, and pineapple were up at the top of the list. I would slyly ask my boyfriend to chop things the first time so I could take mental notes as to what he was doing. Now I can proudly say though that I have mostly conquered this fear (except for large pumpkins, but I think that's more of a size issue)!

2. I think I am borderline obsessive/compulsive as documented by a series of obsessions throughout my life

For a period of maybe 4 years (maybe from 9 to 12 years old) I was obsessed with koalas. I knew everything about them, had about a zillion stuffed animals all with names, birthdates, and a record of the "immunizations" I had given them, and I had written the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Australia to tell them my plans for coming over there and working for them someday (they're probably wondering what happened!). Next came my political period, I was obsessed with the Kennedy assassination. I ready every book I could get my hands on including the very lengthy Warren Commission Report, had the blueprints of the fateful scene, and even convinced my parents to take me up to Dallas so I could take pictures from every angle on the Grassy Knoll to analyze the lone gunman theory. Following this I was convinced that I wanted to be president one day and figured that I was eligible in the 2016 election (so keep me in mind for the write in ballots). Other obsessions have included running, geology, pointy-toed shoes, and daydreaming about climbing the world's tallest mountains (right now I've only made it to the second highest in the contiguous US, Mt Elbert in Colorado). And my current obsession? I think it's safe to say it's veganism, although as I've gotten older I've found that now I tend not to toss my obsessions aside for new ones .... a good thing because I want to be excited about veganism for the rest of my life!

3. I used to be a vegetarian for all the wrong reasons

In high school, I decided to be a vegetarian, more of a flexitarian really. I was really using this as an excuse not to eat. This was understandably frustrating to my parents. When I decided to go vegan last August for ethical reasons, they were worried at first. But they now understand that I am eating much better than I ever used to and am more heathly because of it. It has even shown them that they can greatly reduce their animal product consumption with positive results for their health, the environment, and the animals.

4. I have a semi-photographic memory

This was always useful for test-taking. I could spend a few hours concentrating on notes and then be able to reproduce it in my mind during the exam. Not as useful anymore since I'm out of school.... but still kind of cool.

5. I always wait till the day taxes are due to send in my return

Strange thing is, I am not a procrastinator in any other way in my normal life.

6. I found myself by getting lost hiking solo in Switzerland

While spending a few months in Europe after finishing my masters degree, I spent about a week hiking around in the alps of Switzerland. On a day hike around the Matterhorn after a dusting of snow in Zermatt, which turned into more of a dusting where I hiked to, I lost the trail I was hoping to follow to get some great views of this magnificent peak. There was no one else to be seen and I felt more alone and isolated than I ever have. That was a soul-searching day, one that I will likely never forget

7. I want to change the world, no matter how impossible of a task it may often seem.

8. (I know the directions only said 7.....) I spent way too much time thinking about these. I need to work on this and just be more spontaneous.

So now I am tagging FoodEater from To Live and Eat in LA and Jess from Get Sconed! If you're interested, tell us 7 random things about yourself ..... and don't think too hard!