My sister's husband and my brother-in-law, Paul, was killed on March 11, 2012 in a tragic accident. I just want to remember as much as I can about him.

• My sister, his wife.
• Jerry, his Rottweiler.
• The Grateful Dead.
• Jerry Garcia.
• Skiing.
• Mountains.
• Amsterdam.
• The Broncos.
• Football.
• Refereeing.
• Not being religious.
• Golfing.
• Craft beer.
• Farmers' markets.
• Gardening.
• Composting.
• Hiking

• Employers/potential employers searching for you.
  • Not hiring you based on your social media presence.
  • Firing you based on the above.
  • Judging your work performance and/or your character based on what you post/reveal on the internet.
• Private photos/moments being found/released to the masses on the internet.
  • Granted, I am not the type to take racy photos of myself and have them anywhere on my computer, but for those who are, there are websites today whose sole purpose is to expose and exploit them.
• Hackers getting into your various accounts.
  • Stealing your identity, breaking into you...

I graduated from college over a year ago now and have been working full-time ever since. I am glad I'm done with school and moving on with my life but, at times, there are some things that I really miss.

• Constantly learning.
  • And being enrolled in classes, learning subjects I might never otherwise have pursued on my own, but discovered I was really interested in.
  • Expanding my vocabulary. And actually having a place to use some of it.
• People watching.
  • I am not the most social person in the world so just the walks through the city to campus and through the common areas was enjoyable for me, being around so many different types of people. My university is the largest and most diverse in my state...

• I wish there was a way to record your dreams.
• I wish women were kinder to each other. Our generally low self-esteem combined with various societal pressures causes us to be catty and competitive with one another when we really need to hold each other up.
• I wish that there was a prescription medication for procrastination.
• I wish all my favorite childhood television shows were still on the air.
• I wish I was the best at something instead of just mediocre at several things.
• I wish I knew how to lucid dream.
• I wish wedding vows still meant what they were intended to.
  • I wish marriage wasn't so taken so lightly/for granted.
• I wish that the current definitions and s...

• 28: The number of years I am old.
• 62: The number of inches I am tall (That would make me 5'2").
• 3: The number of sisters I have.
• 2: The number of those sisters that are adopted.
• 0: The number of brothers I have.
• 2: The number of parents I have.
• 0: The number of married parents I have.
• 6: The number of people I've kissed.
• 3: The number of boyfriends I've had.
• 5: The number of years of my longest relationship.
• 7: The number of my average shoe size (It tends to fluctuate).
• 17: The number of years I have been in school.
• 7: The number of tattoos I have.
• 12: The number of hours it took to complete said tattoos.
• 23: The day I was born.

• Reaching the top of a mountain after a long, strenuous hike and taking in the fabulous view.
• Getting tattooed.
  • It feels like getting stung by a bee and then feels hot to the touch like fresh road rash, but after it's over, you just want it to keep going.
• Being inspired by a piece of art:
  • A musical composition, a movie, a painting, etc.
  • The heart flutter I feel during the crescendo of a piece of music I love.
• Losing all track of time and completely immersing myself in creation.
• Being really productive and crossing things off my to-do list.
• Loving and being loved.
• Participating in any extreme sport/event:...

• I hope to have found my greatest love.
• I hope to have a child with that love. Likely, adopted.
  • I hope to be completely devoted to both.
• I hope I own at least one, fantastic, adorable, well-trained dog-companion. Maybe two.
• I hope to own a lovely, cozy home.
  • I hope said home is not too small, not too big.
  • I hope said home is in a peaceful, rural setting but still very close to a major city for work and play.
  • I hope said home has a great back yard for child and pet romping.
  • I hope said home has a space in which I can create.
• I hope I am still creating. Even more so than I am now!

According to my own perception of elves based mostly on my favorite fantasy novels and movies. Nerd alert :)

• Graceful.
• Lithe.
• Flexible.
• Long & lean.
• Ability to come and go undetected, seemingly appearing and disappearing.
• Ability to walk through the forest noiselessly, as if floating.
• In tune with nature.
• Heightened senses.
• Quick and darting like a deer.
• Pale, smooth, unmarred skin & delicate features.
• Observant & intuitive.
• Age very slowly or be altogether immortal.
• Pointed ears.
• Radiate light from the inside, out. Respl...

For when I am feeling discouraged and like my life isn't as fulfilling and exciting as I want it to be (which is quite often), to remind me that I have already lived quite a lot.

• Been in love.
• Been simulation sky diving (in the giant wind tube!).
• Graduated high school.
• Lived abroad.
• Lived on an island.
• Got into college.
• Been bungee jumping.
• Been white water rafting in class 5 rapids in West Virginia.
• Swam with dolphins.
• Had my heart broken.
• Seen Niagra Falls.
• Seen the Grand Canyon.
• Walked on the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Seen the Statue of Liberty.

I used to be socially petrified and have been attributed with every social disorder under the sun. Years of hard lessons, growing up and gaining confidence have quelled the worst of it but, looking back, I did some downright strange things.

• Drove around for hours to avoid dinner with my roommates after I lied and told them I had to work.
• Turned off all my lights and television to make my roommates think I wasn't in my room.
• Listened for the sound of my roommates leaving or looking out the window to see that they had left so I could then leave my room safely.
• Eating absolutely nothing that required any preparation, cooking, etc. so as to avoid using the kitchen I shared with my roommates.
• On the off chance that I did eat somethin...

At least in my opinion :)

• Riding a segway.
• Riding a moped.
• Bowling shoes.
• Bluetooth headsets.
• Socks with sandals.
• Fisherman's/bucket hats.
• Voting Republican.
• Skorts.
• Popped collars.
• Hawaiin shirts.
• Rolling backpacks.
• Jnco jeans. (Oh, middle school, you cruel mistress.)
• Jeans with no back pockets.
• Goatees.
• Speedos.
• Shoulder pads.
• Mullets.
• Really blond highlights in otherwise dark hair/frosted tips.

Since I FINALLY graduated...

Paper topics I've written about:

• Globalization vs. Localization After the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
• The Development of Lanzhou, China.
• The Effect of Race on Body Image.
• An analysis of the documentary "Iraq in Fragments".
• A forensic analysis and interpretations of skeletal remains found in New Mexico.
• Independent living progams in the foster care system.
• An analysis of a garbage collection sample.
• The history of sugar and the power associated with it.
• A comparison of ethnographies on the Zuni Native Americans.
• 19th century Anthropological practices.
• The Maquiladora Industry in Mexico and Guatemala.

I haven't really had a "best friend" since my freshman year of high school and although I am a pretty solitary person and usually don't need constant companionship, sometimes I do long for one.

• Spontaneity:
  • To force me to do things that I want to do but otherwise wouldn't, out of fear.
• A similar love for many of my nerdy pursuits:
  • Including but not limited to: Lord of the Rings, ancient history & mythology, insects, sci-fi/fantasy novels, anime, Harry Potter, crafting, all things Disney & Pixar, classic movies.
• A strong desire to travel and explore.
  • Willing to go discover abandoned buildings and vistas off the beaten path.

The southern states definitely get a bad rep from the other regions of this country and, as with most reputations, there is an element of truth. But for the most part the south is a wonderful area and as someone who was born in Texas, mostly raised in Florida and currently reside in Richmond, Virginia, I am here to vouch for it's many good qualities.

• The people:
  • Of course there are exceptions, but in my travels and life experience, I've found that the people in the southern United States are MUCH friendlier.
  • That sweet little old lady you just met will probably invite you in her home for some sweet tea and apple pie and treat you like one of her grandkids.
  • They also seem to have a better sense of humor and the ability to laugh at themsel...

Yep, I made a list about this.

• Alizarin crimson.
• Chartreuse.
• Cerulean.
• Goldenrod.
• Ochre.
• Olive.
• Prussian blue.
• Saffron.
• Carmine.
• Taupe.
• Vermilion.
• Wisteria.
• Ecru.
• Puce.
• Periwinkle.
• Aubergine.
• Robin's egg blue.
• Amaranth.
• Aubergine.
• Heliotrope.

• Threatened to kill herself:
  • With a gun.
  • By hanging herself from a board in the shed.
  • By overdosing on sleeping pills.
• Threatened to kill others (with the gun she supposedly bought):
  • My father.
  • His new wife.
• Blamed:
  • My father.
  • His new wife.
  • Her foster daughters.
  • Me.
  • Everyone but herself.
• Denied any wrong doing in the entire course of their 30 year marriage.
• Spent a lot of money on completely unnece...

• Your SAT score is nothing to stress over.
• He'll be one of your best friends after your heart heals.
• Your parents will catch you in your lies 9 times out of 10.
• Going to community college first is actually going to be better for you in the long run.
• You're going to lose most of your friends if you don't learn to communicate better.
• Your parents are a lot easier to talk to than you think.
• Don't speed in the rain. You're going to get in a major car accident.
• In fact, don't speed at all. It's reckless and childish and you're going to be kicking yourself in a few years when your speeding tickets make your car insurance really high.

Spring is fast approaching and I couldn't be happier.

• Dry, flaky skin.
  • Especially on my face and my hands.
  • Overly dry skin thus leads to break outs. Ugh.
• Dry, damaged, static-filled hair.
  • And, consequently, all the money spent on conditioning treatments.
• Goosebumps.
• Runny noses.
• Overcast skies.
  • Vitamin D deficiency from the lack of sunlight!
• The wind.
  • This has been the windiest winter in my memory. It makes the cold feel so much wor...

If you ever find yourself there:

• Go to Carl's ice cream. It's been open since 1947. They make it the old-fashioned way. It's simple and delicious and the line wraps around the building in the summer.
• Go to Liberty Town Workshop. A lot of amazing artists all under one roof. You can walk around and have a look in their personal studios. You can also take classes, painting, sculpture, whatever your heart desires.
• Eat at Sammy T's. My all-time favorite restaurant. It's mainly a vegan/vegetarian restaurant but they have something for everyone. I recommend the black bean cakes.
• See the giant pear drop on New Year's in the downtown historic district. Yep, New York City drops the ball, we drop a giant pear.
• Visit the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. Especially on the night of Memorial Day to see the 15,000+ luminaries that the local boy scouts put on every single grave....

• Displaying my art in a show and selling a piece.
• Walking across the stage to receive my diploma at my high school graduation.
• Giving a very old woman a ride home when she had been walking in the hot sun for a long time and how thankful she was.
• Getting a photograph that I took published in a magazine.
• Any time that I admitted I was wrong and apologized.
• Surviving a terrible broken heart.
• Becoming more open-minded and accepting of others' lifestyles after high school.
• Getting my first tattoo as a part of a healing/closure process.
• Overcoming a serious eating disorder and actually being pretty darn happy with my body.
• Getting rid of my anger problems to the point now that it's incredibly difficult t...

• Melons.
• Jugs.
• Tatas.
• Funbags.
• Rack.
• Honkers.
• Hooters.
• The girls.
• The twins.
• Tits.
• Titties (hate this one).
• Hoohas.
• Dirty pillows.
• Mosquito bites (for all the small breasted women of the world).
• Knockers.
• Boobs.
• Headlights.

Let me emphasize that these are things I would like to believe are real. I don't necessarily do.

• Astrology & horoscopes.
• Love at first sight.
• Dream analysis.
• Handwriting analysis.
• The products on infomercials.
• Soulmates.
• The Bermuda Triangle.
• Stigmata.
• Tarot cards & palm reading.
• Psychics.
• Miracles.
• That Earth is not the only planet with intelligent life.
• That I'm not going to hell because I'm not a Christian.
• Crop circles being made by other worldy beings.
• The paranormal, in general.

Father:

• A temper.
• Impatient.
• Athletic & enjoyment of physical activity.
• An inexplicable loyalty to the Minnesota Vikings.
• Extremely forgetful.
• Compulsive list maker, as a result.
• Competitive.
• Crude sense of humor.
• The ability to block out physical pain to the point of bodily detriment.
• Hard-worker.
• Determined.
• The desire to eat the entire apple, core and all.
• The inability to remember street names and directions in an area I've lived in for years.
• Romantic & affectionate.

• Joan of Arc.
• Leonardo Da Vinci.
• Amelia Earhart.
• Hatshepsut.
• Christopher McCandless.
• Caligula.
• Charles Darwin.
• J.R.R. Tolkien.
• Timothy Treadwell.
• Ludwig van Beethoven.
• Harry Houdini.
• Albert Einstein.
• Thomas Jefferson.
• Alexander the Great.
• Anne Frank.
• Adolf Hitler.
• Homer.
• Jim Henson.
• Temple Grandin.
• Walter Elias Disney.
• Jane Goodall.

I've started commentary on some of them because they pissed me off that much.

• I'm only speeding because I have to POOP.
• Evolve, damnit!
• My other car is...also a piece of shit.
• Real Men Love Cats.
• The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.
• Pro child, pro family, PRO CHOICE.
• Are you having phone sex or do you always drive that way?
• 49% bitch, 51% sweetheart, DON'T PUSH IT.
• Don't make me call my flying monkeys.
• Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
• Jesus is coming, everybody look busy!
• NO FARMS, NO FOOD.
• Got Poop?
• Darwin Loves You.

• Emily Haines.
• Emily Dickinson.
• Emily Bronte.
• Emily Gilmore of Gilmore Girls.
• Emily Blunt.
• Emily of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride.
• Emily the Strange.
• Emily of "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner.
• Emily Browning.
• "Emily" by Joanna Newsom.
• "Emily" by From First To Last.
• "Emily" by Bowling For Soup.
• Emily Mortimer.
• Emily Watson.
• Emily Rose of The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
• "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her" by Simon & Garfunkel.
• Emily Osment of Hannah Montana fame.
• Emily Scott the British glamour model.

• First word: Dad
• First pet: Hermit crabs
• First dog: Sasha the dalmatian
• First car: 2001 Toyota Corolla
• First car crash: September 12, 2003, first week of junior year on the way home from school in the rain. Totaled.
• First job: Front desk girl at Sport and Health gym.
• First time drunk: 10th grade, Incubus concert, forced by my older sister in order to "have more fun".
• First tattoo: Cherry blossom tree on my back. Age 19.
• First piercing: Ears, Age 7, in a mall in Florida, gift from Grandfather.
• First foreign country visited: Japan
• First time in the principal's office: 7th grade. For selling burned cds to students. What a rebel I was.
• First real concert: Hanson at the Nissan Pavillion. 6th grade.
• First celeb crush: Zac Hanson

People I'm jealous of:

• Really talented and creative artists.
• People with full passports.
• Uninhibited, free-spirits.
• People who can write and read music.
• Charismatic, outgoing individuals.
• People with flawless skin.
• People who have found their soul mate.
• People with really fast metabolisms.
• People who are naturally funny.
• People who are really good at math.
• People who are happy despite all their/lifes' problems.
• People who can easily find happiness in small things.
• People who finish college in 4 years or less.
• People who are able to move on from heartbreak/disappointment quickly.
• People who never have to worry about financial issues.

Turn-ons:

• A crooked smile.
• Good tattoos.
• Veiny, strong forearms.
• A defined upper back and broad shoulders.
• Beards.
  • Or at least a bit of scruff, not squeaky clean.
• An accent.
  • British, Australian, Spanish to name a few.
• Men in uniform.
• An outdoorsman.
  • Camps, hikes, can start a fire with his bare hands. You know, the usual.
• A man and his dog.
• Silver foxes.

• Australian cattle dog
• Rhodesian ridgeback
• American pit bull terrier
• American staffordshire terrier
• Boxer
• Mastiff - English bull and Neopolitan
• Bulldog - English and American
• Basenji
• Great dane
• Vizsla
• Labrador retriever
• Rottweiler

• Country music.
• Miniature donkeys.
• Steak.
• Survivor.
• Jiu-jitsu.
• Mixed-martial arts fighting.
• Lifting weights.
• Late night snacks.
• Snickers bars.
• Old barns.
• The Marine Corps.
• His daughters.
• The Shawshank Redemption.
• Log cabins.
• Hot sauce.
• Making to-do lists.
• Naps after work.
• Walking sticks.
• Talking to strangers.
• Networking.
• Stone masonry.

• Odysseus and Penelope: Penelope waited for Odysseus for 20 years.
• Beren and Luthien: Luthien gave up her immortality to be with Beren.
• Arwen and Aragorn: Arwen also gave up her immortality for love.
• Harry and Ginny
• Ron and Hermione
• Rory and Jess: The bad boy and the good girl.
• Betty, Veronica and Archie: Love triangles are always fun.
• Peter and Lois: Lois is proof that you can't help who you love.
• Kermit and Ms. Piggy: Oh, Kermy!
• Tarzan and Jane
• Lancelot and Guinevere
• Antony and Cleopatra
• Homer and Marge
• Tristan and Isolde
• Darla and Alfalfa: Alfalfa loved her despite being part of the He-Man Woman Haters Club.
• Jamal and Latika

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Redwood National Park
• Sequoia National Park
• Shenandoah National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Great Falls National Park
• Wright Brothers National Memorial
• Jamestown National Historic Site
• Canaveral Nationa Seashore
• Assateague Island National Seashore
• Ellis Island National Monument
• Ford's Theater National Historic Site
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site
• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
• New River Gorge National River
• Alcatraz Island
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area

• Yellow sweater with rollerskating panda bears all over it.
• Black vintage Motley Crue jacket.
• Red Christmas sweatshirt that menacingly declares "Tis the Season..." in Chiller font.
• White 80's style pumps.
• Gold ballet flats.
• Antique children's books from the 40's.
• The best, softest long sleeve flannel shirt ever.
• Vintage brown leather jacket.
• Houndstooth pencil skirt.
• White t-shirt with an alligator that says "LUNCH TIME IN DA SWAMP". Hilarious.
• Big turquoise ring.
• Vintage black leather and purple velvet purse.
• My first Tom Robbins book.
• An adorable wicker purse.
• A wooden bedside table with a leather inl...

• Cough syrup.
• Mountain Dew.
• Orange juice after brushing your teeth.
• Buttered popcorn Jelly Belly.
• Black licorice.
• Lima Beans.
• Water chesnuts.
• Coleslaw.
• That dry, cotton-mouth taste.
• Tequila.
• Flouride treatments from the dentist.
• Big, chalky pills.
• Mayonaisse.
• Milk.
• Cold, congealed, left-over Chinese food.

• Cigarette smoke.
• Sewage.
• Body odors.
• Standing water in the hot sun.
• Dirty metal/dirty coins.
  • The way your hands smell after lifting metal weights.
• Beer.
• The inside of the Richmond Glass Shop - old and moldy!
• Hydrogen sulfide.
  • i.e. that rotten egg smell after launched fireworks.
• The inside of rubber halloween masks.
• Clown makeup.
  • Clowns, in general. They have a powdery, rubbery smell.
• Play-doh.

• Some Came Running (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine - 1958)
• Anchors Aweigh (Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly - 1945)
• Tomorrow Is Forever (Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles - 1964)
• The Odd Couple (Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau- 1968)
• The Out-of-towners (Jack Lemmon - 1970)
• Two Women (Sophia Loren, Eleonora Brown and Jean-Paul Belmondo - 1960)
• Wuthering Heights (Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon - 1939)
• Desire Under the Elms (Sophia Loren and Anthony Perkins - 1958)
• The Black Orchid (Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn - 1958)
• Take Me Out To The Ball Game (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Esther Williams - 1949)
• The Band Wagon (Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse - 1953)
• Psycho (Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh - 1960)
• On The Town (Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly - 1949)
• Kings Go Forth (Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Natalie ...

• I like going to bed early.
• I have bad knees and hips.
• I'm fairly modest in dress.
• I'm always cold.
• I'm frugal with my money.
• I'm fed up with kids these days.
• I take calcium supplements.
• I like to feed the birds.
• I'm a bad driver.
• I enjoy a multitude of cats.
• I yell and grumble and generally talk back to the television.
• I eat a lot of fiber.
• My memory ain't what it used to be.
• My pharmacist recognizes me.
• I like a good card game.
• Bingo anyone?
• Cardigans are a wardrobe staple of mine.
• I wear house slippers.
• I have sticky pads on the floor of my shower to prevent slipping.

• Stubborn as a mule.
• Tough cookie.
• Diamond in the rough.
• Can't judge a book by it's cover.
• Tough as nails.
• Free as a bird.
• Sharp as a tack.
• True blue.
• Two left feet.
• Silly goose.
• Wise as an owl.
• Worry wart.
• Head over heels.
• Close but no cigar (Story of my life).
• Lone wolf.
• Early bird.

• Mega-churches.
• School shootings.
• All-you-can-eat buffets.
• Obesity. Especially, childhood obesity.
• Ironically, the obsession with thinness.
• The obsession with youth and staving off the signs of old age.
• SUVs and other unnecessary vehicular monoliths.
• 100 hour work weeks/Workaholics.
• Prescriptions for every affliction/Hypochondria.
• Celebrity obsessions.
• "All about me"/Entitlement syndrome - think MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen.
• Magnetic car ribbons for every cause under the sun.
• The breast cancer and AIDS industries.
• Divorce.
• Our notoriety for being one of the worst countries at Geography. Not knowing where...

• A beautiful, slow song on a piano.
• A distant train horn.
• The click-clack of computer keyboard keys.
• Snow falling and settling.
• Chorus of crickets on a summer night.
• Wind chimes. Especially glass or hollow wooden ones.
• Whale song.
• The clink-clink-clink of a roller coaster as it ascends that first hill.
• A hard rain pounding outside.
• Scissors through a stiff piece of construction paper/card stock.
• Scissors through a thick piece of felt.
• Church bells.
• Crackling of a fire.
• Clip-clop of a horse's trot. Especially on cobblestone.
• High-heels on nearly any hard surface.
• Doves/pigeons cooing.

• The quintessential freshly baked cookies.
• Freshly shampooed hair.
• Salty sea spray.
• My childhood blanket.
  • It has a distinct, slightly musty smell to it.
• Old books/bookstores.
• Freshly churned soil/mulch.
• Dense, old growth forests.
• Warm, rising bread.
• Our old cedar chest.
  • And the quilts and dolls that reside within.
• Campfires.
• Moonlit path scent from Bath and Body Works.
  • It's light and slightly flowery, just the...

• Dancing.
• Shaving without knicking myself.
• Filling up my gas tank before the empty light has been on for a good 10 miles and the car is moments away from puttering to a stop.
• Putting on make-up.
• Being assertive.
• Learning foreign languages.
• Math above a 5th grade level.
• Driving a stick shift.
• Carrying any semblance of a tune.
• Painting my fingernails and/or toenails neatly without getting polish all over my skin (especially fun when it's red polish because then it looks like I've been part of a small massacre).
• Playing instruments.
• Being fashionable.
• Rolling my tongue (it's supposed to be a dominant trait!).

The Good:

• Merpeople.
• Daemons.
• Ents.
• Hobbits.
• Unicorns.
• Phoenix.
• Genies.
• House elves.
• Elves.
• Faeries.
• Pixies.
• Dragons.
• Oliphaunts.
• Centaurs.
• Nymphs.
• Hippogriffs.

The Bad:

• Basilisks.
• Cerberus.

Crossed off items have occurred since first making this list.

• Broken a bone.
• Smoked.
• Been to a wedding.
• Been to a funeral.
• Had a manicure &/or pedicure.
• Been arrested.
• Been on a road trip.
• Bought anything from Starbucks.
• Had a cup of coffee, for that matter.
• Been asked for my phone number by a random guy.
• Taken silly pictures in a photo booth with a friend or significant other.
• Been in a fist fight.
• Seen the Godfather.
• Ridden in a limo.
• Had a pet die.
• Had a family member die.
• Been to a night/dance club.

I suggest looking up some of these places! The pictures alone are worth it!

• Terracotta Army in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China.
• Cliff side houses in Tropea, Italy.
• Cinque Terre, Italy.
• Dettifoss Waterfall in Iceland.
• Skellig Islands in Ireland.
• Slieve League in Ireland.
• Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
• Giant's Causeway in Ireland.
• Moraine Lake in the Canadian Rockies.
• Las Lajas Cathedral in Colombia.
• Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
• Iguazu Falls in Brazil.
• Borgund Stave Church in Norway.
• Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
• Nazca Lines in Peru.
• Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
• Dead Sea in Israel.
• Arches National Park in Moab, Utah.

for the hundreds of dogs I plan on having in my lifetime.

• Ramona: Mona for short.
• Hayao Miyazaki related names:
  • Chihiro.
  • Totoro.
  • Howl.
• Ursula.
• Petal: for a sweet female dog.
• Harry Potter related names:
  • Dobby.
  • Albus.
  • Sirius. See 'Space related names' also.
• Luna.
• Peabody.
• Opal.
• Daphne and Josephine: For two female dogs. Some Like It Hot tribute.
• Ferguson: an homage to Clarissa Explains It All. Fergie for short.

• Truck driver.
• Flight attendant.
• Cruise ship attendant.
• Librarian.
• Archaeologist.
• Letter turner on Wheel of Fortune.
• National park ranger.
• Dog walker.
• Wildlife photographer.
• American Gladiator.
• Stunt double.
• Foley artist.
• Storm chaser.
• Disney Imagineer.
• Voice of an animated character.
• Pet portrait painter.
• Cake decorator.
• Nanny.
• Children's book illustrator.
• Book cover illustrator.
• Theme park designer/engineer.

• Sore muscles.
• Pressing/poking my bruises.
• Putting hydrogen peroxide on cuts and scrapes and watching it fizz and bubble.
• Putting hydrogen peroxide in my ears to clear them out and feeling it fizz and bubble.
• Rubbing thick, glossy book pages between my thumb and forefinger to make that noise. You know the noise I'm talking about!
• Plucking my eyebrows.
• Cracking my knuckles.
• Smelling books.
• Vacuuming.
  • And hearing the invisible little crumbs and bits being sucked up the tube.
• Similarly, obsessively creating folders and categories for pictures on my computer.
• Finding spelling mistakes in published bo...

According to mainstream society, that is :)

• I don't wear make-up, really.
  • And beyond a little stroke of mascara, I'm really at a loss for how to apply it.
  • Some days, I do really wish I was better at make-up but I have no patience for it and can't really bring myself to care.
• I cut my fingernails down to the nub and never paint them.
  • I think any employee at a nail salon would be abhorred at the sight of my cuticles.
• Diamonds are not this girls best friend.
  • I have never desired jewelry as a gift. I feel no special attraction to shiny rocks. They mean nothing to me. I always said if I ever got married, I would want a ne...

• Humans — who enslave, castrate, experiment on, and fillet other animals — have had an understandable penchant for pretending animals do not feel pain. A sharp distinction between humans and ‘animals’ is essential if we are to bend them to our will, make them work for us, wear them, eat them — without any disquieting tinges of guilt or regret. It is unseemly of us, who often behave so unfeelingly toward other animals, to contend that only humans can suffer. The behavior of other animals renders such pretensions specious. They are just too much like us. Carl Sagan
• To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being. I should be unwilling to take the life of a lamb for the sake of the human body. Mohandas Gandhi
• Animal factories are one more sign of the extent to which our technological capacities have advanced faster than our ethics... Peter Singer

• Soft mosses.
• Tiny toadstools.
• Trees conveniently fallen across watery precipices.
• Crunchy leaves underfoot.
• The distant hoot of an owl.
• Light beams filtering through the treetops.
• Patches of wildflowers.
• Bubbling streams.
• Smooth pebbles.
• Finding a fallen feather.
• Hidden burrows in grassy mounds & tree trunks.
• Dark, soft soil.
• That dense silence when you're truly alone.
• Delicate fungi that proliferates after rain.
• Towering ancient giants, Redwoods & Sequoias.

I hope this doesn't come off as sadistic but I find devices of torture throughout history strangely fascinating.

• Brazen bull.
• Iron maiden.
• The rack.
• Judas cradle.
• Scaphism.
• Scold's bridle or branks.
• Heretic's fork.
• Necklacing.
• Breaking wheel.
• Burning at the stake.
• Waterboarding.
• Tiger bench.
• Bamboo shoots under the fingernails.
• Impalement.
• Pear of Anguish.

• A typewriter.
• A steamer trunk.
• Taxidermied animals.
• A Victorian mourning locket.
• A '57 Chevy.
• Apothecary jars.
• A doctor's bag.
• An oil lamp.
• A Victorian high-backed sofa and chair.
• A grandfather clock.
• A globe &/or maps.
• A crystal ball, tarot cards and a Ouija board.
• A wardrobe/chiffarobe.
• A Zoltar fortune telling machine.
• Circus posters.
• Film posters from the 1920s to the 1950s.
• A dollhouse.
• A Victorian post-mortem portrait.
• An ornate, gilded mirror.

Things I struggle with day to day:

• ...my hatred for materialism and money with my desire to have certain things and to have the means to live comfortably with no worries?
• ...my dislike of women who use sex, their bodies & their appearance to get what they want with my own desire to be considered physically attractive?
• ...my fear of marriage with my desire to be committed to one man for the rest of my life?
• ...the lack of respect I have for women who are comfortable with blatant sexuality and revealing their bodies with the desire I have to be as comfortable and confident in my own skin as the aforementioned women?
• ...my distaste with society's emphasis on what people wear/look like & ridiculous trends with my own yearning to express my...

• Being such a young country:
  • We don't have our own mythology or deep, rich history.
  • We have no distinct food culture. Most of our food is borrowed from the originators.
  • We have no tradition of respecting our elders like some older countries/cultures. Or if we did, it's long gone now. Aging is looked at as something to "prevent" rather than revere.
• We don't practice separation of church and state even though it's written in our Constitution.
  • The President of the United States is sworn into office with his hand on the Bible.
  • "In God We Trust" is emblazoned on our money.

• A pink and white flowered futon.
  • That I liked to unfold all the way so I could use it as a gymnastics mat.
  • Or fold it halfway and make myself a cozy tent to read in.
  • Growing up in Japan, futons were the most prevalent type of bed.
• A net that I strung up in the corner to house all of my stuffed animals.
  • Including my favorite stuffed animal of all time, a giant gorilla that my Dad got me on a trip to Korea. I put my Mom's childhood jean jacket on him.
• An ugly red and white sponge-painted dresser that belonged to my Aunt Dian when she was a child.
  • Later, sponge-painted an equally ugly blue and white.

• I startle easily.
• I am often skittish in new/uncomfortable situations.
• I can turn and wiggle my ears in the direction of a sudden noise.
• I've been described as being "doe eyed", wide-open and sometimes frightened looking.
• I walk quite softly. I can often creep up on you without you knowing.
• I feel very at home deep within a forest.
• I am agile and can run quite fast.
• I am not very ostentatious by nature and can sometimes blend into the woodwork.
• I am wary of trusting others.
• I am generally a quiet person.

• Peanut butter &
  • Chocolate. The darker the better.
  • Graham crackers.
  • Marshmallows.
  • Bananas.
  • Jelly. Grape.
• French fries & chocolate milkshakes.
• Whipped cream on/with
  • Waffles.
  • Strawberries.
  • Angel food cake.
  • Ice cream & sprinkles, of course.
• Hummus &
  • Rice cakes.
  • Toasted pita.
  • Any hard/crispy bread product, really.
  • Raw veggies.
• Cinnamon &

I am endlessly fascinated by bugs instead of frightened or creeped out. They outnumber us humans and play such a vital role in the world that we often fail to see. I'll admit, I don't particularly fancy spiders, though.

• Praying mantis.
• All phasmatodea (Stick bugs).
• All phylliidae (Leaf bugs).
• Moths:
  • Madagascan sunset moth.
  • Madagascan comet moth.
  • White witch moth.
  • Atlas moth.
  • Rosy maple moth.
• Butterflies:
  • All Birdwing butterflies.
  • Blue morpho butterfly.
  • Glasswing butterfly.

• You stink.
  • Seriously. When a smoker walks into a room or gets too close to me, I smell them instantly. Sometimes it even makes my eyes water. Why would you want to smell bad constantly?
• Your possessions stink.
  • Smoke permeates everything you own, your furniture, your pets, your clothes. It's inescapable.
• More and more public establishments are banning smoking.
  • In my state, Virginia, smoking in restaurants and bars was officially banned starting December 1, 2009.
  • If a place has to ban something that you do, shouldn't that tell you something about it?
• Smokers often use the excuse that they're...

Having worked at a kennel/doggy day care facility and now at the SPCA, I saw a lot of silly things that owners did with/to their dogs that were completely unnecessary.

• Carry them in purses. I know you bought a tiny, teacup dog that was extremely over bred to become that size in the first place and that, yes indeed, it will fit inside your bag. But it's a dog, it needs to and wants to walk and run and sniff on the ground.
  • Some people have coddled their dogs so much, though, that they don't even know what to do as dogs anymore when given the chance.
• Paint their nails. I get that you see your dog as an accessory and want it to look cute. But your dog doesn't give a shit.
• Buy them a bigger wardrobe than many people have. If you're going to spend that money on y...

• Waitress.
  • I would get stressed very easily and take the attitudes/comments of rude customers too personally.
• President of the United States.
  • The stress. The pressure. The early aging. Never being able to please everyone/always having one group of people or another bitching at you.
• A politician, period.
• Customer service representative.
• Anyone in the business of slaughtering animals.
  • I really don't know how anyone can take the lives of hundreds of animals daily. I guess you get desensitized to it?
• Secretary.
• Bartender.

• The clothing.
  • Layers: cardigans & sweaters.
  • Thick socks.
  • Boots of all shapes & sizes.
  • Plaids & pea coats.
• The way the air smells.
  • Cool & crisp with hints of campfire.
• The smells of baking.
  • Something about fall seems to get people in the kitchen more. The smells of cookies, pies and stews to name a few.
• Halloween.
  • Spooky decor.
  • Skeletons.
  • Creative costumes.
  • Haunted houses.
  • Sweets & treats.

• You've got to tell your spouse you love them EVERY DAY, you can never assume someone knows how you feel.
  • Put simply, my mother is not very forthcoming with her affection and I watched my dad come home from work every day and throw his arms around her, say "I love you" and try to kiss her. She then proceeded to push him away, neither returning his words nor his affection.
• Marriage is WORK. It's a second job.
  • People seem to put forth the effort in the dating stage but as soon as they get married, they stop trying, assuming they already got the prize and that it won't go anywhere. Wrong.
• Love is constantly evolving.
  • Just because you may not feel that intens...

• Glass blowing.
• Rock climbing.
• Kayaking.
• Playing an instrument, especially the piano.
• Getting my motorcycle license and riding motorcycles.
• Throwing pottery.
• SCUBA diving.
• Getting my pilots license and flying planes.
• Horseback riding.
• Welding.
• Interior design.
• Writing a book - short stories, poems, a novel...whatever strikes my fancy.
• Surfing.
• Cooking.
• Sky diving.
• Scrapbooking.
• Spelunking/caving.

Things that make me absolutely livid.

• Cruelty to animals.
• Politicians trying to take away a woman's right to choose.
• Religion in politics, period. What happened to the idea of separation of church and state?
• Anyone who still believes a woman's place is in the home.
• Cheaters.
• Racism.
• Homophobes.
• Being underestimated.
• Sarah Palin.
• Pedophiles.
  • The creeps they get on "To Catch A Predator". A priest? A cop? A TEACHER? Bizarre.
• Child pornography.
• Double standards.

• Life on an island.
• Having the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea literally a stones throw from our apartment building.
• How the ocean water surrounding the island was so shallow with all the reefs and rocks that you could walk for a mile out to sea never submerging past your knees.
  • Walking out to the old clipper ship wreck that was visible from our porch. In fact, the clipper was our elementary school mascot.
  • All the sea creatures we'd see on our sea-walks: Big fat, black sea cucumbers, those bright, electric blue fish and the spindly, skinny black sea stars that always creeped me out because I felt like they were reaching for me.
• The amazing and unique parks that Japan had.

• Lightlife
  • Smart Deli Roasted Turkey
  • Smart Deli Pepperoni
  • Smart Strips Chick'n
• Morningstar Farms
  • Veggie Burgers
    • Garden Veggie
    • Mushroom Lover's
    • Spicy Black Bean
    • Zesty Tomato Basil
• Cascadian Farms
  • Cereal
    • Multi Grain Squares
    • Maple Brown Sugar Granola
  • Granola Bras

I'm short.

Pros:

• I am a long-distance runner and smaller women tend to be stronger in distance running.
• I don't take up much room and am comfortable in small places.
• I was and am quite good at hide-n-seek.
• People of shorter stature tend to live longer.
• My boyfriend can scoop me up easily and I love that.
• With my height, comes smaller feet. I can always find cute shoes.
• Speaking of shoes, I can wear high heels and not worry about being taller than my boyfriend.
• I can sit comfortably on planes and in the backseats of small-ish cars.
• I never have to worry about a bed being too small for me.

Red:

• English phone booths.
• Cardinals. (Male ones, that is.)
• Bricks.
• Twizzlers.
• The wax seal on Makers Mark.
• Tomato sauce.
• Netflix envelopes.
• My Jim Beam hat.
• Strawberries.
• Blood. Not in a morbid sense, in a wonderful, life-giving sense!

Orange:

• Clementines.
• The Gates by Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
• My comforter.
• Orangutans.
• Roasted red pepper hummus.
• A candle flame.
• My pumpkin spice candles.

Things I like as an adult but never thought I would as a child:

• Men with hairy chests.
• The idea of living in the country.
• Naps.
• Bargain hunting.
• Grocery shopping.
• Antiques.
• Quiet nights in.
• Classic movies.
• Sub-titled movies.
• Waking up early.
  • So as not to "waste the day away".
• Most vegetables.
• Gardening.
• Saving money.
• Museums.
• Domesticity.
  • Cooking.

I know, I'm working on it...

• I have free membership to a small, shitty gym within walking distance but I choose to drive out of my way to a bigger, better gym.
• Instead of checking out books from the library, borrowing from friends or reading e-books, I still can't give up buying my own copies of books.
• I leave my car windows open while still blasting the air, wasting energy.
• Traveling by airplane. I just can't give up long-distance travel in order to save fuel.
• I don't drive a fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle. I also admit to being a pretty aggressive driver and using my brakes a lot, further decreasing the fuel efficiency of my car.
• I buy fruits and vegetables that are not in season meaning that it took more fuel ...

To foster self-esteem boosts when I am in need...

• My dark blue eyes. I've been asked if I'm wearing contacts and told that they almost have a purplish hue to them.
• My small ears: I've been told they're "cute".
• My teeth: I think they have a nice, sqaure shape to them. And they're fairly straight with a smidge of endearing crookedness on the bottom teeth.
• My small hands and wrists: They make me feel a little dainty. Haha.
• My calves: Or just my lower legs in general. Thanks to years and years of soccer playing.
• My birthmarks on my lip and arm: They are port wine stains. The one on my arm is shaped like a heart. Granted, people always think I got burned in a fire or have some kind of weird bruise, but overall, I like them damnit!
• My cheekbones: They're high and fairly prominent.
• My posture: It's good. Hopefully it will pay off whe...

• Age 6: Kneeling down and gripping the bars of the balcony of my apartment and pretending I was the daughter in the movie "Hook" on the ship and belting out that song she sings. Then turning around and finding my sister and her friends all watching and laughing at me.
• Age 7: Peeing my pants during jumping jacks in 2nd grade P.E. and subsequently spending the rest of the day in the nurse trying to dry my pants with paper towels.
• Age 8: Having my mom buy me bright white soccer cleats when everyone else on the team had black and standing out like a sore thumb and everyone making fun of me.
• Age 13: Getting my period all over the back of my jeans in middle school and having to tie a big, bulky sweatshirt around my waist for the rest of the day.
• Age 13: At my first school dance my crush kept following me around and I got so nervous, ...

• James Dean. I heard a song called "On the Road" by the small band Sonograph and it had sound bites from Mr. Dean in it and I've been intrigued by him ever since.
• Sid Vicious.
• Hank Williams.
• Patsy Cline.
• Christopher McCandless. If you haven't read Into The Wild, do so.
• Buddy Holly. Oh, those glasses. Swoon.
• Selena. I used to belt out her songs at the top of my lungs with my best friend in 6th grade.
• Alexander the Great.
• King Tut.
• Ian Curtis.
• Jean Harlow.
• Jimi Hendrix.
• Tupac.
• Nick Drake.
• Heath Ledger.

• An antique lighter from 1948.
• A Pepsi bottle from 1967.
• An amber necklace with a scorpion embedded in it.
• A matchbook from Iraq with pictures of Sadaam Hussein's sons on it.
• A copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" well over 100 years old.
• Clarissa Explains It All on DVD.
• A subscription to Archaeology magazine.
• A jar of black sand from Iwo Jima.
• The tooth of a Carcharodon Megalodon, an enormous prehistoric shark.
• A worry stone I bought from an Apache Indian in Arizona.
• Hello Kitty chopsticks from Japan.
• A postcard from the 1940's of Union Station in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• The tartan of my ancestral Scottish clan.
• A genuine matryoshka (or nesting) doll fr...

• A glass rose accompanied by a letter bashing an ex-boyfriend: in a creek on a golf course near my house.
• Money:
  • A 20 dollar bill:
    • in a bathroom stall at the Hardrock Cafe Orlando on my 13th birthday.
    • in the stairwell of my apartment building.
• A laminated four leaf clover: inside the pages of a library book.
• A turtle shell: on the shore of the Rappahannock River.
• A 1985 Warren Moon Houston Oilers Card: in the middle of the road.
• An antique jade ring: on a playground at the end of the slide.
• Sharks teeth: on the shores of the Potomac River at Westmoreland State Park.
• A dead shark: on the beach in Corolla, Outer Banks, North Carolina.
• An Italian bronze medal from 1976: with my dad's metal detector. Not sure w...

• Orcs vs. Urgals.
• Uruk-hai vs. Kull.
• Sauron vs. Galbatorix.
• Nazgul (Ringwraiths) vs. Ra'zac.
• Hobbiton vs. Carvahall.
• Frodo vs. Eragon.
• Lothlorien vs. Du Weldenvarden.
• Galadriel vs. Islandzadi.
• Barad-dûr vs. Helgrind.
• Mines of Moria vs. Farthen Dûr.
• Anduril vs. Zar'roc.
• Fangorn Forest vs. The Spine.
• Arwen vs. Arya.
• Saruman vs. Morzan.
• Bilbo Baggins vs. Garrow.
• Elvish vs. The Ancient Language.
• Rohan/Riders of Rohan vs. The Varden.
• Éowyn vs. Nasuada.
• King Théoden vs. Ajihad.

• Horse: In the mountains of Arizona, in the jungle of the Dominican Republic, around Lake Okareka in New Zealand, and at summer camps in California and Virginia.
• Airplane: To and from Japan, New Zealand, and various places around the U.S.
• Bicycle: I learned how to ride later than most.
• My feet: The most reliable.
• Raft: Down the New River Gorge in West Virginia.
• Elevator: Although, I prefer the stairs.
• Bumper car: Somehow I always get stuck with the one that won't go.
• Sled: Snow days in Virginia.
• Rollerblades: Down many a hill where my scabby knees broke my fall.
• Skis: Somewhere in Nevada.
• Trolley: Where else? San Francisco.
• Kayak: In the Chesapeake Bay. On the Rappahannock River. On Lake Taupo, New Zealand.
• Pontoon boat: My Grandfather's boat. Off the coast of ...

• Give them unique names.
  • Most likely after book characters.
• Let them get dirty.
• Foster their creativity and imagination.
• Let them paint their bedroom walls.
• Let them dress themselves.
  • I saw a little girl in the grocery store the other day with an enormous, billowing, aqua tutu on and I knew she had picked that out for herself.
• Tell them how much you love them every single day.
• Don't yell at them.
  • Yelling is never the best way to convey your anger.
• Expose them to culturally different people and places.
• Read to them.

Things that awaken my lazy side:

• Cold, rainy days.
• Movies I haven't seen in ages on television.
• Slow, ambient music.
• Post-holiday dinners.
• My favorite blanket warm from the dryer.
• My significant other that I just want to lay in bed with all day.
• Completion of a mid-term or final exam.
• Completion of a race or particularly hard workout.
• That monthly visit from the scarlet P.
• A rare day off from work (But of course, I usually have to waste it running necessary errands :/).

Things I covet:

• A massive library of books.
• Unlimited airline miles.
• Tattoos.
• A lifetime supply of hummus.
• The best camera money can buy.
• All of my favorite childhood television shows on DVD.
• My own loft apartment with big windows and wood floors and a puppy.
• Soft, shiny, luxurious hair.
• Flawless skin.
• A forever kind of love.

• To-do lists: I do alot of repetitive stuff. They would be pretty boring. This is more of a place for lists abouts my thoughts, ideas, dreams, etc.
• Recipe lists: I can't cook.
• Past boyfriends list: I don't think it can be considered a list if there is only one item on it.
• Favorite stores/Places I shop/Things to buy lists: I'm broke. Damned economy/low-paying job.
• Books to buy/read list: It would be absolutely neverending. I am always on the quest for my next read.
• Most played songs on my ipod list: I'll just look at my itunes.
• Frequently visited websites list: I know them...because I frequently visit them. And also, some may or may not be embarassing.
• Lists about politics: Too complicated. Too much of a loaded subject. I'd rather not even get into it.
• Christmas lists: I'm old enough now that it just makes me feel selfish.
• Reasons not to date me list: I feel that I'm a damn good catch, no ne...

• My mom's beloved jade bird figurine from Japan.
• My first ipod.
• The law: speed limits, drinking underage.
• New Year's resolutions.
• My cheek bone.
• Eggs.
• Necklace chains.
• Various dishware.
• My car: yes, my whole car.
• Pencil points.
• Hearts. My own, mostly.
• The zipper on my favorite jacket.
• Ceramic tiles.
• Others' trust.
• My laptop.
• Plans with friends.
• The camera portion of my camera phone.
• Christmas ornaments.
• The adorable keychain my boyfriend just b...

• Andrew Lloyd Webber
  • The Phantom of the Opera
• Yann Tiersen
  • Amelie
  • Good Bye Lenin!
• Gustavo Santaolalla
  • The Motorcyle Diaries
  • Brokeback Mountain
• Javier Navarrete
  • Pan's Labyrinth
• Howard Shore
  • The Lord of the Rings trilogy
• Danny Elfman
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Edward Scissorhands

• Mustard over ketchup.
• Waffles over pancakes.
• Dogs over cats.
• Luigi over Mario.
• Cold over hot.
• Batman over Spiderman.
• Day over night.
• Dresses over pants.
• Chocolate over vanilla.
• Behind the scenes over in the spotlight.
• Salt over pepper.
• Right over left.
• Early over late.
• Love over lust.
• East coast over west coast.
• Today over tomorrow.
• Listen over talk.
• Run over walk.
• Nice over naughty.
• Brunettes over blondes.
• Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka over Johnny De...

• Chalk.
• Nails on a chalkboard.
• Nails on frosted glass.
• Emory boards.
• Sand paper.
• Raw meat.
• Itchy fabrics.
• A hot stove.
• A warm toilet seat from the previous user.
• Non-stick cookware.
• Freshly hewn, splintery wood.
• Accidentally griding my teeth against eachother.
• Dust.
• The powdery feeling inside latex gloves.

• Litter.
• Roadkill.
• Lost pet fliers.
• Trucks of livestock on the way to slaughter.
• Surgery being performed on tv.
• Clowns.
• Strip malls.
• Expansive parking lots and shopping centers.
• Cigarettes being thrown out of car windows.
• Sad circus animals.
• Smoke billowing from a factory.
• The show Animal Cops.
• Those blue flashing lights in my rear-view mirror.
• Two people falling out of love/unrequited love.
• Dirty snow.

• Whale song.
• Penguin migration.
• Monarch butterfly migration.
• Aurora borealis.
• Deep sea creatures and their methods of survival:
  • Chemosynthesis.
  • Bioluminescence.
• Outer space, in general
  • Black holes, nebulas, etc.
  • The concept of light-years.
• The human body.
• Child prodigies/geniuses.
• Conjoined twins.
• Primordial dwarfism.
• Progeria.
• Human echolocation.
• The idea of and physics behind time-travel.

• Joseph Smith
• Madame C.J. Walker
• Eddie Vedder
• Estella Warren
• Susan Lucci
• Holly Madison
• Corey Haim
• Carla Bruni
• Akihito, current emperor of Japan

• Calcetines - Socks.
• Bicicleta - Bicycle.
• (Cola de) Caballo - Ponytail.
• Cacahuete - Peanut.
• Lechuga - Lettuce.
• Nublado - Cloud.
• Tortuga - Tortoise.
• Pecosa - Freckle.
• Pato - Duck.
• Obligatorio - Obligatory.
• Naftalina - Mothball.
• Muñeca - Babydoll or wrist.
• Mezcla - Mix.
• Mascota - Mascot.
• Juventud - Youth.
• Sospechado - Suspected.

• Any bit of natural landscape untouched by man.
• An elderly couple holding hands.
• Seascapes.
• Cityscapes.
• Baby animals.
• Christmas lights.
• Fireworks.
• Ikea room displays.
• Vivid sunrises/sunsets.
• Wild animals.
• Random acts of kindness.
• Dogs with their gums flapping and ears flying out the car window.
• Before and after transformations.
• Money in an old coat pocket.
• A fortune cookie fortune fitting to my life situation.
• Freshly fallen/undisturbed expanses of snow.
• Items crossed off my to-do lists.

• A velvety horse muzzle.
• The soft, fuzzy hair of an infant.
• Warm, fluffy towels straight from the dryer.
• Soft, warm sand beneath my toes.
• Flannel sheets.
• Stingray skin (the touch pool at Sea World!).
• Putting on brand new socks.
• Laying my cheek on my sunburned shoulder.
• Smooth, cold stones in a stream or river.
• Bare feet squelching in mud.
• A lamb's ear leaf between my fingers.
• Slicing through a thick slab of clay with a thin wire.
• Popping a Snapple cap in and out.
• My microplush blanket.
• Running my fingers through my significant others' hair.

• Legos: I built some bad-ass houses, let me tell you.
• Yak bak: Oh, the countless hours I spent annoying my mother.
• Tamagotchi: Mine usually died of parental neglect within a couple days.
• Those tiny plastic beads that came with those little plastic patterns that you ironed together: Edit: They're called Perler beads!
• Maple Town set: Families of rabbits and bears living in harmony.
• Miniature farm animals: It was an obsession.
• Breyer horse collection: I mostly just liked to stare at them on my shelves. They were too nice to play with.
• Polly Pocket: These days she's like 2 inches tall and has completely lost her appeal. I feel sorry for the children of the large Polly Pocket generation.
• Troll dolls: And an awesome cave house for said trolls that my artist uncle built me.

• Tea.
• Coffee
• Milk chocolate.
• Milk.
• Ketchup.
• Potato chips.
• Pumpkin pie.
• Mangos.
• MAYONAISSE.
• Salad & all salad dressings.
• Pretty much anything even remotely spicy.
• Yogurt.
• Pudding.
• Cottage cheese.
• Sweet potatoes/yams.
• Jello.
• Macaroni and cheese.
• Steak.
• Grapefruit.
• Any type of pig or beef product - bacon, ...

Early childhood:

• Duck Tales.
• Gummi Bears: I wish I had some gummy berry juice.
• Under The Umbrella Tree: I once told my uncle he looked like Iggy. He got very upset with me.
• David the Gnome.
• Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers.
• Eureeka's Castle.
• Muppet Babies.
• Tiny Toon Adventures.
• The Flinstones.
• Smurfs.
• The Busy World of Richard Scarry.
• Allegra's Window.
• Care Bears.
• Fraggle Rock.
• Kids Incorporated
• Rainbow Brite.
• The Popples.
• Strawberry Shortcake.
• Alf: Looking back, Alf kind of scared me.

I like my names pretty short & simple for the most part.

• Esmé.
• Eden.
• Adelaide
• Noor.
• Mira.
• Eowyn.
• Shelby.
• Paige.
• Afton Alexandra (package deal, first & middle name).
• Stella.
• Margo.
• Althea.
• Grace.
• Leia.
• Thea.
• Anabelle.
• Sophie/Sophia.
• Isabel.

• Delicatessen.
• Smorgasbord.
• Nougat.
• Apothecary.
• Brewery.
• Intricate.
• Besmirch.
• Peculiar.
• Crisp.
• Inept.
• Eloquent.
• Boutique.
• Tugboat.
• Croissant.
• Begonia.
• Cottage.
• Cordial.
• Loaf.
• Dovecote.
• Amalgamation.
• Tuft.

A.

• Abandoned places.
• Accents.
• Acrobats/Aerialists.
• Adrenaline.
• Aerial views.
• Airports.
• Aliens.
• Amusement parks.
• Amusement park maps.
• Ancient history.
• Animal teeth, bones, antlers.
• Animation.
• Anti-religion.
• Antiques.
• Arrowheads.
• Art Nouveau.

B.

• Back dimples.
• Ball-pits.

• Fern Gully: Batty really cracked me up.
• Fievel Goes West: The robotic dog in Fievel Goes to America actually kind of scared me.
• The Secret of Nimh.
• Hook.
• The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
• 3 Ninjas.
• Cool Runnings.
• Mrs. Doubtfire.
• Homeward Bound.
• Richie Rich.
• Radio Flyer.
• North: My introduction to Elijah Wood.
• Trading Moms: Not many people seem to know this one. All the different moms to choose from in the "Mom Market"! Me and my sister loved it.
• Now and Then.
• My Girl.

So I haven't really updated my Listography in 2 years or so. I thought my first return list should be about where the hell I've been.

• Recovering? from the worst, most painful, gut-wrenching heartbreak after the end of my 6 year relationship.
  • I still don't know if am getting better or just learning to live with the pain.
• Making a huge career change.
  • Going from working at a small non-profit animal shelter for 5 years to a huge, Fortune 500 corporation. I know, I know, sounds terrible but I am still volunteering at the shelter and I had to make the change for my future.
• Socializing more than I have since high school.

• Hunting for shells.
• Sea glass.
• Tiny crabs darting in & out of sandy crevices.
• Driftwood.
• Waves.
  • Large, crashing ones that remind you how small you are.
  • Soft, rolling waves, breaking gently.
• Sharks teeth washed ashore.
• Spotting a pod of dolphins or whales on the horizon.
• Getting lost in a book under a colorful umbrella.
• Bringing a picnic lunch.
• Sandcastles.
• Burying your legs & molding yourself a mermaid tail.
• Messages in bottles bobbing to the shore.

Before I started trapeze, I knew little of how many amazing acts there were in contemporary circus! This list mostly references Cirque du Soleil & other contemporary circuses and excludes Ringling Bros. type acts that involve animals.

• Trapeze:
  • Flying trapeze.
  • Static trapeze.
  • Swinging trapeze.
• Silks (or Tissu).
• Lyra (or Hoop, Cerceau)
• Cloud swing.
• Corde lisse.
• Spanish web.
• Hammock (or Sling).
• German wheel.
• Banquine.
• Hand-balancing.
• Contortion.

• Creativity.
  • I am drawn to creative individuals like a moth to flame. I am often in awe of what the human mind can come up with.
• Humility.
  • This is not to say self-effacing. I believe that people should be confident in themselves and their abilities but not boastful. As the saying goes, "actions speak louder than words".
• Considerate.
  • It seems that the "Me First" mindset prevails these days and it's refreshing to see someone that still puts others first and is aware of the presence and feelings of others around them.
• Driven.

• The horns of a bighorn sheep.
• The prehensile tail of a spider monkey.
• The pouch of a kangaroo.
• The speed of a cheetah.
• The intelligence of a dolphin.
• The wingspan of a wandering albatross.
• The ears of a fennec fox.
• The nose of a bloodhound.
• The night vision of an owl.
• The camouflage of a chameleon.
• The storage of a bactrian camel.
• The persistance of an emperor penguin.
• The memory of an elephant.
• The brachiation (free rotation of shoulders and wrists for arboreal locomotion) of a gibbon.

Edit: This is has been slightly altered to reflect my results from Pottermore :) Username: AsphodelStone99

• Wand:
  • Wood: Willow.
  • Length: 11 inches.
  • Flexibility: Slightly Yielding.
  • Core: Phoenix Feather.
  • Light & thin.
  • Prone to whimsy, mischievous, a mind of it's own.
• Patronus:
  • I have thought long and hard about this. I love all animals and it is very difficult to pinpoint one that represents me the most. But if I had to decide, I think it would be a Cheetah. I have always been fascinated by their grace and speed. And the females are quite solitary, much like myself.

• Time-capsules.
• Feet in the sand.
• Flower bulbs.
• Treasure chests.
• Fossils.
• Sea turtle eggs.
• Doggie bones.
• The past.
• Deceased & beloved pets.
• Fence posts.
• Hibernating creatures.
• Ancient coins.
• The hatchet.
• Extinguished fire-pits.
• Jumanji.
• Forgotten Easter eggs.
• Aged shipwrecks and pirates' booty.
• Covered landfills.
• Deepest secrets.
• Scavenger hunt prizes.
• Repressed desires.

• Ancient Egypt:
  • Mummification.
  • Hieroglyphics.
  • Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings:
    • The elaborate underground paths to the tombs and all the treasures buried within.
  • Sarcophoghi.
  • Gilded treasures.
  • Religion:
    • The pantheon of Isis, Osiris, Anubis, etc.
    • The Book of the Dead.
    • Ma'at.
• Ancient Rome:
  • Gladiatorial games.
  • Bread and circuses.
  • Roman baths and the massive bath houses a...

To counter-balance my list entitled "Old Lady Habits", this list chronicles my more child-like qualities:

• I love cartoons. No, really. I love cartoons. I will watch them over almost anything.
• I still think pigtails are fantastic and wear them to this day.
• I feel most comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans. Over more tailored, "grown-up" attire any day of the week.
• Getting dirty is evidence of having fun. If there's dirt on my shoes and under my fingernails, chances are I had a good time getting it there.
• I am a Disney fanatic. The movies, the parks, the artwork, the imagineering, all of it!
• I love Harry Potter more than any sane person should. Disclaimer: I personally don't find Harry Potter to be childish but many people, mostly those who have not read the books, do...so I decided to include it here!
• I think games of make-believe are an impo... I think one of the greatest tragedies of...

My dad was a Marine for 20+ years and now that he is long retired and I have my own life and career plans, I still look back on those military days fondly and owe many of my life experiences and skills to my father's job.

Pros:

• It allowed me to travel extensively/more so than other children my age.
  • I was exposed to different cultures and ways of life early on, which I think caused me to become more open-minded and curious about the world.
  • It also instilled in me the extremely strong compulsion to travel and explore that I still have today.
• I was privy to all the perks and benefits of a military father:
  • Excellent, cheap healthcare.

• It allows me to better myself as a photographer by:
  • Viewing the works of MUCH better photographers with MUCH better equipment.
  • Getting to read compliments and critiques people leave on my photos.
• The art!
  • Besides the obvious photographic art, Flickr is home to so many artists who work in tons of other mediums.
  • I have found some of the most amazing paintings and drawings to marvel at and draw inspiration from.
• The craft ideas.
  • Flickr is also home to so many creative crafters who have adorable ideas to make life more fun and aesthetically pleasing.
• It allows my photos to be seen by people ...

J:

• She is very different from me.
• She is extremely forthcoming with her emotions.
• She wears her heart on her sleeve.
• She is an open book and will share all facets of her life with you.
• She is genuinely interested in what you have to say and asks a lot of questions.
• She laughs and giggles a lot and is generally a positive person.
• She uses made-up words like "grool" (great and cool).
• She loves dogs.
• She loves pit-bulls.
• She owns the best pit-bull ever, Mocha!
• She owns more cardigans than me, a once thought impossibility. In every color imaginable, twice over.
• She's nosy and likes to gossip. In a cute, non-pushy manner, if that makes any sen...

• Dr. Phil.
• Name brands.
• Chuck Palahniuk.
• "Iconic" artists such as:
  • Picasso.
  • Andy Warhol.
• Convertibles.
• Celebrities.
• Award shows.
• Keeping up with current fashion.
• Trendy, over-priced restaurants.
• Starbucks.
  • Over-priced coffee drinks with silly, complicated names, in general.
• Getting drunk.
• Bar hopping.
• Staying up until the wee hours of the morning.
• Pessimism.

• How it seems like everything you own smells like him.
• Having to change your relationship status on your various social networking sites.
• Having to pack up anything that he left at your place and return it to him.
• Not being able to listen to certain music because it reminds you of him.
• Having to take down pictures of you and him together, averting your eyes from the smiling faces.
• Feeling like your bed is much too big instead of the perfect size.
• Crying at the drop of a hat.
• Crying yourself to sleep.
• Just crying, in general.
• Having to quietly say "We're not together anymore..." when someone asks about him.
• Hearing about or seeing him out dating so...

• Use the words "hate" or "never".
  • Or any absolutes. There are no absolutes in life.
• Complain.
• Say, "I'm bored".
  • If you're bored, you're boring!
• Forget to use my turn signals.
• Be intentionally rude or mean.
• Eat unhealthy.
• Sleep in too late/waste the day away.
• Go more than a day or two without exercising.
• Judge people on appearances.
• Text/use my phone excessively in the company of friends & family.
• Lose my temper.
• Spend money I don't have.
• Spend money on too many 'wants' over 'needs'.

With the state of the current economy, everyone could use some extra cash!

• Sell my belongings on Ebay/Craigslist.
  • My refrigerator.
  • Some of my vintage books.
  • Clothes/jewelry.
  • All of my old college textbooks.
  • My childhood Beanie Baby collection.
• Hire myself out as a photographer.
  • Preferably to people with low expectations.
• Sell my art.
  • Preferably to blind people.
• Start an Etsy store.
• Baby-sit.
• Start buying lottery tickets.
• Come summer, start a lemonade stand.
• Have a bake sale.

• of what the hell to do with myself after I graduate from college.
  • EDIT: Still don't.
• if I even chose the right major for me, but it's too late to turn back now.
• if I will attend my high school reunion.
• if I ever get pregnant, if I want to know the sex of my baby prior to giving birth.
• if I even want a child. The world's population is around 7 billion now. There is too much pressure on our planet and not enough resources, it's almost selfish to have a child at this point.
• if I am opposed to someday getting plastic surgery.
• of how anyone my age can be expected to fully support themselves in this economy.
• if I will take my husbands last name if/when I get married.

If I get married, that is!

• Shoes. I plan on being barefooted.
• A veil. I plan on being bareheaded. I find them very old-fashioned. Especially, when women cover their faces coming down the aisle and have their fiance lift it as if she's an object being unwrapped.
• Expensive jewelry. I plan on having a pretty natural look and bodily canvas. I am not into overt and guady displays.
• A pastor. I plan on a non-denominational wedding. There will be no mention of God in my wedding.
• A church. See above. And also, I plan on an outdoor wedding.
• A cheesy DJ. I plan on live musicians.
• Multiple bridesmaids. Less people, less dresses, less money. Also, I don't have many close friends!
• Traditional vows. I plan on writing my own.
• Fancy invitations. I'll get away with email invites if I can.

• Smiling more.
• Saying yes to social invitations.
• Answering my phone.
• Procrastinating.
• Being paranoid.
• Worrying about what people think of me.
• Worrying about the future.
• Worrying, in general.
• Being more approachable.
• Relating to people my age.
• Doing things that scare me.
• Public speaking skills.
• Conversational skills. No more one word answers. Give people things to build on instead of ending a chat abruptly.
• Being a better friend.
• Staying in contact with my grandparents and other extended family members.
• Taking my own advice.
• Letting people get close to me.
• Not expecting the kindness I show others ...

• When women wear full faces of make up.
• When women wear inappropriately short shorts and tight, cleavage-bearing tank tops.
• When women wear extra tight pants/shorts and no underwear.
• When women wear extra tight pants/shorts and thongs. You're just asking for a yeast infection. Ew.
• When people sweat profusely all over the machines and then do not clean up after themselves even though there are paper towels and disinfectant spray bottles placed in many locations for their convenience.
• When men wear extremely tight shirts or tank tops to show off their "guns" and abs.
• When people get on the elliptical machines and put them on the lowest possible resistance and then pump their legs and arms...

• Public embarassment.
• Public speaking.
• Bigfoot.
• Love.
  • Hurting those I love.
  • Love ending.
• Calling people I don't know on the phone.
  • Using the telephone, in general. This goes hand in hand with social anxiety disorder. But I am worlds better than I used to be.
• Childbirth.
  • Having my water break in an embarassing place/situation.
  • The pain.
  • The epidural.
  • Stretch marks/flabby leftover skin.

• The myth of Prometheus disobeying Zeus and bringing fire to humans.
• The myth of Odysseus' escape from Polyphemus by hiding underneath his sheep.
• The myth of Leda and the swan.
• The myth of the Trojan horse.
• The myth of Persephones kidnapping by Hades and the creation of the seasons.
• Any and all Medusa myths.
• The myth of Icarus and his wax wings.
• The myth of Athena being born out of Zeus' head.
• The myth of the Sirens and their hypnotic song.

• Getting facial hair/loss of estrogen.
• Not being able to drive myself around.
• Having someone bathe me.
• Being fragile and slow.
• Having someone help me use the bathroom.
• Being put in a nursing home.
• Not being able to have and take care of pets.
• Having my significant other die before me.
• Losing my teeth.
• Wearing pastel jumpsuits and orthopedic shoes.
• My hair turning blue.
• Becoming senile and ornery.
• Losing my eyesight and/or hearing.
• Having to use an oxygen tank.
• Liver spots.
• Losing my sense of humor.
• Getting angry at young people.
• Granny panties.

• My left brake light is out.
• I have an ever-growing crack across my windshield.
• I'm missing a hub-cap.
• My oil light doesn't turn off.
• My floor mats mysteriously disappeared.
• It's just plain dirty.
• Reading 100,000 miles on the odometer is a distant memory.
• My windshield wipers no longer wipe, they just kind of slosh the water from side to side.
• There's anonymous chocolate fingerprints on the roof.
• I have junk in my trunk. Literally. A lot of it. Including my high school Chemistry book, a deflated soccer ball and a monk costume.
• My rear speakers emit a screeching, scratching noise when I'm listening to music because I accidentally spilled something i...

• Mole on right cheek.
• Red birthmark on upper lip.
• Red heart-shaped birthmark on left forearm (It turns purple when I'm cold, therefore it will probably turn purple when I'm dead).
• Freckle on left breast.
• Free-hanging earlobes.
• Cherry blossom tree tattoo on right side of back/hip.
• Mole right beside one of the branches on said tattoo.
• "So it goes." tattoo on left wrist.
• Crystal ball/swirling mist/fortune teller's eyes tattoo on the outside of my right arm/shoulder/bicep.
• Love Potion No. 9 tattoo on the inside of my right bicep.
• An old-fashioned/pin-up style tight rope walker tattoo on the outside of my left arm.

• Poodles don't have fur. They have hair. Which means they don't shed and it continuously grows.
• French bulldogs are a man-made breed. Therefore, they cannot reproduce on their own. They have to be artificially inseminated and often have to have cesarian sections because their hips are not wide enough.
• Poodles were originally bred to be water retrievers. Those funny poof-ball haircuts were actually designed to help keep their joints warmer in the water.
• Poodles are the second smartest breed of dog behind the Border collie.
• Shar-pei's wrinkles are ideal for fighting. The other dog bites and grabs hold of the wrinkles and keeps the Shar-pei's vital organs safe.
• Basset hounds have the longest ears of any dogs. They are useful in gathering sce...

Sadnesses of the body

• Mirror sadness
• Sadness of looking like or unlike one's parents
• Sadness of not knowing if your body is normal
• Sadness of knowing that your body is not normal
• Beauty sadness
• Sadness of makeup
• Sadness of physical pain
• Pins-and-needles sadness
• Sadness of clothes
• Sadness of the quavering eyelid
• Sadness of a missing rib
• Noticeable sadness
• Sadness of going unnoticed
• The sadness of having genitals that are not like those of your lover
• The sadness of having genitals that are like those of your lover

Yes, I take the time to analyze these things.

• Nazgul (Ringwraiths) vs. Dementors.
• Sauron vs. Voldemort.
• Gandalf vs. Dumbledore.
• Frodo vs. Harry.
• Shelob vs. Aragog.
• Gollum vs. Dobby (appearance not necessarily temperment).
• Mirror of Galadriel vs. Pensieve.
• Wormtongue (Grima) vs. Wormtail (Peter Pettigrew).
• Miruvor vs. Butterbeer.
• Old Man Willow vs. The Whomping Willow.
• The Prancing Pony vs. The Leaky Cauldron.
• Elven-cloaks vs. Cloak of invisibility.
• Anduril vs. Sword of Gryffindor.
• Fell beasts vs. Thestrals.
• Watcher in the Water vs. The Giant Squid.

In the wild, preferably.

• Pudu.
• Okapi.
• Tapir.
• Amur leopard.
• Clouded leopard.
• Blue whale.
• Sumatran rhino.
• Narhwal.
• Kiwi.
• Komodo Dragon.
• Capybara.
• Coatimundi.
• Civet.
• Great white shark.
• Platypus.
• Manta ray.
• Three-toed sloth.
• Raccoon dog or Tanuki
  • Thanks to Tom Robbins for the desire.

Things I know that I'm good at:

• Drawing.
• Running, sports in general.
• Reading people's character quickly.
• Memorizing useless facts.
• Being punctual.
• Not studying and still doing fairly well.
• Being a dog whisperer.
• Predicting people's actions.
• Lying.
• Saving/not spending money.
• Remembering names.
• Avoiding conflict.
• Buying people unique gifts that they'll love.
• Most things involving hand-eye coordination.
• Keeping secrets/promises.
• Word games.
• Revealing very little about myself.

Things that I can't get enough of:

• Books: Excluding romance novels and chick lit.
• Angel food cake
• Skin care products: I am an exfoliate-aholic. I will buy anything that advertises said exfoliation whether I need it or not.
• The man in my life.
• Diet soda: I know Aspartame may cause brain cancer but I just can't give it up.
• Hummus: I put it on everything. I go through containers of it like no ones business. Especially roasted red pepper flavor.
• Flats: They're cute, usually cheap and go with most outfits.
• Turquoise jewelry: I have too many pieces, many of which look incredibly similar. But I can't help buying more.
• Martin's brand Whole Wheat Potato Bread: It's delicious. It's soft. It's healthy! It's pretty much the only loaf bread I will buy.
• Triscuits: Ritz? No. Wheat Thins? Nah. Saltines? No...

• Locked my keys in my car.
• Lost my keys.
• Left a soda in the freezer too long and had it explode.
• Scooped up dog poop.
• Felt self-conscious.
• Procrastinated.
• Didn't wash my car.
• Developed mysterious bruises.
• Couldn't sleep.
• Started a drawing I didn't finish.
• Drank a diet soda.
• Said I was going to stop drinking so much diet soda.
• Didn't return a phone call.
• Had dry skin.
• Talked myself out of doing something because of fear.
• Woke up before my alarm clock.
• Didn't study and still did well.
• Fell in love with a stranger.

• Birds, especially bluebirds.
• Gardening.
• Yoga & pilates.
• Self-help books.
• Psychology.
• Jams & jellies.
• Yelling at telemarketers.
• Bruschetta.
• Enya.
• Emmy Lou Harris.
• Skincare.
• Getting really angry at people who cut her off.
• Getting really angry at illegal immigrants.
• Clogs.
• Driftwood.
• Tiling and mosaics.
• Being a foster mom.
• Button-up shirts.
• Sun catchers.

They don't make 'em like they used to...

• Sophia Loren.
• Natalie Wood.
• Shirley Maclaine.
• Esther Williams.
• Audrey Hepburn.
• Debbie Reynolds.
• Claudette Colbert.
• Lana Turner.
• Marilyn Monroe.
• Judy Garland.
• Bette Davis.
• Jean Harlow.
• Mae West.

• Numerous sprained ankles: Years of soccer.
• Numerous poison oak/ivy rashes: Highly allergic!
• Shin splints: Running track.
• Broken cheek bone: A field hockey stick to the face.
• Staph infection.
• Abscesses in both eyelids, finger and underarm: Hospitalized.
• Strep throat.
• Mono.
• Influenza.
• Tooth abscess/infection: Damn impacted wisdom teeth!
• Severe cystic acne: Thank God for Accutane.
• Extreme dehydration: Hospitalized.
• Severe depression.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Still struggling with this one a bit.

• The warbled sound of Charlie Browns teacher.
• Smoke alarms.
• Gilbert Gottfrieds voice.
• Screeching, giggly, pre-pubescent girls.
• People chewing loudly.
• Cat-calls/whistles from males.
• Someone clearing their sinuses.
• Metal forks and knives scratching across a ceramic plate.
• Car alarms.
• When people take a drink and then make that little lip-smack and "ahhh!"
• Music/CDs skipping.
• Most repetitive noises, really.
• Squeaking styrofoam.
• The sound of someone gulping a drink.
• When you squeeze a nearly empty condiment bottle and it makes that squelching/farting noise.

Current:

• Sea glass.
• Antiques:
  • Books (I collect books in general, really).
  • Glass bottles.
• Vintage movie posters.
• Glass or ceramic insulators.
• My number badges from races.
• Insects, specifically beetles.
• Shot glasses.
• Various animal remains:
  • Sharks teeth.
  • Antlers/skulls.
  • Turtle shells.
• Cirque du Soleil masks & programs.
• Names.
• Lists!

Past:

• Stars Hollow: To eat at Luke's Diner and swap books with Rory.
• Middle Earth:
  • The Shire, Hobbiton: To live in a lush hillside with a neat round door.
  • Lothlórien: Dwellings in trees? I'm there.
  • Rivendell: For the waterfalls and ethereal architecture.
  • Fangorn Forest: To visit Treebeard and the other Ents.
• Hogwarts.
• Beauxbatons.
• Durmstrang.
• Hogsmeade: The Three Broomsticks, Zonko's Joke Shop and Honeydukes.
• Diagon Alley: Flourish & Blotts, Gringotts, The Leaky Cauldron, Olivander's and of course Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
• The Ministry of Magic.
• Alagaësia:

I know my taste in video games isn't the coolest but damnit, I liked these games!

• Legends of Legaia: Playstation 1
• Dark Cloud: Playstation 2
• Xenogears: Playstation 1
• Banjoe-Kazooie: Nintendo 64
• Kickle Cubicle: Nintendo
• Parasite Eve: Playstation 1
• Tomb Raider: Playstation 1
• Crash Bandicoot: Playstation 1
• Spyro the Dragon: Playstation 1
• Sonic the Hedgehog: Sega Genesis

My mouth is watering already.

• A thick fruit smoothie. Preferably strawberry.
• Warm bread, toasted and crunchy on the outside, soft and dense on the inside.
• A crisp, sweet gala apple.
• An ice cold diet soda.
• Creamy red pepper hummus.
• Turkey Hill chocolate marshmallow ice cream after being zapped in the microwave for 20 seconds.
• Hot, thick vegetable soup. With lots of potatoes.
• A crunchy dill pickle.
• Charred, brick-oven pizza.
• My mommas homemade, chunky mashed potatoes
• My mommas homemade chocolate-chip pumpkin bread.
• Frozen, chocolate-covered bananas.
• Warm spinach and cheese quiche.