100 things

1. I was made in Taiwan. Hecho en Taiwan, so they say in Mexico.

2. I grew up in Canada.

3. I lived for 8 years in Mexico.

4. I have three kids – the girls were born in San Miguel de Allende (2000, 2001) and Baby D in Puerto Vallarta (2006)

5. I met Chucho (my partner – odd word really) in San Miguel.

6. I experienced my first epiphany in Mexico. Who knew? Life can be beautiful.

7. Now we are back in Canada.

8. It’s good to be home.

9. It took me a long time to say that, and really feel it.

10. My girls are happy here.

11. I guess they brought me home.

12. My name means “watermelon” in Spanish.

13. A Taiwanese girl named “Watermelon” is an oddity in Mexico.

14. It was always easy for me to get through Mexican customs. No one named Watermelon could possibly be smuggling drugs.

15. I am feeling more comfortable with being an oddity. I am me, it’s okay.

16. I always tell my kids, “If everyone was the same, we’d just be a bunch of robots roaming the Earth”.

17. I love learning new words, although my memory’s going so the pleasure is temporary…

19. Math is fun, but calculus… not so much.

20. I am so so grateful for my children. They stretch me, they make me laugh and move.

21. I need to spend more time in nature, it always makes that spot between my eyebrows more smooth and relaxed.

22. I miss listening to live music.

23. I believe in forgiveness.

24. I was once robbed at gunpoint on a midnight bus to Acapulco (note to self: never take a midnight bus again when traipsing around aimlessly in Mexico).

25. I saw many exceptionally beautiful and ugly things during my trip.

26. I am a bibliophile.

27. I am learning to live with less.. not less really – just learning to live and be content. Why count? Just be.

28. I am not sure if reading the news is good for me, but I can’t seem to stay away. I feel I need to be a witness and somehow give respect to those who suffer through acknowledgment.

29. My not-so secret wish is to adopt.

30. I am not sure if it will happen because life isn’t all about me anymore… And maybe 3 is enough.

31. I am a pessimistic optimist… or perhaps an optimistic pessimist? just trying to stay hopeful and find joy in each day.

32. I used to be bitingly sarcastic (it was a great emotional fortress). (Un)fortunately, that fortress is crumbling, and I have become a sentimental marshmellow. Who knew those little creatures could break down fortresses?!

33. I am looking to know God. I hear and then I don’t.

34. I am wondering if I am being too painfully honest and open here.

35. I think this will be a great way for my kids to know who I was when they were little.

36. I am working towards becoming a teacher, and I will see where that takes me (never seem to end up at intended destination). I had to give up my pursuit of the English Lit. degree in order to apply for graduation of my first Political Science degree in order to apply for jobs as a graduate. Confusing, isn’t it?

37. I really missed Asian food when I was living in Mexico.

38. Now I miss cobblestone roads and lanterns, mariachis, and gardenias sold in messy little bouquets in the zocalo of San Miguel de Allende.

39. I agree that we can’t always get what we want, but, if we try sometimes, we get what we need.

40. I would love to have a floor to ceiling library in my home.

41. I think everyone should go to McLeod’s bookstore and check out the books there from the early 1900’s. They are so delicate, soft and beautiful.

42. I dream of having a great camera, and a dark room of my own one day. I got a mid-range camera. My kick ass friends gave me their old SLR for my birthday. I can’t stop staring at it.

43. I would love to do a lot more traveling someday.

44. I wish I could spend more time with my siblings and nieces and nephews.

45. I am learning that it is okay to say, “No” sometimes. Actually doing it is another matter all together.

46. I sometimes get anxiety attacks.

47. When I remember to smile, my home is a much happier place.

48. I just started having candlelight dinners with my family.

49. We feel so special when we do that. It’s really quite relaxing if you ignore the bickering, complaining, and food being thrown about.

50. I love coffee and tea with lots of cream/milk and sugar.

51. I love the smell of coffee beans and the feel of tea leaves.

52. I miss having a pet.

53. I want a black cat. I miss my old cat Marley.

54. I live in an apartment in the city.

55. One day I’d love to have a house again. I’m actually happy with apartment living these days.

56. I’d like to be able to buy more art supplies.

57. In fact, I would love to have a big art room.

58. I am trying to look at people’s hearts, rather than their labels.

59. I hope others do the same when they meet me.

60. Because I don’t seem to fit in with any crowd.

61. I dream of working with a humanitarian aid NGO.

62. I think http://www.kiva.org/ is one great idea.

63. I love having a pool in our building.

64. One of my favourite quotes is Joseph Campbell’s, “Follow your bliss”.

65. I stumbled upon his book one day when I was lost (not lost in the city, just lost in my soul) and confused, and went to the bookstore for refuge.

66. The bookstore is a comforting place for me where I feel like I am nestled in a cocoon of stories and words. And I don’t even have to say a word.

67. I am in love with the Vancouver Public Library.

68. I think I’m coming into my own… or catching up with myself. It’s a peaceful feeling. I’m confused again.

69. I am opposed to war (I think so, yes). Sometimes I think we need to interfere so maybe I’m not opposed in all circumstances.

70. I would like a bit more financial security. I’m working on it.

71. But I don’t have regrets about moving back to Mexico.

72. I don’t have regrets about moving back to Vancouver either.

73. I’m glad I didn’t give up searching.

74. Sometimes the journey takes you back home.

75. But the journey was still necessary.

76. Turning music on often makes me in a better mood.

77. I hope to play more piano (one day in my imaginary future home with my imaginary cat or dog curled up at my feet).

78. I have become a Nutella freak. I like pistachios and spicy stuff.

79. I never felt more beautiful than when I backpacked around Mexico with two pairs of pants, 3 shirts, a bar of soap and some other knick knacks jostling around in my backpack.

80. I think it helped that there usually wasn’t a mirror around.

81. Traveling off the beaten track was the most amazing, eye-opening experience of my life (well, second most amazing after the kids).

82. Having children has taught me to try to see and love others as I do my own kids.

83. I love to write little quotes, ideas, and memories – snippets in notebooks. Unfortunately, I have lost all the notebooks which is why I have resorted to blogging.

84. I’m just a bit of a scatterbrain.

85. For example, I once looked back at my daughter and told her to watch where she was going (also a scatterbrain), and bumped into something while saying that.

86. I enjoy a glass of red wine. Or two.

87. My favourite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

88. I sometimes feel very melancholy during the winter/dark months.

89. I am trying to be more proactive about staying positive.

90. Writing makes me feel more focused and peaceful. It also makes me see the beauty of life. Sometimes it’s all about purging.

91. I am almost always tired – being a night owl doesn’t help.

92. Even when I’m exhausted, I need to read something before bed.

93. I used to sometimes read multiple books per day as a kid; now I’m lucky to read a book each month.

94. I like fire, art, beaches, and music. A lot.

95. I love to hike in the woods when the earth is moist beneath my feet. I also love the sound of the soil crunching with each step.

96. I love the smell of the city after new rain.

97. I love to watch documentaries.

98. I am trying to be more outgoing as I can be pretty introverted.

99. I used to feel very lost for a long time.

100. I am feeling much better now.