1. All my life, I wanted to be a writer. Early on, I wanted to be the next Stephen King. Since becoming a mother, I can’t even watch horror films, let alone dream that stuff up.
  2. In elementary school, I wrote mysteries, moral tales, and myths. In high school, I wrote (really bad) teen romances. Now I pretty much stick to nonfiction.
  3. I originally decided to go to journalism school to “make a living” while my writing career took off. I ended up getting a Masters of Physical Therapy and spent over 15 years as a pediatric physical therapist. Long story.
  4. Sometimes, I think popcorn is a perfectly acceptable dinner.
  5. If I could eat one food every day of my life, it would be Maryland steamed crabs. Or Gambas al Ajillo. Or Gambas a la Plancha.
  6. I learned to play viola in middle school because I hyperventilated trying to play flute the first day of band practice.
  7. I took several years of classical voice lessons, and secretly fantasized about being an opera singer one day.
  8. I also really wanted to be a professional ballroom dancer.
  9. I’ve had a love affair with Spain since I was 6 years old.
  10. I used to be fluent in Spanish, but I’m tragically out of practice. I can get by, but I sound like a 4 year old.
  11. I also know some sign language, but mostly random vocabulary. Not enough to hold a conversation.
  12. My favorite movies of all time are Die Hard and The Princess Bride. How’s that for a study in contradictions?
  13. I’ve been obsessed with the color purple ever since I can remember. I’d love to own a purple car someday.
  14. I used to hate the color pink because I thought it was a sign of weakness and vulnerability. I got over it.
  15. I love penguins. As in, I’d probably own one if I could 🙂
  16. I’m an introvert.
  17. I was three months away from a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when I had to quit for health reasons.
  18. I’m a geek at heart.
  19. I once memorized the “Q” words that don’t have a “u,” just so I could beat my husband at Scrabble. I made up a song and everything. Told you I was a geek 🙂
  20. I’m left handed.
  21. I failed cut & paste in kindergarten because I had to use right-handed scissors. Today, I couldn’t use lefty scissors if I had to.
  22. I’m a second-generation cake decorator.
  23. I make awesome birthday cakes for my kids.
  24. I broke my arm in 6th grade by falling out of bed. (Not a bunk bed, either.)
  25. I was once butted off a huge boulder by a billy goat. It hurt. A lot.