100 Amanda-isms

1. I believe in being polite, (even when being impolite!) and generally am to a fault. There have been times when I have really wanted to tell someone off, but the words just couldn't cross my lips...frustrating really. Even when an exchanging of "words" are needed, I think a great deal of thought should be put into how those words are going to be phrased. I think this may be something of a Canadian habit, and I think this tendancy of mine may even annoy some Americans.

2. I am an eater, I love food, I love to cook, I love trying new and different things. I used to be embarrased of this but refuse to be any longer. Food is something we can enjoy and celebrate with in life and there is nothing wrong with that. Moderation is important, but food is a joy and should be treated as such.

3. I am addicted to The Gilmore Girls, it is the only show I really watch.

4.I love clothing and fashion, although you wouldn't be able to tell that from the way I dress most of the time.

5. I don't have a large circle of friends, but once you are my friend its for life. I still have close relationships with people I have known since infancy even though we may have very different lifestyles and live far away.

6. I am very selective of who I will open with. I can be very gaurded and this frustrates me sometimes. It takes me quite a while to really get to know people and I am working on being less anxious about letting people get to know me.

7. I can be extremely silly and giddy, usually after 10:30 p.m.

8.I struggle with the concept of patriotism and feel that I lack a national identity. Generally I feel country-less, which is an odd sensation. I am working my mind around the possibility of becoming American, but it will be a decision long in the making. Fortunately it isn't even an option yet, so I can take my sweet time.

9. I take somethings to seriously.

10. Somethings I don't take seriosuly enough.

11.I like to walk, not for exercise (although that is a positive by product) but as a social or meditative activity.

12. I am fascinated and scared by pilates.

13.I thrive on structure, there's nothing better than a good orderly schedhule is there?

14.People generally think that I am either much smarter than I am, or much dumber. One or the other.

15.I am a "conscientious worker"...every report card I ever got from kindergarten on up had this comment on it, from diferent teachers at different schools. For a long time I thought everyone got that comment, but then I asked around and everyone else said they'd never heard of it.

16. I rarely cry.

17. I always have a plan...for tommorow, next week, next month, next year, five years, ten years, twenty years...and I am looking forward to all of them. I do a pretty good job at sticking to my plans, although I do reserve the right to change my mind at any time without notification.

18. Once I really decide to do something I am on task 100%. Obcessively.

19.I worry to much about what others think.

20.I aspire to being a "neat freak", but have a long way to go.

21. I believe my children are thier own people, and came to me with thier own personalities, strengths and weaknesses. I try to avoid parenting practices that will manipulate them into something that serves my own personal agenda (ie. I have a personal weakness of wanting to be seen as a "good mother", but this is not always good for my children and I have to watch out for that in myself) . Instead I try to treat them as individuals and help them adapt to thier environment. It is mostly trial and error, but I have found that the more I give my children space to do things at thier own pace the happier and more successfull we all are, as parents and children respectively. (Even if we all look crazy).

22.I love universities as an institution. I love being on any campus, I love the way the buildings smell, I love to eat in the cafeteria/food court on campus, I love looking at text books and registering for classes.

23.I dream of going back to graduate school. But it probably won't happen for a little while just yet...sigh.

24.I would love to teach at the collegiate level...maybe part time at first (but #23 has to come first, right).

25.I AM going to learn to sew.

26.I eat an egg almost every morning for breakfast.

27.Ringing telephones make me nervous. I am also very anxious about checking messages after having been out.

28.I have long term financial goals.

29.I eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health.

30. I recently have become a fiber junkie, I am always looking for ways to increase my fiber intake (and no I am not 65).

31. I used to write lots of letters before email came to be, and want to start again.

32.I am useless when I haven't had enough sleep.

33. I try to stand up for people who can't stand up for themselves, and am grateful to those who have stood up for me when I couldn't do it myself.

34.I really hope to have a daughter one day, but have made peace with the possibility I may only have boys.

35.I can be a control freak.

36.I need to get out and about everyday or I will quickly get depressed.

37. I really don't like to drive if I can help it.

38. I didn't anticipate in advance that I would be teaching preschool this year, but have come to really enjoy it and have signed on again for next year.

39.I believe that talk is cheap. If my actions and choices do not reflect what I say I believe, then I don't really believe it or am that, am I? I hold others to this standard as well.

40. I can be very demanding of my immediate family and am grateful my husband is so patient with me.

41. I want to live in a neighbourhood with sidewalks one day.

42. I would love to live in an old or historic home, (again!).

43. I love Thai food...and most asian food as well.

44.I believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and needs to involve protein.

45. I don't own a pair of real high heal shoes, but hope to aquire a real nice pair of black pumps one day.

46.I am obcessed with Old Salem, NC and like to go there with my family whenever possible.

47.Although I am not an athletic person and don't understand the rules of any sport, I enjoy attending sporting events with my husband and sons. It is a wholesome family activity, even if I am not sure which team I am cheering for.

48. I really like getting pedicures and having pretty feet.

49.Family dinners are not optional.

50.I like to read a great deal and have a reading list I am working on, slowly but surely. (I am almost finished "The Scarlet Letter"!).

51.I always want to rent movies but rarely stay up to see the end. This drives Bevan crazy.

52.I am fascinated with BIG cities.

53.I have enjoyed living in very close proximity to large bodies of water in the past. I had a hard time living in Utah because it was to dry, not enough water around.

54. I have issues with Idaho. Generally.

55.I will never have a permanant residence away from the Eastern seaboard again.

56.I know that my children were meant to be born when they were, I recieved very strong confirmations of this and have never doubted my decisions in this area.

57.I believe a lanscape should be green. At least for me to live in it.

58.Las Vegas gave me a headache.

59.One day I will go to England.

60.I have told people that I have been to Walla Walla, Washington when I really haven't.

61.If you are going to eat chips, and you probably shouldn't...Cool Ranch Doritos are hands down the best.

62. I like Diet Pepsi better than Diet Coke...but in the end they are both rat poison.

63.I enjoy getting to know people from other cultures and believe I have a knack for it.

64.I try not to be overly dependant on external motivation.

65.I am very proud of my husband for working so much, especially at his education. His master's will be a degree hard won!! And he has achieved much.

66. I am really, really bad at math.

67.I got a degree from BYU in Marriage, Family and Human Development with an emphasis in family life education... even though I started university saying that I would never take a parenting/dating&courtship/marriage enhancement class because they were only for girls who just went to church schools to get married (that sure came back to bite me!).

68.I don't think Canada wants me back.

69.I really enjoy my church calling teaching the Gospel Principles Sunday School class.

70. I hate Walmart but keep shopping there.

71.I love a good road trip...anywhere.

72.I am grateful my children are pretty good travelor's.

73. I feel very important when in an airport.

74. I once flew on a private jet to New Hampshire on a business trip where I stayed at a Holiday
Inn and felt even more important.

75.I know the difference between a necessity and a want. It is important for me to pass this on to my children.

76. I hope that Bevan and I will go on many missions togethor in our retirement.

78.I think Fall is the best season and I am glad to live in a place where the colours "turn" so well.

79.I like Chrsitmas trees strung with real cranberries and real gingerbread men...and also real candles (I finally found some candle holders that clip onto tree branches from Germany, at half price no less!).

80. I would rather be cold than hot...but not too cold (I have become a little more wimpy in this regard since leaving Canada).

81. My mother is from Newfoundland and I am proud of my maritime heritage.

82. I am very proud of my mother for being the first person in her family to graduate from high school and university as well. I am grateful that she required the same from me.

83. I know my father is one of the most intelligent people I have ever or will ever meet.

84.I believe in supporting new mothers...baby showers, hospital visits, casseroles...all very important.

85.I love magazines.

86. The sight of blood makes me queasy. Especially if its my children's blood, I am no good if they scrape thier knee or anything.

87. I don't like spending money but generally believe you get what you pay for.

88. I have problems with holding a grudge, but when I do forgive it is completely.

89. Sometimes Oprah gets on my nerves. But not always.

90.I can't decide on a favourite colour anymore. But I have narrowed it down to blue, green, burgundy, pink, pale yellow, gold and black.

91.I don't own a cell phone and really don't have any desire to.

92.The best feeling is falling asleep quickly in clean sheets after a busy day.

93.I can swim but don't like to very often.

94. I prefer showers to baths, and take two a day...morning and night. I usually stay in for quite a while...I think its the noise of the falling water I find mesmerizing.

95.I love setting tables.

96.I am not afraid to go new places and do things by myself.

97.I love church history. I grew up very close to Palmyra, NY and enjoyed learning about its history. Bevan and I were married in the Palmyra temple which was very special to me for lots of reasons

98. I saw a bumper sticker once that I really want that says: "Historic Preservation Is The Ultimate Recycling".

99. My favourite book of all time is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

100. I am learning to be comfortable in my own skin again, especially after getting married and having children I have had a hard time assesing who I am and where I fit in. Its taken a while but I feel I am finally getting somewhere.