November 12, 2007

Eight things about eight things

I’ve been tagged again. I won’t mention any names or anything; but I seriously think that some people (a-Andrew-hem) are taking advantage of the fact that I can’t run. I mean, how challenging is a game of tag when one of the players is one leg down? In all seriousness though, thank you Andrew, because this meme is interesting and NaBloPoMo is about to kill me, so without further delay. . .

Eight Things I am Passionate About (in no particular order):

Martial Arts-I know this is rather obvious; but I seriously think about the martial arts all the time. Ask my husband. It’s pretty much all I talk about.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-My Mom is a type 1 Diabetic and has been since I was 4.5 years old. I have watched her persevere through the years, and even joined her a bit when I was a gestational diabetic during my second pregnancy. It is a horrible disease and it needs to be cured NOW!
My Children- I love them so much that it hurts sometimes. For example, when someone picks on my daughter at school, I just want to. . . (I’ll let you use your imagination here, but just know that whatever you’re thinking, I’m thinking something worse). That’s what having kids does to you.
Politics, although you wouldn’t necessarily know it from this blog. You seriously don’t want to get in a debate with me about my candidate, because you will lose and badly.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention- I worked as a public speaker while in college on the issue, wrote tons of materials for the Sexual Assault Services office at my university, and have recently been published in a book called "At Issue: Date Rape." Also along these lines, getting child predators off our streets and out of our neighborhoods is another passion of mine. I sent letters to every politician in my state and hit the national level as well, in hopes of promoting Jessica’s Law.
Fantasy Football- I know, just shh. Sad but true; sad but true.
Reading-I’ll go through these long periods where I don’t read anything and feel like I don’t have time. I’ve found that when I make time to read something (or three things) I’m a much happier person.
Shoes- It amazes me how excited I can get about a new pair of shoes. It’s like love at first sight with certain pairs of shoes. I just have to have them!

Eight Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

I want to get my Shodan and beyond. I don’t just want to learn kata and go through the routine. I want to gain a deeper understanding of all things martial arts.
Get a book published (like one of the eight I started and never finished).
See my kids grow up happy and become successful adults.
Live at the beach.
Go to Okinawa (although I’ll probably have to wait until they create some sort of time machine that can shoot me over there instantly since that many hours in a plane might send me over the edge).
Be on a talk show (not the Jerry Springer variety), maybe to discuss my most recent publication or as an expert on something.
Be able to forgive those I’m currently holding a grudge against-this may be the most difficult thing on the list to do.
Start some kind of outreach program that reaches out to battered women or those at risk, teaching them self defense skills and how to avoid bad situations.

Eight Things I Say Often:

"Dude"
"Na na na na NO!" (Just ask Lil C-she repeats it like a pro).
"Whatever"- I know. I’m practically a valley girl.
"Get OUT of here" (Just like Elaine from Seinfeld. I even hit when I say it sometimes).
"I said NO!" (Just ask Big I-she hears it often).
"Aw MAN!"
"Not cool."
"That’s ENOUGH!" (Lil C and Big I often hear this when they’re having one of their many sisterly wrestling matches).

Eight Books I’ve Read Recently:

Currently reading: "On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society" by Dan Grossman.
Currently reading: "Okinawa: The History of an Island People" by George Kerr.
Currently reading: "Whale Talk" by Chris Crutcher.
"Karate-Do: My Way of Life" by Gilchin Funakoshi.
"Zen in the Martial Arts" by Joe Hyams.
"The Daring Book for Girls" by Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz.
"The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi.
"The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman.

Eight Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over Again:

"Promise" Ciara
"Far Behind" Candle Box
"Showtime" Nelly Furtado
"Rehab" Amy Winehouse
"Wish you were here" Pink Floyd (Yes, I saw that concert live!)
"Hips Don’t Lie" Shakira
"Kiss" Prince (which I can’t find or link to because Prince is having a hissy fit about youtube right now)
"This Love" Maroon 5

Eight Things that Attract Me to My Best Friends:

A good sense of humor-ability to make me laugh.
Honesty.
Reciprocity, as in, I’ll be there for you; but you know, return the favor.
Similar interests.
Intellect-I like smart people, because they’re interesting and usually well read.
Kindness and generosity-not the material kind.
The ability to say just about anything to them, and no matter what, we’ll continue to be friends.
An interest in having fun. I love to go out and do fun new things (karaoke, wind surfing, being the first person on the dance floor, etc.). Stick-in-the-mud’s just won’t do.

Eight Things I Have Learned This Past Year:

You need to do what’s best for you. It may not be the easiest thing, but if it’s the right thing, then do it. You’ll thank yourself later.
I really can’t stand the show ER anymore.
Knee injuries SUCK and so do crutches.
I’m happier during football season when I cheer for the Steelers.
Having a few close friends is markedly better than having a bunch of so-so friends.
Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft are my absolute favorite clothing stores. It’s like their clothes was made just for me.
There are few things as rattling to the psyche as the potential of losing one of your parents before their time. (A year ago, my dad had a craniotomy to repair a bleed in his brain and there were lots of complications. Now he’s fine and actually went hang-gliding again a few weeks ago.)
Not everyone is going to like me, and that is just fine. I need to just be myself.

Eight People Who Should Do This Meme and Not Complain:

Adam because he’s doing this NaBloPoMo thing too and if he’s anything like me, he can use the writing material.
JellyJules herself because she’s the Queen of the Meme and will tackle this with vigor.
Karl because he needs to post more already, and maybe if he sees some incoming traffic from BBM, he’ll get curious, followed by inspired, and one thing will lead to another and he’ll WRITE! YEAH!
Sizzle, because she’s got a cool name and a cool blog.
Heather B. Armstrong, because HA! I tagged Dooce.
Papa Bradstein because I’m feeling like adding insult to injury since I KICKED HIS BUTT THIS WEEK IN FANTASY FOOTBALL! OH YEAH BABY! (And yes, I am one of those types of winners).
IzzyMom because I’d like to see her answers to this one.
Delmer, because he’s a new reader and I like to challenge new readers to defy my insistence that they do a meme.