06 June 2004, 16:52

100 Thoughts

A few weeks ago I tried to make a list of ‘100 reasons I am happy’. It was actually supposed to translate into a ‘100 reasons I like my life in Houston and think I made the right decision to come here for my internship’ list. I got stuck at 42. This doesn’t mean that I am not happy, because I actually am, just that I was not being very creative that day. Instead, to inspire thought, I decided to give in and complete the much simpler ‘100 facts about Kelly’ list. Maybe one day I will make a second attempt at the other.

1. I envy and admire people who have blind faith in their religion.
2. Regardless of which religion they choose.
3. I used to want to be a unicorn when I grew up.
4. I still think that would be a cool job.
5. But I struggle everyday with what I really should do.
6. I wish I were more kind.
7. And less ignorant.
8. I have always argued against intelligence tests, but took one last month.
9. I have yet to tell anyone what my IQ is.
10. The five things in the world that I am most passionate about all start with the letter ‘S.’
11. My little brother is almost a foot taller than I am.
12. I always call him ‘my little brother’ when I am talking about him to people who’ve never met him.
13. We have always been friends.
14. I went marine science camp in New Brunswick when I was 15.
15. The first trip I took on my own was to Banff when I was 16.
16. I have been back a dozen times since.
17. My mom is an identical twin.
18. I always hoped I had an identical twin sister, one who had been viciously snatched away at birth, only to miraculously find me later.
19. The best book I have ever read is The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.
20. I don’t like boxing, but it’s a major theme in the book.
21. I have been to the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps.
22. But still think the Canadian Rockies are the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen.
23. I have always wanted to go on a real African safari.
24. My best friend died when I was 7.
25. I was too scared to go to her funeral and have always regretted it.
26. I don’t know how to say ‘no.’
27. I think that too many people take advantage of that flaw.
28. I love power tools, especially cordless ones.
29. You don’t have to earn my trust or respect.
30. I always thought you would get old when you turned 25.
31. I am still scared that may happen.
32. I wish I were really good at a single thing, instead of kind of good at many things.
33. I love driving, but drive too fast.
34. I would rather continue to simplify than continue to acquire.
35. The one thing I don’t think I could ever part with is my CD collection.
36. At a party in 2001, my collection was reduced by about half when someone decided they needed my CDs more than I did.
37. I currently have about 300 CDs and am not embarrassed that I keep them in alphabetical order.
38. The first time I went to Europe was when I was 3.
39. I have visited 4 continents, but hope to one day have seen them all.
40. My very favourite place in the world is less than 100km from where I grew up.
41. I lived in the same house from the day I was born until the day I moved away for school at the age of 20.
42. It really bothers me that someone else is living in my room.
43. But I will be even more devastated when the house is sold.
44. My favourite colour is blue.
45. I think it always has been.
46. I would rather listen than talk.
47. I wore a dress every day when I was 4.
48. I can count the number of times I’ve worn dresses since then.
49. I want my friends to have kids so I can be Auntie Kelly.
50. But I often forget that I have a nephew.
51. I love school.
52. I am scared that banks will stop lending me money before I decide I am finished school.
53. I like feeling stressed.
54. I am driven by challenges.
55. My favourite food is French fries.
56. I don’t think I have ever been in love.
57. I prefer nicknames to real names.
58. I grew up in Thunder Bay, which is protected by Nanabijou.
59. I love that there are so many Ojibway legends associated with my hometown.
60. I don’t want to grow up.
61. I love waterfalls.
62. I can only remember 1 time that I have ever been jealous of someone.
63. It was a horrible feeling.
64. I can’t remember what my life was like before the Internet.
65. My dependence on email worries me.
66. If I ever buy a house, it will have to have a room dedicated solely to a library.
67. I don’t think camping really counts as camping unless you can build a fire and go swimming.
68. The only exception to this is if it is –50 degrees and you are living in a quinzee with an ice brick instead of a foot.
69. I love thunderstorms.
70. I can’t imagine living somewhere that doesn’t have snow in the winter.
71. I have never had a real pedicure, manicure, makeover, or died my hair.
72. It makes me happy that I am one of the only adults I know with naturally blond hair.
73. I like being unique.
74. But would hate to be lonely.
75. I think I am scared of birds.
76. Clowns and dolls freak me out, but I am not scared of them.
77. I am embarrassed that my 55 year old mom can run farther than I can.
78. All of my friends think I am very secretive.
79. I don’t volunteer information, but I think if they asked questions, I would answer them.
80. Since leaving Canada, the thing I miss the most are the stars.
81. My best years were when I was 10 and 16.
82. It really bothers me when signs are grammatically incorrect or have spelling errors.
83. I wish I were braver.
84. I have been ice climbing, skydiving, dog sledding, paragliding, and bungee jumping.
85. I think I belong in the air or underwater, not on land.
86. I used to be very good at being bad.
87. I want to be an astronaut.
88. My biggest regret it that I didn’t move away for my first year of university.
89. The scariest thing that ever happened to me was when I hit a moose in Kaministiqua.
90. In 2001, I travelled to Europe for 5 weeks on 3 days notice.
91. The return flight only cost 100$, and the whole trip, less than 800$.
92. I wish I knew more about politics, religion, geography, and cars.
93. Last year I spent the summer building fences and decks and digging holes.
94. My first real job was teaching gymnastics when I was 15.
95. I can’t even touch my toes when sitting down.
96. I don’t think I could ever be a vegetarian.
97. I hate cooked vegetables, mushrooms, and animals that come out of the water.
98. I want to learn guitar.
99. Despite outward appearances, I am actually pretty shy.
100. I am always surprised to learn that people actually read the stuff I write, especially when it is as long as this.

For reference sake, this list took me 25 minutes to put together. It is random and obscure and just represents the first things that came to mind.

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