twenty-five things.

1 I like cats and dogs equally, and haven't yet decided what that says about me. But not all cats or all dogs. Labradors and tabby cats... (of course, there are always exceptions).

2 I am a child sponsor, and signed up when I couldn't even support myself.

3 I loved riding my bike when I was growing up. But now I'm afraid to ride in the city, and would rather walk or bus to my destination, even if it means extra time or money.

4 I never really had a solid answer for my favorite animal, and picked something new most of the times I was asked what it was. But I think I decided recently (within the past 6 months or less) that it's probably an octopus or a giant squid. That's because in my dreams, my deepest-darkest fears are represented by those animals trying to reach out and grab me. I *really* enjoy the wonder I feel when I think about it after I wake up.

5 I sort of tend to look down on those less-cultured than I am, but not on those less-educated.

6 I strongly avoid talking about politics, mainly because I'm not nearly as interested in them as other people are.

7 I like listening to others talk about their religions, mainly because I don't have a strong belief of my own.

8 I'm constantly torn between liking having scrapes and bruises because they make me look tougher, and liking not having scrapes or bruises because it makes me look prettier.

9 I believe logic should always prevail over emotion. But it's really fun to indulge sometimes...

10 Whenever someone tells me what song they want played at their funeral, I do my absolute best to remember it, and every once in a while I go over all of the songs in my head just so I don't forget.

11 I recently tried to picture my dream house, and hated anything with walls, no-matter what the style was, or how big the place was that I imagined. I decided I want windows. Nothing but windows on the outside. And I don't want to be far away from a city, but I need a gorgeous view. I think that's why I'd probably really enjoy Seattle.

12 The first CD I ever owned was Pure Moods. I still have it, and listen to it approximately once a year.

13 I've never lived in one house/apartment for more than 2 or 3 years.This fact makes me slightly nervous for when I have kids... I don't want to get stagnant, but I don't want my kids to have a disoriented childhood. I also can't easily picture myself buying a house, even if it were something like my imagined dream-home. I'd rather be in a nice condo, then be able to easily switch-it-up when I was ready.

14 As clumsy as I can be, I have never broken a bone (*knock on wood*). Does that make it a 'graceful' kind of clumsy?

15 I believe I will die either in a car crash or of skin cancer (feeling vs. logic).

16 I've had the same favorite song since I was approximately 4 years old. It's Don't Worry, Be Happy, by Bobby McFerrin. I'm pretty sure I have the memory of the first time I heard it (or at least the first time it had an impact on me enough to last 20 years). It was outside of a court, and I knew it was going to be a long time before I'd see my dad again. He was very sad. Looking back, I'd guess that's when my parents got divorced. Someone once told me the song was "annoyingly optimistic." Psh.

17 I am *extremely* attached to the toys I still have leftover from my childhood. They're just sitting in boxes in my closet, but I really don't think I'll be able to get rid of them.

18 I get very, very offended when someone misjudges my character. And when it happens, I usually don't forget about it for months or even years. The guy working at a seasonal store, who sold me my grey, fake Christmas tree the year before last, said something about me probably shopping or hanging out at Spencer's. Ew. Screw him. I am not crass.

19 I don't think I actually have a strong passion for anything. And I admire people who do. But although I feel like I probably *should* have a strong passion for something, I also feel like not having that makes me more hungry and apt to learn about a greater variety of things. And that makes me feel better.

20 I'm slightly superstitious.

21 Sometimes I miss being a little girl. Not only for the automatic praise and attention, but also for the carefree-ness to not worry about dealing with all the praise and attention. I also miss the more-recent years, when I was carefree enough to lie on the ground in the rain and be happy about it.

22 I'm kind of needy. I really don't like it when someone doesn't like me. Please just like me...!

23 I am always extremely grateful whenever someone grants me a favor or shows me thoughtfulness, no matter how small or seemingly-insignificant.

24 Patience and understanding almost always go further than I realize. I don't know what it would be like to not have those things.

25 Drastic changes are extremely exciting for me. Throw me into a spin-cycle of a situation, and I'll likely thrive.