FACT 3: My least favorite word in the English language is moist.  I hate it.  It makes me squirm when others say it, when advertising uses it or if I can’t find another word to use in lieu of it.

Fact 760: Originally, I wanted to become a Marine Biologist.  As a kid I had the opportunity to study with Project Oceanology and The Mystic Marine life Aquarium in Connecticut, where I am from, all the way through high school.  At age 16 I traveled all the way to Belize to help assist researchers on a Dolphin and Reef research project.  To this day my love for marine life is ever-present.

Fact 61: My 7-year-old nephew is my favorite person to get into trouble with.

Fact 4: I began studying dance as a young child in all genres including tap, jazz, ballet, point and international folk.  At age 16 I was cast in CARNIVALE!, an International dance and music group.  We toured all over the east coast, including Walt Disney World in 1993.   Currently I focus in Latin American Ballroom and it continues to be my favorite of all the dance I have done.

Fact 402: In October of 2007 we packed up all of things, put them in storage, filled 4 suitcases, grabbed the cats and our passports and moved to Paso Ancho, Jalisco, a small colonas in the foothills of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  It was the best decision we ever made.  The experiences we had there for 8 months were life-changing, eye opening and humbling.  We miss it every day.

Fact 8: I embrace my inner tomboy.

Fact 273: I have worked for many years on finding my inner strength and loving who I have become in the process.  As a result I have found a resounding happiness.  I remember to smile every day, sometimes all day long.

FACT 32: All of my pets are named after famous musicians.  My two cats are named Ani (after Ani Difranco) and Myla (after Miles Davis).  The newest addition is our English Cream Golden Retriever.  We named him Mingus after Charles Mingus, a jazz bassist.

Fact 61: My sister and I are my father’s two favorite things.

Fact 12: My favorite movie of all time is the Goonies.  I have watched it more than I have watched any other movie.  There were actually several cuts of the film and I have seen them all, my favorite being the original version.

Fact 82: My Mormor and her friend Gloria have been best friends for 60 years.  They met in grade school and still spend time together at least once a week.  They have taught me the meaning of friendship and I long to have that when I am old.

Fact 19: I have been caffeine free for almost 14 years.  It causes me to have hospitalizing panic attacks, so I’ve never tried Jager Bombs or a good ole’ Absolute and Red Bull.  You will, on occasion catch me sipping on a decaf hazelnut coffee, and sneaking a Reese Cup but only in very small doses.

Fact 731: I have an irrational fear of being struck by lightning.  Not only that, I know 2 people who actually have been struck and it scares the living ‘bejesus outta me!

Fact 55: I am admittedly addicted to soup.

Fact 2000: I never laugh as hard as I do with my girlfriends.  They are my chosen family.

Fact 49: My favorite part of the reception is the wedding cake.  Aside from an all-chocolate one, I ALWAYS make time to sit down and eat cake.  And for the record, my two favorites are Carrot and Key Lime.

Fact 8: My cat Myla loves when I sing Opera to her.  It’s like I am the pied piper, whenever I begin to sing she has to find me and crawl up onto my chest, regardless of where she is or what she is doing.

Fact 12: I am allergic to all tropical fruits that contain tiny black edible seeds in them as well as mango.  They cause me to go into respiratory distress.  Thankfully I can eat pineapples, my favorite fruit.

Fact 777: Our two cats have lived in 3 different states and 2 different countries making them more well traveled than some humans we know!

Fact 100: Although I loved riding my bike as a kid it wasn’t until just recently that I have rediscovered those amazing inventions that balance on two wheels.  In the summer I try to bike at least 10 miles every other day.

Fact 601: The tattoo on the inside of my left arm is a Quaking Aspen tree that I drew in honor of my brother who past away in August of 2004.  They are indigenous to Lake Tahoe, Ca where he lived and worked as an Emergency EMT for almost 20 years.  And just for the record, “Yes!  It took over 2 hours and hurt like hell but I never cried.”

Fact 326: I once competed in CBR, a cross-country scavenger hunt that is filmed from beginning to end.  During one of my challenges I had to eat 4 live crickets, 2 live earthworms and whale blubber.  For the record I won that event!

Fact 128: I know every word to the songs Shoop, Parent’s Just Don’t Understand, Paul Revere and Bust-A-Move.  I can be caught singing them in any public setting if they can be heard playing in the background.

Fact 1977: In 2003 I competed in Red Bull’s international competition called FLUGTAG.  Teams from all over the world submit blueprints to build and attempt to fly non-powered flying machines.  My team was invited to compete in the event that took place in New York City.  We did not win.

Fact 27: I once helped saved people from a burning building.  My friend and I were driving through the city when we noticed a couch on fire on someone’s porch.  She kicked in the door and rescued the people inside while I stayed on the phone with 911 until help arrived.  Within 4 minutes the entire building was up in flames.

Fact 58: My mother loves me unconditionally ever though I’ve been driving her nuts since birth!

Fact 322: Since turning 19 years old I have lived in Connecticut, California, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Jalisco (Mexico) and Parana (Brasil).