Twenty things

This week I'm helping out at a Kids Club that our church is running, and today I had to tell the children three things about me including one thing that was a lie. It was pretty funny to see their guesses as to which statement was a lie (I'd say half guessed correctly), and it made me think of some other random things about me that people may or may not know. So here you are, twenty things about me that you may not have known:

1) I used to be able to break-dance. Not a lot, but after six months of lessons, you pick up a few things! But that was five years ago, and I haven't done any since...so don't ask me to perform for you!

2) I have never been on a roller-coaster. The closest I've come is the old Mad Mouse ride at the Adelaide Show, but I really don't think that counts. There was no loops and it didn't even go that fast. But I have to admit, I don't have a strong desire to go on one!

3) I've been fishing four times. Twice I caught nothing, one time we were fishing for tommies, so they were quite small. And one time I caught an 81cm, 7kg barra! People don't often believe that one, so here's the proof:

Ta-da!!

4) I have sung on stage with the Grammy Award winning band Audio Adrenaline. Sure, it was only one chorus of one song, but nevertheless...I was pulled onto the stage at a concert about 8 or 9 years ago, and go to sing a chorus of the song Beautiful while the band played. It was quite exciting, as they were my favourite band.

5) I hate singing in front of people. Alone in the car or shower, I love singing and do it a lot. But stick me in front of people, and I'm terrified. I don't know exactly how that fits with the last point, but I guess the excitement of the moment got me through!

6) The most unique thing I think I've ever eaten is kangaroo tail. It was chopped into sections (fur still attached), wrapped in foil and placed under the coals of a fire. It was exceptionally hard to peel off the hot fur without burning my fingers, and after I managed to do that I discovered that I really didn't like the taste. Oh well!

7) I have been to Uluru (Ayres Rock) but chose not to climb it. Instead, we walked around the base, and that rock is incredible!

8) I have been to extremely remote parts of the Philippines (up in the mountain ranges, where the Japanese were stopped during WWII and also where they signed their official surrender), but I have not been to Sydney.

9) There is a joke in my home town that no matter where you go, you will run into someone who knows you or knows a friend. Even in a city of 1 million people, this seems very true. When I went to the Philippines in 2008, we travelled to a rather remote village (see point 8), and I met an older lady named Lumen. When she heard where I was from, she seemed quite interested. It turns out she knew a lady who lived here. And guess what... I knew her too. I had travelled 10 hours by plane, and another 14 or so by bus away from home, and STILL met someone who knew a friend of mine. Crazy!

Sitting with Lumen at a dinner celebration

10) I don't keep a lot of non-practical clothes, but I have four formal dresses, two bridesmaid dresses and one wedding dress. Other than a couple of the formal dresses, they've all only been wore once, but I do not want to get rid of them!

11) I learnt on my wedding day to be careful how many faces you pull, because there will almost always be a camera pointed to you. For example:

*sigh* What was I doing??

12) I still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that my sister was going in for a c-section with my nephew; that phone call is clearer in my mind than the one we received telling us that he had arrived! I was with her and her hubby for my niece's birth, so no phone calls to remember for that one!

13) Many of you would know this, but there are three things I detest: coffee, bacon and swans. And friends have a habit of taking photos of swans and tagging me in them on Facebook. Alyce and Naomi, I'm looking at you. Thanks...not!

14) I would love to go diving with a great white shark, provided I was in a cage. But I think the closest I've come to doing something like that was holding a crocodile...a baby one...whose jaw was tied shut...

In Broome, Western Australia

15) There is no way you could ever convince me to bungee jump. But I'd absolutely love to go sky-diving!

16) I'm allergic to dishwashing liquid. Seriously! So if you ever ask me to wash the dishes, I will flat-out refuse, unless you have gloves for me to use.

17) I always said I'd never be a teacher. Both my mum and sister are teachers, so I wonder if that had anything to do with it. But what do I do for a job now? Homeschool teacher. Dad seemed to think it was pretty funny, and so do I. I still have absolutely no desire to be a classroom teacher though.

18) I love reading and do so pretty quickly. Just this afternoon I read an entire book, and it was quite good! I read fiction much quicker than non-fiction, unless it's a biography. That's my favourite genre.

19) One of my closest friends and I disagree on many theological issues, but I don't think it has ever impacted our friendship. It can be quite funny, and we've had a number of pleasant discussions about our differences. Neither of us will change the other one's mind, but lunch breaks at college would always be more interesting if we were doing an essay on one of those issues!

20) I feel pretty blessed to be able to say that I don't have one "best friend". I have a number of close friends, without whom my life would be very different. I'm thankful for all of them, especially my sister. I know that not everyone has a relationship with their sibling like I do with mine, so I'm very grateful.

Love you Alyce!