100 Things About Me through Tangent Writing

Tell me if this has ever happened to you: you’re driving, or walking, or even sitting on the couch, and then one thought turns to another thought to another, and then you think, “why am I even thinking about this?!”

I have a pretty over-active brain. I’m always thinking and ideas bounce around. So I thought I’d use it to my advantage a little. Here’s 100 things you may or may not know about me — expressed through something I’ve called Tangent Writing. I don’t know if “tangent writing” already exists, but I found it to be a pretty releasing and freeing exercise. 

So, here you go: 100 Things About Me.

1. My birthday is 03/03
2. My favourite number, by default, was always 3.
3. My sister is 3 years younger but people often thought we were twins growing up.
4. We danced together our entire childhood, which often confused people.
5. I’m a classically trained ballet dancer and hold an Associate Teacher designation from the Society of Russian Ballet.
6. I also played tee ball as kid, but never really liked team sports.
7. I’m a Toronto Maple Leaf fan
8. And a blue jays fan
9. I did a speech on the Blue Jays winning the World Series in 1992. I was 10.
10. When I was a kid, I used to pretend I had a cooking show and talk to thin air. 
11. In 2007, I started producing a dining series and have profiled more than 300 restaurants on tv , hence:
12. I love trying different types of food and cuisine 
13. I love to cook, but I do enjoy going out to eat
14. When I go out to eat, I usually prefer Asian cuisines
15. I often say I was Asian in another life
16. Sushi is one of my favourite foods
17. We were once crazy about wine tasting
18. We did wine tours in Europe, Niagara and Australia 
19. I dreamed of visiting Australia when I was younger. Donny and I took a trip before we were married. One day I’ll visit Tokyo.
20. I snorkelled in the Great Barrier Reef, but 
21. I can’t swim 
22. I also snorkelled on 3 islands in Hawaii
23. We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon
24. Donny and I got married in 2009. We dated for 5years.
25. I intentionally kept “my name” after marriage. I encourage anyone to do the same.
26. We had 250 people at our “small Italian wedding”
27. My heritage is Italian but my parents were both born in Canada.
28. My grandparents are from a tiny village called Vallelonga in Calabria
29. I think it’s important to preserve culture and heritage 
30. I try and visit my Nonna every week.
31. I believe there is beauty and goodness in everyone
32. I remember the people who have treated me well over the years
33. Some of my oldest and best friends I’ve known since kindergarten 
34. I’m support the LGBTQ community and gay marriage. And I’m not afraid to say it.
35. I am afraid of falling and thrill rides
36. I’ve never been on a roller coaster
37. Or roller skating 
38. I also can’t skate 
39. But I can knit 
40. I love diy, crafting, at-home projects
41. I can watch hours of HGTV
42. I’m a Ryerson Journalism grad.
43. My first “industry” job was with the CBC. I was a runner at the Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
44. I don’t speak Greek, but was mistaken for a Greek girl throughout my trip 
45. I do speak French. Or, did. 
46. I took French through high school and university and made it to the Regional Finals in the Concours Oratoire in grade 10. My topic was eggs.
47. I could eat eggs every day
48. I could also eat chocolate every day 
49. I meal plan 
50. I would consider myself a planner.
51. I use an old-school calendar planner
52. Nothing could have helped me plan or prepare me to have a premature baby at 30 weeks
53. Ironically, that experience helped me prepare for my second, born at 34-35 weeks.
54. I’m not a very patient person, but my kids test that every day
55. I’m most calm at the beach
56. One day I hope to own a cottage on the beach 
57. I would love to own multiple properties 
58. I have lots of stuff, and like stuff.
59. I’m shoe obsessed. And sunglasses. And jeans. And jewellery. See #58
60. With reference to #59, I don’t think I could ever be a minimalist, even though it looks so nice in magazines 
61. I’ve written for tech and lifestyle magazines
62. I’m not a very techy person, believe it or not
63. I don’t even own an iPod.
64. I rarely listen to music, even in the car
65. I like danceable music, and oldies!
66. I took piano lessons as a kid but have always loved to sing
67. I try and see a musical at least once a year
68. My sister and I take my mom to a musical every year for Mother’s Day
69. I admire busy women. I became a busier woman when I became a mom.I believe in a woman’s right to choose.
70. I choose to read obituaries and like listening to eulogies.
71. And I get excited about telling a good story, written or on camera.
72. I love being on-camera, in photos or videos
73. I also enjoy taking photos
74. One day I’ll take a photo course
75. I’ve thought about going back to school
76. I’ve always loved school and and was probably/most definitely referred to as a “nerd”
77. I was student council president in high school
78. I met my best friend in high school
79. We married best friends and were each other’s maids of honour
80. We are each also Godmother to one of our children
81. I have two Godchildren; I am my nephew’s Godmother too
82. Sometimes I wish I had a fairy godmother 
83. Cinderella was my favourite Disney movie as a kid 
84. We took our first family trip to Disney last year; It truly is the happiest place on earth 
85. I’m happy I got to 85. I was going to stop at 50. This was a fun exercise. 
86. Cathartic, actually. Like journaling. I try to journal.
87. I’ve also tried yoga but want to fall in love with it.
88. I’m also in love with crystals and rocks.
89. I believe in divinity and being grounded 
90. I’ve always had an affinity and interest in rocks and crystals.
91. I used to paint pictures of rocks.
92. I still collect rocks and can spend hours touching them.
93. I appreciate a good cuddle but also like my space.
94. I started blogging as an outlet or space to share my thoughts 
95. I’m an ideas person, and a dreamer 
96. I have lots of ideas swirling right this moment
97. I try not to have regrets, but sometimes wonder what would have happened if I had made a differerent choice.
98. I try and pause and enjoy moments, almost taking a snapshot in my mind 
99. I take lots of selfies
100. I’m grateful to anyone who read this entire thing!!