25 Random Things About Me

Okay, I got "tagged" to do this note over on Facebook so I figured if I put in the work there I might as well post it here too...here are 25 random things about me in no particular order:

1. I have dual citizenship (American/Brazilian)

2. I have lived in 6 different states in 2 different countries

3. I have read "Lord of the Rings" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" about 10 times each.

4. If I'm not wearing my contacts anything beyond about 6 inches away is blurry.

5. I don't have a cell phone.

6. There is no #6

7. I've now been in school for 20.5 years (and still have almost a year and a half until I'm done)

8. I'm married to my best friend in the world

9. One neighborhood I lived in could have been regularly featured on "COPS" or "World's Most Amazing Videos" (shootings, car chases, gun-waving cops, a low-level mafia-run illegal lottery facility, etc.)

10. I once helped put out a flaming car, torched by some guy's jealous ex-wife (see #9)

11. The best school I ever went to had one teacher, two rooms, three grade levels and six students...we also had our own soccer field, volleyball court, baseball diamond, and basketball half-court.

12. I am the oldest (and possibly shortest) of 4 boys

13. I have absolutely no singing ability, though I like to sing...as long as no one but my family is around to hear me

14. The most interesting job that I’ve had was delivering mattresses for a couple summers…got to drive all over Michigan and go into homes ranging from scary neighborhoods in Saginaw (4 deadbolts on the door and lots of electronics lying around) to rich people’s homes (framed Time magazine on the wall with the owner’s picture on the cover)

15. I tend to have a rather strange (some might say dark)/sarcastic sense of humor ("The Far Side," "Pearls Before Swine," and "Schlock Mercenary" are my three favorite comics)

16. I love to learn how things work and/or how facts and systems relate to each other; especially in the realms of science and theology

17. I believe that the Bible is literally God's Word (recorded perfectly by godly men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) and as such is absolute truth and the standard by which I try (with God's help) to live my life, and the "grid" through which I filter all other truth claims.

18. I occasionally write poetry

19. My favorite toys growing up were LEGO's (the space ones mostly...though the pirate ones were pretty cool too)

20. I sometimes forget a word in English (my first language) and can only come up with the Portuguese word for a minute or two

21. I've discovered the best cure for a headache that is threatening to turn into a full-blown migraine is a couple extra strength Tylenol and an energy drink (NOS works the best and tastes the least nasty)

22. Public speaking used to be my #1 fear...today I am preparing to be a missionary/teacher

23. I really, really don't like cold weather. Cold=anything below 65

24. Most of the T-shirts I wear have obscure symbols or quotes that only a fellow Geek would recognize or be amused by

25. I'm usually in the middle of reading at least 3 different books, not counting the ones for class