IT
For some reason, everyone else thinks that Stephen King's "IT" is the scariest book/movie that he ever wrote. Ok, it was scary, true. Book version was scarier than the movie. (oops, I digress). The point is, I've been tagged by Cristina for the 7 random facts meme.
1) English is not my first spoken language. Though I now consider it (English) my primary language, I grew up speaking two different dialects of Chinese b/c my grandmothers took care of me when I was a wee babe. My mom worked, and someone had to watch us. My paternal grandmother only speaks Fukienese and my maternal grandmother only speaks Mandarin. Hence, I grew up speaking both dialects.
2) I like to read/gorge on authors.
(ETA: what's up with the hencing? I think it's b/c I love when the elf dude in LOTR says "the ring must be unmade from whence it came"...)
the current obsession with Hamilton and Harris and the vampires. The summer after 9th grade, I went through every single Stephen King book published up until then (up to Tommyknockers) while I was at camp. While reading Misery I had to sleep with a light on. Creepy clowns scare me, but I know that they're not real. Crazy PEOPLE, however, actually exist, and scare the bejeezus out of me. (other authors i've done with this include the janet evanovich, suzanne brockmann, dean koontz, robin cook, anne rice, and a whole host of romance authors).
3) As you might've begun to notice or speculate from #2, I have a touch of OCPD, tempered by my procrastination. In high school and college, I would make lists of things to do, for class, for work, for fun (yes, i listed my fun things) etc etc. I had so many lists, I made a master list of my lists. And I loved it. I loved crossing things off my list so I could rewrite the lists. LOVED IT. A great procrastination technique too.
4) I have taken lessons/played the violin, piano, and clarinet. The first two are practically a requirement of being Chinese (I know, i'm reinforcing stereotypes, but it's kinda sorta true for 2nd generation Asian Americans). I regret not continuing with piano, but won't tell my Mom b/c she'll say "I told you so" (which she did...)
5) I am tactilely (is that a word?) oriented. I learn best by taking notes or writing and rewriting information. Visualization is second best (reading the information). I had a security blanket when I was a kid, and only gave it up when my parents got me a dog (I gave the puppy my blankie). My mom had tried hiding it from me at night, but I couldn't sleep w/o it, and forced my brother to help me hunt for it. (in other words, i wouldn't let him sleep until I found it). I think that this orientation is why i love knitting with wool, but not silk and acrylic. Squeaky stuff gives me the heebie jeebies.
6) I am not abso-smurfly-positively sure that I am going to finish this damn program. Another five years? I half joke very frequently that I'm this close to packing up my car (with yarn and cats) and driving home to Denver. Of course, my stubbornness won't let me quit. If I was going to quit, I would've quit before finals. Comprehensive exams and the dissertation process scare me. A lot. I will probably need therapy.
7) It wasn't until high school that I realized my parents have strong accents when they speak English. I had to ask a friend if they did, b/c my parents don't speak to me in English. yes, I know, I could just listen to them on the phone, but I was usually drowning them out.
Rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog
Now I have to tag people? C'mon. It's like chain letters in blogland. I refuse. If you want it, take it. (And I would love to read it from Stacey, Michelle (who only listed one quirk), and. um.... everyone else has already done it (everyone else that I know... I think).
Labels: meme
posted by CynCyn @ 3:23 PM
10 Comments:
Oh, a measly five years? You can do it!
I wish I hadn't given up piano lessons either. I look at an old recital piece I had memorized and I have no idea what the notes are.
You should be pretty good at picking up languages, with that early exoposure to so many!
Have you read any HP Lovecraft?! Ohmigod, the only time I've ever had to sleep with the light on... *shudder*
I binge read, too, when I find an author that I love. Janet Evanovich and JD Robb are others I've done that with, that I remember. I know there are more!
I have a story about something that happened to me when I read IT. I lived in NYC, and was on the train very late night/early morning, so there were not many people in the subway car I was in. I had my head down reading, and as I look up to see what stop we're at, what do I see coming towards me from the other end of the subway car...a CLOWN. Holy Crap! I nearly peed my pants. He was soliciting donations for some charity. But I was so freaked out all I could do was stare!
I kinda wished I'd kept up with piano lessons too, but oh well. You crack me up with binging on authors. You will do well with the comps and dissertation. Just take it one day at a time. Besides this year is about done, so only 5 more to go, right?
english isn't my first language either. i learned french first. and i've played the piano but i dont' regret quitting. ever. in fact, we inherited an old piano from my inlaws and it's been sitting in my livingroom for years now and i've touched it maybe twice. i keep it because it's pretty.
and you'll finish. if you want to.
A Ph.D. requires a certain degree of masochism. Of course, when I think back to who actually finished, I realize the alternative approach is to be a megalomaniac - someone with super thick skin who just doesn't realize how bad it all is. Your choice.
Does it help at all to realize that if you leave, you have to work? ;) I'd be thrilled to be in grad school now - to be able to read whatever I want, write whatever I want, no teaching, ahhh...
(Don't worry, I know that's a fantastic version of grad school that never existed.)
hmmm...very very interesting. i'm starting to understand why we get along so well. that's all i'm saying!
lists, baby, lists!
I think you'll stick it out. It requires little more than stubbornness in the face of all rational behavior. :P
I keep telling people it really is like hitting your head against a wall. Eventually something gives way.
I learn like you do. I have to write things down to have any memory of them, sometimes even the steps required for motor tasks.
My first language was English, but I also learned Tagalog from my grandmother and aunt. I don't remember any of it, but I do pick up (and lose) new languages more easily than most people seem to.
I, too, regret quitting piano lessons.
I am also a binge reader. A couple of authors I'll do that with are Rex Stout and Georgette Heyer. For some reason, I can only read two Janet Evanovitch novels in a row, then I have to switch to something else for a bit.
Great list. Hmmm. I'm going to have to ponder on this one. :D
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