Let me introduce myself

I just had the most fabulous evening and I decided I had to share. I just finished a dinner( I must point out that dinner consisted of a re-used jam jar filled with New Zealand Riesling, a radish and butter sandwich on whole grain bread, a sweet and sour grapefruit and an avocado that I dusted with salt- All were eaten with zero utensils), alone, eating slowly, sitting cross-legged, barefooted, listening to a whole album straight through and watching through my large window Wellington become lit with lights.

I thought to myself that I never had time for this back home. I was always rushing, doing a thousand things and trying to be there for 20 people. My me time, was when I slept, or when I drove to one of the 100 places I needed to drive to. I couldn't relax and just enjoy myself, fore even when I planned me time, a few hours later I would make up for it. I couldn't remember the last time I spent the whole afternoon reading and watching the sky. This is what I came to New Zealand for. To let me have my ME time. To let myself remember what it was like to let me be me.

I started making a list of things that were most definitely ME. It was fun! And I think most of you would agree with my life. If I met a new person tomorrow, this list would give them a sense of who I AM.

-I love wine, especially Riesling (Merlot can stay in my fathers cabinet)
- I love to dance (and not grinding the whole time!). I may get wild and look like I am intoxicated, but I am not.
-I prefer salty foods over sweet
-I prefer tea (the juicer the better) over coffee. Coffee after 2:00pm is dangerous. More than 1 cup and I will be awake the entire evening. Once I drank NyQuil in order to sleep, as it was 7am.
-Pictionary is my board game of choice
-I would pick a local small pub over a crowded large bar any day.
-My pet peeve is not being a team player.
-I could sit and read novels all day
-Must two people talk all day? I enjoy the silence 2 friends may share together.
-Everything in moderation! If you cant have fun being sober too, then do you fear reality?
-I love being barefooted and in jeans. BUT, I also love socks!
-Screw nail polish
-Take me to see an independent movie at a small theater, or a band playing at a tiny pub, and I am yours.
-My children will go to a Waldorf school
-We can learn from everyone, especially our enemies.
- I don't believe in violence, except on a pitch.
-I love showing affection to my friends
-I WILL eat with my hands. Silverware optional
-Let me sing...I realize I don't know the lyrics well.
-I enjoy cooking WITH people.
-I have no control with it comes to chips, potatoes, fries and sour patches. Eat until empty.
-Be sensitive when criticising Harry Potter or Lost.
-I cross my fingers when I don't want to forget a point. This way, the thought is on my fingers, but I may still ACTIVELY listen to you, and not just wait for my turn to speak.
-I like to ask you questions, and yes, I am interested in what you have to say, but do not forget to ask me questions too. Everyone likes to share.
-If I talk to you, and seem interested in what you have to say, I probably am interested. This does not mean that I want to sleep with you. I just like to understand and get to know people.
-My fingers can withstand the cold and ice longer than most people.
-I love baths.
-Life is shades of grey to me...unless it regards attractiveness. Then its black and white.

I could go on, but I made my point to myself. Its good that I am taking care of myself. Its good that I made time for ME. This list is important. I need to remember many of these things, especially when I am working within Social Work. It can be a depressing job where I can easily lose myself. This list is important so I can find myself quicker.