25 Random Things

To follow on the 25 random things about me trend on facebook, here goes my list:

1. The first memory I have is when I was around four years old. My dad chased away a would-be carjacker...with me in his arms. Oh and my dad couldn't speak English at the time.

2. I grew up in a predominantly Jewish and Italian neighborhood. Up until 5th grade, my childhood friends were Jewish, including one of my closest friends named Asaf. But I never went to a bar mitzvah because my parents didn't know what that was and didn't let me go.

3. I went through 2.5 years of ESL classes. I loved it at the time. Only later did I realize that my peers were making fun of me because I couldn't speak English (I didn't understand what they were saying).

4. When I was in 5th grade, I wanted to become a cartoonist for Disney. My 5th grade teacher also taught art and he loved cartoons and inspired me to want to draw. Needless to say, that did not pan out.

5. The only movie I remember ever crying in is Saving Private Ryan when Tom Hanks' character is on the bridge after being shot and tells Matt Damon's character to "earn it." What a touching moment.

6. I almost didn't go to Stuyvesant High School even though I had gained admittance. I wanted to go to high school with my friends, who were going to Tottenville High School. But my parents forced me to go to NYC's premier high school instead. I don't regret it now.

7. My dad loved to travel. Every year we would take a roadtrip as a family to various places across the United States. I hated some of the trips, but looking back, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend so much time with my family in going to so many places that many of my peers can only dream about.

8. I almost drowned in Jones Beach when I was really young when a tide came in and knocked me under the waves. Ever since then, I am not a big fan of swimming although I do know how to swim now.

9. When I was 9 or 10 years old, my cousins and I went to Great Adventures in New Jersey. We got on this ride that would gradually flip us upside down. That particular day, the ride malfunctioned and we were left hanging upside down for awhile. I've never enjoyed amusements park ever since then.

10. I went through a rebellious stage during junior high school. I would instigate fist fights between friends, order Indian food to a friend I didn't particularly like (but we were still friends, which I don't understand), and egg cars during Halloween.

11. I had no intention of even applying to the University of Michigan. I submitted my application past the deadline. It was the first school that I heard back from.

12. I found myself very close to being put on academic probation during the first two semesters of college. I never went to class despite taking Orgo I and II, Calc I and II, Engin 100 and 101, and Physics I and II. How I managed to graduate in 4 years and get into graduate school still confounds me.

13. I am a closet nerd. I grew up loving to read. I still do. And I love what I'm studying right now (international politics).

14. I'm a better communicator in writing than I am in person. I can passionately argue and debate in writing; I am far less effective in person.

15. I started listening to Korean music in junior high school. I listened to it religiously up through college. Now it is somewhat behind me. I have not kept up.

16. One of my guilty pleasures is to watch Korean dramas. But I only watch one or two dramas in a given year. And its usually a show that has one of my favorite actresses in it, who I think is one of the hottest women. Period.

17. I have a hat fetish. I love buying baseball caps. The only bad thing is, I have a tendency to lose a lot of them.

18. I have had the same aol screenname since freshman year of high school: xlazybuttx. I still use "lazy" or "lazybutt" as a nickname for things like tshirts, video games, bowling, etc.

19. I am not the most musically talented person in the world, although I did take piano lessons for years. I do, however, love to go karaoking. I miss my NRB crew.

20. I am good at disguising my emotions to a fault. I am exceptionally guarded and have a hard time opening up to anyone. My inner circle is really small. I need to work on this.

21. I've always wanted to be a National Geographic photographer. I've also wanted to film a documentary to raise awareness and start a movement.

22. Nicholas Kristoff is one of my heroes. I would like a job like his: to travel the world and report on social issues that should matter to everyone. William Wilberforce and Adoniram Judson are two other heroes.

23. I'm not particularly a picky eater, but I hate fish. But I love other types of seafood like crab, lobster, muscles, shrimp, oysters.

24. I'm allergic to fresh apples and peaches. But I'll still eat them because they are so yummy. I am also allergic to bee stings. If I get stung, I need to be rushed to the emergency room or hit up with an epi-pen or I will die.

25. People's first impression of me is that I'm serious and intimidating. I don't know why. In fact, I love to laugh a lot. Even if its not that funny, I'll probably be found laughing. And they say I have a weird and unique laughter. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.