25 random things

I don't know how many of you have facebook. If you do, you've probably seen the 25 random things meme going around. I haven't updated in a while and I thought it would be good to post my 25 things here on the blog.

*WARNING* There is talk of sex and nudity. It is scandalous. You should avert your eyes if that sort of thing offends you. *WARNING*



25 random things…

1. I have attended five schools for my undergraduate degree. I think I will stop at five, if only to avoid having to track down yet another transcript for applications.

2. When I was a little girl, I used to daydream that my superpower was the ability to speak every language known to humanity. I wanted to travel the world and talk to everyone. I still do.

3. People make my world go ‘round. I have been lucky to have so many amazing people in my life. I get incredibly excited about getting to know my friends.

4. I had six adult teeth removed *before* getting my wisdom teeth out. They said they were making room for my wisdom teeth. They were lying.

5. I can’t burp out loud. I have tried for over a decade and I still can’t get much more than a whisper. I live vicariously though and get really excited when other people belch.

6. Although some men have mistreated me in my lifetime, my father and stepfather are such wonderful human beings that I still feel very safe with men.

7. I love chemistry. It is no longer my major or career interest, but I can get lost in it and am constantly amazed by the way chemistry can explain the world around me.

8. I have four tattoos. I have about four more tattoo ideas in my head, but not enough money to implement these ideas.

9. I want to study the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, and ability and how they relate to public health. Then I want to change those dynamics. That should be simple enough, right?

10. I like to talk about sex. I like to talk about sex in silly ways, in serious ways, in scientific ways, in theoretical ways, in subversive ways, in educational ways, in kinky ways, and pretty much any other way you can think of.

11. I also like having sex. In all of those ways.

12. I have struggled with depression for most of my adult life. It is prevalent in my family and in my friends and in my own life. While I would never wish depression on anyone, battling it has taught me more about myself than I ever would have known. It also forces me to take care of myself.

13. I want to save the world, but I need to do it on 8 hours of sleep.

14. I identify as a lesbian, but many of my lovers have been male, and my current partner (and love of my life) identifies as male. My sexual identity does not invalidate the relationships I have had. I believe there is a difference between sexual identity, sexual orientation, and sexual experience. I also believe every person should be able to live their lives in a way that gives them happiness and fulfillment. I believe each person has the right to live free of other peoples’ judgments and labels.

15. Asher Moody is my best friend, my boyfriend, my lover, and my partner. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I never thought I would feel this way about someone, and I am quite pleasantly surprised. I am excited to marry him (in whatever way is legally possible) and have a family with him.

16. I love to watch House MD. This may or may not have anything to do with the fact that deep down, I will always want to be a surgeon.

17. When I was 18 I went to Ghana, West Africa by myself to live in a remote fishing village and volunteer in a government hospital. In some ways it was the most wonderful two months of my life. It helped to stir up my interest in community health as a field of study and as a way to make change.

18. On this same adventure, I got horribly ill, was hospitalized, threw up every day for almost two months, and lost a significant amount of weight that I didn’t have room to lose in the first place. I still loved it there and didn’t want to leave. This taught me a lot about myself.

19. I love my body. Don’t get me wrong, I could still list a bunch of details I dislike, but I have worked hard to get to a place where I love myself for myself. It makes life (and sex) a lot more fulfilling.

20. As part of that process, I forced myself to stretch my boundaries. I have posed nude for a few different photographers. I have also fundraised topless on Berkeley campus. I have forced myself not to judge my body when other people see me naked. During all of these experiences I was scared, vulnerable, and self-conscious, but I came out of them with more confidence in and respect for my body. This has been a very liberating process for me.

21. I grew up in the mountains. I am not a religious person, but the wilderness has always made me feel spiritual. Wind and sun and mountains and water make me aware that I have a soul.

22. The people I have dated have been funny, sexy, kind, compassionate, interesting, diverse, and loving. Each of my ex’s has changed me and helped make me a better person. I love each of them in various ways and I will for the rest of my life.

23. I work hard to be an ally for the causes or struggles that affect everyone’s lives. This is a difficult process that involves checking my own prejudices and privileges. It is also a source of great joy in my life and is part of what makes me who I am.

24. I get very sad about things. I think this is part of what makes me open to so many people and experiences. When people are abused, or suffer, or are oppressed, or live their lives in a body that is wrong for them, or so many other things: I ache for them. I wish I could make this world a better place to be in.

25. I would like to learn as much as I can about as many people as possible. To this end, write up a 25 things list. Or email me. Or go out for coffee with me. It makes my life meaningful.