2003-04-30 - 6:41 p.m.
10 Things I Like About Me
OK, I’ve had it. I’ve had it with all the griping and the whining and the self-loathing. Sure, that will happen again, but at the moment I am going to use this opportunity to make a list of some nice things about myself. I’ve decided that I have to come up with ten. Here goes:
1. I have beautiful eyes.
They really are pretty—light blue mixed with green and gray, with flecks of yellow and orange around the pupils. They’re also very clear, and very expressive, as far as I know. I tend to look most people in the eye when I talk to them. The skin around them crinkles when I smile. One is shaped like a cat’s eye, the other is a little more horizontal, but people are always looking at my eyes. Which is nice.
2. I have a lovely singing voice.
I sing alto in a chorus (because I’m damn good at it and good altos are hard to find), but I’m really a mezzo-soprano. In my college a cappella group, it was basically known that I could do anything—low or high, tonal or atonal, easy or difficult. Every time I’ve joined a new group, people have commented on how pretty my voice is. When I was in Germany, even, the woman I was sitting next to in rehearsal said something to that effect. I can also sing anything from country to folk to blues to jazz to R&B to opera. I’ve worked hard on my voice, and it shows. I’m very proud of it.
3. I’m damn smart.
When people meet me, they automatically know that I’m intelligent. And I am. I was blessed with a healthy curiosity and awareness of the world around me. I used to think I was book-stupid, but then I got to college and excelled. I found out that I’m an excellent critical thinker. I love having intelligent discussions with intelligent people; it makes me feel alive, especially lately while I sit at my desk and feel my soul wasting away.
4. Kids love me.
I’m really, really good with kids. I love kids. I think they’re fascinating and interesting people, not just “kids”. Working at Disney World really solidified this for me, because I learned how to truly talk to children. I make eye contact. I listen to their stories. I ask them questions. Kids respond to this. Even my friend K’s baby adores me, probably because he senses that I’m not all cootchie-cootchie-coo in his face.
5. I have really varied interests, and this has made me a diplomat.
I can get along with almost anyone because of this. I can’t look down my nose at people because of their hobbies. I take a hip-hop class, which some people think is weird. I listen to “low-brow” music. I read “low-brow” books. I love to watch TV. I like to go to museums. Anyone who thinks what I do is stupid can bite my ass, and I try to give other people the same respect.
6. I have “sparkling” social skills.
People do not scare me. When I was in Syracuse, I went to a party by myself where I knew only two people, and I did not go with those two people. But it didn’t bother me—I walked in and introduced myself and started talking. People mention this to me a lot, that I’m comfortable in all kinds of new situations. How could I not be? I can always find something to talk about, and I like being around people, so bring it on. I also tell a good story, and I have a pretty expressive way of speaking. I also have pretty alert social observation skills, so I adjust to all kinds of situations.
7. I’m funny.
I tell a great joke. I pick up on puns. I like dirty innuendos. I like to make people laugh and smile, I like them to be comfortable. I didn’t think I was funny until I went to England, then I got home and adjusted my humor accordingly. I also tend to see the humor in almost every situation, which has saved me from a lot of crap and embarrassment.
8. I have a lovely smile.
And I smile ALL THE TIME. Well, usually. It’s another thing about making people comfortable.
9. I’m a hell of a good kisser.
‘Nuff said.
10. I make an extra effort to be courteous and polite.
I try to make eye contact. I try to smile. I always give people in retail the benefit of the doubt. I try my best to pleasant on the phone with strangers, even telemarketers. I’m a generous tipper. I think that it’s important to treat strangers kindly, because that might be my only encounter with them, and I don’t want them to remember me for being “that rude bitch”. I try to treat everyone equally and respectfully, because I want the same to be done for me. I always say “please” and “thank you”, and I try my best to be patient. After all, what’s there to gain by being that rude bitch?
So, that’s 10 things. Funny—as I was making up this list, I kind of realized that there are more positive things that I can say about myself. Which is nice. I guess I’m not so bad after all.
