a stellar smashing

That I once had a pet hermit crab named Hermie?

That from kindergarten to eighth grade, I won the spelling bee four times, and only in even-numbered grades? (Second, fourth, sixth, eighth–I’m a walking dictionary).

That my favorite color for several years was black?

That I can read text upside down just as easily as when it’s written rightside up?

That my chosen career was to be a wild-animal zoologist until my junior year of high school, when someone let me know that it would be a waste if I didn’t pursue writing, no matter how uncertain it would be?

That my primary childhood celebrity crush was Lance Bass from *NSYNC?

That my neighborhood was built in front of a tiny, tiny cemetery tucked away into the woods behind my house?

That I have a scar on my ankle from a nasty spill playing wheelchair basketball in freshmen P.E.?

That I love mint-flavored things?

That my dream car has always been a red Jeep Wrangler?

That as a child, I found The Wizard of Oz to be a terrifyingly frightening movie, simply because of the part with the tornado at the beginning?

That I can’t help but laugh when people trip or fall?

That I tried to run away with Carmen when were younger because my parents tried to make me finish my vegetable soup, but couldn’t go through with it and ended up standing at the front door, begging my parents to let me back in the house?

That my favorite number is 12, and it almost always shows up on my Lucky Numbers list from fortune cookies?

That I used to play the clarinet, the oboe, and the drums?

That I want a tattoo?

That I almost always write in cursive?

That I can speak in a freakishly accurate British accent, thanks to years of pretend tea parties with Danielle?

That Danielle and I also started a band in fourth grade named Capri, and that our practice sessions consisted of us singing karaoke-style to songs cut by artists like the Dixie Chicks, Dream, Hanson, and *NSYNC?

That I’ve made only one three-point shot in my entire life?

That if I had to choose, my favorite book is The Giving Tree?

That I have over ten nicknames, including Na, Nome, and Nomi?

That I have a fear of ovens?

That when I eat Lucky Charms cereal, I save all the marshmallows for last?

That I broke up with my first boyfriend on a pew card in church?

That I had a guinea pig named Rebecca (after the character from TailSpin) who I hated, because she’d eat my hair if I got too close to her cage?

That I can only eat Oreos in their bite-size form?

That I love to peel my skin after a particularly nasty sunburn?

That I love pizza rolls, but only pepperoni?

That I am not at all afraid of dying?

…Yeah, I didn’t think so. Just thought you should know.