iLike

Browsing the web, I came across a blog devoted to Stuff White People LiKe. Curiosity was my initial reaction. I thought it was just a cleverly titled blog, naturally. Wrong. It is literally a list of things that the the public and the author think white people like, and a blog to go with each number on the list. Inspired, I’ve decided to make my own list of what I like. I figure this might give some readers who are curious about me a little insight as to who I am. Future suitors, take note! (kidding)

#1. All Children Grow Up… Except One.
Those close to me know about my love for this childhood character and his fiery sidekick, Tinkerbelle. Some might even say it is an unhealthy obsession. All I have to say to that is, it could be worse. Ever since I was little, since I first started watching Disney movies around the age of 4, I have loved Peter and his story. I think the concept and the universal idea that a part of you can always stay young is what captures my heart. I have hated the idea of growing up since I was about 7. I had a traumatic year, I guess you might say, and the story of Peter and Wendy comforted me. Last year, S bought me an original copy of James M. Barrie’s The Adventures of Peter Pan and Wendy. It is the greatest gift I have ever gotten! I would advise reading Barrie’s version versus Disney’s version – they are not at all the same. Barrie’s is in fact a much deeper, darker tale, yet amazing all the same.

#2. Stellar Life Forms
Perhaps another borderline unhealthy obsession is my love for the night sky. Like Pan, I’ve always loved looking at stars. I could just stare at them forever. When I was younger, in my grammar school years, I used to take classes in astronomy that taught me the different constellations and the stories behind each one. My favorite is Orion and the Bear. Stars have a very calming appeal, it is like looking at one of the seven wonders when I see them. They are just beautiful to me. The universe is so much bigger than any human could ever conceptualize, and I think that is what appeals to me – the awe and wonder of the night sky in its entirety. When I was in middle school and my mom was in the hospital and my dad was working long hours, I would go out on the roof of our house with a beach towel or blanket by myself and just lay there looking at the stars late at night. It is one of the most relaxing, cleansing activities a person can do.

#3. Sundresses or Sweats, Nothing in Between
I know I as a young lady I am not supposed to want to lay around in sweat pants and hoodies, but I can’t help wanting to be as comfortable as possible 24/7. My dad used to tell me that I should open a spa because I am always look comfortable and relaxed no matter what I am doing. I absolutely hate anything made form denim – jeans, shorts, skirts, capris, Bermudas, jackets, etc. The material is NOT comfortable, I don’t care what brand it is. True, I still wear these items occasionally, but only to make a fashion statement and to not appear as a homeless bum. In the past few years I have taken up a collection of cotton, open sundresses. I like them because they are very free-flowing and give you room to move, yet at the same time remain classy and casual. It is a genius concept of clothing. The one type of clothing I cannot wear is form fitting. Not because I think I don’t have the body for it, but because it is SO restricting and uncomfortable. I never understood how girls could wear skin tight pants and shirts, so tight that if they moved too fast they’d rip a seam. It’s just not natural!

#4. Solitude
While there are certain people that I can’t bear to miss, there are times when I just want to be alone. In my alone time I listen to the music I want, however loud I want, and sing at the top of my lungs. I read the books I don’t otherwise get a chance to so much as glance at. Occasionally I draw, a past time of mine that has diminished with age. I stare. I flip through old photo albums and reminisce but never regret. I contemplate the life choices I’ve made so far and the choice I have yet to make. I wonder “what if?” Alone time for me a time of though, of reflection, of relaxation, and a personal cleansing. This is exactly why living with people 24/7, no matter how much I love them and how well we get along, is very difficult for me. I must to have my privacy and freedom.

#5. Tubby Little Cubby All Stuffed with Fluff!
Being in my prime, young adult years, I have still not grown out of the stuffed animal phase. I still sleep with 3 select members of my collection. There is Lion, who I have had since I was 5. My dad bought him from the Philadelphia Zoo and he is probably the oldest member to survive a room cleaning. There is Nemo and/or Curious George, both of which are half as big as I am. S gave them to me, and they will probably remain there for a little while longer. They switch on and off due to their size. Then there is Kevin, my gorilla, who is actually not comfortable at all or even cute, but my brother gave him to me when I came to America. His spot on my pillow will never be replaced. I’m not sure if I keep stuffed animals in close vicinity as a matter of nostalgia, or as a matter of comfort, or because I have some weird stuffed animal fetish? I am going to say it is more so for nostalgia, mainly because I have never bought one for myself, they are all gifts that I cherish.

#6. The XY Chromosome
For reasons unbeknown to me, I have always enjoyed and flocked to the company of the male population over the females. Don’t get me mixed up with those girls who do it to flirt and for attention and what not, that is the total opposite of me. God, I would HATE it if any of my guy friends tried to “make a move” or even so much as wink the wrong way at me. That’s not me at all. But girls have this overwhelming tendency to piss me off more often than not. Not all of them, I have my best girl friends, and all my closest family members are girl cousins, but a lot of girls are unnecessarily catty and dramatic. It takes me awhile to trust and really let a girl become good friends with me. It gets on my nerves when people start gossiping behind each others back left and right, or when girls create some dramatic scene out some insignificant event. Even worse, girls spread rumors like it’s their job! Boys, on the other hand, are laid back and don’t usually get into little nit-picky fights. They are also more open minded and care free, which makes hanging out with them more fun. My very best friends are all guys, and have always been since the day I was brought to this country. I will say it makes it harder to find a good boyfriend because all the good guys are your best friend, but I would take a great friendship over a stupid relationship anyway. I think it’s because I have all brothers. I’ll blame them for now, anyway.

#7. Blankets
I am not really sure why, but any time a see any sort of blanket something inside me forces me to buy it – or at least contemplate buying it. I think I own about 15 different types of blankets, comforters, throws, etc. All of which were hand picked and payed for by yours truly. I am not counting blankets and such that my mom buys me for my room and what not. I think I buy so many because I like to use so many at once. Even during the summer I sleep under 3 or blankets at once. I guess I just like that extra fabric, that extra padding, covering and surrounding me. It makes me feel nice, like I am laying in a heap of feathers. Anyone who has had the pleasure of living with me, they know that my room is the place to come for a nice throw And each of my blankets is very different, no two are alike, in color, texture, fabric, or warmth.

#8. Sugar & Spice, and Everything Nice!
Not really the everything nice part, I just threw that in there for the rhyme. But I have a pallet for anything sweet and everything spicy. I don’t mean spicy in the “hot tamale” way only, I mean in the different spices that can be added to flavorfy any dish. Although, I will admit, I add hot peppers and chili sauce to almost anything. Vegetables, tofu, rice, spaghetti, bread, mac & cheese. I won’t go on so as not to make anyone sick. I also have a HUGE sweet tooth. Candy, Cake, Ice cream, cookies, sugar, honey, hot coco, juice, and more. If there are sweets within my sight I can’t help myself. And I also have that problem where once you start, you just can’t stop. It’s probably unhealthy, but it tastes soo gooood. I haven’t had a cavity since I was 8 and I haven’t gained any weight in fat since I was 16, so I don’t really see how it is harming me. Plus, I exercise to avoid that diabetes monster that creeps on those who indulge in the sweet life but forget to get their heart rate above 100 on a daily basis. Therefore, I think my love for sweets is justified.

#9. Mrs. Clean
As I have said many times before in my blogs & my “About Me” sections, I have am slightly compulsive, in the way of O.C.D. I’m not making fun of anyone, I am being completely serious. I don’t like to look at messes. I like everything to be categorized and in a certain order – big to small, color coded, alphabetical, what have you. When I was younger (I mean like 8 or 9 years old) I used to wake up and walk around the upstairs of my house and fix things that I thought looked unorganized. I would go into my computer room stressed out at 2 AM and straighten out the papers and books and chair and mouse, and then feel better and go back to bed. If that’s not weird, I don’t know what is. I still do this. My books are all categorized by genre and then alphabetical by author. My pens & pencils are categorized by type (mechanical, ball point, fountain) and then color. My clothes are arranged seasonlly and by fabric and color. I just can’t help myself. Cleanliness and order make me feel good. I am also a germaphobe, so it works out well. No mess, no dirt, no germs = a happy me. While this might drive some pack rats crazy, it comes in handy, I promise!

#10. LAW
This is not to mean I like to enforce the law upon others. I mean, I am a straight edged person myself, and prefer to be around those who do not break the law, no matter how minuscule and insignificant. But, I do not shun or hate those who happen to get a speeding ticket or caught for talking on their cell while driving, or those who choose to drink in high school or drive without a learner’s permit. When I say I like LAW, I mean I like talking about it, I like reading about it, I like watching it. This is probably due to the fact that my dad was a lawyer for the majority of my childhood. I have always liked reading mystery novels, true crime books, and watching shows such as Law & Order (not the greatest example of law shows, I’ll admit). I am one of those people who enjoys the logic games and the analytical puzzles. I like reading biographies on history’s infamous criminals and watching movies like Untouchables. Sad as this might sound, I like arbitration. So there it is. I am a crime & punishment, law & order fanatic.

#11. Sweet Potatoes
In any way, shape, or form. My absolute favorite is either mashed with a sprinkling of brown sugar and butter OR french fried up. Besides being beyond delicious, these orange root veggies are healthy and full of carbs, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, B6 (iron), and C. How can you not love them? People have this misconception that because they also go by the name “yams” that they are slimy and gross. False. If you like a little sweet mixed with a little salt, and enjoy a hearty starch, then I definitely suggest the sweet potato. Who doesn’t want to eat a vegetable that tastes like dessert?? Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!!

#12. Being Tan
I understand that this one is oddly worded. While it is not an object or past time, it is just a physical state to be in. I did this for a reason. I was going to put “going to the beach” but really the only reason I go to the beach is so I can be tan. I don’t like the ocean, I think it is disgusting and dirty, and I hate sand being anywhere on my body. Then, I was going to write “tanning” but that would be a complete lie since I tan about 5 times a year and that is only in the winter. I also didn’t want to write “laying out” because I don’t do that either and I also think it is a waste of time. I could’ve put “pools” but that would infer that I like to swim in pools, which actually I do like to do, but only do so a few times each summer. So, there you have it. I like to be tan. Plain and simple.

#13. The Happiest Place on Earth
… or better known as Disney World. NOT Disney Land; Disney WORLD. Get that right to begin with. I have only been to Disney 3 times, but every time I go I really do find myself in the happiest place on Earth. I still watch Disney movies – I find no reason why I should ever stop; they are not at all equal to dumbed down children shows such as The Back Yardigans or Little Bear. So, naturally when I get to go to Disney World I am still excited to go on the the themed rides and “experience the magic” of things like Pirates of the Caribbean and Cinderella’s Castle. Plus, everyone is nice, everyone is happy, there really is nothing to worry about. It’s like being a kid but better because you are old enough to do things kids can’t do! I’m still trying to get friends to go down there with me. People our age don’t want to do that, anymore, though, everyone wants to go to Mexico or Puerto Rico or somewhere similar that is cheap & dirty (in my opinion). In Disney World you don’t have to worry about the water