Ten Things You Don’t Know About Me
This was harder than I thought it would be
In the spirit of fun, I have decided to join in with the challenge that is going around Medium with an invite from Linda Ng and Iva Ursano.
I’ve enjoyed reading many of the other lists, but there’s always this doubt about writing your own, but here goes:-
1. I’m a Tidsoptimist.
A Tidsoptimist is a person who is habitually late because they think they have more time than they do
Let me explain, I try hard to be on time, but never seem to have enough time left despite leaving myself what I thought would be loads of time when I started to get ready. It always feels like I have plenty of time and then suddenly I don’t. My family and friends are used to me, they add extra time to the time they tell me in the hope that I will be on time if that makes sense.
2. I’m a middle child but only just.
I have an older sister, an older brother, and there was my younger sister. I say only just as I consider myself the middle child despite there being four of us. Each of my siblings had a position, as the eldest, the youngest, and the only boy. I had no such position. Often aunts and uncles did not remember my name or that I even existed. They would stare at me blankly and wonder who the hell I was. I suffered the ultimate middle child invisible syndrome not helped by my quietness.
3. Public speaking used to make my knees quake.
Just standing up in front of people would result in my mind going blank. I joined my local Toastmasters group about 5 years ago, where I delivered 10 speeches in front of an audience and even took part in Table Topics. Table Topics are when you are given a topic on the spot and have to speak about it for a minute without any prior preparation. When I later gave the speech at my daughter’s wedding, I had no worries about doing so, due to the confidence gained. Whilst public speaking is still not something I enjoy, now I know that I can do it. I would highly recommend Toastmasters to anyone who wants to improve their public speaking.
4. I love watermelon.
Simple one. I can eat it by the bucket load. I just love the taste, and smell and of course, it is my favourite colour, but you know that.
5. I’m left-handed (you know that) but I learned to play tennis right-handed.
In high school, we were given tennis lessons. The PE teacher grabbed the tennis racquet out of my left hand and told me how silly I looked. Standing next to my peers, practicing the forearm stroke, she decided that I looked awkward and did not like this lack of uniformity. I ended up playing tennis with my right hand. My right hand was never strong enough and I would end up swopping the racquet during play between my hands much to the teacher’s utter dismay. If it wasn’t for her who knows where my tennis career could have taken me. One can only but dream heh.
6. I had my second baby at home.
After a clinical first birth, I opted for a home birth for my second child. The midwives were against this due to me being anaemic and I had to fight till the end for this to happen. I did manage to get my iron levels high enough just before. On the day my daughter was born, I called the midwives to let them know I was having contractions. The midwife arrived at my home, without any items to deliver the baby, and still wanted me to go to the hospital saying she did not have the equipment. But I still refused. Unhappy with me, she rushed off to fetch what she needed. After she returned my daughter was born at home an hour later with no complications. Apart from the midwife, it was the most wonderful experience, and I am glad that I stuck to my instincts.
7. I emigrated to New Zealand but after two years I moved back to the UK.
Although I loved New Zealand, my eldest daughter at the last minute having just turned 18 decided she was no longer going to join us. I didn’t want to live all those miles away from her. So, my youngest daughter and I packed up everything and returned to the UK. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t, it’s all part of the experience.
8. I’ve moved house 15 times over the past 30 years.
This means I moved house every 2 years on average. I have kept the removal companies in business and have the process of moving home down to a fine art. I have no idea why I move so much, it just happens with circumstances. Family and friends have to check my address before they send me anything and it has become a standing family joke about when the next move will take place.
9. I practiced yoga for over 30 years, on and off.
I started my yoga teacher training but never finished. Maybe one day I will go back to complete this.
10. I have a fear of dogs.
I was bitten by a Doberman in my teens. It has left me with internal scars and physical ones from the bite. When I am out walking, I am terrified when a dog is running off the lead or comes near me. I struggle when the owners tell me that their dog is harmless, my experience tells me otherwise.
That’s it, tagging those who I would like to know more about, but no pressure if this isn’t your thing or you’ve been tagged already J.R. Spiers, Jenny Lane, Libby Shively McAvoy, Julian Cosky, Leonard Tillerman, June Kirri, Jerikho Jordan, Jason Edmunds and anyone else who would like to join in, please tag me with your story.
© Bernie Pullen, All Rights Reserved
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