Wednesday, February 4, 2009

25 Random Things About Me


1. I was adopted when I was a baby, with my sister Caroline and my brother Dugan. We found out that we have a sister, Rosalee, and 3 other half siblings (Heather, Angela and Edgar) about 7 years ago. I have met all of my siblings. We lost our birth parents but we are quite close to Rosalee and so we get to know our parents through her. My name at birth was Florence (after my Grandmother) Gloria (after my birth Mom) Borushko. 

2. I went to Taize, France in 2004 (www.taize.fr). It was an extremely inspirational, peaceful and spiritual journey. I got to meet many people from all over the world, talk about God, love and life with others, live and eat simply and sit in silence for 10 mins three times a day (during the church gathering). 

3. I absolutely adore chocolate but am not a big fan of dark chocolate. I went to the chocolate exhibit at Science World once and got to taste a real cocoa bean. It's like eating cocoa powder with no sugar but it’s even bitterer.

4. My full name Florence Rose Maitland means "Blooming/blossoming rose in infertile soil."

5. When I was a little girl and got upset at my parents, I would tell them I’m packing up my things and leaving. I would get my sleeping bag and teddy bear, put on my shoes and walk down the street. By the time I would get to the end my anger wore off and I headed back home to get hugs. 

6. I was a vegetarian for about 4-5 years. Funny thing-it was after I stopped being a vegetarian that I got a calcium and iron deficiency. I found being a vegetarian was somewhat easier because I was more conscious about the foods I needed to eat. 

7. I love to dance, anywhere and at anytime. I've danced in the seat of my car, in my living room and in the shower. Dancing makes me feel free and beautiful. I once took a strip class dance at UNBC (soooo much fun! It’s a wonderful way to love your body more) and am currently taking hip hop lessons. 

8. I dislike mushrooms because they feel gooey in my mouth and taste funny. 

9. My favourite movie is "August Rush." It's is simply miraculous. You know you want to see it. :)

10. I met one of my old friends at Wapiti, a campground in Jasper when I was in grade 11. It was like a scene out of a movie though! I was playing my saxophone and when I stopped, I heard another saxophone. My parents told me to keep playing and then we ended up following the noise. My new friend and I ended up playing the sax together and having a wonderful talk. We stayed friends for a few years and met again at the same campground 2 years after we met. 

11. At Taize, in France, I met a boy named Florian, who was from Germany. For the time that we were there, we ended up having a short relationship. By the time it was for both of us to leave, I was hesitant about wanting to keep in touch with him. For a while he kept calling me and I kept trying to tell him that long distance was too difficult. I didn’t hear from him for a while and I thought finally things were clear. One night when I came home from dinner with a friend, Mom came out and said, “Florence, you’d better come in quickly!” I did and there was Florian, having tea with my parents with a bouquet of roses in his hands. He had gotten a cheap ticket from his Mom, who works with the airlines. I sat him down in the living room and told him straight out, “I don’t want to be with you.” He was quite sad and disappointed and then he just left. I can laugh about it now but that night I had a really good cry. I couldn’t believe a man would travel halfway across the world for me to tell me long distance could work! Another lesson learned: be VERY straightforward about what you need, especially with men!

12. I am a very spiritual person and I love God and the lord with all of my heart. Although I do go to church every Sunday (I teach Sunday School), I do not consider myself a "religious" person but more so a spiritual one. I am open to all other religions and I love learning about them so I can incorporate their wisdom into my soul.

13. I am an extremely organized, clean person. *lol* I used to be such a planner but now I'm learning how to be more spontaneous and okay with clutter. :)

14. After a short teaching career, I would love to become a child and youth counsellor in or out of a school setting. Masters in Counselling, here I come!

15. I love gardening, camping, swimming, hiking... anything to do with the outdoors and feeling the wind in my hair, the bird's songs in my ears, and the true sunshine warming up my body and soul. 

16. My favourite flower is the Lily. I would love to name my daughter, if I have one, Lillian, so she can be called Lily for short.

17. I used to go dancing at the Keg in Kitimat. One night I was dancing with a cooler in my hand and as I tried to take a sip, the bottle chipped two of my front teeth. Thankfully the doctor could fix it!  

18. I have never had a cavity and I have had straight teeth all my life. 

19. I have a nervous habit of biting the skin around my fingers and pulling out my hair.

20. I played the Alto Saxophone from grade 6 to grade 11. I was also in a Jazz band. Then I eventually learned piano. 

21. When I was little I used to put my stuffed animals on little chairs and teach them using a little chalkboard and chalk that I had. I have a picture to prove it! I guess I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, although I did have my hesitations as I went through University (I think we all do). 

22. I love taking pictures and scrapbooking. One day I would love to become a photographer or at least submit my pictures to a contest.

23. I still sometimes sleep with my teddy bear, Flo-bear, when Rob is away. He has holes in him (which my Mom has sewn up a few times) and has his nose chewed off by a mouse that lived in my room at a place I used to live at (I was not there for very long, I can tell you that!). I think I will forever be a snuggle bug. 

24. I trained my puppy Chiko to give me kisses on command (right on the lips too! *lol*). He usually does it more often for treats though.

25. I absolutely love and cherish butterflies.

26. As part of the United Church Youth Group in Kitimat, every Valentine's Day we would do singing telegrams. We would dress up as angels and go door to door (requested by people) singing, "Skinamarinkidinkidink" with actions and then give the person a little message from the sender and some candies. :) What a beautiful, inspiring thing it was to see people smile, feel so loved and feel good inside.

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