Weird and Wacky Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me
Two of my friends recently posted “Odd things you May Not Know” about themselves. I thought it might be fun, as well.
Therefore, here are some random and odd things that you may not know about me.
- I was my high school valedictorian. (It was a VERY small school.) 😉 Actually a friend and I were co-valedictorians as we had a tied GPA.
- I played the saxophone in elementary, middle and high school.
I married my husband twice. We renewed our vows on our 10th Anniversary. He asked “Do they expire?” ->- I can say the alphabet faster backwards than I can forward. (Ask me when you see me next time or maybe I'll record it and put it up here.)
- I am freakishly afraid of rats, and actually anything that's furry and smaller than a cat. (I can't even watch the movie Ratatouille.) However, I don't mind spiders, worms, snakes, or cockroaches.
- I went to hear Stephen Hawking speak at a University and we got backstage passes. (They would have been VIP tickets, I guess. It wasn't a rock concert.) I was able to stand by him the entire time and even had my hand resting on his chair. I doubt that I soaked up any of his brilliance, but I like to think maybe I did.
- I may be considered a Professional Mini Golf player. I still haven't confirmed it. But I did work at a mini-golf place and part of my job duties were to play when there were no customers to have someone out there. So, it could be argued that I was paid to play mini-golf, which would make me a professional.
- During my first podcast interview (when Kelly McCausey interviewed me for WAHM MVP), I grabbed the phone, hid in my bathroom and drank a beer…. during the interview. I may have done that more than once, but I'm not confessing.
- I have slept in a canoe and on a picnic table. (Not at the same time.)
- Over the years, I have worked at:
- KFC (for 1.5 years)
- As a Camp Counselor (lived at the camp one summer)
- At a Mini-Golf place
- At a Motel (front desk, cleaning and managing when the owner went out of town)
- At Kmart
- In the shipping department for a mail order sporting goods store in which we mostly shipped hunting and fishing supplies
- In Purchasing at a Bank, and in Operations at that same Bank – writing manuals.
- I haven't eaten pig or cow or any mammals on purpose since 1992. Of course, I'm sure there's been beef broth or bacon in stuff that's been served to me over the years, but it's not like I buy a steak or eat a pork chop.
- I'm a huge Packers fan and have been for decades. We even have season tickets, despite living in Florida.
Circa 1996 Our jerseys say 95 as that was the year we were married and they were our honeymoon uniforms. 🙂
- I love snorkeling and would like to snorkel in countries around the world. (So far have only hit Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Port St. Joe Florida)
- I taught my daughter over 200 American Sign Language signs before her 2nd birthday so we could communicate starting at about 7 months old. I actually applied to get certified as a Baby Sign Instructor to teach classes to other moms. One of my letters of recommendation got lost in the mail to the company – so I decided to try this internet thing instead of asking my mentor to send another one.
- I walked a marathon (yes, all 26.2 miles) in 1999.
- I once had a fortune cookie with no fortune. (Scared me!)
- I took belly dancing classes for a year. In the class with me were a man and also an 80 year old woman. Both were better than I was.
- I am terrified of flying, but I take anti-panic meds and make myself do it so I can travel. I fly 6-10 trips per year. But, it's not fun – at all, even though I am getting better than I was a few years ago. (I have tips for what has helped if anyone needs them.)
- I love exploring caves. They make me happy.
- I fed a giraffe. (Their LONG black tongues feel weird.)
It happened the day that picture was taken, but I can't find the picture with me in it. (Look how sweaty my kids are. Cute hair!) - I once opened an egg that had two yolks in it.
- Since 2010, I made it a goal to leave the country at least once per year – just so my passport doesn't feel neglected. (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, I missed 2015 so I traveled twice in 2016 – all done.) So far, I've spent time in Latvia (twice), Bahamas (twice), Costa Rica, Mexico, Ireland, Jamaica, and Canada.
- I have 2 tattoos. Got the first one when I was 19 and don't regret it. (Although since it's old and stretched, the kids say that it looks like an angry gorilla.) I got my second one recently.
It's a heartbeat with the word “travel” inside. - I broke my nose 5 times. Actually my son broke it the last time when he was 18 months old with the back of his head.
- I have been and will forever be a Star Trek fan. I've even went to a convention in Portland, Oregon in the 1990s.
- Thanks to a very special girl, I can say about 20 words passably in Latvian.
- Thanks to the same special girl, I have a Latvian granddaughter that I adore.
- I am an extreme introvert. Like really. While I love doing things and have adventures, I avoid shopping malls and large crowds whenever possible.
- I could live the rest of my life alternating between eating only burritos or sushi. LOVE them.
- I don't try to avoid jury duty. When I get called, I go. After all, if I was in trouble, I would want good people there deciding my fate.
- I named my daughter after a Jimmy Buffet song.
- I am currently in an 8 month program to become a yoga instructor.
- I ate 28 year old cheese. It was … crunchy.
What About You? What don't I know about you?
Answer in the comments below. Or, if you decide to do a blog post like this one, please link to it in your comment. 🙂
Warmly,
Nicole Dean
Lisa Wells
March 23, 2013 at 4:26 pmNicole, I was reading your post on my iphone and I when I read #11 I seriously thought it said “or porpoise” as in you haven’t eaten dolphin. hehe
I’ve taken bellydancing for the past few years and just started a new class since it’s right down the street. The minute a man joined, the dynamic changed. I really tried to let it go and look past it, but when he insisted that I call him Weeping Willow, that was it for me.
Loved your list! 🙂
Kelly McCausey
March 23, 2013 at 4:10 pmI know some very odd things about you – some of which I’ll keep to myself 😉
But one thing I have to mention is this:
Nicole cannot pass by tiny homeless feet.
When we were in San Fransisco we were faced with homeless people every time we stepped out onto the streets. Both of us are pretty soft hearted but do know its best to keep on moving.
But one morning as we walked from our hotel to the conference, Nicole’s face drained of color and she said, ‘Those are kids feet, aren’t they?”
It took me a moment to understand what she was talking about. There in the alleyway, under newspaper and cardboard – stuck out sleeping legs and feet. An entire family sleeping on the sidewalk. Some grown, but one set quite small. Tiny little stocking only feet.
Nicole she dug into her purse, went over and dropped some money without a word.
Coming back to me, shaking her head sadly, she said “I can’t ignore those tiny feet’
Yeah, she’s an weird one that Nicole 😉
Nicole
March 27, 2013 at 12:07 pmAwwww… just hearing the story again makes me weepy.
I hope they smiled when they found the money in their shoes. 🙂
Celene Harrelson
March 23, 2013 at 5:12 pmLove the list Nicole! Learned a few things I didn’t know. When sharing a hotel room with your mom at NAMS, I learned some really blackmail worthy things from her. She spilled the beans about you.
OK, I’m kidding. Patti didn’t tell me anything I could use. Hmmm, or did she…????
Bbbwwwaaaahhaaahhhaa!!
No honestly, when reading this list I had similar thoughts as Tracy. You are living life and really putting yourself out there, as God intended. You are a treasure. You go girl!
Tracy Roberts
March 23, 2013 at 4:32 pmIt’s nice to know your friends are just as weird as you are!
and I love that your list show action. Girl, you’re out there living your life and that’s just freakin’ awesome.
Blessed to know you!
The Mom
March 23, 2013 at 5:23 pmNow THIS was fun!
I knew probably 99% of these, but even so, I loved the thought process of many of them… #7, for instance. Yup. I’d say that qualifies you as a professional.
I did not know #8 – poor baby.
I did not know #16 – poor baby.
I did love #14 – “More milk now please!” Those little hands couldn’t move fast enough!
I did love #15 – That smile is awesome… not so much the knee, though. Poor baby.
I did love #20 – I remember that day and those precious sweaty heads.
Anyway, it was fun reading through and reminiscing and learning new things. Hugs to you!
Shan
March 23, 2013 at 5:49 pmWhat a great idea, Nicole! This allows us to see the ‘human’ side of you.
Will sneak it on to my blog, too 😉
Shan
Christina Lemmey
March 23, 2013 at 7:42 pmGreat list! But please DO share your tips for flying! I despise flying…it terrifies me to death and yet I want to see so many other places. If only they would invent the “Beam Me Up, Scotty” way of traveling…I’d be a willing test pilot!
Tiffany Dow
March 23, 2013 at 9:30 pmLoved this! What a great way to let people get to know you. You should turn it into a vlog 😉 (gentle nudge) lol
Clare
March 24, 2013 at 2:11 pmThanks for sharing this list Nicole. I love reading personal posts like this from other online marketers. It shows us we are all human 🙂
Network Marketing
March 25, 2013 at 2:31 amWow you are so amazing Nicole and your husband kids are so lucky to have you. God bless to you and to your family.
Also, it’s amazing that you get idea in posting weird things about you.
Annemarie O'Bea
March 25, 2013 at 1:32 amJust one word — AWESOME! You also have the most adorable giggle I have ever heard!
Sharon McPherson
March 25, 2013 at 5:50 amGreat list Nicole!
I share your fear of flying and haven’t been on a plane since 1980.
As for the snorkeling, there’s a beautiful spot here in Florida you should try. It’s the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida, near Ocala. If you google pictures of it you’ll understand why I suggest it.
Kurt Scholle
March 25, 2013 at 4:43 pmThis was fun! I may have to do it on my blog!
I’m not surprised you were a valedictorian.
I’ve snorkeled in Jamaica too! Awesome!
You named your daughter after a Jimmy Buffet song? That’s neat. How old is Cheeseburger, anyway?
Kurt
Meg Bertini
March 26, 2013 at 3:42 pmLove this list! Now I want to have coffee with you if we’re ever in the same town. I was also valedictorian of a very small high school class, have taken belly dancing lessons, and have an odd assortment of jobs in my past (including selling Kirby vacuum cleaners for a while). Love this idea for a blog and will use it (with a nod you as the source of the idea!).
Samantha Angel
March 26, 2013 at 5:03 pmI love your list Nicole! As I was reading I could help smiling. This is a great idea and one I want to do too someday. I wish more people would do posts like this. It’s so fun and a great way to let people get to know you. Pssst, by the way I’m a Star Trek fan too.
Kelly’s story about the tiny feet touched my heart. <3
Kim Phoenix
March 26, 2013 at 7:15 pmI enjoyed reading this list. It’s always nice to learn more about others, especially those I follow on a regular basis. I have actually been called for jury duty twice! I didn’t have to go though, because I was in school one of those times, and had just had a baby the second time. 🙂
Boots Gibson
March 27, 2013 at 12:58 amHi Nichole,
Loved the list idea, great way for folks to get to know you.
BTW, I don’t mind rats, but nothing with 8 legs should be allowed to survive on the planet–that’s my stance and I’m sticking to it. And if you buy large or jumbo eggs you will get 2 yolkers about 1 in 100 or so eggs, especially if the egg is rather elongated–I grew up in farm country in Nebraska. When it comes to flying, I don’t mind once I’m on the plane, but I hate the TSA thing on 1 end and getting bags and rental cars on the arrival end so badly I’d rather drive cross country from So Cal to Atlanta for NAMS, and have the last Augusts–not into cross country drives in dead of winter!
Thanks so much for the great insights, and you might want to check out the Star Trek convention in Vegas every year–just think Trekkies in Vegas…’nough said.
Sharyn Sheldon
March 27, 2013 at 3:17 pmNicole, this was such a great list.
If you want to get out of the country some more to snorkel, one of the most interesting places I ever snorkeled was in Bali. There was a ship wreck just a few hundred yards off the shore from where we were staying. And as an interesting fact about me, my husband and I spent 7 months traveling around the world in 1987 (before we were married!) The best thing we ever did. Though we saw a lot of homeless little feet along the way.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kathy Robinson
April 2, 2013 at 10:57 pmI love this list. Some of what you said have reminded me that I ….
I’m working on my own list and enjoying it as it brings back so many memories. I’m also loving reading what others have said on their blogs. It’s great learning all these ‘different’ things about the people we ‘know’. 🙂
Jendi
April 3, 2013 at 8:29 pmSo if I have this right you don’t like to go up in the air, but you love to go deep underwater and under earth. Hmmm…
🙂
Oh and I might have you beat with the small highschool: My graduating class was 2 people. LOL
Nicole
April 4, 2013 at 7:03 amJendi –
You got it. Weird, right?
2 people? Were you homeschooled with a sibling or was it a really small private school? 😉
Thanks for making me smile today!
N
Helene Malmsio
April 14, 2013 at 10:16 amI only just found a link to your post here “about me” so I dropped by to learn more about you, and learned so much.
Broken your nose 5 times? Must be some sort of record for someone not a footballer or Bar bouncer!!!
So glad that you started this whole thing, and have gotten us all spilling the beans about ourselves – lol!
These have been such fun posts to read and learn about everyone in Tiff’s community!
Kathy Pop
May 1, 2013 at 11:38 amThat is cool. It’s great to see from the above comments, how similar we really all are. Nicole,maybe you should have a blog, so you can snorkel around the world and use it as a business expense. Thanks for writing this post. It’s fun to show and tell the little odd things that make us all uniquely human as well as show us how similar we are too.
We have several things in common with you too. I also took Belly dancing lessons, years ago, in fact I became a backup dancer for my instructor’s dance troupe. I worked with a deaf man while I was a Mental Health Worker and my 6 year old son thought it cool to know a secret language. I love exploring caves. I also resonate with several other points on your list.
Thanks,
Kathy Pop
Pauline
February 1, 2014 at 1:32 pmI can’t decide if I’ve enjoyed reading your revelations about yourself or the accolades from your loved ones more. You made me laugh – especially with #25… I have a Star Trek uniform costume hanging in my closet. 🙂
And your loved ones made me cry with their tales of your generosity. In the short time that I’ve known you, I’ve seen that generous spirit first hand. Love how you show how to do this marketing the right way – not just from a technical perspective, but for the right reasons, too.