Hello everybody!
My name is Raquel and I am super stoked to be here!!! I am halfway through my last quarter (minus one class) in college, so I won't have too much time to update my blog until June, but I figured I should get my "about me" written. I could start with "it was the first day of spring of 1990…" but that story would go on forever, so I've decided to bring back those good ol' "25 random facts about me" thingy that went around facebook some years ago and mention some random facts about myself. Maybe later I'll write a more serious "about me" note, but for now here goes:
1. I ramble a lot. I also get easily distracted (hence the reason I ramble).
2. I grew up in Chile! I lived there for twelve years and consider myself more Chilean than American (even though I was born in the US). I moved back to California in 2008 for college.
3. I'm an only child.
4. I was raised Catholic and became really involved in my youth group when I was in high school, but didn't really know what it meant to be a Christian until I got to college. I did not understand the Gospel until about three years ago, and didn't fully give my life to Christ until April of 2011.
5. Since I started college five years ago, I have lived in 13 different places, had 9 roommates, and 17 housemates (yes I just counted them).
6. I am a fifth year senior in college, about to graduate with a major in Spanish and a minor in Applied Psychology. Two years ago I didn't think I would ever actually graduate.
7. I studied abroad in Bordeaux, France in the fall of 2010 and hope to someday go back.
8. I can juggle. It's relaxing. I'm also trying to learn how to juggle while hula-hooping. Someday.
9. I'm not a very sporty person… at all. In fact, I was always picked last in gym class and not because I didn't have friends, but because I was just very very very clumsy at sports.
10. … However, I practice archery and have been doing that since 2005. I love love love it.
11. I am veeeeeeery easily amused. I think it's a good thing. Little things make me happy.
12. I love to travel. I also love airports.
13. I'm really good at remembering dates and random numbers.
14. I don't eat spicy food (unless it's really mild). No, we don't eat chile in Chile. And no that's not where the country got its name haha (I've been asked that multiple times).
15. With the previous statement as an exception, I'm not a picky eater at all. My mom always taught me that whatever was on the plate was to be eaten, and I only questioned her once (I was three and there was parsley in the soup).
16. I wish I could cook as well as my mom does. Her food is amaziiiiiiiiiing.
17. I admire, respect, and entirely support vegetarians. I was one for five months (in 2005), but got really sick and had to stop.
18. Dogs, puppies, squirrels, chipmunks, cats, kittens, goats, sheep, horses… I love them all. A lot. A lot. A lot.
19. In the fall of 2011 I decided to take time off school, and I moved to Florida for four months to intern full-time with a mental health non-profit called To Write Love on Her Arms. So far, it has been the most fulfilling experience of my life.
20. I am a huge advocate for mental health awareness and education.
21. When I was in high school and really involved in my youth group, I considered the religious vocation (in other words, I thought about becoming a nun).
22. I've been paragliding.
23. I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS!!! But yes, I do scream and I do freak out right beforehand.
24. I play the piano. I learned when I was 5, but piano and I have had a very on-and-off relationship throughout the years, so I'm not as good as you would expect from someone who has been playing since 1995.
25. I love people. One of the gifts I am most grateful for is my ability to be extremely empathetic. It is nearly impossible for me to judge others because I always put myself in other people's shoes without even thinking about it. I am so grateful for this.
Phew, that was harder to write than I thought. I will post another update as soon as the school craziness dies down a bit.
So excited to meet all of you fellow January Route 3 racers!!! And hugs to everybody reading this 🙂
Love,
Raquel
