100 Things About Me

…that you probably didn’t want to know but I’m going to tell you anyway.

1. I was born in Pretoria, South Africa.
2. At the age of 20 I moved to the UK.
3. Cape Town is my favourite city in South Africa.
4. I don’t have a favourite cuisine as I think each county has something unique to offer.
5. I'm an INTJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test.
6. High heels and I weren’t made for each other. Flats, please!
7. I am only 157cm (5”2) tall and I’m perfectly okay with it. No heels needed!
8. Up until the age of 34 I didn't have a clue how to put on makeup. I only wear it on very special occasions. I still don't like the stuff.
9. As much as I find baking a challenge, I have zero passion for it. Seeing my children's contented faces as they lick out the bowls afterwards makes it all worthwhile though.
10. I love books. They satisfy my curious nature.
11. One goal I have not yet managed to achieve is reaching my ideal weight. Self-sabotage, anyone? I WILL get there someday…watch this space.
12. I am genetically hard of hearing/20% deaf. After years of teasing and rejection from cruel children I have finally come to terms with it. Heck, I sometimes hear some pretty funny things.
13. When I don’t have my hearing aids on I tend to say “Huh?” a lot. If not I will (un)knowingly just nod and try to figure out what the hell you just said.
14. I am not afraid to speak up if needed.
15. I can play a bit of piano and would have loved to become more adept at it but these days I just don’t get the time. I'm determined to make time for it in the future.
16. I dislike the taste of milk. Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and, of course, chocolate I love!
17. I despise coffee. Has anyone ever noticed how much a person stinks after drinking it?
18. My main hobby throughout my school and university years was chess.
19. For 13 years I played chess tournaments and even represented South Africa at international tournaments.
20. My biggest chess achievement was to be the reigning South African woman’s champion for three years and retired undefeated. It feels good.

21. For a while I played Scrabble at club level and started working my way up the ranks in tournaments. Becoming a single mother changed things and I stopped.
22. I skipped two years in school to finish at the age of 16 and immediately went to university.
23. At the age of four my dream job was to be a maid.
24. Luckily I changed my mind in the mean time and really struggled to find a career path. Jobs I considered were: architect, vet, actuary, medical doctor and naturopath.
25. I ended up studying Computer Science and hated every minute of it. I was too proud to quit.
26. After 4 years of torture I was glad to finally finish my degree never to look back again.
27. I quite enjoy the technical aspects of running a website.
28. My perfect Saturday is going to London, eating at a great restaurant and watching a show in the West End.
29. If I wasn’t attached to anyone and had no responsibilities I would have liked to move to the Far East.

30. Quality is better than quantity. I have few friends but good ones.
31. Countries I have visited are: Mauritius (idyllic), Egypt (yuck), Algeria (avoid), Germany (civilised), Brazil (ambivalent), Belgium (chocolatey), Spain (fun), France (sophisticated), Scotland (cold), Ireland (rainy), USA (massive), Turkey (interesting), Serbia (backwards), Montenegro (surprising), Norway (splendid), Portugal (affable), Italy (passionate), Malaysia (exotic), Singapore (clean), Canary Islands (favourite), Dubai (hot), Armenia (shit) and Kalmykia (nothingness).
32. I would love to do some more travelling when given the opportunity.
33. I've always wanted to go to Thailand.
34. I have been married and divorced twice. Long story. Don't ask.
35. My last husband was 24 years older than me. My parents think what I really wanted to do was marry my father.
36. Both my parents are psychologists, which might explain a lot.
37. I am an only child. Yes, I was spoilt but I deserved it.
38. I am proud to say I have only eaten one McDonald’s burger (a chicken one) in my life in Rio de Janeiro. It was okay but I won’t be running back any time soon. Their fries and apple pie are nice though. My bad.
39. My guilty pleasure is going to Nando's.
40. I have no sense of direction. I'm married to my satnav.
41. I'm married to my diary too, getting everyone's schedules to work to make most of our lives here on earth is my forte.

42. I'm rocking white Cruella Deville streaks at my temples.
43. Too bad you can't see them because I now colour my hair.
44. My son's birth was with pethidine and happy gas. It was awful.
45. My daughter's birth was all natural without any drugs but happy gas. It was worse.
46. I hate the colour pink with a passion.
47. Musicals are my thing, especially the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
48. In school I used to be one of the shortest in my year. The day I walk past someone shorter than me I gloat a bit. Can you blame me?
49. In 2021 I started CrossFit and haven't looked back.
50. Camping is a nasty business. Nothing beats a warm, clean bed, electricity and water. Oh, and a toilet.

51. At 19 I had laser eye surgery. Phew.
52. My favourite reality TV programmes are Survivor and Amazing Race. The rest sucks.
53. I have never smoked and never intend to.
54. At the ripe old age of 38 I tried weed and greened out. Never again.
55. One of my favourite pastimes is to eat fresh peas straight off the plant. It doesn't happen nearly enough.
56. My favourite fruit is litchi/lychee.
57. At the age of 10 I started wearing glasses but ended up with contact lenses.
58. My head's in the clouds a lot of the time.
59. Stoicism is the way to go, if only I can remember to apply the principles!

60. My father passed away in 2014. I miss him.
61. 2014 was the worst year in my life.
62. I promised myself I would not retire and die in this country (UK). Too depressing.
63. I would like to move and retire to a country with good, warm weather.
64. My ultimate home should at the very least have a proper litchi tree. An exotic fruit orchard is preferable; coconut, mango, avocado, custard apple (cherimoya), papaya, etc.
65. The sexiest thing in my life is my bed. Zzzzz.
66. I think left-handed people are hot.
67. Let’s forget for a second the sad, drugged, old, fat bugger who died on the loo while having poo. Let’s remember him in his heyday. At the age of 10 my father introduced me to Elvis and I have been hooked ever since. Sometimes I wished I could have lived in those times and go to one of his concerts. In all seriousness, I haven’t come across another male artist with such a versatile voice. And the king lives on!
68. My favourite music comes from the 1950’s and 60’s. The coolest group? The Chordettes!
69. My favourite opera and composer are Die Fledermaus and Johann Strauss II respectively.
70. Change is good.
71. I will never know enough, but that doesn’t stop me from learning and reading even more.
72. Spiders run away when they see me because they know they are going to get squished.
73. I don’t like snakes. They are creepy.
74. My favourite smell is anything frying in butter.
75. The less you cook my lamb or beef steak, the happier I am.
76. If you want it straight up, come to me - I am honest.
77. Political correctness is not one of my strengths.
78. Nor is tact or diplomacy, but I do try.
79. I kick myself sometimes for not trusting my intuition more.
80. I love animals.
81. In 2020 we got a Golden Retriever puppy, called Laila.
82. I wish Laila would stop stealing our socks and shoes.
83. Gabriel, my son, is autistic.
84. Gabriel has turned me into a better person, learning patience, compassion and acceptance.
85. Books used to cost me a fortune until I discovered the library in the village. I love it!
86. I love my camera and lenses. If I could bonk them I would have.
87. Robyn, my daughter, is my mini-me. As she grows older we do more and more girly stuff together.
88. I am an introvert and it takes me a while to warm up to new people. Only after I circled you and completely sussed you out and think you are okay will I open up.
89. Noisiness disconcerts me. Most of the time you'll find me in peaceful surroundings. Or listening to my favourite music on a really loud volume.

90. My fascination with plants will never stop. Watching a seed grow into a big plant bearing fruit remains a miracle to me.
91. My body is a miracle to me too. I would have never remembered to breathe all the time or know how to make babies. Luckily everything is automated.
92. Ann Rule is my favourite true crime writer.
93. I'd much rather watch a documentary than a movie.
94. I have been on the internet since 1995.
95. I am right-handed.
96. All my wisdom teeth were removed when I was 16.
97. I don’t like dentists. When they drill it feels as if my brain is being fried.
98. One day when I have more free time I'd like to master card games such as bridge and poker.
99. I'm no adrenalin junkie. So the answer is a big fat no to fast cars, rollercoasters, bungee jumping, sky diving, etc. etc. etc.
100. I'm always grateful when I've invested in my personal growth.