5 things

I always think I don't do these things, but then I always do them. It helps when someone really sweet (pun intended) tags you. Here's five things about me that I'm pretty sure you don't already know.

1. J and I both have a little fantasy, wherein we learn Dutch and move to the Netherlands to grow tulips (okay, that part is mine) and ride bicycles everywhere. In my fantasy, there is also a greyhound, a Siamese cat, and two babies. And Maus will be there too, because she is going to live forever. Oh, and also we'll win the lottery and move our families there. Noyoudon'thaveachoice.

2. Everything is my favorite something. I am an effusive, enthusiastic person. Clementines? Favorite fruit. Oh wait...watermelon? Favorite fruit. Oh you said peaches? Favorite fruit. J catches me doing this all the time...movies, food, books, flowers, restaurants...even people. Everything is my favorite something.

3. My best friend from college is named Kelly, and I call her Kellybean. My best friend here in Boston is named Jill, and I call her Jillybean. They both call me Clairbear.

4. I recently discovered that one of my reactions to stress is chronic hyperventilation syndrome. When life gets busy in general, and it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what's stressing me out, it manifests as an overfocus on my breathing. This makes me take in too much oxygen, which lowers my CO2 levels, which (strangely) makes me feel breathless. So I keep chugging in air and yawning because I feel like I can't get a full breath, further contributing to my lack of CO2. Apparently, this is pretty common. It's not the kind of hyperventilation that leads to a panic attack and breathing in a paper bag. It's just pretty uncomfortable. But consciously limiting your breathing can help resolve the issue. (Also, RELAXING.)

5. I love teenagers. People usually give me really sympathetic looks when they find out I taught ninth graders, but it's not needed! I'm still not sure what I'll be doing when I finish my grad program, but I know I want to be working directly with teenagers again. Preferably, that work will keep me in the sunshine, talking and doing creative things with the young people I love.

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And because it feels like most of my blog friends have already done this, I'm going to share the love family-style and tag my sister and my mom.