Random Mission

Mission: Write 20 random facts about yourself
Assignment by: Aunty Marianne
Deadline: October 17, 2005, 23:00

1. I had to have two surgeries on my left eye by the time I was 18 months old due to a extra fat tissue on my eyelid. Fortunately, the doctors did a good job and today you can hardly notice it.

2. Continuing on the same theme, I had appendicitis in the summer of 1996 when I was an aupair in Pittsburgh, USA. Fortunately I had good insurance coverage so I didn't have to foot a penny of the $15K bill. I did have some complications though (vein bursting from the IV and loss of feeling in my thigh for almost a year due to a pain shot that hit a nerve) and was told later I could have sued the hospital, but being Swedish the thought didn't even cross my mind.

3. When I was 10 I stepped on a rusty nail that almost went through my foot (same theme). I had to have a tetanus shot and missed my third grade leaving party, but otherwise I was fine. I just have a tiny, almost not noticeable scar today.

4. I played football for seven years (age 9-16) but never got hurt. I don't know if that means I was lucky or that I wasn't a very good player...

5. I tried rugby after quitting football but only lasted one practice. I lasted at least a few weeks when I tried athletics (track-and-field) but that was when I was much younger.

6. I stopped playing football because I couldn't participate in all practices (and then they wouldn't let you play matches) due to a growing political interest and membership in the local Social Democratic youth club in Södertälje (though I was on the barricades with my mum at the May 1 demonstrations already as a toddler).

7. I had a seat on a local council (Södertälje) dealing with disability issues for three years 1994-1997 but had to resign when I moved to Uppsala to study. These particular issues are dear to me since I have a brother who's mentally handicapped (but such a fun guy nonetheless!).

8. I have a degree from Oxford, which my working class self would never have imagined ten years ago. But I didn't have a problem socialising with the likes of Emirate princesses and Chelsea Clinton (my interaction with the latter consisted of giving directions to the "restroom").

9. Otherwise I hardly ever see any celebrities, but when I was living in London I lived in the same street as John Cleese.

10. I used to think Brad Pitt was gorgeous but since this Jolie thing his star has fallen in my sky because I'm definitely on Team Aniston.

11. I just LOVE "Friends"! My friend Kim and I have so much fun watching that show and she's so good at remembering all the lines and bringing them into conversations and situations!

12. Kim (who lives in England) doesn't have any children yet but otherwise so many of my friends are producing babies like on a conveyor belt. They are cute but sometimes I just want to have friends who want to go for a beer or take a trip...

13. When I have children one day, I'm going to have a girl called Isolde, otherwise it's not happening!

14. I have tried Internet dating - in order to find the father to Isolde - and I recommend it! It's fun!

15. I have never purchased anything on eBay. I actually don't think shopping is that fun though I seem to spend money nevertheless.

16. I'm a book-a-holic - the big black hole where my pay check goes - but I don't read as much. They need to sit on my bookshelf for a while to "mature".

17. I'm on the lookout for a Butler's Tray to go with my couch and my book shelves.

18. I want to build a house in American colonial style in Sweden one day.

19. I don't mind paying more than half of my income in taxes. I'm sure it will come back to me one day one way or the other.

20. I love ice cream! In fact, I think I'm going to have some now!