Whilst in California, I have discovered a few things about myself that I had not noticed about myself before. Some things are quite odd; others are quite hilarious. I mean, it is pretty funny how much you discover about yourself when you are out of your comfort zone.

 

1. I am a water bottle addict.

 

Odd, eh? I know. Every time my friends and I go to either Target or Walmart (really, any store with pretty water bottles), I always trek to the bottle area. "Oh, pretty!" is the first thing that I always say.  This is one of my odd and hilarious things.

 

2. I enjoy eating pepper by itself.

 

Before I came to California, I knew that I enjoyed peppers. I always ate them with my greens, pasta, pizza, and shrimp. What I did not know is that I enjoy eating them alone.  Is this even healthy? I suppose so.

 

3. I am not as "shy" as I make myself out to be.

 

Prior to coming to Stanford, I would have told you that I am a generally shy person until I get to know you. While this is still true, it is not...., er, true to some sense. I have learned that as long as I calm the heck down, breathe, and clear my voice, talking to strangers and meeting new friends can kind of be a breeze.  While I can still be my awkward and shy self, I can also bring myself out of my shell when I need to.

 

4. I have a really bad shopping addiction.

 

I knew that I was addicted to online shopping before I came.  What I did not know is that I am a real, breathing shopaholic. Going to the mall and Target so much has easily made this salient to me and anyone else who is around me at that point-in-time. While this is not odd nor hilarious, it is something that needs to be fixed.

 

5. I can eat vegetarian food and not hate my life.

 

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Dining Hall provides vegan/vegetarian meals along with non-vegetarian meals. While here, I figured that I might as well try some food that I would have never thought to try before. Hence the reason I can eat vegetarian food. Not all of it is good, but not all of it is bad either.

 

6. I will be just fine away from home when I go to college.

 

I am across the country from my family. They are in Michigan, and I am in California. There is a three hour time difference, and I am not a quick road-trip away. I've been here at Stanford for four weeks now, and I am not exactly what you'd call homesick.  Occasionally, I will miss home and the meals and the time missed spent with family. BUT! I am perfectly content being on my own out here. At least I met some friends?

 

7. I fall asleep during movies a lot.

 

I can typically stay up during movies. Well, that's what I thought. Back at home in Michigan, I always watched movies with my mum, sister, and dad. The only time I fell asleep was if it was late at night, and I was already tired (or the movie was really boring). Here, in California, I fall asleep during movies rather often. We watch movies in Tiffany and Rayonna's dorm room a lot (as well as the lounge), and during each and every one aside from Magic Mike, I have drifted off. Oops?