25 Things About Me (Raul)

Since there’s a gazillion new people in my follower list and a lot of new readers, I figured I’d post this note that is on my Facebook page. 25 things that you may or may not know about me. Actually, most of my friends would know this about me.

1. I sometimes sleep on my couch. Usually when I am watching TV. Makes me feel less lonely, as I do live alone.
2. When I am sad, I make grape Jell-O. Reminds me of my late aunt. It makes me feel emotionally better.
3. When I am peckish (i.e. kind of hungry), I boil eggs and add lime juice and salt. Really tasty snack. Trust me, you ought to try it.
4. I hate cheese. This is a rather known fact about me, but people seem to forget quite easily.
5. Despite my hate of cheese, I *will* eat pizza. I actually will be happy to eat pizza if it has lots of meat.
6. I don’t like creamy soups. It might have something to do with my lactose intolerancy.
7. It took over 1.5 years for me to turn on my TV. I bought one and never used it.
8. I can dream in English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
9. I tend to misplace my keys quite often, despite my prodigious photographic memory.
10. I tried 8 different colognes (one each semester during my undergraduate degree) before I settled on my signature fragrance: Herrera for Men.
11. I am addicted to the TV show “Brothers and Sisters”.
12. I have bumped into lots of actors while I’ve lived in Vancouver. Most recently Michael Weatherly of Dark Angel and NCIS fame. Actually I saw him at brunch at Provence Marinaside in Yaletown.
13. I know how to say “I love you” in Japanese. I actually know how to say “I love you forever” – itsumo aishiteru.
14. Up until April 2008 I had never interviewed anyone in a different language. I had been interviewed in several languages, but I had never done it myself.
15. Up until early 2009, I was on EVERY SINGLE OTHER social media platform, except for Facebook. Now, I’m also on Facebook. Yes, I know. I caved.
16. I take at least 1 hour a week to meditate. I don’t take any phone calls, nor do I check email or anything. It’s MY time and mine only.
17. I have volunteered doing adult literacy programs. I have also volunteered doing science education programs. I feel much more fulfilled with adult literacy, quite frankly.
18. My favorite food right now is Ethiopian. Not sure why, but I just absolutely adore those flavors. I used to have a fascination with Japanese, Italian and Mexican food. Right now, Ethiopian is the one.
19. I have always loved taking a different approach to things. All my brothers play basketball (quite competitively). I chose volleyball, and became a pretty good competitive volleyball player.
20. I was raised listening to classical music. Yet, I absolutely love 80’s pop music.
21. It is widely accepted that the two most important environmental challenges are water and energy. I do research on water, but have never had any interest whatsoever in energy. Except in 2010, when I started teaching Global Environmental Politics. My best friend is an expert on energy, so we are quite complementary (I’m a specialist on water).
22. I used to work better late at night but right now it’s really hard for me to stay up late in the mornings.
23. I have worked several times 24 hours straight. It didn’t do any good to my health.
24. I hate waiting for the bus. Sometimes I walk (and obviously, sometimes I miss the bus because it comes before I can feel it approaching!)
25. Even though I am an environmental specialist, I do eat meat. I do have a 60-70% vegetarian diet, though.