26 at 26

November brings many holidays and birthdays, including mine.  So in celebration, I thought I would share some fun facts with you may or may not know about me.

1. No matter how old I get, I still love Mac and Cheese.
2. I love reading.  No, scratch that.  I REALLY LOVE reading, like crazy woah!
3. I thrive off of change, adventures, and going places where I know no one and nothing.
3. My greatest fear is being forgotten.
4. My family is extremely important to me, and I would do anything for those I love and care for.
5. I'm a huge introvert, and people genuinely scare me sometimes.  (Seriously, if a person I don't know approaches me and starts talking to me, all I can think is: "Why are you talking to me?"  I'm not trying to be mean, I just don't understand.)  When around too many folks, I begin to feel overwhelmed, scared and anxiety-filled, unless I can block them out mentally (hence the constant music).  I do best with one on one, or small group settings where I know most folks.
6. I was born with wanderlust in my blood.
7. My father once went to a psychic for fun, and she told him something about each person in his family.  What she said about me fits better than almost any description I have ever heard: I sharpen my tongue with a pencil sharpener.
8.  I have loved four different men in my life.  The only one who didn't break my heart at some point was the first one.
9.  I adore Stitch, from Lilo and Stitch the Disney movie.  Please don't ask why, I'm not really sure.  Just something about that mismatch little guy, who's a bit crazy, very lost, and adorably protective once he loves someone, just touches my heart.
10.  Though you might not be able to tell if you don't know me, I am a HUGE nerd.  And proud of it baby!
11.  Strawberries are my favorite fruit.
12.  I love the fact that by the age of 26, I have owned my own company, moved abroad, started grad school, and run a volunteer program- all on my own.
13.  Right now I live in Korea, which means that when I come back to the States, I have to say hello/goodbye to everyone.  Though I thoroughly love living overseas, I cannot stand saying goodbye.  I hate it with a fiery passion.
14.  Teaching English has helped me learn more about my own language than 12 years of schooling ever has.
15.  I suffer from depression.  I have since I was in high school.  I have been on medication twice, but chosen to no longer take it.  Sometimes things get hard for me, and I really struggle with fighting the demons.  It is a battle I am not sure will ever go away, but I am prepared to fight until the day I die.
16.  Sometimes I am not able to find the words to express myself.  Literally.  Words are very hard for me, and my thoughts can turn into a tangled knot in my mind. It takes me much longer to speak when I feel sad or have mixed emotions.  If we are ever speaking and I don't respond right away, it just means I am thinking.
17.  I live to work, I don't work to live.
18.  My favorite quote:  Not all those who wander are lost.
19.  Over the past three years, I have taught around 850 or so kids, and I still remember a fair amount of them.  I genuinely love every single one, always will, and call each one my kid.  Knowing that I have touched their lives for the better, even helped some change their lives or make the right decision at crucial times, and watched them as they go down the road of life on their own, fills me with more joy than I can express!
20.  I am a born and raised Catholic.  My full Catholic name is Rita Marie Cecilia Ulrich- and I am proud as hell of this fact.
21.  That being said, I believe in equal rights for all people, no matter their sexuality.
22.  Thus far, I have visited 7 countries.  Countless more to go.
23.  After my skin infection healed, I had reoccurring flashbacks and nightmares for about 3 months.  That month with undiagnosed AGEP was the most terrifying in my life personally.
24.  Although my last school was literally hell on Earth, I learned so much more from my failure than I knew at the time.  I will forever be grateful for what I learned, though still despise the school for what it is.
25.  One day I want to work for an NGO/NPO and change the world.
26.  I believe that if it terrifies you to the core, then it is absolutely something you need to do.

So there you have it.  26 facts about a 26 year old living in the R.O.K.  I hope you enjoyed, and I'll talk to you next time!
Always,
Rita