HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO ¡Masala Fabi, Pura Vida!

I started this blog one year ago today. In the true style of 'traditional blogging' -narcissism aside- I thought I'd celebrate my first blogging anniversary by posting '101 Things about Me'. As part of the celebration, join in the fun and let me know '101 Things about You'...or just 10, 5 or even 1!

101 Things about Me

1-The name on my Baptism record appears as: Mariluz Auxiliadora Bogarin Bonilla.
2-I *heart* chocolate.
3-I was an AFS exchange student in 1989. (Az., USA)
4-It was one of the best years of my life.
5-I have hiked the Grand Canyon.
6-I did a scuba diving course.
7-I have scuba dived once in the open sea (and several times in a swimming pool while training).
8-In primary school I got the nickname of ‘Gazu’*. It passed on to my high school friends and some people still call me that. *If you’re curious, remind me to tell you the story of why I got this nickname.
9-I used to be near sighted. (-5.5 L; -8.3 R)
10-Until I had laser eye surgery.
11-I love to read and have always wished I had more time to read books.
12-I went to a public kindergarden and primary school with boys and girls.
13-I went to a semiprivate all-girls Catholic high school.
14-I knew I wanted to study computer science since I was in 9th grade.
15-I remember having a computer in my house since I was in high school (The monitor had a black screen with orange bold letters).
16-I have ALWAYS hated cooking. (And I probably always will.)
17-'B'+ve: "it's my blood type, it's my motto" –Jack Gallo.
18-I've roller skated and ice skated, but I'm not a really good skater.
19-I have enjoyed bowling.
20-I love swimming.
21-I love the Internet (Thanks to Tim Berners-Lee and Vincent Cerf among others!).
22-One day I will see the Himalayas.
23-I never thought I would go to India and have my picture taken in front of the Taj Mahal.
24-I never thought of myself as a 'mom' person.
25-So far, I think I'm doing a pretty good job and I'm also enjoying it.
26-I'm not sure which is my earliest childhood memory, but I remember having a very happy childhood.
27-I used to fight a lot with my brothers.
28-My favorite color is blue.
29-My teenage years were in the 80's, but I consider myself a 90's person.
30-I love techno/electronic music. (See no. 29).
31-I remember the first time I saw snow.
32-I love dancing.
33-I would like to speak fluent German.
34-I should also learn some Hindi (and Marathi!).
35-I really admire my parents.
36-I love to travel.
37-I don't really like talking much on the phone.
38-My Dad taught me how to play chess.
39-I've never had a pet.
40-I love pictures and would like to have my own photo studio someday or print my pictures as postcards.
41-I love shopping.
42-I'm in my middle 30's and I've never owned a car. (!)
43-One day I will go to Italy.
44-I have survived several earthquakes and one hurricane (Hurricane Georges in '98, Dominican Republic).
45-My favorite childhood T.V. program is "Sesame Street" (but I'm sure you already knew that!)
46-I celebrated my 18th B-Day in USA and my 30th B-Day in Germany.
47-I've only voted in the Costa Rican presidential elections once in my life. Other times, I've been abroad.
48-I think it *IS* a small world.
49-I don't believe in luck.
50-It's 2:00 am and I'm still half way through this list.
51-I'm a soccer fan only during the World Cup Championships.
52-I will never understand why people like boxing and cricket.
53-I have never smoked.
54-I've never been drunk, but I have been 'tipsy'.
55-I took a course on 'wine appreciation'. The graduation dinner was a 'tipsy' moment indeed.
56-I love blogging. I wish to blog for a living.
57-I melt everytime my baby boy looks into my eyes.
58-Once I wished I could go to the Love Parade and then in 2003 I did!
59-I took a ride on the 'Maid of the Midst' in Niagara Falls.
60-I have gone camping twice in my lifetime. I rather go to a nice hotel.Thankyouverymuch.
61-When I was a kid, my family used to have 'hot-dog nights' on Saturdays.
62-I like to visit museums every once in a while, especially when I am in a different country than my own.
63-I also enjoy a visit to the zoo.
64-Before living in the caribbean island of Dominican Republic, I never knew the difference between the rhythms of 'salsa' and 'merengue', with this last one being my 'new favorite'.
65-Speaking of Dom. Republic, I once ran across Sammy Sosa in person!
66-I would love to learn karate.
67-I used to go to the movies with my Mom. I wish I could go the movies more often.
68-When I was in college I used to go to classical music concerts with my Dad.
69-In life, I have gotten everything I've wanted.
70-I love browsing through toy and bookstores.
71-I should practice the 'speed reading' technique I learned a few years ago.
72-I've been to Las Vegas twice, but I've never played in a casino.
73-I can't draw to save my life.
74-My worst nightmare is the one in which I dream that my teeth are falling.
75-I rarely remember what I dream during the night.
76-I rode a boat with fishermen once and came back with fish for dinner. Best fish I've ever had!

77-I tried snow skiing once. I didn't like it so much. It's hard!

78-The highest altitude ice palace in the world brings me romantic memories.
79-I've flown over the Nazca lines and have been to Ballestas Islands, Macchu Picchu and Cusco in Peru: simply majestic!
80-I prefer English with an American accent.
81-I like sushi.
82-I would like to be able to eat with Chinese chopsticks.
83-I have gone white water rafting twice (once to Pacuare River in Costa Rica and in some other river in Dominican Republic.)
84-I don't play any musical instrument.
85-I would like to be a good pool player and impress anyone who challenges me to a game.
86-"I'm a professional." ...
87-..."Professional what?" The previous quotes are from my all time favorite movie: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off".
88- I've visited Paris, France twice.
89-I'm not a fan of any movie or entertainment star. They're only human.
90-If I could design my own house the library/computer room would be much bigger than the kitchen.
91-I would be a very bad salesperson.
92-In the western horoscope I'm a 'scorpion', and in the chinese horoscope I'm a 'pig'.
93-I agree: I'm a P.I.G.!!! Pretty Intelligent Girl!
94-I'm a procrastinator.
95-I should exercise more.
96-I would like to meditate more readings from the Bible.
97-I was in Caracas, Venezuela for one week.
98-I admire people who study medicine.
99-I don't feel my age.
100-I like to receive old fashioned air mail.
101-Did I mention I love chocolate?