Hi Meltingpot Readers,
Since the theme of the week is transparency and coming clean, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share some things about Ms. Meltingpot that you might not know, but that you might find fascinating. Or not. This is pretty much an exercise for me to start ‘sharing’ some of my more personal information here on the Meltingpot. For your benefit, dear readers, I will try to highlight some of the more interesting aspects of my secret life.
So, without further ado, five things you didn’t know about me.
1. I secretly (although it’s not a secret anymore, since I’m sharing on the World Wide Web) want to be a stand-up comedian. When I was in high school, I seriously wanted to be a professional clown but all the make-up kind of scared me. I have since realized that what really drew me to ‘circus performance’ was making people laugh. So, I could be a stand-up comedian and make people laugh, but still get to wear my regular clothes and no make-up. My brand of comedy would be like W. Kamu Bell crossed with Elmo. I think.
2. I have really horrible stretch marks on my stomach and after three kids I also have horribly stretched out stomach muscles which makes me look three four months pregnant ALL THE TIME. And that really bothers me. But I’m working with a physical therapist now, and it’s getting better. But my stomach will never be flat and smooth again. (sigh)
3. I have epilepsy. I have never shared that with anyone publicly, but it’s really time to come out of the shadows with that one. I am amazed at how much discrimination those with epilepsy still face all over the world. (PSA coming now.) If you want to know more about this condition, check out the Epilepsy Foundation website.
4. My father and my husband have the same birthday, which means I seriously married my dad.
5. I am a middle child and an Aquarius and if you look up personality types, I am a classic example of both. I problem solve and talk too much and I have an explosive temper, but I don’t hold a grudge.
So, there you have it. Feel free to comment or confess yourself, so I don’t feel so naked.
Please and thank you!
Peace!
Comments
14 responses to “True Confessions from Ms. Meltingpot”
Hi LT,
Here are my lists:
1. One of the things I always wanted to do was write a book. That is why I love your blog. It keeps that secret dream alive.
2. I tend to read books slowly. At one point, I even asked you for some help. But I remember minor details for a very long time. For example, I read Kinky Gazpacho in 2010 and I already knew your father and your husband had the same birthday.
3. As a child, I thought people with epilepsy were destined to do great things. That must be because I first found out about epilepsy while learning about Napoleon Bonaparte.
Hi Mi,
You should write that book. I’d read it. And thank you for always reading the Meltingpot and sharing your thoughts and ideas. I appreciate you.
Hi,
I wanted to include a link, but I don’t think that reply went through. Please google Marion Clignet. She is an Olympic medalist, a friend of mine and she too has epilesy. She is a tremendous person and she certainly has not succumbed to epilsey.
Thank you, Cyretha,
I will go right on over and check out your friend’s site. She sounds amazing.
Hi,
Have a look at my friend Marion’s site. http://marionclignet.com/
While she was shunned by the US Cycling Federation, she still became an Olympic medalist. She has not let epilepsy hold her back for one minute.
Hi,
Have a look at my friend Marion’s site. http://marionclignet.com/ While she was shunned by the US Cycling Federation she still became an
Olympic medalist. She has not let epilepsy hold her back for one minute.
Sooo…here goes, I have been quietly stalking ur blog since I read Kinky Gazpacho! I love all things Spanish, traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and ur book just hit a sweet spot with me! I have had two kids and I look at least 5 mos pregnant. Biggest confession is that I am having lipo on my tummy and butt lift so I can feel better about my look. Shush…don’t tell anyone….well I guess it’s out there now 😉
I have a cousin with epilepsy….nothing at all to b shame about there!
Dani,
Thank you for outing yourself! Welcome, welcome, welcome. And thank you for reading my book. And thank you for telling me that you’re having surgery. Tell me how that works out. I’m scared of the recovery period. But that’s another post. I’m glad you’re here!
I’ve been following your blog for a few years now, and I want to say I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve written about. Plus, I read Kinky Gazpacho and totally loved it. Let’s see…
1. I’ve always wanted to be a writer of paranormal fiction/urban fantasy featuring multi-ethnic characters, but I’ve never told anyone…until now. I never wanted anyone to laugh at me.
2. I’m visually impaired, which makes doing many things a lot more difficult than I’d like.
3. I’ve had (though I’m fairly cured of it now) a slight obsession with Spanish language and Latino culture. I’m still very interested, but not so manic anymore.
4. This kind of ties into the one above, but I’ve always wanted to make Spanish my second language. That is until I wanted to make Russian my second language, then Czech, then Polish, then, well, you get the idea.
5. I’m a middle child also, but I’m a Libra.
Keep up the great job and awesome blog.
Olivia,
LOL! A total kindred spirit. Thank you for sharing and for your kind words about Kinky Gazpacho. And um, I still think I’m going to master French and Arabic. We can do this!
Ready?
My daughter, my beautiful Colombian princess, has ADHD. I have vowed to keep this information to myself. So many people think its a made up issue or a matter of bad parenting. To those people, I invite you into my world for a moment.
My daughter, until she was 8, was completely uncoordinated. That’s right, her brain could not control its impulses enough to coordinate body movements. So, I have had swollen eyes and sprained fingers from her spastic movements. She also couldn’t speak very well because it involves a lot of fine motor coordination. (She has some overlap with ASD.) She has some learning problems as a result. We are in the process of hammering out her special education plan. No, I don’t just plop her in front of the TV. She works harder than any kid I know. She has to in order to get anything accomplished. We work with an hour a day on her school work. We used to do more than that was told that its counterproductive. The recommendation for her age is only 30 minutes a night, 10 minutes per grade. She’s very perceptive and intelligent in spite of it all. She even scored above average on a few language based evauls. (I praise bilingualism for this!!!)
We walk the dog with her everyday, so she gets plenty of exercise. Between the morning and evening walk about 1.5 miles a day. This of course does not include the gymnastics she does around the house or her time bouncing on her therapy ball.
She takes piano, loves learning about people, wants to help everyone. Dr. King is her hero. She is a sweet, loving child. She understands and (to a lesser existent) speaks Spanish. I wouldn’t trade her for anything least of all neurotypical child. I love my dynamic, multiracial, multicultural family and I should never feel ashamed to say I am a proud parent of an ADHD child. When I finally had someone who understood, I broke down in tears. My daughter’s pediatrician told me, “A lesser woman would have been in here years ago.” Our children makes us strong, don’t they?
Totally different note, my husband’s mother has the same name.
Finally, no need to hide your epilepsy.
Wendy,
What a beautiful love letter to your daughter. She sounds wonderful. And yes, our children do make us strong. And humble. And grateful, every single day.
Well, I always look pregnant, too, and after only two kids. I once gave a standup comedy routine — at the end of my semester in Ireland, roasting everyone in the program. It was a huge hit, and I got a real charge out of all the laughter. Definitely my favorite moments as a writer/speaker are making people laugh. Making them think is a close second.
As for personality, I do not have an explosive temper, but I’m afraid I do hold a grudge. Slow to anger, but slow to forgiveness.
Eileen,
You do NOT look pregnant! And I am really enjoying the image of you doing stand-up comedy. You are my new inspiration. And I agree, making them think is also a thrill. Which is why I want to do smart comedy.