I have revealed a little of myself. And while I’ve built a presence with a  certain identity, there are a few things you may not know about me. Welp, I guess it’s time you learned a little more about who is behind this voice. There’s some good, bad, funny, weird, and…I guess that’s it.

Number 1: My origin is West African

I found out about this during the summer. Thanks to an injury to one of my sisters in her wrist, she got it x-rayed. The doctor noticed that a bone in her wrist was “not normal” but there was nothing wrong with it and that same form is typically found in West Africans. Yay for me. I’ll have to get to know my roots. I don’t know what part of West Africa we’re from and I don’t know if it’s mom or dad’s side. It just so happens my god-siblings are West African (born here but their mother is born in West Africa). So, we’re a little more related I guess.

Number 2: I would describe my life as “organized chaos”

I’m very messy. My room is messy. And yet, I happen to know where everything is. All my important paper work is accounted for. I seem to thrive in clutter and chaos. I have a lot of stuff going on and yet it’s comfortable. When I do clean my room, it feels awkward and empty and boring. For instance, the next few months are gonna be wild. I’m lighting director for the Christmas Cantata, ALPHA Facilitator, News Desk Writer as well as blogger for FanSided, school, teaching Sunday church and running this blog. And I’m not feeling pressured at all.

Number 3: I can’t stand my voice

That video series I did? I haven’t actually listened to it. I hate hearing my voice. You know how sometimes we don’t notice things until they are pointed out to us? Then we’ll go, “Hey, you’re right!”. So, to try to prevent you from hating my voice the way I do, I won’t tell you what I hate about it.

Number 4:  I don’t enjoy volunteering at my church’s foodbank

Now this will make me seem like a dick but it’s true. The reason why however could save me from your wrath. See, my problem was, people are picky. I’m like, “Be thankful you got something today”. Back in its early days, I was one of just a few that would carry the heavy bags to old and/or handicapped people’s cars. And a lot of them would seem dissatisfied with what they got. And don’t get me started with the mind games would try to somehow get me to stand up for them and cause a scene so they could get a little something extra. I told myself to always play dumb like you have no clue how the world works. These days, I quit doing it because it’s out of hand. Instead, I talk to them while they’re in the waiting room. I usually share some message from the Bible or my book.

Number 5: For some reason, I want people to go further than me in life

When I hear about the good things people did or the awards they win, I celebrate with them. I constantly hope my sisters outshine me. I don’t know why. Part of it is from my lack of interest in being in the spotlight. I don’t know. I just love people’s success. Yup. I would rather hide in a corner. When my church first announced I wrote my book, I had to be pushed to the front for the congregation to give me a standing ovation. I hate attention. I’d rather you shine. I have terrible stage fright. Talking, singing, playing the alto sax, whatever it is, I don’t want to do it. Sometimes, this can be bad as I would let someone take credit for my work. It’s interesting.

Number 6: I have three unpublished books

Yup, I said I would never publish again. I have three other books on the shelf. I’m building a library of books just for me and my awesome works. Never to be published, they will remain part of my inner circle of friends and family. The books are completed and everything. Only thing I would have to do is hit the “okay” button to make them available.

Number 7: If I didn’t need food to live, I wouldn’t eat it

I don’t like food. The idea of eating doesn’t appease to me. My family thinks I have a mental illness. It’s possible as both sides of my family are very overweight (isn’t this whole country fat?). Maybe I have a fear of getting big so I just don’t eat unless my stomach growls. As a kid, I guess I was the stereotypical starving African kid in the commercials. The fact that I’m west African actually makes this very possible! My doctor told me recently that I was under weight. Yup, I’m not a fan of food.

Number 8: I can’t swim

I have no fear of water at all. I enjoy being in the ocean on my trips to the beach. My grand mother had a pool that I and my sisters used to get into to every day. I enjoy being in the water. I just never got around to learning to swim. I can swim a little as I’ve had a few lessons. Ultimately, I never got passed the “head under the water thing” as one of my instructors called it. The sensation of being under the water is not ideal. I do know how to stay afloat. So there’s that.

Number 9: I write to myself

I started doing this when I turned 20. I write a letter to my future self on my birthday. In the letter, I talk about where I am and where I want to be by the time my future reads the letter. My 21 year old self may not be pleased by where I am. I hope my 23 year old self is cool with how I spend my time. I look forward to reading these letters ten years later to see where I’ve come from. Even if you don’t like writing, I suggest trying it out. It’s fun.

Number 10: I’m a T.V. star

Okay, I don’t have proof of this…yet. However, back when my church used to run a TV show, I was a guest alongside my doctor (who is also a member of the church and a very close family friend) and I did an interview with one of our pastors. I answered a couple of questions but the episode was centered around the doctor. It aired on television. So there. I’m a star! I’ll have to ask the church if they have the video of it and see if I can share it with you.

So, how many of these facts did you know about me? Even my closest family and friends didn’t know all ten. Maybe one or two of these facts were briefly mentioned on the blog or somewhere on the internet. But, for the most part, these are unknown facts. Thanks for reading and expect another list in a couple of months!

-DALANEL