Someone asked me the other day how well I knew myself. And, um, me being me, and having been me all of my life, that’s like, 25 years of together time, I think I know me pretty darn well. Follow me?

But then said someone asked a follow up question. “But how well do you really know yourself?”

Huh. Well now that you put it that way, I guess I know myself only pretty darn well and not 100%. Because, let’s face it, people are always changing. You encounter someone or go through a certain experience, and it invariably changes you. I do, however, know a few things…

1. I was named after my Aunt Ann. My middle name, anyway. She delivered me. Yeah, that’s right, take that ER! So my mom was ready, I mean ready, to deliver me, but I guess Dr. Wait-On-Me wasn’t, so my Aunt Ann stepped up to the plate and caught me. Thanks, Auntie!

2. I love chocolate. I know, BIG shocker. I even go so far as to lick the wrapper if any morsel is trying to escape.

3. I have a slight weakness for tweezing my eyebrows. Even when they are in decent shape, I still check on them, every day, for any little hair that may have escaped my attention.

4. I have a morbid fixation for the “Crime” section of the news. During and after visiting this section, I always end up feeling horrible, terrified, and utterly convinced that society is shot.

5. I dance and sing in my car when I think no one is looking. But, note to self, someone is usually always looking, even when you don’t think there is. EMBARRASSING.

6. I take too much sugar in my tea.

7. Seeing my Papa Evo always makes me smile. His smile is contagious and time has yet to erase the twinkle in his eye. Amazing.

8. I am proud of my Italian heritage and, pretty shamelessly, boast about it way too much. I should just get PASTA tattooed on my back already.

9. I strongly believe that texting and driving is irresponsible. Period.

10. I have been known to get cold in 90 degree weather. I don’t know why it is, but I’m pretty much always cold.

11. I have a horrible time sleeping without the room being cold. Ironic, I know.

12. I don’t like the texture of sushi and therefore, no matter how good for you it may be or how appetizing it appears, I cannot consume it.

13. My favorite color is blue.

14. My favorite flower, like my Gramma, is a yellow rose.

15. I ponder the possibility of one day going back to school for my Master’s Degree.

16. I have lost count of how many times I have read Pride and Prejudice. That Mr. Darcy gets me every time.

17. My favorite season is autumn. Nothing beats the explosion of color that takes place in this area during autumn.

18. I don’t like socks. I would much rather, hands down, go barefoot than wear socks. And those socks that look like gloves, the ones that wrap around your toes, are just plain WRONG.

19. Velveeta Mac n’ Cheese totally trumps the blue box any day of the week in my opinion.

20. I can spend hours in the card aisle laughing hysterically or crying uncontrollably. Those people at Hallmark really know how to get me!

21. I don’t gush over babies. I save the gushing for puppies.

22. I long for pizza and salad nights with my family, like old times.

23. I’m irrationally offended by the overuse of punctuation. Though, I’ll admit, I have been known to throw around one too many exclamation points in my day! Guilty as charged.

24. I refuse to Facebook or Tweet or anything else that involves silly social networking. PICK UP THE PHONE if you want to stay in touch with a friend. Or, better yet, send a heartfelt letter or card. Hallmark has a great selection.

25. I love the smell of my nephew. His smell is always nicely dancing the line of baby boy and rough and tough little boy. It’s like soft shampoo and dirt. It’s like home.

26. I don’t like to shop. I avoid it at all costs and only partake when it is totally necessary or when I need a pick-me-up.

27. Red wine, when chilled, goes down much too smoothly for me. Fill me up, please!

28. I hate to camp and refuse to ever partake ever again. REFUSE I tell you.

29. I have an affinity for 80s music, movies, and television, including Corey Hart, Labyrnith, and Fraggle Rock.

30. I love my family, even when I hate them, to the point of combustion.

31. I love writing in this space, getting to know me a little bit better, every other week.

About the Author

Haley Taffera covers for the Times Leader. Reach her at or .

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Saying goodbye to Pittston

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Second period

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