accent: You know, I never really thought I had a strong accent until I moved to Canada. I did grow up in a region that has a strong accent (my nephew has such), but I nor my siblings didn't ever have a terribly pronounced accent. Since moving to Canada, however, even I notice it. My "no" comes out like "no-oooh" and of course I also have the normal exaggerated American accent that seems to be void up here in Canada. Eh. The 'h' in 'herb' is silent, and don't you forget it. ;)

booze: Social drinker. Not even that. I have a few drinks each month. Which is weird, because I have a deep and profound love for fruity martinis and cocktails. I even have a shaker at home. But unless I have a special occasion (like Christmas, New Years, etc) I will just stick with the non-alcoholic quenchers like iced tea, juice, and water. Oh well, probably better for my liver anyway.

chore I hate: I absolutely hate scrubbing the tub and shower. Maybe it's because I'm always worried I'll pull something in my back while I'm exerting force in an uncomfortable kneeling position. Maybe it's because no matter how hard I try, I get a mild buzz from bleach that alters my sense of smell and taste.... which I don't like. And maybe it's because I really hate that disgusting grime that grows in the crevices of the tile and on the sides of the tub. Ungh, I hate it... even more than toilet duty.

dogs/cats: Currently petless. We had Nala up til about a year or so ago. Took me awhile to get over the traumatic loss (first death I ever witnessed personally). But I'd be more than ready to find a loveable dog to bring home given the opportunity. Give me a reason to go for frequent walks, too. But, it seems that we tend to put it off because there's always a trip coming up in the near future. And what do you do? Board the pet? Try to unload pet with petless or cat-owning friends? Doubtful. Tricky situation.

essential electronics: CAMERA (does that count?), computers, television (this month especially, while the World Cup's ongoing), and my iPod (I have set up speakers in the kitchen to hook up to my player, so come on by Casa Christine and you may catch a glimpse of me shaking my sweet thang in the kitchen while I'm preparing dinner. Poor poor neighbors that I do have. ;)

favorite perfume/cologne: Before I went "au naturelle" and organic in terms of my personal grooming products, my favorite and most-worn perfume was always Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea parfum. It was clean, light, and feminine without being too flowery. Since I went "hippy", however, I haven't really found a new 'signature' scent to wear everyday. If I wear anything these days, it's either jasmine essential oil or the Middle Eastern perfume oil Nisma that Jagu got for me from Kuwait. Whenever I wear it, Sim calls me India because it was pretty much the only perfume I wore on that particular trip and he's associated it to those days traveling through Kerala. Still vowing to make my own perfume, though, once I get some time and pure-grain alcohol.

gold/silver: I think silver jewelry looks best with my fair skintone, but I'm really not picky *wink*nudge* ;)

hometown: Dinky little Calumet, Michigan, located in north-western part the scenically snow-covered Upper Peninsula. That's right, I'm a Yooper (eh!).

insomnia: Hell no. Okay well sometimes, if my anxiety gets the better of me. But otherwise? I'm usually out within 15-20 minutes. And I've been blessed with the ability to sleep deeply. Most nights, I sleep straight through til morning.

job title: Umm.. currently it's "My god, why oh why am I doing freelance?" ;) Oh yeah, and "pro-photographer extraordinaire". ;)

kids: None... that I know of. *heh* But someday, sure thing. It'd be a great ongoing science experiment.... errr... I mean "the blessed gift of God." :P

living arrangements: I think you're all acquainted with Sim, right? We live in a never-quite-big-enough third floor apartment in the Lower Lonsdale region of North Vancouver. And we have *yet* another strata council meeting coming up at our place tomorrow night.

most admired trait: No matter how hard I try to be elusively mysterious (think Marlene Dietrich, but without the cigarettes or the deep voice), I always end up being "the cute one". And I guess that's not such a bad thing. Cute will keep me going through the golden years. Oh, and I have a fabulous sense of humor. I love to laugh, and make others laugh. The world needs more laughter, less of the canned variety.

number of sexual partners: I don't kiss and tell, but it's not many. And no I'm not ashamed of that.

overnight hospital stays: Twice... I had my enlarged adnoids and tonsils taken out when I was young. I do believe both times I stayed overnight at the hospital. Other than that, just the time spent in the incubator after my birth (I was born premature, and tooo cold! Damn AC.)

phobia: Being caught in a fire, sleeping on a floor where spiders may roam, and somewhat afraid of heights, too. I'll likely chain my future offspring to my hip when we go up mountainsides. And I'm not so wild about moldy things growing in the refrigerator. I get a bit squeamish.

quotes: I'm a quote whore and collect a lot of favorites, but the one that has kept with me through the years is "A smile is contagious." Reminds me to not be such a sour puss.

siblings: Two brothers, one sister, all quite a bit older than me and all married with multiple children. That means I have two nieces, five nephews, and two step-nephews. Ouch.

time I usually wake up: This is where freelancing is nice- I wake up usually between 7:30 and 8:30. Which means I should be in bed by now.

unusual talent: Do facial expressions count?

vegetables I refuse to eat: Green peppers. I can handle red, yellow, orange, and all of the hot. But I cannot stand the taste of green pepper. Not sure why, but it's probably for the best, as bell peppers sometimes cause me indigestion. I also shy away from olives most of the time, even though I'd be willing to douse myself in extra-virgin olive oil.

worst habit: I'm such a lazy procrastinator. Ungh!

x-rays: I can't remember every x-ray, but the last set of x-rays I had were during my medical test for immigration into Canada. Just one of your regular chest x-rays.... My lungs are a-ok.

yummy foods I make: I love to cook and I love to bake, so I have a lot of special dishes. I'd say the two that have gotten the biggest raves are my homemade focaccia and Barefoot Contessa's lemon cake, which isn't really mine but which people are happy to see me make.

zodiac sign: I'm a leo, roar. And yes, I do fit the personality. I'm vain, I can be terribly lazy, I love to indulge, and can become fierce if provoked. Occasionally, though, I attempt to be humble and I have shy moments around new people.