Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?
I have both performed on stage and given speeches before, but only in school and it was years ago. I remember performing skits in class, and I either blanked out and was fed the lines, or I had to read from a paper. And then with the speeches, I mostly read from the essay I wrote, only briefly looking at the audience. I even took a speech course in college, and got a better than average grade.
However, I don’t find public speaking or performing pleasant. I was visibly uneasy in front of others, and sometimes I cut the speech short so I could return to the classroom desk. It was before I was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Imagine, that I like stand up comedy, and would like to perform stand-up one of these days. I never have, so it remains a dream. Curse you, social anxiety!
I never been big on exercise, although intellectually I understand the need and benefit of it. I tried the fitness center membership route twice in my lifetime, and was barely going.
However, walking and traveling seem to be my preferred method of exercise. I go different places, and I’m more likely to walk and carry heavier objects like luggage and groceries. I have to work with the quirks of my neurodiverse brain.
These aren’t necessarily my favorite meals, with the exception of that Nacho Salad Dip. But my family are big Green Bay Packer fans, and if we all had the Sundays off, my 2 brothers, their combined wives and children, my mother and I would watch the football games together. My mother was able to buy sliced ham and cheddar cheese from a deli/corner store she worked at part time at a discount price. With soft butter or mustard slathered on the rolls, it’s actually pretty good, and they were easy to make meals.
If my mother was in the mood or it was requested by my brothers, she would make a version of chicken enchiladas that used refried beans and cream of chicken soup. Baked in the oven in a Pyrex platter for roughly an hour, my brothers were bigger fans of that casserole type dish than I was, but my mother liked making it for the family.
During special occasions, including when the Packers made it to the playoffs or Championship game, my mother would make Nacho Salad Dip. Now, that Nacho Dip was actually a favorite of mine, and I keep trying to remember the exact ingredients so I can make my own version. Avocadoes mixed with cream cheese, some chili powder, garlic powder and other seasonings, squeezes of lemon juice, the guacamole mixture spread in a plate, topped with shredded lettuce and Mexican cheeses, chopped onions tomatoes, and olives. Sour cream may also be an ingredient, but I’m not sure. Served with Doritos or another bag of tortilla chips. So fattening, yet so tasty! Sometimes I try to look up online recipes to see if there is a version of that dip. It is one of those foods I’ll remember fondly, even if I don’t know how to make it myself yet.
Otherwise, I like to make various types of Stir Fries, variations of Spaghetti, and chicken fajitas in my own home.
What’s the first impression you want to give people?
I’d like to give off the vibe that I’m an introvert, and can be standoffish. But also I’m often deep in thought. In many cases, that’s true. However, if I’m able to help someone when approached, I will. Sometimes I have conversations with strangers, but every once in awhile. I’ve opened up to a few people in my life. I can be generous, knowledgeable, and funny around certain types of people.
If I do manage my screentime, I’ll either cook something to eat, sleep or nap, take a shower, go for a walk, or go to a public event. I go online mainly when I have free time yet, I’m bored. I don’t worry about the screen time so much, because being online has enriched my life in different ways. And I think I do more productive activities online than I do unproductive.
HETTY 