25 Random Things, 750 words
25 Random Things About Yourself
2. My hometown is a small community with its roots in coal mining. It’s also the birthplace of Bob Hope and considers itself “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.”
3. In high school, I founded a micro-finance loan club. We solicited local businesses and provided zero-interest loans to disadvantaged entrepreneurs across the world. I lured my friends to the first meeting with the promise of free pizza.
4. Growing up, I raised ducks as pets. I would adopt ducklings from a local farm, raise them, and then release them to the wild. 5. As a kid, I was too short to go on Thunder Mountain ride in Disneyworld Orlando, so I snuck on wearing platform shoes with heel inserts.
6. It’s impossible for me to fall asleep without first reading at least three random Wikipedia pages. Recent topics have included Greek architecture, fauna of the Arctic Circle, and Pavlovian responses.
7. Fred Meyer, the famous Royals player, was my childhood baseball coach. At the time, I had no idea who he was, but I still recall the invaluable lessons he taught me.
8. At age 13, I competed in the Puerto Rico International Pee-Wee Soccer Tournament. I played teams from Brasil, Switzerland, and Germany, and billeted with a local family for two weeks. All of us bonded over our love of hockey – and pasteles.
9. During quarantine, I tried to keep myself company by adopting two goldfish. Sadly, they both died within a week. To honor their memories, I put them in paper boats and lit the boats on fire as I flushed them down the toilet in proper Viking funeral style. RIP Bubba and James Pond.
10. Every summer, I learn one new random “skill.” So far, I’ve mastered juggling, crocheting, and lockpicking. Next, I’m going to learn to solve Wordle puzzles in three moves or less.
11. My favorite place in the world is Mt. Hood, Oregon, home to 365/day skiing and some of the steepest slopes in the US. It took me four years to conquer it.
12. My parents loved to spring surprises on us. Once, while on a trip to the Swiss Alps, my parents pretended that we were visiting a cheese factory when, in actuality, they were taking me skiing, which they knew I was passionate about.
13. On the same trip, while skiing the Matterhorn, I took a wrong turn and almost ended up in France.
14. Preparing for a business trip to Dubai, I learned that it was one of the top sites in the world to skydive; five minutes later, I had my skydiving appointment booked.
15. I became CPR certified at the age of ten.
16. I met my wonderful girlfriend of 4 years, Natalie, sitting next to me in my first class at USC. While we rarely disagree, one unresolved controversy is the topic of who chose to sit down next to whom.
17. My mom and dad were high school sweethearts and have been married for 30 years.
18. I am a fan of everything USC and loved being a student there. Among renowned assets such as “Trojans” football, USC’s random roommate assignments policy introduced me to my 10 closest friends.
19. USC has a series of interhall tournaments between the dorms, and I won a championship every year I attended.
20. My dad grew up in a trailer park, and was the first in his family to graduate from college; he worked his way through law school. Similarly, my mom worked her way through medical school. I strive to embody their work ethic.
21. My sister, following in my dad’s footsteps, is now a lawyer in Louisiana.
22. In 8th grade, I won my school spelling bee and went to the state competition, where I was soundly defeated in the second round, stumped by “containing lead”: Plumbiferous
23. I memorized a Shakespearian soliloquy in 7th grade and can still recite it. But soft, what light through yonder window breaks…
24. I love exploring new neighborhoods in Chicago and trying their unique cuisine. My favorite stop is at Panaderia Del Refugio in Pilsen for their 50-cent pan dulce.
25. While many people debate New York v. Chicago pizza, I am a proponent of Detroit-style. It’s the perfect mix of crunch, thickness, and caramelized cheese.