Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

Onto number 2 on the list.  3 fears.

I'm sort of wondering what "legitmate" means in this case.  Aren't all fears legit?  Well, mine probably aren't. But these are the first three things that popped into my head.

1. The dark.  I mean like pitch black dark.  Is there anybody that likes that?  Have you ever been locked in a closet or bathroom or something?  I freak out just a little.  It hasn't happened to me much because I make sure it doesn't.  At work there is a bathroom without windows and the light is on the opposite side of the wall.  (Why?  Who designed it that way?!) When I close at the end of the night and have to turn the light off, I do one of two things: open the door as wide as possible and run to the light switch and then run back to the door before it flings shut, or occasionally I will stretch my body as wide as possible by holding the door with one leg, my toe pointed like a ballerina, and reeeeeaching the opposite arm to touch the switch.  Both methods work not all that well.

2. Water.  This sort of goes along with the dark.  It is the fear of the unknown.  Like, swimming in a lake or the ocean is the most unappealing thing ever.  Not fun in the least.  We have no idea what is in that water.  Pools are doable, but still, water not my favorite thing.  Random fact: when I was young, in school we were taught that all bodies of water are somehow connected.  So I convinced myself that this included the YMCA pool that I used to swim in.  In my mind it was possible for all the sea creatures to get into the water through a drain or some sort of water recycle system because the water has to come from somewhere and go somewhere, so although it was unlikely, it was completely POSSIBLE.  I was scared of the pool. But, in my defense I was pretty young...I think. Second random fact: in 2012 when I went to Florida with my grad school class, I gave in and swam in the ocean with friends, and there was a shark that swam right behind me.  It was close!!!!  Others think it was a Dolphin...but I know deep down that it was a shark.  I didn't swim anymore on the trip after that near death experience.

3.  Crowds.  Oh my gosh, I am starting to hyperventilate just thinking about it.  Crowded places like the grocery store or concerts or clubs/pubs all make me tense up and run for cover!  I can handle it and hold it together for the most part.  But this usually entails not breathing, clenching my fists, and holding back tears.  When my parents visited for the 4th of July we went to Navy Pier (against every Chicagoan's advice).  The day was lovely and all in all wasn't too crowded.  Sure there were lines and bumping into people a little bit, but for the most part, we had room to breathe.  That was until after the fireworks.  Everyone on the whole pier was trying to leave at the same time out of the same small arched entrance.  I tried to mentally put a shield/bubble/cocoon up around my body, but there are bodies pushing up against me from all sides popping my personal space bubble!!!  Pretty much my worst nightmare, but it only lasted for about 30 minutes.  Plus, my Momma was there yelling at people crunching me.  It was so funny.  One guy tried to shove past me, or maybe was shoved into me, (was he drunk??)  I don't know what happened, but she yelled, "Get off of her!"  She was ready to physically push him but I think the yelling was enough.  Yup, not so scary with Momma around.  :)