The BLOGGER 411: all you need to know about ME!

Becky @ From Mrs. to Mama, is doing a link up about you.  I thought I'd help fill you get a better idea of me & see if you want to be my blogging buddy! 

1.) How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?

Technically I started blogging In November 2009. But I kind of had three fizzled out blogging starts. I just could not get into in. I began blogging after my friend Mallory Code passed away from Cystic Fibrosis. I didn’t know she had Cystic Fibrosis or any other of her numerous health issues until well after I met her.  I am ashamed to admit I learned more from her after she went to heaven than when she was here on earth.

I only knew Mallory for a very limited amount of time, but I think more than any other person she taught me how to truly dance in the rain! To look beyond life’s crap and see how many blessings you have and to celebrate them, regardless of whatever clouds are in your skies. Don’t get me wrong, I have had experienced this lesson countless time from my family and friends but it never really clicked until I was blessed to meet Mallory.

It was a pretty rough time in my life when we met. We both were dealing with our own things but we were able to bond together, and support each other. Somehow time with Mallory reminded me to push on, fight on and never give up. Yeah I had my slip-ups but I’m on that journey still, without her I might be in the same spot I was all those years ago.

I would call myself a monotonous pessimist. I can dwell in the poor me stage and just get frustrated at all the little imperfections of life. I did not value Mallory enough, but when she passed, something clicked and I started my blog to remind myself that I’m pretty blessed, things could be 1000% worse, to seize each day and relish in what I have. I always had a little voice inside of me “saying push on” but it was drowned by other voices, losing Mallory made that little voice, a strong, forceful, determined voice.

My blog is all my randomness and more, but under my header it states “Living life as planned or as unplanned as it gets, I’m learning to dance in the rain” Now yes, I prolly heard the latter part numerous times before, but Mallory made it click. I cannot change who I am, but I can try and grow to learn how to roll with the punches a lot bit more. I blog to share my life, my quarks and to be reminded to carry on the valuable lessons I learned from my family and Miss Mallory Code.

My blog really has started and been consistent just in the past few months. I’m getting used to get I even got a few followers, HEY LADIES & I’m learning more as more as I go.

2.) Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?

I went to college and I’m still in college, ughhh Let me explain

I went to Marywood University and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry and a concentration in Physics! Yeah that’s a mouthful. My college route was a bit outside the norm, but it worked for me. I technically earned all my credits in May 2010, but put off my graduation until May 2011, I had a year left in my scholarship and took grad credits at the undergrad price!

I currently still attend Marywood University, but as a grad student! As long as I finish my theses (yes two, blah) I will have TWO master’s degrees by May 2013, technically I’m done with course work in December 2012, but yeah there is no chance in hell I will have both of them done by then! I will have a Master’s in Public Administration and a Master’s in Health Services Administration.

Through the years I realized I want to work in public health, working to teach America that with simple science, we can be healthier and reduce many ailments our country is plagued with. That our health crisis can be solved with what we already know, not by massive legislation or plans. A bit of a back to basics concept. I got a decent scholarship and having a full time job, it worked out to stay at Marywood University for graduate school and both those Master’s degrees are comparable to a degree in Public Health! I want to combine my chemistry background with public health to change America! HA!

3.) Where have you traveled?
I have traveled, it was a major passion my parents had/have and shared it with my brother and I as we grew up. We traveled cross country in our van for 3.5 weeks one summer! I have visited maybe 65% of the United States’ national parks. Plus other special vacations and annual trips.

United States: (to the best of my memory) Multiple cities in some states but I will just list the states to make this a bit shorter.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

International: Ontario, Cancun, Cozumel, St. Thomas, Nassau Bahamas, St. Maartin, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands

Ok, don’t shoot me!

Though I doubt I will travel further outside the United States any time soon. For financial reasons and comfort reasons. I just panic when I am outside my comfort zone and right now I just figure why spend the excessive amount of money on traveling to a faraway place that induces soo much anxiety and stress. Yes I prolly would enjoy myself once I got there but it seems at this point too much extra stress, that I do not need or should be involved in a vacation. That is my current mind set, it may change, which would be awesome, but right now I’m ok with not traveling to exotic places. Though I do enjoy experiencing different cultures.

It’s ironic because my parents take annual trip to some exotic place once a year and my brother has had a handful of overseas travel in the recent years! Again I’m the odd one or black sheep. HA

4.) If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?

First pay off a few things. An ipad! I really really really want one! Then a house, (although inevitable, mortgages freak me out), a car (mine is old), set up a retirement fund. I might “buy” a driver. I hate driving long distances by myself. A few dozen plane tickets to send to people to come visit me or visa versa. I would buy myself some tory burch flats.

5.) What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?

BEING LATE I cannot stand it. Yes, occasionally I am late but it drives me up a wall when I or people are late. Even if they call & say they are going to be late, it drives me nuts! I just like plans and when people/things are late it alters the plans. I lose respect for the person. It might that there is a bit wrong with me, and I understand things come up, but it aggregates the piss out of me.

CLOSE MINDED PEOPLE. I am stubborn and set in my ways, but I will accept your differences. I know they work for you, they just might not me my cup of tea. I am up for a good, educated debate and yes I may completely disagree with you and have my opinions, but I will not judge you on that fact. I will question the “why” or your rationalization and ask for a reasoning BUT I will respect you and not attack your character because of it. I cannot stand people that judge others just because they do something different. I’m no angel and I can be judgmental, but I won’t claim you are a horrible person or any bit of less intelligence because you believe said thing. This might be one reason why I hate politicians, their inability to compromise or the constant playing of the blame game.

RUDE PEOPLE This is a wide range, but people who do not have respect for others or think they are above people. Yes, I have gotten frustrated waiting in line or not being able to return at item, but I still treat the clerk with respect. I have even spoke up for the clerk, once in a while. They are people, too. Entitled people or people that expect their feet to be kissed just due to the fact that they exist, have no value to me and I have zero respect for. I just think in my mind, how dare you? How is your behavior any bit acceptable? We are all people, whether you’re a CEO or Walmart greeter, they deserve respect regardless if you feel wronged or expect to receive respect back. I sure as hell am not going to kiss your feet while you’re acting irate! You are not God’s blessing to the earth, we all are God’s blessing on the earth and deserve to be respected and to treat others with respect. Its sad our society has forgotten the importance of that.

6.) What is your favorite movie?

American History X.

It is a very very intense movie, I still have trouble watching a few scenes, BUT the message is pure gold. It’s a powerful film about how hate and evil destroy the human heart and how anyone can influence another positively. No matter the fears, threats or possible violence, being brave enough to influence someone, and how determination can change any destiny.  It stresses the importance of having someone to look up too and the strength to follow the voices buried deep inside you. The importance of character, enduring and the strength to change. It’s a huge message.

7.) What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?

NO TEA… blah any form, blah, blah, blah

Water as long as its chilled, no ice and in my tumbler

I love cold dry red wine & wheat beers. My friends tease me that I drink like an old man, I like gin, scotch & whiskey. I tend to like more expensive brands. Though I’m not a huge drinker and like to nurse my drinks. I enjoy the flavor, but I never have a desire to drink heavily or drink often. I’m oddly enough not a froo froo drinker. I dislike the fruity crap and cannot stand Mailbu. My drink of choice is Tanqueray, diet tonic water and a spritz of fresh lime.

8.) What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?

Cleaning, I like it. My house, your house I like to clean. I like crafting, scrapbooking, repurposing, painting, I have tons of supplies but time tends to limit the actual use of those supplies! Surfing, I do every time I visit my brother. I LOVE it. I’m a hot mess doing it & I look like a stuffed sausage in wet suit but I LOVE it.

9.) If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?

This is hard. For the home I would choose Pottery Barn, I love their classic, clean looks. I have used their store tons of times to inspire my decorating. I get the idea at Pottery Barn and the go find it or create it on my budget!

Clothes? I love thrift stores. I am obsessed with this thrift store in San Diego, Buffalo Exchange. I tend to completely avoid Anthropologie because its way over priced, but I like their style. I would probably say Francesca’s Collections or this cute store in Arkansas, Riffraff, which I have yet to visit.

10.) Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past or present? 

There is not enough time in the day. I could find one prolly each week if not more

11.) What day would you love to relive again?

Yeah, um not sure. There are events I loved but that time in my life is a time I never hope to revisit. I have dreams of how awesome my wedding day will be. I just got to find me a man. (God help him)

12.) What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?

Babysitter/nanny started young and still occasionally do. I love kids and miss them tons. Though being a full time nanny was the best birth control ever! I loved it, but it’s totally different when I could not go home or give the children back. Hard but some of the best times in my life.

I owned my own business going to craft shows, selling ornaments, jelly jars, painted slates, cards, wreaths. I loved it, I may do it again just revamp it!

I taught pre-K I loved it. I started with my class not knowing their letters or how to write and ended the year with them writing sentences. It was awesome. My creativity flourished and I really helped those children prep for kindergarten.

Secretary, hostess, barista, lab assistant, tutor and even a text book editor, (once)

13.) Show us a picture from high school or college.

This is me & all the senior girls on our last home match of the season, my senior year in high school.  I played tennis throughout highschool and college. Never the best but I improved as the years went by. I am bit rusty now!

This is a picture of my two really really good friends & team captains of my college tennis team.

Tennis was my saving grace, it helped me survive some crappy times.

14.) If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

See above. I might, might, might, (big might) like a trip Spain or Switzerland, but I’m still unsure if I would go.

15.) Show us the most current picture of you or you and your family.

16.) Where do you see your life 5 years from now? 

Working, hopefully for the government in the field of public health. Possibly a significant other. Out of my current location. Hopefully in better shape & less acne! More than anything to find happiness with myself. Being content with whatever situation I am in.