11 Things

Julia tagged me in her 11 Things post so here are mine!

The Rules:

1. Post these rules.

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the post you were tagged in.

4. Create 11 new questions for your tagees to answer.

5. Tag them on Twitter, Facebook or your blog.

11 random things about me:

I always get stumped on stuff like this.  I can think of things about me but they all seem so boring that it's hard to want to put them in a list for all to see.  I can never think of anything unique or exciting or anything anyone would want to read about.  So, I will do my best.

1.  I have 7 tattoos.  All but two of them (little stars on my feet) I do not like.  I haven't been tattooed in 8 years and I have an unfinished back piece that I can't bring myself to finish because I can think of a million things I'd rather do with my time and money.  I appreciate my tattoos and what they represented in my life, and can remember all of the times I got them and why, but I'd rather not have them all.  (I know Mom, you were right.)

2.   I always have something in my eye (my husband gave me this one).  It's true, every night I itch my eyes and am constantly pulling something out of them (normal allergy stuff).  I hate my eyeballs - they are too small, always red and always itchy; and it's why I hate wearing contacts too.  I want new eyeballs or lasik surgery.

3.  I love TV.  I know this will change when the baby comes but ever since I was little, I have loved watching TV or movies.  I don't listen to music to relax, and find it kind of distracting when I'm trying to get things done, but the TV lets my mind wander and takes me to a place of pure relaxation.  I hate when TV shows end or get cancelled (I always cry), and when a TV show is done and I have to wait a week for a new episode I imagine my TV people as real people living their lives during that time just like me.  I know, weird right?!

4.  I love my job but hate working.  I don't get up every morning and dread going to work, I love what I do and have been teaching for almost 11 years (since I was 21 and taught 17 year olds!).  I am not one of those people who would work at a job they hate, I have to love it in order to do it.  But, I hate working.  Summer is my most favorite time because I love waking up whenever, going to bed whenever and not having a set schedule.  I get a little "Groundhog Day" when it's late in the year, I get tired of doing the same thing over and over again.  

5.  I believe all living things are connected - all animals, plants and people.  When a plant looks sad or a flower is squished, it makes me sad.  No, I'm not a hippy, but I do believe that there is a common tone emitted in life and we are all a part of it.

6.  My favorite food is macaroni and cheese - kind of a strange one for someone who is gluten free, I know.  But, it still is my favorite and Annie's makes a killer one that tastes just as good as the one in the blue box (or maybe it hast just been almost a year since I've had the real thing!).

7.  I am often disappointed.  It's my own fault and it is solely because I set a situation up in my head to go exactly how I think it will go and then, when it turns out differently, I'm disappointed.  I try to go with the flow and I have gotten better at it, but it's a hard habit to break.  It's like I think the way I think it will go is the right way and any way else it could go is the wrong way.  I hate it.

8.  I am an organized person, maybe too organized.  I have what they call a "concrete sequential" personality.  I like an orderly, quiet environment and can't read or do anything with sound in the background.  If I am going somewhere I need to know everything about it - time, what to wear, who will be there, who is driving, etc. or I won't go.  Some may call it boring but I look at it like I'm always prepared.  My husband, on the other hand, is completely opposite (they attract, you know) and he keeps me spontaneous.  It has been tough to mesh our two personalities but my organization is good for him and his "fly by the seat of your pants" attitude has been good for me (even though I hate to admit it).

9.  (What am I on - 9?!  This is tough!)  Ummmmm . . . I do not like being an only child, and especially didn't like it when I was younger but am now thinking I wouldn't mind having only one child (I know, I know Mom and Dad - I owe you for years of making you feel bad about this!).  I was lonely when I was younger and remember being so sad when my neighbors had to go home for dinner and I was left alone to play; but having one child seems so economical today.  You can travel where you want (only bringing one kid), money isn't an issue as much and the way the population is going I'm not contributing too much to the 9 billion people that will be in the world by the time our parents are older.  BUT (and that's a big but), I would love to see how siblings interact and would love to give our little girl a brother or a sister - something I never had.  I'm conflicted but I have a feeling it will work itself out if it is meant to be.

10.  I am apparently a clothes hoarder - but isn't every girl?  I have no business having 3 tubs full of jeans (two currently up in the attic and one to give away) with another drawer full of more jeans that fit me currently.  I have 3 of the 4 closets in our house and STILL have no room for all of my clothes.  It's a problem.

11.  (Oh my gosh - 11!)  After watching the movie Food Inc., we stopped eating all meat that isn't organic.  We started slowly at first and then got better at it and now pretty much stick to it.  I may cave on a steak once in awhile (still from a health food store but not labeled "organic") but I don't think I could ever eat a hamburger or chicken patty (or nuggets, ew!) out, anywhere, knowing what is in it, how they process it, how many different cows/chickens are in it and knowing what the quality of life is for the animals before they kill them.  No thank you.

11 questions from Julia:

1. What would you do if you won $1000 right now?

 I would pay off our American Express bill (the only debt we have aside from our new car).  Or, pay someone to lay the hardwood floors for us in the baby's room!

2. What inspires you? (very vague, I know).

When a student from my class (in an urban area of Phoenix) gets something.  Not just gets it, but gets it - like it all comes together for them.  Or when they apply themselves and receive opportunities they normally wouldn't have had, and leave their area and do something more.  That's truly inspiring.

3. Where in the world would you go if you had an all-expenses paid vacation gifted to you?

 Ooooo, this is a good one!  I would probably go to a remote island in Fiji or Tahiti and stay in a bungalow over the water and just be.  Nothing to do, no place to go - sounds lovely. 

4. Favorite season of the year and why?

 Summer because school is out and I don't have to go back for over 2 months!

5. Favorite place to shop, online or in store?

Before pregnant - Victoria's Secret online.  After pregnant - Etsy.

6. If you could meet any celebrity, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Hmmm this is a toughie!  Marilyn Monroe?  Just to find out exactly what her deal was.

7. What is your worst habit?
I think my worst habit, and I'm happy it only really affects me, is that when I use the last of the toilet paper, I always forget to replace the roll.  Then, next time I sit down, there is no toilet paper (and I usually find this out after I've already peed!).  Good thing I use the master bathroom (and Ian uses the hall/guest one) or this would be trouble for everybody!  

8. This or That: Wine or Beer. (Mmmm, salivating). And why?

Ugh, my favorite alcoholic beverage of all time is Abita Strawberry Harvest beer.  But, since I went gluten free I can't have it anymore so I guess I would pick wine.  I am not a big drinker, never have been, and right now I'd rather have a Caffeine Free Diet Coke!

9. Name the three things you'd grab from your house in a fire.

I could not only grab three things - we have 10 animals living at our house!  Plus, I'd have to grab my hard drives for pictures, those are irreplaceable!

10. What's your favorite trait about yourself?

I give my all to everyone in my life.  I love unconditionally and would do anything for the people around me, even if it hurts me sometimes or I wear myself too thin.  I just want everyone to be happy all of the time.  

11. If you had to eat one thing every single night for dinner what would it be?

I answered this above - mac and cheese all the way!

11 questions from me (to the people I tagged below):

1.  What is one of your favorite quotes?

2.  What chore do you absolutely hate doing and why?

3.  What songs would be included on the soundtrack of your life? 
4.  If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be and why?

5.  If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

6.  If you got to pick your name, what would it be?

7.  If you could know the answer to any question (beside "the meaning of life") what would it be?

8.  What would you name your Autobiography and why?

9.  What is the hardest thing you've ever done?

10.  What is something new you learned in the last week?

11.  If you had 30 minutes of free time, all to yourself with nothing to do, what would you do?

And, you're it!

Ashley at Ashley's Green Life

Christine at The 600 Sq Ft Home

Jenny at Hibbard Kitchen