Happy Friday, friends!
I don’t know about you guys, but I am definitely ready for the weekend. For whatever reason, this past week has just crawled by at a snail’s pace. It wasn’t a bad week, per say, just a slow one. Buuuuuut now it’s the weekend, and between helping my parents decorate, writing (and sending) Christmas cards, a holiday party, and maaaaybe getting started on a bit of shopping, I expect the next couple of days to fly by. Fabulous! 😀 Also fabulous? Getting a shout-out by two gorgeous blends. Both Hayley and Megan presented me with this flashy thing…
… and I may or may not have squealed just a little bit when it happened. I may be [read: I am] a sappy goofball, but things like that totally melt my heart. So without further ado…
Here are the rules:
- Write 11 random facts about yourself
- Answer the 11 questions given by the blogger who nominated you
- Create 11 new questions
- Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in the post
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and tell the bloggers you’ve nominated
. the facts .
1. I always put my right sock/shoe/pant leg on first. This wasn’t something I paid attention to until I read somewhere that most people tend to always deck out the same foot first. After that, I tried putting my left shoe on before my right one and it just felt weird. Anyone else? Try it and let me know!
2. I once ate gum that I found under a desk. Gah! I still shudder at the thought; but I was like 8 years old! My mom didn’t let me chew gum when I was growing up and I was curious, so when the opportunity presented itself…
3. I’m incredibly good around cars. Not only can I change the oil and fix a flat, but I’ve actually rebuilt the entire engine on one of my cars twice. I credit my dad for this one; he’s always worked around cars, and I secretly think he wanted a son… but, when he saw a little girl pop out, he decided to cut his losses and make due with what he had by teaching me the ropes and raising me in the garage. To this day I get a certain amount of comfort from the oily/greasy smell of a garage. Yeah, I’m odd; I know.
4. My first pet was a goldfish (yes, just one) named Lauper. I kind of envy the kids that grew up with dogs and cats around, but thanks to allergies that I thankfully outgrew, I didn’t get my first dog until I was 10. Spike the husky.
5. Microwaving food skeeves me out. I grew up with a mom who was really health conscious, and because she read so many negative things about microwaves, she didn’t want one in the house. My new place came with one built-in, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually used it. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to using one, or maybe Mom’s fear-mongering had more of an effect than I thought, but I’d rather eat cold food than nuked food any day.
6. I find cleaning kind of therapeutic. Does that make me OCD?
7. I’m always in a hurry. Even if I have nowhere that I need to be and nothing that I need to do, I’ll still try to do things as quickly as possible. From walking, to driving, to cleaning, to… everything… I constantly feel like I’m in some kind of race. What I think it comes down to is a desire to be as efficient as possible and a subconscious fear of not having enough time to get everything done. Very frustrating. Working on it.
8. I have a really intense phobia of needles. I’m talking ‘I-need-to-take-calming-drugs-whenever-I-have-to-get-bloodwork-done’ intense. I don’t care if it’s just a little prick and you can hardly feel a thing; it.is.terrifying. I’ve fainted at the clinic on occasion, but my phobia isn’t limited to blood-sucking syringes – when I got my ears pierced, my [at-the-time] boyfriend had to carry me out because I turned white as a ghost and started seeing spots.
9. I have a huge collection of Beanie Babies. Remember those guys? I definitely got caught up in the craze back when they were all the rage, and they now take up a considerable amount of box space in my parents’ garage.
10. I was born in Canada, but my first language was Polish. My parents immigrated here a few years before I was born, and they mainly spoke Polish around the house for the first few years of my life. It wasn’t until I started going to school that I really started to speak English. Funnily enough, I now speak both fluently and without any accents.
11. I can’t watch the love scenes in movies if my parents are around. Maybe that means that I have all the maturity of a 10 year old, but… no… just no. Talk about awkward.
. the questions .
Ok, this is getting epically long. Instead of answering 22 questions, I’m going to pick and choose from both sets to come up with 11 and try to be short and snappy. Go:
1. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas! Cheer. Warmth. Cookies. Lights… Cookies 😉
2. What are the first 5 things you do when you wake up in the morning? Check phone (time, e-mail, Twitter, Instagram), pee visit the ladies room, make tea, turn on computer, tackle Google Reader.
3. Favorite meal of the day? Breakfast; all day preferably.
4. If you could only do one form of exercise the rest of your life, what would it be? Walking.
5. What was your faovrite subject in school? English. Words are my life.
6. Is there a time in your life you wish you could go back to? No. I often say that I miss being a little kid, but honestly? I wouldn’t go back, take back, or redo anything. My life is my story and I wouldn’t want to give up anything that I’ve learned during the [almost] 28 years that I’ve been around.
7. Who is your celebrity crush? Johnny Depp.
8. Where’s your favorite place to shop? Sephora, to the dismay of my wallet.
9. Why do you blog? To connect with a community of wonderful people who share my interests, and to share my own story with others. I’m one of those people who believe that everything happens for a reason, and that’s definitely how I see my ED. Recovering from anorexia was probably the hardest thing I’ll ever do, and if I can inspire or motivate even one person towards a healthier lifestyle, then it’s all been worth it.
10. Name three favorite foods. Cereal, almond butter, Greek yogurt. I could live off them, easy.
11. What are you looking forward to right now? Vegas, baby! Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
. – . – . – .
What was your first pet?
Do you speak any languages other than English?
Any childhood stories that make you shudder?
fact #1 is totally me. In fact, I even put makeup on starting with my right eye first. Not all at once, but in the way that whatever I’m applying I’ll put on my right eye before moving to the left. weird? And I too have a bunch of beanie babies sitting around in boxes. It was just SO fun to collect at that time! Now I’m just thinking about how much money and time I wasted in getting something that just sits in the garage. haha
I put makeup on my right eye first as well 😆 And it’s not wasted time and money! The thrill and excitement of the hunt for those prized beanies was definitely worth it!
Wow! I can’t believe you never use a microwave! I can imagine their being potential concerns with using one, but I don’t think I could give it up just out of the sheer convenience!
After a weekend sans computering, I’m so glad I backtracked through posts- loved finding out more about you! Thinking about it, I’m pretty sure that I put my right shoe on first? And whenever you wander down here could you please teach me some of your car stills? I by no means would consider myself completely out of the loop but I have no clue how to change a tire and would just call for help- most likely Ryan first, then a tow truck. Goldfish [plural] were my first pet too… My parents thought it would be a great way to distract me from begging for a puppy so Christmas morning I walked downstairs to find a fishbowl full of dead goldfish. No one at the pet store advised them that a dozen goldfish needed a bigger space than a small bowl. Fail!
And p.s. I have a needle phobia too. I used to have to be held down but now I can sit there but still cry. I do not look forward to the day my own children have to get shots or bloodwork…
Ok you already know how much I love reading posts like these! They are the most interesting kind 🙂 I secretly enjoy cleaning too, especially that satisfying feeling of completion and the final result. And I also had a huge beanie bag collection, but have absolutely no idea where it is now 🙁 My favorite beanie was Nip the cat (crazy cat lady) and I took him everywhere! I loved your answer to question #6 – as much as I miss certain periods in my life, I try to live without any regrets and yearnings for the past. Staying hopeful for the future is one of the healthiest things we can do!
OHh my gosh don’t even get my started on cleaning therapy. When I am stressed out I don’t grab a drink, I don’t punch walls, I grab my vacuum and headphones and ZONE OUT. I also clean when I am bored because I just enjoy it!! I once at nachos out of the garbage when I was like 8 at school..I was still hungry after lunch and they looked so good..wow.
I coincidentally experienced #1 a few days ago, when I realized that a blister on my right foot needed a band-aid. For some reason, I decided to put on my left shoe before the band-aid/right shoe. What a strange feeling! I wonder if “first shoe preference” is related to right or left handedness? Hmm.
Girl, I *completely* understand the needle phobia; they scare the bejeezus out of me! I’ve passed out multiple times at the doctor’s office, and to this day, have to warn the office staff about my issues. I’m praying that it’s something I’ll grow out of, but the prognosis doesn’t look so good. 😉
First pet: a golden retriever puppy. <3 I used to speak Spanish semi-fluently in college (it was my minor), however I haven't used any words other than "gracias" and "hola" in the past four years. Needless to say, I'm rusty!
First pet— a cat! I love cats
I can’t believe you are so good with cars… GO GIRL!! I am wanting to stop using my microwave. I’m looking into induction heating, but I don’t know anything about it yet. I am trying to use mine less and less… I’m not doing too good though… lol!
I love these kind of posts! Wow- I wish I knew more about cars – I love driving but am terrified as soon as a light flashes up on my dashboard!! I guess I’m as scared of car trouble as you are of needles!! Hope you are having a great weekend!
i totally relate to you with the oil/grease smell, my dad too taught me all that fun stuff lol and the beanie babies? i still will not let my parents throw out any of the bags in the attic lol, even have the mini ones from i think mcdonalds? still haha and johnny depp i love<3 my friends think im crazy bc i think he is sooo got in pirates of caribbean lol
I have so many Beanie Babies in my mum’s loft at home that I can’t bare to dispose of/give away and you just made me feel a whole lot more normal. 😉
I did a degree in French and Russian and lived in the respective countries, so speak them sufficiently but I don’t think it’s the same… I’m not fluent and have to brush up if needed! 😉 I love language though and, want to learn Ukrainian since my paternal family is from there! Bilinguists fascinate me. What do you think in? Or does it depend on which you are speaking? My grandma speaks several languages and has lived in the UK for fifty years but still thinks in her two native langauges (like you she grew up completely immersed in two languages).
I think in… both I guess. Although more often than not everything gets translated to English in my head anyways. Plus I have this nasty habit of using both Polish and English in the same sentence if I’m talking to someone who speaks both 😉
Aaah, every of your posts makes me think of you as an even more awesome person, Amanda!
Haha, my sister used to be the same about love scenes – not only when my parents were around but even when the two of us watched a movie. She quickly covered her eyes with her arms and told me to let her know when it was “over” – and dare I say she’s the older one of us :D?!
Well, seeing as I’m not an English native speaker German obviously is my first – or to answer your question correctly 🙂 – second language. I wish I spoke a more interesting language, too – something like Swedish, Chinese or -yes! – Polish as it’s my Grandma’s first language.
Ugh, needles … I nearly-faint about every time I have to get bloodwork done or get a vaccination. That being said I sense I might be due for bloodwork sometime soon again. Aaaah!
Well I think you’re pretty awesome yourself, Miss 😀 That sucks about the bloodwork, though! Luckily mine is all over with for now, so hopefully I’m set for a little while!
I find it so fascinating that you speak two languages. I’ve always wished I was bilingual!
Okay, we’re totally twins I’m convinced. Well besides the whole car thing. I get confused just getting into someone else’s car. I’m the same with cleaning! It feels so therapeutic for me as well, when I’m mad I jut get out my broom and sweep away that anger;) And I’m always, always in a hurry! Even if I’m super early or have no place to go. Like even when I go to the grocery store, I get so impatient. Yep, huge collection of beanie babies for me too. I had an extreme amount when I was younger. Like insane. Jealous of your Vegas trip this week!!
Hehe a lot of these made me laugh, we are so similar! Especially in the always in a hurry sense. It’s awful! I always feel like I have to be on some sort of schedule. I often find my self scheduling relaxation time. Although…my interpretation of relaxation time is much different than others. Like you, I’ll go to Starbucks and write or to Barnes and Noble to read and browse books. An activity for others, relaxation for me 🙂 I could totally eat breakfast for every meal, too!
I think we might be twins! I’m terrified of needles, am cleaning obsessed, and am working on slowing down because I’m always in a rush! It’s a lot harder than it seems. I love all things breakfast too. I could easily live on cereal alone!
Hahaa I put on my right sock/shoe/pant leg first too! If I start with the left I always have to start again because it just feels so weird!
“if I can inspire or motivate even one person towards a healthier lifestyle, then it’s all been worth it.” This is exactly what I blog for too 🙂
I love that you love cars! I’m not good at building any parts or anything but I’m a bit of a car lover <3 And I FINALLY should be getting a brand new one soon (for my birthday hopefully!) eeeeee!!
My first pet was a goldfish too! Actually… my only pets have been fish thanks to my dad’s allergies. 😛 I want to get a dog once I’m done with school and my internship though!
Haha I had a huge collection of Beanie Babies too. 😀 My favourite was the sea otter!
I love Johnny Depp – back in high school my friends and I had lots of Johnny movie marathons, so I’m pretty sure I’ve seen like all of his older movies haha. I haven’t been keeping up to date on his recent ones though!
Seaweed beanie!! I was actually thinking of that one when I wrote this because he was one of my first ones. Ahh I need to dig him out…
So, now I know who to call if something ever goes wrong with my car! I know absolutely nothing about cars, it took me a good six months to figure out how where the button was to spray the window with washer fluid. Yup, not a car person to say the least.
So cool that you’re bilingual! One of my life goals is to learn another language (probably French, Italian or Spanish). I figure it’s not a bad skill to have!
I didn’t think it was possible for you to get any cooler.. but you’ve proved me wrong my dear!! How awesome that your able to rebuild an engine. I could’ve used you around a couple years ago when my engine blew. Oh well, now I know you exist =)
&& now it doesn’t make you OCD that cleaning is therapeutic to you.. well at least I hope not because that would mean I have OCD too.
I can’t believe you don’t use your microwave. I use mine every.single.day. I kinda sort of think I’d go nuts if I lived somewhere where they didn’t exist.
&& how in the world did I not know you were going to Vegas?? Ah, for how long? I’m so jealous!!! Have fun, girl!!
I’ll be going to Vegas for 5 days. It’s supposed to be for ‘work’ buuuuut that’ll never happen. Either way, it’ll just be nice to get away from all this snow!
I am exactly the same about microwaves- we have never owned one at home because my mom is totally against them- unnecessary radiation or so she says! Looking back, I can’t believe how much money I spent on Beanie Babies and then justified that they would be worth plenty in a few years. Lo and behold, I gave them all away when we were moving out of Nigeria….they sure were fun collecting! That’ awesome you speak Polish fluently- although my Hindi has gotten better over the last few years, it could still use some work!
I didn’t know you speak Polish! I speak my mother tongue, English, Spanish and now I’m learning French. Spanish is my favourite, French is hard.
I’m jealous of your knowledge about cars. I have never even changed the oil or a tire. I have skills for repairing technological stuff, though. I need to work on my car-related skills!
I totally agree with you on watching love scenes in movies with parents. Once I was watching American Pie (!!) and my father walked in my room and decided to join me. Now THAT was awkward.
French is definitely hard. I studied it for around 8 years throughout school and could barely hold my own in a conversation. And now that I haven’t spoken it for a few years, I’ve pretty much forgotten everything…
So cool that you’re bilingual I wish I was!! My sister is crazy scared of needles too! I
Used to be so embarrassed going to Dr with her because she would freak out so much!
Johnny Depp has always been by celebrity love also. Yum. English was my favorite subject until I decided to major in it…let’s just say I am now a business major… Oh my goodness I completely forgot about my beanie baby collection until reading this post. I am pretty sure I have most of them at my parent’s house somewhere!
Oh, and…slowing down is SO good, believe me. I am not in a hurry anymore and it’s SO relaxing, belive me! 🙂 ah, and I speak also Italian a bit. Happy weekend my Dear!
It’s so cool that you know everything about cars!! This is so unusal for a girl and that doesn’t make it odd but totally cool. My first pet were 3 chinchillas. Yes, chinchillas 🙂 My first language is Swiss German and German. That’s why my blog is the crabbiest around here language- and words-wise….SO cool that you get to go to Vegas!!! Yay!
I have never commented, but I have been reading your blog for so long, that I have lost track of the specicific amount of time, and this post opened my eyes as to why I just can’t stop reading…you have the most amazing way with words, they are your life! It doesn’t matter what you choose to write about, it is always interesting and always something I want to read…you should never stop writing! Also, Johnny Depp will always and forever be the object of my affection, I support your choice 1000 percent!
Awwr thank you so much, Lee! Your comment really warmed my heart <3
I still have a lot of my Beanie Babies, I just can’t give up such a huge part of my childhood! My sister and I made up all kinds of stories about them when we were little and thinking about them makes me miss that.
I wish I was good with cars! Now that I’m on my own for most of the year, I have a car to take care of and I don’t know how to do much other than fill it with gas and get oil changes. I kinda freaked out when my car’s tire pressure system lit up a couple of months ago but at least now I know how to fill the tires with air too.
So, for your 3 favourite foods. Bananas JUST missed the cut, right, right??
Your 10th fact reeeally makes me want to hear you speak, ( get on that accent vlog girl. Or just a vlog in general ). You say you don’t have much of an accent, but everybody has an accent of some sort surely!
And oh yes, I remember Beanie Babies. I was obsessed with them briefly for a part of my life. Do you remember when Ty got all like super crazy, & started bringing out beany kids, beany teeny boppers, etc? Those were actually pretty freaky, looking back at it all, ha!
Xxx
I was actually torn between bananas and cereal. I was actually going to go with bananas first, but finding a picture of cereal with AB and yogurt was easier 😆 And I’ll try to man up and get on that accent vlog. Dratted shyness….
Did Nicole say she lives in Reno? So do I! I don’t speak Polish, but I do speak Russian.
She did 🙂
I have attachment issues with my 100+ beanie babies stored away in my closet, they’re like a prized possession from my childhood.
I wish I could speak another language! I know a little french but that doesn’t count.
You know what? You’re just really cool. You’d be that girl in high school that I’d be intimidated to talk to but secretly thought she was the coolest person there. You know cars, you share my swiffering OCD tendency, you love Johnny Depp (Johnny Depp is actually moving four houses down from a sorority sister of mine..I’m too jealous for words), and you an incredible way with words. Just cool. That’s all I have to say.
** you have an incredible
BEANIE BABIES!!!!!!! omg I used to have the most giant collection ever too! I donated them to a domestic violence shelter when I was in college….excepr for like ten or so that I keep with me. The rest were soo hard to part with gah. I also find cleaning therapeutic in a way, as well as organizing…I think it’s my go-to activity when Im stressed because it makes me feel accomplished lol 😛 So excited for you to go to Vegas! Are you going for work or vacation? Either way, getting some sunshine & warmth will be a HUGE relief 😀
I was thinking about donating my beanies too, but I have the hardest time parting with things that have so much sentimental value… keeping a choice few would definitely solve that, though. And the trip is technically work oriented, buuuuuuut everyone knows that’s not going to happen 😉
Omg beanie babies! Haha, my brother and I had a massive collection of those! The fact that you had such a collection is awesome! And I’m totally in awe of your car skills; I know nothing about them and beg my daddy and the bf to take care of it. And i love the reason you started and continue to blog…definitely glad that you did 🙂
i think we are related. really. we should clean together. ahh bliss.
Aw Crap! They beat me to it!! I just got nominated myself and was going to reveal my 11 nominees tomorrow, you included! I guess I will have to pick another kick ass blogger. I mean, I would nominate you again, but I know that coming up with 11 random facts about yourself is time consuming!
As far as your answers go. Needles scare the bajeesus out of me, Johnny Depp is a god and I definitely had far too many beanie babies!
Powinnismy sie zobaczyc jak bedziesz w Nevadje. Ja mieszkam w Reno… ale niestety to jest mimo tego troche daleko 😛 Ja tesz niby najpierw mowilam po Polsku, ale nie pamietam! 😀
(Don’t think writing in Polish comes easy to me btw. Those sentences took me a good 5 minutes to write! haha)
I’m not the best when it comes to writing in Polish, either. I can read it just fine but writing is a whoooooole other story. And I had no idea you were in Reno! You should head up to Vegas for the weekend 😉
You know I love you. Well multiply my previous love factor by about a million. (And no, I don’t give you too much credit, I give you all the credit you deserve. 😉 )
Embarrassing childhood story? My parents got a call home from school when I was five telling them to politely explain to me that it was not appropriate to chase boys down in the playground, pin them down, and kiss them. Apparently I could always run fast if given the proper motivation. haha.
But your story takes the cake! My Mom wouldn’t let me chew gum as a kid either. I had waist length hair and she was paranoid that I’d get it caught in my hair and she’d have to cut it. Johnny *swoon*. Made the mistake of watching American Pie with my parents at 16(ish? 17?) — didn’t know the content, worst decisIon EVER! Three cheers for the reasons why you blog and cereal love. And is it okay that I can totally picture you as one of the uber cool chicks (and not the weird skanky ones) from Fast and the Furious? Or Charlize Theron from The Italian Job? 😉
Haha! I could probably become a runner given the proper motivation, but I think it would require something extreme like a rabid bear 😉
I always leave in a hurry too! Usually because I’m late though…
“if I can inspire or motivate even one person towards a healthier lifestyle, then it’s all been worth it.”
Done and Done.
But..I’m not alone.
And …that right shoe thing? Yes and YES that is me and I just realized it. Another thing….doesn’t EVERYONE turn on the shower before stepping in?
<3
And I would think everyone turns on the shower first... I don't want to get blasted with icy cold water, thank.you.very.much.
oh my goodness, so first of all I love lobster so just the first title caught me. I just finished something special that is heading your way.. .just saying and this post speaks to a lot of it. First off, right after my run this morning I cleaned my apartment aka got out the swiffer and scrubbed away. So therapeutic, couldn’t agree more. Between my sister and I we had two whole shelves of beanie babies kind of insane. My first one was Quakers so obviously he is my favorite one. They are still in our attic. I think it is so funny about the right foot thing, are you right handed? Just wondering… I don’t think I do anything like that. But I do have some weird quirks similar to that, like doing my morning routine in the exact same way each morning. Crazy. I wish I was better with cars, I mean I am a great driver and love driving but could never change a tire or oil. My dad wishes I could. I refuse to learn, I’m stubborn like that. I know I will be one of those old ladies that continues walking till she can’t walk no more. I love that form of movement. This may skeeve you but I love getting my blood drawn, the needles don’t bother me at all. Yet, I want to get a tattoo but am way too chicken. Doesn’t make sense, I know. Anyways, as you can tell I am having one crazy ass Friday night. Ha. Oh my social life.
There may or may not be something special headed your way too 😉 And the blood thing doesn’t skeeve out, but it definitely makes me jealous. I wish I was braver when it came to stuff like that because it would make check ups a whole lot easier… And I have Quakers as well – definitely a cutie.