Dear Journal, 1/31/13

Dear Journal,
Q: What do you want to be?
A: I've been asked this a lot lately. The "if you could be anything you wanted to be..." and "when you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up..." questions.

My answer is, and always will be, a marine biologist specializing in whales and dolphins (specifically orca's). I was obsessed as a kid and was devastated when told that you needed to have strong math and science skills. Two things I lack.

Shortly after I realized that I would be perfectly content sitting at a desk all day doing data entry and that's exactly what I do. It makes me happy in my OCD way and I'm just what I thought I'd be, perfectly content.

Granted I could be happier doing something that I absolutely love. But at this time I don't know what that is. I still don't quite know what I want to be when I grow up.

Picture of the day 1/31:

This was in the women's restroom today. Totally random.

Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful for my husband. I sent him a novel of a text message and he responded with  more than ":)" which was greatly appreciated!

2. I am thankful for my parents and for everything they do to help us. For helping with Isabel while we're at work to helping us pay for groceries when we need just a little extra help.

3. I am thankful for my sister. For planning our weekend runs and for recently helping me with my resume. I know that I can go to her for anything and she has amazing support and great ideas.

4. I am thankful for everyone who met me at mile 12 on Saturday at the run. Your support really helped get me through each mile. And an especially big thank you to Patrick for meeting me at miles 16 and 20 to refill my water. Another thank you for those that donated. I exceeded my goal by way more than I could have hoped!

5. I am thankful for such a loving, caring, respectful, sweet daughter. She may frustrate me, but when I watch her with other people I know that I'm doing an okay job raising her. She's very respectful to other people.

Dear Journal, 1/30/13

Dear Journal,
Q: What do you want to forget?
A: This is a difficult question for me to answer. There are a lot of things I wish I could move on from from the past, but I don't know if I would ever want to forget them. I think that it's important to remember things that have taught us a lesson, no matter how difficult a lesson it was.

The only thing I wish is that I could work my way out of the hurt and grow from the experience. I hold onto things and wish that I could move on from the past. I'm trying, but I don't know what else to do and what I'm doing clearly isn't working.

Picture of the day 1/30:

A-Z Title Challenge

I'm part of a group on good reads with some of the people on the weight watchers boards. I haven't been to active in the book of the month or other communications, but I am hoping to as the year progresses and I get more into reading.

I joined good reads in order to keep track of the books I'm reading through out the year and to get some ideas for future books to read.

As I was looking through the comments last night I found the following challenge for the year:

This challenge is simple: read 26 books throughout the year, one beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Ignore any articles at the beginning of the title (The..., A..., etc.). For the letters X and Z, you may choose a title with those letters anywhere within the title.

2013 A-Z Title Challenge
Duration: January 1-December 31, 2013

2/26 Completed

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H- The Happiness Project- Gretchen Rubin
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P- Please Stop Laughing At Me- Jodee Blanco
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z 

I've got a long way to go..

Commercials

I'm a dork. I know and I don't care.

The following are commercials that have made me smile, made me laugh and more than likely made me rewind and watch again.

For the most part I roll my eyes at commercials and wonder who made them and why they were approved to be on TV, but then there are the few that catch my attention. I don't necessarily go out and buy the product, but they're at least making me laugh.

Fiber makes me... Sad.

My Brand!

Under Pressure (This commercial is genius, in my opinion).

Mmmmm... Beer.

I'd probably buy this car based on this commercial alone.

Dear Journal, 1/29/13

Dear Journal,
Q: What was the last TV show you watched?
A: I've actually grown to not watch as much TV as I used to. and to be honest I don't miss it. We have a DVR so I am able to tape the shows that I do watch. The only shows that I have to watch are How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy and American Dad.

I haven't watched anything recently other than American Dad at night before bed. Right now I'm watching Tinkerbell: The Great Fairy Rescue with Isabel. Does that count?

Picture of the day 1/29:

Dear Journal, 1/28/13

Dear Journal,
Q: How do you describe home?
A: Home is usually messy. It's small. It's loud. It's crazy. It's where I'm the happiest. And I've recently learned that it's not where we are, it's who we are around. Patrick and I have lived in two apartments since moving in together a year and a half ago. I'm sure we'll probably move at least one more time before we start looking for a house.

It doesn't really matter where we live though. Our stuff is here and we can set everything up the way we want. We can make each space our own.

Picture of the day 1/28:

26 Angel Run- Recap

I found out about the 26 Angel Run on January 9th. It didn't give me much time to prepare or to fund raise, but it was something that I knew I had to do.

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it the full 26 miles, but I had to try.

I ended up raising more than I had planned. And I ended up making it the whole way. It was something that meant something to me to do. To get a picture of every angel.

After posting the pictures to facebook I received a message from a friend about the angel at mile 21:
"I shared this photo with my cousin. She is very close to the parents of Emilie. Her daughter and Emilie went to school together mere months before the Parker's moved to Connecticut. Thanks for sharing, this photo has been passed along to Emilie's parents graciously."

I didn't do this run to be praised. I didn't do it other than for the fact that we wanted to be a light of hope, of good in people. This message meant something to me. Made me feel like what we did had a purpose. It's not enough to make up for what they lost. Nothing will ever be enough. But it's hopefully something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Journal, 1/27/13

Dear Journal,
Q: Which art movement best describes you today? (Surrealism? Modernism? Dada?)
A: I've never taken an art history class, so I really couldn't tell you what type of art is which.. Sad, but true. I would have to say I'm best described by realism. At least that's what I like the most when looking at it. Then again, my favorite painting is impressionism. Hmmm.. It's kind of like music, I like a lot of different choices.

Picture of the day 1/27:

Me and my favorite girl watching Hannah Montana.


 

Dear Journal, 1/26/13

Dear Journal,
Q: Today you needed more _____.
A: Today I needed more sleep. I did not get a good nights sleep last night and it was desperately needed. That's what I get for marrying a man who snores.. Just kidding! I feel like I got enough rest Thursday night, so it really wasn't too bad today while running. I'm hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight though. So glad Patrick doesn't open tomorrow. Hoping to sleep in just a little.

Picture of the day 1/26:

Runway

Airplane's Runway


Image courtesy of Private Jets

Model's Runway


Image courtesy of Shutterstock

My Runway

Dear Journal, 1/25/13

Dear Journal,
Q: What makes you, you?
A: There are a lot of things that make me who I am. I could list qualities I think I have, but I'll keep it short.. The thing that makes me, me is the past. Everything that I've learned along the way has 100% shaped me into the person I am today.

For better or worse, this is who I am. But one thing's for sure, I'm not going to be like this forever. I'm sure I'll look back in a few years and reminisce about how much I've changed..

Picture of the day 1/25:

30 Day Push Day 19 & Happier at Home Day 12

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 19: I must admit I'm not as involved in this as I was in the beginning. I still watch the video, but I'm growing less interested as my Push Goal is one that is going to take a while and there's not much I can do in between other than not use my credit cards and paying toward them once a month when the bills come in...

To-Do: Circle items that need to be done this week (blue), star items that need to be done today (need to, not want to) (green), all other items need to be done "soon" (black).

1. Clean car
2. Vacuum car
3. Pick up bedroom
4. Pick up living room
5. Clean off kitchen table
6. Clean bathrooms
7. Crochet scarves
8. Fold laundry
9. Clean out closet
10. Clean out Isabel's art drawer
11. Clean out nightstand
12. Clean off catch all
13. Set out clothes for tomorrow's run


Happier at Home
Day 12: Don't keep score.

"I have a real tendency to say, “I did this, so you have to do that” or “You had your turn, so I get my turn.” I remind myself, “No calculation,” when I find myself starting to start to bargain or trade or keep score. 

"It’s much more pleasant to feel grateful for a nice gesture, or to act out of love and generosity, than to squabble about the score.

"Now, it’s true that every relationship involves some calculation. It wouldn’t be fair for one person to do everything, and the other person to do nothing. But if you’re in a relationship where things tend to balance out fairly, the atmosphere is much happier when you don’t keep score, when you don’t calculate, but just try to do the loving thing."

I believe Patrick and I do pretty well at this. We do keep score in regards to you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Literally. But I feel like I'd rather keep score this way than in other negative ways.

It is something we can work on and just appreciate the things the other person is doing. I'm sure once we have a chore list or a verbal agreement on different things we're each responsible for around the house it will help to feel more balanced.

Dear Journal, 1/24/13

Dear Journal,
Q: Do you need a break? From what?
A: I think it would be nice to take a little break in general. A nice little solo vacation to recharge my batteries. I'm not really feeling too stressed out right now about anything in particular though, so I would say that no break is needed.

Pictures of the day 1/24:

This morning.



This afternoon.

30 Day Push Day 18 & Happier at Home Day 11

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 18:

To-Do: Circle items that need to be done this week (blue), star items that need to be done today (need to, not want to) (green), all other items need to be done "soon" (black).

1. Clean car
2. Vacuum car
3. Pick up bedroom
4. Pick up living room
5. Clean off kitchen table
6. Clean bathrooms
7. Crochet scarves
8. Fold laundry
9. Clean out closet
10. Clean out Isabel's art drawer
11. Clean out nightstand
12. Clean off catch all


Happier at Home
Day Eleven: Quit nagging.

"In a romantic relationship, or in a family, or any partnership, chores are a huge source of conflict. Who does what?"

Patrick and I just had this conversation earlier this week. I didn't finish laundry again this weekend and asked him to help. I felt guilty doing so, but in retrospect I keep thinking "Why shouldn't he help?" He knows that it's not my favorite chore so what's the big deal about having him finish two loads of laundry after I've done seven?

Patrick and I have gotten into the habit of one of us cleaning the apartment really well. It's random but we get into these cleaning moods and we'll pick up and dust and vacuum. The other will come home and say thank you and within a week or two it's back to being a mess. Then the other person picks up.

To be honest, this isn't working. We both feel unappreciated and resentful. I am 100% guilty of nagging Patrick to do something (just last night I nagged him to read a part of a book he's been promising to read for weeks now). I don't want to have to do that for chores around the house too.

We've tried to make a chore chart, but that didn't work either. I would have a chore I needed to do but didn't want to do it on the day I had planned, or Patrick would be in charge of the dishes but the sink would fill up with dishes and I'd get annoyed looking at them.

It's difficult to find that balance. It may be time to sit down and revisit the chore chart while discussing our expectations (like taking the trash out before the entire apartment stinks or finishing the laundry in a weekend and not taking a week to finish hanging and folding the clean clothes). Hopefully we can find a solution so that the chores get done, nagging is non existent and we're both feeling good instead of unappreciated.

Dear Journal, 1/23/13

Dear Journal,
Q: If you were going to start your own company what would it be?
A: I would love to be able to start a company selling the scarves I've been making. Hopefully one day...

Picture of the day 1/23:

Marley & Me

30 Day Push Day 17 & Happier at Home Day 10

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 17:

To-Do: Circle items that need to be done this week (blue), star items that need to be done today (need to, not want to) (green), all other items need to be done "soon" (black).

1. Clean car
2. Vacuum car
3. Pick up bedroom
4. Pick up living room
5. Clean off kitchen table
6. Clean bathrooms
7. Crochet scarves
8. Fold laundry
9. Clean out closet
10. Clean out Isabel's art drawer
11. New business- work
12. Renewals- work
13. Requested info- work
14. UA workup- work
15. Clean out nightstand
16. Clean off catch all

Happier at Home
Day 10: Follow a threshold ritual.

"Gratitude is a key to a happy life. Nevertheless, it's challenging to cultivate gratitude. It's easy to take for granted the people closest to us."

I would say this is the thing I am guilty of the most. I am awful when it comes to taking people for granted, especially Patrick. I think the thing I do is push him away for fear of being hurt by the person I love the most. I feel like if I hurt him first then it won't hurt as bad if he were to eventually hurt me. Such a messed up way of thinking.

In this sense it's easy for me to get upset and frustrated with both him and Isabel. I tend to take out my stress of the day on them when I get home. It's something I'm working on. I know that at the end of the day they are still going to be there for me which is even worse for the way I treat them.

I wish I could be better towards them, treat them the way the deserve to be treated. I wish I could go home from a full day at work and have the energy to be mentally there for both of them. I want to be the type of mom that gets down on the floor and plays, but just the thought is exhausting. I need to work on these things and I think the more I figure out myself and the more I can make myself happy then the more time and energy I'll be able to find for them.

Until then I'm going to be spending a few minutes each night before bed, each morning when I wake up and random times throughout the day to consciously think about the things I'm grateful for.

Dear Journal, 1/22/13

Dear Journal,
Q: Are you seeking security or adventure?
A: I would have to say security. This year is all about getting out of debt. It's about saving up for different things, including the kids college funds and especially saving up to buy a house.

I think once we are more financially secure we can focus on more adventure, like vacations or things we want and not just need. For now though it's the responsible part of me that wants to get both of us out of debt and to build up those savings accounts.

Picture of the day 1/22:

I Got A New Phone!

It's about time I joined the smart phone world...

This is my first post on my new iPhone 4. Still behind, but making progress! So excited to play on the new phone tonight.

That's all for now. Just had to share, and of course try out the blogger app.

Map It- 26 Angel Run

Here are the maps for the 26 Angel Run on Saturday. And a weather forcast. I'm getting really excited about doing this run and can't wait to see what the day brings.

As of right now I am planning on having Patrick meet me at the 12 mile mark (because it's at an easy spot for him to meet at). At that point I'm going to see how I'm feeling and will probably have him try to meet me every 3-4 miles depending on what's going on with my body/head. I know a big portion of this run is going to be mental, but I do not want to risk injury.

It all depends on the day, so I don't want to over think it.

This map is the one provided by the coordinator.





This map has every other mile marked as well as an elevation map.

The weather forcast. Wouldn't you know it? 30% chance of rain.





30 Day Push Day 16 & Happier at Home Day 9

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 16:

To-Do: Circle items that need to be done this week (blue), star items that need to be done today (need to, not want to) (green), all other items need to be done "soon" (black).

1. Clean out car
2. Vacuum car
3. Clean out Isabel's art drawer
4. Organize photo CDs- make albums
5. Clean off kitchen table
6. Clean out closet
7. Finish scarf
8. Pick up apartment
9. Run 2.24 miles

Happier at Home
Day 9: Plan a nice little surprise.

"Studies show that we react more strongly to an unexpected pleasure than to an expected one." Granted, I hate surprises, but I love little things that are unexpected. I love notes waiting on my car, the occasional random rose, a clean apartment. In the same sense I'm horrible and don't really provide random little surprises either. I need to work on this.

Dear Journal, 1/21/13

Q: What are you looking forward to?
A: I just received approval for time off for a vacation from June 28-July 6. My dad is retiring at the end of this month and he told us we could go on a trip anywhere in the world. Of course, our mom has a fear of flying, so anywhere in the world meant anywhere we could drive to.

Rachel came up with this amazing plan to drive up to San Francisco while sight seeing along the way. It's perfect and as soon as the details are finalized I will be sharing them.

We decided on the dates last night. It works out well because the girls will be out of school and I only need to ask for 4 days off instead of 6. I requested the time off first thing this morning and my boss approved it. Woot Woot!!

Picture of the day 1/21:
This picture was taken on Patrick's phone while on our new routine, a one mile walk on the nights that Patrick opens or is off. (I'm trying to get us all to be more active..)

Weekly Workout Schedule 1/21-1/27

Monday:
1.45 mile walk at work
2.22 mile walk at work
1 mile walk at home
Quick workout- (repeat twice) 10 pushups, 20 sit ups, 25 squats, 20 lunges (10 per leg), 40 jumping jacks, 30 second wall sit

Tuesday:
1.45 mile walk at work
2.22 mile walk at work
2.24 mile run/walk

Wednesday:
1.45 mile walk at work
2.22 mile walk at work
Quick workout- (repeat twice) 10 pushups, 20 sit ups, 25 squats, 20 lunges (10 per leg), 40 jumping jacks, 30 second wall sit

Thursday:
1.45 mile walk at work
2.22 mile walk at work

Friday:
? mile walk at work

Saturday:
26 Angel Run

Sunday:
REST!

30 Day Push Day 15 & Happier at Home Day 8

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 14: (From yesterday)
Tips for Daily Organization:
1. Start with the task that has the greatest impact- FIRST!
2. Begin with the biggest and the ugliest task on your list!
3. Estimate the time for each assignment on your task list
4. Use a schedule to keep you on task!
5. Be realistic and allow a buffer

Happier at Home
Day 7: (From yesterday)
Abandon your self control.

30 Day Push Challenge
Day 15: Saying no. "Thank you so much for thinking of me. Let me check my schedule and I'll get back to you."
Say yes if...
1. It feels 'right'
2. It doesn't interfere with your own goals
3. You actually 'want' to do it
4. You're not expecting anything

To-Do: Circle items that need to be done this week (blue), star items that need to be done today (need to, not want to) (green), all other items need to be done "soon" (black).

1. Check mint.com- update if needed
2. Make weekly workout schedule
3. Send resume
4. Clean out car
5. Vacuum car
6. Clean out Isabel's art drawer
7. Organize CD's- make photo albums
8. Clean off kitchen table

Happier at Home
Day Eight: Control the cubicle in your pocket.

I think this tip would have been helpful in the month of November. Our company's peak time begins in October and ends January 1st. During this period of time I was bringing work home almost every night, going to work early, staying late and working through my lunches. It was exhausting and I definitely felt a difference in my relationship with Patrick.

Since then I feel like I've been much better about leaving work at work. We still vent about work and share what's going on with each other, but it's become less prominent in our conversations, which has been really nice.

Dear Journal, 1/20/13

Dear Journal,
Q: Are you holding a grudge? About?
A: I am currently not holding a grudge. I have in the past, but have learned that it's better to let certain things go and leave them where they belong. I'm a better person for some things that have happened and I'm a better person for not continuing to worry about them or hold onto them.

Picture of the day 1/20:


Happy Birthday Dad!

Liebster Awards!

I was recently nominated by Taylor at Freak Out In Color for a Liebster Award. My first ever! Thank you Taylor!

What is a Liebster Award? A Liebster Award is a way to discover new blogs.
How does it work? Share eleven facts about yourself. Answer eleven questions from the person who gave you the award. Nominate eleven blogs. List eleven questions for them to answer.

I think this could be a problem because I honestly have a difficult time thinking of interesting things about myself. I'm not that interesting... Here's what I got:

Facts:
1. In middle school I had a classmate who is deaf. I wanted to be friends with her so I bought myself a book about sign language. I taught myself some basic signs including the alphabet and phrases such as "How are you?" "My name is Tracy." and "Nice to meet you." She taught me more signs (including all of the curse words, of course) and we became friends. I continued to study sign language in high school and took a course in college. At one point I thought about being a sign language interpreter.

2. I went to the park with Isabel. While I was watching her swing I saw two squirrels and started taking their picture. I ended up photographing the two squirrels sharing a kiss and it was published in our cities local newspaper "The Acorn" (Valentine's edition, of course).










3. I had to write a poem in third grade. I didn't know what to write about, so I spun around with my arm out pointing. When I stopped I was pointing to a container of glitter on the teachers desk. The poem went something like "Glitter Glitter everywhere. Glitter Glitter in my hair. Glittler Glitter on the wall. Glitter Glitter in the mall..." It was picked and published. To this day I still believe it was published as a joke and I'm waiting to see myself on an episode of Candid Camera.

4. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a marine biologist/animal trainer at Sea World. I truly believe no job would make me happier than working with dolphins. I was obsessed and collected dolphin trinkets from as early as I can remember (then got rid of them all when I "grew up". My dream was crushed when I realized the two subjects you needed to excel in to be a marine biologist were math and science, my two worst subjects.

5. After having no desire to run (at all), I ended up signing up for the LA Marathon this past year in support of my sister's goal to complete a marathon before her 30th birthday. I may or may not have had some wine in my system, but it turned out to be the greatest thing I've ever done, not just for myself (for making a goal and sticking to it, and you know, the whole being healthy and physically active aspect) but also for my relationship with my sister. Almost every week for the past year and a half we have met up once a week to run together. I feel like she's no longer just my sister, but one of my best friends.

6. One of my favorite movies is "Fools Rush In". I love the movie so much that when I found out I was pregnant with a little girl I knew her name had to be Isabel, after the main female character in the movie. And so, on March 14th of 2008, Isabel was born.

7. My guilty pleasure television show is America's Next Top Model. I love to watch marathon's and can sit and watch any season, even if I've seen it multiple times before. My favorite part is the fashion (and maybe because when it's on it usually makes Patrick leave the room). I wish I could be that creative of a photographer.

8. In order to go to bed at night I need the sweet soothing sound of Stan Smith's voice. "Sweet Sally Struthers!" There is no way that I would ever be okay mentally if I watched the 10 o'clock news every night, so it is now tradition for us to turn the channel to Cartoon Network every weekday night at 10.

9. Before I knew I was pregnant I went to see the movie "Knocked Up". I cried during the movie because I wanted to have a baby. Yeah, I was 21 at the time and didn't really want a baby, but the hormones had kicked in. I was knocked up while seeing "Knocked Up".

10. My favorite book is "To Kill A Mockingbird". I love it so much that when Patrick and I have a house we want to get two dogs, a boxer for Patrick (which he wants to name Rocky) and a Corgi which I want to name Scout.



11. Being a mom is the most exhausting and satisfying job ever. You're constantly learning and your patience is being pushed daily, and yet I wouldn't change anything about it. There is nothing better than the excited yell of "Momma!" as your four year old runs full force at you when you get home from work.


Taylor's Questions:
1. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
My sense of humor. I'm like a fifteen year old boy at heart when it comes to my sense of humor. I can be mature when I need to be, but I am definitely one of the first ones to make a bathroom or sex joke. Especially while watching "How It's Made". Dang that show is hilarious when your mind is in the gutter. Football too. All sports to be honest. It's one of the things that connected Patrick and me and one of the things I love the most about our relationship.

2. If you could visit any planet (besides Earth, obvi), where would you go? Assuming you won't die due to atmospheric conditions.
Assuming I wouldn't die, I would go to Pluto. Of course I do realize that Pluto is no longer technically a planet, however to me, it will always be one. I have yet to hear an acronym for the current order of the planets, but it will never be as awesome as My Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizza's.

3. What's the earliest memory you have?
The earliest memory I have is lying to my parents about finishing my glass of milk at dinner. I really didn't want to drink it anymore but I couldn't leave the table until I did. So I poured it down the sink with the water running. I went into the other room and as soon as they asked if I had finished my glass of milk I broke down crying.

4. What's your favorite color, and what do you think this says about you?
Red. It means I'm an Angel's fan. Everyone looks good in RED!

5. Have you ever broken a bone? Tell us the story.
I broke my left pinky toe a few years ago in Mammoth. My sister and I were running around the pool because I was trying to push her in. She stopped and I didn't. My toes ran into her heel and my pinky toe was bent to the side. It was extremely painful and so weird to look at. My mom took me to the hospital and they thought it might be dislocated (to which I freaked out because I knew that would be more painful to put it back in). I got to start my Senior year of high school with the ugliest bootie EVER!

6. Where do you want to be in five years?
I'm really hoping to be in a house. Patrick and I are doing our best to be debt free by the end of this year (more likely won't be out of debt until sometime next year). During this time we are planning on building up our savings as well. Slow and steady for this year and then we'll really go full force after we're out of debt. As soon as we feel we have a decent amount saved up we're going to start looking at what we can afford. I'm really hoping to start looking in 3-4 years. So on this day in 5 years I will be in a house!

7. If you had your choice between living forever, but never finding true love, or finding your soul mate but only living until age 50, which would you pick?
I would pick finding your soul mate but only living until age 50. And I would hope that I would have found them young enough to enjoy the time we do have together. Then again, I have found my soul mate, so does that mean I'm only going to live for another 23 years? (well, 22 years and 2 months.)

8. Who is your celebrity doppelganger?
I've been told I look the most like Kate Winslet and Amanda Seyfried. I don't see it, but I'll take it!




9. Who is on your "Freebie Five" list, IE the five celebrities you can bang without it being considered cheating?
1. Rachel McAdam

2. Niel Patrick Harris

3. Anthony Bourdain

4. Mike Trout

5. Torii Hunter


10. What was your dream job when you were a little kid?
A marine biologist/animal trainer (see fact #4). After I quickly realized I couldn't do that I set my sights on something a little less difficult. I honestly could see myself sitting at a computer all day entering data. Guess what I do now... I love data entry and could do this every day until I retire. Now if only I could make more money doing it.

11. What is your biggest regret?
Honestly? Everything that has happened has happened for a reason and has brought me right where I need to be. I guess if I had to pick something I would say that I regret not having more confidence in myself to pursue my true passion. I honestly think that if I had gone on to study marine biology and was working at Sea World then I wouldn't have Patrick and Isabel.

Nominees:
Bind & CrEATe
Running with Racheal
Heather's Journey Through Life
The Cheesefries Stand Alone
Freak Out In Color
All You Need Is Enough
The Panda Post
Life's Little Epiphanies
Food, Feminism & Life
The T-Rex Runner
A Blog to Bragg About

Questions:
1. When you were a child, did you ever want to change your name? If yes, what would you have changed it to?
2. Truth or dare? Why?
3. What is one thing you collect and why is it special to you?
4. If you could go back in time, what year would you go to?
5. What is the stupidest thing you have ever done?
6. What are you proud of about yourself?
7. Favorite moment in life so far?
8. Favorite Disney princess?
9. What is the worst pick up line you've heard?
10. Is there an actor or actress that you irrationally hate? Who is it?
11. Favorite holiday? Least favorite?