22 Things

Well, ladies, tomorrow is my birthday! Today is my last day of being 22, so I called upon this survey my beautiful sister-in-law tagged me in months ago, but I was too busy to fill out. It has 22 things you didn't know about me... and maybe never wanted to? Also, if you are looking for a good read, you should all pop on over to the fabulous blog of my sister-in-law, Emily. You will absolutely love her. She is the most optimistic, cheery person ever, and I'm sure you will find her posts uplifting and hilarious. I will be celebrating tomorrow, but check back again soon for more from me, as a 23-year-old lady.

Twenty-Two Things

The Rules:

1. Post these rules.

2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.

3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.

4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.

5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.

Here are the Random Facts about me:

1.  I have dyed my hair every possible (realistic) color I could have, from platinum blonde to black, strawberry blonde to auburn, I've done it all. These days I'm giving it a break and sticking with my natural color: light brown.

2. I used to have to wear an eye patch as a kid. I was born with a lazy eye, which eventually turned into pretty much a dead eye. Growing up, my eye doctors always said I could get Lasik when I was 23. Well... I'm turning 23 tomorrow. You do the math. Early graduation present? I think so.

3. I still count on my fingers.

4. I no longer have gobs of friends, but I do know who the good ones are, and that's why they're the only ones I surround myself with now. There's nothing bad to be said about any of them.

5. 90% of my entire wardrobe has been acquired since I've known Scott. I used to hold on to all my clothes forever, but since he came in the picture, I've learned it's about quality, not quantity, so he's helped me figure out what to keep and bought me 98% of that 90% I've gotten since he came around.

6. My TV/Movie-watching interests are strange: I either like super corny, dramatic, superficial girly-girl shows, or documentaries. Rarely anything in between. Two very opposite ends on the spectrum.

7. I sometimes pretend to bad at something or seem unprepared for things, just so that when I succeed, it seems like an accident or happy surprise. Don't want to let myself get TOO confident.

8.  I am all about generic brand EVERYTHING. It all works/tastes the exact same to me and saves a ton of money. Except mac and cheese. Never try and emulate Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. That's worth the extra 40 cents every time.

9. I have commitment issues. With hobbies, that is. I am super passionate about learning a new skill or idea for the first 48-72 hours and then the excitement fades and I let the hobbies die by the wayside, only to rediscover them months later and wonder why I ever stopped and start it up again. And so the cycle continues...

10. I am very particular about hangers, and it drives Scott nuts. I cannot stand wire hangers, colored hangers, certain types of hangers with the weird pegs on them, certain materials. I am constantly sneaking into Scott's closet and swapping his nasty plastic colored hangers for the correct ones, but three days later, they're always back on the WRONG hangers! Time to toss them out for good, I guess.

11. I buy 'what-if' dishes. I always insist upon having WAY more dishes and glassware than I need, in case one or more break. So if we go out and buy and 16-pack of glasses at Target, I always make us buy another 16-pack of glasses, in case some break. It's a simple formula: double whatever you need. Just in case. It's not a good idea, for those of you who don't think I'm crazy. I am. Don't listen to me on this one. :p

 Emily’s Questions for me:

1.       What is the biggest event, by number of people, that you have seen in person?

 I don't get out much. And I absolutely detest large crowds. I have severe social anxiety, and crowds just set off panic attacks, so I avoid them at all costs. That being said, I have ventured out for concerts, which are always packed. The worst (though probably not biggest by number, but by mass) was Black Friday at Target. The checkout line snaked through EVERY. SINGLE. AISLE. in the entire store, wrapping all the way around back to the door. Just to CHECK OUT! It was the worst experience of my life. We waited an hour and a half.

2.       If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be and why?

I would trade places with anyone who lives in a warm, quiet place, in an amazing house, with a huge closet, filled with amazing clothes, all in my size, and that keeps a fridge stocked with my favorite foods. Explanation not necessary. :p

3.       What kind of people do you dislike?

I seriously dislike fake and dishonest people. In my family, we are all incredibly honest. Sometimes TOO honest, some might say, but that's just the way we are. We don't like the bull. If you're mad at someone, you make it known, work it out, and move on. There's no underlying resentment or unknown issue that way. I had WAY too many fake friends back in the day, who would be nice to my face, but talking so poorly about me behind my back. It hurts way worse that way than if they say it to your face. If you don't like someone, avoid them. I don't believe there's any sense in being fake and pretending to like someone you don't. I'm not saying be rude or mean to this person, but if you don't like them, either figure it out between the two of you, or stay away altogether. This may be a future post.

4.       If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?

Probably just relax. Spend all my money, take a vacation somewhere warm with my family, eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and just enjoy my loved ones (including my puppies).

5.       If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

If I were a superhero, I would want the power of invisibility. I'm a lover, not a fighter, so I'd take the passive approach and be able to lie low. Plus, if I did have to kick some butt, I'd rather do it without being able to be seen and stand a better chance of surviving.

6.       What is one of your guilty pleasures?

It's such a cliche, but shopping. I adore shopping and have a hard time thinking logically about what I need or how much I can really spend. When I'm sad, I shop. When I'm bored, I shop. When I want to reward myself for a job well-done, I shop. It's a problem. Sort of.

7.       What is the best advice that you have been given?

The best advice I have been given is from my grandpa. He always said, "You quit eatin', you die." Grandpa was all about solid girls because he knew they were eating and were healthy. It basically always motivated me to love myself, no matter what size I was. We would always "have a little lunch" with Grandpa, because food is comforting to us. Not to the point where it's an unhealthy crutch; it's just something we all like to do in my family.

8.       If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

P!       That's it. 

9.       If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

I love my name- it's older, so it's not one you hear very often, but not so old it's obsolete. However, when I was growing up, I loved the name Shawna. Still do.

10.   Who was your best friend in elementary or high school? Are you still friends with them?

In elementary school, my best friend was Maya. We have lost touch since we graduated high school, but if we could ever get back together, I have no doubt in my mind we would still be great friends. She's an amazing girl and I still think her and her family are wonderful.

11.   What is, hands down, one of the best things that have ever happened to you?

One of the best things that has ever happened to me was deciding to go back to college. While I truly dislike taking classes and feel like it will never end, I am now only one year away from having a degree for life. My mom always said that if her kids went to college, she would feel like she accomplished something with her life. I feel great that I can help her reach that goal, and reach it for myself, too. From here on out, even if I end up working dead-end jobs the rest of my life, I can always look back on it and say, "I have a college degree. I dedicated over 17 years of my life to learning and expanding my knowledge." That's a pretty powerful thing.

So here are my questions for the following people: Courtney, Jessie, Sean Marie, and Taylor!

1.       When/how did you know your husband was "The One"?

2.       If you could say only one word for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

3.       What was your worst Halloween costume growing up?

4.       If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?

5.       If you could have any job in the world you wanted, what would it be and why?

6.       What is your biggest pet peeve?

7.       What is the worst thing you've ever blurted out without thinking?

8.       If someone made a movie about you, who do you think should play you and your hubby?

9.       What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

10.      Who are five living people that you would like to meet?

11.      Have you ever cried because you were so happy? When?