25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

While driving tonight, I was thinking of a list of things that maybe make me a little unique.  Here are 25 things. No matter how well you know me, you are bound to learn something new!


1. I like to live caffeine free as much as possible.
2. I have lived in the Southern half of the hemisphere.
3. I have stuck my hand in a tarantula hole... on purpose.
4. I married my high school prom date and my prince Charming (I know barf). :)
5. I have two different thumbs.  One is a hitch hiker, one is straight (is that what you call it?)
6. I could live on protein and dairy the rest of my life.
7. I regularly drink between 1 1/2 - 2 gallons a week of skim milk.
8. Middle school was the worst time of my life.
9. I teach middle school.
10. I have white hair(sss)
11. I have eaten bakers square chocolate... and I liked it.
12. I LOATHE scary movies.
13. I am more content in silence than constantly listen to music.
14. When I was in kindergarten, I used to wake up before school everyday and ask my mom if I could watch "The Caddy" with Jerry Lewis.  I still don't know why. 
15. I am not tickalious (how on earth do you spell that??)
16. I have lost a child.
17. I have a tattoo.  I would like to get another one.
18. In high school, the hardest class I took was U.S. History.  I didn't like the teacher, either.
19. Mrs. Mehl became my favorite teacher and I teach Social Studies.
20. I got married at Christmas because it's my absolute, most favorite holiday.
21. I love to play board games and card games.
22. I am competitive.
23. My favorite color is glitter or anything sparkly.
24. I still drive my first car that I owned when I was 16.
25. I asked for a dishwasher for my 16th birthday and got one!!

the last {five} months.

I had an idea to write tonight. But I have to admit, I kind of feel like I did in high school when I was assigned to write some 5 page research paper on some absurd literary topic and I was intimidated at a blank, white empty word processor. Of course, the only difference now is, I don't have to do this, it's not for a grade, but nonetheless, I'm at a bit of a loss on what to discuss.

Ideas such as... updating my life (since it's only been 5 entire months) or how about what I am thankful for since it's the month of November (really original, huh?) Well, I'll get around to the latter in another blog, but I think I will try to give you a concise update on my life the past 5 months.

Unbelievable.  When I think about the last 20 plus weeks of my life, it has gone by in a whirlwind. My best friend  got married, I went on a week long youth conference and had my spiritual butt kicked, slept in a cardboard box for a night, visited a Buddhist temple (to learn about it), I officially hurt my knee and had to stop running, gained 5 lbs (grumble...), found out  I was expecting, started my 4th year of teaching, had a miscarriage, spent my 2nd night ever in the ER, stopped working out all together, went on prescription medication for the first time in my life, struggled to find passion, gained 5 more lbs, missed some school, went to Chicago, saw Lion King, took a lot of photos, escaped into my world of creativity, and bought a new camera.

You know I hate to think that within 6 months this year, I've gained nearly 10 lbs.  I'm attempting to get my life back in order now, but I can tell you, it's so difficult. Working out has never been such a drag for me as it is currently.  That is part of the reason that I am on anti-depressants.  For the majority of my life, I have enjoyed being active.  Weightlifting, dancing, boxing, cardio routines and at one point, running have been an important part of my life.  Exercise has been one of my biggest stress relievers, been my way to work out my emotions and burn off any steam (not that I ever get frustrated :) 

This year for the first time in my life, I have been overwhelmed by the thought of going on a walk, let alone the IDEA of anything else physical.  It has been a tiring journey. Of course I'd like to do more, but I can't. And I've never felt that way before.  I've always been a loner when it has come to working out.  I don't like to socialize, but I like to go and workout hard.  Now, the thought of going by myself is overwhelming or defeating.  Never have I depended on other people to keep me accountable to go to the gym like now. The doctor prescribed some medication at least until winter is over. I have to admit, I am getting better, I'm now up to working out for 30 minutes 3 times a week (which is about 4 1/2 hours less than what I was used to). I am drinking about 2 - 2 1/2 liters of water everyday again.  Slowly, but surely I am coming around.  Everyday working out is a battle and this nasty cold weather and few hours of precious sunshine is intensifying my struggle.

My motto recently has been "here's to tomorrow, may I do more than I did today."