Tag, I'm It!

jenmaxwhite tagged me on this...she must know I love lists, questionnaires, etc.!

And so here's the deal...I am supposed to tell you 7 random things about me and then tag some of you to do the same. Here goes...

1. It takes me around an hour to fall asleep each night. My mind races with thoughts and I can never get it to turn off! I lay there and think about all sorts of random stuff.

2. I have a crazy good memory. I remember everything...a blessing and a curse. My earliest memories are with my grandparents...I spent every weekend with them when I was a baby and I loved every second of it. My earliest memories are: sitting on their living room floor looking at a book (I was too young to read it or speak), standing up in my crib in their room and looking at them while they were still asleep and my grandfather carrying me into his study and thumping these plates on the wall so they made this sound that I loved. All beautiful memories to me. So be warned: if I know you, I will remember everything. Good and bad, I will remember it in crystal clear detail.

3. I have mild ESP. Examples: 95% of the time I take out the exact number of sheets of paper I will need to take notes on in class, sometimes I know what people are going to say before they say it, I know when I have made a mistake on something at work even before I find it...I can just feel it, once I put Sen. Trent Lott on hold at my job in DC and although I had 4 people on hold, I just knew that I should not have put that particular person on hold (good thing he's super nice).

4. My dad and I have almost the exact same personality. I am probably 80% like him and 20% like my mom (if that makes sense). I love them both dearly.

5. I LOVE to doodle. Names, in particular. In fact, there is a chance I have doodled your name because...

6. I have always been fascinated with names. I have had baby name books since I was a little kid. I love learning about names, origins and meanings. I love knowing why people were named what they were. And after all these years, I still don't have a potential "boys" name picked out. Still on the hunt for the perfect one, just in case I ever had a little boy.

7. I am so clumsy. I usually have a bruise or cut that I have no idea where it came from. I will vaguely remember bumping into something and saying %^&* afterwards, but it happens so often that I can't remember how. I used to fall down all the time when I would play in the yard when I was little. My mom would get upset at me at the sight of my legs, covered with bruises (I bruise really easily) saying people would think I was abused. Far from it...I was/am very loved.

And now, I shall tag Cheryl, Christi, Julie, Marissa and Hillary.

Labels: meme, random

Secrets

Last night, I went with my friend and co-worker to hear the founder of PostSecret, Frank Warren, speak. I have faithfully visited this web site almost every Sunday for two years.

For those of you that don't know about PostSecret, it is truly incredible. A few years ago, Frank made up a batch of 3,000 postcards and passed them out to strangers in DC. The instructions were to use artwork and write a concise secret that you had never told anyone before. His idea was to have an art exhibit of the postcards, which he did. The exhibit was very successful - but it didn't stop there. Thousands of postcards have made their way to his mailbox from all over the world. Many, many more than the original 3,000 he made.

Every Sunday, a new set of 20 secrets are posted. He has also published four books, one of which I got him to sign.


Last night, Frank also told his secret. He didn't even realize he was keeping this a secret...and certainly didn't know that the secret was what propelled him to begin his project. He just thought he was doing something unique and artsy. One day, he saw a secret similar to his and he realized that he was holding on to this secret. He told his wife and daughter and freed himself of that secret. That is what he is encouraging with this project - to free yourself and not let your secrets hold you back in any way.

I have laughed and I have cried when reading the postcards. I think people just want to feel "normal," safe, loved and accepted. That is what the postcards mean to me. And really, I think that is something we all want.

There was one secret that Frank showed last night that has stayed with me. It said: "I have planned many times to kill myself. But each time, someone showed me kindness. Thank you for saving my life." And so, that is what I want to keep close to me. You never know what someone else's secret is - what pain they are hiding. And you could be the person to make the difference.

Furniture, Cold Weather and Debates

What a relaxing weekend!

Bert and I spent the entire weekend together, which was a real treat since three nights of the regular week, one of us is in night class. I can hardly remember what we did Saturday, but I do know that I slept late every day. Waking up at 10:30am is so delicious. Sunday, I did some housework and homework and we went out to eat. And yesterday, we went to this great furniture store about 20 minutes from our house and found a new TV cabinet to go with our new TV. DIRECTV is coming to hook everything up this afternoon, so I am only a few hours from HDTV!

It is super cold here and dreary. It makes me feel blah...I don't feel like doing anything. And I randomly starting crying in Academy Sports this weekend because all our friends were either out of town, MIA or have kids now. Oh, to be a woman. We then bought some pepper spray and left. The world is freaking me out with all the violent crimes and missing people, so I have been obsessed with being safe lately.

Last night, I caught some of the debate. It was certainly heated! I would be thrilled with either Edwards or Obama as President. We are now 364 days until this President is out of office...thank goodness. It is interesting to read what everyone has to say about the candidates. I enjoy reading other's thoughts, as long as they don't start to become hateful or ignorant. Unfortunately, there's a lot of that going on too.

And so, that's what's going on with me.

Labels: random

No Way, Lady

It is always such a treat when I get to spend time with my cousins, Sommer and Sam. Because of them, I understand why so many of you out there post countless pictures of your children, nieces, nephews, etc. Children are such a joy!

We had a great time...they played with Matty, watched some of a movie, went shopping, etc. That night, we all went to Atlanta to have dinner and see our newest cousin...little 2 week old Zakir. I could just kick myself because I did not get any pictures. It was late and I was so tired!

Sam loves Bert and didn't want to have as much to do with me. I asked him if he would come sit in my lap and he said, "No way, lady." Earlier in the day, I teased him by telling him I was going to give him 15 kisses. He asked if he could have $15 instead. I love this kid. He also informed me and Bert that we were "in love." He is absolutely adorable.

And Sommer is incredibly bright as well! We were at Kohl's and she wanted some make-up for kids. I told her that her mommy probably wouldn't want her to have make-up. "Why does she get to decide on everything?" Sommer asked in exasperation. It was so funny...and she's only 6 years old. We played Go Fish together that night and sat and talked to each other in intense conversation for about an hour. She tells me about school and her friends. Several people remarked how cute it was that we were able to sit and talk as easily as two children or two adults might. How precious she is!

I love being a part of their life and watching them grow. How I miss and love them so!

Labels: family

New Year/New Chapter

Thanks for the idea, Cheryl. I love love love questionnaires.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Went to the mountains...my new favorite vacation destination!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? Hmmm...I think, like everyone else, I kept them for a few weeks. I made a few this year, but haven't finished deciding on them yet. I have already eaten 4 Hershey's Kisses today, so clearly the losing weight thing hasn't begun.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes...my cousin had a baby a few weeks ago. I can't wait to meet him...he was sick and then I was sick and I am about to go crazy if I don't see him soon!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, my grandfather (Dad's side) passed.

5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the U.S. all year.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? I don't want to get so worked up about things anymore.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? June 22...my birthday! It was bittersweet, as my two best friends from work were both leaving that day. I was at a fabulous weight that day and people told me I looked Jackie Kennedy-esque. That is a huge compliment to me!!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? I did the harder of two options several times this year. Each time, it turned out well...even though I wanted to take the easy way out, I didn't let myself.

9. What was your biggest failure? Allowing myself to become stressed out to the point it affected my health. I won't do that again.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I'm sure. I'm such a klutz and I have a perpetual sinus infection. But nothing big, thank God.

11. What was the best thing you bought? The swing for our backyard...Bert and I really enjoyed it and can't wait to use it again when it gets bearable outside.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Bert...he started his second graduate program. So proud!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Dubya.

14. Where did most of your money go? Our house, for sure. Good ol' living expenses.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing Guster in concert! It was so fab. I also was so excited for our Fall trip to Blue Ridge, GA.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? "Dashboard" by Modest Mouse

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer? Probably about the same in every category, except a little richer I suppose.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Going downtown more and hanging with friends

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Obsessing and analyzing

20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent Christmas with my family in Mississippi. It was fab. (See photos in previous post.)

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Yep. I fell in love all over again Christmas Eve night after Bert and I watched "Love Actually" and he told me he loved me like the movies.

23. How many one-night stands? Zero

24. What was your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy and The Hills...I really got into news this year too (MSNBC).
Note: I have no idea where my mind was when I included the show Lost earlier. I have never even seen that show. So weird.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Trying not to hate...but yeah, there are definitely two new people that I really, really dislike.

Just read this quote that I am using as a mantra:
"Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves." - Mitch Albom in The Five People You Meet In Heaven

26. What was the best book you read? The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls...I read The Five People You Meet In Heaven last night (yep, the whole thing in an hour and a half) and it was pretty good too. Next up is A Thousand Splendid Suns.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Modest Mouse and The Shins

28. What did you want and get? Great piece of art for our bedroom, clothes and shoes...I am spoiled. :)

29. What did you want and not get? The lottery jackpot

30. What was your favorite film of this year? Of all the films I saw this year, I loved Blood Diamond and Je t'aime Paris the most.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? For my 27th, I had lunch with friends, a work Happy Hour and dinner with my beloved.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Tivo

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Loved the tops that people say look like maternity...I don't care...it was totally me. Loved it. I also enjoyed bright, funky shoes.

34. What kept you sane? God, Bert, Mama and Daddy. And Loritab. Kidding, people. Kidding.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Joaquin Phoenix

36. What political issue stirred you the most? War, human rights violations in Darfur and Saudi Arabia

38. Who was the best new person you met? I made some great new friends in grad school.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. I learned about a bazillion life lessons in 2007. Here's a sampling:
-Just because you are a hard worker does not mean you will be appreciated. You must take pride in knowing that you are valuable and not count on others for that validation.
-Hate only hurts you.
-Don't allow work stress to bleed into other areas of your life.
-Perspective changes everything.
-Be grateful - life is good. Stop picking everything apart.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"But you can't hide standing under these stars
they know everything they know where you are
you're in your head you're all turned around with it
and they're shining down their light to bring you back again"
-"Careful" by Guster

Bert is the light that always brings me back and keeps me sane. It was a crazy year.

Here's to 2008! May it bring peace, joy and prosperity to us all!

The Holidays

Below are some photos of our holiday...hope you had a great one!

P.S. For some reason, it seems you have to have your cursor on the slide show to view the captions. These captions have been giving me fits. :)

Labels: holiday

New Year's - Oh Joy

Instead of attending one of the three soirees we were invited to, Bert and I spent New Year's Eve mostly in our living room. I'm pretty sure I am getting over the flu. Yuck.

I started feeling a little better on New Year's Eve and we decided to go to Outback. I love their food...especially their delicious seafood pasta dish. While there, I realized I had a fever. Until this point, it had just been a runny nose and sore throat. Super. We ended up running in Blockbuster, watching Disturbia and being mortified at how awful the New Year's Eve specials have gotten. I also welcomed your favorite and mine - body aches.

I think we were both asleep by 12:10 am. I felt like doo on New Year's Day and did not make the intended meal of black-eyed peas, fried chicken, etc. Nosiree. I instead ate some soup and cheese toast.

I really, really hope my New Year's is not a sign of things to come in 2008.