Four Things

photo-1428591501234-1ffcb0d6871fI’ve seen this post going around the interwebs. Since my friend Kristen shared hers, I figured I would too!

Four names that people call me other than my real name:

1. Er

2. Er-Dog

3. Annie

4. Mom #2

 Four jobs I’ve had:

1. Benefits Coordinator

2. Psychiatric Case Manager

3. Service Desk Clerk

4. Writer

 Four movies I’ve watched more than once:

1. Elf

2. Finding Nemo

3. Home Videos

4. Pretty Woman

Four books I’d recommend:

1. Drinking: A Love Story – Caroline Knapp

2. Operating Instructions – Anne Lamott

3. Now What? The Creative Writer’s Guide to Success After the MFA

4. In Short: A Collection of Brief Creative Nonfiction

Four places I’ve visited:

1. Aruba

2. Norfolk, VA

3. Seattle, WA

4. North Conway, NH

Four things I prefer not to eat:

1. Nuts

2. Beans

3. zucchini

4. rice pudding

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Lobster

2. Ice Cream

3. Pho

4. Sushi

Four TV shows I watch

1. The Walking Dead

2. Grey’s Anatomy

3. Blacklist

4. Orange is the New Black

Four things I’m looking forward to this year:

1. Having a baby!

2. Warm weather

3. Watching Wolverine with his sibling

4. No more snow (Fingers crossed?)

Four things I’m always saying:

1. “What’s up, Bud?”

2. “How was school today?”

3. “How was work?”

4. “What do you want to eat?”

This entry was posted in Meme.

borrowed from my blog buddy

I am feeling pretty overwhelmed.
I think about all the stuff I have to do more than I do all the stuff that needs to be done.
I know the lyrics to thousands of songs. I could totally win that game show where you have to fill in the blank with song lyrics.
I have to finish week three of the Fierce Love Course and check in with my FL Buddy.
I wish I wouldn’t always take things so personally. (This was San’s answer, but I am in complete agreement.)
I hate feeling disorganized.
I miss my friends who I haven’t seen in a while like Michaela and Elizabeth and Sarah.
I fear not living in the present.
I hear papers being shuffled.
I smell garlic parmesan pretzels.
I crave nothing really. I’m very content.
I search for a way to be better organized.
I wonder what my writing groove will feel like when I find it. Where, when, how often?
I regret nothing. Truly. There is nothing that I wish happened differently in my life. It might have sucked to experience some things b.
I love the people in my life!
I ache. Yeah, that is it. I’m an old lady in a young lady’s body.
I am not giving up.
I believe in the power of kindness, in patience.
I dance with Mr. O in the kitchen sometimes.
I sing all the time.
I cry when I’m upset. It is a release. Just because I cry it doesn’t mean I am weak. If anything, letting out the tears allows me to stay strong.
I fight no unnecessary battles. Make love, not war.
I win every single day, because I am lucky to have incredible people in my life.
I lose many bets with Mr. O.
I never take the people in my life for granted.
I always wake up and thank the universe for the main people in my life.
I confuse some people with my positive attitude. It makes me sad that people feel cautious around me because they think I’m being “fake” when I’m really just excitable, but oh well.
I listen to the advice of people I can trust. I listen to my gut before I make any final decisions.
I can usually be found cuddling with Mr. O, playing with Wolverine, on my computer for school, work and play.
I am scared of people I love leaving me.
I need sleep, and lots of it.
I am happy about my eyes. I went to my one month post-op appointment this week and my doctor is quite pleased with my success.
I imagine a long life filled with my loved ones and many wonderful experiences.

meme remix

San at The In Between Is Mine tagged me in a meme! I already completed it when Erin tagged me a few weeks ago, but since I love me a meme, I figured I would atleast answer the San’s 11 questions.
  1. What’s one of your bad habits that you would like to get rid off?
    Letting the things other people say/do affect me. I’m a very happy, easy going person, but I need to work on how I process other people’s actions/reactions/thoughts.
  2. What is one of your best qualities?
    I almost always wake up happy in the morning. Not to say that I am a morning person, but I’ve been lucky to be able to start each day as a new beginning. I guess, to expand on this, I should say my postive energy/outlook. That is probably my best quality.
  3. Is there a person that you admire? For what?
    My mom is a great role model for me. I also think that Mr. O is a fantastic parent.
  4. What’s your all-time favorite movie?
    Home videos of my brothers and I when we were children.
  5. Do you have a lot of IRL friends that blog or are you the only one?
    None of my close friends are bloggers. Recently I’ve come across a couple of high school friends (awesome people) who now have blogs. Check Colleen and Nicole out!
  6. What’s the best thing that happened to you through blogging?
    Getting to know some of my blog friends. They are amazing people I might have never “met” if it weren’t for blogging.
  7. Do you enjoy flying or is it more of an means to an end for you?
    I don’t know how much I enjoy it, but I totally don’t mind it. I love that I can get from here to there super quickly. I just hate waiting at the airport.
  8. What’s your biggest  emotional outlet?
    Crying or the support I get from Mr. O. He grounds me.
  9. How often do you check your emails?
    I’m too plugged in. I get all my emails on my phone, and have access to the computer for work and school. So I am constantly plugged in.
  10. Name three things you can’t live without.
    Just three things? Some form of candy, date nights, cuddling
  11. Recommend one blog you really enjoy.
    I would say San or Erin, but I already tagged them both at the top! One of my all time favorite bloggers is Kate at Suburban Sweetheart. She is an awesome person and a fantastic blogger.

a look back, a look forward

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Happy New Year Y’all!

I hope you had a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. The lovely Angela Noelle was kind enough to share these 1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Polar Bear Plunge on 1/1/11. Broke my foot. Traveled to PA and VT. Ate pho. Got my first real grown up tree. This list could go on an on and on.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t really make NY resolutions. I followed a Cuban tradition of eating 12 red grapes and making 12 goals or intentions as I like to call them. I think I did really great with my intentions. I did the same tradition again this year with Mr. O. Thank you Daisy for bring that into my life.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, actually, I don’t think so. But I do have two nieces who turned one this year, and now I have three close friends to me pregnant, and another real good friend too!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My sister-in-law’s grandfather. He was close to our family, and I do miss him when we have family gatherings. Plus, I didn’t like to see her hurt.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the United States in 2011!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn’t have in 2011?
I have everything I need. But one thing I will get in 2012 (well, unless something goes drastically wrong) is a DIPLOMA!! I’ll have my MFA 🙂

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
The day I first saw Mr. O, and then every day between that and the first time he told me he loved me. It was the perfect beginning to a relationship.

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
My 3rd semester project. I also felt very proud when I was elected by my peers to be our graduation speaker. Losing a little weight (to a # I hadn’t seen on the scale in a decade) although, I haven’t checked my weight in the past few weeks, and god knows I’ve gained a few pounds.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failure? Hmm. Nothing. If there was any time that I “failed” I definitely learned from those moments, and I can’t consider learning moments failures.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I broke my foot on 1/4/11.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Vacations? I like the iPhone, although I wish I didn’t drop my Droid in the ocean.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mr. O. He is kind and loving.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ha. I get appalled by people who are disrespectful. I sometimes feel sad FOR people when they act pathetically, but I’ve learned to not give any emotional response to people who don’t deserve it.

14. Where did most of your money go?
The house fund. Or: school, vacations, Christmas and birthdays

15. What did you get really excited about?
Being in a happy, healthy relationship. Surprise presents from my guy. Our vacations, especially when Wolverine came with us. Learning how to cook.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
A song I love from John Legend

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Happier
b) thinner or fatter? 
Thinner
c) richer or poorer? 
Richer. House money safely in the bank and no credit card debt (well, after I get paid this week to finish paying the damn Christmas gifts)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Write more.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Care about other people’s actions/thoughts. I only want to care about my own actions, and those of the people who are vital in my life.

20. How will you spend Christmas?
I spent it with Mr. O, Wolverine and both our families.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Oh, yes, yes I did. And if you couldn’t tell that from reading this blog, please get your vision checked.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t like television that much, but surprisingly, I loved New Girl and XFactor.

23. What was the best book you read?
Oh goodness. I read so much for school, I honestly do not know. I think my favorite thing I read was an essay at school in a workshop. I’ll remember the name and edit the blog when I do.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
SAde and John Legend together in concert. YES!

25. What did you want and get?
Two fantastic guys: Mr. O and Wolverine.

26. What did you want and not get?
In 2011 I received more than I could possibly ask for.

27. What was your favorite film of 2011?
Tough one. Well, we went to the theaters to see Transformers and Hangover. Those were good.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26 and went out with a bunch of great friends. Mr. O, my bestie and I went to lunch and the batting cages on my actual bday.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Buying a house is not as fun as it seems 😉

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Stop trying to look “pretty” and feel “pretty” in what you already own. I guess I’m learning to dress in my own style, and not feeling like I have to wear the same thing as everybody else? Does that make sense?

31. What kept you sane?
Having great people- especially Mr. O and Wolverine- around me.

32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Osama Bin Ladin getting killed. After you have a friend die overseas, it is tough to understand the “War” as well as you thought you once did. Then to have the #1 Most Wanted person killed, it’s kind of like…What Now? Does his death justify my friend’s? And I personally can’t celebrate easily in another person being killed, so I had mixed emotions about that in general.

33. Who did you miss?
I missed Mr. O while I was away at school. And Wolverine, especially him this time around. People talk about the quirky things their kids say and do and it really makes me wonder what he is doing, and how school is and what books he is reading at night etc. I miss Poppa (my SIL’s grandfather) around the holidays and family parties. I miss Robert a bunch. I miss my dog Khiva here and there even though it has been 4 whole years since she has passed away.

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Every single thing is a choice. Everything.

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
In this life, we all know
Friends may come, and they may go
Through the years I know
I will stay

survey says!

Days Until 2012: viaIt is time for a MEME! I used to love filling out those silly survey emails when I was a kid. The other day I got a tweet from Erin that just said Tag! I was like huh? Then I read her blog and realized she tagged me in the meme she completed. Holy, super excited batman! I’m in!

Here’s the rules.

  1. You must post these rules.
  2. Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog.
  3. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post and cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
  4. You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.
  5. No tag backs and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.

11 Facts About Myself

  1. I am afraid of bees.
  2. I quit smoking on November 1, 2007. Woot Woot.
  3. I’m learning how to cook now by cooking once a week and I have LOVED it every time.
  4. I love anything crafty. DIY projects are the highlight of my day (when I have time to do them).
  5. I’m trying to buy a house. This process is not as fun as I assumed it would be.
  6. However, decorating for my future house on Pinterest IS ABSOLUTELY so much fun.
  7. I just did a critical project on Facebook and Writing. Check it out.
  8. We have an Elf on the Shelf named Logan. I fricking love this thing.
  9. I thank the universe every single morning for the amazing relationship I am in.
  10. I just started my second 101 in 1001 project (You can check out the blog, but it hasn’t been updated in FOREVER!)
  11. I plan weddings and other events. Hire me. Oh, and I create flower designs too.

And the questions from Erin.

  1. Where is one place (city, state, or country) that you are dying to visit?
    I don’t think I could fairly narrow this down. I’d love to go to Italy, Ireland, Vietnam, ehhh. I’ll stop here, but basically, I want to go EVERYWHERE!
  2. What is your bed time?
    Damn, I wish I had a set bedtime. Honestly, it is whenever I fall asleep. For the most part, that is between 10:30 and 12:00 usually.
  3. What is one resolution or goal you have for 2012?
    I try not to set specific resolutions, and I always have goals going, but I do have loads of intentions. I’d like to be a better student. It is my last semester, and I have so much writing to do. I’d like to be a more patient person, I’d to let other’s actions/moods affect me less than I currently let them. I’d like to blog more, and with better content.
  4. What would be your last supper?
    Lobster, oysters, dumplings, pho, ice cream cake, sour patch kids, banana cream cheesecake, and some steak
  5. If you could eat a meal with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
    A bunch of people jumped to mind, but I think in this very second, I’d like to meet Martin Luther King Jr. and just chat about our beliefs.
  6. What is your favorite animal?
    Alligators
  7. What is your dream job?
    Professional napper or stay at home mom(who got paid for it) or college writing professor or writer
  8. Who is your hero?
    My mom and my boyfriend
  9. When you need a snack, do you reach for sweet or salty? (Bonus points if you list your favorite snack.)
    Sweet. Favorite snack is just about everything. I do love ice cream. Oh, I just made some smores pops (marshmallow covered in chocolate–the white chocolate ones surprisingly taste best!– and then smothered in crushed graham crackers). But if I wanted a mix of both, I do love me some chocolate covered pretzels, and some chocolate covered potato chips.
  10. Does your style have a signature? (For example, I’m known for bold colors and loud prints.)
    Hmm, my signature varies through the years. If you ask my best friend, she’d say that I love prints. I guess I can admit to liking low cut shirts, but I can say its has been a while since I’ve worn one!
  11. What is your favorite book?
    Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp

Okay here is where my questions come in!

  1. Where was your best vacation?
  2. Do you have a lucky #? What is it? If not, why?
  3. What is one job you’d never want to do?
  4. Favorite household chore? Least favorite?
  5. Who’s style do you admire most and why?
  6. Do you fall asleep with the music or tv on (or anything else?)
  7. Favorite fast food meal?
  8. If you could have any animal as a pet (esspecially the kind that aren’t usually pets though) what would you choose?
  9. If you won 100 Million in the lottery what are the first 5 things you would buy/pay off?
  10. Do you like receiving gifts? What was the best present you’ve ever gotten?
  11. Can you keep plants alive?

I’m tagging…Erin, Elizabeth, Angela, Kate, Phil, AJ, Holly, Ashley, Lexah, Daisy, and Lisa!
If you play along, be sure to let me know. I’d love to see how you answered my questions.

my muse is a “brazen hussy”

source

source

My hussy muse is currently galavanting around with other writers. I’ve got a few choice words for her, but I’ll be nice and keep them to myself seeing as I want her to return as soon as possible. Until then, I figured a meme couldn’t hurt. At least I am writing words while I wait….

Thanks for sharing Lacey!
Age: 26
Bed size: Queen
Chore you hate: Putting the clothes away after I do the laundry.
Dogs: Miss Fenway
Essential start of your day:  Cuddling on some days, coffee on others
Favorite color: Blue…but it changes frequently. I like charcoal and chocolate a bunch.
Gold or silver: White Gold
Height: 5’1″
Instruments I play (or have played): The piano by ear a little. I sing.
Job title: Event Coordinator, Application Specialist, Psychiatric Case Manager
Kids: I love kids 🙂
Live: In MA.
Mom’s name: Mom.
Nickname: Er, Annie, Trueblood #3
Overnight hospital stays:  Can’t say that I’ve had any
Pet peeve: Ehh, I try not to get too “peeved”…ignorance usually irritates me.
Quote from a movie: “If you be a bird, then I’ll be a bird” (First one that comes to mind)
Right or left handed: Right.
Siblings: Two brothers
Time you wake up: Too early
Underwear: Check
Vegetables you dislike: Squash
What makes you run late:  Everything
X-rays you’ve had done: My foot a thousand times this year
Yummy food you make: Omlets
Zoo animal: Elephants!
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