wanna talk about me

I think the title of this post is ironic...because what else is a blog besides a venue to talk about oneself?  Anyway, my friend Leah from Chocolate and Wild Air tagged me in her "Friday fun facts" post.


These are the rules:
Post these rules.
Post 11 random things about yourself.
Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post.
Tag 11 new people to participate.
Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
Go to their blog/Twitter/Facebook and tell them you’ve tagged them. Then link your post back to their site. 


Here's what I find problematic about this: I don't have many friends who blog.  And Leah already tagged one of the few who do.  So for that reason and the fact that this seems suspiciously like a chain email to me (and there's nothing I hate more), I'll just answer the questions myself.  Sorry if that sounds even more self-centered.  But it's always good to come up with ammo for the dreaded "tell us something interesting about yourself" icebreaker.


Random facts:
1. I designed the Beanie Baby Swirly, the snail.  At least I claim to.  During one of our many summer family vacations with the Manning family out west, Emily and I occupied ourselves in the backseat by drawing pictures of new Beanies we thought Ty should make.  At my dad's insistence, I actually mailed mine to them, and about a year later, Swirly hit stores everywhere.  I'm sure it was inspired by my design though because of the tell-tale rainbow swirled shell.

2. The summer after seventh grade, I put this terrible product similar to Sun In in my dark brown hair.  It turned a lovely shade of orange.  My mom promptly took me to the salon to get it stripped, but the orange kept creeping back.  I just had to wait for it to grow out.  It took several painful years.  Now my hair is darker than ever before.  Much to my chagrin, everyone keeps calling it black.  


3. I'm right handed, but I do cartwheels with my left foot first.  Fascinating, I know.


4. I take my TV watching pretty seriously.  As in, when I commit to a show, I just won't quit it.  Even if it's really not that good.  I feel like I've developed a relationship with the characters, and I don't want to hurt their feelings.  That's why I still watch Cougar Town.  And Whitney.  


5. I feel like I'm continually on a quest for knowledge.  And it's not really motivated by some admirable academic goal.  I just really want to be on a game show some day (number 14) and fear that some random fact I once pondered will ultimately become a question that I can't answer.


6. When I was little, I was extremely afraid of elevators.  I once made my mom climb about 20 flights of stairs with me to go visit my cousin's dorm room in the UK towers.  Embassy Suites became my favorite hotel because of the glass elevators.


7. I'm obsessed with the color coral.  You can tell by taking a peek at my closet.

8. I have a pink Christmas tree.  Or I had one.  Apparently it broke when my parents were taking it down this year.  It's probably about time to get a real (fake) one.

9. This is one of my most embarrassing moments: my freshman year of high school, I started taking a dance class.  The tap number for our recital was Stomp, so we used garbage can lids and brooms as props.  After it was over, as the entire rest of my class was bowing in the front, I was in the back picking up all the props.  I think that says a little about my OCD cleaning habits.


10. Until a few days ago, I had never shot a handgun.  I'd had many a turn with rifles on Indian Princess (another story for another time) retreats and a couple tries with a shotgun shooting clay pigeons.  But when Caroline's boyfriend, Tyler, was here last week, we went to the shooting range and shot a nine millimeter.  I was kinda scared at first, but shooting it was pretty exhilarating.  I can see why people shoot to take out a little aggression (at a target, of course).

11. The search for my "signature scent" has ended.  For our family secret Santa gift exchange, my cousin Sarah gave me a bottle of Weekend by Burberry, and I absolutely love it.  It's light and fresh and great for everyday!


Leah's questions:


1. What was your dream job growing up?  
I think I went through several phases, including the likes of mailman, but the most distinct career I was set on was becoming a vet.  Never mind the fact that I didn't especially love animals, or that science was always my least favorite subject, I had it all planned out to go to Auburn and save everyone's furry friends.


2. Chocolate or vanilla, and has your choice always been that one?
Hands down, chocolate.  And sometimes I assume people who like vanilla better are boring.  I know...I'm judgy.


3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nice segway from the last question.  I think that sometimes I'm too quick to judge people and should give myself time to get to know them before making snap judgments.


4. What is at the top of your bucket list?
See my post, 25 by 25.  The most easily attainable task that I really want to accomplish is number four.


5. If you had to eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I weren't going to weigh 500 pounds, definitely chocolate.  Pizza would probably be a close second.  But I'd need some Diet Coke to go with it.


6. Desert island.  You can bring three items.  What are they?
This is sad, but how could I not say my iPhone?  You'd have music, books, and Temple Run all in one!  And I guess a Diet Coke would be essential.  Would it be bad if I mentioned chocolate a third time in this one post?  Yes.  So maybe my eos lip balm (also know as egg chap).

 7. What was your favorite television show as a child?
There were definitely some phases with this one, as well, dating all the way back to the Barney days.  But my old standby for many, many years was Boy Meets World.  Topanga, as weird as she was, just seemed so cool.


8. If you had to lose one of your five senses, which one would you sacrifice to save the other four?
Interestingly, I already have a lessened sense of smell (likely the result of sinus surgery), and it's really not that bad.  Sometimes I'm even thankful for it; there are quite a few unpleasant smells out there.  It hasn't affected my ability to taste either, which would be a concern for me.  So I'd definitely say I'd sacrifice my sense of smell.


9. What is your theme song?
As overplayed as it was, I think "Good Life," by OneRepublic is a pretty great life anthem.

We're young enough to say/ Oh, this has gotta be the good life/ This could really be a good, good life

10.  Top five things you are thankful for at this moment?
1. Family.  I just got back from a little spring break trip to my aunt Gwen's beach house in Santa Rosa Beach, and it was fabulous.  2. Great friends.  This spring and summer will be full of mini-reunions with lots of them!  I'm also incredibly thankful for the good friends I've made in Nashville.  3. My Louisville Cardinals winning the Big East Championship.  4. My summer internship at Elon University.  5. That I haven't gotten bored of academia.


11. What are you most excited for right now?
The aforementioned reunions.  On the queue are a weekend trip to Greenville to see friends still at Furman and my ranch partner-in-crime, MK; Derby weekend with Furman, Vandy, and maybe some high school friends; family trip to the UK to see Taylor, my little world traveler; and my college roommate and sorority sister Meredith's wedding.  So much fun! 


Post title: "Wanna Talk About Me," by Toby Keith