11 things.

Clair tagged me in her 11 things post last month, and I’m just getting around to sharing mine. I’ve been seeing these all over Blogland and I actually think these kinds of things are really fun– but this is coming from a girl that used to love those question/email chain dittys when she was 15. Remember those? Yeah, this is similar. Sorry I’m not sorry.

Here are the “rules”:

Write 11 random things about yourself.

Answer 11 questions.

Ask 11 questions.

Here we go…

11 random things about me:

1. My middle name is Elizabeth. I think it’s one of the prettiest names ever. I love how it’s old fashioned and simple and beautiful.

2. My favorite meal of the day is lunch. I think this is because I LOVE sandwiches. Any kind, really, but BLT and PB&J sandwiches are the bees knees in my eyes. I like breakfast second best, and dinner comes in last in my book.

3. I don’t think there is anything worse in the world than public speaking. Ever since elementary school any time I need to speak in front of a lot of people I get severe anxiety. Also, when I actually start speaking in public my face gets totally hot and red. I hate it more than anything. This does not happen to me with a classroom full of kids, though. With them I feel absolutely comfortable.

4. I NEVER swear. I just don’t. I don’t like the way it sounds coming out of my mouth. I’m not at all offended when other people do it, I just don’t like to do it myself.

5. When I was in middle school I was home sick from school for quite a long stretch of time. During that home-stay I watched the Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan really close to a hundred times. I just kept watching it. Over and over and over and over. And to this day I can still recite every. single. word. Oh, Lindsay, why’d ya gotta go all wacky on me. I really liked you.

6. I have never dyed my hair. Not once. Not ever.

7. My family’s dog is a yellow lab named Tinsley. My sister got her my freshman year of college after our old dog had to be put to sleep. We named her Tinsley after Boyd Tinsley, the violinist/fiddle player from the Dave Matthews Band. I still think that the coolest name for a dog ever.

8. When I was 12 I went to Disney World. Since then I have been back only one other time and I cannot WAIT until the day that I go again. That place is full of real, true magic, I tell ya. This I believe with all my heart.

9. I used to figure skate when I was little, before I decided on to focus solely on ballet. I used to do shows and competitions with fancy costumes with sparkles and sequins and everything. They were really fun times and a huge part of my childhood memories. “TOE PIIIICK.”

10. I’m not at all a competitive person. I think this is why I was never really into playing sports and why I don’t love playing board games. I do love Cranium though. That game is such a blast. Do you know it? FUN times.

11. I hate cats. HATE. I really don’t understand why anyone would want to own one. And when my best friend Hannah got a cat a few years ago I could not understand for the life of me why she would do that to me. WHY? I have to add here that I am HIGHLY allergic, which is most likely the reason I feel this way. When I am at a house that has cats I can hardly breathe. Not kidding. It’s awful, and so I will forever believe that cats are the WORST.

(I know a lot of my readers out there looooove cats so I hope this doesn’t taint your image of me, but cats ARE the worst and I will never change my mind about it.)

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Clair’s 11 questions for me…

1. What’s your favorite way to take advantage of a sunny day?

This is tough, because there are so many possibilities! But I think the best way, in any situation, any season, is to wake up early, grab your sunglasses, and GET OUTSIDE. Take a walk, take a drive to the beach, take the time to bask in the sun. I never let a sunny day slip away from me– even when I’m teaching I take those kids outside!

2. Do you have a reliable “wing it” meal that you depend on?

Chicken Picatta.  SO easy and SO good. Cook some chicken breast in a sauce pan with a little olive oil (I cut it up before I throw it in the pan so it cooks quicker), then once it’s been over the heat for awhile I put in lemon juice (squeezed from 1 lemon) and capers. Then I just throw it over pasta and eat it. Lemony and delicious. YUM.

3. How do you take your coffee?

Warm milk and a little bit of sugar.

4. What is your absolute favorite book from your childhood?

Henry’s Awful Mistake. I remember my dad reading it to me and I remember me loving it. It’s not a literary work of art, but it’s a pretty fun book. Even today I laugh when I read it. (Oh, and I still have the copy that we used to read. It’s worn and loved and sitting on my bookshelf.)

5. When do you feel most at peace?

Saturday mornings, with the whole weekend ahead of me. And in summer. Bliss.

6. Flats or heels?

Flats. Forever.

7. What’s one habit you wish you had?

I wish I liked to empty the dishwasher. But man, is that a chore if I ever knew one.

8. Do you hold on to a lot of guilt? Is there anything that is guaranteed to make you feel guilty?

Hmm. Good question. I really don’t think I do hold onto a lot of guilt. I don’t like talking badly about people behind their backs, though. That always makes me feel crappy.

9. If you had the opportunity to be a professional blogger, would you take it?

Yes, I think I just might. How awesome would that be?

10. Best way to turn around a bad day?

Country music, a trip to the gym, a date with ELLEN, and a HOT shower.

11. What’s the last time you can remember laughing so hard you cried?

My friends from high school really know how to do this well. Laughing to the point of tears is one of our strong points. My friend Danielle especially makes me tear up from cracking up. She is without a doubt the most hilarious person I know and she’s one of those people that doesn’t even try. I think my friends and I must have cried laughing the morning after our high school reunion. It was just one of those recaps that merits a LOT of funny stories.

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 And my 11 my questions:

1. What was your favorite childhood TV show?

2. When is your birthday, how old are you, and how do you feel about it?

3. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever taken?

4. Where did you go to college? Did you have as much fun as I did those 4 years?

5. If you could choose only one candy bar at the checkout line in the grocery store, which one would you choose?

6. Have you ever met someone famous?

7. Do you prefer dresses or pants?

8. Do you have any siblings? Older/younger? Are you close?

9. If you could go back to your younger years and relive one experience, what would you do again?

10. What are your TOP 3 MOST FAVORITE blogs??? (besides mine. JUST KIDDING.)

11. Why do you blog? And if you don’t blog, why the heck not?

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AWESOME. Wasn’t that fun. Also, I’m tagging everyone who reads this post. DO IT. You can answer my questions in the comments section, or write your own post! You’ll have a good time, I promise! (Just be sure to let me know if you join in the party!)