May the Blogging Begin: 20 Facts

I am being a copy cat, haha, and going to steal my sisters list for blogging. Why? Because I love to blog but dont make the time...and it seems like a pretty fun thing to do! So here's the list and I will start with #1. I am not sure how often I will do it. I dont want to commit to weekly, daily, or anything like that. But the subjects excite me so we will see how this goes. And thanks Jana for having better resources and ideas than I do! xoxo

THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself
.2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

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20 Random Facts

1. I am completely freaked out by things that "look like brains"...however I am not at all grossed out by ACTUAL brains. For instance: crop rows or the scales on the flying dog from Never Ending Story.


2. Fritos are my favorite chip. ESPECIALLY when served with French Onion dip. I could eat a whole bag in one day.


3. My mom is my hero. She's the strongest, most incredible woman I know and I hope to be just as strong and centered as she is.


4. One of my favorite memories is M&M brunches. I think that we should re institute them as MJ Square brunches. They're the most fun you can have before noon.


5. I avoid confrontation at all costs yet I love to debate. So much that it has gotten me in trouble a few times. There are a lot of things that I can overlook and let slide but if I feel my rights or someone else's are being crossed...I have to speak up.


6. I cannot wait for the day I am a soccer mom and homemaker ( complete with minivan). Its my hearts desire and always has been. And not for lack of desire to work, but because I desire to be the kind of mom who does it all and has it all together for her family. My heart is to serve my family.


7. There are days I feel like I will never overcome my battles with weight. And some of those days I am somewhat okay with that. And others it completely devours my thoughts and emotions making me think that Im a horrible person. I wish I could get past it but its absolutely the hardest thing Ive ever known.


8. I dont do well around or with older people. They make me uncomfortable and I dont know how to handle it. Its like I forget how to have conversation or behave. And that worries me....since we all get old.


9. I have irrational fears of chickens, armadillos, and cars submerged in water.


10. I knew I wanted to marry my husband 2 months into dating him. It took me 3 months to tell him I loved him...in an around the bush kind of way. haha He caught up to me 3 months later and it was the greatest moment of our dating life.


11. Laser Tag is possibly my favorite active activity. I get very competitive and extremely upset by the bratty children who dont follow the rules. (See, even now Im irritated writing about them haha)


12. In a perfect world, where money didnt matter, I would do some form of theatre involvement full time. I think it would the perfect thing. But in a world where I have to help pay bills which also means I have to work 8 hours...its just not feasible. However, if it were, I would quit my job tomorrow. Theatre is in my soul and there's no denying it.


13. I want another dog. But Im scared that Peanut will not adjust and it will just be complete chaos. Im also always worried that one dog will "snap" and hurt the other one. Ive seen it happen before and Peanut's even been a victim, but I hope one day I get over that.


14. When I think of dream homes, I dont think modern or grandeur. I think of a nice, warm tone, cookie cutter home in a good school system with a nice backyard. Thats the kind of place I want to live. Thats the kind of place I want to raise a family.


15. My deepest fear is that I will fail as a mother and wife. Nothing scares me more in the world.


16. I have learned that I am terrible at maintaining friendships. Not only am I terrible at it, I am jealous of those who arent. I havent always been this way but for some reason I cant remember how I did it before.


17. Musicals make my heart sing. I grew up on the classics. Summer Stock is my all time favorite.Annie makes me laugh. All of my own performances make me nostalgic. However, if I am cleaning house or crafting my choice would be Madea Goes to Jail (dont hate).


18. I miss singing in choir. I quit one choir/praise team for theatre which led me to a new choir. I quit the new choir to date my husband more or less. And now, I am in no choir and miss the feelings you get when you're singing with others (choir, theatre, or otherwise).


19. I want to take my husband to New York more than anything. To show him the things that flood my mind any time we watch ANYTHING that was filmed in NY. To let him feel the energy of the city. But Im not sure how to make that a reality without breaking the bank.


20. There are very few things that can brighten my day as instantly as hearing "Ant Mallowy" from my niece Kynlee. Shes the most precious 5 year old I know and I feel blessed to be her aunt. Its a joy to watch her grow up, though it sure does make me feel old!

Looking forward to the future

No better time for a blog than lunch break!

My holidays were amazing. I couldnt have asked for anything better. I not only got to spend them with the man I love, Jeremiah Parris, but I got to spend them with my family and his! It was truly one of the most special christmases to me. Christmas has always been a big deal to me. It makes me happier than any time of year. I put up my Christmas decorations two weeks before Thanksgiving and still havent taken them down. I LOVE IT! I think theres such thing as Christmas Magic. People start being kinder to one another, little miracles start happening...its a beautiful thing!

Jer's family from his mom's side came to visit right after Christmas. I'd met all of his dad's family, and this was my first time to meet Debbie's siblings. They were wonderful!! Unfortunately one aunt and cousin were unable to attend, but I had a great time with those who did visit. I think I've truly found a man with the most wonderful family ever. They are all so sweet and welcoming. I consider myself lucky.

Jana and Ryan took Jer and I out for a double date extravaganza. This meant we went ice skating and to see the movie Black Swan. Ice skating was fun, though my ankles werent really letting me enjoy it. I swear I could only get around the rink once before my feet cramped and my laces loosened. And Black Swan, well, weird. It was not what I expected. It was amazing and beautiful and dark and twisted and wow. I had no idea it would be so graphic! It was awesome though..in a "I have no idea exactly whats going on" kind of way. All in all our date extravaganza was a win. I love Ryan and Jana so much. They're two of my favorite people.

Preston , my mama's man, came to visit. And I must say....Im really hoping this is the man my mom is going to marry!!!

Ive started going back to the costume shop now that the elevator is fixed. Its a zoo. An out of control zoo. Ive slowly gained a little control but there's still SO much to do. So for the next months or so I will be spending a few hours a week there to get it under control. Madness I tell you. There are going to be some rules set for that place if Im going to continue to work in it. I refuse to pick up after someone who doesnt have the respect for others enough to throw their halls wrappers away, or not throw bobby pins on the floor. I dont need the money that bad to have to put up with that crap. So ya, this year I'll be back around a bit more. I will be stage managing the big show this summer under Cyndi....plan on helping out with ushering/concessions/sets etc a bit more. Ive missed the theatre...and from what I hear it misses me. The good news is, Jer is interested in helping with the set construction etc! So how awesome to be able to get to share something I love with someone I love and vice versa!! So exciting.

Last fall I did HCG and lost 30 pounds. This new year I've been teeter tottering around with the idea of a round 2. The only thing keeping me from it is the idea of eating more tomatoes makes me want to vomit...and being that was one of the only vegetables I liked that I could eat...its hard to go back. BUT I think, I think, Ive decided to do it. It will either be when the groceries I just bought are run down or the first of february. Why not do another round and lose another 30 on the easiest diet I've ever done in my life? Sure. I'll give it it a shot...i think. ;)

I still love my job at Coldwell Banker, though right now my boss has been severely sick so my work load has been weird. Ive been trying to keep things afloat while finding enough to do while I'm at work. Needless to say its a bit difficult. AND I miss her! She's such a life force to have around, its sad when she's not been her in....2 weeks? Ya that sounds right. I want her healthy and healed asap.

Speaking of jobs!!!! Jeremiah started a new job working for Stillwater National Bank. This week he said goodbye retail and hello office job! Its a super awesome thing for him. Its what he's wanted to do since I've known him. Not neccessarily the exact position he works, but he's always hated retail and wanted to work in an office setting. So after a month or so of applying for any job available, he got hired! This is his third day of training and I think its going to be a good thing...for him and for us (though its making him super duper tired right now...his body isnt used to really functioning that early anymore). I couldnt be more proud of him.

2011 is going to be one hell of a year. Im excited about all its going to bring. Lots of changes, lots of events. Its super exciting. Its the year of penny pinching, weigh watching, planning, organizing, loving, and so much more. 2011 will be my year. I couldnt be happier about it.

On a final note...apartmement dwellers. PLEASE be considerate of your neighbors. And I dont just mean dont turn your tvs up so loud I can feel your subtitles (yes, i know)....I mean with your love lives. If Im sound asleep and I get woken up because your head board is banging the wall and your girlfriend is screaming and talking so loudly I can understand what she's saying.....THATS A PROBLEM! And if it happens TWICE in one night....I should come down there and knock on your door just to interrupt you. That is NOT okay!! Yes each person pays rent and has the right to do what they want in their own homes...but when it affects me and my sleep, you're being disrespectful. I dont do my jumping jacks and stride jumps early in the mornings because I respect your sleep. But dammit, if you dont start respecting me and the noise levels (which they talk about in your lease about respecting others with after 10pm...) then expect me to start running marathons and doing jumping jacks that sound like elephants at 6am. Im over you and your ridiculous sex noises....honestly, its not natural....and I think she's faking. The end.

Balancing Two Loves

I am finding myself completely baffled by people that have it together. And by "it" I mean their lives. And by "their lives" I mean that they don't seem to have any trouble balancing everything they want, need, and hope to do. Maybe its all a mask and they really don't have it together. Maybe that's part of the balancing act is just making it appear that you're balancing everything. Being a magician. Maybe? It sure would make me feel alot better if that were the case.

Ive been in this situation before. But its never really carried as much weight as it does now. I'm working a 9-5:30 job, going to school 4 nights a week, have a dog that needs attention, and a man that I love and want to spend time with. Not to mention a family, friends, and the costume shop. Theres just not enough time in the days to do it all. The sad part about all of that, is a huge part of my life used to be theatre. I lived and breathed it. And now, I find it hard to even make it to other people's shows due to my own life continuing as normal. But the catch is, I'm not living my life with regrets. Im not sitting around hating life. I love my life. I love the people in it. I just am starting to miss my first love....the theatre.

How do people balance that? More specifically, how do couples balance their relationships when they're also involved in theatre? I know just from school demanding so much time that it can put a strain on a relationship to spend that much time apart. But there must be some magical equation that makes it work? No? Then surely theres some keys. Im at a point where I dont want to do theatre just to do it. That its okay to say no when Id only be doing something out of obligation. That in itself was huge. But what happens when I want to do something...but I also would like to spend time with the man I love? I dont know. Ive never been in love. And theatre is a big part of who I am. So how do I make them jive together?

I just feel so torn. I want to do both. I want to spend time with him, and still be involved in shows. But when Im involved in shows, my time with him is minimal...and that is a sad sad thing for me (and him). However, if I dont do shows, I eventually start getting the itch of missing them. I cant imagine my life without Jeremiah. But I cant imagine my life without theatre either. I dont want to choose between the two. I wont. They will coexist in my life. They have to. I just have to figure out how. How to balance it with all the other hats I wear.

Theres an opportunity that has come up to stage manage for a director that I love dearly and have worked with often. The catch is, rehearsals start 2 weeks after my school ends. Then there are two weeks off for holidays and we pick back up for rehearsals in January and rehearse til we open totaling about 6 weeks. By the time school is out, Ive just had 8 weeks of hardly seeing Jeremiah. They've been hard so far, and I can imagine they'll be harder as it continues. So to ask a patient loving man to spend another 6 weeks away from me? I feel like its cruel on some level. He's wonderful and tells me to do what I want to do. He will support me in whatever I decide. He wants me to be happy and wants me to not give up things I love. But I love them both. So, its just simply I dont know how to decide. There are consequences to each decision. Cant I just do both? haha

I know that next summer I will be busy starting in June running through the end of July with Carousel (which Ive been planning on since this last summer). And then I'm going to audition for Annie which will run next fall (its been over a year since I've been in a show already, by then it will have almost been 2 so Im really hoping that will work out). So if I take this Dec/Jan/Feb job, it will be three shows in one year. Ive done more before and loved it. But I had no one else to think about. My time was not better spent any other way. Now it is.... not that its better but its a whole different kind of deal. I wont do theatre all my life. Eventually I'll be too old or have too many kids or things of my own to do. I do plan on being with him all my life. But those facts dont make my decision any easier on whether to commit to another show.

I know its possible. I know it can happen. I just need to figure out how.

Or clone myself.

Lights, Camera, Life

Jana and I discovered today that you had to change your settings so that anyone and everyone could comment on our blogs. I wish I could have known that earlier. I love feedback. And ps, Im making my first post from my phone. This means there will probably be a ton of mistakes. Im hoping nothing so big you cant understand. If so, I apologize.

Friday I started my new job. We did very little of what I will actually be doing on a regular day, but we had a good day regardless. I feel the Leigh is going to be a good fit for me. Atleast I'm hoping that's the case. I'll know more once this following week is over. I think working and going to school in the same place may get old though. I'll just have to keep telling myself "it's just ___ more weeks". At this point, we're talking 7. I hope I'm able to do well enough to pass the test the first time. It's been a long time since Ive been in school.

Friday night Jeremiah and I went to see The Diary of Anne Frank at Poteet Theatre. I wasn't sure what to expect. But my expectations, whatever they were, were exceeded. It was a beautiful portrayal and extremely emotional to watch. I found a particular sentiment in watching Shawna And Madison Linck actually portray another mother an daughter relationship. It brought their moments to life in a way that only a real mother and daughter could. Moments that often had me in tears. On a side note, I had no idea Anne was such a brat to her mom! Having never read the diary, the hatred toward her seemingly faultless mother broke my heart. As a whole I was thoroughly pleased with the show, an proud to be associated with such a production. No matter how small my contribution may have been.

Saturday was filled with delicious sandwiches at Neptune. If you haven't been, you should go. I'm going to be craving them while on this hcg diet. Which, speaking of the hcg diet, I started it on Friday. The first two days are load days. Which mean anything and everything you want. It...was pretty awesome. Today was my first day of 500 calorie Ewing and while it's been unpleasant being hungry and only habit water to satisfy that...I think this will be completely doable. I'm pretty stoked. Though let me tell you...having your boyfriend ask if anyone wants any donuts while your stomach is growling and the donuts are your favorite comfort food....not so much fun.

And No Day But Today (yes, I did that), Jana and I went to see RENT at OU. I was so proud of Christopher Rice. Watching someone do a dream show..dream role...is special. I was impressed by the production as a whole. OU has got some talented students! And I'm happy to say that I know one of them. And now...it's Sunday night and I'm ready to watch Dexter at the Griffis with my boyfriend. Because after Dexter...it's bed time for me. I am ONE sleepy kitten.