Even MORE Trivial Stuff About Me

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. -My Gpa Billy, Francisco, Haldan and Keith

2. Where was your first kiss? -In Billings, MT, behind Shannon Jeppson's house, on the 3rd upper garden terrace.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? -Yes; it's a naughty story and most wouldn't believe it.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? -Yes.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? -Yuppers.

6. What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex? -Smile and hands.

7. What do you order at the Coffee Bean? -I don't, I prefer Starbucks, but rarely indulge in the purchase of any4 dollar drink, unless I've got a stash of gift certificate cards from work. Usually, I'm a "water's fine for me, thanks" kind of girl.

8. What is your biggest mistake? -Geesh, I don't think I could name just one mistake as the all time biggest one.

9. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? -Oh yes, a glutton for self-punishment, I am.

10. Say something totally random about yourself. -I used to collect Pez dispensers.

11. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? -Not exactly celebrity status, but more than a couple times (when my hair was shorter and more curly), I've been told I look like "Tia," the snotty niece in the movie Uncle Buck.

12. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows? -I absolutely love Pixar films and other similar productions!

13. Did you have braces? -No, but I went through 3 different retainers and headgear to avoid them.

14. Are you comfortable with your height? -Juhsst fine with it, although I find it funny that I'm the shortest in my father's fam, yet the tallest woman on my mum's side, after my mum, who was 5'8" - All her sisters, plus one sis-in-law and my Grams, they're all shrimps = 5'2" or less.

15. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you? -No comment.

16. When do you know it's love? -If anyone can ever find anyone who can answer this question, let me know.

17. Do you speak any other languages? -Speak? Um not really, but kinda understand, yes - - Spanish, German and I'm working on my French for my honey-man and his angel boy-O.

18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? -Yes and if I could fall asleep in one without the fear of frying (and if I ever stayed longer than 10 minutes), tanning could double as naptime (although I have managed to conk out in less than 10 minutes of tan time). [SIDENOTE: In college, I was famous for going outside to study in the grass and for falling asleep in the sun, for a mid-study break = nasty sunburns on the back of my legs!] I haven't gone tanning in a couple years - - used to twice a week, 10 minutes at a time, prescribed by my doctor, for A, B and D vitamins 'activation' -?

19. What magazines do you read? -Smart Money and Time

20. Have you ever ridden in a limo? -Yes, a few times; highly overrated each time.

21. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? -My mother, in 1987.

22. Do you watch MTV? -Used to live and breathe MTV, but haven't watched it with any kind of regularity in years (oh, I feel old).

23. What's something that really annoys you? -When people don't return their shopping carts to the designated stow-it-here spot.

24. What's something you really like? -CAMPING!

25. Do you like Michael Jackson? -When he was black and a man, yes I did. Now, not so much.

26. Can you dance? Depends - I love dancing, but that doesn't mean I do it well.

27. What's the latest you have ever stayed up? -46 hours straight.

28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? -No, not that I remember...

29. What's your favorite jelly bean flavor? -Pear made by Jelly Belly.

30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? -Of course.

What Tunes You Diggin' on, Dewd?

Sooo, back in September of, ahh, last year? Fellow blogger, Sunshine had tagged me for a meme, and apparently, I totally missed it! DOH!

Better late, than never...?

The Instructions: List five songs that you're currently diggin' on - it doesn't matter what genre they're from, whether they have words or not, nor do they have to be any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying right now. Post these instructions and the five songs including artist names on your blog. Then tag five people to see what they're listening to...

1. Jean Leloup: Les Fourmis

2. Death Cab for Cutie: Crooked Teeth

3. Frou Frou: Let Go (again)

4. U2: Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

5. Franz Ferdinand: Take Me Out

You've been Officially Tagged: Doc Ern, CanadianAmy, CircusKelli, ClosetMetro, and Sannie

The Longest Meme Yet!

I can't say I've never done one of these before, unlike this childhood friend of mine from whom I stole this meme, but I thought this one looked fun. Besides, as she said, it's nice to remind yourself every so often just how incredible life is...

Shown in bold type, I've done the following:

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten my own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than I could afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as I possibly could
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about my life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for my computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer then I was actually in love with the person
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized my CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love with someone and not had my heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than six hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Received flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand (will someday, I swear!)
90. Bought a house (I so wish)
91. Been in a combat zone (hopefully never)
92. Buried one of my parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently (I'm tryin')
95. Performed in Rocky Horror Picture Show (I'd rather watch, thanks)
96. Raised children (kind of, as a step-mom in waiting, but planning on it)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named my own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when I knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that I shouldn't have survived
105. Written articles for a large publication (can this blog be considered a large publication?)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone (does my nose count?)
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of mine below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (really hope to, someday)
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours(the world of Mono)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states (won't ever happen)
124. Visited all 7 continents (same as #123)
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat (hell no! and never would)
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had my picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something I care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach (don't ask me why)
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes (I make my own!)
134. Read The Iliad (and the Odyssey)
135. Selected one "important" author who I missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared and animal for eating (any meat eater should be aware of what really happens to the 'food' they eat)
137. Skipped all my school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written my own computer language
141. Thought to myself that I'm living my dream
142. Had to put someone I love into hospice care
143. Built my own PC from parts
144. Sold my own artwork to someone who didn't know me
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed my hair
147: Been a DJ
148: Shaved my head (does the underside count?)
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life

Another 'Set of Fivers' Meme - aka "No Time to Blog"

5 of my "GUNNA FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THIS" splurgy snacks I enjoy most: 1) Nutella spread on croissants, 2) croissants in general, 3) a "Cappuccino Heath" Blizzard from DQ, 4) a "Strawberry Blonde" Like-It from Cold Stone Creamery, and 5) delicious, greasy onion rings from Hires with LOTS of 'fry sauce'

5 bands for which I know the lyrics for MOST of their songs: 1) The Beatles, 2) Sarah McLachlan, 3) ABBA, 4) Madonna (who doesn't?), 5) Tori Amos

5 things I would do with $100,000,000: 1) Pay off my loans (student loans and the Matrix car loan), 2) buy a condo in Burbank and couple investment properties outside of CA, 3) donate some serious money to the American Cancer Society, 4) create a hefty collective college fund for the angel boy-O, plus any unborn sibs to arrive later on, and 5) reinvest the rest for retirement.

5 locations I'd like to run away to: 1) Europe with a Europass, or more specifically, 2) Italy, 3) France, 4) Spain and 5) Thailand.

5 bad habits I have: 1) Biting my lower lip and/or the inside of my cheek when nervous (doesn't happen much), 2) clenching my jaw (all the time), 3) picking at my face (morning and night), 4) Interrupting (a lot), 5) not asking for help when I need it

5 things I would never wear: 1) spandex, 2) Daisy Dukes, 3) anything with pleats, 4) anything with gold lame' 5) anything from a saucy, uber expensive, ultra-overpriced, overrated fu-fu fashion designer label.

5 solitary hobbies I enjoy most: 1) reading, 2) sewing, 3) refinishing furniture, 4) stain glass, 5) gardening

5 things I like to do involving others: 1) cuddling with my boys (NOTE: "My Boys" = the honey-man, the angel boy-O, plus Otis & Owen), 2) going to visit family and friends, 3) traveling, 4) game night at my place 5) breakfast at my place

5 biggest joys at the moment (more like on-going): 1) mah honey-man and the angel boy-O (they're a package deal), 2) Otis & Owen (also a package deal, but furry and smaller than the first), 3) being done with grad school, 4) BEING ENGAGED TO MY SWEET LOVE! and 5) living with my aunt before I leave Vegas.

5 things to look forward to: 1) mah Bridal Shower in July, 2) Hopefully, my 2nd trip to Montreal in August, 3) Gettin' a job in L.A., 4) Movin' to L.A., 5) Gettin' a place in Burbank, 6) Gettin' my stuff out of storage, 7) Picking a place and when to get married, 8) Gettin' hitched to my sweet honey-man, 9) OUR HONEYMOON! WOO-HOO!, 10) Making a home with my honey-man, 11)... (THIS LIST COULD GO ON AND ON!)

Got No Time for Nuthin' but a Meme!

I love a good listy thing! Got this one from the mighty SFG, the pinacle of New Orleans southern niceness - but with a lovely naughty edge.

10 years ago: May 1996 - I was totally lost, having finished my 2nd semester at BYU, after transferring there from Ricks College in Rexburg, ID (now "BYU Idaho"). [For Mikie: I will refrain from my usually gagging and choking because she's right = we had fun together at Ricks because we were/are fun and resourceful* girls.]

5 years ago: May 2001 - I had been living in Vegas for nearly 2 years - I was 10 months on the job, about to be deemed a "permanent employee" with the company I currently work for. (That last part makes me feel old.)

1 year ago: I had finished my 2nd semster of the MPA program, about to start a full load for the summer term, realizing that my time in the program was really gunna fly by - and it did. (I AMMM THE MAAHSSSTAAAHHRRR!)

Yesterday: I got home around 6:30-ish, baked a frozen CPK "Margharita" (sp?) thin crust pizza for dinner, ate 3 pieces of it (half of an entire thin crust pizza is equivalent to ONE piece of deep pan style, I swear!?!), then I powered up my laptop to check my email real quick, and then I set up my laptop to play Moulin Rouge while I'd be cleaning... Thereafter, I laid on my bed to think about in what order I should do all that I had to do... and promptly, I fell asleep. My honey-man called at 10Pm, and I fell right back asleep without ever budging. NOTE: I had no idea what time it was when he called - and this morning I had to ask him if he had called and if so, when had he called?

Today: I woke up around 5:15-ish AM and I did some of the things I should have done last night and got to work by 8:15, and I've been working since then... I'm about to take my lunch, to head off to Banana Republic to exchange a pair of pants. Later tonight, my dear friends, Kim & Poppy (with their boys in tow, Gabe & Matthew, respectively) will be coming over to help me clean my apartment all spic n' span for my walk-through. NOTE: I REFUSE to pay money for a "cleaning deposit," considering I always leave an apt. in better shape than I'd found it.

Tomorrow (plus some): I'm flying to Utah tomorrow (think Peter, Paul & Mary here ~ "I'm leavin' on a jet plane") to visit some of my Ricks College friends and my father's fam. My honey-man and his angel boy-O will be meeting up with me on Friday, and we'll then be off to see my mum's fam in Bear Lake, ID for the Memorial Day weekend. The two of them have never been up that way in the Spring/Summer ~ it will be a whole new experience for them both! VERY EXCITED!!! When the angel boy-O had been told we'd be going to Bear Lake, he wanted us to be sure we got his snow/winter playwear from his mommie so that he'll be ready to go sledding with Tanner (my 11 yr. old cousin who absolutely adores the angel boy-O) - - How freakin' cute is that?!? Tell me!!?! He's always gone up there around xmas/New Years!!! ~ Isn't it winter there year 'round? He was so disappointed to hear there's no snow for sledding this time around. BUHHT, when we told him we'd be boating on a big blue lake instead, I think his initial disappointment vanished!

*Resouceful: See "Easily Amused"

55 More Trivial Things About Me

Adding to my first list of 55 trivial things about me, here's another 55... *UPDATES* for #s 35 & 38!

1. Your name spelled backwards. - nnylejenna
2. Where were your parents born? - Ovid, Idaho (mum), Pittsburgh, PA (father) and Orange, CA (step-mum)
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? - "I Like the Way" by Bodyrockers ~ goooood song!
4. What's your favorite restaurant? - hmmm... for right now? I've got a crush on The Bangkok Orchid, but I really and truly love Hires in Salt Lake City, UT.
5. Last time you swam in a pool? - early February
6. Have you ever been in a school play? - Yes, I was a house mouse (age 9), a news reporter (age 13), and a bratty, gum chewing teen (age 15).
7. How many kids do you want? - Originally three, but my honey-man has one already, his angel boy-O ~ hopefully we'll have at least one, if not two.
8. Type of music you dislike most? - Ggangstah rap
9. Are you registered to vote? - you betcha, although I haven't yet been happy with any of my voting options!
10. Do you have cable? - Not to insult nor to judge anyone out there, but this one's a big, fat NO THANK YOU; I think cable/digital is a waste of money and more importantly, MY TIME! The basic channels do me just fine if I ever feel the need to veg out, but honestly, there's a ton of stuff I'd rather do than watch TV. For sure, I could watch TLC or The History Channel or the Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel round the clock, 24/7, but that doesn't mean I should.
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? - Yes, plus I own a 1971 bright, almost dayglow, orange Honda Trail 90 - bore the core to 105. Top speed is only 45mph, but it's street legal. I bought 3 different bikes to make this one. I call 'em "Whippit."
12. Ever prank call anybody? - Of course, when I was like, 8? and 9 and 10 and 11 and when I was 12 and, um, 13 and... ?
13. Ever get a parking ticket? - Never (total sarcasm applied heavily)
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? - OH YES! me! me! yes! ME! (wavings my arms wildly, jumping up and down).
15. Furthest place you ever traveled? - Honolulu, Oahu
16. Do you have a garden? - Not at this time (*sniff, sniff*)
17. What's your favorite comic strip? - What? um, geesh, I dunno! I've always liked Calvin & Hobbes - ?
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? - Yes
19. Bath or Shower, morning or night? - Depends; I do it all; I like to mix it up, crazy girl that I am (again, apply heavy sarcasm).
20. Best movie you've seen in the past month? - Um, I really did like Brokeback Mountain. We both cried.
21. Favorite pizza topping? - Pineapple without the Canadian Bacon or ham, please. Just pineapple.
22. Chips or popcorn? - If ya got any Salt & Vinegar chips, oh yes... or Act II's Kettle Corn? oh oh oh yes!
23. What color lipstick do you usually wear? - I hate lipstick - I use Clinique's Almost Lipstick in either "Black Honey" or "Almost Blush"
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? - What the hell does this mean?
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? - Heck no.
26. Orange Juice or apple? - I'd have to pass on either one - I'd rather have something else.
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? - With my honey-man at Pei Wei's.
28. Favorite type chocolate bar? - Something with cookie or waffer crisp = 1) Twix and 2) Kit Kat ~ also like York Peppermint Patties, Caremello, and 100 Grand.
29. When was the last time you voted at the polls? - November 2004
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? - September 2005
31. Have you ever won a trophy? - Long gone, thrown in the trash; meant nothing to me.
32. Are you a good cook?- I like to think so.
33. Do you know how to pump your own gas? - What kind of question is this?
34. Ever order an item from an infomercial? - No.
35. Sprite or 7-up? - Neither; I usually don't do soda (or beer) unless I'm up for some tummy torture. [*UPDATE* I can't voluntarily burp, despite all the coaching offered by my many male cousins, and I don't often burp involuntarily.] I'll happily suffer for a Dr. Pepper though - mind you, I don't ever buy soda for home consumption = it's no good for anyone.
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? - Why yes... "Welcome to Hardee's. How may I help you?"
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? - Low Ogesterol
38. Ever throw up in public?- Unfortunately, yes - - age 6, in a McDonald's entrance, after consuming a Happy Meal ...that could be a story in itself. [*UPDATE* How could I forget!?! Also at age 24, the first time I ever got drunk. I had had FIVE Long Island Ice Teas, completely unaware as to how much hard liquor I was consuming. One moment I was fine, talking annimatedly, and the next? - WITHOUT WARNING - No dizziness, no salivation, no queasiness to speak of - I threw up right on the bar! I then threw up in the parking lot, in my uncle's front yard, in my boyfriend's front yard (had left the uncle's home, realizing he shouldn't witness my state at the time) and in my boyfriend's bathroom, twice! NOT A PROUD MOMENT!]
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? - True love, all the way.
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? - Absolutely.
41. Ever call a 1-900 number? - No.
42. Can ex's be friends? - Yes - this topic should be a whole 'nuthah post.
43. Who was the last person you visited in a hospital? - Not sure, really. Jasey, post back surgery?
44. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? - Yes, I had a veritable shag carpet on my head!
45. What message is on your answering machine? - "Hi, we're either away from the phone or screening our calls, so please leave a message. Thanks."
46. What's your all time favorite Saturday Night Live Character? - Gilda Radner's lil' Girl Scout
47. What was the name of your first pet? - Thumbelina, along with Simon, Solomon, and Sampson (goldfish).
48. What is in your purse? - My cell phone, a sterling clasp (essentially my wallet), my business cards case, a USB flash drive, a ballpoint pen, lip gloss and chapstick.
49. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? - no comment.
50. Favorite Girl Scout cookie? - Carmel Delights, with Shortbread running a close 2nd.
51. Favorite grade school teacher: Mrs. Kristoff from 1st grade at Uintah Elementary, 1981
52. Favorite grade school playground equipment: Monkey bars
53. Favorite grade school subject: Social Studies
54. Most hated grade school subject: Mathematics
55. What is one thing you are grateful for today? - My life

The "Four Things" Meme Becomes a Fivers

Instead of four, I'm changin' this to FIVE...

Five jobs you've had in your life: Student Janitor; College Writing Center tutor, BYU Flower Plot Gardener; Disabilities Advisor; Dept. Mahnagere.
Five movies you could watch over and over: When Harry Met Sally; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Moulin Rouge; Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship; Down With Love.
Five places you've lived: Billings, MT; Cedar Rapids, IA; Rexburg, ID; Provo, UT; Las Vegas, NV.
Five TV shows you love to watch: Um, if I ever remember to or if I had cable... Law & Order SVU; um, um, um... anything on The Discovery Channel, anything on Animal Planet; anything on The Learning Channel (TLC), anything on The History Channel.
Five places you've been on vacation: Keystone, CO; Wash D.C.; San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; Honolulu, HI. [Nope, nothing abroad - not yet! Noooo, Montreal doesn't count!]
Five websites you visit daily: MSNBC; Dooce.com; My Kinja Blogroll; the Breast Cancer Site and NPR Streaming Broadcast.
Five of your favorite foods: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches; Onion Rings with Fry Sauce; Thai food; plain Croissants (although Nutella rocks!); Yogurt.
Five places you'd rather be: At home; With my honey-man; With his angel boy-O; which means California; or Fishing!
Five albums you can't live without: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles; Sarah McLachlan's "Surfacing"; Led Zeppelin's "That Album with the Goofy Symbols for a Title That Has 'Stairway To Heaven' on It"; U2's "Achtung Baby" and some version of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."
Five magazines you read: Smart Money and Time - I also like Atlantic Monthly, but don't have a subscription... that's it.
Five cars you've owned: Beige 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 (lovingly dubbed the "Fudmobile" by my H.S. friends); Red 1995 Toyota Tercel; Charcoal Silver 1990 Honda Civic Hatchback; White 2002 Toyota Echo; White 2003 Toyota Matrix. [Just realized I had completely forgotten about my 2000 White Silver Saturn SL2 - horrible turning radius.]
Five scars you have: Big chicken pox scar smack in the middle of my forehead; 11 stitches on the outer side of my right wrist; my left thumb has a slit-mark scar across its pad; 1 inch-long scratchline above my left knee; a 1/2 inch- long scar on the underside of my chin, to the right side.
Five fears: Losing another person I love; dying young; getting sick; child kidnapping; another divorce. [All very so-serious there, sorry.]
Five lies: What?!? I cannot tell a lie (what a big fat LIE)!
Five reasons to get up in the morning: Must feed the kitty-boys before they begin to gnaw on me; gotta turn off the alarm clock; must go to the bathroom; gotta go to work; last but not least, it's a new day!
Five things you're looking forward to: Finishing my thesis; Graduating; moving to LA; setting up house with my honey-man; having children.
Five people you'd like to meet: Um, this is not a list that would ever exist unless I try to create one right now, but I'll try: Meryl Streep; Kurt Vonnegut; William James; my mother's maternal grandfather; my father's paternal grandfather (granted the last two are dead, but I'd love to meet them).
Five pet peeves: Cleaning sponges of any kind; Dirty, unrinsed dishcloths left sopping in the sink; unhung bath towels left on the floor (notice a neurotic pattern?); people who leave shopping carts in the middle of parking lots; irresponsible pet owners who neglect their animals.

Now who am I gunna tag? Well, it depends on who hasn't already been tagged with this going-around-all-over-the-place meme... Naah, ain't gunna do it. If you like this meme, just do it!

Blog Cookie Exchange

Susie's a clevah girl and came up with this nifty blogging cookie exchange idea of sorts... Sharing online yer Christmas recipes, special holiday traditions, apparel and gifts. I'm late in the day to be doing this, but I'm doin' it!
RECIPES: This recipe, amongst a gazillion others (Chocolate Cherry Bars, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Candy Cane Cookies, Carmels, Turtles, Ginger Molasses cookies, Russian Teacakes, Mint-topped Brownies, Pumpkin Choc Chip Muffins, Ginger Lemon Muffins, Cranberry Bread, Frosted Gingerbread, Sugar Cookies, etc. etc. etc), has been a part of my Christmas baking/cooking repertoire for years - except the last few, going out of town each year. Anywhooo, my mum's family LOVES this "Philadelphia Fudge" recipe. NOTES: Continued on the back of the recipe card is written, "slice when set." Another thing, we always keep this stuff in the freezer - soooo yummy - it will melt in your mouth! Also, I sift the powdered sugar before adding it to either the cream cheese (c.c. should be at room temperature!) or melted chocolate because it makes good for mixing smoother fudge. As for "chopped nuts," use your own fave ~ I prefer either pecans or walnuts, myself.

Special TRADITIONS: Although customary for most, the Christmas Stocking has always been one of my favorite traditions... "Santa" personally stuffs mine (Santa is code for my honey-man, of course) and not until Christmas morning do I get to see with what lil' goodies it's been filled - one music CD is always requisite and milk chocolate. I. LOVE. STUFFING. STOCKINGS. Christmas Stockings. LOVE IT! And this year!?!? This will be my first time to stuff the Christmas Stocking of a child ~ my honey-man's sweet angel boy-O! I consider this opportunity an honor, most seriously. Not unlike last Easter -playing the Easter Bunny for the first time- I'm terrified that I'll disappoint. For this Christmas as Santa, however, unlike my first try at the Easter Bunny role, I solemnly swear that I will NOT overdo the chocolate/candy this time = this is my promise. P.S. My mummy made this Chrimpus stocking for me sometime before 1985, when we lived in SLC.




APPAREL: Okay, I don't really own any Christmas- themed apparel... I have a few snowflake- themed turtlenecks (5 of 'em) that I wear throughout the holiday season, but Christmas specific? No. Instead, I have pins, decorative Christmassy clothing pins. Each coat I may wear during the winter holiday season has a Chrimpus pin ~ and here's a sampling of them. I do not know where I got this lil' personal tradition; no one in my family does this but me. I just decided to do it, and as I acquired more and more pins (each and every one has been a gift from someone), it's become possible to "decorate" every winter coat I own. This decision to wear Christmas pins is kinda like the independent decision I made on my own at age 7 to cover my mouth when I yawn - no one explicitly ever told me or by habitual example taught me to cover my mouth when I yawn; I just decided to do it. I remember watching my mother -a very pretty woman- yawning ever so casually at the kitchen table one morning. That moment in my memory is crystalline - the way the mind works is a total mystery to me. Anyhow, it was then and there in that moment of time that I decided I would always, whenever possible, cover my mouth with my hand when I yawn cuz yawning with your mouth wide open? face all stretched and contorted? = it's totally unattractive. But I digress...

GIFTS: Nope, no can do-do ~ Sorry, but I cannot reveal my secrets!
Christmas is coming people! DUH-ER!

First, Last and couple Currents

FIRSTS

First best friend: Dylan - I was 3 years old? I totally remember him, but have no recollection of his last name - not sure if I ever knew it. That's one of the things I'd ask my mum if she were here still.
First Car: 1987 Oldsmobile, Delta 88 - an automatic, beige/tan, 4-door with one big front seat (no bucket seats) - my friends called it the "Fudmobile." It had a great stereo, four wheels and it ran = good enough for me.
First kiss: Heck, does kissing tag in preschool count? First real kiss: Jason Williams, although I shoved him about 10 feet away from me when he tried to stick his tongue down my throat. At the time, it was a major 'YUCK.'
First makeout: Andy Neal - naughty, naughty
First big trip: Age 6, Disneyland! Sea World & The San Diego Zoo
First flight: Um, not sure... sometime before I was 8 years old, I think. Another thing my mum would know.
First time skiing/snowboarding: Age 8
First concert: My first official concert was some raggae group in 1981? Another thing my mum would know.
First Alcoholic Drink: I was at a Peter, Paul and Mary concert in Park City, UT. During an intermission, my aunt Sarah (less than 2 yrs my senior) and I approached this groovin' guy w/ a big, fat humungous fro, who was standing behind a table laden with lil' white paper Dixie cups. He chuckled and shook his head casually as we each took a cup of what we thought was water - it was white wine. Post gulp, I think the spray I then choked and spewed forth was comparable to the breadth of a fine-mist lawn sprinkler... We both ran, sprinting toward a water fountain to spit and rinse, spit and rinse and repeat.
First ticket violation: Driving 75 mph in a 55 zone, on my way to my aunt Brenda's for a french toast breakfast (la-la-la-love french toast) before leaving town for a white-H20 rafting trip on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, WY.
First job: I had a regular babysitting job, watching Jordan, Taylor and Landon, off of Laird Ave. in SLC, UT - I was 10 years old. I wish I could remember my hourly rate. And today, I can't imagine letting a 10 year old babysit even ONE child w/o adult supervision.
First date: Technically, it was my father on my 16th birthday - now wait, don't get all weird on me. I wasn't allowed to date until I turned 16 - while my family was organizing a surprise party back at the house, my father took me out for pizza and a movie, Edward Scissorhands.

LASTS

Last car ride: What kind of "ride" are we talkin about here - ? I drove home from dinner with my honey-man before he hit the road back to L.A.
Last kiss: my honey-man
Last time you cried: Yesterday, when I made myself sit through 5 whole minutes of Jerry Springer.
Last movie watched: Yojimbo by Kira Kurosawa (sp?!?)
Last food you ate: a yogurt - peach.
Last love: Last? meaning "ex" - ? No comment.
Last temptation: mah honey-man, while standing in the Starbucks line with he and my father
Last item bought: gasoline
Last annoyance: The discovery that my cell phone was inexplicably dead this morning, after charging it just yesterday
Last time wanting to die: oh, hell - what kind of question is this?
Last alcoholic drink: a mohito at Spago's with the parents and my honey-man, last Sunday night
Last concert: Daryl Hall & John Oates ~ woo-hoo!
Last phone call: my honey-man letting me know he just got on the south Glendale #2-hwy
Last friend you added on MYSPACE: I refuse to participate.

CURRENTS

Current Best Friend(s): I have wonderful friends and I can't really name any one over another - I won't do it.
Current Car: mah new Matrix
Current love: romantic? hmmm...I'll have to think about that one (juhsst kidding baby!)
Current drink: Tension Tammer by Celestial Seasonings
Current activity: Right now or lately? running around like a crazy person and writing papers
Current annoyance: Daylight Savings - winter hours suck! it shouldn't be dark already when I get off at work at 5pm!?! It's depressing.
Current mood: Can "tired" be considered a mood?

55 Trivial Things about Me

Stolen from Cherry who stole it from Jomama...

1. Nervous habits? - general scratching
2. Are you double jointed? - nope
3. Can you roll your tongue? - you bet
4. Can you raise one eyebrow at a time? - not voluntarily without much pain
5. Can you blow spit bubbles? - ever since my days in diapers
6. Can you cross your eyes? - of course
7. Tattoos? - no, can't think of anything I like well enough to have it permanently etched on my body for life
8. Piercings? - one in my right ear, three in my left
9. Do you make your bed daily? - hell no, unless you count pulling the covers up and over the pillows as "making my bed" -?

ON MY PERSON
10. Which shoe goes on first? - the right, w/o thinking about it
11. Speaking of shoes, have you ever thrown one at anyone? - huh?
12. On the average, how much money do you carry? - ZERO; I typically don't carry cash
13. What jewelry do you wear 24/7? - my earrings and 3 rings; one on my middle lefthand finger, and two on my ring and middle righthand fingers
14. Favorite piece of clothing? ~ I love my pajamas and have many pairs

FOOD
15. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? - both
16. Have you ever eaten Spam? - I sure hope not
17. Do you use extra salt on your food? - I usually complain about foods tasting too salty
18. How many cereals are in your cabinet? - organic Cream of Wheat
19. What's your favorite beverage - Horchata, but rarely do I ever indulge
20. What's your favorite fast food restaurant? - Hires (not really fast food)
21. Do you cook? - yes, whenever I find time ~ I made Amish Friendship CAKE twice over the past week

PERSONAL GROOMING
22. How often do you brush your teeth? - morning n' night and sometimes at work
23. Hair drying method? - air dry
24. Have you ever colored/highlighted your hair? - yes, an old boyfriend once picked out the color and I hadn't even seen the name of the color until we were home and it was being applied: "Chocolate Covered Cherry" = I totally freaked!

MANNERS
25. Do you swear? - yes, although most of my friends think it sounds unnatural for me
26. Do you ever spit? - not on purpose = that would be gross

FAVORITES
27. Animal? kitty cats!!!
28. Food? - cheese
29. Month? - May
30. Day? - Friday = a good mood-day always, regardless of whatever crap may be going on
31. Cartoon? - um, dunno...Scooby Doo when I was a kid
32. Shoe brand? - don't have one
33. Subject in school? - M.P.A. - yet I wouldn't call it a favorite
34. Color? - anything blue
35. Sport? - does figure skating count?
36. TV shows? - IF I catch it, Law & Order SVU
37. Thing to do in the spring? - plant flowers and play outside
38. Thing to do in the summer? - go swimming or hide out in any space w/ AC
39. Thing to do in the autumn? - go camping (love the cool nights)
40. Thing to do in the winter? - CUDDLE!

IN AND AROUND
41. In the CD player? - Jessie Harris & the Ferdinandos
42. Person you talk most on the phone with? - mah sweet honey-man
43. Reading? - "Inside Bureaucracy"
44. Do you regularly check yourself out in store windows/mirrors? - probably not enough!
45. What color is your bedroom? - see right here
46. Do you use an alarm clock? - absolutely
47. Window seat or aisle? - an aisle seat for quick get away

SLEEPY SLUMBERING
48. What's your sleeping position? - on my back n' legs in the shape of a number 4
49. Even in hot weather do you use a blanket? - bedsheets at least
50. Do you snore? - if exhausted, yes and loud enough that I'll wake myself up
51. Do you sleepwalk? - not that I know of
52. Do you talk in your sleep? - ask me anything! most likely, I won't remember any of it
53. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? - do Otis and Owen count?
54. How about with the light on? - no, unless you count the glow of the alarm clock
55. Do you fall asleep with the TV or radio on? - I used to fall asleep to music, but I rarely do this anymore --I don't make it past the first song, I conk out so fast!

I've been Tagged (apply happy sing-a-song voice)

Alrighty now, I've been tagged by Doc Ern... try out this meme!

The Rules
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

Monday, April 4, 2005 - Even the super sweet SUSIE 'Fairchild' (http://uhohnowlook.blogspot.com/) and the dang cool 'DANG COLD' (http://dangcold.blogspot.com/) made contributions - for which I'm thrilled and I can't thank 'em enough.

Hmmm... and who should I tag? Well, how 'bout SUSIE (can't believe no one's beat me to her), DANG COLD (although he lost his archives), Anna Dilemna (although not quite up her alley), Torrie (who knows what saucy thing she'll find) and Spurious Plum (when she finds the time).

I am from...

Intro: Got this meme from Susie ~ Ya use a particular format to answer certain questions regarding where one comes from... the format is found here.
My confession: As I compiled my own statements for this meme, at FOUR different times, I cried - ??? I was overwhelmed by the various things that came to mind - my roots and beginnings; all the people, the moments, and the many 'pieces' that are all a part of me and where I'm from. This meme was a wonderful exercise. I highly recommend it!

So here it goes:

I am from spotlessly clean kitchen floors, off which one could eat, and a die-hard family devotion to "Nordy's" - that's Nordstroms.

I am from 13th South and 13th East, from old bricks and peeling, wooden window frames painted chocolate brown and old leaded windows, from an unfinished basement that occasionally flooded, and an unattached garage from which my father carried me to the house in his warm arms at night, under twinkling stars.

I am from rows and rows of tulips and daffodils, irises, gladiolas, crocus and grape hyacinths, all lovingly planted and tendered by my mum ~ I was her trusty weeder, water girl and eager destroyer of snails. I am from delicate salmon colored poppies, intertwining sweet peas clinging to patio screens, furious fushia peonies bursting with petals, petunias galore and towering, gigantic stalks of blue delphinium grown in my lil' Gma Rae's flower gardens. I am from deliciously sweet, cool and crisp snow pea pods picked fresh off the plant, fat ears of yellow corn and long rows of tall bushy raspberry bushes, from armfulls of rhubarb grown by my Gpa Farrell.

I am from bone crushing hugs that lift you up off your feet, and a love for all things edible, especially anything with cheese.

I am from an undying devotion to Hires Big-H hamburgers and greasy french fries with loads of extra fry sauce, and New Year's Eve wishes handwritten on tiny pieces of paper, folded and given anonymously by everyone to all. I am from walls doned with photographs of those who are here now and those long gone and sorely missed. I am from my aunt Sarah and my aunt Mary, and my mother's two sisters, Radeane and Brenda. I am from the ever chatty Shirley-girl and Martha Stewart's up and coming rival, Victoria Ann.

I am from people who take on way more than they should, and yet they accomplish wonderful things for those they love.

I am from "you're such a little fruitcake" and "remember who your are." I am from "your thoughts become you," "money doesn't grow on trees," and "mind the Golden Rule." I am from "don't make your mother sick or she'll die." [I'm sure that old woman's goin' to hell in a handbasket for saying that to me - I was only 6 yrs old!]

I am from a long line of Mormons -Latter-Day Saints- some still going strong, while others happily, peacefully, confidently "dwindle in disbelief." I am from the self-realization that regardless of religious sanctions or a lack thereof, we all need to learn to love one another and treat others as we want to be treated.

I am from Scandanavian blood, also English, Welsh and Walloon (some Mongolians who played around with zee French and settled in Belgium!). I am from the queen of springform cheesecakes, the mother of all things that can be canned, and homemade baked mac n' cheese.

I am from a tini-tiny, most modest apartment in Provo, UT, where two young, courageously passionate newlywed college kids decided to take a big risk and get pregnant anyhow, and kept the pregnancy against doctors' orders and family protests.

I am from dusty, unopened boxes in an Iowa basement and forgotten drawers in Idaho, chock full of papers, photographs and memories. I am from 'Books of Remembrance' all lovingly, meticulously and painstakingly assembled to demonstrate and define centuries of family heritage. I am from stashes of horded personal letters, get-well cards, notes and memos, college papers and volumes of unread journals left behind by my mother.

I am from years of denial, self-inflicted torture and triumphant self-discoveries.

Good Things Come in Three's

Three nicknames you go by:
Angie-pangie
Squireletta (used to be a good one)
Ms. Angeline
Three screen names you've had:
Annejelynn
Buffy
BigTimeFruitcake - 1st name I came up w/ on a whim for AIM - sent a message to my father and he immediately knew it was me
Three physical things you like about yourself:
Toes
Belly button
Earlobes
Three parts of your heritage:
Scandinavian
English
Waloon (some Mongolians who fooled around with the Belgians - no joke!)
Three things that scare you:
Alien movies that DON'T show you what 'they' look like until the end
Thought of losing a loved one
Taking on any debt
Three things you're wearing now:
Olive colored, cargo capri pants
Dijon mustard colored (best color description) tank top
Khaki-tan, 2-buckle strapped Birkenstock sandals (had 'em since summer of '95 - been resoled twice- in remarkably good shape still)
Three of your favorite bands or musical artists:
(there is NO WAY I could ever narrow it down to a mere 3 for this one...but I'll trrry)
Joss Stone - the new
Sarah McLachlan - throughout my formative years (ongoing)
The Beatles - the old
Three of your favorite songs:
Time to Say Goodbye (goooosebumps), Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocceli
It's Oh-So Quiet, Bjork
Here Comes the Sun, Beatles - absolute FAVORITE, hands down!
Three things you want in a relationship/lover:
Laughter and lots of it
Trust (goes hand in hand with honesty and respect, I think)
A mutual willingness to meet in the middle
Two truths and a lie (which one is a lie?):
I refuse to eat certain foods based on texture alone
I eat sweetened and condensed milk by the spoonful
I've never had a professional massage session
(No, you have to GUESS the lie!)
Three physical things about the preferred sex (MALE, thank U) that appeal to you:
Hands - well kept, but NOT baby soft
Neck - just below the adam's apple (very sexy)
Bummy! - preferably small, easy to 'cup' (giggle)
Three of your favorite hobbies:
Refinishing cool furniture-finds
Photography
Baking sweets and giving them away!
Three things you want to do badly right now:
Work on my article review due tomorrow (haven't yet started)
Go see my cousin's brand new baby twin girls -Bailey & Bostyn- in Ootah
Have a Dairy Queen Cappuccino Heath Blizzard (yes, right now please!)
Three careers you're considering:
Paid-professional volunteer coordinator or a paid-program evaluator
Yoga instructor
Being a mommie
Three places you want to go on vacation:
Italy (anywhere would do, but Rome for sure)
Camping in Sequoia Nat'l Park
Provence, France
Three kids' names you like:
Hannah
Juliette
Nicolas -the french pronunciation, please
Three things you want to do before you die:
Write my mother's story
Visit Thailand, specifically Ko Phi Phi
Jump out of an airplane
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl:
I love to hear 'how we met' love stories
Babies make my ovaries scream [a new phenomenon (not entirely) since turning 30]
When 'Auntie Flo' comes to visit, commercials (anything) can make me tear up
Three celebrity crushes:
Jude Law
Johnny Depp
Not Orlando Bloom necessarily, but him as LEGOLAS of 'LOR' (if you don't know who Legolas is or what 'LOR' means? tisk-tisk ~ and yes, let me reconfirm, I'm a total nerd)

I'm not going to officially tag anyone, but whomever reads this and finds it amusing, please feel free to tag your ownself. I got this one from Susie.

Stolen from SFG, who stole it from...

Got this one from Southern Fried Girl, who 'stole' it from Lawbrat...
The One Word Meme: Mmkay, ya choose one word and one word only to describe different aspects of oneself and/or one's feelings; an exercise in efficient, suscinct expression - a challenge to do actually, but here it goes...

What is the one word you would use to describe your appearance? PLEASANT
Favorite body part? TOES
Least favorite body part? NUMEROUS
Most often complimented on? EYES
Most often criticized for? SELF-CRITICISM
Your romantic relationship? MIRACULOUS
Your relationship to your parents? EVOLVING
Your feelings about parenting? POSITIVE
Your hobbies? ECLECTIC
Your favorite personality type for a friend? LOYAL
Favorite personality type for a spouse or lover? TRUSTING
Favorite type of movie? DRAMEDY
Favorite cuisine? CHEESE - JUST KIDDING - um, ASIAN (yes, I realize there are MANY - I love 'em all, especially Thai food)
Favorite treat? TWIX (carmel! chocolate and crunky cookie all in one!)
Favorite gift? KISSES
Most sensitive, unusual erogenous zone? um, my NECK?
Favorite pet? INDETERMINABLE
Subject of blogging post that got the most hits? MOLD
Feelings about memes? AMUSING

I'm stuck in class today, ON A SATURDAY (with access to a computer, thank goodness) from 8AM until 4:30PM, and my attention span is already waning (obviously)...it's a good class though, really. "Fiscal Adminsitration." sound exciting? I think it's absolutely fascinating - no sarcasm applied - as it deals with how our government budgets are created/determined --that's a grossly oversimplified explanation, of course. One may ask, "If' it's so interesting, why are you dinkin' around online during class?" why? My body does not want to be here (I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE), spending another day in my week stuck in front of a computer screen, bum glued to a chair all day. Get it? K, gunna try to pay attention now (or I may check my email)...

I'm it! I'm IT!

YEA!~ With some gentle nudging/sniff-sniff hinting, I've been tagged by Sweet Dang Cold!! Although I won't really have more time over this summer than I did this past semester, as I'll be taking 9 credits over the summer term, the lull between one semester to the next offers a bit of reprieve in terms of workload = more time to dink around and blog! So, I'll pick 5 of the following "if I could be"s, and then I'm gunna pick 3 other fellow bloggers to tag thereafter...

If I could be a scientist: I would find out once and for all and let the whole world know how cats purr. k, this one seems silly, I know, but honestly, I don't understand how 'they' -the scientific vetrinary world- doesn't yet know how cats purr!?!? What is up with that?

If I could be a farmer
If I could be a musician: As a little girl, I wanted to be a flutist - I had a babysitter who played the flute. I wouldn't be a classical flutist though - I'd play in a disco band!!! you know it, baby!

If I could be a doctor
If I could be a painter
If I could be a gardener: Man, I'd be in hog heaven! I would have dirt stained hands and fingernails at all times no matter how much I'd try to scrub them clean...and all those T-shirts and baggy jeans I've refused to toss would resume' their purpose in life. I'd have fruit trees galore and veggies comin' outta my ears to make my Gpa Farrell proud, and flowers in bloom year-round (which CAN be done in Cali) rivaling the gardens my own mum once tended...plenty of daffodils would be had, for sure. I once took an occupational aptitude test in high school and I was told I should be 1) a gardener, 2) a farmer, or 3) a carpenter...test told me to stay away from teaching, government and law. Which is funny, ain't it? considering I'm in an MPA program?

If I could be an architect
If I could be a linguist: I'd speak french and - well, I only care to speak french in terms of really knowing any language in and out - I've taken spanish and german, but french would be the way to go so I could actually talk with my sweet honey bee's entirely french Canadian family...they ALL live in Montreal.

If I could be a psychologist
If I could be an athlete
If I could be a lawyer
If I could be a world famous blogger
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world
If I could be married to any current famous political figure
If I could be a missionary
If I could be a writer: I would write the story of my mother's life and her 15 year-long battle with Hodgkin's disease (cancer centralized in the lymph glands). I have various resources: my own memories, stories from friends and family, my father, various audio and video tapes, and she had volumes upon volumes of journals [I haven't yet read a word of them -my father and I have agreed I'm not ready yet, but I'm almost there (if that kind of thing can be determined at all)]. I also have boxes of letters written to her from a gazillion friends, including old boyfriends she had when she was a sweet young thang.

If I could be a professor
If I could be a musician
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world

NOW I gotta chose who to tag....hmmmm, who will it be?
The Shiz aka Journalicious, LadyBug, and I'm not sure if she's been tagged already, but I think Wave of Modulation could offer us some thoughtful answers.