The other day, Casey posted her answers to six questions posed to her by a fellow blogger. She tagged Betsy at the end of her blog post to do the same. Then Betsy turned around and tagged me with six new questions! Clearly I have to play along.
Tell us about a situation that ended with you feeling really proud of yourself. I've done a lot of cool things that make me proud. Graduating third in my high school class, working in France, interning with my sorority. But you know, sometimes it's the little things that matter the most. I au paired in New York/Toronto for ten months, taking care of three French kids, including a ten-year-old boy. When I started the job, he made a lot of casually sexist comments. Nothing cruel--just the little thoughtless things kids tend to say, like, "Girls don't like sports." After ten months with me, he prefaced any observation about boys or girls with disclaimers, avoiding accidental sexism, saying things like, "In my experience, with the fifth grade girls in my class, but not necessarily with all girls..." I'm still proud of that. I always leave conversations thinking, "Oh man, I wish I had said that
witty comeback but I came up with it too late!" When was the last time
it happened to you? This has definitely happened to me, but I honestly can't remember the last time. Someone is giving you a full scholarship and a stipend to get a degree
in anything, anywhere you want. Where would you go and what would you
study? This is such a great question!!! Since this is a dream situation anyway, I'm assuming that any school I want will offer any degree I want. I would clearly get my Ph.D. in Feminist Biblical Studies from the University of Oxford, in England. And I would clearly take a summer session (or several summer sessions) studying Jeanne d'Arc and other French religious women at the Sorbonne in Paris. What did you want to be when you grew up? The first woman president of the United States. A world-famous author. A teacher. A lawyer. A history professor. If you could be a fictional character, who would it be? Hermione. Obviously. What actor would you choose to play you in a movie about your life? Um, clearly I would star as myself in the movie about my life. But if the movie is about me in high school, and it happens when I'm too old to pass for 16, then I would want the hottest Disney star to play me.
Now it's my turn to pass on the fun!!! I'm tagging:
What's the most valuable advice you ever received?
Describe the exact opposite of you.
What was your most successful cooking/crafting dish/project?
What's your favorite classic Disney film and your favorite DCOM? (Mine are 101 Dalmatians and HSM3).
If you could guest-star on any current TV show, what show would it be and what would be your role?
If you were an activist, what would be your cause?
Even if I didn't tag you, I'd love to see your answers! Feel free to share your own Six Things. To learn more about me, read about who I am or meet Belle!
The funny and colorful Kristen over at Mama Winkle's Blog nominated me for a blog award!
The
Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It is a way to
acknowledge each other and say “You're all sorts of awesome." It's only for
blogs with 200 or less followers, so it’s also a great way to spread the
word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers! When
you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and
answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!)
and ask them 11 questions. You’re not allowed to nominate the blog(s)
who nominated you!
My 11 Random Facts:
1. Harry Potter is my favorite book series, hands down, but Philippa Gregory is my all-time favorite author.
2. I love pretty much any beverage or food with lime. Diet Coke with Lime, gin & tonic, Bud Light Lime. I haven't bought them in ages, but the tortilla chips with lime. Yummy.
3. Before last summer, I thought koozies were the most stupid thing ever. But now I have at least one in my purse at any given point in time, and I rarely drink canned beverages without one.
From @SrattyStyle
4. I started questioning my sexuality in middle school. I finally realized I was bisexual halfway through my senior year of high school. I never told a soul until one fateful evening in London, many many years after I'd graduated high school.
5. I like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, but I don't like to prepare them.
6. I miss being paid to cook dinner for myself and three kids. I ate so healthily last year. I'm already struggling to maintain a good diet cooking for one. =/
Roast beef with roasted carrots and potatoes.
7. I have a thing for elves. I think Legolas is the sexiest Orlando Bloom has ever been.
8. I am so blessed to have the friends that I do, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of good friends I have. I worry that I'm not a good enough friend to them. I wish I could spend more time with each of them.
9. I don't understand people who carry a balance on their credit card unless it was for an unexpected emergency expense. Example: when I had to pay for six cavities all at once. Or for a gap in income. I get paid this week for the first time in seven weeks. I'll pay off my Visa in full easily, but I'll have to carry a balance for a while on my American Express (but I currently have 0% APR). And this wouldn't be an issue at all if I hadn't needed to spend about $500 in medical expenses. It's just not that hard to spend only what you earn.
10. Sometimes the boyfriend and I skype, but don't really talk. We each do our own thing and just comment if we feel like sharing something. I just like seeing the little video of him in the corner of my screen. #lesigh
11. I calculate my gas mileage every time I fill up. Lately it's been really good, about 28-31 MPG, but today it was only 25 MPG. To quote my bestie: boo hiss!
My boyfriend just unhooked my bra to encourage my writing.
He’s so sweet like that.
I don’t just want to discuss big boobs. I want to discuss
how people react to big boobs. How people treat those of us who have big boobs.
How people can’t look past a bra size.
How people call me a slut when I show just a hint of
cleavage.
Just an FYI for any new blog readers. I’m a virgin, so I’m
pretty sure I am NOT a slut.
I had major writer’s block while working on this post the
other night. After sleeping on it, I realized the source of my struggle.
Boobs are such a complex subject that I can’t just devote a
single post to it. My thoughts were seriously all over the place. I went from
ranting to discussing awesome bras to explaining my big-boobed perspective.
Tonight, I’m going to rant. I’ve written about slut-shaming
before. Tonight, I’m writing about boob-shaming.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
A thousand different things. Traveled by myself for two weeks. Visited Norway. Made the first move with a guy. Interned with Delta Nu*. Lived in the Northeast. Fell in love. Started my first relationship. Lots of fun, intimate things as part of said relationship.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any concrete resolutions last year. Something about reading more classics and reading more books in French. I did read more classic literature, but not very much in French. Oops. This coming year, I want to track my expenditures again and keep a tight budget like I did when I lived in France.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year, no.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
A wonderful woman from my church had had Parkinson's for a long time. She died this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Well. I lived in France and the States. I visited England and Norway.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A job with a real salary and benefits.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 12. I left my favorite country in the world, and I don't know when I'll be back. :( July 29, first date with the the now-boyfriend. :)
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I continued to follow my dreams. Once again I put my happiness above financial security, and it's worked out so incredibly well for me. I have three new best friends, a boyfriend, and an awesome network of connections because of choosing my summer internship over a year-long internship.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not writing more. I had a goal to write 150,000 words this year, but only intentional writing counted. So these blog posts, yes. Emails, no. Fiction, poetry, etc., yes. My personal blog posts (travel writing aside), no. I only hit like, 40,000 words or something sad like that. Granted, it is more than I've ever written before (not counting stuff for school).
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No!!!!! After starting 2010 in the hospital, 2011 was awesome!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Train tickets and plane tickets for traveling.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My twin brother has completely turned his life around, and I couldn't be prouder.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Americans in general...
14. Where did most of your money go?
First part of the year: rent, food, train tickets, hostels, plane tickets. Summer: food, alcohol, gas, clothes, shoes. End of the year: Starbucks, plane tickets, clothes.
Most of my money has gone towards traveling.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Norway for the first time and meeting all my family there!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
This is the first time I've really gotten into Adele, so I'm going to say anything she put out this year. And the Glee mash-up, of course.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, since I just spent the holidays with my family.
ii. thinner or fatter? About the same, I think.
iii. richer or poorer? About the same as well, except even more on my own and less dependent on my parents (but I still owe them money).
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing!!!! Traveling, although I did travel as much as I could afford to do.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Um. Can't think of anything. It was a pretty balanced year.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family :)
22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes! With the boyfriend. ♥
23. Did your heart break in 2011?
Yes, but I'll always love Mark* as my best friend.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Glee, same as last year.
25. Where were you when 2011 began?
In Montmartre.
26. Who were you with?
A friend of mine and about a gagillion other people.
27. Where will you be when 2011 ends?
Probably at home. Yup, I'm just that cool.
28. Who will you be with when 2011 ends?
My parents and one of my best friends from high school.
29. What was the best book you read?
Just one? Seriously? Either The Help or The Hunger Games trilogy. Oh, wait, or The Picture of Dorian Gray.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I got really into Adele this year.
31. What did you want and get?
An internship with Delta Nu. :D
32. What did you want and not get?
Total financial independence. I'm getting close!
33. What was your favorite film of this year?
Is it sad if I say The Muppets Movie?
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went out to dinner with my co-intern and summer roommate Lauren*. You can probably figure out by now how old I am, but I'm not telling!
35. How many different states did you travel to in 2011?
Um, my home state, the Midwestern state where I was this summer, the three states in-between my home state & the Midwestern state, the Northeastern state where I currently live... So six. French regions? Four, I think. Norwegian regions? Two. Then London. So about thirteen overall. Give or take.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
The same as always. Some combination of bright American casual and dark French sophisticated.
37. What kept you sane?
My besties, my family, my blogs, my followers on twitter, and MY BOYFRIEND. Oh, and Starbucks.
38. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ummmm, Naya Riviera from Glee. I just couldn't help myself.
39. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay marriage legalized in New York!!!!!
40. How many concerts did you see in 2011?
Not that many. The Beach Boys this summer!
41. Did you have a favorite concert in 2011?
The Beach Boys this summer!
42. Who was the best new person you met?
My summer besties: Lauren, Hardy, and James*. 'My' kids.
THE BOYFRIEND.
43. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Nope!
44. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2011?
Nothing comes to mind.
45. What are your plans for 2012?
Move to Canada with my job, move to the Midwest and find a new job, figure out if I want to marry the boyfriend once we're living in the same state (you can't jump into these things, especially via a long-distance relationship), blog more often... Yeah, that's about it.
*We're all good on the fake names, fake sorority, right? Awesome. Just checking.
