11

My sister Kala had to tag me...thanks a lot! :) I haven't done one of these in a really long time! I am posting 11 random things about me, and then answering the 11 questions she asked on her blog. Don't get mad, but I'm not tagging anyone. Don't get me wrong, I love to read others' blogs, but I don't want to "make" someone do this..but hopefully you can enjoy my response! (Hey, at least I'm doing it, right?)

11 Random Things About Me:

1. I have known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the first grade. I've never imagined myself doing anything else, and everything I have done in school and most things in life have been geared to my career choice. One of the best choices I could have ever made as a six year old because I am in love with my job. It continuously keeps me learning, keeps me on my toes, I laugh and cry almost every day because I get to work with the smartest and sweetest kids who help me grow SOOO much!

2. I can't stand feet. I don't want people touching mine, and I refuse to touch others' feet. If I ever do, you know that I really, really, really love and trust you because feet gross me out, mine included. However, I get several compliments on mine...go figure!

3. I am a Jimmy Johns sandwich and Diet Coke addict! If I am ever in a bad mood, or depressed, if you bring me either or both of these items, along with popping in the movie You've Got Mail, I will be so happy!

4. Sometimes I struggle hearing and will hear something completely different than what a person actually said. I even got my hearing tested in college because of this, true story. My results came out fine. I think I just hear what I want to hear? But it's definitely made for some hilarious quotes! However, in public places, I can't hear what's being said around me, but I can hear the music in the background (even when it's played really quietly) and can tell people what song it is. I guess I'm just more in tune with music, it speaks to my soul better than people can!

5. I'm obsessed with earrings. I struggle wearing necklaces and bracelets, but I HAVE to wear earrings every day or I feel naked. And the bigger the earrings, the better!

6. I am addicted to teaching blogs. I can go days without looking at Facebook, but I can't go a day without looking at teaching blogs...sometimes I look several times a day!

7. I shorten words a lot, I kind of have my own vocabulary. I try not to do it when I'm teaching, but it sometimes slips out. Oh, I also like to add s after shortening a word. Some examples of Tawnaisms are: Comfs? (Comfortable); Whatevs; I'm Starves! (starving); Stupes (stupid); etc.

8. I am currently obsessed with the TV show 24. I know, I know, a few years late! My best friend Jenna is obsessed with the show and tried to have me watch them years ago. But I now can't stop watching and have lost several hours of sleep due to this obsession. I love Netflix for having all the seasons at my fingertips!

9. New favorite food? POPchips, barbeque flavored. Try them. You will understand. Thank you Tabbi, for changing my whole world!

10. I am a fast typer. I secretly love to take typing tests online to see how fast I can go! People at work, and my students always comment on how fast I type. They love to hear the sound of the keyboard clicking away a million words per minute! Ok, not really that fast but it's close!

11. I LOVE when I find pictures of trees alone. I want to buy them immediately! I don't know what it is. When a tree is all by itself in the middle of an empty field, it triggers so much emotion in me. It's my favorite thing when I'm driving alone to see that. It feels me with hope and faith and happiness. I guess it's a really personal thing, but in a way I feel like it's Gods way of showing me that He loves me and is completely aware of me and my life...cheesy, but true!

Kala's 11 questions for me:

1. What's one of the hardest decisions you've ever made?

Deciding to take a year off teaching and taking a sabbatical and moving out of state. I loved my job, but I knew I wanted to see what was out there. I moved to Denver without having a job beforehand. People thought I was crazy and not many supported my decision. But I never doubted! It turned out to be THE best thing I have ever done for myself for so many reasons. If you want to know, come talk to me and I will share!

2. What's one of your biggest dreams you have for your life?

It's hard to pick one, I'm a dreamer and goal setter at heart. But to focus on my big ones, specifically just one of them, it is to feel like I am living in a place where I should be, feeling complete in a place of stability and belonging. Hard to explain, but it makes sense to me!

3. What's one character trait you have that you hope that your children won't?

I have a very hard time committing myself in a relationship, probably the reason why I am 30 and still not married. I struggle trusting others and opening up in a personal way. I've worked on this, and I don't know where it stems from, but I hope my children can trust (in a safe way of course!) easier than I do, and can commit themselves to a relationship, even though it may not work out!

4. What's one of your most romantic experiences?

Mmm...I don't like to really share personal things like this, but I need to work on that, so here I go! I am not a touchy feely person when it comes to physical touch. I don't like to show public displays of affection because I struggle with commitment, as mentioned above, I don't want others to assume what's going on in a relationship that is so personal to me (even though they will). I recently went to Disneyland for my 30th birthday with Bryce, someone that is very close to me and means a lot to me (Sorry, no labels here!). He spoiled me for my birthday, and one night we went to World of Colors. He didn't want to see it, but he knew I did and was so good about getting Fast Pass Tickets and waiting in line for it. It was magical for me, and we wrapped our arms around each other. I know! I showed PDA! But I was so happy in that moment. Sorry not super romantical but it was for me!

5. What's one of the happiest moments of your past?

I'm not sure if this was meant for my childhood or just my past in general, but the day I got the letter in the mail saying I had been accepted into the Elementary Education program at Utah State was such a good day for me, because my dream was turning into a reality!

6. If you could be a character in a book or story, who would you be?

Chrysanthemum! In a way, I feel like I am the girl version of her (she's a mouse). She is teased because of her name when she starts school and hates it but then comes to realize how awesome it is to have such a unique name. I had a similar experience growing up (my full name is Quintana). I now love that my name is so different from everyone else's, AND that I have so many nicknames because of it!

7. If you were stranded on an island with only 3 other people, who would you pick?

Oh man, I have the best people that I surround myself with, it's so hard to pick 3!
1. Bryce. He is the funniest person I know, he'd have me laughing constantly. He knows me really well too and would know when I would need food or sleep to make me happy again!
2. Jenna. She is the second funniest person I know (Shh...don't tell her that Bryce beat her out. They are brother and sister and she wouldn't like that he's beating her!) and she also would know how to keep me spiritually grounded and sane. We would have the deepest, best discussions about life!
3. My sister, Tabbi. If you mix her in with Bryce and Jenna, I promise you, I would never ever stop laughing! And somehow, all 3 of their smart brains would keep us entertained for years!

8. If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

SUSHI!!

9. If you could live wherever you wanted in the world, where would it be?

This is what I'm searching for, my dream that I mentioned above. Since I haven't gone here I don't know, but I've always had a deep fascination for Maine, so I would like to try living there and see how I feel?

10. What helps you fall asleep at night?

It depends on how I feel, but a lot of times, it's putting on a TV show or movie, cuddled in my warm, soft bedspread, and a stuffed animal by my side! I fall asleep a lot easier on days where I feel satisfied with what I have accomplished that day, and knowing that I have worked hard to change the world for good somehow. On days where I feel that I have failed my students or someone I love, I have a harder time falling asleep.

11. What gets you going in the morning?

On school days, knowing that my students need me. On weekends or holidays or summer days, it's goals that I am working on accomplishing. And let's be honest, breakfast!! I love food!!