Tag! I'm it! Who's next??

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Alicia from {The Seeley Family}, tagged me in a fun Blog Tag! Thanks Alicia!

How it works:

• Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you
• Write 11 random things about yourself
•  Then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged
• Tag people and link them in your post
• Post their button on your post if they have one
• Let them know you have tagged them

My 11 Questions

1. Favorite Holiday and why? It's such a cliche answer, but I love Christmas. Well...more just the holiday season in general {Technically I celebrate Chrismukkah, because Andrew is Jewish :)} I love the lights, decorations, Christmas trees, Stockings...everything! Life is just a little more festive and jolly during that time of year. And it's always a nice 'break' from the winter blues.

2. Why do I blog? Mmmmm, good question. Well I guess it goes back to my first blog post...where it's a type of "blogger's therapy." It's very therapeutic to write out my ideas, thoughts, and emotions...and if I inspire someone else, it's for all the better. Plus, I think it'll be fun to look back on everything I blogged about in the years to come!

3. Music of choice? This is a tough one, because I love all different genres of music. But my go to music is definitely that of Joshua Radin, Matt Nathanson, William Fitzsimmons, Angus and Julia, The Fray, Bedouin Soundclash, John Butler Trio...you get the point :)

4. What is your greatest strength? Persistence. I won't stop until I get what I want...and that's in all facets of my life. I know what I want and I fight for it.

5. Spicy or Sour? I used to not be able to handle spicy foods until a few years ago. Now I love food with a little kick. My favorite is wasabi {for sushi of course}. 

6.  Where do you see yourself in 2 years? I hope to see myself being a wife and starting a family. I want nothing more in this world.

7. Dream vacation? When I was younger, I always dreamed of tropical places only...Bora Bora and Australia type places. But now as I get older, I find myself dreaming of traveling through Europe. Ugh...can't I now??

8. What is your go-to outfit? Skinny dark jeans and a loose fitting button up or t-shirt and heels...similar to my {Picture This Tuesday: Fashion Edition} post.

9. Favorite movie? This is tough because I am a movie whore. But I'll give you my three all-time favorite movies that have always remained on the top...Liar Liar, My Cousin Vinny, and Independence Day. Random, I know.

10. When was the last time you had an adrenaline rush? When I went skydiving! As I've mentioned in my previous posts, I have a terrible fear of flying {like...grabbing the hand next to me and squeezing it until it turned purple and fearing every bump is us crashing...it's awful} But this past summer I was asked to go skydiving...and for some reason I said yes {I was at a strange place in my life} It was the scariest, most terrifying, yet exhilarating and liberating experience I've ever had. The whole thing was a blur, but all I remember was thinking I was either going to pass out or throw up when we stood at the edge of the plane...ready to jump out...thousands of feet up in the air. Once I was safely on the ground, I could not believe what I just did. I had this weird feeling for about an hour after I did it....I guess that's what you call a real adrenaline rush. {I have a video and photos to prove it...maybe for another post?}

11. Favorite family memory? I can't think of a "one time" event that occurred that goes down as my favorite family memory. Anytime my family and I get together, it's usually a pretty good time! Before about five years ago, my family wasn't so "put together"? {is that the right phrase?} and getting our family together was sometimes volatile. We've always been extremely close and have always been very loving...but let's just say...we were once a lot more dysfunctional. We're still dysfunctional...but we're more a functional, dysfunctional family. Get it? :)

11 Random Things about Myself

1. I almost failed the written driver's test, but got only 1 point off on the actual driver's test. I should have gotten zero points off but my driver instructor didn't know the answer. Do you stop once or twice at a four-way stop? She said to stop twice to err on the side of caution. WRONG. {yes I'm still bitter about the situation}

2. I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual.

3. I'm technically still not a Minnesota resident even though I've lived here for over seven years {shhhh don't tell the government} It'll happen people.

4. My mom told me she knew Andrew and I were meant to be together when my initials wouldn't change. Her initials are CLR...my initials are CLR. She did that on purpose. She told me she was somewhat sad that when I got married our initials would no longer be the same. Well...Andrew's last name starts with an R too. So there you have it. It's all in the name. HA.

5. I wanted to be a "baby doctor" when I was little. Then I was informed that babies could die. This quickly changed my decision.

6. I rescued my first animal the other day. Read about Captain Crunch {here}. 

7. I'm a serial monogamous.

8. There's nothing more in life I want than to be a mother.

9. I'm my own worst enemy. I'm way too critical and hard on myself.

10.  My mom and I have matching tattoos. She doesn't even have her ears pierced. My mom's the shit.

11.  I could easily be a vegetarian. I don't eat meat often. And when I do it' s usually chicken or turkey. Not a big red meat fan. Okay...unless it's a giant juicy bacon cheeseburger.

Your 11 Questions

1. What song(s) lyrics best describe you/your life?

2. What is the biggest accomplishment thus far in your life?

3. You could be any age again, what age would you be?

4. What's your greatest strength?

Whats your greatest weakness?

5.  What goal do you want to accomplish within the next five years?

6. Why do you blog?

7. Are you right brain vs. left brain?

8. What's your biggest fear?

9. If you could live in any time period, what time period would that be?

10. What's your favorite quote(s)?

11. What's your favorite activity?

And now for my fellow Bloggettes to be tagged...You're it!

Amanda from {Raising Miss Mommy} AJ from {A2J}  Nicole from {Moments That Define Life} Linds from {Three Peas In My Little Pod} Michelle from {I Am Walking Backwards} Sammy from {Sippy Cup Chardonnay} Meg from {More From Meg} Adriana from {The Little Petite} Jasmine from {Barbie Bombshell}

Thirty Before Thirty

Pin It Thirty Before Thirty is dedicated to things I want to accomplish before I'm 30. I'll cross items off my list as I complete them. If anything, this is a great way to hold myself accountable and continue to strive to complete the things I want to do before I'm 30. I have five years...so here goes nothing. :)

1. Go skydiving
2. Be a wife
3. Live on my own
4. Have two children
5. Buy a house
6. Run a marathon
7. Buy a new car
8. Go to Napa Valley and take winery tours
9. Travel on my own
10. Volunteer at an animal shelter
11. Become a "Big Sister"
12. See a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre
13. Be a God-Mother 
14. Start a book club
15.  Go bungee jumping
16. Get a real career job
17. Learn to meditate
18. Go white-water rafting
19. Take a dance class
20. Learn Tai Chi
21. Be a Maid of Honor
22. See the Northern Lights
23. Travel through Europe
24. Do a Corepower Yoga Boot Camp
25. Take a spur of the moment road trip
26. Go snowboarding
27. Rock out at a music festival
28. Learn to belly dance
29. Sing Karaoke at a bar
30. Find peace within myself

My Fifty List (Week Five)

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Wisdom Wednesday

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Body Art

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I've always considered my style and look to be somewhat classic. You know that Gap, Banana Republic, JCrew classic style? I've always gravitated towards that. That's why anyone who doesn't know me very well is always surprised when I tell them I have six...yes six tattoos. 

I've loved tattoos ever since I can remember. I've also always loved piercings. With my parents having no tattoos or piercings...you'd be surprised to know I got belly button at 15 {I no longer have it}, and my first tattoo at 16. I think they learned very early on that I would be relentless until I got what I want...opps {I'm the exact same way to this day. I happen to know what I want when I want it :)} 

I've gotten many many piercings throughout my life {probably anywhere from 15-20}...even a tongue piercing once! I'm just down to my ears now {I have four piercings on the lower lobe but generally just use the first hole}.

As I said, I have six tattoos...my last one being a few years ago. I'll probably wait until I have children to get anymore to make sure I leave enough room to still be discreet with them. Although I'll probably share with you all my tattoos eventually, I thought I'd start with my most recent one I got {probably in 2008 or 2009}.

It's a Buddhist mantra called Om Mani Padme Hum. It's one of the most important mantras  in Buddhism.  One common interpretation is that each syllable corresponds to one of the six realms of existence and purifies the vice associated with that realm:

Om purifies bliss and pride (realm of the gods)

Ma purifies jealousy and need for entertainment (realm of the jealous gods)

Ni purifies passion and desire (human realm)

Pad purifies ignorance and prejudice (animal realm)

Me purifies poverty and possessiveness (realm of the hungry ghosts)

Hum purifies aggression and hatred (hell realm)

I sometimes repeat the mantra when I'm trying to relax my mind or while I'm doing yoga. It's very calming and peaceful. I highly recommend anyone to try it out.

What are YOUR thoughts on tattoos? Do YOU have any? :)

Saving Captain Crunch

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Last night we decided to go to the movies at the St. Anthony Main Theatre. With it being so gorgeous out, we walked from our friend's house who lives about 5 blocks away. After the movie, we were walking back when I turn around to see this {what I would describe as a teenage} cat cross the road. It was a black cat so I of course made some comment about a "black cat crossing the road" {you know....superstitions and all}.

It meowed and then started walking with us. It walked with us along the sidewalk, crossed the road with us, crossed the road again with us and continued to follow us into the garage where our friend's car was parked. 

Now, I am a HUGE animal lover, but am NOT a cat person at all...and in a "normal" situation I would have cared less about seeing a stray cat outside. But there was just something about this cat...something different. 

At this point, I had to do something. So, what did we do? We picked him up and put him in the car and started calling animal shelters {at this point it was almost 9:30pm} I got the run around...calling a few places, all which were closed or couldn't "help." I even went as far as to call 911 {non-emergency of course}.

At this point, David, one of our friends, had proudly named our new friend "Captain Crunch". Awesome name, right? As we sat in the car trying to figure out what to do next {David has a huge Huskey, and we have two dogs ourselves...neither of us were prepared to take in Mr. Crunch} Now, Captain started getting cute...and I mean...real cute. I've never met such a friendly cat before in my life. He nestled up to me and began to purrrrr. I couldn't help but start to think Mr. Crunch was something unique. Maybe he was my little Buddha that I'm supposed to save. {yup I'm a little crazy}.

Luckily, Andrew's parents who own barn cats were willing to take in Mr. Crunch for the night. We drove him out there and gave him food, water, and a liter box...and boy did he look happy. Today Andrew's mom and I took him to the Humane Society to see if he was micro-chipped {just in case he has a loving family out there} unfortunately he wasn't. So we paid a donation fee and got his ID number to track him. I feel happy. I feel like I did a good deed. I feel like Mr. Captain Crunch happened for a reason {whatever that reason may be} but I saved a little life. And it feels good. 

If you want to be the future mommy or daddy to Captain Crunch, he's up on the {Golden Valley Animal Humane Society's} website!! :)

Five Accomplishments/Experiences in Life Thus Far {Linky Party}

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Since I'm always joining in on other blog's linky parties, I thought I'd start my own. 

What are YOUR five accomplishments/experiences in life thus far? :)

 Five Accomplishments/Experiences in Life Thus Far

1. Moving to Minnesota. When I decided to move to Minnesota to go to college, I wasn't sure if I was making the right choice. I applied to a few different schools {some in Wisconsin and some in Minnesota} and was concerned about making the "wrong" choice. Boy, am I sure grateful I made the choice I did! Moving to Minnesota has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life so far!

Photo I took from Gold Medal Park. We live in the grey and maroon condominiums.

2. Getting my Bachelor's Degree at the University of St. Thomas. I wouldn't have ended up in Minnesota if it weren't for me choosing to attend UST. Growing up in my hometown in Wisconsin, there was zero pride for the school because it was literally rotting from under us. It took years even after I graduated for the new school to pass. That being said, going from where I grew up to UST was literally black and white. Not only was UST one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever seen, it was the greatest school. Oh, and I happened to have met some kick ass friends and this one guy....

Tommie Pride!

 3. Living on my own. I've always been one of those people who loves their alone time, but at the same time, doesn't like being alone {does that make sense? :)} I never wanted or thought I'd ever live by myself. The thought itself actually freaked me out. But due to some unfortunate events, I ended up in the situation. I thought I'd absolutely hate it, but it turns out, living by yourself can be very enjoyable. I learned a lot about myself in that year and gained a great deal of independence. I'm very grateful for going through that experience.

4. Buying my first vehicle.  I finally purchased my very first vehicle about six months ago. Though it's not my dream car {I would kill for a Range Rover}, I "settled" for a VW Tiguan. White with beige leather interior, panoramic sunroof, XM radio, heated seats {a must in Minnesota winters} the whole deal. Although I don't enjoy the monthly payments, it's sure fun to cruise around in!

My new ride!

5. Getting my job and traveling by myself for three weeks. After graduating college, I struggled to find where I fit into the "working world." I graduated with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communcation with a concentration in Advertising, and a minor in Communication Studies. I knew I wanted to do "something" in Advertising, but wasn't sure what exactly. Finally after a few years of trying to find myself, I got the job I now have as an Account Executive for the CW Twin Cities. I fought so unbelievably hard for this job and couldn't have been happier for getting the opportunity. Not only did I get the job, I was informed that I would travel to Baltimore, Maryland where I would train for three weeks before starting in Minnesota. If it weren't for me living on my own for awhile, I don't think I would have ever thought I could do it. I like my space, my people, my comfort. I was so anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time to travel to an unknown place with complete strangers {and flying by myself....have I mentioned I have the biggest fear of flying??} When the three weeks were up, I couldn't believe how quickly the time flew by! I met some of the most amazing people there and couldn't have been more grateful for the experience!

The whole training group. They're all so amazing!