10. Salt Life

While we were in Florida this past weekend, I saw this phrase “Salt Life,” on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and etched onto windows. I looked up the phrase and as would make sense it’s a beach gear company but to me, it means something a little bit different.

If you read my post from yesterday, you know why I wanted to go to Florida and why I needed it to be a good weekend (fortunately it turned out to be a great weekend – more details on that coming soon). As I spent 48 hours straight with my cousins, Aunts and Uncles, many of whom I haven’t seen in years, I observed a few things about myself that I don’t totally love:

*I take life too seriously. I know that it was a special occasion but my family and their friends were so easy going, didn’t get hives when they talk about work and just seemed happier, laidback, go with the flow.

* Having a good time isn’t a reward for a completed work week but instead is a way of life. They laugh more. They smile more. They party more. They scream songs at the top of their lungs more. They hug and take pictures more. Taking a personal day doesn’t make them feel guilty, ignoring work for a few more days isn’t an issue and enjoying life is paramount.

When I saw the phrase “Salt Life,” I decided to use it as a my new personal mantra. I’m going to start seasoning my life more with positive experiences, people, events. I’m going to reconnect with myself and the things that make me happy. I’m going to live full of hope and energy for I know that I have a lot to offer to friends, employers, family, a new man (when the time comes). I;m going to work smarter, not harder so that I don’t get so drained at the end of the work week. I’m not going to equate my life with my job. I’m going to work hard for the next 18 months to save money, add to my resume and then perhaps find a job in the great Sunshine State so I can live and breath the Salt Life.

The Evolution of Birthdays

When you’re little birthdays are all about toys, streamers, balloons, party favors, junk food and really amazing cake with fabulous icing; staying up past your bedtime; having your name read over the loudspeaker at school; your favorite dinner cooked by your mom; the thrill of presents from your friends, and themed birthday parties.

When you’re a teenager  (13-17) birthdays are all about wondering if your outfit looks ok at school; how many balloons will your friends buy you and stuff into your locker?; will today be the day the high school football start finally tells you he loves you?; your friends and parents trying to surprise you and surprise you they did with limo rides (13th birthday) and a DJ (16th) birthday; hoping against hope that some boy you liked liked you back; and that you have a decent showing  with no drama at your birthday party which will be supplied with tunes from Cake and the Empire Records lots of junk food and copious amounts of soda.

When you’re a young adult (18-23) your birthdays are about freedom; the ability to vote and drink (legally); celebrating a birthday away from home; planning your own party which often doesn’t sound so fun so you don’t do it; taking so many shots that the entire night is a blur; waking up to find out that you danced on a bar, kissed a stranger and proclaimed your love to every single one of your friends; it’s about going through your digital camera to see what pictures were taken and then daring to check facebook to see what embarassing shots of you may have surfaced; it’s about relishing in the here and now because you’re in your early twenties and this is how you do it!

When you’re in your mid-twenties (24-26) *birthdays are about quiet celebrations; not letting your friends buy you shot after shot because you know too well that hangover feeling; being thankful for everything that you have in your life; not asking for presents because you do have everything; being pleasantly surprised by the presents your friends and family do give you because you really didn’t need/want anything; reflecting on where you are and where you want to be; thankful for the lack of wrinkles on your face; recalling the days of yesteryear and smiling on all memories fondly; resolving to be a better person; reminding yourself to live in the now; ignoring your dad’s comments about how your more than halfway to fifty even if he says it with a smile on his face; indulging in birthday cake; going to sleep at a decent hour because you’re working the next day; hugging all your friends and family at least twice- not because your drunk- but because you love them.

What are your birthdays about?

** I consider mid-twenties to be through 27 or 28 but I’m not there yet, so I’ll let you know how it goes in the next two years! **

Lessons Learned…

…over the weeekend:

1* I’m at my happiest when I have little or no obligations, plans or monotonous chores to get done. This also means I laugh a little louder, stay up a little later, and feel genuinely rested.

2* Getting up at 9am and taking an afternoon nap is preferred to sleeping the day away.

3* I thrive in 70-something degree weather.

4* It is possible to finish an entire book from start to finish in one weekend provided the first thing learned is present. What did I read? Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris. I may or may not have purchased the second book on Sunday, though I haven’t started it…yet.

5* It’s also possible to start a new book in the same weekend and become so enthralled by the writing and imagery that you are 50% of the way through it by Sunday night. (The book in question: Chocolat, by Joanne Harris. Yes, I’ve seen the movie but I want to read this book before I move onto the Girl with No Shadow, the sequel to Chocolat by Joanne Harris.)

6* There is wine named after me! Nora wine! How cool is that?

7* Impromptu picnics complete with wine, cheese, crusty bread, blanket + pillows, as well as a few books and my fabulous man are my new favorite thing. Bonus for finding some amazing cheese at a local smokehouse.

8* Quentin Tarantino is seriously disturbed but has an amazing cinematic eye just the same. Go see Inglorious Basterds. It’s worth the 150 minutes of your time.

9* It’s okay to make a meal out of appetizers while watching True Blood with my boyfriend.

10* Jack is more of a cuddle whore than ever. He is now attempting to cuddle with me while holding his new toy (a stuffed goose) in his mouth.

11* Irish & I have a book buying problem. We’ve made a pact to not set foot into nor buy another book until my birthday which is in one month and five days.

12* Watching Six Feet Under before you go to bed is a bad, bad idea. Cue insane nightmares and waking up gasping for air.

13* Staying in on a Friday night is totally acceptable.

14* There are never enough hours in the weekend but a perfectly unscripted weekend is much needed at least once a month.

Withdrew

I’ve never been a quitter.

I don’t give up easily.

I’m Sicilian for goodness sake!

So it’s no suprirse that the decision I made over the weekend, the one to withdraw from my Graduate Level Finance course was extremely difficult for me. Since the class started three weeks ago I’ve been spending 20-25 hours a week just on the reading and homework plus another hour or two on the weekly quiz, discussion boards and other random assignments. 

Math isn’t my strong suit and so I worked my butt off to pull off the A- I had earned up to this point which my professor told me via email (as this is an online course) that I wasn’t trying hard enough and that I needed to work harder.

I was having nightmares about not completing my Finance homework on time and correctly.

I was stressed all day, every day, felt like a giant weight was pushing my chest, and dreaded leaving the office for a ” date,” with my Finance book and notes.
I hardly had time to talk to Irish, let alone my other friends.

On Saturday, after a lovely day of (much-needed) shopping with Darling, I came to a few conclusions:
* Life is short. I shouldn’t be so stressed out over school.
* No one is telling me I need to graduate by December of this year; I brought that on myself.
* If I had my way, I’d switch gears and work torwards my MA in International Affairs, which is what I’m truly passionate about.
* There was no way I could take two courses, work and be “me,” this summer without going certifiably insane.

After a Cherry Slush at Sonic, a hefty purchase at Ann Taylor Loft (oh, the sales and cute, cute clothes I bought!) and some heart-to-heart time with Darling (who is my mom, for those of you don’t know), we went home to talk to my dad.

I didn’t want to drop my class and seem like a quitter or a weak person but I knew that if I continued on this path of little sleep, intense stress and supreme grouchiness that it would only get worse.

After talking to my dad calmly, and okay, with a few tears here and there as is he my go-to (besides Irish) for big life decisions, he said to me that my happiness is more important than a graduate degree. That most kids don’t finish a masters in two years like I had planned on doing. And he left me with a quote from his grandfather that certainly resonates: ”Don’t pick up a box unless you want to carry the load. And if you do pick it up? You can put it back down.”

I went online and emailed my professor my “thanks for assistance but that due to my professional workload and other course commitments that I am withdrawing from his course as I can’t complete it to my personal standards at this time.”

Then I officially  withdrew from the course and suddenly I could breathe again. 
(I am still taking one course this summer and while it’s demanding it’s not 20-hours-a-week demanding.)

I have a few other things to figure out with respect to my graduate studies but I learned a few things over the weekend: * That I have choices.
* That my family & Irish will always be there for me as counselors and for emotional support. (Okay, I already knew that but it’s nice to have it reinforced on occasion).
* That it’s okay to admit that you’ve taken on too much and to tone it down and that if the people you surround yourself with are your friends, they will understand.
* That sometimes it’s necessary to re-evaluate our choices and the path we have chosen and in doing so, we can make ourselves happier/less stressed/better off than we thought possible. 
 * You know you made the right decision when you are instantly happy.
* I already feel more like “me,” and that is really all that matters.

Blog Swap & Other Stories…

I am aware that today is 20SB Blog Swap Day, however my swap partner and I just found out last night (thanks to Mandy!) that we were supposed to swap today with no time to prepare a blog. We will be swapping tomorrow. My Blog Swap Partner is The Melodramatic and I know she’ll dazzle you with her writing.

Onto a few other random topics and answers to questions my readers have asked me:  

* Dreams. Over the last few weeks I’ve been having insane dreams/nightmares in which our late family dog, Bear, is present. Sometimes in the dreams he hasn’t yet passed on, other times he’s a ghost dog but only I can see him. In either case I wake up with tears in my eyes. It’s been rather disturbing. I suppose perhaps it’s Bear’s way of letting me know he is still around?  Or that he’s okay and happy in Dog Heaven? I just wish that my dreams lasted a bit longer or that, as cliched as this is, they came true.

* Social. A friend once asked me who was more social: Irish or me? Honestly it’s a hard question for me to answer. I’m inclined to say that I am because I’m a planner, I have lots of friends to catch up with and I love going out on double/group dates with our friends. However, there are those nights, especially when work is insane and my brain is mush come 5pm, where all I want to do is take Jack for a nice walk, have a cup of tea and watch a movie, do something crafty or read a book.  Lately though I’ve been a social butterfly. Come Friday I will have been out every single night. I’ve been catching up with friends, hanging out with family, on the phone all the time. I suppose I’m trying to get it all in before grad school courses start on June 5th.  As for Irish? Well, he has a weekly “Man Night,” with his buddies at the pool hall and kickball games every weekend so he’s automatically social. I have learned that he enjoys staying home with video games/books/movies/internet surfing just as much as, if not more than me.

* The Teeth. I am almost 100% back to normal. I am allowed to go back to the gym this week (likely not until Friday due to my insane social calendar). I am eating most foods that I love unless it’s something that is super crunchy. My jaw is only marginally sore and I have all of my energy back. It’s always the minor surgeries that seem to take the longest to recover from.

* The Killers. Irish and I are going to see them on May 4th. I am pumped. That is all.

* Gram. I have mentioned in passing that my Gram moved to StL in November of last year. It’s been a tough road at times, especially for Darling, but I think everyone is getting used to it. Gram is a character, probably an entire post (or two) just for her would be wise but today I’m focusing on the good things. Monday night Gram gave me about five vintage cookbooks including a Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook from 1956. It’s totally incredible and in really great shape. I can’t wait to try out some of the desserts and other tempting recipes. Gram is also going to teach me how to knit. My first project will be a blanket of some sort.

* The Buzz. Irish and I have been dating for 10 months (tomorrow, actually) and so people have started asking THE QUESTIONS. You know ones like “when are you going to get married?” or “You guys plan on moving in together anytime soon?” The questions come randomly from our couple friends, my single friends and even family on occasion. I don’t really mind but when we go to weddings? It’s terrible. Everyone asks. While I know that I want to be with Irish for the rest of my life, can’t I/we take our time? And yes as much as the e-word and m-word appeal to me, we have a few other things to sort out first like living arrangements, budgets and yadda yadda. I won’t lie, I have turned to Irish and suggested we elope and then other days I want to enjoy things and take my time. But one thing is for sure, I’m crazy about the guy. I still hate it when we don’t see each other for a day or two. It feels like an eternity. So my answer when people ask me those questions? “I love him and the rest will happen when it’s right.” Or if I’m feeling snarky, “I love him but it’s only been 10 months! We have time.”

* Allergies. Many people have asked me what kind of food I can eat since I have so many awful food allergies. It all boils down to this: dairy (non-soy); meat (turkey, chicken, red meat); limited vegetables (broccoli, green beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions. The first three must be cooked); grains/wheats (pastas, bread, whole wheats, cereals), condiments are all fine so far. The main offenders that are big time allergens are all fruits (though I can have fruit juice in moderation, jellys), tree nuts (peanuts/peanut butter are okay), seasame seeds, celery, and all the other vegetables (peas, carrots, etc). It can be very difficult sometimes at dinner parties, restaurants or social events like concerts/baseball games but I’ve learned to find a few key things I can order no matter where I am and I stick to it. If I ever develop an allergy to dairy, meat and grains, well, that will just kill the inner-Italian in me!

Still

(an original Nora post today. This may look like a meme but it’s straight from my brain.)

I still…

… sleep with some sort of cuddly thing when I’m alone. Sweatshirt, pillow, ugly ghost.

… worry excessively about things I can’t control even though I know I can’t control them.

… wish I had Sarah Jessica Parker’s body frame.

… cry every time I watch the last episode of Sex and the City. And yes, I’ve seen it at least ten times.

… crave popcorn and M&Ms in the same handful when I’m at the movies thanks to a learned behavior in college.

… wish on shooting stars, fallen eyelashes and 11:11 (only if I notice it’s the time).

… delete pictures I don’t think I look cute enough it.

… struggle with my personal fashion from time to time.

… have a hard time throwing away presents from my parents even if it’s old, doesn’t fit or not “me.” So I save them.

… contemplate permanently deleting my Facebook profile.

… love chocolate more than I should.

… hope to start a positive community effort/organization before I’m 40.

… struggle with certain parts of the IT world.

… need more cookbooks, kitchen supplies and spices.

… have an unparalleled love for Mexican and Italian food.

… would like to live in NYC for a period of time.

… feel unpopular or ugly. I thought that was only a high school thing?

… find a way to the silver lining in all situations.

… try to be nice to everyone I meet, no matter how hard it can be.

… get frustrated when I don’t understand.

… care about the number of hits my blog receives, comments I get and occasionally get struck with Blogger Envy.

… miss being on a college campus (at times).

… hug my parents.

… own a library card.

… read real books, you know, the ink and paper kind.

… notice the small things; not as much as I should, but I notice them.

What is do you still…?

Bag, Borrow, Steal

Check out my guest post today on Amber’s blog. Read about “The Things I’ve Learned,” here!

Today I have bagged, borrwed and stolen this meme from SheShe.  

1. My uncle once: owned a houseboat.

2. Never in my life:  will I smoke pot.

3. When I was five: my brother was born.

4. High School was: four years of gossip, drama, who-kissed-who, yearbook editing, excessive dresses for dances and learning to find myself.

5. I will never forget: each wedding I’ve had the honor of being in.

6. I once met: the 1996 St. Louis Cardinals.

7. There’s this girl I know who: is always there for me. Always.

8. Once, at a bar: I walked up to the bouncer, informed him I thought he was hot, and thus began a dating relationship that never should have existed.

9. By noon, I’m usually: making a mental note of when I can eat lunch.

10. Last night: I lazed around with Jack, the laptop and the DVD player. 5 nights in on the recovery and hoping there are only a few left.

11. If only I had: 36 hours in the day.

12. Next time I go to church: Good Friday.

13. The Octomom: needs to seek help, on all levels.

14. What worries me most: is being alone when I’m old.

15. When I turn my head left, I see: the back of my red couch.

16. When I turn my head right, I see: my kitchen.

17. You know I’m lying when: I have no idea. Smile, maybe? I don’t lie much if ever.

18. What I miss most about the eighties: dance class.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be: The King’s ghost. I just think it would be cool.

20. By this time next year: I will be 95% ready to run a half-marathon.

21. A better name for me would be: I wanted it to be Michelle when I was little.

22. I have a hard time understanding: mean people. I just don’t get it.

23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll: after my MBA I would love my M.A. in International Affairs.

24. You know I like you if: I hug you, send you a card, or offer to bake/cook for you.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: my family.

26. Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: Slim Pickens? No idea who/what that is.

27. Take my advice, never: make a decision at night. Don’t make rash decisions.

28. My ideal breakfast is: Scrambled eggs with cheese, sourdough toast with butter & grape jelly and a small side of ham.

29. A song I love, but do not own is: Tina Turner, Proud Mary.

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest: call me so I can give you the off-the-beaten-path type places to go. And the Arch? Really not all that cool.

31. Tulips, character flaws, microchips, & track stars: Irish gave me some last week. Everyone has them. Don’t see the purpose. I was a wannabe in high school.

32. Why won’t people: just get along? If we could all get along on a daily basis I think we really would be happier.

33. If you spend the night at my house: you better like dogs. Jack is very friendly.

34. I’d stop my wedding for: nothing.

35. The world could do without: Bratz dolls, guns(for violence, for food I can be okay), gossip.

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: lose my family. Hell, I’d eat a whole bunch of cockroaches if that meant I’d never lose my family.

37. My favorite blonde is: Aunt who lives in Florida.

38: Paper clips are more useful than: post-its.

39. If I do anything well, it’s: lending a shoulder for support.

40. And by the way: I sincerlely hope spring hurries up.

Downtime

Since 3pm on Thursday I’ve been beautifully dressed in sweats, yoga pants and Hanes white t-shirts for men. I’ve been surrounded by bottles of water, ice packs and medicine bottles. (Post-surgery is the only time in my life that I say “yes,” to drugs.)

Since then:

* I have managed to finish the entire first season of 30 Rock, How to Steal a Million, The Deal and Enchanted all via NetFlix as well as eliminate some really crappy movies I had on my queue.

* Worked from the comfort of my bed.

* Taken three naps with Jack.

* Watched Twilight with my mom.

* Had three milkshakes, the best one from Dairy Queen.

* Attempted to eat scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes with limited success. So far the easy and safe foods are dreamsicles, pudding and Laughing Cow cheese.

* Lost two pounds in two days due to aformentioned diet.

* Played three hours of Wii, from the couch, with Irish.

* Enjoyed many free games on MSN.com

* Talked to Darling about countless things: learning how to knit, new recipes I want to try, post-apartment lease plans, cleaning and more

* Found out that I’m indeed going to New Orleans in July for work; Irish gets to come too!

* Discussing a trip to NYC with my parents and Irish to attend the Grand Opening of my Godfather’s restaurant which prompted lots of day dreaming about things I want to do in NYC

* Decided that I will take Jack for a special dog-grooming next week

* Went from taking pain killers every four hours to every six hours which means I can go to work Monday without being in a complete fog

* Day dreamed about the food I wish I could eat including things like: pizza, mozzerella cheese sticks, nachos, Turkey sandwich and even chips

* Made mental plans for a new workout plan and healthful eating plan to commence once I’m all healed, none of which include the foods I’m day dreaming about.

* Been incredibly thankful for computers, internet, my family, Irish and my friends who have kept me entertained and helped me out the last few days

March 2009 Recap

Current Book(s):
Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
Angels & Demons, Dan Brown
(yes, I’m aware I have been attempting to read these for over a month)

Current Music:
Twilight soundtrack
Otis Redding
Marvin Gaye
Eminem

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Chocolate Animal Crackers
Junior Mints
Cupcakes
Dreaming about all the baked goods I hope to churn out in April

Current Colors:
Orange, but more of a lobster-y orange.

Current Obsessions:
Scanning the real estate sections for houses
Looking at Morkies online
Blog Friends & my Blog Love project
Work

Current Drink:
Water
Diet 7Up

Current Songs:
Love is Worth the Fall, OAR

Current Movie:
Jane Austen Book Club
Twilight
Sex & the City Movie

Current TV Show:
Friends, repeats
30 Rock (love that I can watch them streaming on NetFlix)

Current Fave Photo:
Key West 2007, Bachelorette Trip for my friend KLF who is coming to visit this Memorial Day!

Current Wish-List:
A week long, technology free vacation
My brother to be accepted at Mizzou
More sleep
Lose weight faster

Current Needs:
A personal trainer
To sit down and make a monthly meal plan
Less stress

Current Triumph(s):
90% of my projects are done at work
Thinking positively

Current Bane(s) of my Existence:
Wisdom tooth extraction (boo Thursday April 2nd)
There are only 24 hours in the day
My sweet tooth is insanely strong lately

Current Goal(s):
Really finish a book this time
Lose three pounds
(Note: I did indeed register for classes towards my MBA as per the goal I stated at the end of February.)

Current Indulgence:
Chocolate

Current Blessing:
Family
Jack
Irish

Current Slang or Saying:
n/a

Current (Fav) Outfit:
New Arden B. black top with rouched sleeves and waist, lobster colored flats from Payless and black dress pants.

Current Excitement:
A wedding to attend in a few weeks to kick off wedding season
Beer festival which we are going to for free
New job roles

Current Mood:
Allergy-laden but happy

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you

I have a lot of new readers (hello, friends!) so I thought I’d be lazy do a fairly in-depth meme:

LAYER ONE:

• Name: Nora
• Birthdate: September 29th, 1983
• Birthplace: Ridegewood, New Jersey
• Current location: StL, MidWest
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Black or dark brown, depending on the month
• Height: 5′9
• Righty or lefty: right
• Zodiac sign: Libra

LAYER TWO:

• Your heritage: Italian/English
• The shoes you wore today: Chinese Laundry leopard print heels
• Your weakness: Irish’s cologne, Jack when he’s cuddly, anything chocolate or cheese (not together) and rainy days
• Your fears: Loneliness
• Your perfect pizza: New York style with black & green olives, extra cheese
• Goal you’d like to achieve: running a half-marathon in 2010

LAYER THREE:

• Your most overused phrase on AIM: haven’t used it since college but probably “brb” or “lol.”
• Your first waking thoughts: Must. Hit. Snooze.Button.
• Your best physical feature: arms/abs
• Your most missed memory: Poppy, my grandfather

LAYER FOUR:

• Pepsi or Coke: Dr. Pepper
• McDonald’s or Burger King: No thank you.
• Single or group dates: Love double dates or group dates, but sometimes all you need and want is a single date
• Adidas or Nike: Aasics but currently Adidas since I couldn’t find a good pair of Aasics
• Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Peppermint Tea from Celestial Seasonings, warm, not cold
• Chocolate or vanilla: Both
• Cappuccino or coffee: water

LAYER FIVE:

• Smoke: Once, after high school graduation
• Cuss: Like a sailor when it fits
• Sing: in the car preferably alone
• Take a shower everyday: six days a week (after workouts)
• Do you think you’ve been in love: I am IN love
• Want to go to college: Did my undergrad and working on my Masters. After this, I think I’m done.
• Liked high school: Enough
• Want to get married: Yup
• Believe in yourself: 90% of the time
• Get motion sickness: Only in the backseat of cars
• Think you’re attractive: I struggle with this one
• Think you’re a health freak: I can be. Need to get back to it.
• Get along with your parent(s): Most definitely. They are awesome!
• Like thunderstorms: YES. I’m a rain freak.
• Play an instrument: Used to play the piano, flute and piccolo. Not so much now. Would like to relearn the piano again before I’m 30.

LAYER SIX: In the past month…

• Drank alcohol: Yup, enjoyed some wine at Trivia Night on Saturday
• Smoked: Not a chance
• Done a drug: Allergy meds, advil
• Made out: Yes, of course
• Gone on a date: Yup, Irish treats to me a good date every other week
• Gone to the mall: On Saturday!
• Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No, but I could if I wanted to
• Eaten sushi: Nope, allergic. But I’ve watched people eat it
• Been on stage: No
• Been dumped: Thank goodness, no
• Gone skating: No but watched people skate 
• Made homemade cookies: Yup. Love ‘em.
• Gone skinny dipping: Way too cold in StL for that.
• Dyed your hair: No but I need to. Roots are showing.
• Stolen Anything: No.

LAYER SEVEN: Ever…

• Played a game that required removal of clothing: Yes.
• Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Back in the college days.
• Been caught “doing something”: I have no idea what this means, so I’m going with NO.
• Been called a tease: Never.
• Gotten beaten up: No.
• Shoplifted: Nope.
• Changed who you were to fit in: I will admit it- yes.

LAYER EIGHT:

• Age you hope to be married: Before 28.
• Numbers and names of children: yet to be determined.
• Describe your dream wedding: Really? I have a few versions. So the first one: “Elope,” to NYC City Hall with the man I wish to marry, his family, my family and a best friend on both sides. A weekend celebration with the families before we ship off for a honeymoon. Upon our return a huge ceremony in the StL for all our friends and family who wasn’t at the “eloping.”
• How do you want to die: In my sleep.
• Where you want to go to college: Already did. Mizzou & Webster University
• What do you want to be when you grow up: Happy and to look like Sophia Loren.
• What country would you most like to visit: Italy

LAYER NINE:

• Number of drugs taken illegally: never touched one.
• Number of people I could trust with my life: I can count them on one hand
• Number of CDs that I own: At least 120.
• Number of piercings: Seven
• Number of tattoos: None
• Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Four or five? As captions when I did pseduo-modeling.
• Number of scars on my body: Three little ones from my appendix surgery
• Number of things in my past that I regret: Giving up ballet dancing.

What is one thing I don’t know about you?