a noninclusive list of things I love

Noninclusive sounds like a weird word, but I think it's the right one! (:

- caramel crunch cocoa from Glas - it's been way too long.

- living in Door County, especially in the fall

- exposed brick, especially older facades (is that the correct word?) like this one at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis

- the 200 or so musicians I consider family

- watching SNL on Hulu now that Parks & Rec is over

- when my NatureBox arrives

- spending too much time browsing the aisles at Target

- fun knee high socks

- bright blue skies with the perfect white clouds

- all the funny tees on Skreened

- picture books, most especially those written/illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

- American Eagle jeans, which I can be found wearing 99% of the time

- The Traveling Suitcase's Nobody Wins album - I can't stop listening to it!

- Chimes ginger chews. because yes.

xoxo.

that's not my name

a couple weeks ago, Meghan did a really cute post about nicknames, and I wanted to do one too!

I don't really have any nicknames that just anyone is allowed to call me, but certain people are allowed to call me certain things, so here goes.

Ursula - back in elementary school, one of the boys in our class decided that some of us girls did something to lose letters in our name. somehow I gained an "L" in there too. mine stuck (while the others didn't), and I still have a friend who calls me that today.

Urse - this one goes along with the one above, and Cassy actually usually calls me Urse instead of Ursula.

Terese - it's a very bad idea to call me this (or Treese, which is much worse). only Elise can get away with it and she usually pronounces it Tuh-REESE. haha.

Terese Louise - somehow the girls in my gym class sophomore year started calling me this.

Treesa - just like Theresa is a misspelling that makes me angry, Treesa is a mispronunciation that drives me crazy!

Miss Teresa - this doesn't really count as a nickname, but this is what the kids and church and the Y typically call me, and therefore the other women I teach with call me that. sometimes my manager at the motel calls me this.

Little Miss - I'm not 100% sure why, but Ruby calls me Little Miss every time she sees me!

Crimson Chin (later shortened to Chin) - once I started attending public school in 8th grade, I befriended these two girls named Erin and Heather, and they (along with a few others) liked to make fun of my "sideways butt chin." in high school, the two of them, along with our friend Kyle, started calling me the Crimson Chin, like the character from the Fairly Odd Parents (right?). it has since been shortened to Chin. I put up with it from them.

Erin and one of her drawings, September 2011 in Intro to Mac class

T - you have to really be close with me for me to let this one slide. I really like this one, but I just don't let anyone call me that. it has to be initiated by me signing something with just a T for me to be okay with it. although, Barrett starting calling me that randomly, and I think melanie picked up on it from him, but I don't really mind from the two of them.

xoxo.

survey says... I'm terrible at titles and answering questions.

I totally stole this from someone's tumblr so that I would have something else to post this week. (:

    1. If you could have chosen your own birth name, what would it be?

I don't know! it's hard because I already know what my name is and I think that it works, so... I was almost a Zoey though!

    2. Do you have a piece of jewelry you wear every single day?

yes, I have a little gold ring in the shape of a heart (it's kind of pretzel-looking) with a diamond in it. my parents gave it to me for my seventeenth birthday. they did this with my sister as well because my mom wanted my dad to be the first man to give us a diamond! it's a right hand ring that I wear on my ring finger and it frames a freckle absolutely perfectly.

I also pretty much wear the same earrings (some round faux diamonds from Lia Sophia) because I am too lazy to change them!

99% of the jewelry you will see me wear (which is rarely anything other than these pieces) is gold.

    3. Do you collect anything? If so, what? If not, what would you collect if you had the money/resources?

I used to collect stickers when I was younger and I had a whole notebook full of them! I don't really think I collect anything now. I take a lot of pictures though if that counts, and I do tend to save cute little notes and things that make me smile.

    4. What's your favorite video game console and your favorite game for that console?

my sister and I shared a GameBoy Color when we were younger, and my favorite games were Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (except ours wouldn't save, so I don't think either of us ever got through the whole thing) and we had a Backstreet Boys one that I liked.

    5. Yogurt or pudding?

to me, yogurt is more of a breakfast/snack item (love it with granola and an apple) and pudding is more of a dessert, so both?

    6. If you could get one tattoo without any pain for free, would you? What would you get and where on your body?

I already have two tattoos, so yes yes yes! I have a few more that I want to get, one of which is a peacock feather on my side.

    7. Do you still talk to the friends you had when you were a child?

nope

    8. If you could take over a country, what country would it be?

Genovia (;

    9. Do you prefer your Ramen as a pasta with less broth, or more like a soup with more broth?

it has been forever since (the one time) I had ramen! I would say soup though.

    10. Do you have an accent? If so, what kind?

 I don't think so... maybe ask someone who isn't from around here and they would say I have a northern/midwestern accent.

    11. How do you pronounce pecan?

puh-KON usually

    12. Did you have a blankie or stuffed animal you carried everywhere as a toddler?

not that I am aware of

    13. Sunrise or sunset?

both! though I never catch one when I try

    14. Are you good at card games?

I don't think so

    15. Favorite kind of Poptarts?

cinnamon brown sugar. no wait, red velvet.

    16. Rainy weather, snowy weather, or sunny weather?

that really depends on where I am, what I'm doing, and my mood! {I am not answering these questions very well...}

    17. Are/were you in any after school activities in school? If so, what one(s)?

I was in swimming when I was younger, but I would not do it competitively (I refused). I was also a part of Peer Ministry my junior year of high school, which was a really great group of people. they meant a lot to me than I realized at the time. during my senior year, I also helped manage the boys' swim team, but to this day I question my motive for that one.

    18. At what age did you develop your first crush? Share a story about it if you wish.

I liked this boy in my class when I was in elementary school. nothing to serious though because my friend liked the same one and I had to change my mind and like his friend instead? anyway... I guess the first time I really "fell" for a guy, I was in high school. nothing came out of it though.

    19. McDonalds or Burger King?

neither, but McDonald's if I really had to choose. I never liked Burger King, but I have many memories of MacDons when I was younger.

    20. White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate?

milk or dark, as long as it's not Dove dark chocolate.

    21. Coffee or tea and what kind?

 really, neither. I like lattes and mochas, but not straight coffee. and every time I've had tea, I haven't liked it. but a chai tea latte? yes please!

    22. Favorite memory from a sleepover with your best friend?

at a sleepover for one of my friend's birthdays in 5th grade, we watched Mean Girls. it must have just been out on VHS. then we were talking about who we liked and I left the room because I didn't want to admit to liking one of the boys in our class?

    23. Favorite brand of chips? (i.e. Doritos, Lays, Tostidos)

I recently had Boulder Canyon Natural Foods Hickory Barbeque Kettle Chips, and they were really good. Popped! does a sweet potato chip at some point in the year that I really like too.

    24. What's your favorite place to eat out at?

 I don't really go out to eat a lot, but the last couple times I've grabbed lunch while shopping in Green Bay, it's been Noodles & Co. (even though I really wanted Panera)

    25. Favorite scented candle fragrance?

I'm currently burning Amaretto Nog from Whiteout Wicks, and I do like sweeter, bakery-type scents.

    26. When you go to the mall, where's the first place you always seem to go to?

this one is way harder than necessary... I'm going to say World Market when I go to Appleton, even though it's not "in" the mall.

    27. Do you enjoy mosh pits?

the only "most pits" I've been in were at high school dances, so I'm going to go with no.

    28. Favorite sound track from any video game or movie?

I can't say I have one.

    29. Do you prefer to drink out of plastic or glass cups?

glass

    30. Do you prefer minty gum or fruity gum? What's your favorite brand?

 minty, for sure. currently I have Orbit's Sweet Mint, but I like 5 gum as well.

xoxo.

fifty questions

the other day, I was scrolling through my posts on tumblr, and I found this survey. I thought that this would be a fun "getting to know you" thing to do over here (:

    1. What's your favorite candle scent?

I love vanillas, apple scents, and dessert scents! (:

    2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

Kelly Osbourne!

    3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?

Jack Osbourne!

    4. How old do you think you'll be when you get married?

oh God, who really knows. I tend to go back and forth on whether or not I want to be married.

    5. Do you know a hoarder?

I like to keep things. does that mean I'm a hoarder?

    6. Can you do a split?

hahaha no.

    7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike?

7 or 8, I think.

    8. How many oceans have you swam in?

I've swam in the Atlantic Ocean, but I've also been in the Pacific Ocean.

    9. How many countries have you been to?

just the U.S. and Canada.

    10. Is anyone in your family in the army?

my grandpa was in the Navy, one of my uncles was in the National Guard (I think it was that branch), and my ex-brother-in-law was in the Coast Guard.

    11. What would you name your daughter if you had one?

hmmm....I don't know!

    12. What would you name your son if you had one?

Thomas Edward

    13. What's the worst grade you got on a test?

probably a C

    14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child?

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

    15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight?

a piece of pizza? was that when I was eight?

    16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?

I read most of the HP series. I think I got halfway through book five.

    17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?

an American accent, because if I had a British accent, I wouldn't be able to hear it.

    18. Did your mother go to college?

she did not finish college.

    19. Are your grandparents still married?

not to the people they were originally married to, but three of the four are married to the people they have been married to all my life (that includes the deceased and this sounds a lot more confusing than I meant).

    20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?

no

    21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?

yes

    22. What's the first amusement park you've been to?

Bay Beach in Green Bay

    23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in?

French, and I'm working on it

    24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?

grey

    25. Is your father bald?

not quite

    26. Do you know triplets?

no

    27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?

Titanic

    28. Have you ever had Indian food?

no

    29. What's the name of your favorite restaurant?

I don't really go out to eat that often, so I don't exactly have a favorite.

    30. Have you ever been to Olive Garden?

yes

    31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, BJ's, etc.)?

Sam's Club

    32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?

see number twelve

    33. If you have a nickname, what is it?

T

    34. Who's your favorite person in the world?

I know so many wonderful musicians, and they are my favorite people.

    35. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs?

suburbs

    36. Can you whistle?

yes

    37. Do you sleep with a nightlight?

no

    38. Do you eat breakfast every morning?

yes

    39. Do you take any pills or medication daily?

no

    40. What medical conditions do you have?

nothing clinical

    41. How many times have you been to the hospital?

I've never spent the night in a hospital.

    42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?

yes

    43. Where do you buy your jeans?

American Eagle

    44. What's the last compliment you got?

"you're wonderful"

    45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?

sometimes

    46. What flavor tea do you enjoy?

I like chai tea lattes (:

    47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

nineteen

    48. What religion will you raise your children to practice?

Catholicism

    49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn't real?

I have no idea!

    50. Why do you have a blog?

 to keep the words with the pictures and the memories.

xoxo.

I started typing and this is what happened.

I have no idea where this post is going to end up, but here is a picture of some purple flowers. Sometimes I think of things that I could write about, and then I sit down in front of a blank post and my mind goes blank and I just keep typing about nothing. Like right now, for example.

Maybe I should just turn this into a post where I write some random facts about me. Except one of my high school math teachers (he taught Algebra II and Probability & Statistics) said that humans cannot do random.

Moving on.

I usually have no plans on Wednesdays, and sometimes I stay in my apartment all day and I don't do anything too productive. For example today (which is technically now yesterday, because I published this on Thursday - and now I'm writing in weird tenses and this is like being inside my head), I didn't do my hair or makeup (but I'm wearing real clothes!) and I just watched Celebrity Wife Swap and Cupcake Wars and read a book and did some journaling. I was going to go for a walk, but then I was like, "Nahhhh. I'll do some laundry and schedule some appointments instead."

I just did a search for MySpace surveys so that I can answer some questions or whatever instead of writing about nothing at all. I never actually had a MySpace...

Here goes...

1. I love... my jobs even though sometimes I don't show it. I love working with the kids and all of the amazing people that I have become connected with through the motel. (This prompt made me think of a quote from Children's Liturgy of the Word this week: "I love love. My daddy throws me up in the air and says, 'Woo hoo!' and then I fall in his lap."

2. Right now I want... to brush my teeth. I'll be right back.

3. I feel like... sometimes everything is my responsibility when it isn't. I also feel like sometimes I am more negative than necessary.

4. I hate it when... things aren't clean.
 
5. I fear... that life is too short, not just for me but for everyone.
 
6. I'm lonely without... music.
 
7. I need... a new catalytic converter for Luna and to schedule some appointments for birthday prep.
 
8. Today I... watched Cupcake Wars and they put seafood in cupcakes and it was gross.
 
9. Tomorrow I'm... going to work with the kids and at the motel. You really never know what's going to happen at either place.
 
10. I just... want a hug.
 
11. I want to meet... the Osbournes.
 
12. I'm hungry for... bbq pulled pork, which I have been craving since Kelsey and I went to Olive Garden for lunch last Monday and only ate carbs (and cheese).
 
13. I love it when... someone stops by the motel to say hi to me. 
14. I'm afraid of... raw meat and insects.
 
15. I'm listening to... James Hall and Liv Mueller. The song is called "One Last Drink of You."
 
16. I'm wearing... American Eagle jeans (as always), a v-neck tee, and a USC hoodie.
 
17. I wish I was in... I'm drawing a blank on this one because I don't really have an answer.
 
18. I'm craving... cupcakes. There's a box of cupcake mix in my kitchen, but I'm saving that for my birthday.
 
19. I want to get... more clothes. But nothing ever looks like something I would wear.
 
20. I can... fold a fitted sheet correctly.
 
21. I can't... do a cartwheel.
 
22. I have... spent too much money at Target in my life.
 
23. I haven't... been outside of North America.
 
24. I'm nervous to... move away from Door County.
 
25. My Mom thinks I'm...  I should move to a big city so she can come and visit me.
 
26. My Dad thinks I'm... I don't even know what to say to this one. I just really don't know.
 
28. I'm happy when...
 
29. I'm sad when... everyone sees rainbows and posts pictures on Facebook and Instagram, but I didn't get to see the rainbows. (It was actually a double rainbow, and it was pretty big.)
 
30. I like eating... ice cream, cupcakes, pizza, pasta, and cereal. But lest you think all I eat is junk food, I do like fresh fruit and yogurt and smoothies with spinach.
 
31. I hate eating... most vegetables. Like broccoli and squash and beans and such. Yuck.
 
32. I love watching... trashy tv, such as the Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant shows, the Hills, Celebrity Wife Swap...
 
33. I love listening to... music. All the time.
 
34. I like playing... When I was younger, I had a GameBoy Color with the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets game, and I would play that a lot. Except the game was kind of broken and wouldn't save, so I never made it to the end.
 
35. I hate waking up to... people talking outside... Thanks, moving company on Tuesday.
 
36. I can see... clearly now, the rain is gone. Just kidding. (: I'm in the dining room and I can see a mess on the table (where I am sitting), into the pantry, and a photograph on the wall.
 
37. I'm glad that... things are going the way they are. Sometimes life throws you a curveball (is that the right saying?), but I believe that everything will work out in the end exactly how it was supposed to be, because it's not over until it's over.
 
38. I'm disappointed that... I turned down some opportunities that could have been beautiful, but there's always an opportunity for more beauty to come along.
 
39. I look like... myself?
 
40. I wish I looked like... Sometimes I wish I looked like Geri X. Okay, maybe not look like her (because that would be a little creepy), but I do sometimes wish that I could pull of colored hair or full sleeves tattoos.

xoxo.

numbers

Erin did a fun post about her life in numbers, and I contemplated doing a similar post. Then Halie did one too, and I knew that it would be a really fun idea! Thanks for the inspiration, ladies! (:

112,696 :: number of miles on my Volkswagen Beetle

0 :: number of times I've been outside of North America

1305 :: number of songs on my iTunes

5 :: number of times I have seen Delaney Davidson in concert

8 :: number of cameras I have owned

1 :: number of tattoos I currently have

12 :: number of Geri X cds I own {plus a few more just on iTunes}

4 :: number of schools I have attended

22 :: number of black shirts I own + 1 black sweater + 2 black cardigans + 1 black hooded sweatshirt

55 :: number of Lip Smacker lip balms I own {some of these are the same flavor in different packaging}

95 :: number of profile pictures I have had on Facebook in a little more than seven years

22,909 :: number of photos currently in my iPhoto {the main reason I back my computer up every month}

4 :: number of pairs of boots I own {also the number of pairs of heels I own}

16 :: number of letters in my full name

3 :: number of hotels I've stayed at in the past five months

4.1 :: number of years I have been with my current job

{I would have counted all of my books, but they are all over in a bunch of different boxes and places right now.}

xoxo.

10 Things I Like About Me

I saw some "Ten Things I Like About Myself" posts floating around, and I thought that that was a great post idea for self-confidence boosting, so here goes nothing!

1. my green eyes. both my parents and sister have blue eyes, so how I ended up with green eyes is beyond me.

{Instagram filter + iPhone camera makes my eyes look grey}

2. my strength. not like physical strength, because I don't really have a lot of that, but emotional strength. I've been through a lot the past few years (including, most recently, my parents' divorce), but I believe that I am able to work through the obstacles and continue to strive for my goals.

3. my independence. I am about to get my first apartment, and while it's scary to know that I will be living by myself, I know that I can do it. I just traveled to a big city for a few days, and coming from a small town, that was nerve wracking! the traffic was crazy and there were so many more people than I am used to, but I was safe and everything was okay.

4. my love for photography. it's so cool to me that everyone sees things in their own ways, and I love to capture the way that I see things.

{James Hall, Jimm McIver, & Andrea Wittgens // Dark Songs 2013}

5. my hair color. I have never dyed my hair (and I don't want to). it's a mix of light brown/blonde/brown/reddish. it looks different depending on the lighting.

6. my love for reading. I might not always have a lot of time for reading, but when I do, I love love love to read.

7. my tattoo. it means something to me, and it always will.

{fresh ink // 29 May 2013}

8. my memory and memories. I remember some pretty little things, like conversations with people, or significant dates.

9. my education. I worked hard and achieved my associate's degree in a field that I love.

10. my sweet tooth. there, I said it. I like cupcakes and I cannot lie.

{Cupcake in Minneapolis}

xoxo.

Eleven Questions

Ashley at Mixed-Up Mayhem nominated me for a Liebster Award! I'm really bad at coming up with questions for other bloggers and tagging other bloggers, but I will for sure answer her questions because they are some really great getting-to-know-you questions! {I'm also really bad at getting-to-know-you/about me things because I never know what to say!}

Thanks Ashley for giving me something to blog about today!! (:

1. Favorite color for nail polish and favorite color to wear as a shirt. Go!

I love most colors of nail polish, but my go-to color is OPI's Ski Teal We Drop.

I wear a lot of black shirts, but I also like to wear blues and greens.

2. What states have you lived in? 

Just Wisconsin. (:

3. Where is the one place you have never been, but really want to visit the most?

Paris!!!

4. What's one food you never get tired of?

 Cupcakes.

5. Tattoos - yes or no? If yes, share! If no, would you?

Yes. One down and more to go, I'm sure. Here's a picture of my tattoo, and you can read the post about it here.

6. Mac or PC? iPhone or Droid?

Mac & iPhone hands down. I'm a bit of an Apple junkie. (;

7. What is your favorite thing to do when you spend time alone?

Read, paint my nails, blog, go for a drive, watch reality tv...

8. Who is your favorite author?

This is a tough one! I used to love Lisi Harrison and Sophie Kinsella's books, but I can't really say that I have a favorite author. I am currently loving Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret.

9. What is your favorite thing to blog about? 

I just really love sharing pictures!

10. Your favorite family tradition?

Whenever we all get together, there is a lot of food and a lot of laughter. My aunt always brings the best homemade desserts.

11. Favorite movie?

I don't really watch a lot of movies, but I would probably say The Breakfast Club or Breakfast at Tiffany's. The last movie I watched was Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and that was back in late August!

xoxo.

I own twenty-six black tops...

...and other random facts.

via

* I'm not really a dog person, but I love little dogs with wrinkly faces (like Boston terriers and these French bulldogs) - so cute!

*I've never baked a cake.

*Most of the pins on my Pinterest are on the recipe board... {like nearly half...}

*Things that I always will buy more of: phone cases, lip balm, scarves, stationery, nail polish, and cardigans. {this should be a post in and of itself!}

via

*I laugh a lot.

*I want to meet the Osbournes and Carson Kressley.

*I usually put mascara on my right eye before my left eye.


xoxo.

I believe in pretty band-aids.

why would I want to hide something ugly with something else that's ugly?

on Sunday afternoon, I was washing some dishes at work, like usual. I was washing a polka-dotted glass that I had washed many times before, in fact, the dish that I had just washed was an identical one! my hand was inside the glass, and I turned my hand and must have put some weird pressure on the glass, because the next thing I knew, a triangular chunk of the glass broke off and my hand was bleeding in two places. I grabbed a clean rag out of the drawer next to me, and applied pressure to my hand while I walked into the other room and stared at the first aid supplies. I thought it would be a smart idea to clean the wounds with an alcohol wipe, but it really wasn't. it stung so much! I wasn't too impressed by all of the ugly band-aids on the shelf, so I went to my purse, where I have some pretty ones stashed. those were the ones I used, of course! these are Cynthia Rowley band-aids that I picked up at Target, but I'm sure they sell them anywhere you can buy Band-Aid brand bandages.

for the record, I previously had Candy Land band-aids {Target dollar spot}, but I used them all.

here's another similar story. when I was a junior in high school, I somehow managed to close my finger into a car door. I still don't even know how that is possible. after a few weeks and a doctor's appointment where a hole was burned into my fingernail to release pressure, my nail fell off. this happened about two weeks before my junior prom, so I made my dad buy pretty band-aids for me. they didn't have any Disney Princess ones, so I settled for a box of Barbie band-aids. and guess what? I just looked through pictures from junior prom, and there wasn't a band-aid on my finger. oops.

blood and fingers lacking fingernails. hopefully that is not a story that will be told again over here.

xoxo.

two truths + one lie

I'm linking up today with The Circle {Kiki & Elizabeth} for two truths and a lie!



1. the last movie I saw in the theater was Cars 2.
2. my senior year, I was a runner up for the superlative of "most unique" {and my sister was too when she was in high school.}
3. half of the shirts in my closet are white.

so which one do you think is a lie?? leave a comment below, and I'll post the answer on Friday with my Ten on Ten post!

xoxo.

tagged times three - an about me

I was tagged for the Sunshine Award & Six Things by Nicole, and the Liebster Award by Audrey! Nicole & Audrey are two of my previous partners from Cara Box! (:

I forgot that I was tagged for these until I saw the questions in my drafts, so I'll just answer the questions as kind of a getting to know you thing.

Six Things

Choose 6 questions you'd like:
What is your favorite animal and why?
Would you prefer a city break or a sun, sea, and sand vacation?

Both. Hello, Los Angeles.

If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
How many countries have you traveled to?  How many of the 50 states?

Aside from the United States, I've only been to Canada. I've visited thirteen states: Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, California, and Missouri. I've also stepped into Florida {well, I spent a few hours in/on Amelia Island}, and I think I've driven through Indiana and Ohio.

What is your favorite thing about yourself (or quality you like in others if you don't wanna talk about yourself)?
What is the best advice someone has ever given you? 
What did you want to be when you grew up and what do you do now?

I think I wanted to be a teacher, or something in the fashion industry. I also wanted to be a ballerina at one point. I currently work at a hotel, and I think I'm going to be stuck in the hospitality industry for life! (;

What is a pet peeve of yours?

When people leave the light on when they're not using it! Like, I can understand if you don't want the room to be completely dark, but if you leave on all of the lights it drives me crazy!

What is the LAST concert you went to?

Todd Carey on my birthday!!!

What is something not a lot of people would know about you?

I pray a decade of the rosary every morning.


Sunshine Award

1. What is one thing that defined your childhood? (like, for me, I would say Harry Potter or Pokemon!)

I don't know! I used to play with Barbies and my American Girl doll {Kit} a lot when I was younger.

2. What is the last book you've read?

I am currently reading Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven & Hell with Black Sabbath by Tony Iommi, and I just finished {an abridged version of} the Wizard of Oz.

3. What is your favorite holiday and why? 

I would say Halloween, but my mom always says that that is not a holiday, so I will go with Christmas, because my dad's side of the family always gets together at my grandparents' house for dinner and presents and hanging out.

4. Which fictional character would you love to meet?

I used to be obsessed with the Clique by Lisi Harrison when I was in middle school/high school, and I would love to meet Massie Block so I could raid her closet! (;

5. What was your favorite activity in gym class?

When I was in high school, we used to get to go in the weight room a few days a week, and I would walk on the treadmill. Also, our gym teacher would make sure that we went for a walk or went cross country skiing at least once! Those were always fun trips.

6. Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska and why?

I would love to see both, so I guess it depends on what time of year it was! If it was summer, I would say Alaska, since that is when it is the mildest there, but if it was winter, I would want to escape from the snow here, so I would choose Hawaii for the weather and to visit my friend Meaghan who spends most of the year in Hawaii now.

7. What would your perfect day consist of?

reading and writing and photographing and laughter!

8. What was your first job?

I worked at Arby's for about two and a half years while I was in high school. There is photographic proof of this thanks to my grandmother.

9. Gold or silver?

Gold, hands down.

10. Do you collect anything? 

Well, I have a lot of Vera Bradley, but I don't know if that is really a collection. You know those machines at zoos and museums and such that flatten a penny and imprint a design on it? I have some of those somewhere.

I keep a lot of notes and stuff, and I have kept a lot of stuff related to school, work, personal life, and blogging.

11. What's your zodiac sign? Do you 'believe' in it?

I'm a Leo. I don't really believe in that kind of stuff, but I do think that it is interesting to read my horoscope sometimes.

Liebster Award

1. What is your favorite book?

hmmm. I don't know if I really have a favorite book. I guess my standard answer for this one is always The Lord of the Flies, which I read in seventh grade, but there aren't really any books that I can say stand out for a favorite.

2. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging so that I could have a place to share photos and stories, and so that I would remember what my life was like years down the road.

3. Who inspires you the most?

I am so blessed to have so many incredible people in my life. Among that group, many of them are musicians, and from that demographic, there is one person who stands out more than all of the rest: Miss Geri X. I've probably blogged before about how her music changed my life, and that is the truth. I feel like every song of hers applies to my life in some way.

April 2012

Plus she made that kickass pistol and heart lamp in the picture, and in addition to her art of music {vocals, guitar, keys, etc.}, she does some really pretty drawings. I would love to have her design a tattoo for me someday.

4. Any advice for new bloggers?

Enjoy yourself, share what you want to share, and don't be afraid to meet new people!

5. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to take photos, bake, and paint my nails, and read, of course!

6. Do you have a favorite workout? If so, what?

hahaha. No. Sometimes I like to go for a walk, does that count?

7. What is your greatest achievement so far?

Um, I graduated high school? I am completing my last few credits to graduate with my associate's degree in hotel/restaurant management in December, and I haven't really done a whole lot with my life yet. I'm only twenty!

8. What is your favorite movie?

I don't really watch a lot of movies, but I would have to say that my favorite is probably the Breakfast Club.

9. What is one of your goals for the future?

I would like to move out of Door County and get a job where I can travel.

10. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

There are so many places that I would love to visit! I want to go back to Los Angeles; I want to see more of Canada and more of the United States; I would also love to visit Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

11. What is your favorite TV show?

There are only a few shows that I actually watch, and I would have to say that Modern Family is my favorite.

xoxo.

slef-portrait.

I don't take very many pictures of myself anymore. I think that's maybe because when I was in high school, I took probably hundreds of pictures of myself, not necessarily out of vanity, but out of boredom.

Today's topic on Blogtember is "a self portrait."

Last night, I went out and took some pictures. It was pretty hard, as I don't have a tripod and it was really windy and cold. Oh, and because I was eaten alive by mosquitoes. I'm sure you will notice the two giant red spots on my face.

sweater: Target // tee: Old Navy // tank top: Target

daughter.

sister.

niece.

cousin.

aunt.

granddaughter.

friend.

employee.

Target shopper.

cupcake baker.

telephone answerer.

smoothie drinker.

preschool instructor.

Sunday school teacher.

photograph taker.

music listener.

book & blog reader.

blog writer.

Instagram addict.

color lover.

Volkswagen driver.

Catholic.

student.

and so much more.

I feel really weird sharing pictures of myself on my blog, and I'm not sure why.

and here's a preview video of what will be on the blog soon:

xoxo.

Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging

today's topic for Blogtember was to take this personality test and blog about the results.

Introvert - okay, while I agree with this one, I don't think it's actually that extreme. I do have a large number of acquaintances and I also talk with a lot of people every day for work and such, but I guess I do spend more time hanging out by myself than with other people.

Sensing - this means that I prefer to see things in more of a concrete way than an abstract way. I would agree with this one!

Thinking - objective criteria over personal preference. I can see how I'm kind of in the middle for this one.

Judging - tend to plan in advance; prefer predictability. I think that this one is pretty accurate as well. I have my set schedule, that's for sure.

xoxo.

where I come from

for the first eight years of my education, I attended a pretty small Catholic school. I think at one point, the size of my class increased to eleven kids. when I attended St. Joe’s, we would go to Mass together as a school once a week, aside from my final year, when we went twice a week. I also went to Sunday Mass with my parents every week growing up, and I continue to do so. I was an altar server for - I believe - six years, and since then, I have been assisting {and now sometimes teaching} Children’s Liturgy of the Word, which is kind of like Sunday school, for the past four and a half years. my strong Catholic background definitely plays a great part in my beliefs today. maybe this is a decision that was initially made for me when I was baptized at a month old, but twenty years later, it is a decision that I continue to make for myself. do I have to attend Mass every Sunday? no. do I have to teach the future generation about God and his love for us? no. but I do both of these things anyway.

so here we are in first grade {let's all ignore my outfit... what was my mother thinking?!}

I actually think that public school changed me the most. I mean, I was kind of thrown into it, and I didn’t really want to be there. but I made some friends, and I grew, and I had different life experiences, and then I was done. and now, here I am at a different school that I don’t really like, but I just need to remember that I’m almost done there and every little thing is going to be alright.

eighth grade class picture. give or take a few people, this is who I spent five years of public school with.

moving on. where else do I come from? my family, of course, plays a large part in where I am today. maybe things aren’t going the way that I had imagined that they would, maybe my family structure isn’t ideal, but my family is still my family no matter what. one of the things that I’ve learned from my family, especially this past year, is that things don’t always turn out the way that you want them to be, but you can make the best of it. things change, and maybe that isn’t what you wanted, but it’s what you were given and you need to find a way to deal with it.

Christmas 2010 - my dad's side of the family

another place that I come from is Door County. you know, the thumb of Wisconsin. it’s pretty tiny, and everyone seems to know everyone else and everything about every other person. I guess that’s pretty annoying because it’s like high school never ends and everyone always has to have the top gossip on what’s going on, but it’s really pretty here. I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of this glorious place in the past couple years. summers and autumns up here can get pretty busy and crazy with all of the people who flock to “the Cape Cod of the Midwest” for their vacations, but once winter hits, it gets quiet and cold. it’s still pretty, but it can get pretty sad-looking after a while.

ahhhh classic Door County

the final place that I come from would definitely have to be the place where I work and all of the people who have come into my life because of that magical building. because of that place, I’ve met so many different individuals. not one of their stories is the same as someone else’s, and they’ve all touched my life. I’ve learned so much from those people, and they are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. thank God for those people - my second family.

photo by Len Villano, February 2013. and this is only a small fraction of those wonderful people...

I guess maybe the moral of all of these rambling is that I come from change. things change all the time, and we just have to roll with the punches and pretend that Teresa isn’t just rambling on about who knows what.

xoxo.