Both Melissa and San gave me a Liebster award last month and since part of the award includes listing 11 things about yourself, I thought it was fitting to do this post today!
Before I get started, here are the rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!
1. I pretty much wash my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher. I know many people take a dish from the table to the dishwasher, but I do not trust that the dishwasher will get all the food particles off. So I guess you could say I view my dishwasher as a dish sanitizer since I basically wash off my dishes before putting them in there.
2. I can't handle books or movies that either justify or romanticize infidelity. The best example of this is "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin. I could not stand that book and would never watch the movie.
3. I can pretty much only sleep with a sleep mask or melatonin, but ideally I need both.
4. I like to dip my french fries in spicy dijon mustard and ketchup.
5. When I walk on sidewalks and tiled floors, I try not to step on the cracks. Yes, I realize that makes me like Rain Main.
6. I used to barely be able to run a mile. Now I run marathons. So believe me when I say anyone can run a marathon if they really want to as I have NO natural ability.
7. I eat scrambled eggs with salsa for breakfast almost every day. It's the only breakfast I've found that fills me up until lunch. And no, I don't have high cholesterol. I have it checked every year and it's very low so clearly my body can handle eating more eggs than the typical person does.
8. I am a total urbanite. I love Minneapolis because I can get everywhere I need to go (work, church, Target, B&N, Banana Republic, and the grocery store) on foot! This is why I am struggling with my move to Charlotte - it is NOT a city for urbanites as I will have to drive to get to most of those places.
9. My parents nickname for me when I was growing up was Fritz. I have no idea why. Oh and then we got a cat when I was in high school and we named him Fritz... So I shared a name with a cat.
10. I used to be addicted to Mountain Dew. Now I rarely drink soda.
11. I did Weight Watchers back in 2009 and lost 35 pounds. I've kept the weight off since then and truly believe that program works if you really stick to it!
Now for the questions I was asked!
Here are Melissa's questions for me:
1. Why did you start blogging, and more importantly why have you chosen to continue it over the years?
I started my first blog, An American Girl in France, to help me capture the 3 weeks I spent in France during the summer of 2008. I started this blog when I returned and have continued to blog because of the friendships I've made and the creative writing outlet it provides!
2. What was the ONE most important moment of 2012 for you, and why?
Honestly, it was probably passing the CFA. It was a huge relief and brought me one (big) step closer to having that horrible testing experience behind me!
3. If you were on a deserted island and could have any three things, what would they be?
1) A WIFI connection, 2) My nook that has a never-ending battery life (I would use the WIFI connection to download books), and 3) Clean water to drink.
4. What is your current favorite song that I should be listening to?
I will share one of my all-time favorite songs - The Luckiest by Ben Folds. If I ever get married, this just might be my first dance with my husband.
5. What is one favorite blog post you have written? (post a link!)
The most recent blog post that I am proud of writing and that got a lot of great comments is my Sorry I'm Not Sorry post from last fall about how I have redefined what it means to be 'fun'.
6. Name one of your guilty pleasures.
Mint Condition Mochas from Caribou. I don't get them very often because they are expensive and so bad for you, but I have been treating myself to them lately!
7. If you could give a piece of advice to yourself when you were 15, what would it be?
I would have told my 15 year old self: it gets better (I had a really tough time in high school). I would tell 15-year old Lisa that I'd find a sense of belonging in college and would meet people who love me for who I am - nerdy characteristics and all!
8. What book are you looking forward to reading in the near future?
I am planning on reading Emma in April and will be doing a blog-swap review of it with Becky and Kyla!
9. Tell your readers something they may not know about you!
I drink pickle juice... I know, it's gross, but I love it!
10. You’re told that you have to drop one of your social media accounts- which one, and why?
Probably twitter. I am a really spotty user and can go days without looking at it sometimes.
11. What is one thing that you truly could not live without?
A physical possession I could not live without is honestly my iPhone. It's how I primarily communicate with others, it gets me from point A to point B when I need directions, and it provides music on my walks to and from work.
And now here are San's questions for me!
1. How did you come up with and what's the meaning behind your blog name?
I originally wanted my blog to be "Spinning Yarns" but that was taken so I went with Lisa's Yarns. I thought spinning yarns would have been a fitting name for a space where I'd share the stories of my life that also incorporated one of my favorite hobbies (knitting). These days, I'd like to rename/redesign my blog and I'd call it the Francophile Files.
2. What is one of your must-have beauty products?
These days I'd have to say my Mary Kay concealer as it hides the lovely dark circles I have under my eyes.
3. Are you a coffee or tea drinker? Recommend your favorite store-bought brand.
Coffee. I really like Caribou's French Roast.
4. What is one of the hardest things you ever had to do?
Make the decision to move to Charlotte.
5. Tell me about one of your favorite people. What makes them so special?
My cousin Julie is one of my favorite people. I do not get to see her as often as I would like, but whenever I see her, it's like no time has passed. I can be completely myself in front of her, and she never makes me feel bad for crying (which is good since I cry a lot these days). She's a school counselor so that means she is one of the very best listeners I know. She never judges, she tells you the truth (even when you don't want to hear it), and she gives great advice.
6. What is your all-time favorite movie?
Probably You've Got Mail. I never get sick of that movie and I want to be Kathleen Kelly.
7. If you don't feel like preparing dinner, what's your go-to emergency dish?
I make a baked potato in the microwave. It's easy peasy, filling, and delicious.
8. What is one favorite thing you like to do for yourself?
Run.
9. Do you play an instrument?
Yes, I play the piano and I also played trumpet in high school.
10. How do you keep up with blogs? Do you subscribe by email? Do you use bookmarks? Google Reader? Other blog services?
Google Reader.
11. Tell me one of your favorite blogs to read and why you love it.
Well, I think most of you already read her blog, but I love Amber's blog, Girl with the Red Hair. Hers was the first blog I consistently read/commented on when I started blogging, and she is the first blogger I really connected with, so her blog will always hold a special place in my heart. She's funny and honest and just an all-around wonderful person.
If you are still reading this, you deserve an award! Ha. I don't like to tag people as I don't want anyone to feel left out, so while I am usually a rule-follower, I am going to break that rule! Instead, I'd love it if you answered these 11 questions in your comment or on your blog!
1. If you could live in any other city besides the one you currently live in, which one would you pick?
2. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
3. What is your favorite comfort food?
4. What is the best vacation you've ever been on?
5. How many siblings do you have?
6. If I were to visit the city where you live, what is one thing we would absolutely have to do and one restaurant we'd go to?
7. Do you speed while driving and if so, how many miles (or km) over the speed limit do you usually go?
8. Give me a book recommendation.
9. What is one thing you really want to accomplish in the next 5 years?
10. If you could painlessly change your name, what would you change it to? Or would you prefer to keep your current name?
11. When flying, do you talk to your seat mate, or are you like me and you prefer to remain silent?
I actually burst out laughing about your comment on Fritz, sharing a name with a cat. Just found it so random that I love it. I also basically wash dishes before they go in the dishwasher, but then I remember one time my mom's dishwasher broke and the guy said it was because she washes dishes before putting them in. I can't remember if it was because their was soap still on them, or why this was a problem haha. So sometimes I'll just randomly leave a little something on. Probably a dumb idea. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteThe Luckiest is definitely one of the best songs ever! I should probably get on the eggs and salsa kick for breakfast. I have a terrible time staying full in the morning too.
ReplyDeleteThat mint condition mocha sounds good. I love a nice peppermint mocha from Starbucks, although I have to half the amount of chocolate and mint because they make it so sweet!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first few questions: 1. New York / Sydney / Buenos Aires 2. My Dad 3. Mac n Cheese!
I definitely wash dishes before I put them in the dishwasher. Much easier that way especially to get of all the food stuffs.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you- a WIFI connection if I'm stranded would be the best!
Loved finding more stuff out about you :) We have a dishwasher and never use it. I think it's been used less than 10 times since we moved into our house in 2010. Crazy I know
ReplyDeleteI am just like you re. dishes and the dishwasher! Which also begs the question: if the dishwasher is full, do you rinse off dishes and put them in the sink or do you place them in the sink dirty and rinse them off before putting them in the dishwasher. Sweets and I beg to differ here (I rinse off; he doesn't) and it always causes me such heartache when I load the dishwasher and have to SCRUB plates clean before putting them in the DW. Which also makes me laugh, because Sweets likes to let non-stick pans soak, even though I've never cooked a thing that really requires soaking for a non-stick skillet (the Dutch oven is another story). =)
ReplyDeleteOne of the few cities I would live in besides raleigh has to be Boulder, CO or maybe even San Diego. I've never been to either city, but they have the highest percentage of professional triathletes. There has to be a good reason for that.
ReplyDeleteI eat two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast every day. Now I wonder if I should have my cholesterol checked, ha! They are really my favorite healthy snack.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question, I would move to Orlando in a heartbeat. I have so much love for that city. I've also had my eye on Charleston for a while.
I just might do this one sometime. Fritz the Cat? Funny! I already admire so many things about you, your determination, drive, creativity, work ethic -- but now I know even more and like you even better. (And that dish thing? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!) Loved all these bits! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to do this!
ReplyDeleteThat Caribou coffee drink sounds heavenly. I love all things mint. They don't have Caribou on the west coast/southwest :( Sad day!
I love You've Got Mail too. It's one of those movies I like to put on while I'm cooking or cleaning house -- because listening to it is soothing. Something about Tom Hank's voice. And you remind me of Kathleen Kelly.
First, I read every single word of this post and second thank you so much for the super sweet shout out! It's crazy to think your comment about mizuno shoes has led to our wonderful friendship today which I can't imagine not having!! Can't wait for October!!
ReplyDeleteI do not rinse or wash dishes before putting them in the dishwasher... I probably should since we're starting to discover some very unclean dishes after a run through the dishwasher lately. Ha. If I could live anywhere else I would choose Vancouver or Victoria, though judging by how much sunshine perks me up those might not be the best choices for me. haha.
I always learn something new about people when they do these posts. I now have a craving for a mint condition mocha and no access to a caribou coffee. Lovely song.
ReplyDelete"The Luckiest" is the song Justin and I used for our first dance on our wedding day :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to be Kathleen Kelly :)
ReplyDeleteI often think that I would love to live in Toronto. After this past trip to San Diego, I have to say that I could see the appeal of living there too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as comfort food goes, I love mac & cheese. Also ice cream.
Amber's blog was the first one I started reading on commenting on as well! And I love that is both of our answers, and actually how we "met" as well!
ReplyDelete1. I'd live in New York.
ReplyDelete2. My mom has been the most influential person in my life.
3. Soup is my favourite comfort food.
4. My first trip to New York was the best vacation I've ever been on.
5. I have two siblings.
6. We would go to a restaurant called Bombay, and the other thing we'd have to do is go to another restaurant - Korea House. There is absolutely nothing to do or see in my city.
7. Do you speed while driving and if so, how many miles (or km) over the speed limit do you usually go? I speed a bit in the city, but a bit too much on the highway.
8. Book recommendation: The Know it All, by A.J. Jacobs.
9. I'd like to complete a PhD in the next 5 years.
10. I might change it to Piper.
11. I don't like to talk to my seatmate unless I am traveling with them.
Ah, I love Ben Folds The Luckiest!!
ReplyDeleteFavorite comfort food - sweet potato fries
I typically drive 5-7 mph over the speed limit.
Favorite vacation - tie between 3 weeks in Europe (because it was AMAZING and so eye opening) and Puerto Vallarta vacation with Pete (because it was the most relaxed I've ever been on a vacation and it was beautiful and our first real vacation together).
So happy you decided to do this! Listening to Ben Folds while reading all your answers :)
ReplyDeleteI remember that specific blog post you linked to in my questions. I loved that one and can very much relate to it!
1. London
ReplyDelete2. My grandfather
3. Egg noodles with butter
4. It's too hard to pick, maybe Alaska or Portugal
5. 1
6. Take a walk in Riverside Park south and eat at Scarpetta
7. I speed while walking, does that count?
8. The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen
9. A successful relationship... kids... ;)
10. Hmmm, I don't love or hate my name, but I can't think of a name I'd change it to
11. I'll chat for a couple of minutes, but I prefer the majority of the travel time to be spent with just me and my ipod