Getting to know me...
This week I'm lacking in the motivation/inspiration departments, so I'm piggybacking on Helene's #Blogtober challenge.I've actually been meaning to do a 10 Things About Me post. I feel like even though you guys see my adventures, I'm usually telling a general story and showing pictures that I'm not usually in (I prefer to be behind the camera). Plus, I really hate talking about myself. Can that be thing number one? No? Okay, well here it goes...
10 things you may or may not want to know about Andrea...
Tina Fey is my hero.
Once upon a time, Tina Fey did a really great Sarah Palin impersonation and people everywhere started telling me that I looked like her. Prior to that, I was a Fey fan, but not much more than the average SNL watcher. Then one day I saw her interviewed and she was amazing. So smart. So witty. AND I had no idea that she was actually a writer. Naturally, I Googled her so I could know her entire life story and alas, I had found my spirit animal celebrity. Next came 30 Rock. Hilarious. Then Bossypants. Genius. It is my dream to be a writer beyond PR and my dinky blog so seeing her work and success is inspiring. Hey Tina, are you hiring?
I have an unhealthy attachment to animals - specifically, my dog.
I love all animals, especially the furry kind. Kyle can attest, every time we see a stray dog or cat I want to pick it up and take it home with us. Of course, I would try to find its owner, but if that didn't work, you better believe I'd keep it. But my biggest attachment is probably to my Junebug. She is my fur baby. She goes everywhere with me, follows me around the house and wants to cuddle every second of every day. I'd totally let her if I could. Just look at that face! There's no saying no, just embrace the kisses and cuddles.
I am the youngest of three girls - by a lot.
My sisters are eight and 10 years older than me. I know what you're thinking - no, I wasn't an accident. Actually, I was a miracle - I'll leave it at that. On that same note, Kyle and his siblings have the same year spread, which is kind of crazy. It's not very common. You know when you read those articles that tell you the characteristics of children based on whether they're the oldest, middle, youngest, etc.? I always fall in the middle of the "youngest" and "only child" category. Independent, yet really attached to my parents. Spoiled but good at tolerating others. Because my sisters are so much older, I hung around adults a lot as a kid. People always said I had an "old soul" and my friends were often older than me. Cribbage anyone?
My biggest secret I try to hide from people I first meet is...
My family moved here from southern California... Shhh! I really don't want to be flogged for admitting that to the interwebs. BUT we moved here when I was five so I officially can declare (at least myself) a native. It was 1991 when we moved here - long before it was the trendy thing to do. Before I was aware of the negative stigma surrounding California, I was actually really proud of being from there. I love the beach, the Beach Boys, sunny weather, and all things Disney. It's the newer generations that have changed the culture from what was the fun, laid-back California of yesteryear to the hyper-consumers of today that makes it so lame. Way to ruin a good thing. Someday I'd love to live by the ocean again. Seattle? Portland? Alaska?
Once a Coug, always a Coug...
I'm sure you've noticed by now that I went to Washington State University. I majored in journalism and minored in creative writing (the most useless minor ever - but I LOVE it). There, I met some of my best friends and had probably the most traumatic first-year-of-college ever but for no one particular reason. Once I got over my separation anxiety and moved out of the prison dorms, my experience was much better. After school, I worked at the Coeur d'Alene Press for a short stint before selling out to the dark forces of PR/marketing. Damned bills.
I really, really love being outside...
I'm not an extreme sportsman and I hate the idea of going to the bathroom in a bush or a hole. But I consider myself outdoorsy because of how I feel when I'm out there. Who cares if I prefer to camp where there's an accessible outhouse instead of backpacking to God knows where? I just love to be outside. I guess it's more in a transcendental way than in an "I want to climb to the top of that mountain," way. I love hiking, snowshoeing, camping, and fires under the stars. I love that moment when I watch the 3G signal on my phone die. Disconnected. Love it. It's nice to not feel bombarded my stupid selfies, videos, Ebola, and elections. Who cares, look a squirrel! Life is better in the woods. Kyle recently introduced me to this Thoreau quote:
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
Much love to you, Thoreau.
I really want a tattoo but I know it will never happen because:
I'm afraid of needles.
I'm really indecisive and think I'll hate it in five years or less.
I'm a therapeutic baker...
I don't always bake 50 cupcakes, but when I do it's because I'm really stressed. My mom used to be a cake decorator and then later opened her own candy shop. Needless to say, I love sweets.
My dream is to travel...
Anywhere. Everywhere. My dream is to get out and live. When I was in college I really wanted to write for National Geographic and go to crazy places like erupting volcanoes, shark cage diving or go to Mt. Everest. I still want to travel, but now it's a little more subdued. Learn to cook and make wine in Italy, flamenco dance in Spain and see the Kodiak bears and Iditarod in Alaska. However, if National Geographic wants to send me to Hawaii to see some volcanoes, I won't object. In all reality, we REALLY want to go to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics. I'm determined to make it happen.
I'm the luckiest SOB ever...
Every so often I get in a funk where I want to move, change jobs, change everything. I really do feel "stuck" sometimes. I think, "If I could just start over..." But then something happens, in this case, it was my birthday last week, and I realize how lucky I really am. I married my high school sweetheart and love him more and more every year, who does that? Both of our families still live in town and we get to see them for EVERY birthday, holiday and family gathering. We are literally surrounded by our closest friends, and within walking distance to our favorite places.
That's all I've got for now. Did you learn something new?