My first journal prompt tells me to write an About Me post. As appropriate as that is for a first prompt, I've been somewhat dreading actually writing it because, well, I don't really feel inspired when asked to talk about myself. At least not this week in particular.
My dilemma is this:
A) I'm an accountant so I dig some form of structure and guidance in virtually all things.
B) I'm a little kooky and like to be unique, yet somehow within parameters that resemble normalness. Sort of.
So what do I do? You guessed it! Pinterest to the rescue!
I found a pin on 25 Thought-Provoking Interview Questions by Alison Taylor and realized this would save me from the humdrum of "I'm a 5'5" redheaded country girl born and raised (kinda) in the teeny town of Comfort, Texas." I already have that generic garbage on my facebook from when I set it up in 2007. Besides, that doesn't really tell you a helluva lot about me anyways, now does it? No no, Ms Taylor's interview is definitely the way to go for me.
1. What is the most frightened you've ever been?
Does the quarter-sized spider hanging in my living room the other day count? I don't have a full-fledged phobia or anything but still, spiders are scary. Killing them is the duty of man... I am woman. In all seriousness, though, I think my niece's first three seizures were pretty scary. The first happened when she was curled up cuddling with me, the second when she and I were taking a walk in the park, and the third in the car seat on the way home from the hospital the day of the second. I remember holding her on the couch that afternoon, she was teetering in and out of sleep from exhaustion and I held my breath every time she jumped or made a sudden movement. I've been through some emotionally-trying situations but the thought of something happening to her and me not being able to do a damn thing to stop, prevent, or shield her from it was pretty scary.
2. What parent are you most like and why?
Dang, Alison, you don't hold back, do you? Well, I got the book smarts from my daddy, the desire to climb social class from my momma, and I'm bull-headed like the both of 'em. I look like Momma with my fair skin, red hair and size 9 jeans, although she's actually smaller than me now... not cool, Mom. Not cool. My eyes come from Daddy and so does my proclivity to drinking, although I much prefer wine over beer, and I hear tell my mother used to love dancing too when she was younger, which makes me smile a little considering that dancing is when I feel invincible and free. I know I'm somewhat judgemental and argumentative, traits they both seem to possess as well, but I share my mother's sense of humor and sensitivity (when she displays it) and I deeply identify with my father's love of a good bar (or in my case, dancehall). Basically, I think I'm an equal part of both of them, both good and bad, too. The silver lining to that is I fully intend to NOT be like them in many ways, and those are definitely decisions I can and will make.
3. What political/historical event has had the most impact on you personally?
I feel like 9/11 is the answer to that question, hands down, but I can't really explain why. I didn't know anyone in the towers or at the Pentagon and I was only in 7th grade when it happened so I was too young for it to drive me to join the military (which I wasn't physically able to do anyways) but I definitely remember watching it on the news. A good portion of my life has been affected by the post-9/11 military culture, with so many of my friends and serious relationships having military affiliations. I guess in a way it's only through these friendships and relationships with soldiers that I've personally been affected by 9/11. That I'm consciously aware of, at least.
4. What is your earliest memory?
My earliest memories are like snapshots. Bits and pieces of memories without much of a frame of reference for time. I remember a cookie sheet covered in slices of bread with butter, sugar and cinnamon in the oven for breakfast. I remember making mud-pies in the dirt with my brother, sticking dry spaghetti noodles in them and eating the noodles because he said it was yummy. Trying to open presents under the Christmas tree with my brother as gently as possible so my parents wouldn't know, watching The Land Before Time at Grandma's house, and letting Granddad eat the chocolate coating off my dilly bar from Dairy Queen. And I remember a game my grandfather would play with me using a white handkerchief from his bottom dresser drawer. I would sit on his lap and he would put a fist under the handkerchief to make it a mountain, I think. Then his finger would be a bear walking up around the mountain to get the honey from the honey bees. But the bees always saw him coming and would chase him back down the mountain stinging him. The hand beneath the handkerchief would come out and act like little bees, touching my face and neck and he'd make Bzzz-ing sounds and I would squeal and laugh.
5. If you could go back and change one thing about your life, what would it be?
I've made so many mistakes and bad decisions in life that if I were to go back and change them I'd probably be in an extremely different place right now, physically, geographically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. It's almost pointless to say I wouldn't have married so-and-so or I should've stayed at XYZ university. (Those of you who know me will probably find that humorously vague.) I can say, however, that I would absolutely go back to the day I broke my femur and I would not be driving that truck that day. I firmly believe my body would be in a lot better shape had that not happened.
6. What has provided you the greatest satisfaction in life and why?
Finishing my degree. It took me many derailing moments in life, $60k and 9 years (including 3 off), but I graduated with my Bachelor's of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting on May 8, 2015. Despite all the wrong turns, the time off and the multiple transfers, I finally finished and no one can ever take that diploma away from me. What it means to me the most is the ability to always be able to support myself and my future family. I can and I will succeed and with an accounting degree, I can pretty much find a job anywhere in the world I choose to go. *Queue heavy sigh of relief.*
7. What was your first impression of your spouse/partner the first time you met?
Ha! There's really no need to get into all that this early into our relationship, Alison. Moving on.
8. What was your proudest moment as a parent?
On Wednesday, November 4th, I was blessed with 8 beautiful, healthy grand-puppies. My sweet Bug had her first litter and she was such a rockstar! Seven hours of labor and eight puppies later, she's such a sweet momma dog. Watching her instinctively know exactly what to do and how to care for these sweet pups has been incredible and makes me realize that humans don't even come close to their rockstar status on so many levels.
9. Which of your children is most like you and why?
I would probably have to say Anabelle, because she's a big-time cuddler! Ares is too patient and is content to curl up at your feet but Anabelle will inch her 60-pound way into exactly where she wants. I'm kind of like that... except a little heavier. Haha
10. What was the most exciting day of your life?
Getting on the plane to spend a semester in Spain in 2009 was pretty dang awesome, I must admit, but I think receiving my very first salaried-job offer after graduating from college might actually tip that scale. The offer was definitely more than I expected and with a great company. That call held so much promise, excitement and self-gratification for me!
11. What is the one thing you'd like people to remember about you?
That I never gave up on my goal to make something of myself. I didn't let anything truly stop me from getting my education and I will never stop learning.
12. How has the world changed since you were young?
Well, I never had to walk to school twelve miles in the snow, uphill both ways but my generation has seen lots of change. Gay rights have increased substantially, especially recently, Mary Jane is legal in some states, and being white isn't a prerequisite to serving as President of the US. Airline security took some steroids and our country has been at war for half my life. Everyone's life revolves around technology instead of interpersonal communication and substantiated relationships. Country music is more rock, pop, and hip hop than ever, but I'm not complaining because I like a lot of it. In 27 short years, there's been a lot of change.
13. Does the idea of death frighten you? Why or why not?
If by death you mean my middle/high school friend dressed up in a black cloak and spooky mask for halloween, then no. Otherwise, yes, kinda. I accepted Jesus and became a Christian five years ago now so I know where I'm going when I die, which is comforting, but there's so much I hope to accomplish and experience in life that I am kind of afraid of missing out. I've spent my whole life looking ahead, working and waiting for the day to come that I can actually start enjoying living. I really hope I get to do some good living in my next 30 years. But if not, at least there will be no more tears and no more pain when I see Jesus face to face. (Thank you, Casting Crowns, for piping up in my head as I typed that.)
14. What life event damaged you the most?
If we're talking one specific instance, it would definitely be the day I came home from work to find my ex-husband had packed up and moved out without so much as a word. That was an excruciating day for me and its effects have certainly been lasting. But I survived.
15. What life event strengthened you the most?
I see what you did there, Alison. Some would say this should be just another way of phrasing question 14, but we know better, don't we? Well played. The event that strengthened me most would be the day I moved from Texas to Tennessee. It was scary but I never would've done it without my bestie offering me a place to live and my grandma encouraging me to go. And ya know what? Best decision I've ever made. That day I chose to take care of me first, not last.
16. How do you feel about money?
Unfortunately, it is the driving factor of this world and can be far more powerful than love. Some of the best things in life are free and I'm so grateful for this, but both money and a lack of money can cause major problems in life. Heck, my dream of travelling the world and experiencing its cultures and witnessing its beauties does not come cheap. Nor does the comfortable home, reliable car, and quality education I desire my for my future children. Sadly, I feel that money is something of a necessary evil. At least, we've made it that way.
17. Did you have conflicts with your parents as a teenager?
Um, yes.
18. What is your greatest talent?
a) I can be incredibly descriptive and long-winded. Hence this post.
b) I'm kind of like a sponge when it comes to learning. I just absorb information. And retain a lot of it, which is pretty nifty.
c) I'm patiently understanding and forgiving. To a fault, actually.
d) I'm resilient and persevering.
e) All of the above.
*Hint: The answer is E*
19. What talent do you wish you had that has eluded you?
I wish I could sing. Like, really sing. If I could have a superpower, it would be Christina Aguilera's voice.
20. What is your greatest weakness?
I am chronically late to absolutely everything. I can't stop it. I can't avoid it. I can't set all my clocks ahead 15 minutes and trick myself. Trust me, I've tried. I'm just perpetually tardy. Oh, and I over-analyze things, worry about everything (clearly I don't pray enough), and take out my stress on my loved ones (or so I've been told).
21. What is the most important object you own and why?
Not to beat a dead horse, but I'd have to say my diploma. I worked my butt off for that thing and paid an immense amount of money for it, too. Everything else I own isn't nearly as symbolic, although I do have a beautiful set of rings that are very dear to me and I would hate to lose... but those are insured.
22. What do you wish you could change about your education?
For starters, I wish I wouldn't have let myself take 6 years to get my degree, but changing that would probably change more than a few things about me. Realistically, if I had known when I moved to Tennessee that I would change my major and study accounting, I would have chosen a different school. I should have gone to an already accredited college of business with better instructors that would have better prepared me for the CPA exam.
23. What invention during your lifetime has had the greatest impact on you personally?
Emojis. Those things rock. Just kidding! The internet, duh! But Apple seriously needs to add a squirrel emoji in the next update though... the chipmunk is a good step, but it's just not the same.
24. If there is one piece of wisdom you could pass on to your descendants, what would it be?
It is far easier to break someone down than to build them back up, so speak, love and live with kindness.
25. What could you not live without in your life?
Call me shallow if you will but I do not want to think about living in a world without mascara. Mascara is my security blanket, my warpaint, my game face. I don't wear makeup for other people (95% of the time), I wear it for me. Because it makes ME feel good and confident and prepared.
DANG!!! That took FOREVER!!! Haha! Hope you enjoyed the novel and learned something about me that you didn't know before. Preferably a good something, but I can't please everyone! Haha! That's all folks!
~B is for Brandy
