10 things

this little ditty is going around the blogosphere and looked like super amounts of fun fun fun!

thanks to Mandy from Harper's Happenings for tagging anyone and everyone who wants to participate meaning ME!

10 random things about me

1. i'm really good at tetris. like pro status.

2. i am a second degree black belt. yeah...i know.

3. i know every word to most disney movies. i even hiked havasupai in high school with a big group of girls and they had me recite the emperor's new groove from start to finish to keep everyone entertained. true story. 

4. if i could have any job it would be working with marine animals. i'd kill to spend my days studying sharks. or living in an igloo and playing with penguins. 

5. brinner is one of my favorite meals ever! a perfect brinner would include french toast or blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon.

6. my perfect day would consist of me and hubsy going to antique/thrift stores all day long.

7. i went to school to be a sign language interpreter.

8. a totally random fear  i have is my fear of mannequins. i'm not even really sure why they freak me out so much. maybe i think they're going to come to life and grab me or something?  i don't even know but i can't walk past them without cringing and maintaining eye contact.

9. my dream vacation right now is to go to alaska and see the northern lights.

10. halloween is the best holiday of all time. the time, money and effort matt and i put into our costumes each year is ridiculous and awesome all at the same time!

questions from Mandy

1. have you ever met someone famous?

i have met Chuck Norris multiple times during my karate days. 

insert joke about how i met Chuck Norris and lived to tell about it.

2. what is your happiest childhood memory?

climbing trees at the park and being a super tomboy with my friend kelci all day, every day.

3. favorite album of all time?

this is way too hard! (that's what she said) 

there's absolutely no way i could pick just one but it would probably be a 80s classic rock type album.

4. are you a salty or sweet lover?

 i could never pick just one but i know matt would say i'm a huge fan of all things salty.

5. what is favorite guilty pleasure tv show or movie?

probably would have to say gilmore girls. i've watched the entire series too many times to be considered healthy and i still can't get enough of that fast talking mother-daughter team.

6. describe your favorite sandwich.

beyond delicious bread filled with oodles of bacon and turkey with some lettuce, tomato and avocado and the perfect amount of mayo. mmmmmmmmm

7. what was your first pet?

we had cats when i was really little but i dont remember them very well so i'm gonna go with our little poodle named itsy bitsy. she was the runt of the litter and she was the cutest and sweetest thing you ever did see!

8. what is your biggest accomplishment thus far in life?

i got married to a stud, bought a house, got a puppy, owned a business. i think i've done some pretty cool things so far.

9. what is the first blog you started reading?

maybe my sister's? i'm not really sure.

10. if you had to choose one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?

brownie sundae with lots and lots of fudge syrup and just oozing with deliciousness. but seriously, one dessert? that would be terrible. i need ALL THE DESSERTS!

for anyone who wants to play along!
write 10 randomly awesome things about yourself and then answer my 10 questions below.

1. what time period do you feel you best relate to?

2. if you were someone else, would you be friends with you?  why or why not?

3. if you could do anything in the world what would it be?

4. what's one food you could eat for the rest of your life and never get sick of?

5. if you could acquire any talent instantly what would it be?

6. what are your top five favorite movies/tv shows?

7. what's your idea of a perfect date?

8. which movie character (not the star playing them) are you most like?

9. do you have a secret or hidden talent most people don't know about? what is it?

10. what would you tell your 16 year old self today?

me

sorry i've been MIA lately.

christmas time is too busy!

enjoy this survey.

and this picture which should have the caption "dang it feels good to be a gansta"

What is your favorite book?  

"where the red fern grows"

What is your favorite movie? 

i most certainly can't pick a favorite but some of the contenders are empire records, that thing you do, elf, a goofy movie, white wolves, selena, and the list goes on and on.

What is your favorite song? 

always a changing but right now it's "all i need" by AWOLNATION. Matt says it's our song. precious.

Who is your hero? 

ron swanson. for obvious reasons.

If you could be any character from literature or film, who would you be? 

roxanne from a goofy movie. she gets to date max and he's seriously the cutest cartoon character ever.

If you could have one super power, what would it be? 

teleportation. 

or being able to snap my fingers and magically have my house clean. 

or snap my fingers and magically be all showered and makeup-ed and ready for the day. 

or make people do things with my mind. 

or eat as much as i want and never gain weight.

 man...too many possibilities.

 If you could have three wishes, what would they be? 

1- money. enough for forever and ever.

2- peace and happiness for anyone and everyone under the big bright sun

3- more wishes, of course!

What is your favorite color? 

lime ricky green.

Who is your best friend? 

matty matty matt matt

How many kids do you want to have when you grow up? 

3ish

What are your favorite boy & girl names? 

uh...Matt and Nikki

i dont know!!

What is your favorite game? 

hide and seek

Who is your favorite actor? 

cute ones. like james franco.

Who is your favorite actress? 

right now i would probably have to say emma stone. 

and sandra bullock. 

don't judge.

What was your first word? 

hippopotamus

What do you want to be when you grow up?

marine biologist or any job having to do with marine animals

What are you good at?

laughing, tetris, eating, crafting

What is your favorite food?

sandwiches. Joey and i have that in common.

Reading or Writing?

watching

What is your favorite time of year?

winterrrrr

What do you call your grandmother?

grandma and vovo (grandma in portuguese)

If you could be any animal, which would you be? 

"a dolphin, as long as i was far away from Japan"

(answer copied from Caitlin at To Make Love Stay because it was seriously the perfect answer)

What is your favorite type of music? 

classic rock/80s

 Do you believe in love at first sight? 

not really

What is your favorite hobby? 

crafting

What is the last book you read? 

i think it was The Courtship of Princess Leia. 

nerd alert.

What is the last movie you saw? 

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Did you enjoy it? 

yesm

Do you collect anything? 

penguins. lots and lots of penguins.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

living elsewhere with the hubsy possibly with some little ones and another puppy and some freshly baked cookies.

What is your favorite restaurant? 

chili's. so pathetic. 

maybe i should say the blue water seafood market and grill in san diego so i sound less lame.

What is your fondest memory? 

going to seattle with Matt. best trip ever!

What gives you the most joy?

Matt. and chocolate. and puppies.

If you could visit any country, where would you go? 

australia or brazil

Do you have any scars? 

indeed

Have you ever been to the hospital? 

indeed

Have you ever stayed up all night? 

many times. insomnia is fun!

Do you cook anything well?

popcorn

What was the last thing you did to help someone? 

uh i bought christmas gifts for people this week. does that count as helping?

S- S- Survey

a survey for you!

mostly because i have a hard time seeing a survey and not doing it.

i blame myspace for that. oh the good old days.

but also so everyone can get to know me better.

because i know you desperately want to.

what's a nickname only your family calls you?

"Nini" the nephews had a hard time saying the Ks in my name so i became Nini and it just kinda stuck. i even catch Matt calling me that sometimes.

what's a weird habit of yours?

when i see something in a store i like or think is cute i make funny sounds while i play with it. Matt LOVES to make fun of me for it.

what's a song you secretly love to blast and belt out when you're alone?

i don't have a specific one but when i'm in the car by myself and feel like belting something it's usually Michael Jackson i turn to. or maybe one from my jr high/high school days.

1. what's one of your biggest pet peeves?

people that i don't know calling and not leaving a message. when i'm screening my calls and don't know who you are the polite thing to do would be to leave a message so i'm not wondering who you are. am i right??

2. what's one of your nervous habits?

talking fast. or getting bright red. or crying. i seriously have the worst nervous habits. 

3. what side of the bed do you sleep on?

the right

4. what was your first stuffed animal and its name?

it was a little pink teddy bear named "pinky". i was very VERY upset when my parents threw it away. poor pinky.

5. what's the drink you always order at starbucks?

caramel apple spice mmmmm! we actually never go to starbucks now even for that because at the beginning of winter we just go and buy their cinnamon dolce syrup and make our own at home. greatest idea we've ever had! 

6. what's the beauty rule you preach but never actually practice?

love the way you look. love the way you are. love everything about you. and all that good stuff.

7. which way do you face in the shower?

away from the water mostly

8. do you have any "weird" body "skills"?

uh...my arms bend a weird way when i straighten them. it grosses Matt out.

9. what's your favorite comfort food/food that's bad but you love to eat it anyway?

ice cream. makes me sick but i still love it. if i had to pick a food that didn't make me sick it would be popcorn!

10. what's a phrase or exclamation you always say?

"no way jose!" and "ALL THE THINGS"

11. time to sleep - what are you wearing?

jammie jam pants and a t-shirt.

what i love!

i’ve decided to write a little about the things that i love and why i love them so when i look back at this in later years i can laugh at myself.

note that these things are in no specific order, its just how they came to me.

here goes….

i love dessert! ice cream is the fave but all dessert is good dessert! sadly, matt does not share this love with me but sometimes i find that to be a good thing. i never have to worry about opening the freezer and finding my ice cream is missing. unless its raspberry tart from mesa frozen yogurt. matt would steal that in a heartbeat!

i love creating! this all started with pottery painting which i’ve been doing for years now and have gotten pretty good at it, if i do say so myself! but i also love learning to sew and working with sculpey. sadly, i’m not very good at drawing but luckily i have a super talented hubsy to help me and i’m trying to get better!

i love papasan chairs! i grew up my whole life wishing i had one and envying those friends of mine who did. i love love love them! i love them so much that i finally talked my wonderful hubsy into trying to get me one just a couple months ago! they were super duper expensive though so my wonderful sister gave me her old one!! (love you Christy!!) now i can sit in one whenever i want! and i love it!

i love hoodies! it’s a shame i live in arizona where you can only wear a hoodie 4 weeks out of the year (maybe) but that doesn’t stop me from loving them to pieces!

i love bouncy balls! the world’s simplest toy is the world’s best toy! i have been kicked out of many classes and yelled at many times for enjoying this lovely invention and i must say, it was totally worth it! i always have one in my purse in case i’m in need of some bouncy fun during my daily travels.

i love classic rock music! matt has recently discovered that if i’m in a bad mood it can instantly be cured by listening to journey, styx, eagles, guns and roses, foreigner, bryan adams, tom petty, kansas…the list goes on and on! that music is so much better than the junk that’s on the radio these days. plus, it reminds me of my daddy and i love that about it!

i love chocolate milk! there’s just something about its childishness that makes it more delicious than other drinks! i love chocolate milk so much in fact that when my mother-in-law offers it to the youngsters at sunday dinner i’ve talked her into offering it to me as well! SCORE!

i love lights! i have cute light strands for almost every holiday but when i see some in a store i beg to have them! they brighten every room they’re in and i love that!

i love clothes right out of the dryer! they’re so warm and perfectly perfect! especially bed sheets! i can’t explain it but my bed always feels 10 hundred times more comfortable when i pull the sheets out of the dryer, put them on the bed and jump right in!

i love chapstick! it’s one of the few items that are always always with me! but unlike other people, i’m not picky about my chapstick. i like the plain old, normal, no flavor, chapstick-brand chapstick.

i love moccasins! they are the best footwear! even though i’m a total shorty i don’t own a single pair of high heels because i love moccasins too much. they are my choice for footwear at all times! parties, work, church, professional, evening, day, it really doesn’t matter. i will wear moccasins whenever i get the chance!

i love penguins! they’re so unique! you could consider them the rule breakers of the bird world since they swim rather than fly! those rebels! plus they are beyond cute since most of them mate for life! they’re not sluts like other animals, they believe in true love!

i love popcorn! it really is the perfect snack food! if matt would let me, i would eat it every single day!

i love cloudy days! in fact, i love rainy days too! and cold days! again, i’m living in the wrong state. cloudy or rainy days are definitely the best days because they bring out hoodies and boots and puddles to jump in while you wear your hoodies and boots! and you have an excuse to drink hot chocolate and caramel apple cider and light a fire, not that i think you really need an excuse to enjoy those things but with rain and clouds you can have an excuse if you really want one!

i love playgrounds! no matter how old i get i will never stop loving playgrounds! running, jumping, sliding, swinging, there’s really no down side!

i love watching tv shows with matt! we have watched every single episodes of so many tv shows and i think its 100 times better than watching movies!

i love stuffed animals! you would think i was 5 years old if you saw all the stuffed animals i have from growing up! but i have great memories with every single one of my little animals so matt can’t talk me out of putting them in my corner net in our spare room!

i love 11:11! not only is it the time to make a wish but it holds special meaning for me and matt! he knew i was the one because of 11:11, we were married on 11/11 and every time i see that number i think of how much i love matt!

i love halloween! it’s definitely the best holiday out of the year! matt and i always spend a long time on our costumes and try to be the best dressed! it’s amazing that one night out of the year you get to dress up as whatever you want, act crazy and ask strangers for candy! i want to meet the genius who thought that up!

i love t-shirts and jeans! that basically sums up my entire wardrobe! i’ve been told i’m a great candidate for the tv show “what not to wear” but i can’t imagine wearing anything else!

i love strawberries! i stink so bad at picking them out at the grocery store but thankfully i have a mother-in-law who is an expert at picking them out and letting me enjoy them at almost every sunday dinner! they are the perfect addition to any meal! truly!

i love shark week! most people don’t understand my fascination with shark week but i promise you if you watched one shark week show with me you would understand how incredible it is! i try my hardest not to work that week so i can sit around in my shark week clothing, eat shark week foods and do nothing but think about sharks all week long! who wouldn’t love that??

i love jammies! i used to wear them to school all the time but now that i’m a grown up i can’t really do that anymore. sad face. but the second i walk through my door at the end of the day all i can think about is putting my comfy jammies on and lounging around!

i love giving presents! it’s so much better than receiving them! i love seeing the look on people’s faces when they open a present i spent time and energy into getting for them!

i love tetris! best. game. ever. and not only do i love it, i’m dang good at it too! i can kick anyone’s butt at that game guaranteed!

i love thrift stores! i don’t get to go to them as much as i would like anymore but i can’t even count the number of t-shirts, jeans and odds and ends i’ve picked up at thrift stores over the years! one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

i love surprises! i’m incredibly hard to surprise so these don’t come easily but i think that makes me love them even more!

i love seaworld! it’s the best amusement park known to man! but i could just think that because i love the whole ocean! strange animals doing strange things and we don’t even know the half of what’s in that big, blue ocean! i never get bored learning about it either! if i lived anywhere near an ocean i’m sure i would’ve gone to school to become a marine biologist!

i love scuba diving! again, its all about my love for the ocean! being down under the water and seeing those things with your own eyes is unbelievable!

i love laughing! i’ve had many nicknames proving this too! i laugh at basically everything, seriously!

i love lime ricky! i don’t think anyone will understand my love for this bright, neon green color! matt has come to accept my odd fascination with lime ricky enough that he lets me decorate our house with it, including painting a whole wall lime ricky!!

i love getting mail! real mail that isn’t bills! i love going to the mail box and getting a letter from a friend!

i love kisses! great big matt kisses are the best but i also love little, wet kisses from my adorable puppy padme!

i love birthdays! not just my own but birthdays in general! they are such special days and of course it give you an excuse to party with friends!

i love socks! little mittens for your feet!

i love 80's music! i was totally born in the wrong era! i would’ve loved the big hair and the funny clothes and the dancy dancy 80’s music! if i could, i would time travel back and party like there was no tomorrow in the 80’s!

And last, but definitely not least…

i love my hubsy! matt is the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me! i don’t know what i would do without him! he puts up with me and my weirdo ways and ideas! he’s the funniest, sweetest boy in the world! we understand each other in a way that most people only see in the movies! i love him so much!!