- You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Mood:
- Something people are surprised to learn about you?
- What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
- Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
- Pickles: yum or gross?
- Can you cook?
- A memory about your childhood home?
- What would make you happier?
- What’s your favorite kind of music?
- Weekly goals:
Wiggly? Is that a mood? I’m having a tough time settling down this morning, but I gotta get cracking on a few things. Time’s a wastin’!
When I meet people that I’ve come to know online, they’re often surprised by my height, or lack thereof (I’m just 5-feet-one without heels), and my voice. I’m not sure why about the voice (I sound like this), but it happens a lot.
I love, LOVE getting my hair cut and dyed. It’s just so relaxing to hang out at the beauty salon for a few hours, ya know? Chat and read magazines. Heaven!
Ugh! When I was in my 20s, my mom must have tried to pawn me off on every available doctor in Northern California. None of the dates ever panned out, though (thank gawd!).
Yum, if they’re the sweet and crunchy kind.
Eh, I’m okay, at best. I can put together something edible and tasty, but I don’t think I’ve ever prepared a full meal from start to finish that made anyone’s eyes roll back in their head from ecstasy (I wish!).
I remember there being a little nook in the hallway where my parents kept a small picture of The Last Supper, a few bottles of holy water and various other somewhat scary (to a child) Catholic bits. I remember it always terrifying me for some reason, so I’d sort of sprint by it down the hall.
Well, I think I’m pretty happy now, but I’d love to be better about managing my time. Sometimes I feel like I take longer to do things than I should.
Oh, I could never pick just one. I like a little bit of everything. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of pop, hip hop and some country thrown in for good measure.
To sneak in a run every day, to work on managing my time, to eat a salad every day, and to organize a few lunch dates with girlfriends.
Have you ever left for work or gone to an event, and then, an hour or so after leaving the house, realize that your bra feels itchy and uncomfortable?
Gah! It’s happened to me so many times it’s ridiculous, so now I stash emergency bras all over the place, because you just never know when you’ll need a change.
Yesterday, I was cleaning out my car and found one in the glove compartment that I’d forgotten about.
“Hmm… How’d this get here?
Haha!
Random, I know, but it’s been one of those Mondays. 🙂
- To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
1. Mood:
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
6. Can you cook?
7. A memory about your childhood home?
8. What would make you happier?
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
10. Weekly goals:
Hope that your start of the week hasn’t been too shabby, tabby, and that you’ll swing by and say hello!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
hi hi! happy hearts day!
1. Mood: a bit achy. whatever bug it is that i still have is kicking my behind!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? i am a homebody. 🙂
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? i really enjoy washing my fae at night. its like a sign that the workday is over and its time to chill.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? my cousin tried once … he was a manager at her job. they were all wondering why he was still single at his age. i know why. 😀
5. Pickles: yum or gross? yum!
6. Can you cook? pretty well, actually.
7. A memory about your childhood home? it always smelled of cooking because my mom loved to cook!
8. What would make you happier? oh just that things will go on the way they have been going. 🙂
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? i dont have one favorite kind. my current favorite though is the entire album by mumford & sons.
10. Weekly goals:just make it to Friday, and get better. 🙂
Hi, hi, Nina!
Sorry to hear you’re still not 100%. We need to get your kitties to tend to you!
And LOL re: your answer to your number 4. 🙂
How’s your Monday going? I’m just chugging along here waiting for lunchtime. I’m starving!
my monday isnt all that bad … its raining which i both like and dislike!
haha @ number 4. he’s a really great guy, and we got along perfect. maybe a little too perfect? 🙂
It’s been raining here, too. I know we need the water, but the gray skies make me feel really blah!
Cat news! A stray Russian Blue set up shop in my neighbor’s backyard over the weekend. I’m not sure if she plans on adopting her (she already has two cats), but if she isn’t, I’m hoping she’ll ask me if Tabs wants a sister.
omg omg …. breaking cat news is awesome! maybe Tabs is ready for a sister …. 🙂
1. Mood: Kind of wired. I have a lot of work to do.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? That I am not (insert whatever race people thought I was).
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Putting on perfume! I have a lot of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfumes and I try to match them to what I think the day holds!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No, thank the deities.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? I do like them by themselves but don’t like to smell like them.
6. Can you cook? Yeah. Very well 😀
7. A memory about your childhood home? All the plants my grandma had lined up on the window sill. It was like a tiny jungle in a 1 ft by 5 ft space.
8. What would make you happier? A few more hours in the day.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Rock and punk. Fave bands are The Black Heart Procession, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Crass, Rudimentary Peni. But Queen is the greatest band to have ever existed.
10. Weekly goals: Finish two short stories, finish the content for my new website, finish two personal emails, write my article for the gaming blog I write for…and have a great Valentine’s Day!
1. Mood: Tired, cold and a little sad because my holiday in April was canceled today
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? Besides you Karen, I am tall (6 feet 1), which is unusual for a woman
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? You are right, getting my hair done is great, I often get a glas of prosecco there on top
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No thank god
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Sometimes yum
6. Can you cook? I can prepare meal, and I always eat what I prepare, but that is not cooking.
7. A memory about your childhood home? The smell of my grandma baking a cake on Friday afternoon
8. What would make you happier? It is okay right now, but there can always be more or better
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Rock, I am looking forward to the new album by Bruce Springsteen in a couple of weeks, but on the radio I listen to everything.
10. Weekly goals: Re-plan my holiday, do yoga and meditate everyday
1. Mood:
Kind of a weird mixture between tired and determined, a focused kind of scattered… I don’t feel like I’m all here but I feel like I’m getting sh*t done.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
For a while, it was that I sing. Even though I’ve been doing it since I was tiny! Now I’m trying to actually get gigs and whatnot, and it’s a little more public, lol 🙂
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
I use coconut oil (or jojoba oil) to cleanse my face at night, and that little mini-massage is always nice.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
Nope! I’ve only ever dated my hubby 🙂 haha.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
I like em, but I have to be in the mood to eat them plain.
6. Can you cook?
I like to think so! I try, at least. There are some things I rock at, and some things (a lot moe, lol) that my husband rocks at. His risotto is to *die* for.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
The splinters on the stairs! They were wooden, and the house was old to begin with… and there were certain spots that were really worn down, and you had to be careful running up and down those steps!
8. What would make you happier?
hmm… probably not having to work as much. Or working a job that I was passionate about. Either one of those. Not that I’m unhappy now! 🙂
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
Good music. Be it pop, rap, jazz, classical, or any genre in between. When a song impresses you, or makes you stop to think, or just bowls you over…. that’s my favorite kind of music.
10. Weekly goals:
To get done everything I say I’m going to get done… for once… 😛 and maybe bake something. Because I think I just might need to do that.
1. Mood: Pretty good. It’s been an “okay” day and these days, with my optimistic cap on…I think an “okay” day is so much better than a “bad” day so I’ll take “okay” days anytime.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I can bake. I don’t know why but whenever I take baked stuff to work (it’s how I share the calories.. ;)) people always ask me “You made this?” in a slightly incredulous way. It’s kind of funny.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Wearing eyeshadow. I love playing around with eyeshadows and coming up with various color combinations. I could wear the same blush everyday but eyeshadow? Never. I must play around and wear different colours otherwise I’d be bored.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Nope. The only person I’ve ever dated is the bf. Technically I’m also the only person he has ever dated.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum. I love the tamarind one that has sugar on it. Impossible to find where I live though 🙁
6. Can you cook? Yes. I love cooking and I enjoy trying to re-create dishes I ate when I was a kid. Or sometimes even dishes I ate at a restaurant. I usually get recipes from cooking sites online rather than cookbooks. I don’t use the cookbooks I own enough.
7. A memory about your childhood home? There were these two huge mango trees that my parents had when I was a wee thing – like 4 years old or something. When I was 11 years old, my parents had the house renovated and both trees were cut down. They were kind of scary, the trees, as you could sometimes see lizards on them. But they did give some really good mangoes.
8. What would make you happier? If I could learn to live a balance life. Lately I notice one thing always suffers on a day to day basis. Either it’s the laundry basket (being ignored), the coffee table collecting junk, the couch collecting clean clothing that needs to be folded and placed where they belong, or even my eyebrows that start to look like two toothbrushes. I never seem to be able to do everything.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Mostly soul, lounge music or ballads. I get all dreamy and my mind just drifts away. I also listen to a lot of Indian movie soundtrack music. They cheer me up.
10. Weekly goals: Work out 4 times this week. Survive all my work meetings. Get a haircut. Try to bake oreo cheesecake cupcakes.
Hi Fieran,
You’re not alone in needing some balance. Sometimes I feel like I can barely keep up with the regular, everyday life stuff to keep me afloat.
But onto more exciting things. Those Oreo cheesecake cupcakes sound divine. WANT!
I hear you 🙂 Here’s the recipe for the Oreo cheesecake cupcakes http://www.handletheheat.com/2010/02/cookies-cream-cheesecake-cupcakes.html
.. since I can’t send you some 🙂
1. Mood: Lazy. Hurt my shoulder at volleyball yesterday, and taking today off to get it back up to par.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I have an irrational fear of down escalators.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? My at-home glycolic peel! Feels sooooooo good after rinsing…all soft and clear!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Thank. God. No.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum.
6. Can you cook? Definitely! Love to.
7. A memory about your childhood home? My room was the best room, ever. I painted it bright blue, put up yellow curtains, and had Christmas lights on the walls. It was probably ridiculous looking, but I loved the colors!
8. What would make you happier? If the heartburn from my lunchtime spicy soup would go away!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Female vocal, probably.
10. Weekly goals: Don’t push the shoulder too quickly! And don’t be too hard on myself…last week I was in a funk because I didn’t accomplish everything off of my four (!) to-do lists. This week…do my best, and be okay with it.
Hi Megan,
What at-home glycolic peel are you using?
1. Mood:
I’m feeling a bit wiggly too! I’ve been having a hard time focusing on work today.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I talk. 🙂 I’m usually quiet in large groups so people that don’t know me well assume I’m like that all the time.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
I enjoy the general/daily getting ready process of doing my hair and applying makeup. As for special beauty routines, I love getting pedicures.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
Thankfully, no! And don’t get me started on the whole doctor thing – that’s a big thing in the Indian community also. I know some of my parent’s friends only want their kids to either be doctors or marry one.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
Gross.
6. Can you cook?
Yep. I do my best to plan meals for the week, and I enjoy baking. I reccommend the Cooking for Two cookbooks from Cook’s Illustrated / America’s Test Kitchen. It’s nice to have recipes that don’t result in a crazy amount of leftovers.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
The basement used to freak me out. Any time I had to go down there, I’d get out of there as fast as I could. Of course, after I moved out my parents finished the basement so it’s a lot nicer now!
8. What would make you happier?
I too feel like I could be better at managing my time. Also, I wish I could be more motivated and procrastinate less.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
Pretty much all kinds – although alternative is sort of nostalgic to me since was a teenager in the 90s.
10. Weekly goals:
Finish the taxes and hopefully squeeze in some time to bake cupcakes. I’ve been craving something chocolately lately. 🙂
It’s the same way in a lot of Filipino families, Ruchita! I still think my parents hope that I’ll “wise up” and try to get into med school some day. Um… not gonna happen because I can’t stand the sight of blood!
1. Mood:
~ Content, got a lot of things done today. Just relaxing till we go to my parents’ for dinner!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
~I’m not a pushover. I am friendly to everyone I meet, and try to see the best in people until I see or learn otherwise. However, that doesn’t mean they can walk all over me. I can and will be very assertive or push a point if the situation calls for it.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
~I enjoy dyeing my hair and doing different eye makeup. It’s one of the few girly things I really enjoy. I get a boost out of newly dyed red hair color (it always looks kind of sad when the roots come in and it starts to fade…). I like doing different eye makeup (neutral one day, bright the next) because it makes me feel put together, and confident!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
~Once or twice, but thankfully nothing came out of it…
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
~Love them!
6. Can you cook?
~Yep, I’d say fairly well. New dishes can take me a while to perfect, but my niche is taking something simple and making it more fancy.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
~Having a big backyard to run around in.
8. What would make you happier?
~I’m pretty happy now, but I’d like to get into my dream career sooner rather than later (lots of applications and paperwork to get there!), and I would like to adopt a horse of my own to train (rather than training other people’s all the time). There are many great ex-racehorses and previously abused horses that need a good forever home!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
~Mostly symphonic rock and country, but I will listen to pretty much anything so long as it’s good.
10. Weekly goals:
~Finish my research log.
~Go for a run a couple of times this week.
~Keep being positive about new changes.
Great goals this week, Katherine! I’m going to borrow your last one about being positive about new changes. 🙂
1. Mood: I’m in the mood for the new Gossip Girl episode!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? That I like action movies.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Everything, but maybe doing my lips the most. They make such a difference!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No, haha. I wish they would though, I’m getting kind of desperate!
5. Pickles: yum or gross? yum.
6. Can you cook? Only the things that I like (which are, like, five things…)
7. A memory about your childhood home? I have tons! But a really random one: being 10 years old or something and my mom making me breakfast and tea with milk every day, and me sitting at the dining table trying to watch cartoons!
8. What would make you happier? If I finally got my drivers license!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? R&B and Hiphop. Lately I’m really into Dionne Bromfield’s album Good for the Soul, I love it.
10. Weekly goals: Catch up on all my schoolwork, eat healthy and consciously and enjoy myself 🙂
I just have to say: I did NOT think your voice was like that! I expected something a little bit lower/heavier? If that makes sense? A little bit more mature? (Not that you sound childish.) But now that I think of it, the voice suits you 🙂 Hihi.
Haha, yeah, I don’t know what it is, but for some reason people always think I have this deep voice! When I hear it, it doesn’t seem that high to me.
1. Mood: Happy! It’s my fat Russian Blue’s birthday today! My baby turned two <3
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?: I'm actually pretty hysterical, once I'm comfortable with you. Otherwise I'm super quiet and introverted.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?: Cleaning my skin with the Clairisonic (it's so relaxing!) and applying moisturizer afterwords.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?: Oh gosh yes. I feel like every Eastern European (regardless of nationality) will try to set up someone in their family. When I turned 21 and wasn't married, it was like some disaster to my grandmother.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?: YUM! I love anything pickled. Cucumbers, radish, cabbage, other assorted veggies.. well actually, not anything. Pickled eggs kind of gross me out.
6. Can you cook?: Yes! So well.
7. A memory about your childhood home?: There were always cats. Usually 2 at one time, at the most 3 and that's right now.
8. What would make you happier?: Finished my master's degree.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?: I guess it'd be considered alternative/indie. But I do love my some old school rap.
10. Weekly goals: study study study!
Happy birthday to your Russian Blue! Funny you should mention that type of kitty… a Russian Blue just set up shop in my neighbor’s backyard. She has no idea who she belongs to, but she seems like a really nice cat.
Is your Russian Blue your only cat? Or do you have more fur babies?
Aw, I’m so envious of you guys. My landlord won’t let me have a kitty, so I just live vicariously through MBB and pictures of Tabs.
We’ve got two more, there’s a skinny black cat and a chubby tabby 🙂 I hope to add a dog to the family this summer (if all goes well!)
1. Mood: unmotivated. I have a giant stack of exams to grade, and zero desire to do it.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? How much makeup and nail polish I own! Also, I’m a huge geek, but I hide it well apparently.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Painting my nails. I love having freshly painted, pretty nails!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Nope, luckily.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum!
6. Can you cook? Pretty well. I like cooking, and it’s fun to experiment with different cuisines.
7. A memory about your childhood home? I had a really cool L-shaped room, and I had the best built-in desk with a nook underneath it. I spent a lot of time in the nook reading.
8. What would make you happier? Knowing I had a job in line for when I graduate.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Indie rock, I guess.
10. Weekly goals: Finish grading these exams, finish the rewrite of my paper, and try to eat well.
Happy Monday! 🙂
1. Mood: Good, except for a little tweat in my lower back. Bummer.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? Oh, gosh, I really have no idea!
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? The morning shower. It’s so warm that I hate to get out!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No, I have a small family and set myself up plenty. 🙂
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum.
6. Can you cook? I can! I learned when I had the kids because they definitely needed better nutrition than my take-out diet was providing.
7. A memory about your childhood home? I had a turntable with a clear cover and, leaning against it were letters spelling out my boyfriend’s last name. We “borrowed” them from the local Agway’s outdoor sign. Oddly, we didn’t consider it a criminal act.
8. What would make you happier? Being a better mother.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? I have pretty varied tastes, too. If I had to choose, I’d say rock.
10. Weekly goals: I don’t know why I even copy and paste the goal question. HAHA!
1. Mood: Bored, and it is cloudy outside.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? That I can be very generous if I like you? Otherwise I really don’t know…
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? I like putting on eyeliner and seeing how my eyes look once they are put on.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum..Love them!
6. Can you cook? Does microwaving count?
7. A memory about your childhood home? So many memories…I guess there was a neighborhood bike gang consisting of 7 to 8 year olds..haha
8. What would make you happier? If I could have a career that I enjoyed and was respected at?
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? All kinds actually. Maybe not so much country.
10. Weekly goals: Stop procrastinating and get motivated.
1. Mood: Tired. I had a long day.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I have a lot of tattoos. 6 to be exact!
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Washing all the makeup off my face. I love to see all the makeup that I thought was gone on the brush head of my Clarisonic.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? No and thank goodness!
5. Pickles: yum or gross? yum, yum, yum
6. Can you cook? I think I do pretty well for the most part. There are some certain classics that Mom and Grandma have made that I’ve tried and failed out but I’m getting there.
7. A memory about your childhood home? We had a backyard with a tree. Lots of climbing and falling lol.
8. What would make you happier? Right now I would say more money so I could live just a bit more comfortably. I have plans in sight but they are pretty far right now.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? R&B, Hip-hop, Pop, Dance, Salsa
10. Weekly goals: Get a good night’s rest, 3 days of working out
1. Mood: Sleepy. I ended up going to bed late last night.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?: Hmm, I have no idea…though I know that one kid at school thought I “looked” vegetarian (which I am most definitely not). It was very odd.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?: There’s something that I like when it comes to applying eyeshadow to my lid.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?: Nope, since I’m still in school and have expressed no interest in dating yet.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?: Yum! But only if they’re sour. (I once downed 15 pickles at an event I was at. I love them.) I cannot stand sweet pickles.
6. Can you cook?: Definitely. It’s not like I come up with stuff on my own, but I can follow recipes very well and people seem to like them. I like frying stuff, and I’m always the person who checks how sauces taste at home, since I’m very good at figuring out what spices to put in. I can also bake, though I’d rather not, since it’s so exact and I’m not a big fan of sweet foods/desserts.
7. A memory about your childhood home?: Still living in it, so I’m not sure what I’d remember if I moved somewhere else.
8. What would make you happier?: Right now would be for my school to give my cumulative GPA so I can finish scholarship applications. I’ve been waiting for three weeks, and the one application has to be mailed by this Wednesday. I guess this all extends to wishing I had more money so I can pay for school next year.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?: My favorite types are rock, oldies (especially ’60s music), and heavy metal. I also like classical since I played cello for 5 years, but I definitely grew up with oldies.
10. Weekly goals: Stop procrastinating and finally get stuff done!
That’s funny! People always assume I’m a vegetarian too (am totally not)! Maybe we just look like healthy conscious eaters!
Karen,
Bras suck!!!
Le List
1. Mood: sleepy. Last night didn’t go so well.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I’m adopted and yes I know my bio parents, it’s all good.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? I also love going to the salon but my fav is the shampoo. I love getting my hair washed by someone.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? My mom. She sucks at it
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Only if they’re dill and not the new ones from Wendy’s.
6. Can you cook? I’m from the midwest we’re supposed to so yeah, I can throw down!
7. A memory about your childhood home? That there were a lot of them. Moved a lot.
8. What would make you happier? I don’t know.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Anything in the Rock genre esp hard rock and metal. I’m also loving bands like The Civil Wars and Mumford & Sons.
10. Weekly goals: have a happy birthday on Tuesday, eat chocolate, enjoy my fam.
Mood:
Pumped up! I just had the cutest idea for an outfit and that always makes me a little giddy. It’s silly but designing a shirt and then making it and scouring the internet for exactly the accessories I pictured in my mind is so fun for me.
Something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I have a girlfriend, people say “but you guys don’t look like a couple”. I always wonder what they expect to see.
What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
Doing my nails with cute little designs. I actually hate going to the salon, for some reason it’s really awkward every time! All the other patrons are having fun and chatting to the nail techs but every time I try to relax and make small talk they just give me blank stares and curt answers. I must have spinach in my teeth chronically or something.
Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
Thank goodness, no. They’ve set me up to meet new friends though, which almost always turns out great.
Pickles: yum or gross?
I love dill pickles!
Can you cook?
I cook things for myself that I love, but if I try to cook for someone else I get nervous and mess up.
A memory about your childhood home?
My friends and I used to play hide and seek, and I would hide in the clothes drier. No one every found me, but I was always terrified my mom would try to do laundry.
What would make you happier?
Guerlain’s Garconne lipstick! Ha, no I’m pretty happy.
What’s your favorite kind of music?
It changes so much. Last month I was really into Bollywood hits, and now for some reason I’m obsessed with opera, and get this: the soundtrack to Suckerpunch. Weird huh?
Weekly goals:
I am going to finish my essays (I’m in college) BEFORE they are due so I don’t have to get all stressed out at the very end.
Actually I do have something that would make me a little happier:
Move out of Hawaii. This must seem like the strangest thing, but I’ve been getting island fever lately. I feel like I’m on a tiny rock in the middle of the ocean (which I am). I love it here, and it really is a paradise, but at 23 I want to go out an have more adventures!
1. Mood: Irritable. Lots of running around today.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I guess the same as you except opposite. I’m very tall and I have a deep voice for a girl. : )
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? I really enjoy all of it. I love putting on my makeup. I find doing my nails very relaxing. I love skin care and hair care. I love perfume. I love it all!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Never! They know better. A couple of friends have though. My best friend set me up with a jockey once…. Have I said that I’m very tall?
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum especially very garlicy kosher dills.
6. Can you cook? Yes, I can. I rarely get a chance to show what I can do though. My family like very bland, American food and I love experimenting with the exotic.
7. A memory about your childhood home? My father brought in a big pile of sand from our sandbox and put it in the cellar for the winter. We had a cat. You can imagine what happened.
8. What would make you happier? I would be happier if I got out more. I want to travel and just do more things. Unfortunately, hubby doesn’t.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? I like most music. I’m not very fond of country or rap but anything else is swell.
10. Weekly goals: try to be happier
1. Mood: Unfortunately I caught a cold that’s been going around. So sniffly.
2. Surprising about me: That I’m the first American-born generation on my dad’s side of the family.
3. Favorite part of beauty routine: Cleaning my face at night. I love that clean & moisturized feeling.
4. Relative set me up?: Nope. Thank goodness!
5. Pickles: yes, yes, and yes. Relish, too. It’s all good to me.
6. Can I cook?: Yes, I’m pretty good at it – when I decide to actually cook. I’m really good at entertaining for a crowd.
7. Memory of childhood home: Playing in the creek down the road in west Petaluma.
8. What would make me happier?: Short term – getting over this cold. Long term – learning to worry less.
9. Favorite kind of music?: It completely depends on my mood. Doing cardio, I’ll have Eminem on my ipod. A stressful morning at work, I’ll put on classical or new age relaxation music. For quality time on the deck, country will get some play-time.
10. Weekly goals: Learn to like my new haircut. I asked for a long bob with face framing layers. I ended up with a triangular-shaped short bob. My hubby likes it, so I should to learn to like it too.
Hi Karen, long time follower/reader even though this is my first time posting a comment… I feel rather unwell (still in recovery from a 2 week flu complete with fever, loss of voice, and 3 jumbo boxes worth of sniffles) so rather than doing the Monday poll, I will share my thoughts on yours.
When I read your answer to Q#2 (something others are surprised to learn about you) it jogged my memory of the first time I saw one of your Youtube vids. I too, was surprised by your voice and I know exactly why.
Personally, I can never remember a name, so a person’s face and voice are key in identifying an individual—to me your voice is unique. It is rather melodic and is as vibrant as your personality. Just as mine is often called ‘hushed’ or even ‘husky’ (for a female voice anyway) yours is very clear and rich in tone. Best analogy I can make is when we see a music instrument that can fit in a palm of the hand (say a silver bell) and are surprised that it packs so much sound when we hear it.
In short, to me your voice is like the sound of a bell—clear, melodic, and full of energy (because describing sound as “youthful” would make me sound “crazeh!”). A perfect fit for you, so really not that surprising–it’s just we aren’t all that used to hearing a song-like voice in everyday situations. It is definitely a memorable voice that commands attention!
On height I can’t say much; at 5 foot 10 I am easily the tallest person in the room even without the heels and hearing “how tall are you?”(who cares?), “do/did you play basketball” (hate sports), “ever think of being a model” (why not a doctor? LOL, no I want to be a scientist dammit!) gets annoying very quickly—it’s as if my height is the only attribute worthy of notice.
My best friend is also very petite (just shy of 5ft), but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the pictures—unless I’m right there next to her, trying my hardest not to look like a pine tree next to her delicate frame… She forbids me from wearing high heels (or any for that matter) when we go out to avoid the typical scenarios of “Um, is that your daughter?”; she is the older one too…
I had the same situation with my best friend/ old roommate! She’s 6’4″ and I’m 5’3″. We used to get weird looks hanging out together… even more so when I would hang out with her (very tall) family. Once someone came up and asked me if I was the runt of the litter. Embarrassing!
1. Mood: Really happy. Jazz is home from the animal hospital!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?: I’m as old as I am. I look like a 12 year old.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?: Washing my hair. It’s so nice to have clean hair.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?: Not really, but I know my gran would arrange a marriage for me if she didn’t think I’d kill the groom.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?: Yum, yum, yum!
6. Can you cook?: I started a food blog: http://thecatladycook.blogspot.com
7. A memory about your childhood home?: It was usually filled with bright lights, and the smell of good food.
8. What would make you happier?: Generating some kind of steady income.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?: Upbeat 80s hits.
10. Weekly goals: Homework, unfortunately.
1. Mood: Happy but a little bit uneasy!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? That I get irritated very easily, they always go like: ‘Awn, but you are so patient and calm” lol
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Putting on Makeup!!!!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Never thank gawd!
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Gross!
6. Can you cook? Somethings yeah….like spaghetti, rice, chicken…basic things.
7. A memory about your childhood home? I used to be really afraid of the dark, and I hated when my mom changed the position of my bed…I’d look strait at the corridor and it would freak me out!
8. What would make you happier? More patients in my clinic! I’m a physical therapist and I would really enjoy to have a waiting list of patients, all year around!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Pop, hip hop, blues, classic
10. Weekly goals: Finish some tasks at the clinic, try and stay true to my diet (Dukan!!), go 3 times to the gym this week and if all goes well….work work work!
Loved the bra story made me laugh! lol
Kisses and have a great week Karen!
1. Mood: Tiiiiirrrreeed. This past weekend was one of those weekends that left me more tired from it, rather than refreshed.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? That I’m a total geek. I love Science Fiction and super hero’s and all that stuff.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Eye makeup 🙂 I love me a nice liquid eye liner.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Nope. I’ve always been really self sufficient on the whole dating thing lol
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum yum yum.
6. Can you cook? Yes ma’am. Love to cook! People always end up coming to my house to eat all the time.
7. A memory about your childhood home? I planted trees out front with my dad and named them Lucy and Ricky. 🙂
8. What would make you happier? Listening to my heart. I tend to think too much and not feel enough, and most of what I’m unhappy about in my life could have been avoided if I wouldn’t have ignored that feeling in my gut.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Umm…I’m pretty eclectic. I like rock, alternative, some country, some rap, some pop.
10. Weekly goals: To watch my eating and workout 4 times.
I remember being surprised by your voice the first time I watched one of your videos! I’m not sure why though… I mean, I don’t know what I expected.
1. Mood: sleepy! I only got 5 hours last night and I am craving a nap.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? My teeth are fake(ish?).
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Exfoliating. Is that weird? I don’t know, it just feels invigorating!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Thankfully, no. When I was in college though, my parents were trying to make me join this “Singles’ Group” at church. Except all the “Singles” were like, people older than my parents. It was weird.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Gross.
6. Can you cook? I am actually a pretty awesome cook, if I do say so myself.
7. A memory about your childhood home? We had a random concrete section in the backyard (seriously like 3′ x 3′) that the grill was on. For a while, a hawk used to come hang out in the backyard so we’d leave him treats on the random concrete slab.
8. What would make you happier? I think I’d be a lot happier if Arizona had a climate more like the Pacific Northwest. Ah well, I can dream. 🙂
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? A quick scan through my itunes shows a lot of “alternative” but that seems really nondescript.
10. Weekly goals: finish my tax stuff… oops, was this my goal for last week, too?
1.Mood: Good for a “back to work day”! 😉
2.Something people are surprised to learn about you? I don’t know. That I’m not what I seem? I’m a lot different around people that I know.
3.What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
I enjoy all of it & I don’t care if I’m considered “girlie” because of it.
4.Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
No & we have a rule not to discuss dating anyway & if I get the slightest hint that I’m being potentially set up I’ll pull away. Plus, I know what kind of guy is right for me, not my family.
5.Pickles: yum or gross?
NASTY!
6.Can you cook?
Yes, but I don’t want to. It’s hard to figure out meals, not the cooking part.
7.A memory about your childhood home?
Comfortable & nicely decorated.
8.What would make you happier?
Actually I am very happy now & I hardly have anything, LOL!
9.What’s your favorite kind of music?
Love dance/club music. Listen to a lot of Christian music – very calming, some alternative, some rock. I guess I’m all over the place, but I’m sorry don’t like country music.
10.Weekly goals:
No goals this week.
OMG I would have died if my mechanic found one of my bras in my glove compartment! He always has to look in there for my insurance card when I get the car inspected.
I’m feeling a little anxious, like I should be doing something. What? I’m not sure.
People are always shocked when I find out my age and that I have six children. Yes, I birthed them all. The age: because I look young. Thank you, Mom, for blessing me with your Asian skin. The children: because I’m athletically thin. Again, Thanks Mom!
I really enjoy picking out colors that match the natural sunlight. I find colors look so differently on my depending on the weather.
My family knows that I never needed help finding a suitable man to date.
Dill pickles rock on sandwiches.
My husband thinks I can. I guess that’s all that matters.
Which home? I grew up all over the place since I was a military brat. We never lived on base, and my mother always had a garden in the backyard. I don’t know if garden is the correct term. Our ENTIRE backyard was turned into a garden. I would get lost in our backyard as a young child.
I’m very happy. Seeing my children grow up to live their passion while in loving relationships would make me happier.
I can’t choose my favorite music.
This week I need to force myself to do some cardio and weights.
1. Mood: optimistic, welcoming some February rain! Valentine’s Day nails too — “All About Me” from OPI for Sephora. BRIGHT and happy!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I salsa dance with my dance partner/boyfriend in my spare time…love that Latin beat and flowing dresses 🙂
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? I really enjoy painting my nails. An easy way to end a day on a quiet note **unless a pesky puppy decides to get in on the project!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? YES my aunts are notorious for that. Painful.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Gross. Toooooooo salty for me!
6. Can you cook? I can make a mean waffle!
7. A memory about your childhood home? Sunset district in SF…nearby parks and tasty treat stops.
8. What would make you happier? More free time and less to worry about.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? I’m really getting into bluegrass and folk lately <3 The Civil Wars!!!
10. Weekly goals: stay organized, make my top-3-items-I-need-for-spring list
1. Mood:
Stressed. My Mom has been really sick for three weeks and is refusing to go to the doctor. I’m about ready to drag her there against her will if she doesn’t change her mind.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I’m first generation American. My parents and everyone that came before them are all from Germany.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
I love applying makeup and coming up with new color combinations every day.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
No, thank goodness!
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
Eww… no thanks!
6. Can you cook?
Yes, when I have the time. I don’t do well when I’m rushed and usually resort to microwaving.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
The playhouse that my Dad build in the backyard for me. My friends and I did graffiti on the walls inside that depicted all of our pre-teen heart throbs at the time.
8. What would make you happier?
Financial stability.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
All kinds. I’m really influenced by either lyrics that I really connect with, or an infectious beat, so that can be find in all genres. Currently I’m obsessed with the latest Florence + the Machine release. I listen to it every day.
10. Weekly goals:
Try to stay calm when all around me is in chaos!
1. Mood: relaxed! Just took a bath, and the fiance took me to Mongolian Barbecue!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I swear too much :p I look too nice for that apparently! Also, people seem surprised that I’m working on a Master’s degree in marketing.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? I love a lot of it to be honest. I love cleansing/moisturizing, I find it very relaxing. I love doing different makeup, though I usually think I look best with a natural-ish look, and neutral tones.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Not really! I’m 24 and I’ve been with my fiance since before I was 18, they haven’t had a chance, haha.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Yum about once a year.
6. Can you cook? Not very well! I’m good with a crock pot though… but my fiance is a good cook, so yay for me.
7. A memory about your childhood home? Lots of doggies <3 We've always had dogs.
8. What would make you happier? Not having to do research and write a paper for a conference, but at least it means I get to go to Vienna this summer!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? I listen to a little bit of everything, but I end up veering toward rock/classic rock.
10. Weekly goals:
-Rest my knee so I can hopefully get back to the gym soon! And wear my knee brace even though it looks dorky.
-Finish a scholarship application
-Start research for aforementioned paper so I can go to Vienna. Research = Experiments in my mentor/coauthor's undergrad advertising classes.
1. Mood: A teensy bit antsy. I have to write an essay and study for a midterm that are both for tomorrow. It’s going to be a looooooooong night! XD Though I just finished my Sociology midterm so I’m glad that’s over with.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I’m quite good at choreographed dance 😀 And I enjoy breaking out into dance and song 🙂
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Skincare! The dream of having flawless skin and hoping that all this effort is going to come to fruition is the best!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Actually, relatives tell me I ought to finish school first before having a boyfriend XP
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Delicious! Especially on a cheeseburger!
6. Can you cook? I prefer baking but I think I can cook fairly well. I haven’t cooked a full on meal but I can make certain dishes really well (like fancy mac n cheese :P)
7. A memory about your childhood home? My childhood home had the most amazing backyard! It had a lot of plants and trees because my grandpa loved to garden. I would run around and pick fruit and roll around in the grass.
8. What would make you happier? If I was better at time management…. I always feel like I have so much to do and not enough time (especially with schoolwork…)
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Personally, I enjoy alternative and indie music!
10. Weekly goals: To be able to get through finishing my essay and doing well on my midterm tomorrow XD Then I need to get Valentine’s Day gifts for my friends
1. Mood: So sad…gloomy & heartbroken. Huge Whitney Houston fan so I’ve been in tears on & off all weekend. 🙁
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? Hmm…that I listen to country music maybe? Most ppl know I’m short and that I read an obscene amount. Oh maybe it’s that I’m a huge action film fan & not into romantic/mushy movies (no Lifetime movies for this gal)
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Weirdly enough it’s washing my face…whether taking off the makeup or giving myself a clean start for my new look it’s soothing for me.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Good gawd no and I am so thankful. I just heard about a horrible set up for a friend by her mother. My mommy knows better.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Gross
6. Can you cook? Yup…simple stuff. But i’m self-sufficient in the kitchen. Love to bake though. Making white & dark chocolate chip cupcakes for Valentine’s Day for the family actually
7. A memory about your childhood home? How cozy my parents made it for me and my brother. And the kitchen. I came home from college one winter break to find my bathroom & kitchen had been completely re-done.
8. What would make you happier? Doing something I love.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? Anything…I prefer music with instruments so I find myself listening to R&B, country and rock music more than anything. I love Alicia Keys, Blake Shelton and Daughtry who each play an instrument. I wish that was something I could do.
10. Weekly goals: Clean my room…it always seems to get out of control over the weekend. Sign up for this test and be EARLY to work
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!! And have a great week Beauties!
1. Mood:
Egads……that’s how I feel. Egads. It’s one of those, “Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah” moods.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I have Autism. I have no idea why people find this surprising as I think it’s really obvious, but apparently it’s not?
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
Doing my makeup. I have a lot of fun doing it!
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
One tried and I about snapped her head off. After that, it became well-known that I was not to be set up. I was the evil one.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
Very, very, gross.
6. Can you cook?
Very well.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
Which one? I’ve had eight, nine including the one I live in! I only have memories of 6 of them though!
8. What would make you happier?
Having my room painted something other than the three shades of white it is!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
I don’t really have one, but my iPod tells me that it’s mainly pop and soundtracks….
10. Weekly goals:
-Brush Zeebs
-Read!
-Clean
-Prepare dinner at least three times this week!
-Finish working on the French for Habanera from Carmen!
-Attempt to exercise!
1. Mood:
Distracted. Thus why I would be doing something like this from my computer desk at work 😉
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
Its becoming something people encounter more quickly these days but particularly anybody who knows me through work or uni – that I’m really REALLY bubbly and fast talking in small groups.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
painting my toe nails. all the awesome feelings of fresh new paint and none (nearly) of the hassle of not being able to touch anything/type/read a book comfortably etc
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
A relative? not yet. I got my first suggestion last year. From my old girl’s brigade captain.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
I like them well enough on Macca’s Cheeseburgers? otherwise I’ve not really had any exposure to them since i was about 11 and in the USA…
6. Can you cook?
regretfully not. my speciality is edible choc chip cookies and homemade pizza… i don’t go to well on ‘free food’ cooking…
7. A memory about your childhood home?
the 200m walk across the paddock between my house and my Grandma’s… man I hated the very thought of standing in a cow paddy
8. What would make you happier?
if the next hour just dissappeared and it was hometime
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
Country hands down. With some old Swing, War tunes, Easy-listening and pop thrown in for flavour
10. Weekly goals:
Not become depressed by the Valentine’s Day phenomenon on my Facebook page. Survive work week without caving and buying some chocolate. Catch up with my friends before I leave town for 6 months next week.
1. Mood: Cranky, annoyed that i woke up to the sound of the dog puking on my fiance’s pillow. This is the third time she’s thrown up since Friday.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I hunt.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy? Moisturizing. My skin is like “Thank you! Thank you!”
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? Yep, he stood me up too.
5. Pickles: yum or gross? Only if they’re dill, then they’re delicious.
6. Can you cook? Not very well, but I’m still learning. Also what I can cook is awesome.
7. A memory about your childhood home? My older brother put Dawn dish detergent in the dishwasher and the whole kitchen floor was covered by bubbles!
8. What would make you happier? Not having my ITEC class tonight. I am so over making powerpoints.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? I like punk rock and alternative rock the most.
10. Weekly goals: Thank you notes from the bridal shower, so much homework from stats and psych, not having to clean up any more doggy puke.
Hahaha, I see why people may be surprised by your voice, I imagined it deeper myself. 🙂 Maybe because my voice is actually quite deep.
1. Mood:
Exhausted!
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
Im not the person they see at first eye. I’m very spontaneous, not as hypocritical and as shy as they think.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
Applying blush, painting my nails and doing my eyeshadow. I take enough time for these things to enjoy.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
Yes! My grandma does it all the time! She never got to meet a boyfriend I ever had and she thinks I’m lonely and in need of a nice boyfriend. I just don’t like the ones she picks out for me.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
Straight out of the bottle; Yum!! Just don’t like it on a hamburger. Hot pickles are gross!
6. Can you cook?
I’m still learning.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
I have tons of memorys of my childhood home(before the age of 9, after that my memory went blank), which one do you wanna hear?
8. What would make you happier?
Right now, a nice and loving boyfriend. It’s Valentinesday!
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
I can love every kind of music. Latino, musical, pop, happy hardcore.. you name it!
10. Weekly goals:
Losing 2 pounds this week!
So yeah it’s Tuesday but .. well you know lol
1. Mood: cranky – cuz I’m hungry
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you? I’m actually funny
3. What’s one part off your beauty routine that you really enjoy? applying/blending eye shadow
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date? YUP.. too many times lol
5. Pickles: yum or gross? YUMMY
6. Can you cook? Fo Sho!
7. A memory about your childhood home? Building forts out of sheets and books in our den
8. What would make you happier? if the hubs brought dinner home
9. What’s your favorite kind of music? R&B, soul
10. Weekly goals: get out of my own head and make some necessary decisions
1. Mood:
Sort of depressed.
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
That I have an Anthropology degree.
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
I love getting my eyebrows and underarms waxed, which seems to freak people out.
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
Yes. It didn’t go well.
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
They’re tasty.
6. Can you cook?
I can cook ok, but my husband is a much better chef.
7. A memory about your childhood home?
Getting bit on the face by a wolf spider when I was sick with the flu.
8. What would make you happier?
Being able to find the perfect writing position.
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
Hmm, I love music with strings, so however you would classify Emilie Autumn, Voltaire and Rasputina. That’s my favorite type. A close second is Psy-trance.
10. Weekly goals:
To write more.
To exercise more.
1. Mood: seriously sad and confused how does one choose between a 13 year old cat that has always been there …and a guy with every excuse in the book which is now he’s allergic to cats
and after 997.3 mile move to be with him he just has had excuse after excuse and i have loved him since the world began a million years and now after reconnecting after 25 years apart he said of course bring the cat and i left behind a man that abused me but liked the cat as for mr excuses i love him but i love the cat cat has been there thru it all even saved me from abuse once by jumping at the jerk one loud meow and a full set of claws i was able to get away unhurt and my cat sat up all nite with me might choose the cat gonna choose the cat he don’t care i have marks and scars
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you: I chose the cat
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine you really enjoy: hot bath with old fashioned lavender and candles and music
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date: No I have no family
5. Pickles yum or gross: only the half sours are good others are gross to look at
6. Can you cook: every chance I get I am a really good cook because I love it
7. A memory of your childhood home: I never had one but I’d like to think it would have been some where by the beach
8. What would make you happier: if I did not have to choose between a man and my cat
9. What is your favorite kind of music: old rock and roll
10: Weekly goals: to be happier than the week before and soak in a hot tub and make the cat happy he’s old but he’s my friend