So…what is the Monday Poll?
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
It only took me once, barely, but I got hella lucky. I barely passed the driving part by the skin of my teeth. I got through the written test fine, but the actual driving ? part on the road? It was touch and go. I think I got in the low-70s. I passed, though! Mind you, I’m not gonna win the Indy 500 or any drag races any time soon, but I think I’m a decent driver.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Oh, my gosh, yes, and I wouldn’t recommend it at all. In almost every housing situation I had in college, I lived with people that I didn’t know beforehand, and, except for one person, I haven’t kept in touch with any of them.
If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I’d tell her that meeting people and talking to them for half an hour won’t give you enough info to tell if you can get along with them day in, day out.
Oh! — and then when I moved to San Francisco after school ended, I lived with a bunch of strangers again, and sh*t was always getting stolen from my room.
I know that it works out for some people…but it didn’t for me.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
I’m still on a Chanel cream blush kick, so I’m wearing No. 24 today on my cheeks.
I haven’t been wearing bronzer lately, though, and it’s been like a month. I think it’s because I’m darker than usual from taking the Coywolf to the pool a few times, so I don’t feel the urge to bronze.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
- A scrumptious iced coffee drink
- The sound of the Coywolf laughing
- A quick 5-minute walk outside
- Listening to whatever song I’m crushing on at the moment
- Putting on lipstick (of course)
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
Band geeks for life, yo! ? And when I wasn’t hanging out with the band geeks, I was usually with some of the AP students from my classes. So nerdy, man!
Also, I briefly hung out with some drama kids in my senior year, but to be honest they were a little too much for me… I couldn’t hang.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have a great one, girl! Here are the questions to copy/paste.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? I don’t even drive, I know.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? No, and I don’t think I could do it.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? theBalm Balm Desert and Daniel Sandler Watercolour in Moonglow.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Tea, good music and a nap.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? I was always a very independent person, and hang out with whoever I wanted 🙂
How many times did it take to pass your driving test? Twice. I failed the actual driving part the first time. It’s a long story, but I did pass it the second time. BTW, Zack gets his permit this week. Agh!!!!!
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Yes. When my cousin got married and moved out of the apartment we shared in Brooklyn, I went to a roommate service and found someone to share the apartment with. It worked out fine, until I decided it was time to live on my own and I moved to a smaller place in Manhattan.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? I am wearing Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Powder in Medium and Joues Contraste in Rose Ecrin. I tried the new cream blush stick, but decided to go with the eye shadow palette instead (limited budget). I may go back in a few weeks and get it.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Oh boy, lets see;
1. Beatles tunes (just about any song)
2. Haagen Dazs Butter Pecan, that is my go to flavor for any ice cream, but HD is my favorite.
3. Hanging with my guys, (when the teen lets us).
4. I would also say lipstick, I think it is my favorite makeup piece. There are so many pretty colors.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? No, I had my best friend, but not a big group.
Love the picture of the lip colors, especially Chanel. I am actually wearing Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle today. As a matter of fact, I am pretty much mostly Chanel today.
Hope you have a good week ahead!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
Just once, but I didn’t get my license until I was 20.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Just during study abroad.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera. All about that cream blush life.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
Chocolate, puppies, bunnies, kitties, leaving the office
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
A lot of the time I was a loner, but I had a few different groups of friends: the nerds who got good grades (I graduated 4th in my class), the guys in bands who sometimes got in trouble, and the people from drama class.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
I haven’t done it because I don’t know how to drive but actually in Mexico you can get your driving license without knowing how to drive.
Yes the world is crazy, I’ve been a good citizen and haven’t tried to get it until I go to a driving course.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Right now I’m doing it and nope, I don’t recommend it. I know my situation is different than when you’re living with roomies and more like an exchange program, but I’m not thrilled about my experience.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
Since I arrived here I haven’t worn any makeup to avoid discrimination so no makeup for me. If I were in Puebla I’ll probably use something creamy because it is raining and I’ll try to follow Lisa Eldridge bronzing tutorial.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
-Putting makeup, also reading about it.
-Talking with my parents, sister and friends.
-Watching RuPaul Drag Race.
-Doing exercise, even though I didn’t do any last week.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
I think cliques aren’t as defined in Mexican high schools than in American ones. I was your chatty and easygoing guy, so I talked to a lot of people, but my main group of friends was really average, most of us had good grades but we always did our homework the last hour.
Wait, what? How is that possible? Does that mean people who’ve never been behind a wheel get their license one day and then just start driving?
I know it sounds completely crazy but yes there aren’t driving test, only written ones, so technically yes without knowing how to drive you can get one, they only care if you know enough signs and have good vision.
That’s why we have so many awful drivers. They say that they eliminated the driving test because many people were giving money to the supervisors when they fail so they still would get their license. But for me is total BS, because this is far dangerous, you have to see all the bad drivers we have.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? 2! The first time I was just too nervous.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Yes and it can be an amazing or a terrible experience. I had both.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? Peaches blush by Mac and Hourglass ambiant lighting bronzer in luminous bronze light.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Food. Shopping. Sex. In that order.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? Yep. Nerdy girls mostly. We would love watching Lord of the Rings and stuff like that… we still do but now it’s cool. Right?
Yes, it’s totally cool! 😀
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?: I have never taken a driving test. I still need to get my license, and I’m hoping to do it next year.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?: Lived with? I don’t think so. I did stay in a house for two days with strangers when I was traveling in West Virginia.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?: Marc Jacobs Promiscious.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?: My friends telling me how much I mean to them, looking at photos of my friends’ cute kids.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?: Yes, the nerds. Lol.
Good luck with your driving test!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
Twice. I was so nervous the first time, I stopped a at a green light! Luckily I made it the second time and I got my license on my 17th birthday.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Yes, my sophmore year of college when I moved into the dorms. I imagined bonding and becoming BFFs with my roomates, but it didn’t work out that way. Afterwards, I moved into an apartment with a couple of friends and that was much better.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
It’s a pinky/peach blush from Wet ‘n’ Wild, but I don’t remember the name.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
– Meetings that get canceled at work
– Finding a good book that I don’t want to put down
– Snuggles from the kitties
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
No. I had a few close friends, but that was it. I guess we were on the geeky/nerdy side.
Happy Monday!
Happy Monday, Ruchita! Did you and the kitties enjoy the great outdoors this weekend?
Yep, I try to give them some outdoor time every day. Mostly they like to eat grass and go bird watching. We have a hummingbird feeder and it’s fun seeing those little guys zip around. It’s a tough life for these kitties. 🙂 Has Tabs been enjoying his catio?
He has! Summer is his fave time because he spends hours out there. We let him in after dinner and he’s seriously out there until 8 or 9!
For the millionth time, I wish I was a cat. 🙂
Mingus loves going out at night. I set him up in his little tent on the deck and he’s perfectly content. I need to bribe him with treats to get him come in.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? Two, i passed the written part, but the driving part the firs time I screwed up a lot. I was really nervous. Passed it with 100% the second time.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? No, I went from living with my parents to living with my husband. Boring, but easy.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? None, I’m bare faced today. If I wear blush, it’s usually Benetint.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Coffee, hugging my Pug, listening to music, painting my nails.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? I went to a tiny high school, 300 kids in total. I hung out with my friends I’ve had since Kindergarten! Most of us were in band, so the band kids.
Wow, that’s kind of cool that it was so small. I bet everybody know everybody. My graduating senior class was over 800 people, and that was the smallest of the classes.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? Just the one time, hallelujah. My parents paid for me to go to one of those driving schools. I think that made the difference. Speaking of though, my kid will be old enough to get his learner’s permit in seven months. Which means I’m going to have a teenage boy on my car insurance in seven months! Not ready. I thought I had another year and a half to go.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Yes. I’m really frugal so in college I rented a house with a bunch of people I didn’t know. Everyone had their own bedroom and we shared the bathrooms/kitchen, which were always a pit because no one ever wanted to clean. It was a bit of a nightmare.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? None! I was in a rush this morning. I had Nars Orgasm liquid blush in my purse and intended to smack it on during my commute to work and forgot.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Getting a compliment, especially on my nails, espresso, cocktail hour with girlfriends.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? I did and we weren’t the coolest. But, it’s hard to be cool when you’re attending a private, Catholic girls school and you’re rocking or not a green plaid skirt for four years.
My dad tried to teach me how to drive and it was a disaster, so I ended up going to one of those driving schools too! They obviously didn’t do a good job, LOL!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
*Hiding my head in my hands* I still haven’t taken it. I only got my permit this past February! But I passed that on the first try with flying colors, so that counts for something, right?
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
My freshman year in college I was roomed with two random other freshmen. They ended up being fantastic, but I’d heard some real horror stories from friends of mine that year! Since then, I’ve lived with friends and I never want to make that gamble again.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
I’m not wearing any makeup but if I was, I’d probably be wearing Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze and Hourglass Incandescent Electra blush!
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
A warm cuddly hug, running my aromatherapy diffuser, playing with my kitty, rereading a favorite book, going to a party with my good friends and getting a little silly, going on a long hike and finding a beautiful little spot, the ocean…
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
I kind of hung out with a lot of different cliques! I was in a small graduating class (about 125) and I kind of circled between a bunch of different cliques, since they weren’t that strong to begin with. Most people had friends in several different “groups.” I guess if I had to choose a single group, it was mostly the artsy kids.
Ahh, I love that you’re wearing that Bronzer. It smells delicious, doesn’t it?
Hope you’re having a great Monday so far, Katie. 🙂
It definitely is a real coconut smell! I opened it up once for the mirror and my roommate walked in the room going “what’s that coconut coming from?”
Yeah, it always makes me hungry when I smell it. LOL
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? None, at the time in Arizona if you took a driving course with a certain amount of hours driving you didn’t have to take one. ?
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Been fortunate enough not to need to, because it wouldn’t be a good fit for me almost certainly.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? Nothing today.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Cake with generous frosting, the boys playing happily together, coffee, time outside when it’s not too sunny or hot.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? Not as such.
That driver’s training is so crazy to me! So you could technically spend X amount hours driving badly and still get a license? Cray!
A while back we talked about fun toys for the kiddos. Thanks for recommending balls! Connor loves her soccer ball to pieces. 🙂
That’s great to hear, I’m glad! I think in theory they had to”pass” you on the driving you did but as I recall it didn’t have everything the test would have. I certainly didn’t parallel park until much older.
She hasn’t broken anything in the house with it… YET. The kid is kind of a dare devil. She did a somersault of the couch yesterday! Scared me half to death but she seemed to have a good time. GRR!
I didn’t learn how to parallel park until I lived in SF. In the city it’s a quick learning curve.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
I don’t even have my license. 😡 I live in the city and I’ve taken transit all my life so there was never any need, especially considering the cost of gas/insurance. If I didn’t live on my own and had my bills cut in half, maybe I’d finally consider it!
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Ugh, thankfully no! I can’t even handle the idea of a roommate I DO know, forget one I don’t. Lol. During school I was able to stay at home because my uni was close enough.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
MAC’s Shell Pearl Beauty Powder, which is the perfect “your own cheeks but better” blush for me.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
Instagram and Pinterest – full of positive, fun, interesting images that (obviously since I choose who I follow) interest me. Feeling inspired to create, which these two platforms do for me, always makes me feel better. Watching a good movie. Cuddling my cat in bed. Reading a good book. Doing my make-up. Doing a pampering session (Lush bath, facemask, etc.). Video games. Watching my favourite YouTube people/vloggers/gamers.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
Not really. I hung out with a few select people each year during school but there was never anything identifiable about us except that we were all strange and unusual in some way. Haha. I was also a bit of a loner and I was okay with that. I definitely got called “brown noser” and “teacher’s pet” simply because I was a straight-A student (so dumb!). I had quite a few “friends,” (especially when I think back to middle school when I was Student President) but even still, I kept to myself most of the time and I stayed in the stairwell during lunch periods writing instead of socializing. Never had any desire to be “popular”!
Hi Ash,
Visual inspiration is always a mood booster for me, too! 🙂
Speaking of movies, have you watched any good ones lately?
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
Just the one! I aced it.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Nope, always friends.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
None today but I wore Jo from NARS yesterday.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
Playing with my pup, a short walk, or a great meal or drink.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
Nope, I had friends of all sorts!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
Just once, but I still stink at parallel parking.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
Yes. Freshman year in college I was stuck with a roommate carefully selected by some vague algorithm. We spoke for about an hour on the phone weeks before we met in our dorm room. She seemed nice enough, but turned out to be a rather petty person. I became disenchanted with her two weeks later, when I caught her mocking my parents (whom she’d met only once) to her friends.
It could’ve been worse, though. My close friend had a roommate who insisted on hanging out nude in their dorm room. Needless to say, my friend spent a lot of time at the library!
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
None! Normally I’m the blush queen, but today I’ve been working up a sweat around the house, cleaning and performing minor repairs. The only thing I’m wearing on my face is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer, my daily BB cream.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
1. Silly kitten videos
2. Dark chocolate
3. Cheesy old songs
4. Ulta catalog in my mailbox
5. The ocean
6. Hitchcock movies
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
No. I had several friends (who were in marching band), but was painfully shy and mostly kept to myself. I was too nerdy to fit in with the geeks!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? I don’t drive yet.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Nope.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? Mac Baiana Bronzer.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Shopping, anything small and fluffy, kittens and Argentine tango. Chocolate too!
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? Just my girlfriends.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? Once, but they never made me parallel park. I still don’t know how to parallel park. I’m 31.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Yes. I didn’t like it.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? None. I need a pretty new one.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Texting friends, napping, great bargain buys, petting my cat, being with my husband.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? Outcasts
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? Once and I did it the day after an epic ice storm in Michigan.
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Define strangers. In college, but after a few weeks of living together we weren’t strangers anymore. Still keep in touch with that roommate.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? None. I tried a new sunscreen today and it stayed tacky even after powdering so I didn’t think blush would blend out very well on it.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? Iced coffee. Red Hot Chili Peppers or any classic rock. Purrs from Nora kitty. Hugs from Dear Husband and Dear Daughter. Nickers and whinnies from my mare Lucy.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? That was so long ago I don’t remember.
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test?
– Twice! It was the dead of winter, the first time I almost passed but while I was pulling back into the DMV parking lot, I drove over a little island that jutted out into the parking lot – it was covered in snow so I couldn’t see it, but I could definitely hear it scraping the underside of the car! The second time I took it it was during a blizzard and I passed (and got stuck in a snow bank on my way home!) 🙂
2. Have you ever lived with strangers?
-I have not!
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today?
-I woke up late today and forgot blush! I had time to put on foundation, then brought lipgloss and mascara to work with me.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
-Animals, pictures of animals, cute animal videos, bright lipstick, caramel M&Ms…
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
-Nope, all my middle school friends joined cliques, but I did not. I had no friends in high school!
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? One
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? No
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? MAC Fruity Juicy Pearlmatte Face Powder in Oh My, Passion!
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood? My hubby and kids saying, “I love you,” or telling me I’m pretty. Babies and animals. Music. The ocean. Bright lipstick.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school? No
1. How many times did it take to pass your driving test? I had to take the written test 2x. I did the at home drivers ed and didn’t actually read the book, so I went in blind. I was 15 and didn’t see the point of reading the dang thing. I lived in the country and started driving when I was 8. Crazy to think of now since I have an 8 year old!
2. Have you ever lived with strangers? Just in the dorms at college. It was horrible. I went from loving in a big house in the country and having the upstairs to myself to sharing a box with a stranger.
3. What blush/bronzer are you wearing today? Becca Sunlit in Bali Sands. I wish I had one shade darker for summer, but it is beautiful. I’m also wearing Marc Jacobs AirBlush in Kink & Kisses.
4. What are some things that instantly boost your mood?
My husband who’s hugs can heal any ache, my children laughing, a great cup of tea with lemon, a good book and a quiet room to read it in.
5. Did you hang with a certain clique in high school?
Mostly my volleyball girls, but I was a bit of a drifter. If there was drama in a group, I’d float over to the next. I was able to fit where I planted myself. Not so much now, but it was easier then.
I already had a foreign driver’s license and an intl license, and upon arrival at US duly signed up for a test. On the day of the road test, the tester got in my car and asked to see insurance papers. I didn’t have the papers, so he told me to go get it. I drove back home and came back, he went in the car, checked the papers, asked me to start and we get out of the parking lot and on to the street, turn left, then turn into the parking lot again, and park. Then he said I passed. All of 2 minutes lol.