There are just some things you always love.....

Thirty for 30

Recently, I was reading my grandmother's sister's granddaughter's (so I guess that makes her my 3rd cousin) Whitney's blog: Witty Whits Words, and she did an awesome entry entitled "28 for 28", which was basically 28 random things about her life for her 28 trips around the sun. After reading, I was inspired to compose Thirty things for 30. Although, it would rather be 18 for 18 or 21 for 21 again, I realize that my 30 trips around the sun have been purposeful and I must pay them respect. After all, this blog was inspired in the beginning by my turning 30 in the first place. So here it goes: Thirty for 30. Please don't judge me!

1. I love my hometown of Paducah, KY. For people who have never moved around, they may not understand the love that you can have for a place that you lived that you are no longer close to. I love going back to visit and try to go once a year. Also, I plan to make the trip once a year for the rest of my life so that I never forget my roots, where I came from, or how peaceful it can be to sit where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet and be at peace.

2. I love to write. I have always loved to write. However, it's only been in my recent adult life that I have been confident enough to share it with the world.

3. I love college basketball (especially KY). Although I love most sports, I think that football and baseball are just buffers between March Madness and the Tip Off Classic.

4. I had the mumps when I was 3. I may never win the lotto, but I had a one in a million illness.

5. I have a tattoo of a shamrock on my back. My mom hates it, but I love it. It reminds me of my Irish heritage and the people who came before me so that I could live the privileged life that I have.

6. When I was 6, I told my mom I wanted to be a special education teacher. Guess there are some things in life you are just sure of.

7. The first time I flew alone was when I was 14. I flew from NOLA to Miami to meet my friend Elizabeth and her mom to go on spring break in Key West. I still can't believe my parents let me do that.

8. I believe in signs from the universe. I always have. I agree with Oprah calls them, "God Whispers". I think that sometimes, God or the Universe whispers a little something into your ear to remind you that it's going to be OK.

9. I honestly believe I have the worst hair ever. I know every girl says that, but I wake up in the morning looking like Flock of Seagulls.

10. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of family. I also realize that they have and have had my best interest at heart, when I didn't think so.

11. I the year 2006, I got in 3 wrecks, none of which were my fault. I'm convinced my insurance premium will never recover.

12. I love to eat Jack in the Box....sober.

13. I drink black coffee every morning and I have since I was 4. Every morning I would go to my grandparent's house before school and my PaPaw and I would each have a cup of coffee. Occasionally, we would each have a pipe (mine blew bubbles).

14. When I was in second grade, I was on Good Morning America. They did a spotlight on Paducah and I was one of the school kids picked to be filmed standing in front of City Hall, waving and saying "GOOD MORNING AMERICA". I still have it on VHS for all who are interested.

15. I'm a democrat and proud to be one. And no, I'm not one because I jumped on a bandwagon or I listen to rhetoric from one news outlet. I have always considered myself one and I believe that my core values are those represented by that party. There was a time when I was scared to say my beliefs out of fear of offending people, but I now realize that life is too short to run scared.

16. When I was 4, I was at a baseball card show with my dad and St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith came over to me, picked my up, and asked my what my baby dolls name was.

17. I am absolutely terrified of mice. Finding one in your washing machine after you've done a load or two really does you in on the little critters.

18. I love to take road trips alone because it gives me the opportunity to clear my head and get back to reality.

19. I want to sky dive.

20. I'm a sucker for reality TV. The trashier.....the better.

21. I really enjoy school. I love teaching it and I love going to it. I started preschool when I was 3 and have been in school pretty much every year since then, with only a brief hiatus for 2.5 years when I was deciding on what to go to graduate school for. And although I'm done with grad school, I found myself back in school.

22. My sister Kellie and I are just about as opposite as you can get, but some how manage to be the best of friends.

23. I realize now that I took the time I had with my MaMaw as a child for granted. She was one of the best story tellers that I have ever met. She could tell a story that made you felt like you had traveled back in time.

24. I want to travel Australia one day. As far back as my memory reaches, I have been fascinated with the country.

25. When I was say, about 4 or so, I was completely over taken by Mary Lou Retton. I had a Team USA leotard that I would wear everywhere in hopes that people would think I was her.

26. Donnie Wahlberg is my favorite New Kid and is my one celebrity gimme!

27. I'm a news junkie. The first think I do every morning is check the news on my phone so that I can know what is going on in the world.

28. I still hate Laettner.

29. I sometimes tell people I'm a natural red head. It's up to them if they want to believe me.

30. I've recently come to realize that it's OK to take chances and go at something with a leap of (blind) faith.