10 Day You Challenge: One [or Two] Picture

I took these 2 pictures yesterday when I got home from work - this is just me [tired] after work on an average Monday.  The second picture is included to simply try and show you my awesome nails [probably didn't work so well]... enjoy

10 Day You Challenge: Two Songs

Boy, 2 songs - this ought to be hard!  I have been thinking about this one for weeks trying to come up with some song to add that would somehow fit me, a song that's impacted me, a song that has really meant something to me and my life.  I enjoy music, sometimes I don't think I'm worthy of calling myself a true music lovers because I tend to stick to the people/bands I know, and don't often seek out new or independent music. Picking just 2 songs (of all time) seems impossible, even for someone who barely knows any music..

1. Imagine - by John Lennon.  I love this song - I actually have great love for a lot of Beatles songs and works of any of the Beatles independently.  This particular song has been re-done so many times and it never seems to lose it's impact in the world.  Most song are reflective of a time; this song is reflective of a world at any given time.  It's just an amazing song; always has been, always will be.  A Classic.
2. Keep Ya Head Up - by Tupac (2Pac).  I'd say Tupac is my second favorite artist, second only to Eminem.  While I could have picked a handful of Em songs to list here I picked this Tupac song because I feel it has an extremely positive message.  If you haven't heard it, go to youtube and take a listen.  People in the 'rap game' tend to have a pretty bad rep when it comes to how they rap about females (don't get me wrong, I know Tupac is in that group as well), but this song really challenges how women are treated and why it happens and encourages everyone to keep on goin', no matter what is bringing you down.  I just really enjoy the song!  The world lost an extremely influential rapper the day Tupac was murdered.

It's seriously hard to just pick 2.

10 Day You Challenge: Three Films

1. Without question my number one all time favorite 'film' is The Wizard of Oz.  When I was a child we used to wait for it's once a year airing on TNT (or whatever channel is was on)... it'd be like the biggest night of the year in my house.  Then we decided to record it as I grew older and wanted to watch it more often.  The funny thing about that is, even though I had it recorded and watched it often - that one night a year airing was still a special night - for some reason the movie was different on that night.  Still to this day I love that movie!  I own the DVD obviously, I've seen a touring musical of it a couple years back, I've seen Wicked 3 times, I just love everything about it - it hold great memories of my childhood and, as an adult, I still get goosebumps when Dorothy walks out into Munchkin Land and everything is in color!  I even own this!
2. Big - Again, one of those childhood memory things that transfers into adulthood.  I remember watching this movie as a kid at my gma's house.  She had the VHS of it and EVERY single time I went over there I'd ask her to watch it.  To this day, I still enjoy sitting down and watching it - it's just a great movie! 
3. Big Fish - This movie reminds me a lot of The Wizard of Oz.  Stories are very different, but they both challenge you to have an active imagination.  For that, this is one of my favorite movies as an adult.  It's one of those feel good films... if you haven't seen it, go rent it.  It's pretty neat!

Okay - this is truly turning into a challenge!  Picking just 3 movies is NOT easy!!

10 Day You Challenge: Four Books

I don't read much - I don't enjoy it.  I'm envious of people who read all the time and love it.. I just can't get into it. I've been reading both The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Lost Symbol for a long time, both I'm not very far into.  I'd just rather sit and watch a TV show than sit and read.  I wish I were different in that regard.  I have read a few books though, so only having to list 4, should be easy - we'll see...

1. Angels and Demons -  I read this book in about one week - which is a record for me - while on vacation in LA with my mom.  I could not put it down.  It grabbed me and sucked me in - the movie, several years later, sucked balls!  If you haven't read it, I HIGHLY recommend it!  I actually enjoy all of Dan Brown's books, which is why I need to stick with The Lost Symbol, I'm sure it won't let me down.
2. The Hobbit - I'm in LOVE with all of The Lord of The Rings movies, so I decided to read The Hobbit per a friends recommendation - SO glad I did!  Now I simply cannot wait for the movies to come out in 2012 and 2013!  It's (hopefully) going to be EPIC!  For those who don't know, The Hobbit is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings stories.
3. The Celestine Prophecy - I read this book many years ago and, at the time, it seemed to fit well into my life.  I was searching for something and, in my early twenties, trying to figure out who I was.  Today, in my current life and frame of mind, I probably wouldn't enjoy it much, if it all.  I have a pretty good feel for who I am and I'm not searching anymore.  While this book would probably be a good read for anybody, at any point in their life.. I just feel like it found me at the time when I needed to be found.
4. There's a Boy in The Girls Bathroom - LOL, I read this book a LONG time ago, but it makes my list because it's one book that I remember so clearly.  It was in my early teenage years that I read it and I thought it was the funniest thing EVER... I still own it.  For some reason it struck me as just a great book.. for some reason it just make an impact on my life!  Silly, I know, but we all have those thing that we keep with us forever and this book is one of those things!

10 Day You Challenge: Five Foods

Oh how I LOVE food!!!

1. Sushi - obviously, it's in my blog title, you'd have to assume it's one of my favorites!  Only thing I don't like about sushi is I tend to over-eat and end up WAY too stuffed... not the sushi's fault though.  I guess I just feel like, since it's a more expensive meal and we don't eat it as often, I need to get my fill of it... and boy do I!  I love rolls, sashimi, nigiri, you name it!  For me, the best way to end every trip to a sushi restaurant is to order up some yellowtail (Hamachi), either nigiri or sashimi, close your eyes, and enjoy! YUM!
2. Avocado - for some reason I just LOVE avocado.  It's pretty bland in it's taste alone, but with a sprinkle of salt, or lime juice, or mixed with tomatoes and onions, or served as guac... I just love it.  The good thing about this is that avocado is extremely good for you, so it's an okay thing to love!
3. Chicken Wings - oh yum, how I love me some tender chicken wings!  From a non-spicy sauce to a dry rub to a nice and spicy buffalo sauce!  I never used to eat wings because I wasn't a fan of eating meat from a bone, how times have changed!  Just the other night Steve grilled up some wings and made a homemade buffalo sauce - we ate the entire family pack of wings!  
4. Pringles - dude, it's no joke when I tell you that my body craves salt... usually my favorite way of getting said salt is chips.  I'll accept any chips, but if I have a choice I'd rather have Pringles.  Any flavor will do... original, sour cream and onion, cheddar cheese, or even one of those funky new flavors they roll out for a limited time only... just give me some damn Pringles!
5. CUPCAKES!!!!  This is a new found love of mine... I've always loved cake, even though I tend to not have a sweet tooth, birthday cake with frosting is yummy.  Enter the cupcake - it's JUST like birthday cake, but personal and individual.  You get a couple bites, which is all I really need anyhow, rather than a huge piece.  No fighting over who gets which piece with what decoration on it (yeah, so what if I still fight for the piece I want!).. it's brilliant, simply brilliant.  Which is why I'm SO excited for that UV Cake Vodka I wrote about the other day.  Does anyone know how to find out how much more sugar is in Cake Vodka over regular vodka? <-- serious question

10 Day You Challenge: 6 Places

Well crap... this is going to be fun!  I'm going to name 6 places that I've been and love or want to go see... but only 6?  This is a challenge!  In no particular order, as per normal.

1. New York City - I've been, I've seen, I've yet to fully conquer!  There is SO much to see and do in NYC, I'll never tire of going there, I'll never tire of seeing the Brooklyn Bridge, I'll never tire of all the people, I'll never tire of taking the subway to get anywhere and everywhere!  I was born and raised in a city so, to me, New York is the ideal city to have a wonderful vacation.  So many beautiful places and things to see!
2. San Francisco - I absolutely LOVE San Fran.  The hills, the fog, the breeze, the people watching(!), and the restaurants.  What's not to love about a city so diverse that has so much to offer.  It's so much more laid back than NYC, but it's still a busy city.  The Golden Gate Bridge is just the beginning of all San Fran has to offer.  Plus, it's a hop, skip and a jump from wine country!!
3. Maldives - I've never been, but it's always been on my radar.  The glass bottom houses would be AMAZING!
4. Australia - for as long as I can remember I've wanted to honeymoon in Australia.  Not sure where the idea came from or even when... and if I don't honeymoon there, you best believe I will go there at some point in my life!
5. Las Vegas - so cliché but I really love Vegas!  No matter how many times I've been there I still  haven't seen everything.  The hotels each have their own 'thing' that you can go see for free... there is Fremont Street which is free.. The Hoover Dam is about 45 minutes away and free... and the people watching is INSANE!
6. Home - as much as I love to travel, there really is no place like home.  

10 Day You Challenge: 7 Wants

Man, picking only 7 might be hard... we'll see! ;)

In no particular order.....

1. To be debt free - if my car and credit cards were paid off, I'd have more money to do things (house stuff, vacations, etc).  I don't need to win a lottery and have all the money in the world, just to be free of those bills would be enough to make me happy.
2. A new upstairs bathroom - free of pink, free of a toilet that only flushes the paper if you hold the handle down the entire time it flushes (and even then it doesn't always flush it), free of a toilet that takes over 3 minutes to fill back up, with a shower so that I can shower on the same level as my bedroom, a new sink, oh so many things that need to be done to that bathroom!
3. A flat stomach - HA!  I'll just leave it at that.
4. A 1970 Chevelle - no big deal, just my favorite car.  I love old muscle cars and I really (really) feel like I'd look badass driving one!  That's all.
5. A Patio - Steve and I have dreams... obviously.  The land our house is on was divided a couple of owners ago, so rather than having a back yard, we have a house back there - so there is no real place to put a deck or anything.  So our idea is to put a patio on the front of our house - shit, I haven't even shown you people the outside of our house, have I?  Might make more sense if I do that... but we're just wanting to put down brick pavers and make ourselves a nice patio.  Currently we have an outdoor patio set (table and chairs) sitting on a cement slab between out house and garage.  Not the ideal setup for dining outside.  I'll try to get some picture and post them so you can see how we are set up.
6. To learn Spanish - it's on my Bucket List, but I'd just love to be fluent in Spanish.  I think in America today, it is a good language to know and I had a good start on it at one point.
7. To see Europe - 'nuff said.

10 Day You Challenge: 8 Fears

I'm scared of a lot of things, actual deep fears though... that's different.  Here is a sampling of both...

1. My number one fear is being alone.  Not for an hour or a weekend.. but forever.  For some reason I've always felt like I was going to end up alone and lonely for the rest of my life.  To this day - even though I have Steve and we talk of spending forever together - this fear is still a prominent thought in my head.  something could go wrong, what if something happens... etc.  I love being around people and I love having someone to share things with.. I just can't fathom not having that.  I don't even like thinking about it.
2. Heights - ugh.  I do things that would make you think I'm not scared, but I am.  I LOVE to go up to the top of buildings and look OUT... but I HATE looking down!  Skydiving was different... once all was said and done.  I knew I'd be scared while up there and before jumping out - but I just told myself to not look down... so I didn't.  I just fell out of the plane and when I opened my eyes, we were already falling.  I had GREAT faith in the parachute... I knew I was going to be headed towards the ground, but I also knew I had something to 'catch' me.  When I'm at the top of a building (say the Sears Tower) if I were to fall.. there would be NOTHING to catch me.  That is terrifying.
3. The Dark - I'm not scared of the dark like how children are, I'm not worried that monsters are going to come out of my closet - but I certainly don't like the dark.  It's a huge adjustment for me to live in this new house with Steve in that regard.  I'm used to sleeping with a TV on or a computer monitor or something that provides me with some sort of light.  It's strange, I know my way around without light... I just get kind of scared when it's dark.  Maybe I'm scared that there will be someone in my house?  I don't know... it's fitting for this topic though, so there you have it.
4. Public Speaking.  Ugh.  I'm just fine in a group of people having a conversation, but once I'm put on the spot and asked to 'present' it's like my nerves take over and I get super red in the face before fumbling over my words.  Even at our little monthly work meetings, we sit around a table with just the people I talk to everyday ~11 people... and when I have to open a topic or I have to lead... I just clam up.  I had to stand up and say something at a birthday party we had several years back for my grandma... that's just family, and I almost couldn't do it.  I have little to no memory of it either, it's like a black out or something.  Public speaking class in High School was AWFUL!
5. The Dentist.  I've tried to get better about this as I've aged, but I just can't do it.  I hate making the 6 month trip, I know it's only a cleaning and they'll be done in no time at all, but I still get tense and anxious before I have to go.  It wasn't until a couple years ago that I tried no gas for a cleaning.  Yep - that's right, gas just for a cleaning.  I've done without it now for a couple years, but it's not easy - and really the only reason I don't get the gas is because my insurance doesn't cover it for a cleaning.  Don't even get me started on needing a filling... I hope my teeth last forever.
6. Elevators.  I use them, but I don't like to.  I have a good reason for this fear and it's two-fold: not only do I dislike small spaces, but once upon a time I was stuck in an elevator.  It wasn't overnight or anything crazy, but we were a couple floors up and all of the sudden, the elevator stopped and fell those couple floors to the basement level.  It fell fast and hard too (that's what she said?).  No one was hurt and we were out probably 45 minutes later, but it was still scary and has absolutely contributed to my fear of those damn things.  I'll use stairs or an escalator first, if given the option. 
7. Phone calls... strange, I know.  I think it's sort of a type of social anxiety disorder, but not to the extent that others may have it.  I just really hate making calls, answering calls, or whatever on the phone.  I get panicky - what should I say, what if there is an awkward silence - I'm good on the phone, and I know it - hell, it's part of my job!  It really takes me a few minutes of getting my head straight to make a call and I often times don't answer calls because of this fear.  Text messages and smart phones have really helped me not have to deal with this... thank God!
8. While it's not a great fear, I do shriek when I see bugs/spiders (however, I've been playing it cool around Steve).  I despise killing creatures as well, not because I care, but because I hate the crunchy sound they make when you squish them!  I just don't like creepy/crawly things by me... you can't fault me for that - can you?

10 Day You Challenge: 9 Loves

At first I thought this was 9 people I'm in love with... and well... I'm only in love with one person.  Then I thought about it more (give me a break it's early!) and realized it's probably 9 things (generically speaking) I love.... so I'm going to roll with that.

1. Being that it's the Summer Solstice today - I'll list Summer as the first.  I absolutely LOVE having 4 seasons in Minnesota.  As much as I complain and generally despise winter, there are certain aspects of it that I do enjoy (like waking up to beautiful hoar frost) - wait, I'm talking about summer here!  While it's not my favorite season - I love it because there is so much to do and so much fun to be had.  Corn on the cob fresh from a Minnesota farm, swimming in one of our 10,000 + lakes, beautiful flowers blooming everywhere, opening windows in the house and driving with the windows down... it's just such a welcome break from being cooped up inside!
2. Food!  One of the greatest things Steve has brought into my life is an adventurous appetite.  I was raised in a meat and potatoes home.  We didn't eat anything spicy and we certainly didn't eat anything off the wall.  Our veggies were standard and the same (green beans, corn, broccoli).  Often times I was offered money (like $1) just to try something.  Exploration of food came way later in life; a huge part of that has come with Steve.  I'm not sure why, but since meeting him I've tried a lot more food and finally conquered spicy hot things, to the point where I crave it!  My food repertoire has expanded!
3. Steve.  While this list is in no particular order, he would most certainly top the list.  As mentioned above he's helped me explore my wild taste buds (that sounds dirty... I promise it's not!) - but he's done so much more for me than that.  He's been a shoulder when I cry, he has loved me unconditionally, he accepts my quirks, he smiles every time he sees me, he holds my hand, he empties the dishwasher, he does his own laundry, he makes me laugh, but more than anything he is my best friend.
4. Travel - I wish I could do more of it.  I know that I've been very fortunate to have traveled so many places and having big girl bills now pretty much puts a stop to it all, unless I save and save.  I've been to 34 of 50 states in the US, as well as a couple places in Canada and Mexico.  I love the hustle and bustle of city life, but quite enjoy going somewhere less busy as well.  I love seeing new things, things that you see in movies and only dream of seeing one day in real life.  I love people watching in different cultures as well as my own.  I love picking up a map in a new city and getting from point A to point B all on my own!
5. Our New Home.  I'm simply in love with our home.  Everything about it from the old wood work to the neighborhood it's in.  Deep down I am a city girl - growing up in NE Minneapolis was one of the best and most amazing things in my life.  Living in Anoka now has brought a bit of community back to my life - we are able to walk downtown Anoka and grab a bite to eat or browse an antique store or get a scoop of ice cream.  All things I lost when living in Andover with my mom.  We live across the street from a park, so there is noise every Monday night while the people play their co-ed softball - and I LOVE it!  The inside of the house reminds me of my roots as well - a lot of the NE neighborhood was built around the same time as our home, so the craftsmanship is stellar and good quality products were used.  It's absolutely beautiful, even with the small annoying things that need to be replaced or repaired.
6. Boomer.  Probably more so now after our little scare last month.  I've always had a pet cat, my entire life growing up, they've always been the family pet - Boomer is my boy.  He's all mine!  What's even better is that he loves Steve as well (he hasn't so much cared for my past suitors).  Even though Steve is allergic to cats, Boomer seems to have less of an affect on him with each passing day - and he's got mad love for the kitty too!  Sometimes I think Boomer likes Steve more than he does me :(
7. Sour ... well, sour ANYTHING!  I almost just put sour candy, but I love lemons/limes as well.  Steve and I were seeking out any and all things sour for awhile there.  We found that Warheads Extreme are about the best, but I never turn away a bag of sour patch kids or sour apple gum... and even a stick of raw rhubarb to get my sour things going!  If you present me with anything sour, my mouth will start watering in .025 seconds.
8. Family - without my family I am nothing.  I've blogged about my family many times and simply put - we all like each other.  How many people do you know that can say that?  I feel like everywhere I turn someone is talking about how their family is crazy or they don't get along or they don't spend holiday's together.  It's so odd to me.  My parents, my brother and SIL, my nieces, my cousins, my aunts & uncles, my grandparents... ♥
9. Wine!   I love wine and everything it stands for - I think it can make almost anyone look classy (except for maybe this person), I love wine glasses and I love wine related art.  As of late I've been trying to cut sugar from my diet (see #2 on this post), basically because it's unnecessary - so I've cut out a lot of wine drinking.  Plus, with summer being here Red wine just doesn't feel good to drink as often as it does in the winter.  I don't usually keep a stock of white wine, but I do enjoy it quite a bit.   

10 Day You Challenge: 10 Secrets

I found this on Kim's blog and decided to give it a shot.  I don't know if I have 10 secrets, but I'm going to try anyhow.  Probably won't post these in 10 days, but maybe 10 weeks - once a week on Tuesday sound good to you?  Alrighty then!

10 Secrets:

1. I realized today, after talk of Father's Day, that I bought a card for my father, for a few father's days ago... that I never gave to him because he decided to spend the day with someone other than his children and it hurt my feelings.
2. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that I've let myself go as badly as I have.  I've never hated my body so much.  I'm too lazy to actually do anything about it.
3. I hate Twitter and don't know why I keep my account up and running.
4. I'm 127% addicted to Angry Birds.  I just found this game last weekend and I've already beaten one of the 3 versions.
5. I found a patch of wild flowers up near my job and in said patch of flowers is one color of a flower that I've been anxiously wanting to plant in our yard - I want to dig some up.  Today, on break, I drove by them and it turns out that the flowers are part of a prairie restoration project so I probably shouldn't dig them up.  What I don't understand is why they are planted on a plot of land marked "For Sale/Lease" - so ... I still want to nab a couple.
6. I don't think it's a secret - but I've lost almost all of my motivation for photography.
7. I've had a twitch in my head for over a week now.  It started in my left eyelid, lasted a week, and has now moved to my left temple.  Each time it twitches, I think I'm going to get a migraine and it freaks me out.
8. Ever since my kitty had to make an emergency trip to the vet, I panic when some thing in his routine is off.  I'm ready for that to be done.
9. If you can read this, I think you're super neat!
10. I'm scared to send my real secret into postsecret, but want to so badly.

Ok - so they weren't really secrets, but secrets are secrets for a reason - why would I share them with anyone?!  DUH.