So I saw this survey on Running the Windy City and I loved it!  I don’t think I’ve ever done a survey but this seemed like a fun one to save for a rainy day or weekend away!  Although I wasn’t exactly tagged under T, I thought I”d pretend like I was…ha ha!  I hope you enjoy learning a little more about me while I am down in St. Louis for a Girl’s Weekend!

 

A.  Attached or Single?

 

I think you guys know the answer to this one.  The BOY and I have been dating 7 years last month!

 

 

 

B. Best Friend?

 

We met in bowling day care..it was BFF at first sight!

 

 

 

C. Cake or Pie?

 

Cake!

Shamless plug…Even though I’m a cake girl, I do LOVE this Sweet Potato Pie.

 

 

D. Day of Choice?

 

Is there anything better than Sunday Funday?  Especially in the fall when it begins with a morning yoga class, followed by crockpot chili, and Bear’s football!

 

 

E. Essential Item?

 

 

My Camera.  I hate to miss a sunset and between my phone and two cameras, I always have something available to capture any beautiful site.

 

 

F. Favorite Color?

 

Purple.

 

 

G. Gummy Bears or Worms?

 

They are the only worms that I will touch!  But I am really more of a Swedish fish girl : )

 

 

H. Hometown?

 

Born in NY, but raised in Arlington Hts., IL

 

 

I. Favorite Indulgence?

 

Spa treatments!!!

 

 

And, frozen yogurt…especially the kind that you weigh yourself and can fill extra high with toppings!

 

 

J. January or July?

 

Neither and both!

 

 

K. Kids?

 

When I grow up!  For now, I get my fair share at my job and loving on my friend’s adorable kiddos.

 

 

L. Life Isn’t Complete Without?

 

My family and friends!

 

 

 

M. Marriage Date?

 

Not my own…trust me, you’ll be the first to know : )

 

 

N. Number of Brothers/Sisters?

 

I’ve got one younger brother.

 

 

 

O. Oranges or Apples?

 

Oh, I love both!  But ripe apples in the fall are the BEST!

 

 

P. Phobias?

 

I hate spiders and have a crazy fear of scuba diving.

 

Q. Quotes?

 

Obviously, I’m a huge fan of ‘Do What You Love, Love What You Do.’

 

R. Reason to Smile?

 

Every day!  The kids at work make me smile.  They say the funniest (and most inappropriate) things and do some incredible stuff!

 

 

S. Season of Choice?

 

FALL!  I love everything about it!

 

 

 

T. Tag People…

 

Tag ya’ll are it!!!

 

 

U. Unknown Fact About Me…

 

Well I feel that I’ve shared a lot recently, so it was tough to come up with something new.

I HATE touching sponges!

 

 

V. Vegetable?

 

The sweet potato for sure.  Not just because of the above mentioned pie.  I love it in EVERYTHING!

 

 

W. Worst Habit?

 

Recently, it’s been letting Cooper fall asleep with me.  But I am also a pimple picker.  Is that TMI?

 

 

 

 

X. Xray or Ultrasound?

I’m not sure if this is asking which I prefer because neither have been very positive for me in the past.  I’ll have to go Xray though. I’ve had plenty since I’ve broken at least 5 bones.

 

 

Y. Your Favorite Food?

 

Does fro yo count?  What about popcorn?  I eat a lot of popcorn!  As a meal, I love a beautiful piece of fish (glazed salmon or sea bass) with sweet potatoes, and asparagus or broccoli.  Plus a glass of wine.

 

 

Z. Zodiac Sign?

I’m a Virgo…in sooo many ways!

 

 

Leave a comment and answer some questions! 

Do you like to do surveys?  This is a fun one to try!

I promise to bring you a random, interesting, and entertaining post. 

But I can’t move on without thanking the wonderful Kayla for this Leibster nod!  Thanks Girl!!!

 

 

11 Random Facts About Me

 

1. I have a scar in the middle of my forehead from when I had the chicken pox in 5th grade.

2. I spend more money on running shoes than I do on heels.  I’m not sure that I even own any heels.  Ok, maybe one pair for weddings.

3. I am slightly superstition, so you will see me avoiding ladders and knocking on wood.

4. I took 4 AP classes in high school and graduated with highest honors.

5. I used to hate my middle name, but now I use it in my email address.

6. Growing up, my favorite food was my dad’s chicken parmesan.  I also love his matzo ball soup!

7. I drink way to much bubbly for my own good.

8. I remember when the original Nintendo came out, but I never had one.

9. I still sleep with a teddy bear (and my boyfriend and last night our kitten).

10. I hate public speaking!

11. Even though I race for fun, I still get crazy nervous and anxious before every race.

 

 

Questions from Kalya

 

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Oh my gosh…there are so many to choose from!  I think driving down to Florida, spending 24 hours with my parents and brother in the car playing games, singing, eating, and causing trouble on our way to visit my grandparents in Florida.  We used to go every winter break and then out east for spring break.

 

My bro and I in Florida!

 

Most embarrassing moment?

My first kiss…I’m not sharing any more : )

 

What is your favorite way to relax/unwind?

When I can afford it, a massage.  But I love a yoga class or eating dinner outside with a glass of wine at sunset.  Ahhh!

 

If you won the lotto, what would be your first purchase?

It would either be an amazing downtown (Chicago) condo or a trip to the Polynesian Islands.

 

What feature/quality do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

Their smile!

 

Are you an early bird or night owl?

I’d prefer to be a night owl (ask my college roommates), but life has made me an early bird.

 

What is more difficult for you; eating healthy or working out?

Eating healthy!  Have you seen all of the dessert recipes on this blog?!  I love to stay active, but I also love me some fro yo and dark chocolate.

 

 

What is one thing you have on your bucket list?

Since I’ve already been skydiving in Australia and this summer, I traveled to Israel, I’d have to say a half Ironman.

 

What quality do you appreciate the most in a good friend?

Honesty and humor.

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Earning my DPT and moving by myself to Tennessee for my first job.

 

 

What do you think is the greatest invention?

The airplane.  I LOVE to travel!

 

 

11 Questions for you, my Friends

1. What position do you sleep in?

2. Who is the most influential person in your life?

3. What is your favorite way to celebrate your birthday?

4. What is the last thing that you read?  Was it paper or electronic copy?

5. What are your Labor Day plans?

6. Who is our celeb crush?

7. Do you like taking pictures?  What is your favorite thing to photograph?

8. Do you have any bad habits?

9. What was your favorite childhood television show?

10. What is the hardest thing you’ve done?

11. Did you have braces as a kid? For how long?

 

 

Now It’s Your Turn

I’m nominating you all for the Liebster Award!

 

Here are the rules:

-Acknowledge the blogger who nominated them

-Share 11 random facts about themselves

-Answer the 11 questions given to them

-Nominate 11 new bloggers

-Ask 11 new questions

-Notify the 11 bloggers about their nominations

 

Tell me something interesting about yourself or answer any or all of the questions!

My friend Meghan over at Clean Eats Fast Feets nominated me for the Liebster Award.  And since I’ve been unplugged from the blogging world for a few days this week, I have had plenty of time to think about new and hopefully interesting things to share with you (and scan in some old photos).

 

 

 

A huge Thank You to Meghan who writes witty posts and leaves thoughtful comments each week that keep me motivated and smiling!  Check out her blog for all the Liebster rules!  And I should warn you…this is going to be a LONG post!

 

 

11 Facts about Me

 

1. My full name is Jennifer.  There were 4 Jennifer’s in my kindergarten class so we needed nicknames.  I became Jen (1 N) although I was Jenn (2 N’s) for about a week in third grade before I forgot.  Now it’s mostly Jen (or Miss Jen by my little patients).

 

First Day of Kindergarten (and my 5th Birthday)

 

2. I don’t drink coffee.  Neither does the BOY.  We don’t even have a coffee maker or coffee in our house.  This is only a big deal if you come to visit for a weekend.  In which case, remind me to pick you up some Via’s!

 

3. I spent 9 summers at overnight camp learning to waterski, knee board, sail, horseback ride, and make toffee over a camp fire.  I did 4 muti-day canoe trips, and I still love hiking and float trips.

 

4.  I have never been able to get into American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.  I do love Biggest Loser and have a history of watching Real World/Road Rules Challenge shows.  If I had to do a reality TV show, I would go on the Amazing Race.

 

5. I still sleep with a teddy bear.

 

6. I was in a sorority in college.  This year will be the 10 year anniversary of my college graduation (crazy!) and some of my closest friends, I met through my sorority. We even survived living together!

 

 

 

7. I love 80’s movies!  Adventures in Babysitting, Goonies, Troop Beverly Hills, Shag, and Sixteen Candles are a few of my favorites!

 

8. If I wasn’t working full time, I’d practice yoga daily, become a personal trainer, and write a book.

 

9. I already have my Pen Name figured out for my first novel.

 

10. I played 4 years of soccer in high school. My senior year, I ran cross country and cheered for the basketball team.

 

 

11. I am super left brained.  I think physics is phun and can’t draw a straight line with a ruler!  My attempts at Spanish are pathetic, and I loved algebra.  In college, I tutored high schoolers in math.

 

 

Questions from Megan’s Friends

 

1. What is your favorite brand and style of jeans?

I like a boot cut jean…pretty basic.  But I wear a lot of skinny jeans under my boots in the winter.

 

2. What is your favorite ‘guilty’ secret pleasure TV show?

Wow…tough question.  It used to me GREEK on ABC family.  I loved it, got the BOY hooked, and now we own all the seasons on DVD.  Yes that is super embarrassing.  Now, I am totally digging Scandal but I’m not afraid to share that news with my friends.  I have watched enough episodes of Big Rich Texas, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleads, and Toddlers and Tiaras to be ashamed : )

 

3. If you could have one thing for free, no matter how big or small, what would you pick?

I’d love a condo (decent sized) in the city with a healthy chef and personal masseuse. 

 

 

4. Do you get dressed up even when you stay at home for the day?

Heck no!  Rocking my new flannel jammie pants right now.

 

5. How many blogs do you read on a daily basis?

This number has definitely grown. I probably read about 15.  There are so many amazing people out there sharing their lives that I love to check out their pictures, posts, comments, recipes, races, and travels.

 

6. What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Is it okay to not really have one?!  I really enjoy eating a variety and there isn’t one thing that I could eat forever. 

 

7. Why did you start blogging?

Well, I was beginning to discover blogs when I was searching for healthy new recipes on the internet a few years back.  I liked reading what others were doing and was looking for a creative outlet to practice my writing skills.  See fact 11 above…anything creative is a challenge for little old left brained me.  I also thought it was an easy way to share some of my recipes since people were often asking for them.

 

8. What do you think is worth spending good money on?

Taking care of myself!  This would include gym memberships, the right running shoes, quality produce, a massage or facial when I can spring it, yoga classes, a personal trainer, and outings with the BOY when we just need to get away!

 

9. Is that your natural hair color?

I haven’t been asked this question in awhile.  Yep, I am all natural and have been since I couldn’t afford highlights in grad school.  Believe it or not, I used to be blonde!

 

 

10. Favorite day of the week and why?

Monday!  I have Mondays off and they are usually what I call ‘Jen’s Day’.  It is relaxing, I get myself pulled together for the week, and take advantage of some quiet time at home.  Of note…the BOY doesn’t have class on Mondays this semester.  It will be interesting to see how that goes : )

 

11. Pets?  Do you have any and what are they?

Sadly, the BOY and I had to put his turned ‘our’ cat to sleep last February.  She was one Sassy Girl!  I think eventually we will get another furry friend but right now isn’t the best time. 

 

 

11 New Questions

 

1. What is your astrological sign?  Do you fit the description?

2. What is your favorite winter activity?

3. Flats or Heels?

4. Who was your first kiss?

5. If you could get rid of one form of social media, what would it be?

6. Last race you participated in?  What race are you doing next?

7. What is your favorite gift to give others?

8. If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase?

9. What is your favorite meal?  Breakfast, lunch or Dinner and Why?

10. Do your friends, family and coworkers know that you are a blogger?

11. What do you like most about blogging and what is the hardest part?

 

 

11 Bloggers

*This is always the hardest part as so many of you make a difference in my day! 

 

Blissful Britt

With Love Deirdre Lee

Modern Nutrition Girl

Happy Tri Girl

Pies and Plots

Snack Therapy

Runner By Default

I Heart Vegetables

Eat Move Balance

Lavender Parking Running

Sweat Sweat

 

 

Now it’s your turn…

Tell me something about yourself or answer any of the questions above!

 

 

Want to know more??? 

My Being Me page has some more random facts and stories!