Gracie’s Little Quiz

My sister did this little meme on Facebook–and I decided to save it for one of those uninspired blogging days.

That would be days like…

today.

SIX NAMES YOU GO BY:

1. Rebekah
2. Bekah
3. Bekah-Bekah-Bekah
4. bekahcubed (imagine that!)
5. Becky-Jo or Becky-Jane (only my dad can call me that)
6. Miss Bekah
Unimaginative, I know. What can I say?

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:

1. Long strand of black beads
2. Pink knit shirt
3. Black print skirt

Me in today's outfit

THREE THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT

Erm…I’ll keep those between me and God.
So far as the necessities–I just ate. I have a wonderful home, more clothes than I know what to do with, great friends, a fantastic family… God has supplied beyond just sufficiency.

TWO THINGS YOU DID LAST NIGHT?

1. Mocked up part of my new swimsuit pattern
2. Talked with my roommate :-)

TWO THINGS YOU DISLIKE TODAY :

1. A kitchen drain that drains VERY slowly
2. That I don’t know who the shirts sitting on my dresser belong to (Grace? Joanna? anyone?)

TWO PEOPLE YOU LAST TALKED TO ON THE PHONE:

1. My dad
2. Grace

THREE THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO DO TOMORROW :

1. Work on thesis
2. Return some books to the library
3. Finish up the candles some of the youth group kids and I started yesterday

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS:

1. Water
2. Good Earth Original Sweet and Spicy Tea and Herb Blend
3. Hot Cocoa made with skim milk and Nesquick (my only brand loyalty)


How many children’s titles have you read?

Amy at Hope is the Word did a fun little children’s book meme yesterday–and I figured I might play along. The list is supposed to be the top 100 children’s novels, as determined by a group of readers at The School Library Journal blog.

How many have you read?

100. The Egypt Game – Snyder (1967)
99. The Indian in the Cupboard – Banks (1980)
98. Children of Green Knowe – Boston (1954)
97. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane – DiCamillo (2006)
96. The Witches – Dahl (1983)
95. Pippi Longstocking – Lindgren (1950)
94. Swallows and Amazons – Ransome (1930)
93. Caddie Woodlawn – Brink (1935)
92. Ella Enchanted – Levine (1997)
91. Sideways Stories from Wayside School – Sachar (1978)
90. Sarah, Plain and Tall – MacLachlan (1985)
89. Ramona and Her Father – Cleary (1977)
88. The High King – Alexander (1968)
87. The View from Saturday – Konigsburg (1996)
86. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rowling (1999)
85. On the Banks of Plum Creek – Wilder (1937)
84. The Little White Horse – Goudge (1946)
83. The Thief – Turner (1997)
82. The Book of Three – Alexander (1964)
81. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon – Lin (2009)
80. The Graveyard Book – Gaiman (200
79. All-of-a-Kind-Family – Taylor (1951)
78. Johnny Tremain – Forbes (1943)
77. The City of Ember – DuPrau (2003)
76. Out of the Dust – Hesse (1997)
75. Love That Dog – Creech (2001)
74. The Borrowers – Norton (1953)
73. My Side of the Mountain – George (1959)
72. My Father’s Dragon – Gannett (1948)
71. The Bad Beginning – Snicket (1999)
70. Betsy-Tacy – Lovelace (1940)
69. The Mysterious Benedict Society – Stewart (2007)
68. Walk Two Moons – Creech (1994)
67. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher – Coville (1991)
66. Henry Huggins – Cleary (1950)
65. Ballet Shoes – Streatfield (1936)
64. A Long Way from Chicago – Peck (1998)
63. Gone-Away Lake – Enright (1957)
62. The Secret of the Old Clock – Keene (1959)
61. Stargirl – Spinelli (2000)
60. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle – Avi (1990)
59. Inkheart – Funke (2003)
58. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase – Aiken (1962)
57. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 – Cleary (1981)
56. Number the Stars – Lowry (1989)
55. The Great Gilly Hopkins – Paterson (1978)
54. The BFG – Dahl (1982)
53. Wind in the Willows – Grahame (1908)
52. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
51. The Saturdays – Enright (1941)
50. Island of the Blue Dolphins – O’Dell (1960)
49. Frindle – Clements (1996)
48. The Penderwicks – Birdsall (2005)
47. Bud, Not Buddy – Curtis (1999)
46. Where the Red Fern Grows – Rawls (1961)
45. The Golden Compass – Pullman (1995)
44. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing – Blume (1972)
43. Ramona the Pest – Cleary (1968)
42. Little House on the Prairie – Wilder (1935)
41. The Witch of Blackbird Pond – Speare (1958)
40. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Baum (1900)
39. When You Reach Me – Stead (2009)
38. HP and the Order of the Phoenix – Rowling (2003)
37. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Taylor (1976)
36. Are You there, God? It’s Me, Margaret – Blume (1970)
35. HP and the Goblet of Fire – Rowling (2000)
34. The Watsons Go to Birmingham – Curtis (1995)
33. James and the Giant Peach – Dahl (1961)
32. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – O’Brian (1971)
31. Half Magic – Eager (1954)
30. Winnie-the-Pooh – Milne (1926)
29. The Dark Is Rising – Cooper (1973)
28. A Little Princess – Burnett (1905)
27. Alice I and II – Carroll (1865/72)
26. Hatchet – Paulsen (1989)
25. Little Women – Alcott (1868/9)
24. HP and the Deathly Hallows – Rowling (2007)
23. Little House in the Big Woods – Wilder (1932)
22. The Tale of Despereaux – DiCamillo (2003)
21. The Lightening Thief – Riordan (2005)
20. Tuck Everlasting – Babbitt (1975)
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Dahl (1964)
18. Matilda – Dahl (1988)
17. Maniac Magee – Spinelli (1990)
16. Harriet the Spy – Fitzhugh (1964)
15. Because of Winn-Dixie – DiCamillo (2000)
14. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban – Rowling (1999)
13. Bridge to Terabithia – Paterson (1977)
12. The Hobbit – Tolkien (1938)
11. The Westing Game – Raskin (1978)
10. The Phantom Tollbooth – Juster (1961)
9. Anne of Green Gables – Montgomery (1908)
8. The Secret Garden – Burnett (1911)
7. The Giver -Lowry (1993)
6. Holes – Sachar (1998)
5. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler – Koningsburg (1967)
4. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – Lewis (1950)
3. Harry Potter #1 – Rowling (1997)
2. A Wrinkle in Time – L’Engle (1962)
1. Charlotte’s Web – White (1952)

I’m a bit ashamed to realize that I’ve only read 23, and of those, I can only describe 18 plots. Any guesses as to which ones I DON’T remember?

I also don’t know what’s up with On the Banks of Plum Creek making the list when Little Town on the Prairie doesn’t. Little Town is clearly the best written of the whole series.

Anywho, thanks for playing.


Meme: Confession

Because sometimes you need a bit of a break from Love Month posts :-)

I got this one from Gracebug.

1. The phone rings; who do you want it to be?
Nobody. It’s too late for a phone call to be anything good.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
I rarely use a cart as I can fit a week’s worth of groceries in my two homemade canvas shopping bags–but when I use a cart I return it (and the half dozen carts loitering about the parking lot.)

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Probably a talker

4. Do you take compliments well?
I’d like to think so :-)

5. Do you play Sudoku?
Back in the day. Haven’t for a year or so.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Of course. I am a survivor.

7. Do you like to ride horses?
I’ve only ever ridden the kind of horses they have at Mahoney State Park–couldn’t say whether I like to or not.

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Missionette camp for a couple of years.

9. What was your favorite game as a kid?
Indians. “Circuit races”. Making hay while the sun shines. Tornado. I was an odd child.

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you go for it?
I’d flee.

11. Have you lied to get out of a date?
Yes. Or at least, I acted like the ring on my finger meant I was taken.

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
No way. Number one item on the list is that he be a believer growing in Christ. “Do not be unequally yoked…for what fellowship does light have with darkness?”

13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
To be pursued. I’m a woman. It’s how God made us.

14. Use three words to describe yourself
Passionate. Opinionated. Feminine.

15. Do any songs make you cry?
Yes, that one that’s intentionally designed to wring tears from families with kids in the military. “Word of God Speak” by Mercy Me. “In the Garden”. The national anthem.

16. Are you continuing your education?
Currently continuing. Not sure how much longer. (Do I want a Ph.D?)

17. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
Nope. Although I’ve had a few people offer to take me shooting. I’ll have to think about whether I want to take them up on that.

18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My roommate

19. How often do you read books?
Every day–often several times a day.

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
All three. It varies by the day.

21. What is your favorite children’s book?
Toot and Puddle

22. What color are your eyes?
Blue, just like my sisters. (And my daddy. And three of my brothers.)

23. How tall are you?
Very tall. My dad says I’m an intimidating woman. I think it’s less because of my height and more because the stilletos can exert a good deal of force on a foot or a face. (5’9″ or 5’10 in stocking feet.)

24. Where is your dream house located?
I no longer know.

25. Do you have a secret fetish?
I don’t think so. I don’t have many secrets. Or many fetishes.

26. Have you tried sushi?
Yes.

27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
No.

28. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
A coupla weeks ago (same time as Grace)

29. When was the last time you were at Church?
This morning

30. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
To church

31. What was your favorite job?
Interning at the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department–running the 5-4-3-2-1-Go! program.

32. Do you like mustard?
Yes-especially Best Choice (store brand) honey mustard.

33. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
I like both–but eating is more enjoyable. I tend to not be very conscious while I’m sleeping.

34. Do you look like your mom or dad?
I have my mom’s hair and nose, my dad’s eyes and oval face. I probably resemble my dad more than my mom–but it’s a close call.

35. How long does it take you in the shower?
If I’m showering, it’s generally ’cause I’m in a REAL hurry–so 5 minutes tops.

36. Can you do the splits?
Uh-uh.

37. What movie do you want to see right now?
Do I want to see a movie right now?

38. If you could fast forward your life, would you?
I’d be tempted to fast forward to the end of school–but I don’t think it’d be wise. God plans the days of my life for a reason. I’d rather not skip His purposes in any of them.

39. What did you do for New Year’s?
Hung out at Anna’s

40. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
THE Grudge? What grudge? Most grudges are scary.

41. Could you relate to a character in Mean Girls?
Never seen it. Heard about it. I hope I’m not anything like those girls.

42. Do you own a camera phone?
My phone does have a camera. I don’t use it.

43. Do you have an “ex box” with pics and letters from past lovers?
Past lovers? No.

44. Was your mom a cheerleader?
No. More like Salutatorian (right?), newspaper, choir, volleyball… It was a small school and Mom was smart.

45. What’s the last letter of your middle name?
E

46. Do you like your middle name?
I do. It means “myrh” (or bitter)

47. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
The $64,000 question.

48. Do you like care bears?
I’ve never really had an opinion regarding Care Bears.

49. What do you buy at the movies?
Nothing. I don’t go to movies.

50. Do you know how to play poker?
I have officially learned how to play Texas Hold’em. Which doesn’t mean that I could actually play it.

51. Do you wear your seatbelt?
Every time I’m in a vehicle.

52. What do you wear to sleep?
These days, sweatpants and a t-shirt and full socks.

53. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
Husker football, and baseball, and volleyball.

54. How many meals do you eat a day?
Three, generally.

55. Is your tongue pierced?
Negative.

56. Ever meet anyone you met on myspace?
Never met anyone on myspace. Not on myspace. Think myspace is of the devil.

57. Do you read myspace bulletins?
See above.

58. Do you like funny or serious people better?
I think I’ve heard this question before. Didn’t know how to answer it the last time either.

59. Ever been to L.A.?
Nope

60. Did you eat a cookie today?
No…no, I didn’t. Bummer.

61. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
If I do, it’s entirely accidental. I do occasionally yell jibberish when I first wake up.

62. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
Only download legally. Was convicted about this five or six years ago and wiped my entire collection.

63. Do you hate chocolate?
As if.

64. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
Dad and I: predestination, John Piper
Mom and I: science fiction :-P

65. Are you a gullible person?
I suspect so, but am unsure.

66. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
Perfect joy is found in Christ and Christ alone.

67. If you could have any job what would it be?
Mmm. There are lots I’d like–wife, mother, director of a church-based community center, community-based dietitian, lactation consultant, the list goes on and on. But, for now, I’ll be content with wherever God leads me. Because what He chooses for me is ultimately the best choice.

68. Are you easy to get along with?
Depends on whether you are. (B’I’on know. Whatcha askin’ me for?)

69. What is your favorite time of day?
Early mornings when I’ve slept enough the night before.

70. What is the last book you read?
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper (currently in the middle of)
Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris (currently in the middle of)
Good Enough by Paula Yoo (finished Friday)


Mama Roar’s Meme

Every so often, I get a yen to do a meme (mostly because I have little motivation to think too deeply about anything). Today, I had the yen, and it just so happened that Mama Roar did too!

So here goes…

The phone rings. Who will it be?
My dad asking me if we’re on for lunch today.

When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Absolutely–if I use a cart in the first place. (Instead, I tend to bring in my homemade canvas bag and just fill it up as I go.)

Grocery bag full of groceries

In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Probably a talker

Do you take compliments well?
I try to.

Do you play Sudoku?
On Wednesdays (free paper day) if I’m feeling down because the crosswords have stumped me.

If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Not enough information to answer this question. What do I have with me? What season is it? Do you prefer English or Italian?

Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Missionette camp during grades 6 and 7. I think they were just two to three night things.

What was your favorite game as a kid?
How to choose? “Circuit races” with Nathan at church. UNO with the family. Truth, dare, double dare, promise to repeat with my cousins (male and female)–ah, the memories of ketchup and “breaking” curfew.

Use three words to describe yourself
Alive, thank God!

Do any songs make you cry?
Lots of ’em. I’m pretty sentimental.

Are you continuing your education?
Mm-hm. Working on adding another two initials to the current six behind my name. And then there’s the non-school education, which I seem to be getting quite a bit of.

Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
No

How often do you read books?
At least every twenty-four hours. More likely, every 8 hours.

Do you think more about the past, present or future?
Depends. Currently, I’m pretty melancholy.

What is your favorite children’s book?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

What color are your eyes?
Blue

Where is your dream house located?
A small city or town. The Midwest, preferably.

If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
The telephone to dial 911? (Don’t worry, it’d be a cell phone–and I’d call as I left the building. I know you’re s’posed to “cross the street and call from the neighbor’s house”.)

When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
Don’t remember, but I know who I would have been with! All the old crew–my siblings, Mary, Casandra, some Brunks, maybe a cousin or two thrown in for good measure.

Where was the farthest place you traveled today?
To the bathroom. (Yep, I’m sticking to my room for now.)

Do you like mustard?
Absolutely

Do you look like your mom or dad?
Both, I think. I look very like my Mom in her wedding pictures (although it might just be the long hair). But I think I resemble my dad more these days–our colorings are pretty similar and we both like to make crazy faces!

Funny faces with Dad

How long does it take you in the shower?
I don’t generally shower, so I don’t really know. In the bath, depends on the book. A real gripper like Poison Study (which I read last night) can have me in the bath until the bathwater is cold (an hour? two hours? I don’t remember, but my toes are still pruned.)

Can you do the splits?
No way!

What movie do you want to see right now?
The Court Jester (“I found a bow and arrow and I learned to shoot, I found a little horn and I learned to toot. Now I can shoot and toot, ain’t I cute?”)

What did you do for New Year’s?
Spent the night at my sister’s flat with Debbie, Joanna, and Grace.

New Year's Eve at Anna's

(For those of you who worry, Grace and Joanna’s “cocktails” are actually cranberry-grape juice.)

Do you own a camera phone?
Who doesn’t, these days? But I never use it. Poor quality and cost money to upload photos. Not cool. Use a camera instead.

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Depends on how gripping the before bed book is, how early I have to teach someone to cook, and a dozen or so other variables.

What do you buy at the movies?
I don’t go to the movies. My family invites me over to watch movies with them in their personal theatre (where seating is couches with blankets, snacks are complimentary, whole wall projection and surround sound makes the experience authentic, and subtitles are on just for me!)

Do you wear your seat belt?
Duh. I’ve worked in a hospital.

How many meals do you eat a day?
3

Do you like funny or serious people better?
Trick question. Everyone’s funny–it’s just a matter of learning their sense of humor. But some people don’t seem to know how to do serious. I like them all, but for best friends, I prefer people who THINK in addition to just having fun.

Ever been to L.A.?
Nope. And not sure I want to.

Did you eat a cookie today?
Haven’t eaten anything yet today. But I’m betting I’ll eat a cookie sometime today. (I still have some Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies sitting downstairs. Yummy!)

Do you hate chocolate?
No.

Are you a gullible person?
Probably.

Are you easy to get along with?
I think so. But I’m sure there are times that I’m hard to get along with.


Autobiography?

Yes, I’m occasionally sucked into doing memes. And I often wonder why memes have such ridiculous titles–and ridiculous questions to go along with them. Nonetheless, I persist. This one is compliments of Johnny B (my almost little bro).

  1. Where did you take your profile picture?
    The picture in my “cast of characters” sidebar was taken in Mexico before an evening “out on the town”
  2. What exactly are you wearing right now?
    A Lincoln Christian Fellowship t-shirt with my new homemade yoga pants, and bright red socks with green toes and Christmas lights strung across them. (So I don’t ALWAYS get dressed in the morning–at least, not on Christmas-Eve-Eve.)
  3. What is your current problem?
    Sin
  4. What makes you happy most?
    The amazing grace of God to a wretch such as I.
  5. What song are you listening to at the moment?
    Preta Porter de Tafeta with Leonard Lucini, obtained for free back when cNet had the option of letting musicians upload their songs for people to download.
  6. Any celeb you would marry?
    Not really
  7. Ever sang in front of a large audience?
    Depends on what you mean by “large.” I’ve sung at church before (as a member of the team). I’ve sung individually or as part of a group in front of my family (which numbers more than 50).
  8. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
    Yep. I AM posh spice, after all.
  9. Do you still watch kiddy movies or kiddy TV shows?
    Actually, I never really did watch kiddy movies or TV shows. I grew up without a TV (and think that it was a wonderful way to live). I do like the classic Disney princess movies, though (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty). And I’m generally fond of “family-type” movies like “Cheaper by the Dozen”, “Yours, Mine, and Ours”, etc.
  10. Do you speak any language?
    Yes, I speak American English without accent (the Great Plains are home to “standard” American English–the kind you often hear on the radio or television). I also once learned some Spanish (not that I can actually speak it).
  11. What’s something that really annoys you?
    Questions that I can’t think of an answer for. The feral cats that hang out in my neighborhood. That my neighbor feeds said cats.

Chapter 1:

  1. Middle name: Marie (a family middle name–my grandma and aunt are both ____ Marie’s too)
  2. Nicknames: Bekah, Bekahcubed; Becky Jo, Becky Jane (only my father); Rebe, Menterbek, Ca-ca (yes, I know).
  3. Eye color: Blue

Chapter 2:

  1. Do you live with your parent(s):
    No way, Jose. I don’t know that I could respect myself if I were mooching off of my parents this late in life
  2. Do you get along with your parent(s)?
    Absolutely. I consider them among my closest friends, confidants, and counselors. (For all those parents who’d love to have their kids say this, let me tell you that we did not get here because my parents tried to be my friend. We got here because my parents chose to be my parents–and we grew into this stage of the parent-child relationship.)
  3. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
    Happily married, with a marriage I admire greatly.
  4. Do you have any Siblings?
    Yes.

    Oh, you want to know about them? Two sisters, four brothers, one soon to be sister-in-law with a couple of “outlaws” to go along with her (including the aforementioned Johnny B).

Chapter 3: Favorites

  1. Ice Cream: Butter Brickle, Raspberry Cow Tracks
  2. Season: One of the ones where I can go outside and still be warm. Probably spring or summer.
  3. Shampoo/conditioner: Don’t tell anyone, but I use Equate brand dandruff shampoo. They just started making it with a rather nice scent–as opposed to the icky stuff I remember from my childhood visiting my grandparents house. It’s still that rather gross shade of blue, though.

Chapter 4: Do You…

  1. Dance in the shower?
    Weird. No. I don’t really take showers very often–and if I do, I don’t generally dance in them. I do, however, sing in the shower–and read in the bathtub.
  2. Do you write on your hand?
    Usually not, although I did have a stage where I did it more frequently (Generally Isaiah 44:5)
  3. Call people back?
    Yes, although I can be pretty awful about checking my phone to see that I have messages.
  4. Believe in love?
    I believe in God. God is love. (I John 4:8)
  5. Any bad habits?
    Does anybody NOT have bad habits? I tend to dump my stuff on the floor of my bedroom when I get home from something. I often play with my ears (even in public). I’ve discovered I’m not too great at waiting for gentlemen to open the door for me.

Chapter 5: Have You…

  1. Broken a bone:
    Yes. Collar bone when I was 2 (fell out of bed), both bones in my right forearm when I was eight or so (Roller skates and gravel don’t always go together).
  2. Sprained stuff:
    Oh probably
  3. Had physical therapy:
    No.
  4. Gotten stitches:
    When I had a mole removed.
  5. Taken painkillers:
    Septoplasty. Wisdom tooth extraction. Took a few, tossed the rest. I prefer stoicism and generally don’t do anything more than a couple ibuprofen.
  6. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling:
    No.
  7. Been stung by a bee:
    Yeah, sure. At least, I think so. I’m not afraid of bees, if that’s what you’re asking.
  8. Thrown up at the dentist:
    Why would I do that?
  9. Sworn in front of your parents:
    Sworn? No. Used bad language? Occasionally. I’m working on eliminating some of those epithets I’ve let myself get a little too comfortable using.
  10. Had detention:
    What is detention, exactly?

Chapter 6: Who/What was the last…

  1. Movie(s): Not sure, it’s been a while since I last saw a movie.
  2. Person to text you: Evan
  3. Person you called: Michele
  4. Person you hugged: Anna? My mom? Grace? My dad? I’m not sure.
  5. Person you tackled: Can’t say I’ve ever really tackled anyone.
  6. Person you talked to on MSN: Who talks on MSN?
  7. Thing you touched: My computer keyboard (snarky, I know.)
  8. Thing you ate: dried cranberries
  9. Thing you drank: water
  10. Thing you said: Not sure, I haven’t spoken to anyone yet this morning. Probably, “Oh Lord, have mercy” last night before I went to bed. (And I wasn’t swearing, I was PRAYING.)

Chapter 7: Future

  1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
    Should God will, married and raising the start of a passel of kids.
  2. Where do you hope to live?
    Wherever God wants me to be. But I sure do like the Midwest.
  3. Do you want to be famous?
    Sort of. I want to be significant. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to do everything that I do excellently. But I don’t want to be a celebrity.
  4. Will you have plastic surgery?
    No, I’m not really a fan of plastic surgery. At least, not the cosmetic kind. I think God made me well. Although I sort of already have had plastic surgery–the septoplasty. Thankfully, it didn’t “correct” my crooked nose (which I love), but it did help me to breathe more easily.

Facebook Meme: Thank you Matthew!

Isn’t this auto-post thing great? I wrote this Thursday night, but you get to see it today while I’m at FNCE!

1. Spell your name without E,R,S,H,K,I,M,L,C,A,Y,N:
B

2. Are you single?
Mm-hmm.

3. What is your favorite number?
17

4. What is your favorite color?
I don’t have a favorite color

5. Least favorite color?
Or a least favorite color

6. What are you listening to?
The hum of the computer

7. Are you happy with your life right now?
For the most part. I’m growing towards contentment.

8. Are you involved with anyone?
Matthew’s answer cracks me up: “involved? involved in what an assassination plot? a high speed car chase? a ballroom dance? no, no, and what do you think?”
I don’t understand the fascination these memes have with romantic relationships. It seems a little over the top.

9. What is your favorite subject in school/college?
Nutrition, hands down.

10. Do you shop at Abercrombie?
No way!

11. Do you have money?
I have money to spend, but it isn’t mine (Nothing like owing the government several thousand dollars.)

14. Are you gay?
I am not homosexual. I am happy.

15. Where do you wish you were right now?
In bed.

16. What should you be doing right now?
Going to bed (as soon as my laundry gets out of the dryer.)

THE CANS:
Can you blow a bubble?
Yes

Can you do a cart wheel?
No

Can you touch your toes?
Definitely

Can you wiggle your ears?
Are there muscles in your ears?

Can you touch your tongue to your nose?
I’m trying my hardest, but I don’t think I made it.

THE DIDS:
Did you ever want to be a doctor?
No, but I did want to be a CNA, a midwife, a nurse, a nurse practitioner, and a dietitian

Did you ever want to be a fire fighter?
No, but I would have loved to have HAD a fire fighter.

Did you ever want to be a teacher?
Yes. Still do. Probably will, in some capacity or another.

Did you ever break the law?
I dare you to find someone who hasn’t. (Don’t forget that speeding, jaywalking, and scratching your initials on a public restroom door all qualify as breaking the law.)

THE DOs:
Do you like roller coasters?
Not really.

Do you own a bike?
Absolutely.

Do you play the lotto?
No way!

Do you like football?
I’m from Nebraska. I have to like football. However, I’m probably one of the least football obsessed Nebraskan’s. (One time, I accidentally wore purple when we were playing against K-State. Yeah.)

Do you have a shopping addiction?
Uh-no.

THE DOES:
Does your family have family picnics?
Sometimes.

Does your wallet have any pics in it?
I don’t have a wallet.

THE LASTS:
Last person you hung out with?
Joanna, Jennifer, and Kale

Last car ride?
driving home from Bo and Jen’s

Last text message from?
Casandra

Last baby you held?
Kale (He’s a real cutie!)

LAST THING?
What was the last thing you bought?
a whole bunch of food

What was the last thing you had to drink?
Water

What was the last thing you watched?
A horrid YouTube video of a guy who thought he could sing five octaves. I think he must have been tone deaf.

What was the last thing you read?
Guinness World Records 2010 (but just one page worth)

What was the last thing you hand wrote?
my to-do list

THE WHOS:
Who last talked to you on the phone?
Jason

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Mary and Casandra (doing Dance Praise)

Who do you miss right now?
Anna

Who last messaged you on Facebook?
I don’t do the message thing.

CURRENTLY:
What color shirt are you wearing?
Pink (dress)

Have any tattoos?
No

Have you any piercings?
Ears, once upon a time. Long closed and reopened and closed again.

Straight hair or curly?
Wavy

Where are you?
At my computer desk (in Denver when you’re reading this!)

HAVE YOU EVER:
Failed a class?
Yes. Biochemistry.

Accomplished a life goal?
I’m an RD, aren’t I? Not to mention all the rest of goals I’ve completed. (Don’t worry, I still have plenty to keep working on.)

Sang in front of a crowd?
Yes.

THINGS YOU WILL FIND IN YOUR ROOM:
1. Alarm clock
2. Baby bottle
3. Chocolate
4. D
5. Envelopes
6. Flashlight
7. Greeting cards
8. Hairbrush
9. Ink pen
10. Jewelry
11. Keys
12. Lamp
13. Mirror
14. Nails
15. Olecrenons
16. Photographs
17. Quilt
18. Rebekah
19. Space heater
20. Textbooks
21. Underwear
22. V-neck sweater
23. Wrapping paper
24. X-tension cord (I’m so cheating!)
25. Yoga mat
26. Zippers

TWO RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONS:
1. Want a relationship?
I’d prefer many. (I hate it when people use “relationship” to mean “romantic relationship.” “Relationship” is not that exclusive, thank God!)

2. Want to get married?
Yes

The way to win your heart?
Not sure.

When was the last time you really laughed?
Last night. Tim and Eli were making some AWFUL German jokes.

Do you drink milk straight from the carton?
No, siree. My daddy taught me all about enzymes when I was still quite young. I’m not gonna be the cause of a gallon of milk going bad!

Who knows a big secret about you?
Is there a big secret about me? Somebody let me in on it, please!

How long is your hair?
Somewhere around 26 inches long.

When was the last time you sang out loud?
This afternoon.

What did you have for breakfast?
I didn’t really eat breakfast (unless you count the five Fritos I ate on my way out the door this morning.)

Is your birthday on a holiday?
My birthday isn’t ON a holiday, but it IS a holiday. What could be more holiday than my birthday?

Did you have a nap today?
No. :-( Actually, I can’t really take naps anymore. It keeps me from being able to sleep at night.

What do you wear more, jeans or sweats?
Neither. I abhor both. I wear skirts or slacks.

When is your birthday?
March 14

Where did you get the shirt you’re wearing?
Not wearing a shirt. I got the dress I’m wearing from the used store.

Do you use an alarm clock?
If you count the alarm on my phone and the auto-waking, music-playing function on my computer.

What’s the first thing you notice of the opposite sex?
Depends on the context. Is he sitting or standing? Am I in front of or behind him? Is he speaking or silent? Is his left hand in plain sight?

What color are your favorite shoes?
Hot pink

Who would you like to see right now?
Dunno. Grace, I guess.

Are you a social or antisocial person?
I am either social or asocial, but certainly not antisocial. (Did you know that antisocial means persistently disregarding the rights of others? As in, stealing, vandalizing, beating, raping, killing… So this question is really pretty dumb for most of us.)

Have the cops ever come to your house?
Yes. Several times. Like this time. Or when Timothy got lost. Or when some crazy lady called the cops on us. Or when the next door neighbors had something stolen out of their car.

Ever had braces?
No.

Are you afraid of the dark?
No.

What’s your favorite commercial at the moment?
Commercial? I don’t watch TV. I don’t like commercials. Occasionally I enjoy a really good print ad. Like the old right hand ring ones.

Do you always wear your seat belt?
Always. Unless I’m sitting in the backseat of a car and I forget (approximately once every 20 times or so.)

Who was the last person to disappoint you?
The student who skipped class on Tuesday.

You know what you want to do with your life?
Sort of.

How is life going for you right now?
Well enough.

Do you like American Idol?
Idols should be burned.

What was the last reason you cried?
Because I was stressed about my RD Exam.

How do you feel about piercings and tattoos?
Not for me.

Do you believe that what goes around comes around?
What does that mean, really?

What is your favorite fruit?
Pineapple. Or kiwi. Or fresh peaches. Or home-canned apricots. Or dried cranberries….

Where is one place you want to visit?
Italy

Done anything illegal?
I think you’ve already asked this.

Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes. In and out.

Are you a morning person or a night person?
Both. Why can’t we sleep from 1-5 am and 1-5 pm?

Are you a forgiving person?
By the grace of God.

Are you taller than 5’6″?
A bit. (4″ or so)

Who are your good friends?
Anna, Casandra, Joanna, Grace, Debbie, Mary, my mom….to name a few.


Facebook Meme: 50 Little Secrets

Every so often, I just get a yen to do a little meme. So I troll about and find one. Thank you MAnG for this one!

5O LITTLE SECRETS

Be honest no matter what…

[ONE] Who was your last text from?
Casandra

[TWO] Where was your default pic taken?
My house

[THREE] Your relationship status?
I don’t think I have one.

[FOUR] Have you ever lost a close friend?
Sort of.

[FIVE] What is your current mood?
Lazy.

[SIX] Whats your brother(s)/sister(s) names
Anna Elizabeth, Joshua Aaron (Joshie Baker), Daniel Enoch (Dan the Man), John Nathanael (Johnny Boy), Timothy Micah (Timothy T. Turtle of Turtle and Drake), Grace Joy (Gracebug)

[SEVEN] Do you have a job?
Do I have a job? No, teaching is a privilege I get paid for. (Most of the time. It’s a privilege, that is.)

[EIGHT]Where do you wish you were right now?
Hibernating in a nice warm anywhere.

[NINE] Have a crazy side?
Yep.

[TEN]Ever had a near death experience?
I like Grace’s answer: “Have you ever seen my brother drive?”
My answer? Ditto.
Okay, not exactly. But I have certainly had those “but for the grace of God” experiences on the road.

[ELEVEN] Something you do a lot?
Read.

[TWELVE] Angry at anyone?
Not right now.

[THIRTEEN] What’s stopping you from going for the person you like?
Do I like someone?

[FOURTEEN] When was the last time you cried?
Last Saturday after studying a little too much for my RD exam and getting majorly stressed about it all.

[FIFTEEN] Is there anyone you would do anything for?
I think so.

[SIXTEEN] What you think about when you are falling asleep?
I generally forget by the time I wake up the next morning.

[SEVENTEEN] Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Actually talked to or left a message for? I left a message for Pastor Jason–and he left a message back to me today. Before that–Oh, my dad called me yesterday to let me know that he’d found an alternate ride home from work so I wouldn’t have to pick him up so that he’d be home in time to take Grace somewhere.

[EIGHTEEN] What is your favorite song?
“How Great Thou Art”

[NINETEEN] What are you doing right now?
Um-Isn’t that kind of obvious? Typing out an answer to question 19 of a Facebook meme.

[TWENTY] Who do you trust right now?
Jesus

[TWENTY-ONE] Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
The sweater: my sister
The shell: Salvation Army

[TWENTY-TWO] Have you kissed someone in the past week?
I don’t think so.

[TWENTY-THREE] Who is your friend that lives closest to you?
Casandra. Undoubtedly.

[TWENTY-FOUR] Describe your life in one word?
Christ (My circumstances are not my life. Christ Jesus is my life.)

[TWENTY-FIVE] Who are you thinking of right now?
Cindy Slocum (She’s the one who taught me the above: My circumstances…)

[TWENTY-SIX] What should you be doing right now?
Sleeping

[TWENTY-SEVEN] What are you listening to?
the ringing in my ears (I’m becoming my mother)

[TWENTY-EIGHT] Who was the last person who gave you a hug?
Either Mom or Dad, congratulating me for passing my RD Exam

[TWENTY-NINE] Who was the last person who yelled at you?
Nobody yells at me.

[THIRTY] Do you act differently around the person you like?
THE person. I’d like to think that I like most of the people I hang around–and I act the same way around them as I do around anybody I hang around. (Around, around, around. Hanging around. Hanging in circles. Being hung by the bellybutton. Hanging. It’s a scary word.)

[THIRTY-ONE] What is your natural hair color?
Brown?

[THIRTY-TWO] Who was the last person to make you laugh really hard?
Most likely someone in my family

[THIRTY-THREE] Who was the last person to make you sad or [a word I deleted because I don’t like to cuss–or even pseudo cuss, unless necessary].
The kid who skipped class yesterday. I mean, seriously, I’m pulling for you, but skipping class is only sabotaging yourself.

[THIRTY-FOUR] What do you hear?
Didn’t you already ask this one? My computer. Me typing. My toes falling off frozen.

[THIRTY-FIVE] Why do you like the person you like?
Gosh. You’re sure obsessed with this person I like. You tell me.

[THIRTY-SIX] Has anyone ever called you “scrumptious” before?
Of course.

[THIRTY-SEVEN] Do you have a best friend?
Yep. Two actually (or three.) One lives in me, one lives on the other side of the wall, and one just moved to Columbus :-() (That was a bittersweet smile.)

[THIRTY-EIGHT] Held hands with the opposite sex in the past 3 days?
Dur. I mean, what are you talking about? I have no idea. If I did it didn’t register.

[THIRTY-NINE] Do you use smiley faces on the computer?
I use the winking one all the time ;-) Regular smileys? Not so much. And I don’t like it when the computer automatically turns it into a little graphic. Leave it sideways, darn it!

[FORTY] Have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle?
Of course. But I did it modestly–unlike the lady behind us when we were being towed down the interstate in Wyoming. Children, shield your eyes!

[FORTY-ONE] Are you happy with life right now?
Yes. No. I’m learning to be content, but I’m certainly not there.

[FORTY-TWO] Are you currently jealous?
Covetous, yes. Jealous, no. Covetous that other people have something to be jealous about? Yes.

[FORTY-THREE] What jewelry are you currently wearing?
None

(FORTY-FOUR) What are you doing this Friday night?
Checking into my hotel in Denver for FNCE

[FORTY-FIVE] Have you ever had your heart broken?
No, but I have broken my collar bone and both bones in my right forearm.

[FORTY-SIX] Have you ever broken someone’s heart?
If I have, they suffered in silence.

[FORTY-SEVEN] Is there anybody you’re really disappointed in right now?
My friend’s parents.

[FORTY-EIGHT] What was the last reason you went to the doctor for?
The doctor of dental sciences (DDS) to fix my chipped tooth

[FORTY-NINE] How late did you stay up last night and why?
Not very late–I’d been up way too late the night before grading papers, and up too early that morning doing the same.

[FIFTY]Have you ever dated someone for longer then a year?
Have you ever noticed that the word “dated” means “old”. “She looks dated–like she hasn’t updated her style since the 80’s.” Oh wait, the 80’s are back. Man, I crack myself up this late at night. No, I’ve never dated someone for longer than a….week.


Random Experiment

There’s this “random” meme going about Facebook, asking individual’s to list 25 “random” facts about themselves. But I don’t believe that the human brain is capable of true “randomness”–what passes as randomness is merely subconscious or uncommunicated connections.

So instead of giving the typical meme spiel in which I answer the questions and then tag others to answer them as well–I’m going to give you 25 non-random facts about myself that might seem random because I chose to skip a fact or two in the logical progression of my thoughts. Then, at the end, I want to invite you to join in by commenting–giving a fact about yourself that is related to the last fact (about someone else) but is a couple of generations removed.

So here goes…

  1. I am a social drinker of coffee–I’d never make myself a cup, but will gladly take a cup when offered it.
  2. I think my vanilla (homemade) is almost done–I let Grace use it the other night, at any rate.
  3. Christian was a tired little boy at Life Group last night.
  4. I’ve worn a baby.
  5. I’m not sure I’m green enough–or bold enough–to give DivaCup a try.
  6. I *heart* homemade crab-applesauce
  7. I’ve never met my next door neighbor.
  8. I’m not sure what species of drug “hash” belongs to
  9. So there was this guy I had a crush on in Jr. High… It was bad.
  10. Once upon a time, I stole a construction cone.
  11. There are additives in laundry detergent that make your whites glow under a black light (but not mine–I make my own laundry soap.)
  12. I’m allergic to cats.
  13. I used to play in a drainage ditch.
  14. To me: Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup = Comfort Food
  15. Lots of people think me and Anna look like twins–or else they think we don’t look anything alike.
  16. I’ve never done a claymation–but I’ve heard it’s fun.
  17. I think the beast in Beauty and the Beast is totally hotter than the Prince
  18. My first pet, a fish, was named “Apollo Erato”–after the muse of love songs or something like that.
  19. I don’t possess a credit card.
  20. I have a weakness for the $1 a yard table at Walmart–but they recently upped it to $1.50 a yard–and that doesn’t really appeal.
  21. I have a sibling who is employed at McDonalds (once more.)
  22. I cringe every time someone finds my website via a Google search for fun essay topics.
  23. Clouds are pretty much amazing–they have so much personality.
  24. I wouldn’t mind returning to Yellowstone.
  25. Speaking of permafrost…The walk between my house and my parents’ has a permafrost-like character.

Now it’s your turn. Take that last comment about me and follow the trail a couple steps down and write your own (apparently) random comment (about yourself) below.


I’ve been tagged

I have a confession to make–I checked my website from work today. Granted, I was on my break and just trying to get a photo for my desktop background–but still. What makes it even worse is that when I saw that I had a comment on my last post, I looked at it.

That’s when I saw that Becky at Boys Rule My Life had tagged me for a meme. It was a good thing that I only had an hour and a half left at work ’cause I was almost busting. How exciting! How novel! How very blogger-like! Take that, you non-blog reading siblings who assume that just because you don’t want to read my blog that nobody does! Somebody likes my blog enough to TAG ME! But what might the meme be? What does she want to know? Oh, it was too much.

Turns out, the meme is “six random facts about me.” So here goes:

  1. I picked up a walker from freecycle today
    And by walker I mean old-lady-who-can’t-walk-on-her-own-so-she-shuffles-behind-a-metal-cage walker. I have a reputation for going all out on costumes for “spirit” functions at work–and when the social committee announced a Halloween costume contest, they proclaimed an early “Congratulations, Rebekah.” Nothing like putting me on the spot. Unfortunately, my last few are going to be hard to top. (Check out my Super Hero costume and my Nerd costume.) I was thinking old lady–if I could just find a walker–and lo and behold a walker shows up on Freecycle. Absolutely providential.
  2. My life is an open book
    I have actually LOANED some of my journals to a younger friend who was having a hard time with high school romance. I still almost can’t believe I did it. What was I thinking? Oh well.
  3. I just finished The House on the Cliff by Franklin Dixon
    The Hardy Boys aren’t just for kids–I’m reading them as part of my quest to read every book in Eisely Library. Boy, did I have a crush on Frank Hardy when I was younger though. That lucky Callie Shaw!
  4. I have somewhere between two and four hysterical roommates
    The number depends on who exactly is doing rounds in Lincoln–my sister and Casandra are my “real” roommates–the other two are PA classmates of Anna’s who stay with us when they’re in town. It’s a blast!
  5. I know only one joke
    Unfortunately, it’s a little macabre. Here goes: “Why don’t lepers play hockey?”

    Answer: Too many face-offs

    I know. Awful.

  6. I wear my grandma’s clothes
    Certain articles, at least. My favorite is a cream colored gown that she wore at least 50 years ago when she sang in a choir performance in Sioux Falls, Iowa. The performance was being recorded and put on the radio. She was so proud of that performance.

And now it’s my turn to tag some-bodies. I tag all my “in real life” blog friends:
Joshua,
Casandra, Cousin Matt, and Grace Babe