Thirty Two Minus Seven

Twenty Five Things.

So this is circulating on facebook: write 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. And I was tagged by my good friend, Maddie Fisher. This is my virgin journey on being a recipient of a tag. Here goes....!

1. No matter what the topic is, or for what medium I am writing, I always ferociously write a few sentences, and then suddenly pause, and sincerely focus, as if my life depends on it. It's my version of warming up for a long run in the cold, or punching the air with clenched fists in preparation for a boxing match. (And so this means that the aforementioned statement just happened.)

2. I find great satisfaction with the ingestion of potatoes. Anything potatoes. Baked, cheesy, scalloped, funeral, "river", or inside a fried coating, affectionately known as a french fry. I stay true to my roots. Go Idaho- woot! woot!

3. Ketchup fanatic. To go on all things potato. Sometimes I will fry up something fatty, not because I crave such satiety, but because I crave ketchup. Suddenly the french fry becomes the condiment.

4. I love being a nurse. I L-O-V-E it. It fits me perfectly; and I truly find such deep satisfaction in helping someone find a little bit more holistic happiness via a healthcare setting.

5. If you had told me in high school I would be a nurse, I would have laughed in your face. Loudly, too. Math? Science? Are you serious? Yup. Apparently we were serious.

6. My family are the loves of my life. All seven of us are so different, but I find God placed us together because he knew our differences are what connected us- and what allowed each of us to be a bit more well-rounded. I am now 400 miles south of them (except for one), and I miss them, dearly.

7. I am not a confrontational person by any means, as I usually tend to take after my dad as a peacemaker. However, if something negative is said about my loyal possy of family and friends, I literally have to fight back the inevitable adrenaline rush to use my fists to tear you apart. (Can anyone imagine that picture?)

8. I used to be deathly afraid of dogs up until the age of 16. And I mean deathly. It was legitimate, too. Just one look at a dog, even leashed, my "fight or flight" response instantaneously kicked in- and I flew. I would run so far, so hard, for so long- and then I would begin to shiver as soon as I felt safe......... Apparently I was bit by a poodle when I was two? No memory of it. Poodles are right up there with pitbulls, right? Shit. That's not embarrassing.

9. I met my female soulmate two years ago in Salt Lake City, Utah. People tend to grow weary when they're around us because our humor only goes so far to the outside world; and people always ask how long we've known each other, expecting a "since in utero" response. Yet her bright blonde lion's mane and bulging calves is quite the contrast to my brunette locks and pancake flat bum.

10. I love to wear dresses. Something so feminine and sexy found in one's thighs not being interrupted by a synthetic material....

11. I am a soccer player. And I always will be. Though my time spent in black adidas copa cleats on a freshly cut green grassy field has come to a close due to two blown (and surgically repaired) ACL knee injuries, futbol will forever run in my blood.

12. My cross addiction from soccer turned to running. My father always pushed to have me join cross-country so he wouldn't feel like the only CX geek in the Mangum family, but it appears my affinity for hitting the pavement blossomed a few years too late.

13. I ran a marathon. Never thought I would. Never. But I did. That sure proved something to me.

14. My ultimate and most prized goal is to be a wife and a mother. I feel that is a God-given gift and I find every experience in the here and now can only better prepare me for my hopeful future.

15. If I ever blew you off to attend one of my brothers' sporting events, I really wasn't blowing you off. It is actually one of my favorite things to do. I am an insanely proud sister. Or maybe I am just banking on my retirement stemming from a brother's NFL salary...?

16. I have got to be the world's biggest bargain shopper. Pretty sure I haven't bought a single piece of clothing full price in years. And even if money someday does come my way, I won't change my shopping habits.

17. On the contrary to #16, I want a Range Rover, a well decorated home, and a substantial rock on my wedding finger someday. I have wrestled with these superficial thoughts; however, I feel quite comfortable in concluding I just have expensive taste.

18. My favorite musical artists are Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. People, except for my father, never understand this.

19. I love to dance. My dear friend Julie and I are known for busting moves at all times of the day to all tunes accessible. However, my facebook "Compare People" peer ratings always politely remind me, WITHOUT FAIL, that "best dancer," I most certainly am not. However, that still doesn't seem to stop my chicken legs rug-cutting move from revealing itself.

20. I was borderline obsessed with Rob Pattinson (aka Edward Cullen dans Twilight), for a good couple of months. I had to forcefully give myself a reality check. Or maybe getting my own Edward in the flesh (and coincidental identical twin to RPattz) fixed the problem.

21. Ann Taylor Loft, White House Black Market, GAP and Banana Republic are my staple stores. I find I express myself artistically and creatively through my apparel, as I cannot cook-paint-draw-or do anything artsy-related. However, I find that my form of creative expression is difficult to execute in my current everyday uniform of scrubs. I now struggle with the ultimate decision: pearls or CZ's today?

22. Utterly hopeless romantic should be my middle name. Or perhaps my full legal name. Shoot, just call me Utterly.

23. As much as I enjoy getting all dolled up, and going out on the town, I am a total home-body at heart. Give me sweats, a rental movie, candy and a snuggle buddy, and I could not be any more content.

24. Furthermore, I could watch movies all day. One after the other. Though it is the typical cliche dating activity, going to a movie theatre to enjoy cinematic entertainment is a love of mine. I tend to allow myself to become so involved in a movie, I can be so moved by the messages conveyed theatrically.

25. I am an independent woman. I often have to be reminded to check in with my parents. I love my alone time and moving at my own pace. I like to think of myself as a free spirit- open minded and easy going, as I have reached a level of such comfort with who I am as a woman.

I tag: Jessica Kruger, Julie Andersen, Abigail Mangum, Nellie Bingham, Diana Hulme, Carley Mills, Lindsey Cook