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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Liebster Award Time!!!

Liebster Awards
I am honored to have been nominated for a Liebster Award from MMMReader !  So sweet that she thought of me!
I've never heard of this award before the divine Ms. M told me about it, but I thought I'd go with it, because it's a great way for readers and hopeful Choice Moms/SMCs to connect.  Always a good thing. 

So These are the Liebster "Rules:


"Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to them in your post.
"Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.
"Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.
"Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog.

"Note: (These are the “rules” but please feel free to do as you wish. If you have 5 bloggers to nominate instead of 11, and you can only think of 7 random facts about yourself – that’s perfectly fine!"
I think MMMSecret thought 7 questions was a lot, so she stuck with five, but they were five very good ones, if I do say so myself:

1.  If you had to pick a different profession, what would you do?
When I first went to college, I was a music major.  I would love to be a full time musician if I could do it and pay the bills.  I feel like I've neglected it quite a bit; I haven't performed in about 3 years.  It truly is my first love and such an important part of my life. 

2. If you had to recommend just one a book (written by someone else) what would that book be?
You're making me pick just one book?!?!?  So unfair!  Ok honestly, I'd give the book On Bullshit by Harry Frankfurt a quick read.  It describes bullshit as it applies to communication, further applying it to interpersonal relationships and life in general.  Bullshit is different than a flat out lie, because there can be some truth to it.  As the author says, "Bullshit is thus a greater enemy of truth than are lies." 

3. If you were given a million dollars to donate to a single charity of your choice, which would you pick and why?
Doctors Without Borders likely.  So, my professional background is interesting, but no matter what I've done, it usually involved making healthcare accessible and amenable to all.  I managed a community based healthcare program for 2.5 years after finishing school, and while it was difficult and stressful, it was rewarding.  Many of my clients were underserved, and needed the supports I could link them with in order to stay in their homes.  I believe healthcare is a human right, not a business, as our country has made it into.  Sadly, there are other parts of the world where even lacking healthcare isn't an option; because healthcare doesn't really exist.  Any organization that works to correct that deserves any support I could give. 

 4. If you could go back 10 years and do something different, would you change anything and what would you change?
Honestly, nothing.  I have made mistakes; God have I ever!  But every mistake I have made has taught me something, and without those mistakes, I wouldn't be who I am today.  Thus, while I accept that there was a better way to do things, I do not regret anything.  Ever.

5. What advice would you give to a 16 year old girl/young lady trying to make a plan about how to decide which college to pick and what her major would be and where she would live and what she would do after graduation, etc.?
I would say follow your heart.  Do what feels right for you, not for anyone else.  And make no apologies for it.  If you end up taking a different direction along the way, that's ok.  It will make sense eventually.  My life certainly hasn't gone the way I planned it to in so many ways.  While it hasn't been easy in the least, I am thankful for where it has brought me. 

Random Facts About Me:
1.  I have had a pencil led stuck in my right palm since the 7th grade.  It's a fun conversation piece. 
2.  I have two tattoos.  And have had...11 piercings.
3.  I call myself a neo-hippie.  I say I'm a hippie that was born 40 years too late.  Not into drugs and random sex myself (I hate those stereotypes anyways), but in terms of my personal philosophy and the way I live my life, I think I kind of fit the bill.
4.  The first word I ever spoke was "no."  Actually, I didn't say it, I SCREAMED it at the top of my little lungs.
5.  I used to do improv theatre.
6.  At one point, I was both a chicken shit and quite shy.  Shocker, I know!
7.  I am distantly related to Jimmy Carter.  He is my great-grandma's cousin.  Not that it matters much; but given where he is politically, especially lately, I'm proud to share a couple drops of blood with him.
8.  I have one biological sibling, who is my half brother from my mother's second marriage.  He's 13 years younger than me.
9.  When I think of family, I think of it in more of a community aspect, rather than a nuclear or biological one.
10.  I out screamed the entire 8th grade in a contest. 
11.  I can't believe making a list of 11 things is this damn hard!
   
And now Questions for my Nominees to Answer:
1.  If you could afford to quit your job, and do anything in the world, what would it be?
2.  What is the thing that makes you the most happy?
3.  If you could go back in time and change one decision you made, what would it be?
4.  Who is the person that has inspired you the most?
5.  What is the name of your favorite song, or alternatively, your favorite piece of poetry?


My Nominations:

MMMReader - A long time tryer, lawyer, and excellent writer.     
Chasing the Gerber Dragon - an SMC.  I absolutely love her honest and articulate writing style. 
Twelve22 - an SMC from my neck of the woods whose first child, a girl, is due in October.  Insanely jealous of her crafting and sewing skills as well.
The Solo Mama Project - Another long-time tryer.  She does a wonderful job of exploring the spiritual aspect of the TTC process.
Candlelight and Pacifiers - an SMC who recently had a baby boy after her second IVF.  This is a woman who gives me hope on a daily basis.  She fought infertility for years; and kicked its ass.
Stork Stalking - a long time tryer who is using surrogacy in another country.  She's very scientifically inclined, and knows more than a lot of REs out there IMHO.
Single Infertile Female - a woman living in Alaska who, after two failed IVFs, was able to adopt her daughter, "Cheeks," who fell into her lap.    
True Confessions of a Single Mother - an SMC in New York. 


3 comments:

  1. Weird -- I've had a piece of pencil lead (well, graphite) in my palm since ninth grade. Would you have been two years behind me in school? It might have happened to both of us in the same year!

    Thank you very much for the nomination. I'm not sure if I'll do the questions, etc on my blog, since I don't usually do meme-y things. I'll think about it!

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    Replies
    1. I graduated high school in 2002. Ok, if it happened the same year, that would be too funny!

      I agree it can be a little meme-y; I saw it as a way for us all to connect with each other and learn a little more about who we all are besides being SMCs. We're not just moms; we are people too, lol!

      BTW, I am still jealous of your decorating/craft skills. I love how Baby M's nursery turned out! So many unique ideas, like the chalk board door. I seriously need to consult with you WHEN I put mine together. I will be working with limited space and want to do something a little different too. I also plan on modified co-sleeping as well, so I need to figure out how to get my bedroom ready for that too.

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    2. Yep, I graduated in 2000 -- very weird! Maybe it was a bad year for pencil accidents.

      I'll definitely help you come up with ideas when it's time to put together your nursery!

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