Tag, I'm it.

I have been tagged. Not literally, since the source of this tag has claimed she actually hates to tag people, since it brings a sense of obligation to the taggee (tagged?). However, she did tell me that she wanted me to feel tagged, so I would post a new blog. Thus, the tag.

Five things you don't know about me:

1. I am ADDICTED to Dawson's Creek. You would think that the present Katie Holmes would have ruined this for me, but no. No she has not. I have dreams about Pacey Whitter. I NEVER would have broken up with him at prom. Pick me, Pacey. Pick me.

2. I sucked my thumb until about the age of 10. No exaggeration. It was just too comforting. I never used a pacifier when I was a baby. Why would I need some plastic replica, when my thumb did the job just fine? My parents had to go to the doctor for a remedy (an Ace bandage wrapped around the elbow, rendering the arm unconscious if held at a right angle for any amount of time) because I REFUSED to stop. Hence the extreme overbite of my youth.

3. I talk to myself in the shower. Not singing. Talking. Especially when I have a problem I'm trying to work out or have an issue that I can't just figure out. Sometimes it just helps to say things out loud.

4. I broke my collarbone when I was three when some cubbyholes fell on me. Sure, I was monkey-climbing on them, which I was not supposed to do. But I was three. Who *doesn't* want to monkey-climb when they're three?? I still have the groove in my collarbone to this day.

5. I refused to learn to ride my bicycle without the training wheels. Flat out refused. Until my three-years-younger brother did it. Then the gauntlet was thrown.

Sure, the first time I tried, I ran into a mailbox. Hard. But I shook it off, got back up, and tried again. Slower this time.

Enjoy!!

Five years later.

I graduated from college five years ago today. I didn't realize that interesting tidbit of information until I was getting ready for school this morning and put on my bracelet that my aunt gave me when I graduated. She engraved my name and the date of my graduation on the inside. There it was, staring back at me from pretty cursive lettering. May 9, 2003. It gave me pause, I must say. Five years. Hmm.

Five years ago:

- I was 21 years old.
- My parents were still financially responsible for almost every aspect of my life.
- I had never lived alone, independent from anyone.
- I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. When I graduated with my sociology degree, I had no clue where to go from there, I only knew that I didn't want to leave College Station. It was familiar, it was what I had known for four years. So I didn't. I got an entry level job at a bank that barely covered my expenses, lived with my grandparents for a few months until I moved into a house that I really couldn't afford, and worked for 6 months at a job that I ultimately hated, simply because I wasn't ready to move on. When I finally woke up and realized that teaching is where I wanted to be, I ended up breaking a lease, hurting a friend, and letting down a company that had been training me to move up in the ranks. Not a great way to start my adult life.

Today:

- I am 26 years old.
- I am fully financially responsible for myself. I paid off my car 6 months early, thank you very much, and I am proud to say that when I applied for loans for school this summer, the banker mentioned that I have one of the best credit ratings he has ever seen. Not just for people my age, but period.
- I have lived alone for the past 2.5 years, and it's something I am going to miss greatly when I meet that certain someone.
- I am in a career I love, and one that I am really good at. I was chosen last week to speak at a VIP dinner at our district's showcase about the great things going on at our school. I was the only teacher chosen from my school and only one of 5 speakers chosen, period. Afterwards, I had both assistant superintendents, one school board member, one principal of another school, and my superintendent of my district (my boss's boss's boss) come up to me to let me know how much they enjoyed my talk and my ideas and enthusiasm. You have no idea how that made me feel. The best part is, I'm doing what I love. It is one of my greatest joys, knowing that I get to see my kids every day. They drive me crazy, and sometimes I just want to close my eyes and pray for summer, but I really love them. They are the best part of me. I am also planning on going back to school this summer to get my master's in counseling, and I'm so excited that sometimes I just cannot control the giddiness.

Bring on the next five years. It's only getting better with time.