Day 5: New York

When I was 16, my family took a 5-week cross-country road trip. One of the places we stopped was New York City. I loved it. A few years later I started telling my mother I was going to go live in New York for a year. It was more of a whimsical wish than something I really planned to do. But in 2006 I sort of fell into an opportunity to intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York City. My internship lasted 6 months, not a year, but I decided that 6 months was enough, and while I enjoyed living there as a young single adult, I wouldn't want to raise a family there. Below are some of my favorte pictures from my time there.

Day 4: Habits That I Shouldn't Have

I have a number of things I wish I did differently. I put off cleaning until I can't stand how dirty things are. I put laundry in a laundry basket and let it sit for a couple of days before I get around to folding it. I spend more time than I ought to reading. I really detest cleaning the car...with the result that I never do and it's always awful. I have a sweet tooth and when I feel like snacking I usually look for something with sugar in it. These and many more things are habits I wish I didn't have. I'm slowly working on them. Wish me luck.:)

Day 3: Friends and Me

Kim (left) and Alisha (right) were at a playgroup I went to this week. Kim's husband works at the same bank Joseph does (different branch), and they have a little girl who is about a year and a half. We get our families together to hang out every now and then. Alisha's youngest is about a year old, and we keep each other company in the mother's room at church. :)

Day 2: What's "The Best Part"?

I like the question "What was the best part...?" because there can always be a best part. Even if your day, week, trip, or anything else has been lousy, it's never uniformly lousy, and this question helps you try to find the bright side. I explained where I got the idea in this post.

As for the address, if you take Melody Rose and spell it backwards, you get esorydolem, and if you lop off the "dolem" (because I like it better that way) you're left with esory. I like the sound of esory. If I ever start a business, I might consider using it for part of the name. :)

Day 1: A Photo and 15 Random Facts About Me

1. I read Anne of Green Gables (the whole series) on average once a year.
2. I can build a fire out of sticks. See a video here.
3. I have, on multiple occasions, cried because of a fear of raw meat. Both my mother and my husband can attest to this.
4. I carry fingernail clippers on my key chain. So does Joseph. We each did this before we knew each other.
5. I have never mown a lawn.
6. I like brewer's yeast on my popcorn, which I make on the stove.
7. I have memorized The Declaration of Independence, The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and The Living Christ. I can't necessarily recite them on demand any more, but I used to be able to. :)
8. I had laser eye surgery.
9. I was home schooled.
10. I designed my engagement/wedding ring.
11. I do appreciate other flavors, but vanilla is my favorite kind of ice cream.
12. I knew I was going to marry my husband the day after we officially started dating. I wrote it in my journal.
13. I've had over 50 roommates, counting mission companions. If you also count mission roommates, I've had over 70.
14. My sisters and I were all married in the same dress.
15. I have never been outside of the United States, but I have been to 25 states, nine of which I've lived in.
BONUS: I'm pregnant again!

30 Day Challenge

One of my friends is doing this 30 day blogging challenge. I think I'll follow her. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

30 Day Challenge
Getting to know me.

Each day of the month [well, each day starting tomorrow for the following 30 days], write a blog post according to these guidelines below:

Day 1 - Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2 - The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 3 - A picture of you and your friends
Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been
Day 6 - Favorite superhero and why
Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you
Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and when you'll accomplish them
Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days
Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, etc.
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 - How you found out about blogging and why you have a blog
Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family
Day 15 - Put your ipod or shuffle on-first 10 songs that play
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18 - List some plans, dreams, and goals that you have
Day 19 - Nicknames you have and why you have them
Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else?
Day 23 - Something you crave often
Day 24 - A letter to your parents
Day 25 - What I would find in your bag
Day 26 - What do you think about your friends?
Day 27 - Why you are doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28 - A picture of you from last year and now - How have you changed?
Day 29 - In this past month, what have you learned?
Day 30 - Your favorite song