The List: Describe 5 weaknesses and 5 strengths you have.

Ok so I've decided I was going to do two lists in one because lets face it who wants to only focus on their weaknesses?

So here goes my list of weaknesses...

1. Say NO!
I have a hard time saying "No" If I am asked to help by certain people or involving certain tasks. I have a heart to help everyone and try to do everything even if it is out of my control. I feel that some of the time people take advantage of this with me knowing that I will give up my own free time and needs to help them.

2. Sleep
I LOVE my sleep. I love my sleep so much that I will wake up at the minimum amount of time to get ready knowing that I will most likely be running late just to have 5 more minutes of sleep. This also affects my apprearance, no makeup, pony tail and be on my way. I also have the weakness of if I am tired enough I will fall asleep anywhere including driving

3. Holding back
I tend to hold my feelings in so I do not upset anyone else even if they upset me. There is a line in a TBS song that says "the truth is, you could slit my throat and with my one last gasping breath I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt" and that is me to the fullest extent. To save the confrontation and the possible arguement I will avoid the topic to keep the peace. This doesn't mean that I forget about the situation but I will be guarded from that point on and continue smiling like everything is ok. Does this fix the situation? No. How is the other person supposed to know they upset me if i dont tell them? I have no idea. So to speak my feelings get swept under the rug.

4. ADD
I have diagnosed myself with Adult ADD. I find myself losing concentration to move on to another task and then will come back to the first task. I will start cleaning the kitchen and remember I need to do something in the office and then remember that I need to throw in laundry which reminds me that I need to finish the kitchen. This started some years ago and was especially difficult when working on school papers and projects. This is why I must have background noise when working on anything and will typically be doing 87 things at once.

5. Assessing myself
I am a bad judge of myself. I tend to be to harsh or not give myself enough credit. For example when I graduated from Washburn University and was lining up I had no idea I was graduating with honors until Diane gave me my chord. Looking back I should have known I was doing so considering my grades but I just was oblivious. If I fall short of a task I tend to beat myself up, and if I am outstanding at something I blow it off and shrug my shoulders.

Ok so here goes the list of strengths...(should be easier, I hope)

1. Open Minded
I am very much a person who does not judge the book by the cover. I do not judge based on a different belief system from my own. I try not to get snippy with the drive thru person because they were snippy with me, I do not know what they are going through to cause this behavior. I try to smile at everyone I pass by and say Hello when I can. I love talking with others about things I have never heard of or an opposing opinion of my own. I love learning new things and look forward to meeting new people.

2. Big Heart
I have a big heart that wants to help everyone. Where this is a weakness it is also a strength. I give some the benefit of the doubt giving them an opportunity that others may not have given them because until I am proven otherwise everyone deserves a fighting chance. I will continue to help you until I find out you have either used me or are backstabbing me and then your chance is over.

3. Hope
I have hope. Hope that one day that everyone will love one another, that one day there will be worldwide peace, that all children will get equal education, that no person has to live in fear, that nobody is left out based on race, religion, name, color, sex, nationality, age, disability, creed or veteran status. I have hope that everyone will do the right thing, treat others the way you want to be treated. I have hope that one day there will be no homelessness, no unemployment, no hungry. Hope, if there is no Hope, what is left?

4. Faithful
If you mean something to me whether you are family, friends, an aquaintenance and sometimes even a complete stranger I will stand up for you until I am blue in the face. Do not talk badly about any of the listed around me without some form of rebuttle coming from me. I get very defensive over those I love even when I want to bop them over the head for something. They may drive me nuts or make me mad but dont you dare talk badly about them. I once took on an arguement in a class between two other classmates because I could help the one girl argue her point where the other girl was being completely rude and close minded towards her for an opinion answer. I could relate to this girl, whom I had never even spoken to based on her answer and me being able to relate to that. From that point on I had that girls back no matter what, and we became friends. 

5. Generous
I would rather give than receive. I enjoy seeing the joy and excitement on others faces rather than my own. I think of all the things I'd like to buy/make/give to other people. The holdiays are always exciting to me. If I had all the money in the world I would still be broke because I would buy everyone I know presents, all the time. Everytime I go to the store I think about buying a new toy for my little baby cousin or for our friends with babies on the way. Im constantly thinking about buying things for other people, its a fault but at the same time I just think its just a nice gesture. (I think)


Ok so those were kind of painful. Its hard to pick at yourself.

The List: Describe a typical day in your current life.

I cant say this post will be terribly exciting but here goes:

1. Alarm goes off at 9:00 a.m.-hit snooze
2. Alarm goes off at 9:05 a.m.-hit snooze
3. 2nd Alarm goes off at 9:09a.m.-hit snooze
4. 1st Alarm goes off at 9:10 a.m. - hit snooze
5. Repeat above steps until alarm shuts itself off and Justin wakes me up at 10:00 a.m.
6. Eat Breakfast
7. Watch The Price Is Right (10-11)
8. Walk/Eliptical
9. Decide I'm going to get something done today but instead get stuck at the computer and watching reruns of Greys Anatomy
10. Shower
11. Eat Lunch before work
12. Leave for work at 3:15/3:20
13. Arrive at work 3:45/3:50
14. Work 4-8p.m. (table sessions, video games, jumping on the trampoline, swinging, running around to catch Little Dude, puzzles, match games, walking around the block, tickles, hide&seek, cuddles, marble table, reading, writing, and on and on)
15. Leave for home
16. Arrive home 8:30/8:45
17. Eat Dinner
18. Watch DVR'd shows
19. Watch the News (why? Im not sure)
20. While doing tasks 17-19 am on computer typically either on facebook, pinterest, or ancestry.
21. Finally call it a night anywhere from 11:30p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Im a night owl)

Repeat.

Rather sad I know.

Goals:
Get up earlier.
Go to bed earlier.
Get more done.

The List: Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

Again a list where things immediately come to mind. These are vague but here goes.

1. When the bottom of my pant legs get wet when its been raining outside. Especially when I am wearing flip flops.

2. Ignorance. I know people can't help it but the close minded ignorance peeves me beyond being able to explain it.

3.Bad Drivers. The lingering drivers in the left lane, the ones who feel the need to cut off people when there appears to be no reason, the ones who dont stop at cross walks when there is someone standing there, the people who feel the need to pass on the right side, or when there are signs that say to merge one way or another and fail to do so until there is no more room to do so.

4. Ripped Books. I cringe when I see a child rip a book or see someone rip or bend a cover. I know accidents happen but I like my books to be in the best conditions they can be. As much as I love the libraries and absolutely HATE the thought of them being extinct someday I would rather buy my own brand new copy of a book than get a used book.

5. I have to make the bed before I get into it. If it is not made a certain way I can't handle it.

6. Poor Grammar. Improper uses of your, you're, their, there, effect, affect are, our. When the weather guy on 27 news says "take your tornado shelter" when we are in a tornado warning...I mean really where am I taking it? 

7. People who post things on public sites and/or brings up certain topics and then when asked about or confronted about the situation state they do not want to talk about it.

8. People who get pets knowing they can't take care of them. Especially ones who get a pet and have to get rid of it and then get another pet because "this time its different" Pets are forever not until something else comes along. Pets get attached and removing them from familiar situations because of your own selfishness is not acceptable. If you don't believe pets get attached you are a pet peeve of mine.

9. People who know EVERYTHING and you can never have a different opinion of the topic from them.

10. When people assume and make judgements based on those assumptions.

The List: Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Well Im sure there are multiple that could be named here. But the one that first comes to mind is when I was in Junior High I was a cheerleader. During pep rally's I was in charge of the sound system for the drill team. The way the sound system worked was if you pushed the tape option twice it turned on the radio. There was no light that indicated that the button had already been pushed or not. So the pep rally was going on Mr. Brown one of our coaches had just finished his big pep talk to get the team and all the school and Im not sure who took the podium after him but as they said "Thank you Mr. Brown" I pushed the tape button on the stereo right as the song "Sheep Go to Heaven" by Cake came on right at the point where the song says "go to hell" so....she said "Thank you Mr. Brown" "go to hell" needless to say I hit the button again as fast as I could and realized the entire school was looking at me. I've provided a link to video for the song in case you've never heard it or want to reminisce.

The List: List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

Oh wow. Its funny how certain topics immediately give you answers but yet you have a hard time putting words to it. Here goes my list.

1. Mom. She's someone who has ALWAYS been there for me. She taught me from the beginning to be me, don't settle. Mom is a woman who wont back down when someone says she can't or shouldn't and passed that on to me. Mom is one of the strongest persons I have ever known. She smiles when she wants to cry, she yells when she cares, and she encourages when you need it most.

2. Justin. Is my best friend. He balances me out the way nobody else could. He has taught me to be calmer, patient, and think about the alternative options. Justin makes me laugh when I need it most, knows when I need support and encourages me to be more outgoing.

3. Nana. In the 16 years I had a pleasure of knowing her she taught me to be strong-willed, independent, and not to back down when times get tough. She was very much our matriarch of the family and showed unconditional love.

4. Diane McMillan. Diane taught me how to let things go. She is one of the most beautiful spirited persons I have the pleasure of knowing. She taught me Health Realization and how I have the power to let things bother me or let them go and realize that its not worth getting worked up over.

5. Jeremy Landis. Jer taught me how to love Jesus. He was my 3rd Youth Minister. He had a way about him that I could relate to. Jer helped me through a difficult time and was very supportive.

6.7.8.. Jayda, Micheala, Braedyn. These three have influenced me in a way that no-one else could. They push me to be a better person. I want to be someone they look up to and can talk to about anything and everything. I want them to know that I care and will support them in everything they do.

9.10.  Evan (John & Veronica) and Ty (Scott & Jessica). These two families are inspirational. Even though not the same family or even the same obstacles they will face. These two sets of parents are the strongest, most heartwarming parents. They are strong, compassionate, and wonderful.

The List: What are 5 passions you have?

Well considering I started this more than a week ago I should try to make this list happen.

I feel like I am a pretty passionate person about a lot of things but when it comes down to listing them I am drawing a blank.

1. Patriotism. I am my Great-Grandmothers, Granddaughter. If you hear the national anthem, you stop, remove your hat, place your hand on your heart and look for the flag. You don't let the flag touch the ground. You show your support to those in uniform by smiling at them. When you find out someone is a veteran you say "Thank You" I dont care if you saw war or didn't. If you served for MY freedom, I thank you.

2. Pictures. Yes photography plays a huge roll in this but I am passionate about the pictures themselves. I have a fear of losing pictures. Especially pictures I can't replace such as pictures of grandparents or yearbooks. I think pictures are some of the most prized possessions you can have. You can't ever get the same picture twice as much as you try, it just doesn't happen.

3. Family. My family means more to me now than it ever has. Things are constantly changing. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not for the better. But they are family. We may not always like each other, and may not always see eye to eye. But they are family. I am an only child, my Parents mean the world to me. All of them have molded me to who I am today.

4. Raising Awareness about things that are dear to me. Down Syndrome, Autism and Child Abuse Prevention are my top three. I have found a passion for sharing these causes with others. I have been a part of Step Up for Down Syndrome the past 2 years and looking at our 3rd year. I have big plans for this year. I have always been interested in learning about Autism and have now jumped full fledged into it by now working with my little dude. And as far as Child Abuse Prevention, I have been passionate about that cause the longest. If you want any further information please visit. Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City Autism Speaks Prevent Child Abuse America

5. History. I have always been a freak when it comes to learning about history. I love visiting historic sites, historic buildings, hearing where people came from such as Ancestry. I think its important to learn history, without history we wouldn't be here. History molds us to who we are, how our families act, where we are going to go. Its everything.

Ok, so I could have elaborated a little more about each of these but lets face it, its taken me over a week and several hours to get this far. If you want to discuss any  of these in further detail, Let me know. :)

The List: What is your dream job, and why?

I would say that I have a couple dream jobs, so to narrow it down to one would be rough. 


Dream Job # 1


Open my own Not-For-Profit Agency that specializes in Autism and Down Syndrome. There is nothing that specifically works with these diagnosis in Topeka. I would love to bring the Down Syndrome Guild to Topeka and open a branch as well as an Autism focused agency. There would be so many families that would benefit from such services. I am ONE of TWO providers in Shawnee County for in home intensive work with a child with Autism. Only approximately 45 kids 3-5 years old get services through the Autism Waiver and there are HUNDREDS on a waiting list hoping to get on the waiver before they age out at 5. This isn't fair to the families or the children who need the services.  I can go on to list facts of how many are affected by Autism and Down Syndrome but the truth is, the families that need services are lacking providers to give them the services needed.


Dream Job #2


I would love to have my own Photography Business. Yes, I am slowly getting started but I would love to do it full time. I love capturing the special moments and sharing them with others. I think my favorite things to take pictures of are children and families. To think about living in a time where pictures weren't even an option is just weird to me. I couldn't imagine not having those treasures. 


I can list a handful of other things that sound fun and I would love to do for a living but these are my main two.