Tagged!

Oh that Kelly. She's a sneaky one. Tagging me in this fun lil blog game. And thennn the lovely Laura tagged me! So here are my long-winded answers to the questions they posed. Be sure to read all to the end to find out if I tagged you and what questions I want *you* to answer!

First up, Kelly's Qs!

1. If you could pick any one animal to have as a pet, what would you choose?
I. Love. Monkeys. Omg I die for them. While I would love to give any primate a loving home, this guy stole my heart when I played with him in Roatan, Honduras. So cute, right? I think it's a spider monkey? Yeah, we'll go with that.

I do not know those children. Clearly I was photo-bombed. 

2. What is the weirdest injury you have ever sustained?

I plan on doing a more in-depth post about this over on my wedding blog, but I'm currently going through some...trauma due to my wedding shoes. This is what my toes looked like 3 weeks after my wedding:

That's BRUISING. From my WEDDING SHOES. Now? They look even worse. Like, WAY worse. As in, my left big toe is half the size it should be.

3. What is the worst insult you’ve ever received?

Junior year of high school I was at an after-party for a school dance. I was being my silly, sarcastic self, and apparently some girl didn't like that too much. Her name was Emily, coincidentally. Anyway, she called me a C U Next Tuesday, stuck out her tongue and sprayed spit all over me. That was cute.

4. Which character from Friends was your favorite? And if you didn’t watch Friends… who the F are you?

I wasn't a hugely loyal Friends fan, unfortunately. I'd have to say Rachel was my fave because she was the prettiest and had the best hair. Yes, I'm shallow. No, I will not apologize for that.

5. What is the best “go-to” recipe in your arsenal?

Can my answer be the take-out menu drawer? Those never fail me :)

Okaayyyy. I must say that I'm pretty good at making fish. Tilapia is my favorite fish because of it's mild flavor and ability to pair well with a variety of seasonings. I like to grill it, pan sear it, or broil it. Yum in every way! This recipe for chili-rubbed tilapia (courtesy of Smoky Mountain Cafe) is delicious and SO easy. Like, legit fool-proof. I serve it with rice and also green beans, which I saute in the leftover oil/chili powder. Mmmm I might make it this week!

6. If you could go back and change one detail of your life, what would you change and why?

Oooh tough one. I'm a big believer of living with no regrets. However, I really think it's somewhat unavoidable. So, if I could go back and change one thing, I would be a better student. I got good grades in school, took advanced and AP classes, but I just wasn't a very good student. I don't *like* school. I like to learn, but I don't like the traditional school environment.

7. Which of the 50 United States would you least like to live in?

The coldest ones. I'm looking at you, Alaska.

8. What was your favorite class in high school or college?

Didn't we JUST cover the fact that I don't like school? Ha! The one class that sticks out is my Great Films and Literature class from high school. I had a major crush on the teacher so I looked forward to it every day.  Don't ask me what we learned...clearly I absorbed nothing.

Here are Laura's Qs:

1. If you could live anywhere in the US (and have your family/friends/job there) where would you choose?
I live here already! I LOVE love loooove DC. 

2. How did you meet your significant other?
Ughhh I hate answering this question. MySpace. There. I said it. So embarrassing.

3. What's your favorite trip/vacation you've taken? 
Hmmm that's a tough one. While I absolutely loved our honeymoon, the first vacation Josh and I took together (a cruise) is probably my favorite. We were only about 4 months into our "official" relationship, but decided to take a leap of faith and spend a week together in a 108 square foot cabin on a boat. We had a blast and aside from a few spats, didn't fight at all!

4. Who do you most look up to? 
My mom, hands down. She's awesome, strong, independent, beautiful, intelligent, and so much more. If I can be even a quarter of the woman she is, I'll be a happy lady.

5. What's your favorite holiday and why? 
My birthday! No? That's not an option? Boo :( Well, I do enjoy a good 4th of July celebration. Thanksgiving is awesome because of all the food (and my mom makes the most BOMB-ASS gravy that I could literally drink from a cup.) And of course, Christmas because let's be real, who doesn't like presents?

6. Who is the person who knows you best? 
Josh is absolutely the person who knows me best. I share *almost* everything with him (certain things my friends tell me I keep to myself.) He's always the first person I want to call with exciting news or something cool. My mom comes in at a very close second :)

7. What do you do for a living? Is it what you pictured yourself doing? 
Currently I'm unemployed :( I want to get into event planning, which is not what I pictured doing, but what I believe I'm supposed to do.

8. What's one thing that brightens your day without fail?

My boys, Tyler and Joey :) See sidebar to look at their cute mugs. How could they NOT make you smile?

Whew! That was crazy. Here are your questions!

1. Who would be your partner on The Amazing Race? Why?

2. What actress would play you in a movie about your life?

3. What is your favorite spice or herb? Or both!

4. What is the one outfit you can put on and immediately feel your prettiest/sexiest/sassiest/most beautiful?

5. Growing up, what was your most awkward age/year?

6. If you could choose to be born in any era, which one would you pick?
7. What is your go-to drink at the bar? And if you don't drink...booo. Jk I'm sure you're way fun :)

Also, a ton of my favorite girls were already tagged, so here are a few of my faves who have yet to receive the honor:

Christina from At least we have each other
Claire from A Realistic Wedding
Megan from Everyday Nonsense from a Nonsensical Gal
Maria from Procrastination Station

30DBJ: Day 20

A Hobby

Um, drinking wine? Going to Home Goods? Buying make-up? I have no hobbies. I like to cook! Can that be a hobby? I don't knit or sew. I don't do graphic design in my spare time. I don't have an Etsy shop. I'm sarcastic, can that be a hobby? Judging and sarcasm? What IS a hobby, anyway? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN??

 

30DBJ: Day 19

A Talent

 Prince Poppycock, I am not. 
Although I do adore him and think he's a fabulous queen.
(Photo Source)

It's safe to say that I am talent-less. That's not an exaggeration, as much as I wish it was. But, there is one thing I'm really good at that I take pride in. I'm excellent at memorizing the lyrics to songs. 

When I was a kid my mom would say, "If you put as much effort into memorizing your History/Science/Math, etc facts as you put into memorizing songs you'd get better grades." Which is totally true. I can memorize a song after hearing it 4-5 times, but ask me to remember formulas or other useless "educational" facts? Can't do it. Useless facts, clearly have a special place in my brain, though. I guess that's another talent :)

Anyway, I love music and I take pride in the fact that when pretty much any song comes on the radio (or in a bar or at a party) I know the words.

 

30DBJ: Day 6

20 of my favorite things

Twenty is such a random number, right? Can we just assume that Josh, my cats, my mom, my family and my friends are on this list without me actually listing them? Those seem too obvious for me to list. Ok, here goes nothin':

1. My new city, Bethesda, MD and it's proximity to the awesomeness that is Washington, DC

2. When I'm having a really good hair day (this happens probably less than 10 days out of the month).

3. Blog comments, good and bad. Although I haven't received many bad ones, I just appreciate people reading!

4. My iPhone even though the stupid 4G update made it a piece of crap.

5. Summer and hot weather. 

6. Weddings, duh.

7. Make up...can't leave the house without it!

8. Dancing in my room/the car/the shower/the club.

9. Karaoke!! Not gonna lie, I'm pretty bomb at it.

10. High heels. Not a flats girl at ALL. (Except for flip flops and embellished sandals.)

11. Dressing up. Better to be overdressed than under-dressed!

12. Decorating my apartment/Home Goods.

13. Pasta. Actually, lets just say all carbohydrates and starches. I don't discriminate.

14. Gay clubs/drag shows. The gays know how to party!

15. Photoshoots in random locations. Bathrooms seem to be a common theme among me and my friends.

16.WINE. Omg how could I almost have forgotten that one!
17. The Real Housewives of Everywhere
18. Actually, let's just make that every show Bravo produces
19. Making Josh laugh really hard.
20. All of the awesome people I've "met" through blogging/Twitter. Never thought I'd have the privilege to be a part of such a great community!

Whew! That was intense.

30 Day Blog Journal

In an effort not to neglect this blog while I plow through recaps over at Burning River Bride, I'm going to participate in the 30 Day Blog Journal...mission. Can I call it a mission? I'm going to. Plus I'd really like to get in the habit of posting more frequently, so I figure this is a great way to ease myself into that!

I saw this over on Happy Hour With A Housewife (do you follow her? You should. She's FAB.) and knew I had to take this on. Every day for the next 30 days I'll write a post answering the following questions:

Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of my favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where I live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - my worst habit
Day 28 - whats in my handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

By the end of the month I'll have revealed basically everything about me and have nothing left to blog about. Whoops!

Jk, I have opinions that go on for days :) Has anyone else attempted this? Interested in joining me on my mission? Let me know in the comments so I can follow along with you!

A Welcome and The Basics

Hey you guyyyssss!! It's me, Em from Burning River Bride. Although I'm still finishing up recaps over there, I have many non-wedding-related posts swimming around in my head that I felt the need to get my post-wedding blog up and rolling. The design is still basic but I have plans to jazz it up eventually. I hope you'll forgive me for not having a fancy-shmancy design just yet :)

If you're new (or if you're just nosy and want to know more about me), I filled out this handy-dandy survey that's been making it's rounds to help you get to know me better. There's some fairly political stuff in here, but I don't foresee bringing much or any of that into my regular blogging. However, my opinions are a big part of who I am and a driving force in how I live my life, so I'm happy to share them in an effort to let you know what I'm all about.

Name: Emily Alexandra. If you know me IRL or are friends with me on facebook, you know the last name :) Most people, even if they've just met me, call me Em. I like and respond to both. I also *really* like my middle name and think it goes really well with my new last name. Possible first daughter name? I think soooo! Gratuitous Emily pic:

Gender: Female

Age: 24

Birth date: February 19, 1986

Place of birth/Current place of residence: Born in Lakewood, OH (suburb of Cleveland), currently residing in Bethesda, MD (suburb of DC.)

Heritage: Mostly Irish/German.

Siblings: Here we go: 4 half brothers (Kurt, 27; Will, 19; James, 15 (I think?); Calvin, 5) and 2 half sisters (Maddie, 17; Grace, 14) Whew! It's a long story.

Religious/Spiritual affiliation: My dad tried with all his might to instill (read: force) the Catholic faith in me. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for me, I rejected Catholicism and now...well, I'm not really sure. I have serious issues with organized religion, but at the same time I feel that extremism on either side is bad. So. I would say that I'm bordering on Agnostic.

Pets: 2 cats (Maine Coon), Tyler and Joey. Gratuitous kitty pic:

Tyler on the left, Joey on the right. I love these boys.

Marital status: Married. Gratuitous wedding pic:

Photo by Linczak Photography

Sexual orientation: Straight

Tattoos/piercings: Two holes in each ear, a cartilage piercing and a closed up belly piercing. Two tats, typical "tramp stamp" and a shamrock on my right foot.

Glasses: Nope!

PC or Mac: I have a Mac and after a few, shall we say "bumps" in the road, I love it. I don't have anything against PC, though.

Mobile phone: iPhone ALL the way!

Do you believe in ghosts? I think I believe in energy and weird stuff like that, but I've never done enough research to really form an opinion.

Do you believe in UFOs? I think there is other "life" out there besides what's on this planet. But UFOs like in the movies? No. But really, who knows.

Abortion: Vehemently pro-choice. As my friend Hannah so eloquently said, being pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion, so in some way I actually consider myself pro-life, just not in the way most people see it. Honestly, I just believe that every woman should have the right to do what she wants with her body. As an "oops baby" myself, I know that my mom could have chosen to abort her pregnancy, and I'm ok with that, although obviously thankful she chose to have me. My mom also put me up for adoption but ultimately didn't go through with it. Again, I'm thankful she raised me, but I understand that sometimes we have to make difficult choices. All I ask is that we're allowed that choice.

Death penalty: Ironically, I'm pro-death penalty. No long reasoning, just am.

Gay marriage: PRO. Pro pro pro proooooooo. One of my best friends is gay and I cannot imagine denying him the RIGHT to marry. The argument against it truly does not make sense to me and I cannot fathom ever understanding where anti-gay marriage supporters are coming from. That being said, we're all entitled to our own opinions and I respect that :)

Where have you traveled? Well let's see...how about I just list my end destinations? Domestic: NYC, DC, OBX, multiple destinations in Florida, Chicago, LA, Bay-area. Foreign: Mainly Caribbean islands and a few cities in Mexico. I've never had a great urge to go to Europe, but I would *love* to go to Spain.

Where else can you be found on the internet? Facebook (where you can't actually search for me), Twitter (@Em219) and, LinkedIn (buuuut you don't know my last name so HA HA you can't find meeee!) But I mean, I guess if you really want to be friends (and still kind of like me after reading my stances on religion, abortion, gay marriage and the death penalty), we'll figure out a way to connect. Just let me know!

One more thing: wondering where I got the name for my blog? Well, I had the hardest time thinking of something. I thought about it a lot and decided to look through the lyrics of some of my favorite songs to see if anything jumped out at me. Some of my favorite songs come from the musical RENT, so naturally I sifted through those songs for inspiration. Yep, I'm a nerd. Anyway, this is a small part of a lyric from the song "I Should Tell You":

Trusting desire starting to learn

Walking through fire without a burn

Clinging a shoulder a leap begins

Stinging and older asleep on pins

It really is a beautiful song. So why "A Leap Begins"? Life is a series of leaps of faith. I feel like I've taken a lot of big leaps lately, getting married and moving to a new state/city to name a few. My goal for this blog is to document my triumphs as well as failures as I navigate through my new life. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Have you done this survey or one like it? Link it in the comments so we can get to know each other better!