my own BIG reveal

Day 31: Costume Reveal

So the truth is, I am not revealing a Halloween costume. My surprise is that I have been in Mexico since Wednesday! Keeping this a secret has felt nearly impossible... so much so, that I'm not even sure if I successfully did.

I am so happy about this trip for so many different reasons:

For one, hello, it is Mexico and Michigan is cold and rainy. I couldn't love 78 degrees anymore than I do right now.

Two, the whole Mexican situation is happening, because I am finally going to be a bridesmaid! One of my greatest friends, and a bridesmaid of mine, got engaged in November last year and decided, quickly, on a destination wedding. Megan is definitely fulfilling all of my vacation wedding dreams. (Thanks dogg)

And finally, the third reason, the wedding is at exactly the same resort that Aaron and I spent our honeymoon last year. It is really like a second honeymoon, and I am so, so, looking forward to spending the time together. And, we have a ton of time for good friends and all the excursions we can afford. Fingers crossed for dolphins!

30 things: get to know me

 

Day 30: Thirty Facts About Me

When I first saw this prompt, I was excited. I have been in desperate need of a new "about me page," but, I have been putting it off. My list of facts really brought out some thoughts and descriptions that I don't think I would typically use. For that reason, I think it turned out pretty entertaining.

1. I love travel and seeing new places.
2. ...but I don't really like the outdoors that much.
3. I believe that one day I will have seen every one of the fifty states.
4. I have almost three complete university degrees.
5. I am horrible at spelling. Like it is so bad, that sometimes it seems like I am joking.
6. I love Taylor Swift...
7. I love singing as loud as I can, but I usually won't around other people.
8. Concerts are one of my favorite things to do.
9. I do not have cable, or "over the air" television.
10. I download old shows and binge watch them (Criminal Minds - holla!).
11. I have been dying my hair since I was 14 and I don't see any indication that I will stop any time soon.
12. I used to be real fat, like seriously fat.
13. I have lost around 50 pounds.
14. I still want to lose 20-30 more.
15. I love Crossfit, but I left my gym.
16. I think that my instagram presence is stronger than my blog.
17. I compare myself and my life to others, but I wish I didn't.
18. I have a love/hate relationship with my dog. I love her, but she makes me NUTS.
19. I really like the idea of lipstick.
20. ...but I think it looks silly on me.
21. I like taking selfies with only half of my face in them.
22. I got my first job at a grocery store when I was 15, because my mom wouldn't buy me plaid pants.
23. I have had fourteen jobs total.
24. I get a thrill out of creating a budget and sticking to it.
25. Paying off debts is one of my favorite feelings.
26. Sometimes I feel irrationally angry, about things that don't concern me.
27. I also have anxiety issues (those, too, are irrational).
28. My dog has over ten nicknames, I created all of them...
29. I call my brother Ryan, "Brother" exclusively 
30. I am 24 years older than my youngest sibling (Samantha) but only 5.5 years older than Brother

the ABCs

Day 29: My Most Embarrassing Moment

Here in Michigan, the summer means going on vacations "up north." And for my family, going "up north" typically includes visiting Mackinac Island. If you aren't familiar with the island, you can read about it HERE, or you can trust that it is pretty much just a tourist trap. Literally, an island that you can't escape from without a boat, ferry ticket, or airplane.

My most embarrassing moment goes back to the summer of 2006(?). This was before Aaron and I did a lot of road trips, and I was very uncomfortable with public restrooms. I'm still not the biggest fan, but I have learned that you better go when you get the chance. This particular summer, my family had decided that we would take a girls weekend trip up north. So, my mother, my grandmother, my Aunt Becky and I all went, and we obviously decided that we were going to go to the island.

As I mentioned, getting to the island requires a ferry boat (for us poor folk). There are pretty standard run schedules for the ferries and you just have to wait until they come back to take you. So of course, without fail, I had to pee. It wasn't like a porta-potty or anything, but it was pretty bad, and it was extremely close to the general waiting area.

I went in the bathroom stall and I could still hear the people in the waiting area talking. I immediately knew it was not gonna happen. I went back out and took my mother into the bathroom with me. "I need you to make some noise so nobody can hear me!" She began to sing the ABCs over and over, louder and louder.

Sure it allowed me to pee, but it also allowed everyone to laugh. Absolute horror.