The 50 Questions About Me (41-50)

And here we are at the end. It's been interesting. The last questions are just random.

41. What is your first memory of being really excited?
It's not exactly a memory, but my late grandmother wrote a story about when I was little and how much I wanted those fake plastic heels and tiara thing. I guess it kinda feels like a memory now, since I've read it so many times.

42. When was the last time you were nervous?
When I had to call the dentist to set up an appointment. I dread appointments. And phone calls. And people (even when they're super friendly.)

43. What is something you learned in the last week?
I'm currently in process of learning how to make tea to my liking. It's something I want to get into, but it's not working out so well right now.

44. What story does your family always tell about you?
My family loves to tell this story of when we were driving in the mountains one time when I was little, and I saw a deer but I couldn't remember what it was called and so I started shouting, "Look! It's a... a... an ANIMAL!" I don't know why, but they laugh ever time they tell it.

45. At what age did you become an adult?
I'm still learning to adult.

46. Is a picture worth a thousand words?
Yeah, actions speak louder than words and pictures are just frozen images of those actions.

47. Where's Waldo?
Waldo's wherever he wants to be. Maybe he doesn't want to be found.

48. The best part of waking up is?
Breakfast.

49. How now brown cow?
Brown-chicken-brown-cow!

50. Whassssuuuppp?
The ceiling, and then atmostphere and then nothing and then maybe a star or planet or something.

Till next time,
Annie

The 50 Questions About Me (31-40)

Going back to the past....

31. Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
Back when I was in marching band, the first year I had gotten on the hardest instrument to audition for, we had an overflow of people in the band and I had to split the marimba with some random kid who needed a spot. But it ended up ok, 'cause he became a really great friend and had someone to help push my 500 pound instrument around

32. What was one of the best parties you've ever been to?
Honestly, I've never been to a party I haven't enjoyed but I really enjoy my "Fearsome Foursome" parties. It's a group of four of us girls and we always have the absolute best conversations.

33. What was the last movie, TV show or book that make you cry or tear up?
I teared up watching Lost the other day. My best friend and boyfriend recommended and now I'm halfway through it.

34. What's the hardest thing you've ever done?
The hardest thing I've ever been through has been being diagnosed with two auto-immune diseases, but the hardest thing I've ever worked for was my state championships in marching band.

35. What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
I sound like a broken record, but being at my weakest physically has built my strength as a person in general.

36. What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
My closest brother and I fought A LOT growing up and my mom worked nights and slept during the day, so we got in trouble all the time for being loud and fighting.

37. When was the last time you had an amazing meal?
Every meal is amazing because food in general is amazing. But probably a Qdoba breakfast burrito has been my recent and rare favorite meal in the last couple months.

38. What is the best/worst gift you've ever givin/received?
The best gift I have ever given has been a handmade rice bag in the shape of a pug, it was the most hands on gift I've ever given. The best gift I have ever received an old PS2 because it was a throwback for me. The worst gift I've ever given has been a gothic piggy-bank for a white elephant Christmas gift, and the worst gift I've ever received has been a bag made out of a denim skirt from a distant aunt.

39. What do you miss most about being a kid?
I miss being able to not think about finances. As an adult, that's what your life revolves around is balancing money.

40. What is the first thing you bought with your own money?
The first important thing I ever 'bought' with my money was my dog's neuter surgery. My parents couldn't afford it at the time, and it needed to be done so I saved my money to pay for it.

Till next time,
Annie

The 50 Questions About Me (21-30)

Some more 'what ifs' and 5 speed round questions. GO!

21. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Dead? Probably classic artists like Leonardo da Vinci. Living? Probably my celebrity crush, Adam Levine.

22. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Trip to somewhere fun, like Hawaii again, or Europe with all of my loved ones, and I wouldn't let them pay a thing.

23. If you were reincarnated as an animal/drink/ice cream flavor, what would it be?
A pug, diet soda, and cookie dough ice cream.

24. If you could know the answer to any question, besides "What is the meaning of life?", what would it be?
I wish that when people asked me what their good traits about them were, I could look at them and answer honestly and thoroughly.

25. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
If I wanted to be a strong type of woman, then I'd pick Art3mis from a book called Ready Player One. She's what you'd think of as a strong female character. But otherwise, if I didn't have to be all 'strong woman' I'd be Belle from Beauty and the Beast 'cause I'd want that library.

26. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
When I first dyed my hair dark, I got told I looked like Kirsten Stewart (or Bella from Twilight.) I don't think that so much anymore.

27. What do you want to be when you grow up?
As of the moment, I want to earn a certificate in either phlebotomy to stick other people with needles and draw their blood (in the nicest way possible) or radiology.

28. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how to you pass the time?
I usually have my phone with apps, or I read or I take a small nap/relax period.

29. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Plot Twist.

30. What songs are included on the soundtrack of your life?
The Starset album, random assortment of songs found on youtube, and probably a lot of alternative rock.

Till next time,
Annie

The 50 Questions About Me (11-20)

On to some more complex questions!

11. If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
The only parties I've ever thrown were percussion parties when I was a leader for marching band, and those are probably some of the only parties I'll ever host. They were fun because there wasn't an occasion other than to hang out with friends and watch Tron or The Hobbit and eat food.

12. If you could pain a picture of any scenery you've seen before, what would you paint?
I think one of the coolest places I've ever seen was the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Their chandeliers were some of the prettiest things I have ever seen and the atmosphere was the most elegant I had ever been in.

13. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
I don't feel it's fair to answer this question since I've only had 19 years to try out. But if I have to answer, I guess it would be 12, because that's how old I got until I got diabetes, so maybe if I didn't turn 13 then I wouldn't have to deal with it.

14. If you knew the world was ending in 2016, what would you do differently?
I think I'd give up trying to find a job and travel to all the places I've wanted to go in my life with the people I love, and then at the end, I'd come home with all those people around me before we all died. Or I'd curl into a ball and give up entirely. I dunno, it's hard to tell.

15. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
My old youth pastor is someone who will always be like mentor to me, and I wouldn't change that. I don't get to talk to them very often, but when I do, they always seem to guide me toward a better place than I was headed.

16. If you could witness any event past, present, or future, what would it be?
When I was younger, I was really interested in the French Revolution. However, with better hindsight, I think I'm ok just living where I'm at now and experiencing everything as genuinely as I can.

17. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I really wish I would've learned the cello. It's my favorite string instrument, but I never had the opportunity to learn it.

18. If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
It'd be an art project. Maybe a mural or something large like that. I haven't done much art lately, so it'd be nice to get back into that.

19. If you immortal for a day, what would you do?
If I knew for sure I was invincible for a day, I'd go bungee jumping. I don't know if I could do it for fear of something going wrong, but if I was safe no matter what then hook me up and I'll jump. I dunno, maybe I'm not dangerous enough.

20. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
I would never change my name because my late grandmother named me and my full name is unique. It's one of the things I love about me.

Till next time,
Annie

The 50 Questions About Me (1-10)

What better way is there to get to know about me than a quick 50 questions forum?

I'll break it down into sections so the posts don't get too long. Let's start with the basics first.

1. What was your favorite food when you were a child?
Anything that wasn't spaghetti. My family ate spaghetti all the time. My siblings and I therefore rarely ever crave it.

2. What's the #1 most played song on your iPod?
At the moment, it's Pentatonix "Run to You". I admire its seemingly simple composition but complex harmonies.

3. What is one of your favorite quotes?
"I didn't choose the pug life, the pug life choose me." - Every pug ever

4. What's your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
When I'm indoors, I'm pretty content with just binge watching shows or making art or reading. My favorite outdoor activity is swimming since it's one of the only physical activities that I can do for extended periods of time.

5. What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
If you know me in person, you know that I HATE DOING DISHES. Something about the old, possibly moldy, and wet food and when it touches your hand disgusts me. If I have to do dishes, especially a pile of them, I have to wear gloves.

6. What is your favorite form of exercise?
Swimming, absolutely. And in the winter, if I can ever afford to in my life, skiing. By far my favorite types of physical exertion I've ever done in my life.

7. What is your favorite time of the day/day of the week/month of the year?
My favorite time of the day is from around 4pm to midnight. It's the time I have the most energy. I don't really care for a specific day in the week, especially not while I'm out of school. My favorite month of the year is December because I absolutely love the holiday season and sweaters and warm drinks.

8. What is your least favorite mode of transportation?
This is probably obscure, but I hate elevators. It's my nightmare to get stuck in one.

9. What is your favorite body part?
This is probably pretty weird too, but I like my shoulders and neck. I don't know why, but I like them.

10. What sound do you love?
The rain, with thunder. I've even gone so far to buy the sound for my iPod when I have trouble sleeping, but still nothing beats the real thing.

Till next time,
Annie

A Sunny Vacation *Warning: Long Post* (8/14/15-8/25/15)

Time to immortalize a moment! Or two! Or, ya know, however many moments this blog turns out to have.

I went to California 'bout a month ago with ma best friend from high school. She and her family moved out there partially for her college, partially because they wanted to move to California. And I, being the privileged friend that I am, was invited along (provided I helped with the move of course.)

We left for a grand road trip with one moving truck with a trailer that had a car on it attached with my friend's stepdad and twin brother in it. The other car my friend's mom, my friend and I got to ride in. Not to mention the two small dogs. 23 hours in the car, crossing 5 states. Long, but we stocked up with entertainment and snacks for the 3 days it took.

Here's a few picks of the fantastic scenery on the way.

Once we got to the home her parents were going to live in, we unpack most of the truck and then it was on to my friends shared apartment with her brother and more unloading. Up three flights of stairs. Now, I'll admit, they didn't really let me carry much up, so I mostly unpacked stuff for the kitchen and such, but it made me just tired watching the guys go up and down those stairs.

A photo of the bathroom sink the day after we unloaded might convey a part of how many trips they had to make.

From there, it was a lot of unpacking, but I did manage to have quite a bit of fun. I was with my best friend. When in good company, even sitting in silence is ok.

Here's my feet on the beach, and some cool little writing in the sand. Failwhale buddies for life.

Got somma dat In N' Out, of course.

We tried doing henna tattoos. They were an epic fail(whale).

Found these little guys in a candy shop while we walked around. Almost considered buying them for the boyfriend and me, but I had much self control. I took a picture instead.

And after a week and a half, they generously flew me home. I could even see the Hollywood sign and the Observatory from the plane, but the pic's pretty bad. Here it is anyway.

I had a wonderful time, but it was time to get back to real life to try and pick up my life again. Made me notice how much I missed it here at home though. Also, that drought out there this year is really hurting them, so it's nice to not feel guilty about a nice long shower and to also be able to drink tap water without the fear of being poisoned. Still, I'll probably go again.

Till next time,
Annie

Story Time - The Anti-Homecoming

That one time I dragged my best friend on the worst first 'date' of her life.

Let me begin by saying it was totally unintentional, and she's still my best friend, although I don't know why after this night.

So a while back, I was a junior in high school and homecoming season had started to roll around. I was fairly certain I would not be attending because especially at that time, mostly because I was not interested in anyone.

However, being a teenage girl, I kept my glimmer of hope set deep inside me. By the time homecoming week had really arrived, I had decided with my best friend that we were just going to hang out that night and just have fun as the two of us.

As the week went on, however, I heard of anti-homecoming. A group of some of my acquaintances were going to host their own version in a venue in town. The only rule was that you had to come with a date. Much to my surprise, a friend from my math class the year before asked me to go with him. I wanted to go, but I had already made a promise to hang out with my best friend and she did not have a date.

So I went on a mission. I set her up. And I can't believe I actually succeeded. We found her a date that was willing to go with her, despite her and him having never met.

And then the most dreaded day of my best friend's life began.

The day of, she picked me up after my marching band practice. I remember she was huddled up in the back seat with a hoodie pulled up over her head. She basically looked like druggie. When I asked her why she looked like this, she pulled down her hood and revealed to me a head full of curlers.

The thing about my best friend is she has the gorgeous, long, blonde hair that looks like she stole it off a real life mermaid. And these tiny curlers she had managed somehow to get in her hair, decided they liked it there and made it their home; nice and cozy.

A few hours later when we went to take them out, they hugged so tightly that I had to go through and take out every single one with master precision. The result was not so mermaid-like, as we had pictured in our heads. Instead, I distinctly remember her going from medusa snake hair, to wild lion when, in an attempt to fix it, we brushed a section with a brush.

Eventually we managed a half up-do to cover some of the damage. The next step was off to dinner, where she would meet her blind date. They were not compatible, and they quickly won the most awkward couple award.

We went to an Asian restaurant, a big group of us that had decided to go to this anti-homecoming. Everyone had a date, and when the waitress came around to take our orders, all the couples, even though we were all just friends, had the guy pay for the meal. Even my date, who I was just going to pay for since we weren't dating, graciously paid for me.

But my friend would not let her blind date pay. When the lady politely asked, "Are you paying together?" My friend said in the deadliest tone I've ever heard her use, "NO."

I pretty much spent the rest of the dinner trying not to laugh at the painfully awkward friend to my left. I was trying to engage with the guy who'd asked me to come, while also making sure my friend didn't have a mental breakdown.

Pretty much the rest of the night was spent with a few of my other girl friends creating a pact with her and separating themselves from the couple policy. Thankfully the rest of the night allowed for that, since we decided to all just convene together for games and "Just Dance" on the Wii.

Her blind date eventually left early, I thanked my date and we went back to her home where I'm surprised she didn't kick me out for forcing her on her first date with a guy she had never even met and it being extremely awkward.

I don't think she even told her mom about that experience. I think we just mutually agreed to forget the whole ordeal, and she hasn't been on another date since. I may have broken her.

The point is, is that I could've told the guy that had asked me to go that I was sorry and I couldn't go. I could've done the right thing and just followed through on my original plans to not go to a party. But no, that wouldn't make me the blundering ding-dong I am if I had done that. Besides, my friend with be more careful with the guys she choses to go on dates with in the future, if I haven't totally scared her off of them.

Also, it made for one heck of memory. Thanks, gurl, for putting up with all I do to you.

Till next time,
Annie

The Co-Writers

 

Now this blog wouldn't be "Annie and Pugs" if it weren't for the pugs (or honorary pugs too.) I'll let them introduce themselves howabout.

 

Sophie: "I'm the tan, slightly overweight pug with big brown eyes. Half of the time you will find that I assume the puggerpiller or pug-loaf position. My favorite things are playing 'monster under the blankie', rocks and food. Lots of food. My main role in the family is to endure Annie's constant attention and cuddles, and to be cute and photogenic at any moment a picture is taken. I'm the oldest at 8 years old."

 

Sam: "Um, hello. My name is Sam the Lab, but everyone here says I'm an honorary pug because I'm very gentle and scared of everything like a small dog is supposed to be. I'm a little chubbier too because I love to sleep, but when someone grabs my toy and says commands, I am the most responsive out of the group. I'm very sensitive and cautious about people and other dogs, and I hate the fourth of July. My safe spot is in the bathroom tub or Annie's room. I am the middle child at 3 years old."

 

Lily: "Haaaaaaayyyyyyyy, I'm LILY THE PUG! I am the craziest around here! My skills include barking at reflections, jumping really high, and licking absolutely everything! I'm pretty stubborn. I don't even like the easy tricks like sitting, but I love doing high fives. I'm always trying to be the center of attention. That's ok tho, because I'm still a puppy at only 7 months."

 

 

There you have it my friends. Perhaps they'll blog more as well. They're world is small, but they enjoy it more than I do and certainly are photographed more than I am. Hey, I can't be expected to always to all the work around here. I need a few co-writers to keep things spiced up.

 

Till next time,

Annie and the Crew of Cray

To Whom It May Concern

A few days ago, I was showing my boyfriend my old blogs that I did with my mom. We blogged a few years of our life, and he suggested blogging again after I quit it years in the past. He said that I express myself through those blogs. He said it helped him understand me better, despite the fact that those posts are now quite outdated.

I have always been more a writer than a speaker. Thoughts never quite sound as put together as they do in writing, and lately that's all I've been doing. Thinking but never expressing.

So as many times as I told him, "No, I'm not posting again" here I am. Posting again. But I didn't want to post on an outdated, 13 year old's blog so I've made a new one.

This is probably actually really good for me to do. In the last year especially, I've had a few downs in my life. I was diagnosed with a second auto-immune disease, which had me quit my job and put a stop on my education on top of dealing with the disease, recovering from it and having complications from my first disease of type 1 diabetes a few months after.

Now it's been exactly half a year since the initial diagnosis, I have bills from medical services that I am unable to pay, I'm dealing with left over mental stress from it all, and trying to find a job that I will be able to succeed at without luck. Honestly, I still feel pretty low even as the time has passed.

And I know that my boyfriend's suggestion of blogging wasn't intended for me as a type of therapy rather than he just wants to know more about me, but I think that's exactly what this could be. I'm hoping it could be something that gives me hope, gives me a voice, or at least the illusion of one. It can be a place where I'm reminded that life isn't a total waste of time and can be a highlight reel of the good things that happen in my life. It can be a place to rant, or a place to immortalize moments. It can really be whatever I want it to be.

So here it is, the first post in a long time. We'll see how long this goes. I feel even just a bit better after just this one.

Till next time,
Annie