Day 29 -- What Have I Learned?

Things I Have Learned During the 30-Day Challenge:
~Mentioning ice cream (specifically Cheerwine floats) is the easiest way to get people to comment.
~I don't have a favorite superhero
~There were people in this world that didn't know the joy of Cake Wrecks
~Blogging can actually cheer me up (especially Day 13 and Day 20)

Ice Cream = Comments

Things I Knew Before the 30-Day Challenge:
~My mom's my #1 cheerleader (She even printed off one of my posts!  That's some motherly love there.)
~I like routine.  This summer, I've been so desperate for some regularity to my daily schedule, and this blog is just what the doctor ordered!
~I don't have a lot of recent pictures of me by myself.  Jason's usually so involved in taking flower-and-bug pictures that he doesn't take many of me.  Either that, or I veto the ones he does take before they ever reach his Picasa.  Most of the pictures featured in this blog are the "hold the camera out in front of me" self-portraits I take with him.
~I talk about teaching/job-searching A LOT!
~You can never have too many niece and nephew pictures.

That said:

Day 28 -- 2010 Megan, Meet 2011 Megan

July 2010

I took this picture on July 4 last year in Asheville.  Jason and I had gone to Nebo for the weekend to celebrate his brother's high school graduation, his dad's birthday, and his sister's moving to Hawaii.  We decided to make a trip of it and do a couple of days in Asheville while we were out west.

2010 Megan

~I spent my whole summer in summer school.  I took FOUR classes first summer session and two classes second summer session.  That's why Jason and I only took a mini vacation, because I had the 4th of July off, but I had to get back on the 5th for class.

~Jason and I did a lot of outdoor photography that summer.  We went to the arboretum, Raleigh rose garden, Duke Gardens, Eno River State Park, Nebo, and Jamesville.  While in Asheville, we took pictures of downtown and the NC Arboretum (which was WAY better than Raleigh's).

~Both my sister, Kara, and Jason's sister, Sara, were pregnant, so I was preparing for aunthood.

~I continued to work at Sylvan Learning Center, though the bad economy really affected our enrollment.

June 2011

I took this picture (yes, I'm THAT good with the self portraits) outside of the art museum earlier this month.  The art museum is on our rotation of outdoor places we regularly photograph.

2011 Megan

~No summer school here!  I graduated back in May, so this summer is all about applying for teaching jobs.  We're still just doing a mini-vacation this summer (this time in Charlotte), but that's because we did a full-fledged vacay in Hawaii back in January.

~Jason and I still spend most of our weekends doing outdoor photography.  So far this summer, we've photographed at the art museum, the arboretum, Umstead, Eno, NC Botanical Gardens, and Duke Gardens.  We've also started going to flea markets looking for old-timey cameras to add to our decor.

~I am now the proud aunt of Addison (Kara's daughter) and Sawyer (Sara's son).  I don't get to see them as often as I like, but I love hearing updates and seeing pictures!

~I left Sylvan back in April.  Now my only form of income is from painting letters, but I'm ok with that.  The "real" job is coming, I just have to be patient!

So that's 2010 Megan vs. 2011 Megan.  Nothing significantly different with me.  What might 2012 Megan look like?  Well, she'll probably still be doing outdoor photography, but she may have a new house to take pictures of.  She'll still be an aunt (that doesn't go away!), but to two toddlers not two babies.  She'll also (hopefully!) be enjoying a summer off from her full-time teaching job.  I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Day 27 -- Why the 30-Day Challenge?

I think many bloggers struggle with balancing their blogs.  They don't want to be like those Facebook status junkies that feel compelled to tell you when they're brushing their teeth, eating breakfast, heading to work, changing their baby's diaper, and every other mundane activity in between.  They also don't want to be those bloggers who post once every six months and start each post with "So sorry, it's been crazy around here!"

The 30-Day Challenge was a good place for me to start because it gave me prompts (though some, like today, seem redundant) and also pushes me to post every day.

Where do I see this blog going after my 30 days are up?  That's a good question.  I imagine I will talk about adventures Jason and I have and recipes that were success stories.  I will keep everyone updated about the job search and things going on in my life.  Will I post every day?  Probably not.  Will I post at least weekly?  I think you can count on that.

So, as a preview, here's some things I've been up to:

Taking photos -- Pretty much every Saturday morning (and some Sunday afternoons) are devoted to taking photos somewhere in the Triangle.

Carnivorous plants at the NC Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill

Bug on an artichoke blossom at Duke Gardens

Painting -- Projects have been picking up recently.  I just finished some letters for a college friend who wanted to surprise his pregnant wife.  Now, I'm headed back to Michael's today to buy letters for the wife's friend who is also pregnant and wants letters for her daughter.  It's an owl theme, and I think they're going to be adorable!

So that's what I've been up to other than blogging daily.  Stay tuned for more!

Day 26 -- I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

I've been blessed with many friends.  If I tried to say how I feel about each of my friends (today's prompt), this would be a really, really long post!  My friends hopefully know what they mean to me.  So here, I'm just going to share some reasons why I love my friends!

~Wedding planning.  These friends were in the thick of list-making, budget-busting, and hysteria-calming and survived to tell about it.
~Girly movies and tv shows.  These are enjoyed so much more when you can "aww" or yell at the tv together with a friend.
~Girl "dates."  Whether it's shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or sitting in a coffee shop for hours, the time spent with these friends is better than whatever activity we're doing.
~Knowing each other.  This means knowing the details of each other's lives.  You don't have to say "My second cousin's hairdresser's girlfriend" each time you're telling a story because these friends already know who "Susie" is.
~Sharing/borrowing.  These friends openly lend you the contents of their closet and jewelry box, and they know that they can borrow from you.  They also are willing to pour over the contents of your wardrobe for hours helping you find the "perfect outfit" for whatever event you have coming up.
~Chatting.  On a long drive?  Bored?  Need to mull over a big decision in your life?  These are the friends that are just a phone call away from making your day.
~Utter silliness.  Trying on prom dresses at a department store (long after the age where we'd be asked to go to a prom)?  Feel the urge to put on 80s music and dance around your living room like an idiot?  Want to go to a teenybopper movie you're embarrassed about?  Everything's better with a friend who will laugh later about how fun and silly that thing was.
~Availability.  I love friends who make time to hang out.  Whether this is my "during a workday" friends who keep me from dying from boredom this summer or the ones who work countless hours a week and still make time for me on the weekend.  I can tell they value our friendship.

There are countless awesome things about having friends.  I hope to live a long life with these friends, and sit around having cheesecake discussing the good old days!

And now, you know you want to...

Thank you for being a friend... traveled down the road and back again.
Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant.
And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew.  Well you would see, the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say, "Thank you for being a friend."
Bum bum bum ... bum... bum buuuuuum!

Day 25 -- What You Find in my Bag

Simple enough.  The contents do not change, though their exact locations in the bag depend on which purse I'm using.

Outside pocket (things that I usually need to get to quickly):
Cell phone
Emory board
Blistex
Blue ink pen

Main pockets:
Wallet (cash, change, license, cards)
Digital camera (yes, I have this with me all the time)
Keys
Small wallet with coupons (it came with my new purse and I wanted to find a use for it)
Sunglasses

Inside pocket:
Gum
Lip gloss
Hand sanitizer
Small bag with ibuprofen, Band-Aids, bobby pens, and ponytail holders in it (I use the tiny zipped bags that have spare buttons in them when you buy nice button-down shirts or cardigans... they work great for holding small stuff!)

And that's it.  I like to be prepared, but I also hate having a ton of extra stuff in my purse.  Plus, it helps me keep tabs on what I have/don't have in my purse.  I even won a purse scavenger hunt yesterday at a party because I could find things quickly.

So... aren't you glad you now know all this about me?

Day 24 -- No Letter Here

Today I'm supposed to write a letter to my parents.  Well, I have a couple of problems with that.  One, I talk to my parents all the time, and I think they know how much I love and appreciate them, so why write an intimate letter to them for all the public to see?  Two, I've already talked a lot about my parents on Day 7, and I don't want to be redundant.  So sorry Mama and Daddy, no letter today.

What I am going to do is readdress a lame blog from last weekend where I was supposed to talk about someone I'd like to trade places with for a day.  At the time, I couldn't think of anyone, but now I have, so consider this Day 17 revisited.

The Chairman from "Iron Chef America"

If you're unfamiliar with Iron Chef America, here's a brief summary.  Iron Chef America is an American version of the popular Japanese cooking show.  A challenger chef chooses one of the Iron Chefs to go up against in a one-hour cooking battle.  The chairman introduces the challenger and asks him or her to select an Iron Chef.  Then, my favorite part, the chairman reveals the secret ingredient to the chefs, the ingredient that all of their dishes must be based on.  After the battle, the chefs' dishes are tasted by three judges and the chairman, who is not part of the judging.  Then, after the scores are tallied, the chairman reveals the winner of the battle.

Why I want to be the Chairman for a day:
1. Because revealing the secret ingredient is like revealing a Christmas present.
2. Because how good would I be at revealing the secret ingredient? (Please watch this video to see what I mean).  "PIZZA DOUGH!!!!!!"

C'mon, couldn't you picture me with the arm gestures and the bug eyes?

3. Because after sitting around for an hour, I'd get to eat ten delicious courses.  (Hello, dream job!)
4. Because I would not have to judge the dishes.  We all know that I love food too much to be picky about what I'm eating.  Everyone would get a perfect score from me because everything was "delicious."
5. Because I would get to deliver happy news to one of the chefs.  Sure, I'd have to deal with the losing chef, but I think the good outweighs the bad.

Announcing the winner

So there you go.  I'd love to trade places with the Chairman for the day.  Shoot, if Food Network would offer me the job permanently, I'd be all over it!  As for my mom and dad, no letter today, but if I could trade places with the Chairman, I'd bring you home the leftovers.  Deal?

Day 23 -- I Scream, You Scream...

Yesterday's blog was about what made me unique, different than everyone else.  Something that does NOT make me unique is that I love ice cream!  When I read today's prompt (something I crave), ice cream was the first and only thing that popped into my head.

WARNING: If you are like me and crave ice cream, this post may make you crave some.  Continue reading at your own discretion.

Flavors:
My favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip.  One stipulation: it has to be that artificial green color.  Call me crazy, but white MCC ice cream tastes less minty.  I do like mint Oreo, but I always worry about tiny, black Oreo bits being stuck in my teeth.  My second favorite flavor is probably coffee ice cream with Heath bar chunks in it.  *drool*

If I had my way, I'd eat ice cream daily.  The bad thing is that Jason feels the same way, so we often go long spurts of time HAVING ice cream each night!  His favorite (by far) is Harris Teeter brand Bear Claw ice cream, made by Denali.  We don't even buy groceries at Harris Teeter, just "bear kind" as he likes to call it.  It's dark chocolate ice cream with caramel swirls and chocolate-covered cashews.  Yum!  Plus, at $2.50 a carton, it's a steal!

Ice Cream Shops:
I was first introduced to Cook Out milkshakes when I was in college.  It was 10pm (a perfectly acceptable time for ice cream back in college), and I ordered a pineapple shake because I was intimidated by the selection.  Since then, I've tried countless shakes, especially once I learned that you can order flavor combinations (like peanut butter fudge and Heath bar) for the same price as one flavor.

Probably two of my favorite flavors there are the blueberry cheesecake or the banana pudding.  They have tons of good flavors, but Cook Out is the only place you can get ones like these.

Recently, I've been passing on the milkshakes and going for the more economical (and just as tasty!) Cheerwine floats at Cook Out.  At just over a dollar, they're hard to resist.

Keep up the good work, Cheerwine!

Sadly, there's no Cook Out close to me, so Jason and I tend to go to Goodberry's Frozen Custard.  It's good and all, but really I just go there because Jason likes it.  I think it's too mild in flavor and overpriced.  If you are appalled by that statement, I make no apologies.  You may just want to stop reading my blog!

Lastly, a word to places like Maggie Moo's and Coldstone Creamery -- you panic me.  No self-respecting place should have that many toppings.  How am I supposed to decide?!?  Sure, I would like fifteen toppings, but the frugal girl in me sticks with only one or two.  No matter what I order, I leave the store in regret.  Why didn't I get fudge on top?  Did I really need three kinds of nuts?  I just can't win there...

Preferences aside, let's face it, I've never turned down a scoop of ice cream.  So let's all raise our spoons and sing together, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!"

Day 22 -- Unique... Just Like Everybody Else

What makes me different than anyone else?  No one characteristic defines me; it's the strange combination of characteristics that makes me me.  I'm an artistic Christian scientist teacher.  I am many things, but these characteristics show what a contradiction I am... a contradiction that makes me me.

~Artistic -- My mom always pushed us to be well-rounded people.  For holidays, she used to make sure we had gifts that motivated exercise/play, linguistic skills, imagination, and creativity.  She used to hang my artwork up in the house.  She would let me pause movies we were watching so I could sketch the actress's dress.  My sister Jill taught me how to draw people, especially in profile.  Whether it was landscape paintings, miniature clay figurines, or my latest endeavor, painting letters for nurseries, I've always craved artistic outlets.

My latest letter-painting project, for Jill and Jodi to give to their friend, Stacie

~Christian -- Being Christian definitely defines me.  Major life decisions (joining Campus Crusade, not dating Jason back in 2004, living in Maryland for a summer in '05) were results of my Christian faith and without those decisions, I wouldn't have the same set of beliefs or friends or the same love story.  My faith in God and Jesus has gotten me through tough times and filled me with praise during good times.  I feel a sense of belonging and a purpose to life because of my beliefs.

Where artistic meets Christian -- Jason and I love photography, and in photographing nature, we have found a greater appreciation for God's creation and its intricacy.  Here, I was taking a picture of a ladybug, and didn't even see the tiny bug hanging out a few needles over.

~Scientist -- Being a Christian and a scientist may seem contradictory to you, but the more I learn about the world and science, the more convinced I am that a Higher Power had to be responsible for it.  No, I'm not still working as a chemist, but I am a scientist at heart.  I am organized.  I may no longer write down how a reagent was made, including lot numbers and precise weights, but I can share a recipe in detail with a friend.  I may no longer manage ten ion chromatography jobs for ten different clients at once, but I am a multitasking, errand-running, list-following fiend!  I am passionate about science.  I love science documentaries like last night's "If We Had No Moon," narrated by Mr. Jean-Luc Picard himself, Patrick Stewart.  I have t-shirts that say "Help me, I'm Diene" and "Safety Goggles are for Losers."  I have my own lab coat (thanks to Kristen B.) and safety goggles.  I have glasses shaped like beakers and spice jars shaped like test tubes (thanks, Mom & Dad, for both of them).  To say I love science is an understatement!

Our super-organized (and super-busy!) job board on my last day at Enthalpy

Passing the love of science on to a future generation.  A chemistry onesie for Kristen S. (a former chemist herself) and her daughter, Hannah.

~Teacher -- While you may imagine a chemist-turned-teacher as a hard-hitting, lab-a-day, these-are-the-facts-and-you-must-learn-them dictator, I couldn't be farther from that picture.  Maybe it's the artistic person coming out in me.  Maybe because in science, like Christianity, it's important to know WHY you're believing what you're believing and not just memorize facts because people have been saying it for thousands of years.  All I know is that I'm more of an activity teacher than a lab teacher.  Don't get me wrong.  I cherished the 40 hours a week I spent in the lab.  But I'm a science geek.  The majority of students I will be teaching are not.  That's why I love posters, rap songs, artistic representations, and transformations of childhood things, all for the sake of science.  Every moment is a teaching moment, and whether I'm in a formal classroom setting or answering an inquisitive toddler's questions about Jason's tripod at a state park, I'm happy.

Every moment is a teaching moment.  Here, I was teaching my cousin, Adam, that it's a bad idea to beat me at Wii swordplay.

No, these aren't my only characteristics.  I'm an OCD, goofy, love to sing, really bad at singing, curly-headed, big-foreheaded, freckly, country girl who lives in the big city.  But that's another post...

Day 21 -- Things That Make Me Happy

My mom and dad got me The Book of Awesome and The Book of (Even More) Awesome for graduation, based on the website 1000 Awesome Things.  These are things like putting on clothes fresh from the dryer or having a cashier open a new lane right when you go to check out.  While I'm not going to bore you with 1000 things that I find awesome, here are a few everyday things that brighten my day.

Ironically, today is supposed to be a picture of something that makes me happy, but the picture-loader does not seem to be working.  I guess you'll have to read about things instead of seeing them...


~Boston Terriers -- My first dog, Pepper, was a Boston Terrier, and I have a soft place in my heart for them.  Whether it's on a commercial or at the flea market, BTs make me squeal.

~Catching up with Friends -- Yesterday, my college roommate Shannon called and we talked for a long time, catching up with each other's lives.  After nine years of friendship, it's one of those effortless conversations that I really treasure.

~Tomato Sandwiches -- Nothing says summer to me like a tomato sandwich -- bread, tomato, mayo, salt, and pepper.  I cram as many tomato slices as possible between those two slices of bread.  By the end of the meal, my forearms are dripping in juice/mayo.  I think I would be happy eating a tomato sandwich every day of the year, but unfortunately they're only worth eating in the summer when tomatoes are ripe.  One piece of advice: skip the bland, mealy things grocery stores call tomatoes and head to a farmer's market (or garden, if you're lucky enough to have one).

~Silly Routines -- I'm a creature of habit.  Apparently, so is Jason.  Whether it's the kiss-and-mail routine when he gets home from work, wishing each other a "Happy Trash Day" on Tuesdays, or doing the weekly Friday dance, it's these little traditions we've created that are highlights of my day.

~Painting -- There's something very awesome about sitting on my stool by my easel, wearing old, ok-if-I-get-paint-on-them clothes, iPod cranking my favorite tunes, and painting letters for someone's nursery.  Having a baby is one of life's greatest joys, and so many families have let me share in that celebration by adding to their nursery decor.

~Blog-Writing -- I don't know that I will be a daily blogger after the 30-Day Challenge, but I really enjoy blogging.  I don't know if it's because I'm a natural talker, and this is like talking to all of you.  Maybe it's because it's part of my daily routine at a time when I have no routine.  Maybe it's because I get lonely being at home every day instead of teaching 90+ students.  No matter the reason, I look forward to my daily entries, and I'm glad you read along.

Day 20 -- Foggy Crystal Ball

If there is one thing I have learned this summer, it's that I cannot predict what the future holds for me (which is today's 30-Day Challenge prompt).  I do not know where I'll be working in the fall, if I even get a job.  I know God has a plan for me, but right now that crystal ball is foggy.  So instead, I'm going to look back on past summers, how I felt, and what happened as a result.

2002:  I had just graduated high school, and the world was opening up to me.  I had grand plans of double-majoring in chemistry and chemical engineering in undergrad and pursuing my doctorate after that.  I was finally getting out of my small town and moving to the big city.  That summer, a classmate of mine, just as wide-eyed about what the future held for her, was killed in a drunk-driving accident.  The world we had known came crashing down around my friends and me.  We were mortal, and were never promised tomorrow.

Graduation Day (check out Jill's pixie cut and Kara's highlights!)

2004:  I had gotten a summer job at a chemistry computer company to gain some work experience.  I transferred data from lab notebooks to a database.  Not terribly exciting work, but the hours went quickly because my supervisor was really helpful and really friendly.  He loved pop culture as much as I did, and he exposed me to things like the White Stripes and This is Spinal Tap.  I kind of had a little crush on him, but since he was almost five years older than me, I didn't think much of it.  His name was Jason Self.

The first picture I ever took of Jason, under the pretenses of "Hey, cool chemistry shirt.  Can I take your picture in it?"  What I should have said was "I keep talking about you to all my friends and family, and I want them to have a visual."

2006: I had finally graduated from college and was ready to enter the "real" world.  I found a lab tech job at a family-run business called Enthalpy.  A girl named Kristen trained me to prepare samples and to run UV-Vis analyses.  She was soft-spoken, but friendly.  I rekindled my friendship with my former supervisor, Jason Self, and we began to meet each other once a month or so for lunch.  My sister was getting married and his college roommate was getting married, so we talked a lot about weddings.

Graduation Day, 2006

One of the pictures from Kara's wedding that I showed Jason during our lunches.

2008: I married Jason, after a long, intricate love story.  I never would have imagined that the flirting we did back in 2004, or the awkward lunches we had in 2006, would have led to me finding my best friend and perfect mate.  I was now very good friends with Kristen from work, sharing an office and department with her and simultaneously planning our weddings together.

Another wedding picture, this time as the bride

2009: Things at work had gone downhill.  Layoffs had made us shorthanded, so I was now officially doing 1.5 people's jobs.  My regular workload had increased, my boss was constantly breathing down my neck, and there was no end in sight.  I would wake up in the middle of the night, panicked about something I had forgotten to do at work.  Meanwhile, Jason got a dream job working at SAS Institute.  We discussed it all summer, and I finally decided to quit my job of three years, the one I had been so excited to work at back in 2006, to pursue teaching.  It had been my dream since high school, but something I had always put on the back burner.  The time to act was now.  I quit Enthalpy, applied (with no luck) for lateral entry jobs, and finally decided to go to grad school to get my teaching degree.

I nearly lost my job going to the Atlanta for Good Eats' 10th Birthday Celebration.  My boss got mad that I was taking half a day on a week when I had already worked 50 hours.

2011: I'm still pursuing that dream.  I don't know what the future holds for me, but I know that all the ups and downs of my life have brought me to this point.  The future can be a scary, scary thing, but when I look back on how all the events of my life have weaved together to make me who I am today, the fear subsides, and I look forward to tomorrow.

Posing in my new lab coat and hand-me-down textbook, graduation gifts from Kristen.

Thanks for reading, and I will keep y'all updated when the crystal ball becomes a bit clearer!

Day 19 -- A "Babers" by Any Other Name Will Smell as Sweet

Oh can of worms, consider thyself opened.  This is not a "there's five minutes before my lunch break, so why not?" kind of post today.  This is a "I'm going to go get a cup of coffee and sip it while I read, because I'm in for the long haul" kind of day.  I'm going to attempt to share with you all my nicknames and why (if there is a reason) that I have them.

Family Nicknames:
My family is renowned for their nicknames.  I mean, I grew up with an Aunt "Roofy" and an Uncle "Brother."  The nicknames are bad enough, but over the years they evolve and create hybrids, so if I miss a nickname, it's because there are too many to count!  Here are the main ones:

~Smoo -- I have no idea about this nickname's origin, except that it went well with Jill's "Pooh" (as in Winnie-the-) and Kara's "Boo" (short for Boogie).  My next door neighbor growing up, Shanna, swears her family called her Smoo as well, so it is possible there was some nickname-stealing going on in the Davenport household.

~Nanner -- My middle name (before I got married) was Deanna.  When I was born, my sisters (then 2.5 and 5) couldn't quite manage to say "Deanna," so they said their little sister "Megan De-Nanner" was born.  And thus, so was my nickname.  This name now takes many forms including Nan and Meggie-Nan.  (Note: only one person outside of my family has ever attempted to call me "Meggie," and after seeing the look on my face, he never attempted it again)

~Sweety Bird -- Only my mom calls me this one.  My guess is this one started as calling me Tweety Bird, because of my blue eyes and white-blond hair that I had as a small kid.  I have recently caught Mom calling her granddaughter this, but I'm fine having another generation of Sweety Birds around the house.

Two generations of Sweety Birds

Friend Nicknames:

~Meg-Han -- (strong emphasis on the H)  My college roommate Shannon started calling me this freshman year when I expressed to her how I despise alternative spellings of my name.  I got her back by calling her Shanonah for years to come.

~Meg -- Believe it or not, it was college before anyone ever really called me Meg.  I was the only Megan in my high school classes, so there was never a need to distinguish "which Megan" people were talking about.  My freshman chemistry class had five Meg/Megans (out of only 30 students!), so to all chemistry people, I permanently became known as "Meg."  That's why Kristen Sorrell always calls me Meg, as well as anyone I met through her, such as college roommates and her husband, John.  When I went on Summer Project in Maryland, they all decided to call me Meg, too, so they only know me as Meg.

I actually really like this nickname and have no issue with anyone calling me "Meg."  I always introduce myself as "Megan" and then let people decide whether or not to call me "Meg."  Jason uses them interchangeably.  I answer to both equally.

~Shmeg -- This one was created by Kristen Bounds for unknown reasons.  Other variations -- Shmeggles, Shmegalicious, Shmegasaurus, Shmegasaurus-Rex.  They all make me giggle.

~Other friend nicknames -- M-Dog (back in the "everybody's first initial followed by 'dog'" phase in high school), Mad-Dog (given to me by former coworker Erin who thought my pre-marriage initials MDD looked like "Mad-Dog"), and Lil Chem (my "street name" when I was a high school public speaker during college)

Erin and Kristen B, inventors of "Mad-Dog" and "Shmeggles"

Jason Nicknames:

Jason and I spend a lot of time alone together.  He's a silly, silly guy, and he comes up with some of the craziest stuff, especially nicknames for me.  Here are a few of them.

~Monkeybird -- It's been a while since he's called me this, and I cannot for the life of me remember how it originated.  What I do know is it's my Mii name on the Wii, so I guess I will forever be "Monkeybird."

~Babers -- We used to call each other "Babe," which somehow evolved into "Babers" which is now what we call each other.  Since then, Jason has added "De ol' Babers" (which is totally unfair, since I'm 4.5 years YOUNGER than him), which sometimes gets shortened to simply "De ol'."  Then there was "Burbiss," "Burbanus," (not a big fan of that one for pretty clear reasons), and my newest nickname, "Burdanish."  There is no rhyme or reason for these nicknames, they just happen organically around him.

De ol' Babers and Babers, sipping some coffee at Cracker Barrel

If you've made it this far, congratulations!  You have peered into the crazy world of my nicknames and lived to tell about it.  What you have NOT done is gained any blackmail-worthy dirt on me.  I'm proud of my nicknames because they are testaments to the good relationships I have with my family, my friends, and my husband.  That's right folks, I am Babers, and I'm proud of it!

Day 18 -- Plans, Dreams, and Goals

I'm a planner.  I love making lists.  When I was planning our wedding, I sketched out the whole sanctuary and reception area over and over for fun.  When I go on trips, my packing list is a work of art.  So it probably comes as no surprise to any of you (especially those who have heard my "five year plan" countless times) that I have lots of plans, dreams, and goals.  Here are a few of them.

Immediate PDGs (plans, dreams, goals):
~Get a teaching job.  I know you've read about it here before.  I'm constantly applying, and as one state congressman put it, "The sky is not falling.  Teachers will be in the classroom this fall, students will be in the classroom this fall."  There are teaching jobs out there, and all I can do is hope that one of them is out there for me.
~Have a great summer.  This summer is one of those rare times where my main goal is to relax.  I want to go to the pool more, catch up with friends, and go on mini-trips with Jason.  I've got a flexibility right now that allows me to take day trips to visit my parents or have coffee dates in the middle of the afternoon, and I really like that.

Day trip to Jamesville to hang out with my parents and play with my niece

Picking strawberries one morning with friends and their daughters

Long-term PDGs:
~Begin house-selling/renting/buying process.  This time next year, Jason and I will be in the thick of things.  Our goal is to either sell or rent out our current house, so the next couple months, we'll need to start sprucing things up.  I foresee lots of painting and cleaning in our future.  We'll also need to start looking for a "real" house (not that our townhome isn't real, but you know what I mean) outside of Raleigh proper.  That's going to be an adventure!
~Have kids.  Yes, we want to be parents.  For those who are getting all giddy, do note this is in the "long-term" category.  I'm excited to be a mom some day.  Right now, I like that it's just Jason and me.  Plus, being an aunt is supercool because you get to be a pseudomom but hand the kid back when he/she is crying.

Our house, in May 2010 before they removed our tree

Stay tuned for status updates on the PDGs!

Day 17 -- Trading Places

Honestly, I've got nothing today, folks.  I can't think of anyone in particular to trade places with for a day.  Which is fine, because it's Saturday, and you've got better things to do than read a long blog post.

If you need some form of entertainment today, here's the trailer for the 1983 movie "Trading Places."  Enjoy!

Day 16 -- Then and Now

Today I am supposed to share a picture of me as a baby.

Here I am at 8 months, taken September 1984

Yep, I had that forehead even as a baby.  As a comparison, here's a picture Jason took of me recently outside the NC Art Museum.

Day 15 -- You Sure You Want to do This?

I've warned you before.  My iPod is a scary scary place where bad music goes to die.  That said, let's see what ten songs play when I put it on shuffle...

1. Baby Got Back, by Sir Mix-A-Lot (I told you I'm not proud of everything on my iPod...)
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4he79krseU (note: if you want to watch these videos and not be directed away from the blog, you'll need to right-click on the link and select "open in new tab" or "open in new window")

2. I'm Finding It Harder to be a Gentleman, by The White Stripes
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Iwe_JfUYxI

3. Wouldn't It Be Nice, by The Beach Boys
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

4. If You See Him, If You See Her, by Reba McEntire (with Brooks & Dunn)
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5nvaOD_Lr4

5. Nasal Spray, by Rhett and Link (bit of extra info... R&L are NC State Alumni who write parody songs and skits.  This song is from their cd "I'm Sorry, What Was That?" back in 2005.  I couldn't find a video for it.  Instead, here's a link to their website and to one of my favorite videos about a Cosmetology School in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Please watch!)

6. The Happy Song, by Delirious
           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAs_qb112ls

7. Alone, by Heart
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cw1ng75KP0

8. So Long, Dearie, by Barbra Streisand (from Hello Dolly!)
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7qSgTFsGCU

9. (I'd Go The) Whole Wide World, by The Monkees
          (couldn't find a video of The Monkees version, but here it is by Wreckless Eric)

10. Boom Boom Pow, by The Black Eyed Peas
           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m48GqaOz90 (I have to say, this is an AWESOME video!)
     

Day 14 -- We Are Family...

Today's short and simple.  Here's a picture of my family:

Yes, it's another wedding picture, but it's the last time we all posed together.  Front row (l-r): Grady, Sandra, me, Jason, Kara, Kelly; Back row (l-r): Jodi, Jill

Grady & Sandra: My mom and dad reside in Jamesville, NC, and are the parents of Jill, Kara, and Megan.  For more about them, check out Day 7.
Jill & Jodi: My oldest sister, Jill, and her wife, Jodi, live in Charlotte, NC.  Jill is an environmental engineer, and Jodi is a broadcast engineer.  They have a dog, Sydney, and three cats, Chloe, Phoebe, and Piper.
Kara & Kelly: My older sister, Kara, and her husband, Kelly, live in Jamesville, NC (no, I don't care that it's technically a Williamston address... they live in Jamesville!).  Kara is a CPA, and Kelly is a shipping supervisor.  They have an 8.5 month-old daughter, Addison.
Megan & Jason: My husband and I live in Raleigh, NC.  I am applying for teaching jobs, and Jason is a software tester.

Here's my inherited family:

From left to right, Jason's brother Jake, Jason's brother-in-law Adam, Jason's sister Sara, me, Jason, Jason's mom Jody, and Jason's dad Benny

I'm so blessed to have not one but TWO awesome families!

Day 13 -- More Helpful Than You Can Imagine

Apparently I'm the rebel of the 30-Day Challenge.  Once again, I am straying from today's prompt (a letter to someone who has hurt me recently) to instead talk about someone who has helped me recently.

Most of you know that I graduated grad school recently and am currently looking for a teaching job in Wake County.  Most of you also know that teaching jobs (or any jobs!) aren't the easiest things to get right now.  I've been waiting my whole life to become a teacher, but it doesn't make this new endeavor any less scary.

I'm a natural worrier.  I have an extremely Type-A personality, am an uberplanner, and like everything to be organized.  On my own, I would have pulled out all my hair by now and probably had several panic attacks waiting to hear back from schools.  Fortunately, God in His infinite wisdom gave me a partner in life who pulls me off of that ledge of craziness.

This partner is Jason, my husband of three years today!

Jason is intelligent, highly logical, and firmly grounded in God's Word.  When I begin to worry I've done something wrong in the job-searching process, he calmly and quietly reminds me that if I'm meant to get a job, I will get that job.  If I am not meant to get a certain job, nothing I could do would change that.  He also reminds me that God has a plan for each person, so I can be excited for (and not jealous of) my classmates who have already been hired and know where they will be in the fall.  Remembering that God is sovereign has challenged the Type-A in me, but has also given me peace.

Three years ago today... helping me then just like he helps me now

Even though he does not read my blog ("Why would I?  I live the blog!"), I wanted to devote today to sharing with the rest of you how helpful Jason has been and continues to be during this tough time.  Another thing that keeps me from jumping off the deep end into Insaneland is reading Scripture.  It reminds me that God is in control, knows now what His plans are for the rest of my life, and that no matter what happens with jobs, everything will be ok.

If you're dealing with anything tough in your life, know that I am always willing to that "helpful person" for you that Jason is for me.  I also hope that the following verses will be an encouragement to you like they have been for me.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  --Philippians 4:6-7


"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  -- Romans 8:28


"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  -- Psalms 16:11

Day 12 -- A Much Better Blog Story

Today I'm supposed to tell you the story of my blog.  Yeah, I pretty much told that here when first describing the 30-Day Challenge.  So instead, I'm going to tell you the story of my favorite blog, Cake Wrecks.

Cake Wrecks was started by a woman named Jen back in 2008 when she ordered a cake and was quite  surprised when she picked it up:

She wanted "Best wishes Suzanne" on one line and underneath that for it to say "We will miss you."  The decorator, however, did not quite understand.  Jen emailed a picture of the cake to some friends, who not only thought it was hilarious but also had similar stories of cake orders gone wrong.  And thus, the blog was created.

The blog took off like wildfire!  The blog is now Jen and her husband John's full-time jobs.  They have two books (one pictured above with the original cake on it), and have gone on two tours promoting the books.

What is Cake Wrecks?  This is the description on the blog:
A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.


Here are a few examples of what you can find on Cake Wrecks:


~Baby shower cakes that make you want to cringe:

~Potentially cute cakes that have had hard lives:

~Cakes where the theme is the issue, not the decoration:

And so much more!  Seriously, you should check it out.  If "wrecks" aren't your thing, Jen features gorgeous cakes ("Sunday Sweets") on Sundays.  Speaking of Sundays, this Sunday is Father's Day, so to all you dads out there:

Happy Falker Satherhood!

Day 11 -- What a Meeting That Will Be

A little while back, my aunt Tammy was interviewed by the county's newspaper showcasing local businesses (she runs a plant house).  When asked "Who is one person you would like to meet?" (the same as today's prompt) she replied that she would like to meet her husband's mother, who died before she and my uncle Jim got together.  I couldn't agree more.  I would like to meet my grandmother, Florence Williams.

For anyone who knows my family, I am my mother.  If you read Day 7, you know that's not a bad thing!  She owes much of who she is to her mother, who died when my mom was in her early twenties.  If I owe so much to my mom and she owes so much to her mom, that's a lady I would like to meet!  I wish I could have known my maternal grandmother and grandfather (who passed about the same time as his wife) and learned from them.

I don't want to make this a sad entry.  I have never met my maternal grandparents, but I will some day.  That's why country songs that talk about reuniting in heaven always make me cry, because I know I'll get to experience that some day.  Until then, I get to think about that meeting and what it will be like.  And what it will be like is rockin' awesome!

Day 10 -- Music for Every Mood

Disclaimer: I have bad taste in music.  There, I said it.  There are songs on my iPod that would make anyone groan, but I enjoy them (ps, stick around for Day 15... should be a hoot).  Jason is a bit of a music nut, so his taste in music has influenced mine, but the so-bad-they're-good songs still remain.  Ok, on with the post.

Songs I listen to when I'm feeling:
~ Happy/hyped: They have to get me up and dancing, so anything by Black Eyed Peas, the Ting Tings, En Vogue, or Kings of Leon will do.  Genre-wise, 90s R&B/rap or hard-hitting rock will also do the trick.
~Sad: I'm not really sad often, and when I am, I don't tend to listen to music, so I'll pass on this one
~Mad: Again, I don't really put on music when I'm mad.  Back in college though, my roommate Shannon knew to tread gently when she heard me playing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill.  That was definitely my "angry music" back in college.
~Bored/Mellow: This is where Jason's music has really influenced me.  When I want calming background music, I listen to the Decemberists, the Avett Brothers, or Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (from the movie "Once")
~Romantic: Alexi Murdoch, Norah Jones, or I go old school.  We're talking "Let's Stay Together," "Oh, Darling," "Somebody to Love," and "As I Lay Me Down."

Lots of links: If you're interested, here are links to several songs I like from some of the lesser-known artists mentioned above: the Ting Tings, the Decemberists, the Avett Brothers, Glen & Marketa, Alexi Murdoch (Warning: these are youtube videos, so please pardon any inappropriate comments left by people)

Day 9 -- Something I'm Proud Of

I'm obsessed with food.  I watch countless hours of Food Network, am I'm constantly snacking, especially when I'm home all day.  I love planning meals, grocery shopping, and cooking.  That said, I'm not a stellar cook.  It seems like the more labor or time-intensive a meal is, the less success I have with it.  Whip up some quesadillas or tacos, delicious.  My fifteen-minute baked potato soup is a winner.  Spend hours cooking chicken chili... Jason eats one bowl and I'm left to begrudgingly eat the leftovers.

This lack of success with new, elaborate meals is that, much to Jason's chagrin, I change often recipes before ever trying them in order to suit my needs.  It usually has to do with an ingredient being too expensive or unhealthy, or that I already have an ingredient that "will be fine" to use instead.  Other times, it's because I don't plan ahead.  I learned the hard way that recipes that call for room temperature butter NEED butter that is room temperature.

That said, I got in my mind that I was going to make a homemade lasagna.  Yes, prior to the other day, I was a Stouffer's-buying wife.  Well that all changed on Wednesday.  Ladies and gentlemen, behold my lasagna, something I am very proud of making.

It may not be perfect.  I may tweak some of the ingredients and steps next time.  The important things are that a) it's quite tasty and b) there WILL be a next time.

Day 8 -- Explaining my Short Term Goals

Goal for today: make this one way shorter than yesterday's blog (so people will keep reading them)

Goal for this week: paint letters for EMMA (because it's the only income I have, and because they're for my sister to give to a friend so I want them to be really good)

Goal for next week: celebrate three amazing years of marriage to my best friend (because I'm so blessed to have Jason as a husband)

Goal for the month: keep applying for teaching jobs and hopefully get feedback from at least one school (because I would like a job please!)

Day 7 -- Nature vs. Nurture... Either Way, I'm a Winner

Thinking about today's prompt (people/things that have made a big impact on me), I can't think of anyone who has affected me more than my parents.  I could talk forever about this, but I'm going to focus on how they have impacted me educationally, making me a lifelong learner.

My dad is a retired engineer.  As a kid, he dismantled and reassembled radios to figure out how they worked.  He has made his own nitroglycerin and Tesla coil just for the fun of it.  While most kids were hyped up on cotton candy at the State Fair, I was standing beside the rides learning how the gears and counterbalances made them work (and then I got to have cotton candy).  When I was in sixth grade, I asked him to help me with my science homework (about leaves), and instead, he taught me about how he used to use trigonometry to calculate the height of the silos on his dad's farm.  Good to know, yes, but not terribly helpful with my leaf-related homework.  When my sister Jill, also an engineer, was panicked about her statics exam in college, Daddy was able to explain the whole semester to her in one afternoon, and I think she said she aced her exam.  Every moment is a teaching moment with him, and his daughters are the women they are because of this.

We're also able to change our own tires (though I never have), shoot guns, start campfires, pitch tents, and grill delicious meat because his teaching moments go beyond textbooks.

Me and my dad, who unfortunately never taught me how to keep my eyes open in a picture!

My mom has always put her girls' educations first.  She exposed us (and our friends!) to foods and cultures not common in our small town.  We watched classic movies like Gone With the Wind and My Fair Lady, but she would also let us make our own selections at the video store (and live with the consequences of our choices... remember Munchie? *shudder*).  She encouraged our hobbies (Jill's rock-tumbling, Kara's hook art, my fashion designing), fostered our imaginations, and was a second mom to the kids in the neighborhood.  My mom is an avid reader, so books were always abundant in our house, which helped us become good readers, too.

My mom is my biggest supporter.  In school, she edited my essays, asking me how I would correct them rather than just doing it for me.  She helped me research and organize my projects, from a state booklet about Hawaii to a yarn-and-cardboard periodic table that I still have today.  She spent countless hours quizzing me on trivia questions to prepare me for Quiz Bowl and rehearsing lines with me for plays.  She was always present at school, whether she was volunteering or being a substitute teacher, throwing in-school birthday parties or sewing costumes for various events.  Even now, she wants to know about what I was learning in grad school, what types of papers and projects I was working on, and reminisces about her own teaching days.

In addition to cultural and school-related teaching, she taught me how to draw (especially people), cook (and ongoing process), sew (a little...), entertain, and so much more.

Me and Mom after getting new haircuts

Yeah, my folks are pretty awesome.  They've done so much for me as a child that I'm only starting to realize now watching them with their granddaughter Addison.  As they show this 7-month old baby big trucks, birds out the window, and sing to her the ABCs, I see a glimpse of what they have done for me.

Mama and Daddy and their girls, Kara, me, Jill

Teaching a whole new generation