10 Things to be Remembered For

List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

1. My sense of humor. I am a quirky girl at times and my sense of humor is borderline immature. However if you truly know me, you know I love to laugh and joke around. I love telling funny stories about the things that happen to me on a daily basis and I love to be snarky - if the timing is appropriate. Regardless, I think some people do not realize that I have a great sense of humor - and I'd hope that they'd have an opportunity to appreciate it and remember me for it.
2. My love of education. By education - I mean my love of teaching and growing as a learner. I feel so blessed to do the job that I do - teaching students with disabilities. I have wanted to do this job for so long [since I was in elementary school] and it's such a privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to touch the lives of these children everyday. My passion for teaching - and growing as a learner - is evident in how I speak about my kids and my work ethic. This is not a job that I take lightly, and I hope children look back one day and remember their teacher - Miss H - and the love I gave them, the lessons I taught them and the impact I made on them.
3. My smile. It sounds silly - but I have been told that I have a smile that lights up the room. I'd like to think of this as being approachable and friendly - and that's something worth remembering if you ask me :)
4. My positive attitude. I am a positive person 98% of the time. Okay ... so maybe I have exaggerated the truth. I'd say I am positive 90% of the time. I have my ups and downs ... and my OFF days, but for the most part, I look at the glass have full. Life is too short to focus on all of the negatives in life, and I use this energy to attack my battles in life full force.
5. My love of family. I come from a HUGE family. My dad is one of twelve kids and my mother is one of five. My dad's family lives down south in North Carolina - so we do not get to see everyone very often. However when we do travel down there, it's literally a reunion. I am always so overjoyed to spend time with fellow H's! There is always lots of food, conversation, dancing and contests. It makes me so proud to be a member of this family and to reconnect with my cousins and aunts/uncles. My mother's family lives locally - maybe ten or fifteen minutes apart. Growing up, we all went to the same church and would attend my grandparent's house after service for a big Sunday lunch. We celebrate every holiday together - whether it be the 4th of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving or someones birthday. When I am not with the entire family on either side, I am frequently visiting my parent's house to have heart to heart conversations with my parents or to catch up with my younger sister and brother. Family is everything to me and I hope to have a big family of my own one day - and to instill these same values into my children.
6. My love of photos. Back in the day, my digital camera was ALWAYS glued to my hand. I'd develop the photos and put them in frames and/or scrapbooks. Today, my iPhone is my best friend. I LOVE the camera on the phone and that I can immediately edit photos with instagram and then upload photos to twitter, facebook and shutterfly! I may be obnoxious when it comes time to photographs - but a picture is worth a thousands words :o)
7. My love of being outdoors. I LOVE the outdoors - especially on a beautiful day. Sit me by the ocean waves on a beach or by the campfire in the forest ... and I am content. It is then that I feel complete. I love hiking and and having a picnic outdoors in the fresh air.
8. My commitment and loyalty to my friends. I am shy by nature and so it takes me a while to truly let people into my heart/life. However, once you are in - YOU'RE IN! There will be nothing that I will not do for you in the time of need. Your company and friendship will be treasured to the tenth degree. Although this is a strength, it is also a weakness. I have the HARDEST time letting people go - it hurts me to no end when relationships end (whether romantic or friend). But I'd like to think this shows how much I love others and how loyal I am to someone I consider a friend.
9. My love of Zumba [and dancing.] If I could be ANYTHING (or anyone) for a day - I'd hope to be either a Zumba dance instructor OR a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. I love to dance and shake my booty. I love being energetic and pumping to the beat. For sure - this is something that I WILL no doubt be remembered for.
10. Myself. There is no other Chriss Marie - like me - out there. I have many wonderful qualities about me, and some not so good ones. But I am who I am ... and I try to be the best me that I can be everyday. I'd like to think my friends, family, coworkers, etc love me for exactly who I am. And that's something worth remembering me for.

20 Random Things About Me

List 20 random facts about yourself.

1. I am the oldest born child in my family.
2. I enjoy reading other's blogs in my spare time.
3. I am a special education teacher.
4. I am 24 years old.
5. I am a LEO.
6. I am bored to tears right now - as Hurricane Sandy wrecks continues her wrath.
7. I have a birth mark located on one of my butt cheeks haha.
8. I LOVE taking photos. 
9. I wish I was more crafty (and had patience for it) because I'd totally scrap book. 
10. My newest passion is hiking in new locations.
11. I am a reality TV junkie. Real Housewives. Jersey Shore. Teen Mom. Are some of my fav shows.
12. My biggest fear is being alone for the rest of my life. I often feel like I will NEVER meet the one I am supposed to spend eternity with.
13. I am a bit of a control freak - I've learned this lately ... I HAVE to be in control or else I panic/stress out/spazz.
14. I LOVE chocolate ... and my love for it may be unhealthy.
15. I am a bit of a perfectionist. 
16. I love love love helping others! 
17. I am pidgeon toed .. and kind of self conscious about it. 
18. I think I have an undiagnosed speech impediment ... 
19. I stutter when I get nervous. 
20. I tend to exaggerate the truth - because I am dramatic O:)

I am so grateful that the power remains on in my building. I have been watching hurricane Sandy coverage ALL DAY and it's absolutely shocking to see the footage of what's going on up North. Maryland has been hit pretty hard - but all of my friends and family continue to be safe at this moment. I am praying for all of those who are currently without power, experiencing flooding or who have been evacuated from their homes. I also pray that this monster storm is over soon - I think the East Coast has been battered up enough.

Halloween 2012

So grateful that I had a blessed weekend. On Friday, I joined up with Stacy and Robyn for happy hour at Clyde's. We talked - okay vented - mostly about work, but it was so nice to catch up with those two. I truly value their friendship and the perspective they give me on different subjects. The three of us are all so different ... however we really have open and honest conversations about everything. And it's a blessing to have two friends - who are not only a reflection of me in regards to color - but who can give me honest feedback on subjects that mater most to me. We sat at the table in Clyde's for hours and I hope we continue to meet at least one Friday a month to pow wow.

On Saturday, I ventured off to Baltimore to meet up with my college buddies. We had a fabulous time celebrating Halloween. Some of the girls and I decided to have drink themed costumes this year. We all looked super sexy and took some great snapshots of us dressed in our finest. We had such a large group and we bar hopped at the Power Plant Live! downtown. Amazingly, I only spent about $50 for the ENTIRE night (that included three plates of sushi at an expensive restaurant and lots of drinks). There were tons of Halloween specials and I even received a couple of free drinks! It's truly tradition to celebrate Halloween with these people, and each year continues to be even better than the last.

Here's a look at my Halloween Costumes through the years:

Freshman Year of College (October 2006)

Sophomore Year of College (October 2007)

Junior Year of College (October 2008)

Senior Year of College (October 2009)

First Year of Teaching (October 2010)

Second Year of Teaching (October 2011)

This Year :)

This years costume theme: Drinks! 

I had the absolute best time! And to make things even great, I just found out that MCPS has cancelled school for Monday and Tuesday in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. While I am excited for two extra days off, I am concerned about whether or not my apartment building will have power for the next couple of days. My tough decision of the hour is: Stay at my parent's house for the next couple of days OR stay at my place ALL ALONE. The storm is supposed to get really bad from 8am tomorrow until 8pm Tuesday. So I will have to make my decision sooner than later. 

In all seriousness ... I hope everyone stays safe and has stocked up on batteries, food and the like! I need to head to Target myself to stock up on a couple of things ... but I hope everyone had a GREAT Halloween weekend!  

Photo Magic

Check out my girlfriend Jackie's new blog! She is a NEW DC Metro Area Make Up Artist and has just launched her website. A bunch of fabulous ladies and myself supported Jackie as she created a portfolio of looks she has created. Another lovely lady, Brittany at Sweet Bee Photography, took snap shots of us to capture the look.

Jackie did a PHENOMENAL job and I will be calling her to do make-up for my wedding day ... whenever that time finds me. Check out a before and after shot below ... what wonders a little make-up and a fab make-up artist can do!

BeforeAfter

Where Do I See Myself?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

• 5 Years: In five years, I see myself as a 8th year teacher in MCPS. By this time, I will have graduated with a master's degree in Educational Leadership. I would hope to have met the man of my dreams, and be married. We would own a house somewhere in MC, have a pup and maybe a baby on the way. I would have a clearer sense of who I am and I would be okay with it.
• 10 Years: In ten years, I would love to be a stay at home mom raising my three or four (or five) children.  For those wondering - I want a large family. I envision myself driving children to soccer practice, girl scouts and other various extracurricular activities. I would have a baby on my hip, and my hand over the stove (baking and cooking treats and meals) when the kids were at schools and/or extracurricular activities.
• 15 Years: In ten years, I see myself as a supervisor of some sort in an education system. It has been my dream - currently - to advise and/or supervise staff in the special education department. At this point, I would want to be out of the classroom and putting my master's degree to good use. I would be 39 years old by this point ... so perhaps I would be preparing for my over the hill celebrations as well haha! 

Thirty Questions Challenge

If I were to be real with myself ... it's going to take me AGES to work through this list. However, my goal will be to work on the 30 questions below whenever I have free time or need something new to blog about. 
Here is the list of the 30 Questions:   

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?

7. What is your dream job, and why?

8. What are 5 passions you have?

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.

10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.

11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.

12. Describe a typical day in your current life.

13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.

14. Describe 5 strengths you have.

15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?

17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?

23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.

24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.

25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?

26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?

27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?

28. What is your love language?

29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?

30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

If you are reading my blog, and you have a blog of your own - then I encourage you to do the same too! 

My Weekend in Pictures, Pt II

Feeling so peaceful and blessed. Thankful for the opportunities and experiences God has given me this weekend. Hopeful that I do not forget these moments and how I felt during them.