Thanks to Mindy for "forcing" me to share 10 things about myself that people might not know. This should be fun, so here I go.
I was deathly shy as a child. So much so that when I was asked to be a flower girl in my cousin's wedding, that I cried and never made it down the aisle. That being said, once I got to know and trust somebody, you couldn't shut me up. I had a pre-school teacher who I loved and I was a miniature bride at her BIG wedding, and had no trouble with that experience. I still experience shyness, but have really grown a lot in that respect. It still takes me a while to warm up to some people, but know that once I'm comfortable, you won't be able to shut me up!
#2 I hate olives. Always have, always will. But I joke with Michael that the one day I start craving olives, I will most likely be pregnant.
#3 Loud, sudden noises have bothered me for years. When my father was shot right in front of me at a mall in Jackson, Mississippi, I became terrified of noises that reminded me of the experience. Fireworks, balloons popping, car backfiring. I was 4 years old when this occurred and it was a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The man who shot my father was participating in a gang initiation where he had to rob someone and shoot them in order to become a member of the gang. My father still has pellets from the shot gun in his left leg and has limped and struggled with circulation for years. I'm forever grateful that he survived and that my father wasn't taken from me at that time.
#4 I share similarities with my grandmother and namesake, Winona. Such as my love for the hydrangea, which is my favorite flower and was hers also. Also, I like Dr. Pepper from the fountain, but prefer Coca-Cola from the can. The reason being is that Dr. Pepper from the fountain is not too sweet because of the fresh carbonation, and Coca-Cola from the can benefits in flavor from the lack of fresh carbonation. I've had many instances where my mother would say, "Wow. I heard my mother say that my whole life!" It's pretty special to think that we might have spent time with each other before I came to this earth. (She died while my mother was 6 months pregnant with me.) I feel like this is why we are so similar in many ways and can't wait to meet her someday. What a grand reunion it will be!
#5 There are days I wish that I would've gone to culinary school instead of studying music. Don't get me wrong, I love music and music therapy for that matter, but my passion for cooking and baking is so strong that I have a deep desire to become a chef in the French style of cooking. I've even had friends tell me that if I wasn't so good at music, I should have become a chef. I think there are many opportunities ahead of me to realize this dream and I look forward to preparing yummy, healthy, and unique meals for my family and future children.
#6 When I was 4, I spent an entire week in the hospital battling the flu. I was severely dehydrated when my parents brought me in and almost in cardiac arrest from its effects. But, I enjoyed my time in the hospital, eating popsicle after popsicle to keep me hydrated and watching orchestras play classical music on PBS. I boy that had a crush on me in kindergarten (I had a crush on him too), made his mom buy balloons and flowers to bring to me at the hospital. It was cute.
#7 I remember my baptism day vividly. I felt the Spirit so strongly that I started to cry before entering the baptismal font. I was not the only one crying that day, there was nary a dry eye in the room. Even at the young age of 8, I had a testimony of the gospel and knew it to be true. That has carried me through struggles in my life, never failing as it has helped me to keep perspective of Heavenly Father's plan for me.
#8 I'm a grammar nazi and perfectionist. They kind of go together. I try to not correct people on their grammar in conversation or in writing, unless asked. I cringe when I hear somebody put "I" where "Me" belongs and vice versa. It also pains me when people don't understand the difference between "their, there, and they're". And yes, this is coming from the girl who was raised in Louisiana, a state where "y'all" is singular, "y'alls" is possessive, and "all y'all" is plural. (Btw, it means "you all" so make sure the apostrophe is after the "y" not the "a"!)
#9 Even though I tend to be prim and proper, I love to get my hands dirty. And when I say dirty, I mean real dirt as in gardening. My father always had a large garden and I loved to work alongside him, helping him till, pick, prune, and weed. I think it made him proud that I shared this love with him. I want to have a HUGE garden for my family, filled with all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and such. Nothing tastes better than a homegrown tomato or corn on the cob. I also LOVE flowers, as they have the natural ability to beautify a small patch of land. All it takes is a little love and attention (which is a stress reliever for me) and you can enjoy one of God's most beautiful creations.
#10 I have no greater desire than to be a mother. I can't wait for the day when Michael and I are able to bring our first child to this earth. Granted, we know that we both need to finish school so we can give everything to our children, but sometimes that day just can't seem to come fast enough. I will feel so blessed and honored for Heavenly Father to trust me in raising his children in the gospel. I pray that I will be able to serve them and lead them in the right direction as Satan is becoming even stronger in his power to adversely affect this world. I know that as Michael and I stay close to the Lord and follow his counsel, that we will not be led astray and can be the best parents to our children.
Well that was interesting and gave me an opportunity to reflect. Nice experience though!
I believe I will inflict this "nice experience" on some friends. I tag Emily, Arianne, Shalese, and Chelsea. Love you!
