1. I used to be a "lefty." When I was 4 yrs old, my father taught me how to write and realized early on that I was writing with my left hand. He didn't think that would benefit me in the long run {sitting on those lefty desks, using lefty scissors, etc.}, so he made me "learn" to write with my right hand...so I have been right handed since. Hmmmm...does that mean I'm actually "wrong-minded!" lol
2. I'm a "Leo," born "Year of the Dragon" and consider myself "Type A" with a little OCD. In other words, I can be an extremist and tend to lie heavily on either "one side or the other," never leaving much room in between for compromise. This also leads to {myself} being my own worst critic. I do realize that, and so embracing all of my flaws is an absolute work in progress. :)
3. I became vegan a few years ago due to chronic digestive issues. Instead of turning to medication {which is what all the doctors/specialists said was the solution}, I found that removing meat/dairy from my diet really helped improve my digestive health issues {sans any medication}. Recently however, I slowly started adding dairy/eggs back into my diet, so I am vegetarian about 40% of the time {60% of time, vegan}.
4. Although I have lived in Los Angeles since I moved out here during my college days, I grew up in Central California - in a tiny little town which I consider is the "heart of agriculture!"
5. My parents are a little over 30 years apart, and I grew up not thinking anything about their age difference. I'm a "first generation" (born in the states), and so I understood that life was a little different in the country that they were from, and I have never been anything but proud of them. Plus, this just meant that I grew up listening to a plethora of really good music (and watching old movies) from different eras. From the likes of Nat King Cole to the Beatles to KISS! :)
6. My parents forced me to play the piano at age 4 and I played until I was 11...then stopped taking lessons and learned to play the drums {in band} instead.
7. I listened to "glam rock" when I was in grade school/jr high in the late 1980's. I was a HUGE Bon Jovi fan too {still am}! In fact, one of the first things I did after moving out to Los Angeles {after I turned 21 of course}, was hit the Sunset Strip (aka Sunset Blvd.) to the clubs to listen to some of my favorite artists from the 80's and 90's. A good memory was seeing Jani Lane (lead singer of Warrant, RIP), along with Slaughter @The Roxy. :)
8. Danica Mckellar was in my sorority {"Winnie from the "Wonder Years"}.
9. I've been baking since I was 8 yrs old, but had to learn how to cook at age 18 when I moved out on my own, otherwise my meals would have consisted of ramen noodles and canned food for dinner and budget gourmet freezer meals for lunch (bleck!). :)
10. My father was in the army in WWII and is still alive with us today at the ripe "young age" of 88 {will be turning 89 this November 1st} - and I thank God for each day we have with him.
11. Even though I was a cheerleader for 6 years, I only just "really learned" how the sport of football is truly played when my son started playing high school football {I know that's ridiculous, but all those plays & such used to confuse me}.
12. I grew up in a chippy, shabby old home next to an old barn, built in the 1920's that was full of charm and authentic old antiques that I didn't care for at the time, before we moved into a new home 2 doors down that my family designed and had built from the ground up.
13. I was on a partial scholarship and pre-med at one point in my undergraduate career, but all of that had to be put to a halt when I became a young mother (wouldn't change a thing, though - LOVE my boys!).
14. I was extremely sheltered growing up (parents were very strict), so my hubby (then boyfriend) whom I met in college - really introduced me to sooo many diverse things in life. My list could go on and on, on how he "opened my eyes" to the world, but I wouldn't want to bore you with that...so I have to just say that he is truly my soul mate. :)
15. I often feel like an "old soul" - like I don't belong in this era and feel that I would have really enjoyed being a teenager in the 1930's like my dad...and I often think about his life and how beautiful he lived it {and how he continues to live it}...
Ok, I think this list is getting a little too long, so I shall digress. :) Maybe I'll add onto it later...but that's all for now.
XO's,
Jessie
