TAG: ABOUT ME, YOU'RE IT!

Happy Friday, Blogland!

First, I would like to say a big  H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  to my nephew Garrett who turns 8 today, that was such a good year in my life, and I'm SO excited that I get to celebrate it with him this year in DC! :)  

Plus, it happens to be National Gumdrop Day...who knew!

Anywho, this tag seems to be going around blogland, in some form, and since I always love getting to know other bloggers, I thought I would join in!

I tag YOU, if you are reading this, so, feel free to post your answers!  Ready?  OK, here we go...

Little Liesl aka moi...hehe...in Central Park years ago.

Are you named after anyone?

Yes, after Liesl from "The Sound of Music," simply because my parents loved the name.

When was the last time you cried?
I shed a few happy tears on New Year's Eve when I found out my younger sister and brother-in-law were expecting their first child this summer.

Do you have children?

No, but I love them, and was almost an elementary education teacher, sometimes wish I were.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?

Yes.  It is hard to answer this question and not seem as though you are all about you, but I like to think I am a nice, kind-hearted, positive, happy person, and those are the type of people with whom I enjoy hanging out.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Sometimes, but not to an extreme, or as an excuse for things, like some do.  There is a bit of truth behind most sarcasm, but I am not easily offended, can roll with the punches and give it back in a fun, light-hearted way!

What's your favorite cereal?

I was just saying how I used to love cereal back in college, even for dinner, but it has been so long since I had it.  I was a fan of Raisin Bran Crunch, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats and those Cinnamon Quaker Oat Squares, even on which to just snack.

What's the first thing you notice about people?

A smile and their eyes, the type with kindness behind them, as well as patience, sense of humor, positivity and genuine good nature being most important qualities.

What's you eye color?

Dark brown, or chocolate drops as my mother refers to them.

Scary movie or happy endings?

I love happy endings, of course, but I am a fan of scary movies and have been since I was a teenager.  Watched almost all of the ones we could find at the video store with my best friend growing up...yes, I'm getting old, we watched on VHS! ;)

Favorite smells?

Cozy candles burning, like pumpkin spice, cinnamon or warm vanilla, the scents of the holiday, a crisp, cool, fall day, freshly ground or brewing coffee in the morning and garlic or onions in pretty much anything!

Summer or Winter?

This is tough because I like each for different reasons, but almost prefer spring and fall to summer and winter.  Since summer can be super hot and winter can be super cold.  However, I like winter for the magic of the holidays, skiing, snowfalls, cuddling up by the fire and warming hot chocolate, but like summer for the bright, sunshine, warm evenings when you can eat outside, wine tastings, vacations and fun colors in fashion.

Computer or television?

Computer with internet for moi, plus, the few shows I watch I can watch on my computer, including movies.

What's the furthest you've been away from home?
I was fortunate to travel the world growing up, but was usually with my family, so, perhaps when I traveled to Argentina by myself for the summer or trips to Australia, that's pretty far, but I love it there!

Do you have any special talents?

Good question, I can bend my thumb all the way back and touch my wrist, if that's a special talent!

Where were you born?

Norwalk, CT when we were living in Westport, CT...love it there, and would love to have a home there or in VA one day!

What are your hobbies?
Crafting, singing, acting, drawing, blogging, writing, skiing, and collecting decorated soda cans.

Favorite movies?

"Clue," "Center Stage," "The Notebook," "Love Actually," "Aladdin," and I'm sure many more.

12 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT MOI INSPIRED BY COLOR ME KATIE

The adorable and oh so talented, creative and inventive photographer Katie from Color Me Katie posted A Few Random Things About Me Blog a week ago, which I simply loved!

Anywho, I told her that I might just have to follow her lead and do the same, so, here I am with mine! So, after you read some random things about little me, if interested, please hop on over to her vibrant blog world and get ready to smile! :)

1. I lived in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates) for 3 years growing up. It was one of the best life experiences and is, to this day, still one of my favorite places that I've lived.

2. I smile on a daily basis and one of the hardest things for me to do in life is not smile, in fact, it pains me not to! :)

3. I strongly believe in patience, understanding and kindness, especially with those who may deserve it the least because they are the ones who often need it the most.

4. I have a unique love of Buffalo or Bison and don't really know why, but their massive size intrigues me! LOL!

5. My biggest goal in life is to open my own children's charity foundation and be an active part, not only by providing money to help, but my time and one on one interaction with the children and their families.

6. I have been so fortunate to travel around the world, visiting 49 of the 50 states and 6 of the 7 continents, all by the age 17. It taught me so much, allowed me to experience the cultures and customs of others, which I see true value and importance in, especially at a young age, and I am inspired by travel to this day.

7. I moved to NYC after college during the first week of September in 2001. A short week later, on the 111th, the world changed. I can still see the crystal clear, blue sky and perfect weather that was cast over NYC that morning and hear the the sounds that fell and see the emotions, confusion and more that changed the colorful tone of the Big Apple over the course of the day. However, I also remember how touched I was to see New Yorkers come together quickly, leaving the edge they are often known for at home, to show a softer side.

8. I still miss living in midtown manhattan, in the heart of NYC, and it still feels like home to me when I visit, even though it only was only "home" for 2 lovely years. It offers me a serge of energy and leaves me inspired and motivated each and every time.

9. I have an odd fascination with the mystery of James Dean and love the grace and classic beauty of Audrey Hepburn and all the black and white photography of each of them during that time.

10. I have the most extraordinary parents in the world and the support and love they offer is endless. I often think that if more people could have parents like I have that the world would be a better place.

11. I still sleep and travel with my baby blanket. I don't need it, but there is a sense of calm that I have knowing it is there, similar to the calm I get from freshly washed sheets that still smell like laundry on my bed. I hide it under my pillow, but those close to me know all about it, yes, even my unexpected love! :)

12. I am truly loving being a part of blog world and getting to know all of you out there, especially my Fabulous Followers, and it makes me oh so happy and I want to personally thank each of you! :)

I hope that was as fun for you to read as it was for me to think up and write! Thanks again to Katie for the inspiration and feel free to post your own as well...I love learning new things about each of you! :)

Oh yes, and one more random fact I just thought of and have added after the fact...

I don't have pierced ears, nor have I ever wanted them. So, you will never see me with earrings on and people are always so surprised or assume I have pierced ears! :)

READER REQUEST: TAG...YOU'RE IT!

I was tagged by my Fabulous Follower Diana over at One Crafty Fox whom I have gotten to know through blog world and I just had to play this game! :)

The rules of the game are as easy as 1,2,3...

1. Open the first photo folder on your computer and select the 6th image.

2. Post the picture in a blog and explain the story behind the picture.

3. Keep the game going by tagging someone else!

So, here I go...

Story behind the picture...

I had to go to iPhoto since that is where I keep all my photo albums and the first album on there, that I had not transferred to an external hard drive to clear up space, was the album from my girls trip with Terrific Tara, Marvelous Mary and Kendra aka Foz to Prince Edward Island, Canada for a week of silly fun in September of 2008!

This picture was taken in the backyard of the beautiful home by the water that we rented on the island. In it we were around a bonfire we built to made and enjoy some yummy s'mores each night and this happened to be a somewhat cold and really windy evening of fun! When girls get together silliness often ensues and things were no different while on vacation as clearly seen in this picture of me! :)

I am going to tag...

One of my new Fabulous Followers, the oh so lovely Blair over at Wild and Precious, because she always posts such fun pictures and I bet she might just have a fun one for this game filled with inspiration and perhaps a 'Wild and Precious' moment! :)

Thank you everyone, enjoy and feel free to play this game yourself or just got check out what that picture might be...could be fun or even bring back a lovely memory!