The Rules
1. Create a blog post including 11 random facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 random questions from the blogger who nominated you
3. Pass the award on to at least 5 blogs and link to them in the post
4. Let the people know you nominated them
1. I started learning Chinese at the age of 11, when my family moved to China. I absolutely loved the language and stuck with it, studying it in college as well. I took French in high school, and I also studied Arabic in college, but never excelled in or enjoyed either of them like I do Mandarin.
2. I am not athletically inclined. I really enjoy swimming and I was on my high school swim team, but if it requires some sort of athletic equipment count me out.
3. I'm afraid of all of the typical things: spiders, drowning, small spaces, outer space, bats, a bank robbery happening while I am at the bank, etc.
4. Caleb and I have known each other most of our lives, but we didn't start dating until after college. Then we dated for four months, got engaged, and got married five months after that!
5. I have my nose pierced. Sometimes it's hard to tell in pictures so you may or may not already know this. When I was in middle school I had a friend who lived in Pakistan who had her nose pierced, and I was so jealous! I never stopped wanting a nose ring, so I finally got it pierced when I was in college. It really hurt! I still have it in and I don't know if I'll ever take it out.
6. In college I studied International Relations with a focus in World Politics and Policy. Right now I'm not using my degree at all. I'm working at a law firm! It's something that I never thought I would do but I've learned a lot.
7. When we got married I knew I wanted to take Caleb's last name but I hated the thought of giving up my maiden name altogether. So I moved my middle name (Lynn) to be part of my legal first name, Sherri Lynn. I made my maiden name my middle name and took Caleb's last name. So now my name is really long and Caleb thinks it confuses everyone (ok I guess it does) but I'm really happy that I did it that way.
8. I'm really bad at fixing my hair. Like every day it basically looks the same. If I were really rich I would have a personal hair stylist.
9. Last year I met Michelle Obama! (You can read the story here) I remember thinking two things: 1) She is really tall and 2) One day when we have kids and I tell them I met Michelle Obama when she was the First Lady, they will think I am old.
10. I still eat like I'm 5 years old. I love mac & cheese, juice boxes, and frosted animal crackers.
11. I not so secretly want to have twins! I know it would be a lot of work, but one pregnancy and two kids sounds like some sort of BOGO deal to me. Caleb does have twins in his family so I'm praying we will too :)
ok and now for Laura's questions:
1. What is your current ringtone?
Something generic and boring that came with my phone. I never change my ringtone because when it starts playing I never realize it's my phone that's ringing!
2. Favorite thing to do on a Friday night?
Dinner & a movie. By the time Friday rolls around we are tired from work and not up to doing much. I love just relaxing and thinking about the weekend that's ahead!
3. What do you usually have for breakfast?
A simplified version of this green smoothie. I was anti-green drinks for a long time, but it is so refreshing and actually fills me up.
4. Do you have any superstitions?
No I don't think so!
5. If you had to do it over again what would you study in school?
I loved what I studied, but if I had to choose something else it would probably be speech therapy.
6. What TV shows are you into right now?
Nothing's really on now, but this spring/summer I was super into Mad Men! I watched all five seasons back to back.
7. What's the last concert you went to?
Jack Johnson! I met up with some of my college girlfriends for a girls' weekend and it was so fun!
8. What was your first AIM screen name?
lilsnowflake728 - a rough translation of my Chinese name, which meant beautiful snow
9. Favorite birthday memory?
My 21st. I was studying abroad in China and a bunch of my girlfriends and I went to our favorite/the only Mexican restaurant in the city for much-missed Mexican food and half-price margaritas. We had signed a contract for our program that we wouldn't speak English all summer, so I thought it would be a total drag to have my entire birthday in Chinese, but it was super fun and I will never forget it.
10. What was your first paying job?
I started working from home doing medical transcription when I was in high school. My dad taught me everything and I worked for him at first and then slowly transitioned to other doctors. I ended up doing medical transcription for nine years (wowza!). It was a really flexible and nice job.
11. If someone gave you $500 for no reason, what would you spend it on?
Decorating our house! We still have several rooms without furniture and other rooms need more decorations and painting.
And here are the bloggers that I tag next!
And my questions for them:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's your favorite way to exercise?
3. What is your morning routine?
4. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
5. Are you saving up for anything special/specific right now?
6. Would you rather have an entire closet full of shoes or purses?
7. What is your most memorable vacation?
8. If you could choose, where would you want to live next?
9. What is your favorite holiday?
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
11. Where is your favorite place to shop?
whew if you made it to the end I applaud you! Have a great long weekend! xx
4. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
5. Are you saving up for anything special/specific right now?
6. Would you rather have an entire closet full of shoes or purses?
7. What is your most memorable vacation?
8. If you could choose, where would you want to live next?
9. What is your favorite holiday?
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
11. Where is your favorite place to shop?
whew if you made it to the end I applaud you! Have a great long weekend! xx
I totally judged this book by its cheesy romance-looking cover, but finally gave it a try. And surprise - it was good! It's more of a suspense than a romance, and the story, though a little strange, really had me reeled in.
This book was good, but not Chris Cleave's best. Little Bee is one of my all-time favorite books, so I expected Gold to be up there on my list of favorites as well. I did enjoy reading it while the Olympics were going on, and I think if I had had lower expectations it would have been even more enjoyable.
This book has been extremely useful in helping me to take better pictures of my recipes. It is filled with gorgeous food pictures and covers so many aspects of photography. Even if you don't enjoy food photography, this would be a great and different way to learn more about shooting with natural light, styling, etc.
I've kind of been obsessed with decorating books and magazines since we bought our house. This little book lays out some basic decorating principles and guidelines to decorating a beautiful but comfortable home.
Anyone who enjoys perusing 
