Tag....I'm it!

Hey yall! Okay, time for a little fun. Jessica over at apples and papers tagged me in to a really fun game, and I am sooo down to play! Okay, so here are the rules. First, tell 12 things about yourself. Then, answer 12 questions from the person who tagged you. THEN, make up your own 12 questions! See...told ya it sounds fun! Sooo.....here we go!

1. I hate the sound of swallowing. Like, seriously. It really creeps me out and makes my skin crawl. Sometimes, my hubby will swallow too loud and I freak out. I think it hurts his feelings, but I can't help it! I'm working on keeping my disdain in check, though...
2. I have a passion for interior design. You know how alot of teachers say they always knew they would teach? Not me...I always thought I would be an interior designer. Don't get me wrong-I LOVE teaching, and I think I am darn good at it. I love my littles, and I love how rewarding it is when they really get something. But for as long as I can remember, I wanted to be an interior designer. It wasn't until I was in my 3rd year of college that I realized I would like to teach. I still feel like, one day, I will somehow fulfill this little fantasy of mine.
3. I have favorite students (what? shocker!). I know you are not supposed to pick a favorite, but let's get real....everyone does. And I am no different. I try really hard to not let it show, though, and I think I am pretty good at that.
4. The hardest thing I have ever had to do was say goodbye to my best friend 2 years ago. It was very unexpected and confusing, and I still do not have the answers that I desperately wanted. I think about her all the time and still miss her every single day. But I know that she is always watching out for me and I will see her again one day!
5. I have a large family. I am the youngest of five, and we are all married. I have 6 nephews and nieces. When we all get together, there is 18 of us. And I love it.
6. I have a pension for Cocoa Pebbles. It's my little guilty pleasure, and I usually have a bowl every night.
7. Last month, my husband and I bought our first brand new car! I mean, we have had lots of different vehicles, but this was our first brand-spankin-new-hot-off-the-line car. We bought a 2012 Nissan Altima and we LOVE it!
8. I am slightly OCD about keeping things even. Like if I randomly touch something with one hand, I have to touch it with the other hand. Yes, I know, I'm weird.
9. I love owls. Not the actual animal so much as the cute, funky owl things :)
10. I am currently obsessed with the colors teal and orange...together. Sounds strange, but they actually look really great together!
11. I took piano lessons for about 10 years, and was actually pretty good. I quit when I was about 16, because I thought I had better things to do. Now, I wish I had stuck with it. I can still play, but am definitely a little rusty.
12. When making lists, I will almost always add something I have already completed, just to get the satisfied feeling of crossing it out.

Whew! That was hard to come up with 12 random things about me. Okay, now to answer Jessica's questions:

1. If you could meet anyone in the world, living or dead, who would it be?This is such a loaded question! I should say somebody inspiring, like Helen Keller or Abraham Lincoln....but honestly? If I met Mark Wahlberg, I might just die.
2. If you weren't teaching, what would you be doing?Designing ah-mazing spaces, of course!
3. What was your favorite thing about school when you were a student?I loved math, so anytime we had math games I was happy! I especially loved competing against other students to answer math questions. I know, I'm such a nerd...
4. What do you wish you were better at?Teaching math. Math was always so easy for me in school, so I think I have a hard time making it easier for the littles. Working on this, though!
5. What is your favorite store to shop at?I would have to say Target! It doesn't hurt that I get an extra 15% off, because my hubby works for the company :)
6. What are two things you need for your dream classroom?A smartboard and more space!
7. Where do you want to travel to?Italy is my dream destination.
8. Favorite TV show?Probably Parenthood.....love that show!
9. What is your least favorite chore?Hands down-laundry! Not so much the washing or drying part, but putting it away...ugh.
10. Would you rather be an actor, singer, or athlete?Actor. I cannot sing and am not super athletic.
11. Who or what inspires you?Abby from The Inspired Apple. But who doesn't she inspire? Also Deanna Jump from Mrs. Jump's Class. I just got an email that said she has made $500,000 in TPT sales! That is so amazing! Bonus: she is from Georgia!
12. What's your favorite children's book?Hmm...this is hard, because there are sooo many that I love! But if I had to choose a favorite....I guess I would say any of the Skippy Jon Jones books. I just think the books are so silly, and always keep my class cracking up....my kind of book! Plus also, he uses the word "dude" alot :)

Are you still reading??? I hope so! Now here are my 12 questions.

1. What is your favorite weekend activity?
2. Dogs or cats?
3. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
4. What is your favorite cocktail?
5. How do you unwind after a long week at school?
6. If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?
7. What are your favorite color combinations?
8. What is your favorite sweet treat?
9. Beach or mountains?
10. What is your favorite shoe brand?
11. If you had to choose, would you rather be deaf or blind?
12. Who is your Hollywood crush?

Now I get to tag 12 new blog friends...yay! Here they are:

1. Tanya at A Class Act.
2. Randi at Teach it With Class.
3. Katherine at All Things Katherine.
4. Mrs. Cupcake (AKA Teri) at A Cupcake for the Teacher.
5. Edana at Color Me Kinder.
6. Angela at The Daily Alphabet.
7. Latricia at Wild About Second Grade.
8. Heather at Heather's Heart.
9. Jennifer at First Grade Blue Skies.
10. Cheryl at Crayons and Curls.
11. Erin an creating and teaching.
12. Christina at Mrs. Bainbridge's Class.

 Okay, that's it for me! Now on to my Sunday night blues....