Feeling Like I'm 13 Again

I'm pretty sure the last time I did one of these things I was in junior high, on my parent's dial-up internet, using my blueeyes9@hotmail.com account, around midnight...way past my bedtime...I was such a rebel.

11 random facts about me 

1. I go by Deb or Debra now but anyone that knew me pre-3rd grade, still calls me Debby (yes, with a "y"). I was always called Debby and thought that was my name until one day my sister got mad at me yelled, "Debra Anne Lanum get over here!" And I found out that was my real name. Devasted. Been Debra ever since.
2. I have the best sister in the world. She's almost eight years older than I am and helped to raise me. I love her to death and she is the most thoughtful, creative-gifter I know. For my 30th birthday last year she scoured eBay to find Moon Dreamers with both their shoes (she may or may not have stolen one of each of my dolls shoes when I was like 6 years old and owned up to it about 5 years ago) to make up for something she did two decades ago. And she made me a super thoughtful picture album that can't be shared with the general public...that's a long story.  
   
3. Thanks to "How I Met Your Mother" I salute (in my head or actually race to salute to beat my husband) any time someone says "general ______________" or "major _____________." Super dorky and super annoying to anyone else not playing along. 
4. My husband is wonderful and just as much of a dork as I am. We will celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary on March 20th. He puts up with my constant quoting of TV and movies, and, in fact, loves that about me.
5.  I watch way too much TV and love movies. Too hard to choose a Favorite movie of all time but 1985's Clue with Tim Curry ranks pretty high on my list. Definitely have every word and all the music memorized.
6. I have a really good memory. Like, so good it scares people some time. And, unfortunately, gets things stuck in my head all too frequently. This song is constantly playing in my head while I'm doing research for my masters paper.
7. I wish I was a good singer. If there was any one creative skill I could magically have, it wouldn't be art or dance, it would definitely be singing.
8. I love going to listen to karaoke even though it usually only happens once a year when I go on my annual girl's weekend trip. Six of my friends and I have been doing a weekend of debauchery for the last 8 years and we love listening to Ashley sing Black Velvet (a song I otherwise hate).
9. I think in very linear patterns. I think that's why I love math. It's orderly and makes sense in my OCD brain. Have you followed the chain in all these random facts?
10. I dislike odd numbers (even though my favorite number is 3). I refuse to have the volume in my car or tv on odd numbers. I take even numbers of paper towels and try to take even amounts of steps between places. Yes, I'm sick.
11. And I'm also very long-winded. Promise to make the answers to Sergio's questions less wordy.

Questions from Sergio

1)  Best moment of 2013?

Family vacation to Maui in July. Sunrise bike ride, amazing, snorkeling, luau, the whole-nine.

2)  Michael Jackson or Madonna...why?

MJ for sure. No one can deny the awesomeness that is Thriller nor his phenomenal dance skills or his music videos that are more like mini-movies, bad 80's hair, outfits, and all.

3)  Why did you get into education and what keeps you there?

I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was little, in addition to playing "house" we would play school and I was always the teacher. I stay in education because I can't imagine doing anything else that is more challenging or rewarding. 

4)  What is something you have done/made/accomplished, that you are most proud of?

I am proud that my husband and I have been blessed to have owned two homes in our young lives. It feels great to have accomplished this huge rite of passage at such an early age.

5) If you were not in education, what would you be doing instead?

I would go back to school for forensics and/or law enforcement. I'm fascinated by true-crime shows and am definitely a #IDaddict. I would love to investigate and solve crimes.

6)  Best "moment" in your career as a teacher/leader?

Every time a former student comes back (sometimes years later) to say thank you for being so "mean."

7)  Best gift you ever gave someone?

This year I made a gift for my husband that planned 52 dates for the upcoming year. One "big" date per month (going to Portland, LA, Warrior's game, Giant's game, Niner's game at new stadium, etc) plus 40 additional any time dates that are written on popcicle sticks. Don't worry, they're painted and cute, not too school-y. What can I say, you can take the girl out of the classroom but not the classroom out of the girl!

8)  Share something charming/weird about your family

My dad is one of 7 children and they are all named in alphabetical order, including his parents who were Avis and Benny (children in birth order: Clayton, Dorothy, Elert, Frank, Gary, Harry, and ivan). 

All the grand kids on my mom's side were born in girl-boy-girl order through all 11 of us (Jennifer (my sister), Brad, Amanda, Todd, Melanie, Tyler, me, Aaron, Krysta, Andy, Kayla.)

9) What is your best personal gift/quality/strength?

I try to make the best of every situation and am not afraid of working hard to make things better.

10)  #bestdayever?

Any day that I am traveling someplace awesome with my husband, friends, or family. I love exploring new places plus I really love airport beers. 

11)  What are you most excited for when you think of 2014?

In all honesty, finishing my masters. That will be a huge accomplishment.