…kinda. Now aren’t you dying to read this post to figure out the context for the phrase ‘trashy ho store?’ Of course you are.

This meme is stolen from Planet Nomad, who didn’t tag me, but stolen nonetheless. And if you go to Planet Nomad and read the places she’s been, try not to stab yourself 70 times with a dull butter knife for having not lived such an exciting life as her. Seriously, you’re not helping anyone by stabbing yourself.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Loooong agooooo, and oh so far awaaaaay… Sorry. I just started nostalgically singing in my mellow alto voice for some reason. We celebrated our first anniversary during the summer of 1998. And we moved from San Antonio back to Abilene, Texas, so I could finish up my undergraduate degree. And in August of 1998, we went to New York for my best friend’s wedding. And that was the last summer, incidentally, before we got knocked up and ended our free and easy days. Don’t ya remember you told me loved me babay?

2. What are 5 things on your “To Do” list?

Other than rewrite my novel, find an agent, find a publisher, get published and join the literary intelligentsia as a fantastically successful author? Not much.

* join Earthwatch. This is my new obsession. I dare you to go to their website and not fall in love with ‘citizen science.’ Leigh and I are thinking of doing a trip together next year. I’ll keep you posted.

* Exercise daily. Fatkins is over, thankyouverymuch, but exercising everyday is a huge goal this summer. I’ve kept off the little bit of weight I loss during the carbless torture, but there’s more to lose. This is definitely my most boring goal of all time.

* Collect original art. Specifically 19th century American watercolors. Until I’m bored with 19th century American watercolors, then I’ll switch to Islamic prayer rugs or something cool like that. How pretentious did the previous sentence sound? Be honest.

* Buy a sailboat. This is on the agenda for 2009, no lie.

* Come up with a cool fifth thing to be added to this list at a later date. Nothing else comes to mind, other than clean out my garage. Clearly not cool enough.

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy? (In no specific order)

Dr. Pepper, red wine, almonds, cottage cheese, Cadbury’s chocolate bars.

4. Name some things you would do if you were a millionaire.

Buy real estate. Travel. Buy art. Invest in microloans. Lather, rinse, repeat.

5. Name some places where you’ve lived. *
Nouakchott (Mauritania), Chambery (France), Swansea (Wales), Three Hills (Alberta, Canada), Alturas (California, US), Bonney Lake (Washington, US), Tacoma, West Seattle, SE Portland, Tigard. (you should know where Seattle and Portland are)

*Ummm…I couldn’t bring myself to delete her list. Texas and Idaho can’t compete.

6. Name some bad habits you have.

I’m entirely too fussy with my children. Arbitrarily fussy. It’s ridiculous, really. And I’m awful with keeping up with my family. And I’m quick to get enthusiastically psychotic about a project, only to drop it five minutes later. Now I’m feeling bad about myself. Let’s move on.

7. Name some jobs you’ve had.

Whilst in college I worked at the trashy ho store previously known as Jean Nicole. I think it turned into ‘Melrose’ or maybe ‘Trashy Ho Store.’ I also worked at Sears a few times. I did telemarketing with Olan Mills once. That was fun. I did daycare and attempted waitressing, twice, and failed horrifically both times. Like, crying in the bathroom because I forgot to actually place the orders horrifically. I was a glorified secretary at Merrill Lynch a few years. And then I started teaching. Then I quit to stay home.

8. Name those whom you are tagging.

Hmmm…so with my recent absence, I’m not entirely sure who’s reading and who isn’t. So I’m tagging the few of you that I know are around: Smartypants Beck, Bren, Crazy Elaine, EMama and Jenica. Try not to steal my awesome answers, as tempting as they may be. We can’t ALL have the opportunity to work at the Trashy Ho Store, previously known as Jean Nicole.