I've Been Tagged! You're Next!

Don't you just love finding out a bit more about your BloggyFriends?  While I know that some people have had a chance to meet up in real life (STILL jealous, by the way!), I often DO feel like I know my friends in BlogLand.  I feel like I might recognize them in Starbucks and be able to sit down for a three hour chat.  

I think a post like this helps us get to know each other better... and gives us a chance to meet new friends, too!

(Secretly, I'm just excited to have something different to post about... More on my BlogDentity Crisis later!)

So... Sweet Elizabeth at Fun in 4B tagged me.  You should check out her blog.  It's so colorful and fun, and it's a great place to visit (Wow, I just typed "fun" without remembering it was in her blog name--that must mean it really IS a fun place!)  

 Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Here Are My 12 Fun Facts 

1.  I may be the only person on Earth who has an iPhone and cannot operate it successfully.

2.  While working as a special education consultant in Hawaii, I got lost in a sugar case field and was almost late for the presentation I was supposed to give

3.  Except for one year during college, after the age of five, I have never lived in a "house." I've always lived in an apartment or a condo--and I've only moved a lawn three times.  Ever.

4.  I can (quickly!) tell you the location of at least 30 (maybe 40) Starbucks and at least 5 
Baskin-Robbins ice cream stores.

5.  I almost got snowed in while working in Mason City, Iowa.  I had to hitch a ride in a pick-up truck to the Greyhound station to catch a plane in Minneapolis to get back to California.  Phew!

6.  I don't like my food items to touch "each other."

7.  I am old enough to have a "Life" teaching credential (No updating required... yet!)

8.  Although my grandparents came from Poland, the only Polish phrases I know are "Give me a 
kiss" and "I love you" (which allows me to communicate with a rather limited Polish-speaking 
audience)

9.  I have given testimony (on education issues) at the California State Capitol in Sacramento

10. I have had ice cream for breakfast and Cocoa Krispies for dinner--in the same day--more than once

11.  Even though I live in Southern California, I'm not tan, I don't surf, I can't swim, and I don't own a gym membership.  In fact the last time I was in the ocean (above my knees) was almost 40 years ago.  (However, walking AT the beach is one of my faaaaavorite things to do!)

12.  I once had a goal of sampling all of the flavors at Baskin-Robbins that had chocolate in them!  (I should really consider renewing that goal!) 

Here Are My Questions and Answers from Elizabeth) 
1.  How much time do you waste spend online blogging and blog hopping per week?
I'm guessing I spend three (or four?) hours on school days and a lot more on weekends. I think it has taken me six hours to complete one post before (and then it got lost in CyberSpace and I had to retype it!).  My (bad) typing skills are legendary. 

2.  Pepsi or Coke?
I alternate between drinking Diet Coke and Regular Coke depending on various factors, including calories, headaches, and various news articles... 

3.  Are you addicted to Pinterest?  If so, what is your favorite board?
I love looking at Pinterest for anchor charts.  I can't keep up with e-mailing, blogging, and pinning, so pinning gets little time. As I've said in the past, I just check to see what Jen Runde is pinning and navigate from there.  

4. Do you have a Smart Phone?  Do you use it to take pictures of your class/classroom?
Heeheehee.  See Answer #1 in facts about me! 

5. What is your favorite movie?
I like Office Space, Pretty Woman, and The King's Speech (eclectic, yes?) 

6. What are your hobbies?
Most of my waking hours (and several of my sleeping hours) are spent on school. Beyond that, I like walking, hiking, and reading, when I get the chance... 

7. If you were given $1000 to spend RIGHT NOW, what would you spend it on? 
I need new tennis shoes.  Beyond ice cream and Starbucks, I'm not much of a spender. Since I rarely have extra money, I'd probably give it away to someone who would do good things for others, likely related to "church connections" in Africa and Mexico. 

8.  What SHOULD you be doing right now, but can't pull yourself away from the computer to do?
I need to check in January homework, plan my lessons for tomorrow, fill out the PTA membership cards (loooong overdue) and, and, and... 

9.  Are you teaching your dream grade level? 
Absolutely!  I love everything about sixth grade--with the exception of an occasional "attitude problem."  I've taught fourth, fifth, and sixth... Sixth has my heart. 

10.  What subject is your least favorite to teach?
Oh my.  I am terrible at teaching science--especially sixth grade earth science.  I would do much better teaching life science, but I just haven't found enough love for landforms... yet. 

11.  Do you have a TpT store?
I happily spend money at TpT and TN.  I (also happily) don't have a store.  I'm enjoying what others create. 

12.  How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging at the end of August... which makes it five months.  I've learned a lot and "met" some amazing friends.  Blogging may be the best thing that I discovered in 2011--and is adding plenty of JOY to my days in 2012 as well!

Here are the People I Tagged:

1.  Mor at a Teacher's Treasure

2.  Jena at Caught in the Middle

3.  Barbara at Corner on Character

4.  Ms. D at Superlative Six

5.  Sunny at The Caffeinated Teacher 

6.  Marcia at Learning Ideas - K-8

7.  Katie at Adventures of a Sixth Grade Teacher

8.  Becky at Lesson Plans and Lattes    

9.  Courtney at Middle School Survival Guide

10. Janaye at Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes

11. Pat (I think) at A Time to Share and Create 

12.  Sarah at Teaching Tweens

 Here Are My Questions for Those Who Have Been Tagged Next
1.  What is your favorite Starbucks beverage (in case I'm in your neighborhood and I'm bringing you a treat!)?
2.  Book, Nook, Kindle, iPad, book on CD, other?  What is your favorite way to enjoy a new book?
3.  If you weren't a teacher, what career would be your second choice?
4.  What is the first subject you plan for when you start your lesson plans for the upcoming day?
5.  If you have traveled, what is your favorite country to visit?  If you haven't had the opportunity (or if you have!) what country would you most like to visit?
6.  Have you been a principal?  Would you ever want to be?
7.  What dessert would you choose in a fancy restaurant?
8.  What's the most adventurous/daring/exciting thing you have ever done (that you can blog about!)?
9.  If you slept in "late" one morning, what time would it be?
10.  Do you still read magazines?  What's your favorite?
11.  Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?
12.  What brings you JOY?


I'm looking forward to learning more about those I have tagged--and all of those I have been reading about on other blogs.And I am sending you all warm wishes for the week ahead...