33 Things About Me

I had an interesting conversation with my friend Angel the other day about social media.  As fun as it is to interact with people from all over the world through blogs, Instagram, Facebook, etc., we have to be careful not to get sucked into comparing ourselves to everyone’s highlight reels.  I know I’ve mentioned it on here a few times before, but it bears repeating that I’m am not perfect, and neither is anyone else. Sometimes I have to do a heart and head check when I find myself in a comparison trap feeling like I don’t measure up.  Anyone else feel that way sometimes?

So in the spirit of showing you more than my highlight reel, I thought I would share 33 things you may not know about me.

1. I am 33 years old today.

2. Since I’ve turned 30, I can’t remember how old I am.  If you ask and I take a long time to answer, it’s because I’m trying to remember.

3. Thinking about my trip next week makes me nervous…and when I get nervous my palms sweat.  Sorry to anyone who shakes my hand when I’m thinking about Ethiopia.

4. I killed my first scorpion last week.  The kids told me I was very brave.  I almost threw up.

5. I went to college on an engineering scholarship.  Two days in, I realized I hated engineering.  Doh.

6. I won a noodle-eating contest in Japan when I was 17.  I ate 63 bowls of soba noodles.  It was awesome.

7. I wish I was a better hostess.  I would love to have people over for dinner more often.

8. I’ve always been a procrastinator.  I want to change, but I just keep putting it off.

9. I didn’t do the diastasis exercises 3 times a week like I said I would.  Honestly, I just forgot.

10. When I post pictures of myself on Instagram, I scroll through the filters and choose which one makes my skin look the best.

11. I hate it when people hide their food from me at a party.  Eat whatever you want, I’m not judging you.

12. I have a hard time buying any item of clothing that costs more than $10.  Except for jeans.  Jeans I’ll splurge on then feel guilty about wearing them until a few years later when I know I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

13. My favorite alone time is spent at the thrift store.  I pretend that I’m on American Pickers hunting for treasures.

14. I can’t stand to have messy hands.  If you ever serve me ribs or wings, make sure to have a huge stack of napkins next to my plate because I’ll need to wipe my hands in between bites.

15. I have zero eye for design.  If you’ve been to my house, you probably know this.

16. I want my highlight reel to be as cool as Emily’s highlight reel.

17. I’m surprised at what people find entertaining these days.  Maybe I’m getting old (wait, how old am I again?).

18. When Jeff played baseball, I ate pickle-flavored sunflower seeds and drank diet cherry coke at every single game.  He played for 7 years.

19. I’m tired of talking about celiac disease.

20. I was such a tomboy hippy in high school that my mom pulled me aside one day and begged me to look in the mirror, put on a little makeup and brush my hair.  I still forget to look in the mirror.  Please tell me if I have food in my teeth.

21. I could watch Friends reruns all day long.

22. I drink too much caffeine.

23. In sixth grade, my best friend Melissa and I formed a singing group called the Midnight Stars.  Our plan was to be on Star Search to sing our original song called “Best Friends”.  I can’t remember how old I am, but I do remember every word of that song.

24. I wish I was funnier.

25. I was never the popular girl in school.  In fact, middle school was hell.  I was picked on every day by the popular crowd.

26. When I found out that Leila was going to be a girl, my first thought was, “But I don’t know how to do hair.”

27. I badly want to be a better journaler.

28. I’m not superstitious except when it comes to baseball.  The baseball jinx is for real.

29. I think I’m a really good mom, but I still suffer from mommy guilt approximately 742 times a day.

30. I’m really bad about staying in touch with people.  If that’s you, I’m sorry.

31. I am a horrible decision-maker.  So is my mom.  You should see us try to decide on a restaurant.

32. I have some amazing life stories to tell you about, but I haven’t written them yet because I’m not confident enough in my writing.

33. Sometimes I try to fix a bad day with purple eyeliner.

And there you have it.  33 things about me.

 

Now for my birthday present, I want each of you to leave a comment with something about YOU that people might not know.  Something that doesn’t show up on your highlight reel.  

Go!

 

  • Farida July 2, 2012 at 1:26 am

    I like how honest you are 🙂

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      Thank you Farida, I’m trying!

  • Carrie July 2, 2012 at 2:13 am

    Cute Blog!! I have mommy guilt also, ALL THE TIME!! Something about me- I am OCD when I can not find something. I will look all day & night until I do find whatever it is that I’m looking for.

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks Carrie! I’ll call you next time I lose something 🙂

  • April July 2, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Love it! I really enjoyed getting to know you better. 🙂

    I laughed out loud when I read that once you turned 30 you couldn’t remember your age. My mom had to correct me the other day because we were talking about birthdays and I told her I couldn’t believe I was going to be 45 in July. She said April, you’re only 43, you’ll be 44. Woops…Ha!

    I too, hate it, HATE it, when people hide their food or even make a big deal about how much they ate or didn’t eat. Totally annoying. And the Celiac’s thing…I certainly hear you there.

    I would love to hear your life’s adventures…find that courage and confidence and start posting!

    Thanks for a very enjoyable post! ~ April

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks April! Glad to know I’m not the only one who forgets her age!

  • Debra Riedesel July 2, 2012 at 5:47 am

    What a wonderful post. I would have guessed you were closer to 25 than 33. I’m tired of talking about celiac disease too, but it’s important to educate others and keep awareness up. Thankfully, it’s better than it used to be. I’m not celiac, I’m gluten sensitive, dairy protein & lactose intolerant, I finally put that on my profile. Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! XO

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks Debra 🙂 You’re right, it’s important to educate, I just hate having it enter almost every conversation.

  • Angel July 2, 2012 at 6:38 am

    I love this post, Alysa. So great! Thanks for being an awesome host to Esther and me this weekend! Thanks for being a great friend! Love you! Happy, happy birthday!!

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:15 pm

      We were so happy to have you girls for the weekend!!

  • Wendy July 2, 2012 at 6:46 am

    Happy Birthday Alyssa! I hope you have a fabulous day. This is an amazing post and I love learning more about you!

    Although I get the lack of confidence – (I bought a domain almost a year ago to start a “REAL” blog and haven’t touched it because of confidence issues.) – you should share your adventures! I think you are a great writer. You write in a way that I feel like I know you and we are friends even though I’m just a lurker here. 🙂

    Have a great day!

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm

      Thank you Wendy. I think more confidence will come with time. You should jump right in though!

  • Gluten Dude July 2, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Happy Birthday to a fellow Cancer. I can totally relate to much of your list, especially #19. Enjoy your day!

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm

      Haha, I’m sure you can. Thanks Dude! So glad to know you 🙂

  • Jennifer July 2, 2012 at 8:26 am

    You are a blessing to your readers like me! Thank you for being real! Now for your birthday gift… I have a weird phobia when I’m out running that road kill might come to life and attack me when I’m passing it. Lol! I have no clue why but road kill scares me.

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:16 pm

      Jennifer, that is HILARIOUS!!! Totally made my day, thank you for sharing 🙂

  • Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile July 2, 2012 at 9:14 am

    Happy birthday!!! I am the WORST at making decisions too, haha 😀

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:17 pm

      Glad I’m not the only one!

  • Kandice July 2, 2012 at 9:19 am

    awesome… Thanks for a big laugh (not at you, with you, right?) I am not sure why I find #5 and #6 particularly funny, but I do, so you can erase #24.

    Happy Birthday Alysa, I wish you the best and many more blessings to come… Thanks for inspiring me, to just be me.

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:18 pm

      Thanks Kandice! Glad I could make you laugh 🙂

  • Shelah Phillipsen July 2, 2012 at 9:47 am

    Happy Birthday Alysa!!! Have a day as beautiful as you are!!

    I still have feelings for my son’s dad, my ex-husband and I am not sure how to get over him. We have been divorced since 2005 and it was my decision. 🙁

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:18 pm

      Thank you Shelah!!

  • CferMN July 2, 2012 at 10:03 am

    Such a great idea for a post for your birthday! I love the way you put it out there for everyone to see. That takes courage, which I’ve learned you have plenty of. Way to go!

    As for something that people wouldn’t know about me…It’s hard to nail it down to just one. But I am a terribly messy eater. It seems there’s not a meal — especially at a family function or picnic — where I don’t spill something on my shirt. It’s practically a given when I’m at a restaurant. 🙂

    Happy birthday!

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:19 pm

      Thanks Chris, except I kind of stole the idea from Gluten Dude. He did a list of wishes on his birthday. Thanks for sharing your fun fact 🙂 I am unable to wear white and drink coffee without spilling. Happens EVERY time!

  • Jessie July 2, 2012 at 10:45 am

    Dude. The baseball jinx is totally for reals.
    Love you friend. Happy thirty-whatever.

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:20 pm

      TOTALLY for reals. My dad jinxed us twice last night! Once in the 6th and once in the 11th.

  • janetha [meals & moves] July 2, 2012 at 11:25 am

    happy birthday 🙂

    loved learning more about you!

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks Janetha! Hope to meet you IRL someday.

  • Katie Chalmers July 2, 2012 at 11:47 am

    Alysa- I have never met you before, but I have newfound respect for you after reading this! 🙂 If I made a similar list, many of mine would be like yours. It’s so refreshing to hear confessions like this, especially from someone who most people think must be close to perfect: dietitian, personal trainer, etc. When people are honest like this it makes them much more likeable and down-to-earth — so thanks for being real! 🙂

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:26 pm

      Thank you Katie! I never want anyone to think that I’m perfect in any way, but I think sometimes it happens because it’s natural to only want to post the best stuff about yourself 🙂

  • Lauren July 2, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day, and I wanted to tell you that I love your writing….and would love to read more.

    • inspiredrd July 2, 2012 at 3:27 pm

      That is so sweet Lauren, thank you for the encouragement.

  • Megan July 2, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    So, honestly…only one of your “33 things” shocked me. Maybe because I have many of the items in common with you. But….63 bowls of soba noodles! I would have NEVER guessed that from you. I know it is not physiologically possible…but makes me think…. maybe eating 63 bowls of soba noodles sent your body and cells into a bit of shock and caused you to get celiac disease!? LOL. btw- do you have photographic evidence of this claim? 😉

  • Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen July 2, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    Happy Birthday! I love, love, love this list and found myself chuckling at most of them b/c I saw myself in them, especially the indecision one. I have the ability to take the simplest decision and over think it to death turning around in circles for days on the most inconsequential details. In fact I caught myself doing it just this morning!

  • ash July 3, 2012 at 1:25 am

    I miss you. all 33 things! 63 bowls of soba?? No way!! I am so proud and excited for you to go to Africa, but wish you were coming to Japan!! Love ya! xoxoxoxo

  • Jiggs July 3, 2012 at 6:08 am

    Loved your post! I tend to let people take advantage of me… Too often… Without saying anything about it… (sigh…)

  • EA- The Spicy RD July 3, 2012 at 6:29 am

    Great post Alysa and all I keep thinking after reading it is, “Ah…to be 33 again” 🙂 Number 15 surprises me, since my guess would be that you have a pretty good eye for design. And, numbers 8, 11, and 31 I can totally relate too! Oh, and all those noodles-who would have guessed you could eat so much?? I hope you had a fabulous birthday 🙂

  • teri@managedmacros July 3, 2012 at 11:20 am

    This is the cutest blog idea and bday tradition! I absolutely love it. Gross on the scorpion…ickkkkkk!!!! I drink too much caffeine too 🙂 Maybe it is a mom thing! Happy bday to YOUUUU!!!!

  • Deanna @ Teaspoon of Spice July 3, 2012 at 11:29 am

    What a super fun and honest read – I can relate to so many of your points (wait until you hit your 40s about forgetting your age – I’m stuck on 33 in my head 🙂 Happy day after birthday – you are going shine in Ethiopia – you go, girl!

  • Heather @ Dietitian on the Run July 4, 2012 at 5:55 am

    Sounds cliche now, but the honesty here is beyond refreshing! We learn more about ourselves with every year, and it seems like you’re really pushing those comfort-zone boundaries right now. Ethiopia will be life-changing, no matter what. Have a safe trip and enjoy everything!

  • Carissa @ Fit To Indulge July 4, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Yayy I loved this post Alysa. Happy birthday. 🙂 Something that doesn’t show up on my reel is that I’m a dental assistant. Still holding a “day job” while networking in nutrition and waiting for April’s DI match. Have a wonderful time in Ethiopia!!!!!!

  • Stephanie July 5, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Loved this list. In fact, you may have just inspired me to do something similar on my blog.

    In the meantime…

    I want to hear about #6. What were you doing in Japan?

    RE: #7. Tim & I were just talking about how we want to plan one night a week to have a family or couple or individual over for a meal.

    RE: #10. Yeah, I totally do that too.

    RE: #12. I’m the exact same way. Almost all of my clothing pieces are under $15/piece. But I make an exception for jeans.

    I can relate to #29.

    Happy Birthday to an outstanding mom, a fun and thoughtful person, and a woman with great skin (instagram-ed or not). 😉

  • shruti July 5, 2012 at 2:19 am

    belated happy birthday ! love this list 🙂 i think about details too much….sometime i wish i didn’t

    • inspiredrd July 5, 2012 at 10:12 am

      Thank you! Sometimes I wish I thought about details more than I do 🙂

  • Since you asked… July 7, 2012 at 11:49 pm

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  • Amelia July 9, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    People always hide their food from me too…or give long excuses about why they’re eating what they’re eating. So funny but I Woah they would relax!

  • Stacy T July 16, 2012 at 5:16 am

    Ok – i’ll play. I can’t touch raw meet. Sleeves me out. I must have surgical gloves in my house at all times and have been known to take them with me to various homes/vacations. Been this way for years!!! Last year, I found out my sister is the same way. Never knew it. Now I don’t feel so weird! Ok, maybe a little.

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