Happy Birthday to me!

It is almost my birthday and I thought I would tell you 39 random things about me! Enjoy learning a little more about me...

1. I was born in San Luis Obispo, CA and lived there til I was 10.

2. My middle name is Erin and there was a time in my life, I think around Jr. High or High School that I wanted to go by Erin. I was tired of having such a unique first name, with no one ever knowing how to spell it. Now I love it!

3. When I was little I used to pretend to be a teacher or a veterinarian...my sister and I would use our stuffed animals for patients and students. I wanted to be those when I grew up...and I am a teacher! I have taught preschool, kindergarten, and third grade. I am currently a preschool and kindergarten Montessori teacher. It is challenging and fun!

4. I had straight hair until 8th grade, then the curls hit! I was mad at my mom for giving me her curly hair, but over the years I have grown to like and mostly love my curly hair.

5. I have no clue how to drive a stick shift!

6. My favorite food is ice cream! When I was little I remember going to Thrifty's for a scoop of chocolate malted crunch... and it only cost 10 cents!

7. I have never had a bloody nose.

8. I can say and sing the alphabet backwards. I can also spell words backwards. Not sure when or why I started doing this, but I know I was a kid.

9. I took piano lessons for 6 years, and I wish I had taken them longer so I could play better.

10. I was in a movie. "Little Nikita" staring River Pheonix. I was in the marching band in 10th grade and our band was chosen to be in a parade scene. SO cool!

11. I have a dream to travel the world! I want to visit each country and continent...

12. I can count to 10 in 9 languages.

13. My favorite number is 13.

14. I went to Israel in 1996 on my first mission trip and I loved it!

15. I "competed" in my first triathlon in 2005...I had never done anything like it. training was intense and the triathlon was challenging. I did the best I could and when I felt like giving up, I turned to God and He gave me the strength to persevere and endure til the end.

16. I made the most important decision in my life on April 30, 1984...I asked Jesus to come into my life as my best friend and Saviour!

17. I love music ~ singing and listening, and occasionally playing it.

18. I went to speech therapy as a child. I had a bad stutter and I didn't pronounce a couple letters correctly. According to my mom, me and a few of my friends all mispronounced the same letters, hmmm... ;)

19. I wish I could speak another language fluently.

20. I have lived in 6 cities and in 9 different homes.

21. I have had 8 pets: 2 cats, 2 fish, a rat, a guinea pig, a hamster, and a tiny frog.

22. Some of my favorite movies are High School Musical 1, 2, and 3! ;)

23. I lived in an orphanage in Ukraine for 2 months, one each summer of 1999 and 2000. I loved daily being there to love on the precious princesses and princes of the King!

24. I love staying up late and then sleeping in! I have to force myself to go to bed early during the week so I am rested up for work, but I am really a night owl!

25. I have many nicknames ~ Shayson, Shaybug, Shay Shay, Shaybee, Ieshy Pooh, Bluejay, Shaymus, Other Airbag, to name a few!

26. I love children's books and I have a large collection of them!

27. I love the back to school section in stores...it makes me smile! :)

28. I am a professional bowler, on the Wii of course!

29. I correct others' grammar in my mind or if I see mistakes on paper. It is a habit that I hope never gets me into trouble! :)

30. I became an auntie for the first time 10 years ago...now I have a niece and two nephews...I love them SO much!

31. I love Disneyland!!! One of my favorite rides is Splash Mountain...I enjoy the big drop and getting wet!

32. I have been to London, Amsterdam, Ukraine, Lithuania, Norway, and Israel and I hope to travel to many more places in the world!

33. I have taught Sunday School since I was 12 years old, from the nursery up to Jr. High.

34. I do not like onions, bananas, or pepper!

35. My sister and I decided to build a swing inside our house out of jumpropes and a board. It was fun until it broke and my sister and I fell down. She escaped unharmed, I broke my left arm. Kids, do not try this at home! ;)

36. I have been a big sister for 36 years...I love my sissy, Shelby! She is an amazing, fabulous, wonderful and loving sister and I am truly blessed!

37. I have green eyes, just like my dad!

38. Sometimes, I wish life was like a musical and we would spontaneously burst into song to share our thoughts, feelings, or to just have fun!

39. I have the best friends and family in the world! I love you all so much and am blessed beyond belief!

Thank you God for all the things you have done in my life...I love you and am thankful You created me and gave me life!

I hope you enjoyed reading these tidbits about me! I saw this on my friend Jessica's blog and thought it was a great idea! Little did I know how hard it was going to be to come up with 39, but it was fun!