Turning 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 5)

Now that it is the final facts, I will say this has been a fun and interesting reflection on my life. 

33. First country I ever visited outside the U.S.? France, well, technically Spain, but all I did was get off the plane, get in a car, and drive on the highway to the cruise boat. So I am sticking with France. 

In a town where I got to see Roman ruins outside of Marseille
(Sorry, can't remember name)

34. Most random anecdote: I have been licked by a giraffe... my best friend in high school, Karen, and I were visiting Six Flags Marine World, and they had this opportunity to take a picture with a giraffe. Well, from what I remember, my friend held the salt stick to get the giraffe to come over to us, but she held it closer to me, and it licked me. Not sure why, but I freaked out, and somehow their telling me it was good luck to be licked by a giraffe calmed me down (I wasn't a Christian yet, so maybe that really did calm me down).

35. Favorite Boston memory: Going to John Lester’s no-hitter on my 23rd birthday or doing the Freedom Trail with visitors and stopping for some cannoli. 

At John Lester's no-hitter

But in all honesty, I mostly just hung out with my friends and watched movies at their apartments.  It was here I lived life, grew in my faith, and found a support system. 

36. Favorite Houston memory (not family related): Seeing Reba McEntire at the Houston Rodeo

But I would not have gone to the Rodeo if it weren't for the wonderful friends I have made at PLI... so I should give them a little shout-out. 

37. Favorite comfort food on a bad day: This is going to sound random, but when I am feeling really crummy, I like to make rice and eat it with butter and sugar. We ate a lot of rice when I was growing up because it was cheap and easy to make. 

38. What has been the hardest season of your life, and what did it teach you? I have struggled with depression on and off since my junior year of high school. The time that stands out most was after grad school, when I searched for a job, and nothing happened. Whenever friends asked about it, I wanted to cry or shout—I felt useless, disappointed, discouraged. Other friends seemed to get job offers right away. I cried out to God, “Why?” My quiet time became a checklist. I remember walking home from the train and wishing a bus would hit me and end it all.

I felt like dirt—worse than dirt.

Moving to Houston didn’t magically fix things; my problems followed me. I still scrambled and called out to God. One day, driving to a babysitting job, I thought a pickup truck would merge into me. I swerved into an 18-wheeler. Somehow, I only damaged my bumper and had a headache. I walked away knowing God must have a purpose for me. I’m still living in that truth.

39. Do you have any irrational fears or phobias? Yes, ants, and my roommate thinks it is hilarious that I love Ant-Man. 

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And falling out of a roller coaster. 

40. Favorite role in life (thus far): Being "Aunt Blaire," if you spend any time around me in real life, you will know my niece and nephews are my favorite subject to speak about (after Jesus). I'm always so proud of them; they hold my heart, and watching them grow up has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.

After putting all of this together, I'm already thinking about what comes next. A friend in Boston had a beautiful birthday tradition... every year, she would ask two questions: What was your favorite thing about the last year? And what is one thing you want to accomplish in the next year? I love that. Simple, intentional, and worth sitting with.

I think that deserves its own post... Stay tuned. 🎂

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Turning 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 4)

The big day has come and gone — and honestly? I wouldn't change a thing. I was busy visiting my boy in Tennessee, soaking up the good stuff, and I decided that working on a blog post could wait.

24. Ever since I was a child, I have always had a close friend with a "K" in her name. It started with Katie, my very first friend. Then came Karen in high school, two different Kates in college, and in adulthood — the Kates are still going strong, plus my last roommate in Boston was named Kyra. (I also had wonderful friends named Caroline, Liz, and Sarah along the way, but the K's are clearly a pattern.) Maybe "B" and "K" just go well together. I'm not questioning it — I'm just collecting them.

The Kates and I 

25. One truly stupid thing I did as a kid was staple my own thumb. In my defense, I had just received the most adorable Noah's Ark desk set, and the stapler was shaped like a hippopotamus. Naturally, the only logical way to test whether it had staples in it was to press my thumb down on it. It did. I pulled it out myself — without crying, I might add — because I didn't want to frighten my younger sister. I then went to find my parents via my older sister, who, unfortunately, cannot stand the sight of blood. Let's just say her reaction was... dramatic. (Or at least, that's how I remember it. 😄)

26. The first book I remember loving: Ella Enchanted... it is a retelling of Cinderella, but don't judge a book by its movie because the book is so much better. 

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27. Continuing my book theme- Favorite author (besides God), Kate Morton, Jane Austen. I have liked Susanna Kearsley, Fredrik Backman, Ann Vosscamp, and others. 

28. If I could meet a fictional character: Emma M. Lion, Katniss Everdeen (though she would probably think I was weak), Mr. Knightley. 

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29. Submitted by a friend: What is your favorite book from the last 10 years? This is hard to answer... 1) because I can't remember every book I have read over the last 10 years, and 2) it is hard for me to choose a favorite. 

Audio Book: Homecoming by Kate Morton, because it is narrated by Claire Foy, and she has a really great voice.  

Christian non-fiction: Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund, The Broken Way by Ann Vosskamp, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. 

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Fiction: hmmm? That is hard. 

30. Favorite books of the Bible (if you are allowed to have favorites): John, Ephesians, Deuteronomy, Psalms (I mean, it just covers the wide range of emotions). 

31. What Bible verse has shaped your life most? Can I list a few? 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. -Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10 (NJKV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

And what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8b 

For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. -Psalm 26:3 (ESV)

32. A favorite line from a TV show that I quote a lot:  "Life's tough. Get a helmet." - Boy Meets World. 

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Turing 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 3)

21. Submitted by my aunt: "Have you ever daydreamed about moving to Kansas?"

Sorry, I can't say that I have. Okay, maybe when I was a kid, and my cousin and I would play dress up and act out stories together — maybe then. In high school, I dreamt of becoming a writer in New York City, but I fell in love with Boston instead. And for a while, I dreamt about working at the Library of Congress, because the main building is so beautiful. But dreams have shifted. I am now fulfilling my dream of being used in God's kingdom, working with immigrants and refugees, and fulfilling a heart's desire to love on kids so they know they are loved — not only by me, but by God.

22. Submitted by my cousin: "Did you know about PLI before you moved to Houston?" 

Simple answer: "No."

Long answer: I moved to Houston to be closer to my family. I loved Boston, but every time I visited my sister and her family, it was getting harder to get back on the plane and leave them (my niece and nephews have me wrapped around their little fingers — and they know it). Also, at the time, I had a roommate who was taking amazing trips by herself and with her best friend, and I was getting a little envious — okay, a lot envious — because she lived so close to family that she spent her vacation time and money traveling. And I would love to travel.* So I moved to Houston.

The kids and I, the fall after I moved here

In the winter/early spring of 2020 (before the world fell apart), I joined a Bible study focused on sharing your faith — something I really struggle with. I had done some campus ministry in college, but most of my grad school and adult years were spent with people simply knowing I was a Christian and hoping that if they had questions, they would ask. I especially struggle to share my faith with those closest to me without getting on a soapbox, so I felt convicted to join. Through that Bible study, I heard about the nations in Houston. Did you know Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America? "Houston is the 2nd most diverse major American city in 2025"

After the Bible study ended, one of the group's leaders and I went for a walk. She was trying to pull me into another Bible study, gearing people up for overseas missions. I couldn't imagine doing that. 1) In my head, I thought overseas missions were for the "Super Christians." 2) I didn't have a specific people group my heart yearned to reach — I had a heart for children and vulnerable populations, but I hadn't found a people group I wanted to invest in. 3) And probably most importantly at the time: I had just moved to Houston to be close to my family. I told her as much, so she pivoted and told me about PLI. After about the third mention, I had to stop her and ask what those letters stood for — Prestige Learning Institute.

It was COVID, and I wasn't quite ready to leave my house, but by January 2021, I was done with my life being just working from home, going for walks, and watching TV. I needed to do something. I looked up PLI again, applied to volunteer, and got completely sucked into the After-School Program 😃.

When the world opened up a little more, I started looking for full-time work — but I didn't want a full-time job that would take me away from the kids I had come to love. Around that time, one of the women I'd connected with noticed that PLI had an admin position open. I applied, and my now-friend in HR pointed me toward a communications position in development — but it required support raising. As an introvert who wrestles with insecurity, that gave me serious pause. I brought it up with my therapist, and she asked, "Would you do it if it wasn't for the support raising?" I said yes. And I think that was my answer. So I applied — and that's what brought me to PLI. I'm sure there are more details I'm leaving out.

*If I could do anything (other than what I'm doing right now), I would turn this blog into a travel/Bible study/lifestyle blog and somehow make enough money from it to live, save, and get by. Not that money is a driving factor — but enough is enough.

23.  If I had a superpower, it would be: teleporting or speaking any language. 

24. TV series I have watched all the way through more than once: Gilmore Girls, MASH, The West Wing, Ugly Betty, Downton Abbey, The Office, Parks & Rec, Crash Landing on You.

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Turning 40: 40 fun facts about me (part 2)

10. My favorite color: Tiffany box blue, seafoam, or teal. But I also like some pinks, blues, greens, purples, and grey. 

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11. My pet peeves are: smacking, sniffling, and shuffling of feet. 

12. The celebrity I would like to meet: Alive- Catherine, Princess of Wales. Dead- Jane Austen, Queen Elizabeth II, Esther, Ruth, and Audrey Hepburn. 

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13. My dream job: Novelist, travel blogger, or to own a bookstore and coffee shop. 

14. I like to start my day off with: tea, prayer, and Bible time. It sets the tone for everything else — and honestly, I'm a much better human being when I don't skip it.

15. I would like to learn how to: Bake fancy desserts, crochet, needlepoint funny sayings on pillows, speak another language (right now on Duolingo, I am learning Arabic), and have some kind of impressive dancing skills. 

16. Places I would love to visit: Scotland, Israel, Turkey... see other places of interest on my Pinterest Board.  On my bucket list is to go to Sandringham, UK, for Christmas and see the Royal Family. 

I actually have been to Istanbul and Turky but it has been twenty years

17. My favorite type of movies: Rare romantic comedies (the classic kind — not the modern ones drowning in unnecessary content), historical dramas, and musicals. The only action movies that have my heart are Marvel — specifically Captain America, Ant-Man, and Spider-Man.

{Emma (1995)}

{Bill Pulman in While You Were Sleeping, one of my favorite Christmas movies}

{Captain America}

18. My favorite flavor of ice cream is Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food.

19 (more specific follow-up to fact 15). — we're talking éclairs, macarons, cannoli, and all those intimidating-but-gorgeous things that look like they belong in a Parisian patisserie window.

20. Favorite flowers: daisy, daffodils (because they were the first flowers to bloom after a long winter), peace roses, pink lilies, and honeysuckles. 

{Peace Rose}

Turning 40: 40 Fun and Personal Facts About Me (part 1)

Dear Lovely Reader, 

It is now May... which is my birthday month. And as I am turning 40, I thought I would share 40 random facts/stories about me!

1. Born in Oklahoma City

One of my favorites from childhood 

2. Favorite drinks: tea, vanilla latte, Dr. Pepper

3. Favorite foods: Chinese, Italian, Pizza (though my doctor told me with some liver issues I have to go Gluten light -- not sure exactly what that means). 

4. Least favorite foods: eggs, seafood, cilantro (yes, I am one of those people that it tastes like soap) 

5. I have lived in 3 out of the 4 continental U.S. time zones, and have yet to live in the Mountain Time Zone. At one point, I thought about retiring to New Mexico (and while that still might happen... God can do mysterious things), but I think right now I want to retire in one of the Carolinas. Also, I have thoughts about getting a property (currently have no idea how to buy one), building a tiny home, another tiny home for a library and writing work area, and a third or fourth for ministry workers to come and rest. 

I don't know if this truly counts as a tiny home, but it is cute
Though not sure about the salmon color
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I currently reside in Houston. But I was born in Oklahoma City, then when I was 10 going on 11, my mom and I moved to the west coast, first living outside of Seattle for 2 years, then we (with my stepdad) moved to outside San Francisco, and for college I moved to Boston. I attended Suffolk University for undergrad and Simmons College (now Simmons University) for grad school. 

From my prom... I still love that dress

6. First concert saw (without parents): *NSYNC. Can't remember the first concert I saw. My mom worked at a college when I was growing up, and we frequently went to jazz performances, but when we lived in Seattle, we saw Bette Midler and Billy Joel, just not sure which one was first.  

7. First CD owned: Spice World, my Grandma PJ accidentally bought me the Spice Girls' second album. 

8. First Broadway Musical (On Broadway): Annie Get Your Gun with Bernadette Peters. I grew up watching musicals from Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Gigi, White Christmas, and others. But seeing a musical on stage was very cool, but I remember thinking how small the theaters were in New York compared to those I had been to on the West Coast. First live musical (Off-Broadway) — my mom might have to correct me, but I believe it was The King and I. But I do remember once in one of the college plays we saw Our Town. 

9. Favorite childhood memory: playing dress up with a friend or cousins and sister

See, this is the level of dress-up I am talking about.
Yep, this is my grandparents' (probably) 1960's kitchen

More to come...