1. Many of you already know this, but I'm something of a grammar Nazi. I loved all my English and Literature classes in high school, and even though I'm fully aware that I'm
far from all-knowing on the intricate and extensive workings of the English language, I still find it fascinating and thoroughly enjoy it. I can definitely be a nag when it comes to speaking correctly, and lazy or over-abbreviated writing (on the computer or in text messaging) is one of my biggest pet peeves. However, taking creative liberties in writing in order to more fully expound meanings and/or emotion (i.e. Grammar B) is one of my favorite things. :) My Creative Writing teacher senior year said, "If you do it by accident, it's ignorance. If you do it on purpose, it's art."
2. I was born in the bedroom of a tiny, pink, termite-eaten, duplex apartment in San Diego, California on 1/11 at 1:00 in the morning, weighing in at nearly 11 pounds. The moon, at that exact moment, was 100% full. No joke. (That's a lot of ones.) I can't say I remember this personally, but my parents tell me I "delivered myself" and that all Dad did was catch me. The midwife showed up some time after the fact when Mom was just sitting in bed holding me and said, "Well isn't this a pretty picture." I'm very proud of this story. :P My name (Danielle Nicole) is apparently the female version of Daniel Christopher (The man my mother did not marry). Dad says my nick-name (Dani) came from a Diet-Pepsi commercial with Michael J. Fox in it that aired during the super bowl in the late eighties. (
Wow! I found it on YouTube! Click here to watch.)
3. I am the current Choir Director in my College ward. Words cannot express how deeply blessed and honored I feel in receiving the call. Living in Mesa for so many years and building and developing so many wonderful lasting friendships, and then moving right before my senior year of high school to a different state and having to start completely over ripped me to shreds. I was a black hole of a mess for a long time. I did eventually gain (Through another miracle of music, and the inspired choir teacher in Lehi, Mrs. Covington) some new friendships and found a way to muck through the change, but I still felt the pull to go “home” to Mesa. After graduation when I actually did move back, life definitely didn’t greet me the way I left it. I felt so strongly that there was a reason I was back, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. And then I got called in to the bishop’s office less than a month after we moved in, and so many things started falling into place. I’m here because of my calling to share the gift of music and its power to edify and enrich lives in a way nothing else can. And for that I am so grateful.
4. In going along with number three, oh, music. Music is what my soul is made out of. I’m going to sound like such a cheese ball for the next little while, because there aren’t very many other ways for me to describe the power and influence that music, in all its many forms, has in my life. I’ve been singing since I was in the womb. Anywhere, and anything. Even if I don’t know the words, I’ll sing. It’s a passion I have that will never ever change. I also love to play the piano. I could never boast to be nearly as good as Kira, and countless other people, but it’s like therapy to me to just sit down and play. I took up the viola in fourth grade as well and played for nearly eight years, trained in the pedal harp for three years, which I also love, and devoted one entire season my junior year to percussion and auxiliary instruments in the high school marching band. Needless to say, in my book, music is huge. (Ps. Pandora Radio is the best thing since sliced bread. Pandora.com)
5. When I was five years old, I fell off of our dining room table and knocked one of those heavy duty cultural hall tables over onto my leg. It broke. My leg, not the table. I don’t remember this all too vividly, but several years after it happened mom told me that she and my dad had driven me to the emergency room that day and somberly debated in the car whether or not it was worth the enormous cost to actually take me in. we ended up just driving back home and mom basically carried me around for the next few months. It was a miracle that my leg healed perfectly all by itself. This wasn’t the only time my family was blessed with excellent health during my childhood either.
6. It’s probably a really good thing all us kids had ironclad immune systems, because we were definitely connoisseurs of the outdoors. My favorite was eating bugs. :) Yeah, I was that girl. Ants, beetles, spiders, slugs, you name it, I probably ate it. (Ants are actually kind of spicy.) This lasted probably until I was about six, and then I decided that it was really gross. Haha:) – On a slightly different note, but still in the category of health, I was born with a congenital heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus. It's a condition having to do with a small valve between the aorta and pulmonary arteries right next to the heart. When a baby is in the oven, that valve is essential to blood flow because the baby doesn't breathe real air yet. Then when the baby is born, it closes up so that a normal circulation can begin. Well, my ductus arteriosus didn't close up when I was born, so for seventeen years I had an unnatural strain on my heart (re-pumping blood) and my respiratory system (increased blood pressure in lung arteries). I developed a disease with similar symptoms to asthma called Reactive Airway Disease. All of this was pretty much passed off by doctors as a mild heart murmur and bad eating/exercise habits until one doctor in Utah (after we moved there in 2007) informed us that my murmur (my heartbeat sounded like a fuzzy sloshing instead of clear thumps) was in fact NOT normal, and needed to be looked into. I had two echo-cardiograms (like when a pregnant woman gets an ultra sound) of my chest, and one esophageal echo-cardiogram (I was put under and a similar machine was inserted down my throat to see my chest) before the cardiologist decided that the best way to keep me alive for a few more years was to get the valve surgically closed. On November 31st, 2007 I checked into Primary Children’s Hospital and had the 3 hour surgery done. I told them I wanted a cool scar to show off, but the doctors decided they were going to do a "less-invasive" catheter procedure instead. (That just means that instead of cutting me open on the side of my rib cage and leaving a wicked awesome six-inch scar, they made a small slit in the crook of my leg and used a long catheter to sail up through my veins to my heart to insert a little plug in the valve. Which I felt was MUCH more invasive than the upstairs route...) After two days of hospital toast and mashed potatoes, I checked out. I didn't have a cool scar from the incision to show off, but the gruesome, literally black bruising I got from the excess blood, extending fourteen inches from my hip and down my right thigh, caused me to walk with a limp for the next five weeks before it went away. A little over a year later now, I'm feeling fit as a fiddle. Better than I ever did before the surgery. And now I can do things like climb mountains and stuff without dying. Yay life! :P
7. I’m starting cosmetology school this month, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s been my secondary education plan for some time now, and I’m finally making it happen. I like things that are pretty. Things that are aesthetically pleasing. And if I find something, or someone who is not, I like to make them that way. It’s just how I am. I feel like getting my cosmetology license will be a really great way for me to further this fulfillment in my life. I could just cut and color hair my whole life too, but what I really want to do with that education is get into movie making. I want to do hair and makeup professionally on movie sets, and photo shoots, and runways, and red carpets. That would just be incredible to me.
[7-24, UPDATE: Many of you may know by now (or not) that I have in fact opted out of the beauty school program that I began in February. It isn't tragic, or upsetting, and in fact I believe it was most definitely the right choice to make at this time. All my reasons for attending remain, and I do still love to color hair and do little things like that on the side. But I didn't LOVE taking clients and doing hair in that salon-focused setting. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel strongly that one should LOVE what they are doing, especially under the commitment of sixteen hundred hours, and fifteen thousand dollars. The reality of the situation was that because of the schedule and hours I was required to attend, I began to feel a significant strain on my health, sanity, and finances, as many of my potential work hours were now unavailable to me. I did successfully complete and graduate out of the Freshman class, so I do have a general knowledge and understanding of the majority of cosmetology-related concepts, and was also able to spend over a month on the floor taking clients, so it's not like the time I spent was a complete loss. I simply felt that for the things I need to accomplish in my life right now, and the visions of things I want to accomplish in the future, this means of education was not the right path. In stead, I have changed my focus to a major(s) that better fit what I know I LOVE to do. I hope to begin taking classes this Fall at MCC on Child Development and Family Relations, as well as Piano, and Voice Lessons. My purpose in focusing in these areas is to improve my skills and general knowledge of the care and successful raising of children (whether they be mine, or my employers'), as well as honing in on my talents in music so that I have the means and knowledge to teach voice and piano lessons from home when I have my own family. Doing hair has been a dream for a long time. But music, and family, have always been a part of me. I am thrilled with my new educational potential, and can't wait to get started:)]
8. I’m a movie junkie. Addicted. I just love really good movies, and I love watching them. I could sit on my couch and just watch movies all day. Going to the theater is a fun treat every once in a while, but I prefer the comfort of my own living room, some Bryers ice cream, and a blanket. Anyone who has ever watched a movie with me probably knows that I also believe in a certain way of watching movies. People who try to guess what’s going to happen just tick me off. And asking questions the whole way through is a pet peeve too. The people who make movies usually do their best to answer questions you might have throughout the duration of the movie, so just shut up, pay attention, and let them do their job! Also, though the story may be over as the closing scene fades out, there is still a certain mood a movie leaves you in, and the music in the closing credits is a beautiful way to ease out of it. Immediately switching the movie off before the credits to do something else is expressly forbidden.
9. I don’t know if I’d use the word psycho, but you’re probably getting the idea that I can tend to have slightly OCD tendencies.. Lol. Once again, I like things that are pretty. A clean house counts as one of those things. My motto when it comes to housekeeping is that everything deserves to have a home. And if it doesn’t have one, then it doesn’t deserve to be in your home. I do go through spells where I just don’t feel like doing that sink full of dishes today, but chances are within the week I won’t be able to stand the sight of it any more. I like things to be just so. And I don’t really have many quips with taking the time to make things just so. My children may despise me for it for a while, but just like with my wonderful mother who trained me so well, they’ll be grateful for the habits in the end.
10. I want to raise babies. I currently nanny part time in North Scottsdale, and taking care of those children is so fulfilling to me. To be such a huge part of an individual’s life when they’re just soaking up the knowledge, and watching everything you do is so incredible. Aside from music, I feel that nurturing and raising children is my calling in life, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to raise my own family. For various reasons, I still feel like a small family will be enough for me personally (three to four kids max.), but I know that my influence and teaching in this life will not stop there, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
11. I love photography. Again, with the pretty things. Sometimes when Kira goes through all her collected pictures on the computer, she’ll send me hundreds of them to oogle over. Which I do. Zealously. It’s a passion we share. I love taking pictures too. I wanted to take some classes in high school, but never had room in my music stuffed schedule. Dad was a professional photographer for a while though, so I like to think it’s somehow in my blood. I always always always have my camera with me, so I’m always prepared for those Kodak moments my life is riddled with. :)
12. I love getting flowers. My absolute favorites are poppies and peonies. Especially the peonies that look like little scoops of ice cream. :)
Any color they come in. however, like most of the things in my life I’ve got pretty over the top taste, and those flowers are definitely not tossed out in the garden section of your average Wal Mart. I know the flower budget will probably come a lot closer to the venue price than the napkins, but I’ve always imagined my wedding reception hall, or back yard, or wherever, to be covered in these beautiful blooms. I love them.
13. I'm really not one of those crazy fall all over yourself screaming crying fangirls, but I have no reservations in admitting that Mark Ruffalo is totally my celebrity crush. Ohdeargoodness, he’s so tasty. Just look at him! There’s something about that dark curly hair and strong manly jawline that just makes me tingle.. Haha:)
Shia LeBeouf was looking pretty smokin' in this shoot for GQ as well. Oh baby.
OH! Which reminds me: facial hair. I’ve just got a thing for it. I can’t explain it, but the stubble just kinda turns me on. Scratchy kissin’ and all. Mm.
ALSO. Last, but
definitely not least: Adam Brody. Is my boyfriend. (Not really... I love you Dallon!) Ohhhh goodness agsdfkabjahvfevakbkahhhhh.... *melts* Are you catching the trend here yet... (It's true! She has a type!)
14. I’m kind of addicted to reading magazines. Well, reading and looking at all the pretty pictures. :) Yet another of the really great perks to my job is that Collette, my boss, also loves to read and collect magazines, so when she’s through with any given issue of her numerous subscriptions she gives them to me. Score, I know, totally. I really love all the ridiculous high fashion stuff, like in VOGUE and ELLE, and I’ve also had a lot of fun with like MarieClaire and surprisingly, GQ. I know it’s really for guys, but they’re so cheeky in that one, I love it! Haha:) Sometimes if I find something in a magazine that I really love, I’ll tear it out (Yep, you guessed it, there’s a very particular method for that too.) and save it either in the folder I’ve got for stuff like that, or put it up in my room somewhere.
15. In about seventh grade, after deciding that my ridiculous group of friends said just about enough ridiculous stuff to fill up a whole book, I started writing it down. (“The palest of ink is better than the fondest of memories.” :D) I just got one of those little mini Mead journals and carried it around with me in my backpack, so that I could bust it out any time someone said something hilarious, or I heard a really great quote, etc. eventually I filled that up entirely and had to get a new one. Some time later I came to the conclusion that my “quote book” wasn’t really doing anyone any good just sitting in my bag, so I found myself some good sturdy paper and started rewriting all the best quotes, cutting them out, and sticking them to a little wall in my bedroom. I kept writing down new things I heard, and the wall kept filling up. Eventually it spilled over the top on to the ceiling even. When I moved out and in to my apartment here in Mesa, I had to meticulously remove them from my wall, stick them to wax paper, and then painstakingly remove them again to stick to my new wall. Time consuming, kind of pointless, but the quote wall lives on. So far it’s been quite a hit, and it makes for some cool room décor I think.
16. I consider myself to be something of a water baby. After living in San Diego for seven years, and then coming to Arizona and being totally land locked, I feel like (and this is going to sound ridiculous) a little piece of me got left behind at the beach. I’ve always always loved being in the water, and though I do have a substantial aversion to direct sunlight, swimming is one of my favorite things.
(
A nasty burn I procured from an extremely brief encounter with a tanning bed. Mistake.)
I love the sound of running water, love drinking water, and someday hope to live somewhere with a good view of the ocean, preferably on the west coast upwards of Oregon. The hot summers here always seem to totally drain me. We just don’t get along at all. But the cold, and the snow, and the rain, and the wet? BFF. Hands down.
I'd say I underestimated the loneliness, but that would be a lie. I knew how hard it would be to adjust to such a drastically downsized social circle when I got here, but expecting it and experiencing it are two different things entirely. I love Lehi. I love the weather here. I love the small town feel, with all the amenities still so close at hand. I love the trees; they're even beautiful in the winter. I love being so close to my family. I love having somewhere to call home that doesn't reek of paint and cigarette smoke. I love that Grandma's gorgeous Pramberger baby grand is just a staircase away. I love that I can curl up tight, or sprawl out sideways on the queen sized bed and still not have to worry about falling off. I love that I have a comfy rocker next to the fireplace to settle in and warm up with a magazine on cold nights. I love that I love this place. I love that I made the decision to come here of my own free will and then made it happen. Because I wouldn't love it if I didn't. But I did, and I do. So this feeling so lonely all the time thing that keeps tugging at the hem of my shirt should be easier to banish, shouldn't it?.. I suppose the most frustrating part is knowing that I should be perfectly content, and then some, with all the wonderful blessings I know I've recieved that have got me this far. I shouldn't want more. I shouldn't need more. But still there's that tugging. The not wanting to go home and be alone after any given outing. The not wanting to sit on the couch, or walk on the treadmill and watch another movie by myself. There's the wanting to have somewhere else to go, someone else to see, something else to look forward to.
(This picture always makes me laugh a little bit. And I do love me some hard boiled eggs!)
