Sunday Social

1. 1 year ago I was...23, just finishing up my year in Rochester at the Mayo Clinic for nursing school, getting into blogging full time again, scared of being done with school in 6 months, attending all of my sister's high school graduation festivities.

 

2. 5 years ago I was...19, finishing my freshman year of college, still an education major, not wanting to leave my roommates, attending all of my brother's high school graduation festivities, attending all of my sister's 8th grade graduation festivities.

 

 

 3. 10 years ago I was...14, getting ready to graduate from 8th grade, nervous about going off to high school, wondering how in the world I'm going to make new friends because the ones I had then were pretty crappy, obsessed with Kelly Clarkson.

So, I definitely don't have any pictures from this time on my computer. Embarrassment is my excuse. However, because I adore you all & hate to not give you visual proof of my idiocy. I will go run & get those pictures, give 'em a quick scan into the computer & amuse you all. One sec....

.....

Brace yourself.

8th grade school picture.

Blurry, but 8th grade graduation with my mom. 

8th grade graduation party with family. Back when all the girls were wearing a bandana folded over as a headband. The cool thing to do...

4. 1 year from now I'll be...25, still blogging, hopefully working at a hospital in either La Crosse, WI or here in Rochester and absolutely loving my job (most days), living on my own or with a roomie.

5. 5 years from now I'll be...29, still blogging, maybe married or engaged, hopefully working as a Pediatric or NICU nurse in either La Crosse, Rochester, or Nashville. Or maybe at St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

6. 10 years from now I'll be...34, still blogging, married, 2 kids, working as a Pediatric or NICU nurse in one of the places above. Or maybe I'll have my master's and be a nursing professor. The possibilities are endless.

Sunday Social

      What is one movie you are terrified to watch?   I will never watch Snakes on a Plane. Or any movie about snakes for that matter. Just typing the word gives me the heebie-geebies. I would probably need to be taken to the hospital if I did.   I also really want to watch the Paranormal Activity movies because I really do love scary movies, but I haven't gotten the courage to watch them yet. I'm a scaredy-cat.      P.S. I just googled Paranormal Activity to find this picture & I'm kind of wishing I hadn't. What is one TV show you have always wanted to get into but haven't yet?   Friday Night Lights! I love high school football and I've heard this show is awesome. It's in my Netflix queue, but I haven't started it yet.       What is one daring activity on your bucket list?   Well, if I use the short bucket list from last week: shoot a gun.   Would you ever travel alone?   If it was for business or something sure, but I'd much rather do it with a few friends! It's more fun!   What activities do you like to do alone?   Read, Blog, go for a walk, shop (sometimes)

Sunday Social

      1. Five songs you'll listen to the rest of your life?   2. Five things on your bucket list? 1. Go to CMA Fest in June in Nashville. 2. Fly on a plane. 3. Travel internationally. 4. Shoot a gun. 5.  Get better at the guitar and buy a new one.   3. Five celebs you'd love to hang out with for a day?     Miranda Lambert     Blake Shelton     Jordan Lloyd     Kelly Clarkson     Lady Antebellum They're a group, so I get 3 for 1.   4. Five things you always carry in your purse? 1. Wallet 2. Reading glasses 3. Assorted lip gloss and balm 4. Coffee Cozy 5. Pen   5. Five books on your reading list? 1. Blog, Inc. 2. Dream More by Dolly Parton 3. Buried Memories by Katie Beers 4. Drinking & Tweeting and Other Brandi Blunders by Brandi Glanville 5. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James   6. Share the last five pictures on your phone.  

 

 

 

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Sunday Social

      1. Biggest middle school fashion mistake?   Well, back in those days I never wore jeans (wtf?) and, being that I went to a private school, we had a uniform. So I wore a lot of red and white polo shirts tucked into black pants. Back then, I was also tomboy-esque and going for that whole look. I thought I would dabble in hard rock/metal music as well...Good Charlotte, Tool, Pearl Jam. I hate that music...

The only picture I have on my computer. I think this is 7th grade? 2. Who were your best friends in high school?   The same BFF's I have now! I am so thankful for that. My sisterhood.

3. What was a typical weekend like for you in high school?

I usually spent the weekend shopping with my family. Maybe going to a movie with my BFF's. If there was a dance or "mixer" at school (as we called them), I would spend my Saturday night there.

4. Did you have any boyfriends?

Nada. Zilch. Zero.

5. Did you have any secret codes with your friends? Spill your secrets!

Not really a "secret" code, but in our school library, we had "senior tables" where the seniors could sit with others to do their homework. This was the only table that was allowed to talk (technically) in the library. Our senior class started putting a sheet of paper that said Senior Table in the middle and we would sign our names and have conversations and doodle on it instead of doing homework. They still do this at my high school to this day. 

I believe there were three sheets of paper taped to the middle by the end of the year. We liked to talk!

6. If you could relive one day/moment/experience from middle school or high school, what would it be?

Probably my entire senior year. I had a really fun senior year. So many fun memories and moments!

 

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Sunday Social

      What was your first car?   Never had one. Don't even have my license. Read the story on my about me page.   Who was your favorite childhood teacher?   I had two: Ms. Schwamberger (although she's now Mrs. Gagliardi), my 6th grade teacher. We were her first class as a teacher and she was amazing. I actually wrote a post about her. My other favorite is my 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Haugen. One of the greatest women I know. She retired 2 years ago or so.

Were you involved in any sports/extracurricular activities? Share pictures if you can!   I wasn't in any in Elementary School or Junior High. In high school, I was in PALS (upperclassmen get paired with Freshman for their first year), Yearbook, School Newspaper, SADD, Project 540 (working to change the school). I was in Concert Choir all 4 years, but that was technically a class. I worked as a library aide at the school library as well. I also helped start up Checkers Club with my BFF Caitlin. We legit got a teacher to be behind us & a spot in the yearbook!   

 

 My senior picture since I don't have any EC pictures

In college, I was a part of Active Minds (spreading information on mental health) and Luther Student Nurses Association (LSNA)  

 LSNA What was your favorite birthday party?   I have two. My b-day party in second grade: we had it in the basement at my old house & I invited a ton of friends over and we played games and opened presents. My Sweet 16: I went bowling with friends & Caitlin picked some of us up that night in a limo and we got driven around for awhile. Then there was a dance at school that night. I don't remember if I went or not.  

 

Who was your teen celebrity crush? I'm not sure who I loved in my younger teens. But my senior year of high school I was obsessed with James Lafferty What show/movie did your parents not allow you to watch?   I wasn't allowed to watch rated R movies at all. And I was always in bed by 9 so my mom could watch her shows (E.R. & Law and Order) and get work done.

Sunday Social

      1. If you were stuck on an island, what are the two material items you would want to have?   A Starbucks (like, the actual coffee shop, not just one drink!) and my laptop. Well, WIFI on the island is a giveaway, right?   2. What are two TV shows you'd watch over & over?   Law & Order: SVU. This has been a proven fact (as evidenced by the one time me & my roomies sat on the couch for a whole day & watched a marathon).     One Tree Hill. This was my show. It followed me all through high school & college and is the show I related to the most.      And, if we're being honest, I could watch Friends everyday.   3. If your house was on fire, what two things aside from family, pets, etc. would you grab?    My laptop & my purse. Even though there isn't much money in there....   4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing?   Ironically, I got them both within the last few months.   My jeans I got for Christmas     And this plaid shirt:  

  5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?   People Like Us. One of my recent favorites and not many people have heard of it. And it got a bad review (don't ask me why!).   Pitch Perfect. HILARIOUS! Plus I totally taught myself The Cup Song, thankyouverymuch!   6. What are your two biggest guilty pleasures? Teen Mom & chocolate. Preferably together.  

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Sunday Social

       Hey-yo, I reached 200 followers. You know what that means? GIVEAWAY! Woo! Except I kind of need to study for this little test known as the NCLEX right now so it will go live on MONDAY FEBRUARY 11TH....just in time for Valentine's Day :)   What is your ideal way to relax? Curled up on the couch in comfy clothes with a blanket, a good book, Starbucks, & a Law & Order SVU marathon.    Where is your favorite place to be? With my family at home or with my BFFs for a girl's night.   Who do you consider your biggest role model? My cousin, Marissa. A role model nursing wise and family wise.       What does your life look like in 3 years? Let's see: I will be 27. Hopefully I have a nursing job I love working in either Pediatrics or the NICU. In either a long-term relationship or engaged.    If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be? Changing to an Elementary Education major at the last minute before starting college. If I would have stuck with a nursing major from the beginning, I would have graduated on time in 2011 and already have taken the NCLEX and have a job. But then again I would have never met some of my best nursing friends.   What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far? Definitely finishing my Bachelors Degree in Nursing. 

Sunday Social

    Top 3 favorite kinds of food: Pizza, Chinese, Mexican.   First 3 things you do in the morning: Check e-mail and Instagram, Cuddle with the puppy, Bathroom.   Last 3 things you do at night: Brush teeth, Bathroom, Fall asleep to something on the TV.   3 TV shows you NEVER miss: None of my TV shows that are can't miss are on right now! One Tree Hill was my original can't miss show. But that ended. Glee used to be my can't miss. But this season sucks. Then Law & Order: SVU was can't miss. But Stabler left & it got kind of boring. Plus, with the internet, it's pretty easy to find shows if I do miss them :)   3 places you want to visit: London, North Carolina, Santorini   3 people you can always count on:  Besides family, Beth, Caitlin, & Sarah.      

  I'm planning on 200 follower/4th Blog Anniversary giveaway. If you would like to be a part of it, please let me know & I will be in contact with you.

Sunday Social

  I thought I would participate in this week's Sunday Social since my blog has grown exponentially since the last time I answered these questions. Welcome to all my new readers. Get comfy, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and enjoy the ride.   1. What is the name of your blog? How long have you been blogging?   Sweet Silver Lining I started my blog back in February 2009 as part of a class assignment in one of my Elementary Education classes back when that was my major. I loved it so much that I decided to continue blogging for me.   2. Why do you blog?   I love being able to look back on memories and other things to remember. It's really relaxing and something I just enjoy doing.   Only in the past year or so has my blogging stayed consistent and gained readers.    I am amazed and constantly humbled by the sweet people I have come across through blogging. I never imagined people would ever actually want to read my blog, let alone take the time to respond to my posts. I really am thankful for this community. My "real-life" friends may not fully understand this whole blogging thing, but I am truly grateful for all the wonderful ladies I have met through blogging.    3. What is the first blog you ever followed?   Two of the first blogs I ever followed (& still follow to this day) are Whitney @ My "Cheery" Disposition & Alexa @  It's a Love Story. Seriously, two of the most awesome ladies! Whitney is living my dream life in Nashville with a boyfriend who plays guitar for Gary Allen.  And Alexa's story is one for the books. She's such a strong woman with an inspirational story! Check them out!   4. What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?   I have two.    First, my post right after I graduated college, highlighting all the special memories of my time at Luther that I never want to forget.   Second, reminiscing about Nashville. Ironically both of them are from the end of the year: November & December. I really think I came into my own with my writing the last couple months.   5. What are your blogging goals in 2013?   My top two goals are to be more consistent and planned in my posts. I've started a planner and notebook for all my blog schedules and ideas. I want to have some posts pre-scheduled or drafted in case of time constraints, especially now that I'm studying for NCLEX.   My other goal is to comment more on blogs I read. A lot of times I read a bunch of posts and follow blogs consistently, but don't take the time to comment on many of them. I know how much I appreciate comments so I want to spread some comment love to my bloggy friends!   6. Top 3 favorite blogs to follow?   Chelsea @ Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles   Sam @ Run-On Sentences   Anna @ The Days When I'm Not a Nurse   I could go on & on about blogs I love to read though!    

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*I'm planning on having a 200 Follower Giveaway in the next few weeks. If you would like to donate anything (ad space, gift cards, nail polish, etc), please let me know & I will be in contact with you!*

Sunday Social: New Year's Eve Edition

      I haven't linked up with Sunday Social in quite some time, so here we go!   1. Favorite New Year's Eve you've had before?   Honestly, I've never really been one to go out on New Year's Eve. Usually I've had to head back to college two days after, so I like just hanging out with family, playing board games and watching the ball drop.   2. Are you doing anything for New Year's Eve this year?    This year won't be any different. I start my Kaplan Review Class bright and early on January 2nd, so this year I think we're gonna go to Glynner's Pub for some drinks in the late afternoon/early evening and then head home for pizza, wine, and board games. My kind of night!   3. Name a book we should all read come January.   Some of my favorite's I read this year were  

 1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 2. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks 3. Off Balance: A Memoir by Dominique Moceanu (I'm reading this now.)   Click on the Reading Rainbow link at the top of the page to see more book suggestions!   4. What are your New Year's Resolutions?   My biggest one is to find a Registered Nursing job & to pass my NCLEX. Hopefully I will successfully complete both resolutions by February or March!        Hope you all have a wonderful new year! Have fun & stay safe if you are out celebrating. See you in 2013!