I Have Officially Arrived...

...to adulthood. Per my own determination. No official Olympic ruling on this one.

It's taken 28 years (my half birthday is on Monday but I know nobody's counting) but I feel like I have finally feel like I have reached the ever mythical status of "adult" whatever that actually means.

I am in a new town, in a new apartment, three-fourths through new teacher orientation in a new district for a new school, and, for the first time in my life, I have no forward trajectory in mind.

In high school, my trajectory was college. From college, my trajectory was a job. I always new my first job was a stepping stone, so the trajectory was always the next job which turned in to Thailand. The trajectory in Thailand was always back to the States and now here I am.

I still refuse to say that I am settled or rooted because I know that's not the case. But, for the first time in a long time, my trajectory switch is flipped to off. It's an odd feeling, but I'm rather digging it, as the hippies say. This new "off setting" has given me the peace and freedom to feel like I can breathe.

As I have been introducing myself to teaching colleagues and administrators these last couple days, I find myself saying something along the lines of "Hi! My name is Aubrey. I'm a senior English teacher at (insert school name here) and I AM FINALLY A REAL ADULT!" Okay, so I don't actually introduce myself as a real adult, but, for the first time in my life, I feel like I have made it. I really don't know why it has taken me so long so feel like I'm adult, but I'm finally there.

As part of my newfound adult-hood, I have been working to establish a new routine of productive habits and practices. I am constantly reminding myself that I don't have to do everything at once. That habits and procedures take time to establish and failure is inevitable. But since I'm an adult now and all and have finally gleaned this mature understanding of life I figure things should still be easier than what they were before. Cough. #Right?

Lest you think I'm becoming some sort of pretentious post-adolescent, you should know I had macaroni and cheese with hotdogs for supper. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Five Friday Things: Adulting, Healing, School, Tattoos, and Habits

One. If anyone say inside my life right now, my adult card would be immediately revoked. I'm just going to own up to that now. My apartment is a disaster, I have no idea where my extra sunglasses are, my kitchen is a mess, this blog is sorely lacking, and I'm pretty sure my classroom is just a couple of seconds from imploding upon itself.

Two. I am still peeling from a sunburn that is almost three weeks old and how I'm healing from a motorbike wipe out. I don't know where all of this skin is coming from, but I'm pretty sure I am on my sixth new layer of skin.

Three. We are already three weeks into the 4th quarter! This school year has positively flown by which is so bittersweet. I am grateful for the prospect of summer vacation, but this has been one of my best groups of students in the five years I have been teaching. I will really miss them. (But please don't tell them that.)

Four. I am really itching for a new tattoo. I have in mind what I want, now I just need to get it.

Five. I am really feeling this new crossroads in my life. I am working to finish up well in Thailand, but the struggle is real. I'm trying to set myself up to continue in the States positive habits that I have developed here and am also trying to get myself to a place to be able to resolve some bad habits I have fallen into here. Here's to making the most of the next six weeks!

A. Liz Adventures/Carolina Charm

Hello! Happiness/The Good Life Blog

The Farmer's Wife/September Farm

A Little Bit of Everything

Grace and Love/Momfessionals

Five Friday Things: 5 Things You May Not Know

Today I am joining up with 5 on Friday, Oh Hey Friday!, Friday Favorites, and Kelly's relaunching of SUYL. Since I'm apparently trying to see how many blog link-ups I can join at one time, I thought I would share with you today five things you may not know about me. I just updated my "About Me" page this fall and, let's face it, I haven't gotten all that more exciting since then.

One. I have never had the chicken pox. Due to a poor family history with chicken pox, my parents chose to have us vaccinated against the disease when we were young. The vaccine worked and I have so far escaped the itchy torture of the childhood disease. I have had more than my share of strep throat though. I lost track after 17 instances, thankyouverymuch.

Two. To describe a person or food from Italy, I say "Eye-talian." I guess the normal thing to say is "Ih-talin" with a short "i." I was not aware I said this until a friend pointed it out to me shortly after I moved to Bangkok. So I have lived all of my life thus far sounding like a fool whenever I speak of the things of Italy. Good thing I don't live there, I suppose.

Three. I am also unintentionally really bad at geography. As of two weeks ago, I just found out Guam is in the Pacific. I have spent the majority of my life thinking it was by Cuba. I also struggle to remember which, between Toledo and Toronto, is the US and which is in Canada. I also think India should be an 8th continent and I am forever unsure of where exactly Japan belongs in relation to China and Russia.

Four. I really am not a fan of surprises. I startle easily and my initial instinct is to hit at whatever emerges in my way. This doesn't work so well when students try to be funny and startle me. Likewise, I often read the summary of a movie before I go to the theatre because I much more enjoy being able to watch the story unfold as opposed to having to figure out the story as I go. I also Wikipedia TV series when I start watching them. I have been known to read the online summaries of books as well. And, not that it has ever been a concern, but the idea of a surprise party makes me really uneasy. #Funsucker #Iknow

Five. All the apps on my iPhone are organized in pages by frequency of use and they are alphabetized within the page. I get made fun of all the time, but haters gonna hate. Maybe it is part of not liking surprises, but I like to know that each "thing" has a place to belong and is in some semblance of order.

And in the case you are further interested...
What's in a Name? About the Author. Now You All Can Know. 10 Things about Yours Truly.

A. Liz Adventures/Carolina Charm

Hello! Happiness/The Good Life Blog

The Farmer's Wife/September Farm

A Little Bit of Everything

Grace and Love/Momfessionals

Five Friday Things: Clothes, Facebook, Email, Simplicity, and Plans

One. I love Pinterest and the ability to build my virtual closet at no actual cost to myself. Too bad I spend most of my time pinning outfits that are just not practical for Bangkok. If I lived in northern Thailand, I would be able to get away with some of these outfits. But, alas, I live in the tropic megalopolis, so all cozy outfits will have to remain on Pinterest. I'm currently loving this outfit...


These riding boots in black...



This necklace...


This bag... 


This versatile top... 


Two. Earlier this week, my Facebook notifications were up to something like 50+ after just three days of not logging in and I couldn't handle it. I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook as it is, but then seeing that made me want to run from the corner and not come out until all was back to normal. I finally put on my big girl pants and dealt with it but uffda.

Three. Along with my Facebook being out of control, my emails are currently out of control. I am working on switching over from Hotmail to Gmail (I know, shun me), but even within Gmail, my inboxes are insane. Part of getting a grip on life again is getting my inboxes under control. Yesterday, I was able to get my graduate school account under control. I am going to conquer my work email next. My personal email will just have to wait and continue to haunt me for the time being.

Four. I haven't been homesick per se as of late, but I have really been missing the simplicity of North Dakota. I daydream about driving my own car, about quickly running to the grocery store after work, about leisurely strolling around outside and not breaking into a fierce sweat. Yesterday I went to Home Pro, a glorified home improvement store, and found myself wishing I could go to Menard's and shop around for a project. Like I said, I'm not really homesick, but I am missing a more simple way of life.

Five. I am off to the beach this weekend! I'm also looking at tickets to Singapore and seeing how I really don't have many more free weekends until June! I can't believe how the spring has filled up already but I'm looking forward to everything to come!

A. Liz Adventures/Carolina Charm

Hello! Happiness/The Good Life Blog

The Farmer's Wife/September Farm

A Little Bit of Everything

Grace and Love/Momfessionals

Currently...

As I work to recover from the plague that infested my head this last week, I present you the current goings-on in my life.

Reading... Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand (for March's 2CBC!), Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and, as always, all things graduate school!
Playing... catch up on life. Thank you, double ear infection and sinus infection.
Watching... Duck Dynasty.
Trying... to be more intentional with my time and my choices.
Cooking... not much of anything. But I think this egg roll in a bowl is on the menu for next week!
Eating... trail mix. Easy peasy breakfast!
Drinking... water. Water, water, and more water. I'm trying to flush this sickness out of my system!
Calling... myself crazy for all I need to get done right now.
Texting... Kelly. My sister. Amy. The usuals.
Pinning... Anything and everything. Specifically, my hypothetical closet and all things food.
Tweeting... I check Twitter multiple times each day, but it's mainly for news. I don't tweet much myself.
Going... to the beach this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting out of town!
Loving... that I have a decent routine in my weeks right now. I know that since I have now said this, life will now turn itself upside down, but I'm liking what I have right now.
Hating... being so far behind on grad school. I am legitimately ashamed of where I am right now.
Discovering... that I really should have shaved my legs last night. I am stretching things one day too far today.
Thinking... about what I need to pack for this weekend. So far on the list are my swimsuit, some shorts, and my iPad. I can make everything else work.
Feeling... tired. Being at work all day is exhausting. I really need to figure out how to fit 10 hours' worth of sleep into about 6 hours.
Hoping (for)... a productive evening. I'm heading to one of my favorite coffee shops to (hopefully!) go like a mad woman on grad school!
Listening (to)... the Rent soundtrack. Old habits die hard!
Celebrating... the end of my 28th birthday. I was good and sick on Monday so I didn't do anything, but this weekend will make up for things for sure. And a 30/30 update coming early next week!
Smelling... not much at all. I have been so stuffy as of late. But I did smell my soap this morning so that's a win!
Ordering... workout gear and books. Yay Amazon!
Thanking... the doctor for demands to not go on the service trip this week and to stay home and rest instead. I'm definitely sad to be missing out on this time with the kids but I am so grateful to have slow days and evenings to really rest and recuperate.
Considering... what my new budget is going to look like. I finally get my pay raise with my Master's degree at the end of this month and I am going to move some things around to make the most of it.
Starting... to think about running another half marathon by the end of the year. This summer will not be conducive to training, so I don't want to start something only to put it off for six weeks.
Finishing... grading annotated bibliographies. It is such a worthwhile assignment for students but such a pain in my behind to grade!

What are YOU up to currently?

A Brain Dump to Begin the Week

...This has been the longest two week stretch ever. It started with an inservice day two weeks ago and has since contained two basketball tournaments, two trips including a flight and a bus trip, as well as my normal loads of teaching and grad school. Part of the reason the two weeks have seemed so long is that I inherited the girls' basketball team with about 30 hours' notice and have been, all of the sudden, going full blast with them on top of everything else. I'm not even going to pretend to be on track with anything any more. I'm just straight up behind on it all.

...That being said, I have officially made my varsity coaching debut in basketball. I coached a tournament last weekend where we finished third and this past weekend we took fifth in another tournament. Funny story-- being good sports actually cost us a chance to play for the championship. We finished third in our pool after losing a tie breaker by 4 points (as in 2 baskets). We played two teams we could have blown out by 40 to 50 points. We actually held one of those to a complete shut out, 32 to 0. I am a firm believer that no game needs to be won by more than 20 points, maybe 30 points playing young players, so I took active measures to stop my team from being that bully team. Well, we shot ourselves in the foot the first game against our #1 pool team when we just did not show up to play and lost by 30 points. We then blew out the next two teams, including the shut out, and then putzed around and ended up tying with a team we would beat 7 times out of 10 any other day. We lost the tie breaker to the #2 seed because they put up 4 more points against opponents than we did. And we could have easily posted another 50 points if I had let my team and/or we had shown up to play. I have no regrets about not posting a bigger score or being beaten when we didn't earn the victory anyhow. But I am snarkily amused the #5 team in the tournament should have been at least the #2 team and possibly the champion (I think we'd go 50/50 with the top team if we played well) just because they were good sports. What's the lesson learned? Play hard in every game. Never be the bully. And always wash your hands after using the bathroom. That's just common sense.

...I wouldn't go as far as to say that I am home sick, but I have really been missing my family back in the States. I blame it on the chance to coach the varsity basketball team. It is something that I could actively share with them and they could be around to see. Rehashing the game through text is just not the same as sitting down to talk things through in person. And sharing about victories with a 13-hour time difference is just not the same because it's usually a good 8 or 9 hours before I hear back from anybody. But this is just a good chance to remember the opportunity I have been given to improve myself while investing in students' lives through a game I love. I am also being reminded of all of the people who have chosen to invest in me through basketball throughout the years and I continue to push myself to make them proud. Always pay it forward.

...We leave for our annual school service trip a week from today and I am looking forward to it. We will be going to serve some Karen people in western Thailand, literally within walking distance of the Thailand-Myanmar border. I enjoy the opportunity to work with students outside the walls of the classroom to complete meaningful work by their own hands and efforts. Some kids love it, some kids hate it, but all kids always walk away changed regardless.

...With everything going on, I am continually reminded to live with grace, truth, and perseverance because this is the only life I will be given and it is my real life. I keep reminding myself:

(via)

I know this is meant for parents, but my students are who God has given me to invest in right now so they "my children" for this season of life. And for most of these students, I will have them for only one year so I must make the most of the opportunity that has been given me.

Soli deo gloria.

Glory to God alone.

The Thrill of Hope Continues

I have officially reached the time of the year where I no longer remember how old I am. 

My birthday is near enough that I start thinking I may be a year older than I am, but then once my birthday comes, I often add on another year and then I have aged two years in a span of six weeks. For example, I am currently 27. (I just had to use a calculator to double check. #Truth) Right around Christmas, I started thinking I was 28. Then last week, I had a freak out about turning 29 so soon because 30 would only be a year away and I still had so much to accomplish on my 30/30 list. So, in the span of four weeks, I had gone from being 27 to thinking I was turning 29. I hope I'm not the only one this happens to, though I don't expect anybody else to own up to this brand of crazy.

Anyhow, all that to say, part of me feels ashamed that it has taken me until 27 to realize I am living real life. That being said, I would not have traded my mid-twenties for the world. While life was not easy, I had the opportunity to work a job I could only dream of. I had three sweet years with my parents and worked with some of the best kids ever. The sweetest part of the whole gig, though, was knowing I was exactly where God intended me to be. Please don't think I am doubting Thailand in the least, but I had such a sweet and perfect peace about those first three years in North Dakota.

Now, being 25 days into 2016, I have felt some of that sweet peace return. I have a pretty good routine during the week that allows for work and play each day. The new year has certainly brought with it the new start and fresh beginning I dreamed of only a couple of weeks ago. Teaching is going well so far, I'm not too far behind on my grading, coaching is winding down, grad school is picking up, workouts are being done, travels are being planned, and I have a summer for the books ready to go. I have a certain peace and fulfillment about life right now... I'm in a sweet spot so to say. And after the last year I had, I am grateful.

I know Christmas is gone, but these words continue to resonate in my soul:

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.

My soul, my core, my inner being is finally feeling reason to rejoice because my hope is being restored. I am grateful for 2016 so far and pray the year continues to be one of growth and rejoicing. I know not every moment will be sweet, but I pray I will continue to savor the ones that are.

May you be blessed this year as well. Soli deo gloria.

Oh, Dontcha Know

My foray into recovering from life is taking much longer than I expected. I took an almost two week break from all technology over Christmas vacation and I am ever so slowly easing myself back into the routine of things. I have spent the last two weeks trying to establish productive habits both at work (aka working to maximize my minutes so I have less to bring home at night) and at home (aka learning to clear my mind so I can actually relax and sleep at night). I have pretty much been a permanent fixture on the Hot Mess Express since October and I'm trying really hard to make sure I steer clear of that train again.

All that to say, I have a lot of catching up to do. But I would like to remind you, if you haven't seen on Kelly's blog, that we are giving the Second Chance Book Club yet another chance this year (a second chance on the second chance?) and I will be hosting this month's read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. 

Much to do, much to get caught up on, but much to be made of the time at hand.

May your day be blessed.

Reflections Thus Far

I find myself daydreaming of 2016. What a fresh start the new year will bring. I know the new year will have its hurts and challenges and struggles all the same, but it also brings with it newness, beginning, and potential. I am choosing to focus on the latter right now.

I think this will be the first summer since 2010-ish that I will not have a wedding of a close friend or sibling. But I know of three babies due in the new year. Crazy how babies tend to follow weddings, no? Instead of getting married myself, I will keep scouring Pinterest for pictures of dogs and overly expensive handbags, thankyouverymuch, while also looking forward to snuggling those little babes and thinking of ways to spoil them without upsetting their parents too much.

But all this looking ahead to the future has me thinking about the past. I think part of what has made this last year so difficult is, for the first time, I finally feel like I am in "real life." In 2011, I was going through a transition every couple of months and had yet to settle in to anything. In 2015, I am in my fifth year of teaching, I have my own apartment with accompanying bills, and I eat sweet potato chips and hummus for supper if I want to. I am not in a honeymoon phase in life-- this is my life.

Life is broken and beautiful and messy and simple, but rarely is it ever one thing at a time. I have truly relished trying to make the most of this December and I have enjoyed it so much. I'm looking forward to seeing family at the end of the week although I can hardly wrap my mind around such. Contrary to my initial plans, I have not been back to the airport since I landed in July. But, like many things, I am really hoping to fix my lack of travel in this upcoming year. I'm currently investigating the likes of Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and maybe a touch of Europe as well.

I am also finding some life in my work again. Granted, I am at an easier point of the semester, but I am looking forward to beginning work again in January. This first semester simply flew by and I know I missed so many opportunities. I am hoping the spring semester will be much different and I will make the most of what I have left with my students before their exams and graduation.

Babies, traveling, and students-- all things that will make a wonderful 2016-- even when life is real!

28||A Day in My Life

A day in the life. Take us through it with you.

I was going to be a good blogger and take little pictures throughout my day but that just didn't happen. Plus, one thing I really like about my schedule this year is that each of my days is just different enough from the others that I never get too bored with things. With that being said, here's what a typical use of time during my day.

6:05 a.m... The alarm goes off. I stumble around my apartment getting dressed, putting in my contacts, brushing my teeth, etc.

6:30 a.m.... I'm out the door for my 2 minute commute to work.

6:32 a.m.-3:00 p.m.... Teaching and students! We have a five day, rotating block schedule and I never have two days in a row that are exactly the same.

3:00-4:30 p.m... Either coaching or tutoring. I am working with the JV volleyball team this first season and I have an SAT tutoring student, so I am typically meeting with somebody during this time for one reason or another.

4:30-5:00 p.m.... Lay on my bed under the air con and relish the silence. No music, no talking. Just a book if I'm feeling really crazy.

5:00-9:00 p.m.... Supper, grad school, teacher prep, etc. I like to get out in the evenings and head to a coffee shop to work, but sometimes and evening in does the soul well too.

9:00 p.m.... Technology off and reading lamp out.

10:00+ p.m.... Reading and sleep. I have terrible sleep habits and have never fallen asleep easily but I am working to develop more healthy sleeping patterns. I read until I'm sleepy then turn the light out and hope for the best!

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Day 12. Day 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18. Day 19. Day 20. Day 21. Day 22. Day 23. Day 24. Day 25. Day 26. Day 27. Day 28.

27||My "Christmas Is Coming" List

What's on your wish list? Be sure to include links so we can shop too.

In the last couple of years, I have really worked to value people and experiences over things, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a new pretty every once in awhile. Since Christmas is coming (My mom says Christmas is coming any time post-July 1... It's a long wait at our house.), what better time than to give a couple of suggestions for the upcoming months!

(via)

I have a rocky relationship with meat and will only eat it well done. No pink for this girl, thankyouverymuch. e. Coli is my enemy. I don't know why I haven't bought a meat thermometer before now, but the time has come. This particular thermometer is extra appealing because it can double as a candy and deep frying thermometer-- multifunctionality is always a selling point for me! I feel like I should lead off my Christmas list with something more exciting than a meat thermometer, but well-cooked meat is worth it!

(via)

I realize that I am probably the last English teacher on the face of the earth to have not read this book, especially considering my proclamation of love of its prequel, To Kill a Mockingbird. However, the book released two days after my return to Thailand this summer and when I mentioned it as a potential Christmas gift, my mom took the bait, so I'm hoping hard for this one. I don't care what they say about Atticus... I am looking forward to reading this book regardless.

1/2/3

Although I am not much of an accessory girl, I do enjoy earrings and watches. I find myself wearing a watch quite often, even if I end up putting it on and taking it off multiple times throughout the day. I have one watch right now that is coming to see its better days, so I am looking for some supplemental options. I love the fun pattern of the first watch plus its makers, Modest Gold, have a fun store with a great mission. The mixed media of the second watch is very attractive to me and the leather/gold combination makes it a very versatile piece. Finally, I love the mystery of the dark wooden watch and I love that it is made of bamboo! The detail on the watch face is unique and the piece as a whole would be easy to dress up or dress down! Plus, it's an Etsy product and I enjoy supporting small businesses whenever I am able.

(via)

Because I am an earring girl, I included these beauties. I am bummed they are currently sold out on the Nordstrom website, but I am hoping they become available again soon. I love the muted gold and the simple design. I have quite a few pairs of earrings but my studs selection is lacking and these would be a beautifully basic addition to my collection.

(via)

And to continue with the basic stud collection, I included these lovelies. I bought the Target knockoffs this summer and have come to enjoy them more than I ever expected and wear them more often than I thought I would. I am afraid that each day I wear them will be the day be ears rebel and reject them, so I would love to add a higher quality Nordstrom pair in silver to my collection.

Bonus: Cash. I know it's not kosher to wish for money, but I am working hard to pay down my debt. Any extra cash sent my way will be spent on eliminating my pesky month loan payments. I am so over giving those lenders money each month. Here's to getting them off of my back in the next two years!

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Day 12. Day 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18. Day 19. Day 20. Day 21. Day 22. Day 23. Day 24. Day 25. Day 26. Day 27.

26||Currently Reading

What's on your to-read list, and what have you recently read? 

What a dangerously loaded question this is... I am an English teacher after all. In an effort to be completely transparent, I listed each book on my "active" reading list. Some of these books I definitely spend more active time on than others, but they are all one of the top of my priorities right now.

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

I am reading Crazy Love, the Harry Potter Series, and I Am Malala for personal pleasure. Rhetoric and Human Consciousness is my main grad school text for the semester although we also read quite a few articles in that class. I use Everything's an Argument, They Say I Say, and the MLA Handbook, along with an assortment of essays, in my AP class and Things Fall Apart is my current World Literature text. Total Truth is my current professional development reading.

I certainly don't read each of these books at an equal rate and some I certainly enjoy more than others.

I haven't really read anything else recently outside of Harry Potter and I probably won't have time for much else for awhile. I'm back in the throes of grad school which I am enjoying, but it doesn't leave time for much else. I am hoping to get my hands on Library of Souls soon as well as resurrect 2C Book Club for October which means I will be reading Frankenstein which was my own suggestion, so I looking forward to it extra!

As I said before, my book list will always exceed my time available, but that won't make me any less ambitious!

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Day 12. Day 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18. Day 19. Day 20. Day 21. Day 22. Day 23. Day 24. Day 25. Day 26.

24||Five of My Faves

Shout out five of your favorite bloggers. Who are your regular reads?

Before I get down to the real business, first I want to wish Kelly a happy birthday! May the cupcakes be plenty, the calories nonexistent, and the spoils from Kyle be just what you need! I am grateful to have you as a friend and I thank Jesus for you!

Secondly, I am sharing my answers from yesterday's post. Kelly knows me better than I know her, I think. I was impressed with so many of her answers!

How did we meet? Aubrey and I first met at an Intervarsity Christmas party back in 2009. I would’ve been in my second year of college and Aubrey would’ve been in her fourth? *feel free to add in your comments, Aubrey* This is true. I had just transferred back to UND after a semester-long mini crisis and wasn't really planning to make any new friends. How mistaken I was!

How old is Aubrey/Kelly? When is her birthday? Aubrey is in her 20s and she doesn’t like to tell her real age. But...she’s currently closer to 30 than she’d like. So she’s basically dead. One year I forgot if her birthday was on Valentine’s Day or not...so I sent her flowers...for both, just to make sure I covered my bases. But her birthday is February 15. But her sister ruined it by being born the day after and she’ll never forgive her for it. And last year I forgot if Brooke was born before or after Aubrey...so I wished Brooke a Happy Birthday two days early! Sorry, I forgot...this isn’t about Brooke. Aubrey...back to you! So I'm 27.5. I'm already worried about 28. It just seems so old to me! It's so close to 30 which is so close to 40 and things just get out of hand from there! And my sister does still owe me a 5th birthday party. Maybe someday. A girl can hope.

Where does she currently live? Aubrey is living in school apartments in BKK, but she is waiting on her keys for her new apartment downtown. And it looks super cute! I will be moving the first of the month!

What is her favorite shoe size? Aubrey wears a size 10. Sometimes 9 ½. Okay...I’m not 100% on this, but I think I’m close? You are too gracious. My feet are disproportionately large. Let's just go with the 10 and call it good.

What is her favorite color? My guess is purple, but that’s because I don’t know so I figured I’d just pick my favorite color as a shot in the dark. Yes.... Purple, purple, and more purple!

What is her favorite book? So I can’t pick one. Because ultimately Aubrey’s favorite is The Bible. But I know she loves Crazy Love by Francis Chan and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. What English teacher doesn’t like TKAM??  And are you a real English teacher if you don’t? All of this is true. Asking me to pick a favorite book is like asking a small child to pick a favorite toy. It just ain't gonna happen.

What is her favorite (non-alcoholic) drink? Aubrey will take a double iced Americano, straight up. Any day, any place.

What is her favorite cosmetic item? Her EOS chapstick. I think I bought her this one for her care package last spring. For cosmetics proper, I would say mascara. But the EOS is definitely in the top 3!

What is her favorite TV show? She’s a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory. I know it’s weird, but those are two that I watch too. And NCIS. I love me a male protagonist, I guess.

What is her favorite dessert? Pie. If you’re helping her plan her future wedding, make sure to suggest pie instead of wedding cake...she’ll love you forever. If my groom ever shows up, he'll have to be okay with pie. Pie for days, as they say.

What was her high school mascot? The Tigers. Did the Christian school have a mascot? Idk. All I know about is Trenton. The Christian school was the Crusaders, but I am a Tiger forever.

What is her favorite restaurant? I’m going to go with Applebee’s or The Parrot’s Cay, because I don’t know the names of any restaurants she frequents in BKK. Any place with wings is a place dear to me. And in BKK, I am definitely a mood eater so it depends on the day and my current desires.

What is her favorite movie? Well, that depends on the movie of choice for any given day. I’d have to say She’s the Man or He’s Just Not That Into You or maybe even The Proposal. Those are close, but my two absolute favorites are The Little Mermaid and Sweet Home Alabama.

Who is her celebrity crush? Ryan Reynolds? Channing Tatum? Liam Hemsworth? Chris Hemsworth? Ohh...but I do know that she loves Jesse Williams’ eyes. So there’s that. Oi, I have commitment issues when it comes to a celebrity crush. But I will take Jackson Avery's eyes any day.

What was her first job? Aubrey’s first job was working for a conservation center? Yeah. I don’t know if that was her first job or if that’s even what it was called. All I know is that she has a fleece zip up from there and when she was in ND, she’d wear it often. I worked for the North Dakota State Historical Society at a local interpretive center. I enjoyed that job as long as I didn't have to go weed. And I did love that fleece. I still have it and whip it out in the coldest winter months.

What is her dream job? Aubrey’s dream job is to be a momma, a wife, and a teacher to teacher candidates. All at the same time. She’d even take being a professional student--without all of the debt associated with it. True and true. I enjoy my current role as a classroom teacher immensely but my current dream is to teach teachers. And totally true on the wife and children gig. My only requirements are Christian, tall enough that I can wear heels, and speaks English. (Clearly, moving to Buddhist Asia was not a good move in that direction.) Non-Duck Dynasty beards are not required, but encouraged.

What is her favorite season? What’s her favorite thing about that season? Aubrey’s favorite season has to be fall. Even though she lives in Thailand right now, she’ll always have a soft spot for jeans, a good flannel, a toasty bonfire, and watching a High School football game under those Friday Night Lights. I love fall and everything associated with it, minus the PSL. I do love me some pumpkin pie though!

What are Kelly & Aubrey most likely to do on a night together? We would probably start our night off with some HApps (aka, Half Apps at Applebee’s) because, why not? We both usually have an order of wings or a giant plate of nachos. Sometimes we share, but not frequently. We would drive to the Loaf ‘n’ Jug on University Ave to mix and buy the largest Icee we can get. The trip to Loaf ‘n’ Jug would be followed by an hour-ish in the car listening to worship music and sharing what’s on our hearts. We would drive through certain parts of the community and dream about living there with our families one day. Once we return to my residence, we would grab as many blankets as we have available, make some popcorn, and fall asleep to a movie (Pitch Perfect, She’s the Man, Dirty Dancing (Aubrey first exposed-poor word choice-me to the movie Dirty Dancing...can I put parenthesis within parenthesis? Well...I did.), The Proposal, or He’s Just Not That Into You, being at the top of our lists...although we wouldn’t normally turn down a Disney movie either). This is all so true. Every last bit of it.

What keeps us being friends? Aside from coffee and the same taste in movies, I’d have to say our consistent communication and our faith. We both love and serve the same God and He has placed us in the life of the other for a reason. In the years I’ve known Aubrey, she has become a dear person to me. We have laughed and cried together and we know what is on the other’s heart. I wouldn’t change that for anything. My husband even jokes that Aubrey must live at least a 15 minute’s drive away from us once she moves back to the states. I’m hoping for more of a 15 second commute. We’ll see. The 15 minute rule. Kyle swears it doesn't exist but I have my doubts...

What is your favorite memory with Aubrey/Kelly? Aubrey and I have so many memories together. It’s hard to choose a favorite. We had an fun interesting rollerblading excursion once. Key word: once. We’ve had some epic road trips. She used to play My Heart Will Go On on her recorder, lying on her stomach, in the middle of my living room….at 11:15 at night. But one memory that I will always treasure is the way she has invested in my life by being one of my best friends throughout the last *almost* six years. And for that very reason, I asked her to be my maid of honor in my wedding. *Don’t worry...my sister was my maid of honor too…* I’m so thankful that she agreed to stand up and support me in my marriage. I do have some sweet recorder skills. I rocked elementary music methods like nobody's business! My rollerblading skills leave much to be desired though.

And my top five reads are as follows...

Kelly at K&K Entzel because, well, my heart will always go on. Or something like that.

Kelly at Kelly's Korner. Hers was one of the first blogs I ever read consistently and I still read it today. She has faith, family, and a little bit of everything else.

Melanie at Big Mama. Again, more faith, more family, and I do enjoy her Fashion Friday posts.

I'm not thinking of two more right now, but I will add them when they come to mind. It's been a long day and I've already rewritten a grad school assignment so I think I am calling it a night!

The 2015 Blog-Tember Challenge. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Day 12. Day 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18. Day 19. Day 20. Day 21. Day 22. Day 23. Day 24.