31 Things

As I celebrate my 31st birthday, I thought I would share 31 things about myself...I have seen some other friends do this on blogs and thought it was such a fun idea:)  

1. I love Chai tea.  It is my favorite drink to get at Starbucks.

2. I started playing soccer when I was 9 years old and played until I was 15. 

3. I have traveled to five continents and 9 countries-Brazil, Japan, China, Hungary, Czech Republic, Scotland, England, Australia, and Canada.  

4. I played clarinet from age 10 to age 23.  I still play periodically, but those were the years I was actively involved in lessons, ensembles, and marching band.

5. I was a drum major for my high school marching band.  That year our theme was Prince of Egypt.  We won all three of our competitions that year with that show.  The parting of the Red Sea was quite a display and God honoring.  

6. I was born in Orlando, Florida.

7. When I was young, I loved the color purple so much that I got the nickname, Porpor.  Purple is still my favorite color.

8. My dad is the only one who has a nickname for me-Shelwitt.  He called me it all growing up; however, he doesn't do it much anymore.

9. The first car I drove was an old, blue, Ford pickup truck.  It got me back and forth, but I do have to confess that I was embarrassed to drive it sometimes.  

10.  I love decorating-Lately, I have gotten a lot of inspiration from Pinterest.

 11. In 2006, I woke up one morning in a lot of pain, passed out and fell back into the sliding glass door.  Thankfully, I did not get hurt; however, after trying to help me to the bathroom, Michael said I passed out two more times.  Needless to say, an ambulance was called, I ended up in the emergency room where I waited hours until they discovered I had a ruptured cyst and was bleeding internally.  It took a week to fully recover, but thankfully, I was okay. 

12. One night, when I was by myself, Dr. Albert Mohler and Dan Dumas stopped by my Springdale apartment.  Dr. Mohler said he wanted to see who lived in the apartment that he and his wife, Mary, had lived in when they first started seminary at Southern.  It was definitely a memorable moment.

13.  When I was 8, my parents told me we were moving from Orlando to Fayetteville, GA.  I was so upset that I asked my dad if I could sing the song “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” in church.  At this point, my family was leaving Aloma Baptist Church. It was my way of coping.  I ended up loving Fayetteville and ended up back in Orlando for college, a great example of God’s sovereignty.

14. On our 2^nd anniversary, my husband surprised me with a trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. 

15.  During the summer of 2007, my husband and I lived in Manchester, New Hampshire so he could participate in a preaching internship in the New England area. 

16. I met my husband, Michael, through the Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) in college.  Mutual friends said we should meet and talk because Michael had gone on a mission trip to Australia and I was about to go on the same trip the next year. 

17.  I participated in Bible Drill from the time I was in fourth grade until 9^th grade.  

18.  I have walked on the Great Wall of China.

19.  I have gone on a river boat down the Amazon River and seen animals native to the Amazon.

20.  I have seen kangaroos in the wild.

21.  My favorite famous person right now is Mitt Romney.

22. When I was in Japan, I attended a buffet style dinner with Japanese students. I was so hungry that I started eating what I thought was chicken nuggets, but found out later, it was squid. Surprisingly, they were pretty good!

23.  I have tried octopus, but would not recommend it.  Too chewy!

24.  I have had the privilege of staying in the homes of Japanese people.  They were extremely hospitable, friendly and made us huge meals.  One morning for breakfast, I was served hot soup and raw salmon.

25.  I enjoy watching Fox and Friends in the mornings.

26. I have been snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. 

27. I love Jane Austen books and movies.  Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. 

28. During one BCM formal in college, Michael and I dressed up as The Crocodile Hunter and his wife.  Michael carried around a 6 foot blow up crocodile and wrestled it to the ground in front of the entire crowd.  Fun times!

29. On our first date, Michael and I ate Mexican at Maria Bonita’s, went on a walk around Lake Eola in Orlando, and watched Finding Nemo.

30. I worked at Dunkin Donuts during high school.  Lots of tasty treats and drinks!

31. Michael and I love watching Downton Abbey together!  We can’t wait for Season 3 to come out in January!