Random Fact Overload

Side note before I begin...I've been incredibly bad at writing consistently now. It's pure laziness. I apologize.

I have, however, been nominated for a Liebster Award by Ashley at For Now, Japan. No idea what that means. But I like the idea of finding other blogs based on other people's recommendations and finding out random facts about the writers! So thank you so much Ashley! She's awesome; we like to chat about being incredibly American in incredibly un-American places and having incredibly British significant others! It's great! You should definitely check out her blog.

Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger who presented you with the award.

2. List 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 questions you were asked. 

4. Write 11 questions for your nominees.

5. Present a Liebster blog award to 2-5 other bloggers.

I think I like this the most because I love love love random facts (in case you didn't already know....)

Here's 11 random facts about me: 

1. I have the music taste of a 10 year old. I love pop music. I love Taylor Swift. I love One Direction. I love Lady Gaga. I've seen all 3 in concert. Judge me.

2. Speaking of music, I went through a phase in high school where I was so into alternative rock music and was morally against pop music. I thought I was so cool and hardcore with my green iPod mini full of The Used, My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, etc.

3. I like odd number way more than I like even numbers. Most people find that weird.

4. When I was 8 someone dared me to eat a scoop of ice cream with mustard on top of it. So I did it. I wouldn't recommend anyone to try it.

5. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people wear fake glasses that they bought for like $3 at Forever 21. Why is bad eyesight trendy?! I want to ask these people to pay for my years of eye doctors appointments for me.

6. When I lived in America I ate Chik-fil-a probably at least 3 times a week.

7. I did marching band in high school and in college/university.

8. I don't have much of a sweet tooth. Don't get me wrong; I love chocolate and I especially love sour candy. But I'd rather just have food. I'd rather not have dessert and have a second helping of food instead.

9. Growing up, I hated my first name. I used to want to go by my middle name (which is Alexis). Taylor was just really uncommon and I used to get made fun of (Taylor also looks a lot like Gaylord... 12 year olds.... so clever, aren't they? Not!) Now I love my name, especially in England where it's really uncommon as a first name!

10. I hate balloons. More specifically, I hate balloons popping.

11. Recently I've been having dreams at night about running races and doing triathlons. Maybe that means I should get to it!

Here's are the questions Ashley asked:

1. If you could be fluent in any language, what would it be and why? I've always wanted to learn Italian. I'm 50% Italian and of course I'm incredibly biased, but I think it was a great culture to be brought up on. Smelling sauce and meatballs starting at about 8 am every Sunday, the infamous wooden spoons, learning to talk with your hands (now I'm just getting stereotypical, but it's true, I talk with my hands a lot). I've just always wanted to be fluent in Italian. More recently, however, I've been drawn to Welsh. It just looks so weird! I want to learn the scamatics behind it!!

2. What is your go-to meal to prepare when you're short on time? Haha, I'm the worst cook ever. My go-to meal depends on the time of day, but probably involves some sort of bread... Like toast... Or a sandwich... Or just stuffing bread in my mouth.... Never a proper meal.

3. Is your first kiss a good memory or a bad one? Why? I'd say good memory. Not fantastic, Nicholas Sparks inspiring memory, but a good memory.

4. Do you think you're a good, average, or poor representation of your country? What makes you different? I'd like to think I represent a good, well-rounded American. People tell me all the time that they forget I'm American because apparently I don't act like one. I think I'm different because I'm really open minded. Most people in England tell me that I'm not like how they thought and American would be like.

5. Where did you go the last time you were in a car for over 3 hours? What did you do there? I honestly can't remember the last time I was in the car for over 3 hours! I'm going to say back in March when Alex and I went to the Isle of Wight for the day. He had a business meeting and I tagged along for the ride. We just drove around the island for the entire day until it was time to get back on the ferry.

6. What is book/song/movie/TV Show do you love that everyone else hates? I can't think of one! I'm normally the person that doesn't like a particular song that everybody loves (prime example: I hate Gangnam Style). Although when I was trying to find someone to come with me to the One Direction concert (I told you I saw them... Don't be shocked...) everyone was like "HELL NO." So I guess I'll go with that!

7. What is something you and your significant other have done that is different from what couples typically do? Being 100% long distance relationship until a couple months before getting married? Does that count as really different?

8. Have you ever used a mantra do get through something? If so, what was the event and what was your mantra? I wouldn't exactly say a mantra. But ever since I ran the Brighton Half I write 13 on the side of my hand whenever I run now. Whenever I get tired I look at my hand and just think "13". I don't really need any pep talks or motivational mantras anymore. When I see 13 it sort of just encompasses "I know what I'm capable of and I know who I'm doing it for."

9. What foreign food have you eaten that you never thought you would? Well this question is hard to answer for me because I'm probably the least fussy eater in the world. So there's nothing I thought I'd never ever try. I'll probably try anything at least once. (I mean, as long as it's meant to be eaten...) But for the purposes of this question I will say black pudding.

10. If you were to have/if you have children, would you want to settle down in one place or live like a nomad and see the world? Why? I think I would want to settle down. But when I was working on the cruise ship, I met an Australian family who pulled their kids out of school and traveled the world for about a year. (The cruise I met them on was their last "adventure" before going home) Meeting them definitely changed my views on settling down so permanently. I'd love to say one day I'll take my kids traveling and home school them. But I also know what it's like to grow up away from family and feel like you're missing out on a lot. I like being super close in proximity to Alex's family.

11. What is the strangest thing you have been asked/told in your new country? I got asked once if I've ever met the Kardashians. I was like....... Really?!

Here's what I want to know about you: 

1. What character from a book/movie/TV show do you feel you are most like and why?
2. If you were given the chance to live (safely) in outer space would you go? Why or why not?
3. What's your favorite kind of sandwich and what toppings do you add to it?
4. What was your longest plane journey and where did you go?
5. Do you prefer spontaneity or plans and schedules?
6. What would you name the 8th Harry Potter book if you were writing it?
7. Who taught you to ride a bicycle and do you remember learning?
8. What were the last items you purchased at the grocery store?
9. If you made a time capsule for you to open in 10 years, what items (at least 5) would you put in it?
10. Do you prefer firm pillows or squishy pillows?
11. What's something you've done that was completely out of your comfort zone?

I nominate:

Lindsay at Smells Like Sunshine

Renee at Introverted Confessions 

And anyone else who just loves random facts like I do!

Have fun! :)