A little me

Note: All images in the header are by Cindy Thornton. I’m just a huge fan.

1. I grew up in the second largest city in Maine – also known as the “armpit of maine,” the “drug capitol of maine,” or “the ghetto” – and usually met with some sort of “ohhhheeuuuuwwwww” response when I tell people where I’m from. Come on people. It’s not that bad. No, we do not have drive-by shootings. Yes, there are gangs and drugs – but you wouldn’t even know about them unless you asked the right people. Plus, we’re in Maine for christsakes.

2. I moved to a very quaint little coastal town last year. I work two jobs – one at an architecture firm in the small town, and at a grocery store in the next town over. Keep in mind that this town is like a mini replica of where I grew up… and all I hear about is how crappy my home city is… most of the time I just want to yell, “Look around people!!!”

3. I hate working two jobs, and definitely would quit the supermarket gig in a heartbeat. But the school loans are kicking my ass, and will not let up until 2027. How depressing. UPDATE: As of October, I have only had one job. It’s quite boring, and I’m loving having 5-11 pm off!

4. I went to the Military College of Vermont, and spent five long years in the-middle-of-nowhere. Beautiful state. Nothing to do. I finally got my Masters in Architecture and got the heck out of there. 

5. My parents are still married, and I have one sister who is 2 1/2 years younger than I am, and also went to MCV. She is by far my best friend and we get along great. Definitely consider myself lucky on that one. I’m trying to convince her to move to Boston and be roommates next fall once she graduates.

6. I was a band geek in high school. I also went to music camp. Or band camp. Call it what you want, but it was nothing like they showed it in American Pie. It’s respectable. And I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. 

7. I almost went to college for music. Or atleast I think I would have, had my high school band director not been such a jackass to my best friend and I. Instead, I chose architecture. Now I’m not sure what I want to do when I grow up. Tour Guide? Filmmaker? Set Designer? Architect? Musician? Entrepreneur?

8. I have one other best friend, Jenn. She lives in Boston with her boyfriend, and is a social worker. She totally brought me out of my shell. I was never very outgoing until we met in 7th grade, and since then I have so many aquaintances it’s hard to keep track. 

9. On the other hand, I have very few close friends. I do have a hard time really letting people in, and tend to keep people at bay. I’ve had too many disappointing experiences with so-called friends.

10. In high school I was the queen of 3-month relationships. I wouldn’t call them ‘meaningless’ but they weren’t serious. I finally met a guy in college whom I fell for, which ended badly. Long story short: He cheated and I became depressed. You find out who your friends are after something like that.

11. After that relationship, I didn’t date anyone for three years. Then I dated three in a year. All were semi-serious. The last one went back to college this semester. I’m still waiting for him. Hoping to pick up where we left off. I am totally over him.

12. I went to a Military College [I was a civilian], but it was definitely an interesting experience. Lots of men running around and going to class in their uniforms. I even went to a military ball with the Prime Minister of Madagascar’s son. [He was forced into exile, and now the government is trying to get his son to come back…. in which case they will throw him in jail, so the US is trying to keep him safe]. Really charming and nice guy.

13. I love, love, love to read. I haven’t been doing much lately – partly because I’m reading The Historian right now by Elizabeth Kostova. I’ve heard rave reviews, but I’m stuck on a slow part right now and having a hard time getting out of my slump. But I don’t want to put it down for good, so I’m trudging through.

14. I’m also really into historical fiction right now – The Borgia Bride, The Constant Princess, The Other Boelyn Girl, The Labyrinth, and The Sword of Truth series. I also LOVE Harry Potter and Twilight.

15. I judge books by their covers. Bad form, I know. But I usually do not pick a book up unless 1. I have heard rave reviews; 2. the cover looks very interesting; or 3. the title grabs my interest. Then I read the back, check out the writing, and decide for myself.

16. I am a movie addict as well, and sadly, have around 400 movies in my collection. Before you judge… remember I did go to school in the-middle-of-nowhere-Vermont, and we had a lot of free time. Plus, I worked at a video store in college and got alot of them for cheap.

17. Fave movies: Say Anything, The Notebook, PS I Love You, Someone Like You, You’ve Got Mail, Serendipity, Wedding Crashers, Because I Said So, The Holiday…. I am addicted to Chick Flicks. And Chick Lit. I know, I know.