OMG! Thirty-eight? 38? Treinta y ocho?

I could vividly remember my 20-year-old self; party animal, care-free, young, wild and…probably in the club! While I have so many fond memories of my younger years, I am gracefully embracing everything getting older comes with. It’s crazy to think that I’m only two years away from the big 4-0! Wow! I’m really getting up there.

But I am oh so blessed. I have been wrapped in love, support, guidance, wise counsel and community for 38 whole years, and for that I’m thankful. I have a beautiful family, amazing friends and a tribe of people who love on me hard! My fingers can’t mimc what the fullness my heart is feeling right now, so the words might fall short. Just know, I am oh so grateful and appreciative of the live I get to live.

This year, I decided that I’d plan one of those fancy birthday shoots everyone else has. I chose a dress (two actually), got my makeup done, hair, nails and I even got a cake made!

I really felt my birthday this year! I was intentional about celebrating it, intentional about who I celebrated it with, intentional about how it turned out.

Keep reading to learn:

38 Fun Facts About Me

1. I’m the oldest of 6!!! There are 3 boys and 3 girls and they all run my life! 

2. I’m left handed.

3. I absolutely hate math and literally failed every class and test until I got to college, that’s when I stopped being a brat about math and finally decided to do the work! 

4. I graduated valedictorian from my high school and salutatorian from the University of Tampa! #beautyandbrains

5. I’m a cry baby. I literally cry for EVERYTHING! 

6. I’m the oldest grandchild on my father’s side

7. I could roller skate like a boss! I loved going to the old skating rink every Sunday! But I always fall down on them damn roller blades! 

8. I won my school’s district spelling bee competition 2 years in a row, but lost the finals due to a horrible chicken pox outbreak! OMG, that was such a horrible experience! Who puts makeup over Calamine Lotion??? My mommy had me looking like Casper the Ghost! 

9. I have a green thumb and love caring for plants; especially succulents!! I love succulents! I cry when any plant or flower I have dies. This is why I have an artificial Christmas tree!

10.  I have a scar on my left thigh from a centipede bite I got as a child. The scar actually looks like a centipede…scary! 

11. I’m a huge boxing fan.

12. I was captain of volleyball team in high school. I’m so rusty now, but I’d love to play a good game! 

13. I could actually play basketball! Wanna see my dunk?! 

14. I’m addicted to hot fries…and snickers. 

15. I hate bananas, avocados, tomatoes, pickles any mushy food; but get this, I love banana flavored foods, guacamole and pico de gallo lol! 

16. I ALWAYS need a separate plate for my eggs and bacon when eating pancakes. I can’t stand syrup getting on anything but the pancakes…or waffles!

17. The hospital had my birthday listed as December 4 for years!! I found this out a few years ago when I fainted and had to go on drips.

18. I’m afraid of cats. I hate cats. I don’t do cats. Can we get rid of cats???

19. I’ve read every single Babysitters Club book…ever!

20. I failed my driving test two times!!!! See, third time’s the charm! 

21. I’m not as tough as I appear; according to my daddy

22. I love watching any crime drama or documentary like First 48, Forensic Files, Snapped, For My Man, Fatal Attraction, Locked Up etc.

23. I’m OBSESSED with Andrew Cunanan and his sick story!!!!! I watch any and all documentaries, series, movies, news stories about him! OBSESSED!

24. The majestic elephant is my favorite animal!! I think we have the same ability to remember everything!

25. I used to be a shoe addict. I’ve resorted to buying more plane tickets these days.

26. I love to workout…but hate running. If running is on the program I’m out!

27. I was a nerd in primary school…and junior high school…and senior high school. K, I’m a nerd! 

28. I used to get beating for being sooooooo clumsy as a child. I literally dropped, spilled or sat on EVERYTHING! 

29. My navel is a super inny lol! 

30. I got my tongue and my lip pierced in college. I’ve since removed them.

31. My favorite number is 3…especially on today! Second favorite is 9! I play this secret, silent game where I see objects and group them until they add up to 9…it’s weird…I’m weird! 

32. Covering the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was one of my best assignments as a reporter ever!

33. I hoard bottles of nail polish but still always go my nail tech to get my nails done. I just like being pampered! 

34. I’ve travelled to Thailand, Morocco, Barcelona, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Colombia, China with big plans to see more of the world!

35. I’m a creamy drink girl; Bailey’s, a tall glass of White Russian and my new favorite; Carolan’s Salted Caramel liquer

36. I’m deathly afraid of heights!

37. I hate being in speeding cars.

38. I’m a better content and teacher and coach than I thought I was, I actually love it!

Happy birthday to me!