I thought it might be helpful and fun to do some questions about me since I haven’t been around much recently and would like to re-introduce myself to new and old followers!

1. Full name

My full name is Alexandra, but I have always preferred Alex.

2. Zodiac sign

My zodiac sign is Libra and although I can be a skeptic, a few traits of a Libra do seem quite fitting- cooperative, diplomatic, indecisive, avoids confrontations, likes harmony and the outdoors.

3. 3 fears

Lack of control (this manifests the most when flying), my dogs somehow getting loose and running off, running out of gas/flat tire/car problems in the middle of a freeway.

4. 3 things I love

My fur-children, beaches, football

5. My best friend

My best friend is truly my person and I wish we lived closer! But we do stay in contact daily.

6. Last song I listened to

Tiny Dancer – Elton John. I am determined to get tickets to his Farewell tour.

7. 3 Turn ons

Confidence, loyalty, the ability to make me laugh

8. 3 Turn offs

Selfishness, impatience, ignorance

9. What color socks I’m wearing right now

Fuzzy orange and blue – fun fact the question was originally color of underwear but really I love socks way more!

10. How many tattoos/piercings do I have

I have 4 tattoos so far. I have 4 piercings in my ear although I really want more! Unfortunately my body easily builds up scar tissue and I get keloids. I had a helix piercing that developed a keloid scar formation which I had to have surgically removed. At the time my mother wouldn’t let me get any more piercings and although I would like to try another one I don’t exactly want to pay for any medical consequences!

11. The reason I started blogging

I started blogging as a personal resource for writing. I started this blog while I was recovering from an eating disorder and although I haven’t been as active recently I would like to continue to use this platform for personal writing and mental health advocacy.

12. How I feel right now

Right now I feel a bit lazy but I am enjoying every minute of it! It is a Saturday after a long work week and I am lounging in my sweats, sipping coffee, writing and thoroughly enjoying my afternoon.

13. Something I really really want

I really really want a king size bed. I like to spread out and having two large shepherd dogs hinders that ability currently!

14. My current relationship status

I have been in a steady relationship for 10 years and it keeps getting better and better every day 🙂

15. Meaning behind my URL

A large component to my recovery and my life is to practice mindfulness. It grounds and calms me. My favorite animal and nick name is Penguin so my URL describes how I want to live life. By being a mindful penguin!

16. My favorite movie

I watch a lot more TV shows, but I would have to say one of my favorite movies is Interstellar. I like movies that make my brain hurt and make me contemplate life on a grander scale.

17. My favorite song

Music means the world to me. I will never be able to have a favorite song, but lately my favorites have been “Dark Side of Me” By Coheed and Cambria, “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, “Car Radio” by Twenty-One Pilots, “Lydia” by Highly Suspect, “Broken” by Falling in Reverse, “Oceandust” by Hands Like Houses, and “Euphoria” by Polyphia.

18. My favorite band

Again I refuse to have a single favorite. Besides the bands above I am a big fan of Evanescence, Panic at the Disco, Blue October, Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Chiodos, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Halestorm, Our Last Night, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Three Days Grace, Skillet…..okay I will stop now, but seriously music is life.

19. 3 Things that upset me

Any form of animal abuse, people that are ignorant of science, not getting enough sleep (and then everything seems to upset me)

20. 3 Things that make me happy

A good book, nature, my dogs

21. What I find attractive in other people

Confidence

22. Someone I miss

My person and my momma. Both live in different states.

23. Someone I love

The man sitting next to me studying.

24. My relationship with my parents

I have a very strong relationship with both my parents.

25. My favorite holiday

My favorite holiday ironically is Thanksgiving. I say ironically because a few years ago it was my worst nightmare. Recovery is worth it every day! I love being around family and preparing some of my favorite foods during this time of year.

26. My closest blogging friend

My sister! Check out her new blog – simplegirlcollegeworld.wordpress.com

27. Someone famous I’d date

Ian Somerhalder, Matt Damon, or Chris Pratt

28. A confession

I hate milk. I can’t even have it touch my cereal. I can only drink it if I put chocolate protein powder in it or it is in something like my coffee or smoothies. And no other types of milk – coconut/almond etc – don’t cut it either.

29. 3 Things that annoy me easily

Loud noises when I am trying to sleep, no coffee creamer in the fridge, cold water

30. My favorite animal

Penguin!

31. My pets

Currently in my household there are two german-shepherd/husky mixes, one orange tabby cat, a ball python, a very angry bearded dragon, and many African Cichlid fish. My mom also has a ranch and I consider all my horses (20+) my pets too, especially my appy.

32. One thing I’ve lied about

Honesty is very important to me. In the depths of my eating disorder I could be a very deceptive person.

33. Something that’s currently worrying me

A work issue

34. An embarrassing moment

During college after one of my foot surgeries I was on crutches and my friend dropped off coffee for me during class. It was early on in the semester and I didn’t really know my classmates well and I ended up spilling the entire thing in the middle of the floor and some on the person in front of me. But since I could’t walk, I had to have people help me to clean it up and there were no paper towels to be found in the bathroom at the time. It took this poor girl 5-10 minutes to find a janitor – all while the professor never skipped a beat and kept lecturing. I am pretty sure I always had a thermos with a tight lid from that point on.

35. Where I work

I work as a research coordinator in orthopedics.

36. Something that’s constantly on my mind

Generally work projects are constantly on my mind, but I try to slow down to be mindful and clear my thoughts in those moments when I start to feel overwhelmed.

37. 3 Habits I have

Morning coffee, making to-do lists, watching you-tube while getting ready in the mornings.

38. My future goals

To own my own house and advance in my career.

39. Something I fantasize about

I fantasize a lot about traveling. Right now I fantasize about places like Norway, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan….I could go on and on.

40. My favorite store

My favorite store is probably Whole Foods haha. I spend a lot more money on food than other things!

41. My favorite food

Avocados, peanut butter, green chili, pasta…I like most foods. My favorite meal though is probably Chicken Malai Tikka from a local Indian Restaurant.

42. What I did yesterday

I worked most of the day and then spent a nice evening in cooking minestrone soup and grilled cheese. I watched some episodes of the Cosmos and spent quality time with my family.

43. Something I’m talented at

I am a competitive jump roper and have competed at the World level.

44. My idea of the perfect date

Take out food, a good tv show, my dogs snuggled with all of us on the same couch.

45. My celebrity crush

Besides the past question with the famous people I would date….I have a huge celebrity crush on Demi Lovato.

46. My favorite blog

I don’t have a favorite blog because everyone has a very unique individual platform and I love reading different life perspectives.

47. Number of kids I want

Can I answer with the number of dogs I want?! Being serious, I know I don’t want more than three kids.

48. Do I smoke/drink

I love tequila. I do enjoy drinks but I hate being drunk. I don’t smoke.

49. One word that describes me

Perseverance

50. My favorite quote

“Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.”

– Eckhart Tolle

Well I hope these small little facts helped you learn a little more about who sits behind this keyboard! Feel free to ask anything else that comes to your mind or I would love to read other people’s answers to these in their own blogs!