Stephany Writes

Categories: About Me

A Formal Introduction

I realize I’ve never given a formal introduction to myself. Since I have some new followers, I thought it would be proper to give everyone some background info on me. (Because, you know, I’m just so cool!)

My name is Stephany and I live with my mom in Florida. My parents divorced when I was in fifth grade and since their divorce, my dad has been in and out of my life. As of November 2007, my dad decided he didn’t want any part of my life.

I’m a journalism student, hoping to graduate in December 2010. I spent 2 1/2 years as an elementary education student which I totally and completely loved. I loved the classes, I loved creating lesson plans, and I loved the kids. I felt totally at home with education peeps. The teaching part, though? I was pretty awful at it. I got bad marks all the time. All of my other student teaching friends got high marks on all their observations, but I consistently scored low. After failing my Final Internship in October 2008, I had some things to think about. A few weeks later, I decided education was not the route for me and changed my major to journalism.

I have a brother, who is 14 months older than me. We fought like cats and dogs, growing up. We were each other’s best friends and worst enemies. He started dating Jenny in September 2004. They moved in together in September 2005 and their son, Jovanny, was born on September 25, 2008. They are extraordinary parents and I know my nephew is being raised by the best people possible. They are young parents but they do a better job as parents and as partners than most older people I know.

I live close to my grandparents and cousins. I have family in Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and California. I wouldn’t say we are a close family but I know I could count on every single one of them if I needed them. We rally behind one another in times of need. Always.

I’m currently working at a pre-school which is a fun but tiring job. I work with a great group of people. I work with the two-year-olds which is so much fun. Sure, it’s hectic and chaotic but it helps that I work with one of my best friends, as well as the best teacher in the center. We have a great time together and work so well together. Everything just flows.

I’m currently doing Weight Watchers, for the third time. My mom lost 80 pounds (and kept it off) using this program. I just want to be healthy and fit. And I want the other benefits: being skinny, feeling comfortable in my skin, looking hot. I want to lose about 35 pounds and I know it’s not going to be easy. But it will be worth it.

I grew up in a Christian environment. (Although my father wasn’t a Christian or a believer.) My grandparents led Children’s Church. I know the Truth. I believe in a holy and mighty God. And I believe I need God. I just haven’t been living that way for a while. I know I need to change and fall back in love with Jesus. I feel comfortable in the church environment and when I’m around other believers. I don’t feel comfortable in a bar or club. That’s not where my heart and passion lies. I just need a kick in the pants!

I have so many dreams for my life. I want to fall in love. I want to write a best-selling novel. I want to write for a magazine. I want to travel. I want to be a mother. I want to feel comfortable in my skin. I want my life to reflect Jesus.

Categories: About Me

Unfinished Business

So, the awesome Sarah Lynn from Postcards From Far Away has tagged me in a photo meme and given me an award. I haven’t yet written a post on either of these things so I thought I’d finally return the favor! (And plus, it’s Halloween and I have nothing to write about this holiday)

Photo Meme

  1. Go to the first photo album on your computer.
  2. Go to the 10th picture.
  3. Post the picture and tell a story about it.
  4. Tag 5 more people and let them know

So, I had to go to my third photo album since my first two didn’t have 10 pictures in them. This is a photo of my nephew at 8 months old. My mom and I had stopped by my brother’s apartment to spend some time with this butterball. I took him in his room when he was getting fussy and found this hat and it was such a photo op! I had to take a picture! How cute is he in this hat? I took this photo on my cell phone and kept it as my screensaver for months.

Five people to tag: Amber, Amy, Issa, Courtney, and Cassie

For this one, I have questions to answer. I’ll try to be somewhat interesting:

1. Where is your cell phone? It’s in my wallet in the living room.

2. Your hair? It’s in a messy, lopsided ponytail. And my bangs are at the stage where they’re too long to wear as bangs but too short to pull back with my ponytail so currently, they are annoying me to no end!

3. Your mother? My best friend and biggest support system.

4. Your father? Next month will mark 2 years I haven’t spoken to/seen him. I have no idea where he is now, or if he’s even alive.

5. Your favorite food? Publix subs rock my world! I would choose them over “fine food” any day!

6. Your dream last night? I had this really crazy dream that I had this class that I never attended. I went for the first 3 classes and then stopped going until the end of the semester. It felt so real that when I woke up, I reminded myself that it was just a dream and that I have attended that class the whole semester – before realizing I don’t even have that class!

7. Your favorite drink? Coke rules my life.

8. Your dream/goal? Become a published author, fall in love, get married, have some babies.

9. What room are you in? My bedroom.

10. Your hobby? Just one? Um…I’ll go with blogging.

11. Your fear? Dying, tragedy.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Hm…hopefully everything I mentioned in my dreams/goals.

13. Where were you last night? I was at home because I’m COOL like that. I also carved a dreadful-looking pumpkin. Poor thing. He never had a chance.

14. Something you aren’t? A teacher. I know because I tried and failed miserably.

15. Muffins? I love them but only blueberry or double chocolate.

16. Wish list item? An iPod Touch. I see one and drool.

17. Where did you grow up? Around these here parts.

18. Last thing you did? Well, I just came back from a Target shopping trip. Fun, fun.

19. What are you wearing? Lounge pants and a t-shirt. I’m thinking of putting on some white pants and my Peyton Manning jersey to be Peyton Manning for Halloween. Weird.

20. Your TV? It’s off.

21. Your pets? Dutch, my mini-dachshund who is sleeping beside me. He’s going to be a pumpkin for Halloween!

22. Your friends? I don’t have many of those and yesterday I realized why I don’t want any. It’s just easier to be acquaintances and less hurtful.

24. Your mood? Happy.

25. Missing someone? Always.

26. Vehicle? Well, I drive a Mitsubishi Lancer that is in my mom’s name and she pays for. Sometimes, I even let her drive it herself!

27. Something you’re not wearing? Lipstick.

28. Your favorite store? Clothing-wise, Kohls. But Target fulfills all my other needs.

29. Your favorite color? Green.

30. When was the last time you laughed? Sometime today.

31. Last time you cried? I was so close to crying twice at work yesterday. People suck.

32. Your best friend? My best friend is my mom and yes, you should be jealous.

33. One place that I go over and over? Publix. I’m there almost every, single day.

34. One person who emails me regularly? Disqus?

35. Favorite place to eat? Carrabba’s.

Two people to pass on this award: Samantha and Christina

Categories: About Me

I Love…

I think it’s time for another I Love… Mondays. I did my first one in August and feel it was time for another one. I’ll try to get better at doing these more often. Ideally, every Monday but sometimes life gets in the way of that!

I Love… running.

Actually, I don’t. I like the idea of running. And when I see people running, it makes me want to become a runner even more. And those first 30 seconds? Easy as pie. Then the calves start hurting and my breath gets shorter and shorter. And once the stomach cramps start? Forget it. I’m done. But I really, really want to become a runner. I’m not sure I’ll ever love it as much as my mom does but the idea of being a runner? Yeah. I love that.

I Love… the holiday season.


I bought my first ever pumpkin Saturday night. I am determined to carve an adorable little pumpkin face in it, eat some pumpkin seeds, and maybe even make some pumpkin bread! I’ve never done any of those and I’m really excited about it! Alas, I didn’t go to a pumpkin patch to buy my pumpkin but I still get all gooey and excited seeing my pumpkin sitting on the counter. He’s adorable!

As for the specific holidays, Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite. Lots of delicious food, somewhat interesting football games (I’m annoyed we have to sit through the Lions every. single. year.), and family time. I love when family comes down to visit, even though I always build it up so high in my head and am always disappointed. Still, it’s fun and I love it! Soon, we’ll be seeing Thanksgiving commercials on TV, followed by Christmas commercials! I can’t wait!
I Love… soda.
Ugh. I love this delicious beverage so, so much. I’m thinking it’s the carbonation that makes it so yummy but nothing else compares. Honestly, it’s better than alcohol to me. I’ve tried alcohol and it’s just plain nasty to me. Since alcoholism runs in my family, I think it’s God’s way of protecting me from this. Ha. But I really would much rather drink a Coke than a margarita. I’m having such a hard time getting off this stuff. But I really need to!
I Love… shoe shopping.

I’ve never been much of a shoe girl. Just a few pairs to get me through what few outfits I do have. But everytime I walk into Payless or down the shoe aisle in Target (struggling college student alert!), I really want to become a shoe girl. I found this adorable pair of flats at Target that I really desperately wanted to buy. But I was there only to buy a pair of flip-flops so that’s what I did. (Yep…I live in Florida. I buy new flip-flops for the fall/winter.) But I’d really love to build up a shoe collection and start taking some pride in those adorable feet of mine!

I Love… being productive.The weekends are usually my homework days, although it usually takes a backseat to football on Sundays. And I’m usually such a lazybones on Saturday that I sleep in and then spend my day screwing around online. This Saturday, though? I got a whole lot done. A lot of reading and some assignments for school. It felt good.
Your turn: what do you love today?
Categories: About Me

I Love Me Some Meme’s!

So, I love me some meme’s. (TO reference, anyone?) And when I saw this one posted on Just A Titch, I knew I had to steal it and use it for myself. It’s creative (finally, I’m not naming “10 Things You Don’t Know About Me”) and really interesting. Now let’s just hope my answers don’t bore you to tears.

It’s not fall until football starts. But then, when is it really fall in Florida? It’s still in humid, muggy, and feels like a billion degrees outside. We don’t start getting cold weather until December, and even then our “winter” is more of a Northerner’s fall. I really need to move somewhere where all four seasons are defined.

Kelly Preston’s character in the movie For Love of the Game expresses her need to escape NYC because “Summer’s almost over, and I feel like I missed it.” What do you need to do in the waning days of summer for it to feel complete? I’m not really a big fan of summer anymore. I’m either working, taking classes, or working and taking classes. I never have any money to go on vacation somewhere nice. For the past few summers, though, my mom and I have taken mini-vacations in August. Three years ago, we spent a week in a condo on the beach and it was FANTASTIC! This August, we took a “stay-cation” which was relaxing but definitely not as fun as a real vacay.

The person I know is wrong for me but about whom I frequently think after a break-up is nobody…because I don’t have break-ups. Seriously. No boyfriends = no break-ups. I know who I would think about, though, and he’s my best-kept secret.

The US Tennis Open, one of four Grand Slam events in that sport, is currently in the quarterfinal round. If you could only attend one major sporting event what would it be? No question, the SuperBowl. The last SuperBowl was actually played in Tampa and I really wanted to go but tickets are out of this world. But that’s something that’s definitely on my bucket list.

Assuming that you write an anonymous or partially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifying characteristics might you be identified in a bar? Non-physical? OK…I’m very quiet, especially in social situations. You would find me sitting by myself, sending “back off” signals that I really don’t mean to send. Also, I like to seem like I’m popular and important so I might also be playing on my phone, pretending tons of people are texting me, when, in reality, I’m just updating my Twitter.

Most blogs cover some sort of niche – personal, political, dating, culinary, etc. What topic, if any, would you like to address on your blog but doesn’t fit into your niche? I don’t talk about my job much. My real life, it seems, is so much different from my job. Other things are more interesting and I feel like my job is my place to escape. I don’t have to think about school or writing or blogging. I’m just there and hanging out with kids all day. There are times I would like to talk about my work but I don’t feel comfortable doing it. Plus, who wants to listen to stories about so-and-so FINALLY wearing underpants now?

If you could manipulate the time space continuum and give as many as three pieces of advice to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give and to what age of you? Age 12: “Don’t believe a word he says. He is going to let you down, again and again. You are better than him.”; Age 17: “Have you thought about journalism?”; Age 19: “Are you giving this your best shot? Yes, you’re homesick but there are so many opportunities out there!”

How high are your walls? Who was the last person to scale them? What tools should would-be climbers have on their belt? My walls are built like Mount Everest. They are so high, it takes expert “climbers” to even start to make the trek up. My mom is the only person who has ever reached the top, and my brother is still scaling the walls. To even begin to scale them, arm your mind with persistence. I will resist every attempt but please keep trying. Also, make sure you tell me why you care and tell me your back story. I want to know why knowing me is so important to you.

The sexiest thing a man can say to you (or has said to you) is “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…” Joking! (How lame.) I don’t think any man has ever said anything “sexy” to me. My brother has done his best to try to rebuild my self-esteem but my dad has ripped apart any semblence of it. My brother has told me, time and time again, that I am a worthy person and that he loves me. He’s told me that whatever Dad has said to me is worthless. I don’t really want to call my brother’s advice “sexy,” but it’s close!

Now it’s your turn! Man, those questions really made me think! Comment this post if you did it! I want to read your answers!

Categories: About Me

Three Cheers for Awards!

I won a little bloggy award from Just A Titch, where I have to name 10 things about myself and list 10 blogs. I’ll try to be interesting:

1. When I was in 2nd grade and my brother was in 3rd grade, my school had a Spelling Bee. I ended up placing 4th, losing on the word ‘cousin’. (Although, to be fair, my grade used up our entire list of words and had moved on to 3rd grade words when I lost.) My brother ended up winning for his grade. The next year, my mom went Crazy-Mom-On-A-Mission and started quizzing us with words every single night. Every. Single. Night. Honestly, it’s really not my ideal way to spend a school night. She had a notebook filled with words we could spell and words we couldn’t spell. The funniest (but not really) part about this story? That year, the school didn’t even have a Spelling Bee. Thanks, Mom.

2. When I’m at the movies and decide to get popcorn (which is sometimes always), the popcorn stays untouched until the movie begins. My brother does the same thing. Our theory is, we get the popcorn for the movie. Not for the annoying “before-the-movie” commentaries or movie previews. Why would I want to be halfway done with my popcorn before the movie even starts?

3. I sincerely look up to and adore my big brother. He’s just 14 months older than me and growing up, we fought like cats and dogs. But once we hit high school, things got a lot smoother. We have bonded over our ridiculous dad and football. And, really, he’s just an amazing human being. They don’t make a lot of men like him.

4. I spent the first 2 1/2 years of my college career as an education major. I loved the classes but hated my internships. I had to take 3 different ones and each time, they got progressively worse. Halfway through my last one (A.K.A., THIS CLOSE to graduating), I was told by my supervisor that they couldn’t pass me. So I left this major and took up journalism. I really, really wish I hadn’t wasted so much time with that major, though.

5. I have always had a fascination with Russia. When I was in 3rd grade, I went to a museum centered around Russia and I fell in love. I really don’t know what it is about that country that pulls me in but I would love, love, love to visit it someday.

6. I went to a progressive charter high school, starting in 11th grade. In May 4, 2006, I graduated with my high school diploma and two days later, I graduated with my Associate’s degree. I took 5 college classes a semester, which also satisfied my high school credits. It was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I did it.

7. I am extraordinarily good with dates and numbers. I know the birthdates of all twenty of my 2-year-olds and most of the birthdates of my co-workers. One of my co-workers actually quizzed me on this and I aced it! I also know all the schedules of my co-workers. I’ve just always been good with numbers…but this has never, ever made me want to be an accountant. I hate math.

8. My favorite celebrity has been, for a very long time, Kelly Ripa. I can’t always catch her show but when I do, my heart gets all warm and mushy. I love her attitude, her sense of humor, and her body. Holy crap, girl’s got insane arms. I want her arms.

9. My favorite movie is not something inspiring or emotional. It’s not a blockbuster nor will it make you challenge your thinking. It’s Tommy Boy. I love this movie. I can quote it (and my brother and I do, all the time) line by line. I even do a pretty good impression of “My Pet.” Chris Farley was such a great comedic actor and it sucks how his life ended.

10. I’d love to start scrapbooking but I really don’t think I’m creative enough. I also don’t know if my life is interesting enough to scrapbook. I’m not dating/engaged/married. I don’t have any children. I don’t travel. What’s there to scrapbook? My dog?

Now I have to tag 10 blogs. Oh, geez. This should be fun!

1. Passionista at Am I The Only One?
2. Kait at KayBea
3. Steph at Steph In The City
4. Courtney at Sticky Lipgloss
5. Nanny at The Online Nanny Diaries
6. Samantha at A Change of Pace
7. Issa at The Truth Is All That I Can Hear Everytime You Lie
8. Jennifer at Somewhere In Between
9. Sarah at Postcards From Far Away
10. DeMo at Presently DeMo

Whew. That was really hard.