Although I don’t usually do things like these, I do like reading them about others, and thought maybe all of you would like getting to know me a little better. Plus, the adorable Kristin of SuperSpaceChick.com nominated me to participate, so who am I to say no? 😉 There were a lot of questions, so I shortened it down to the ones I thought were most interesting and that I don’t tend to share here on the blog. I won’t nominate anyone, but I hope you all enjoy a little look into the Meli behind Melificent!
FOUR JOBS I’VE HAD
- Receptionist at a law firm; My first dip into a job (away from my father’s business) was in a commercial real estate firm as a receptionist. Super exciting, right? I remember the office not having any windows at all. It was dark and cold and overall, the worst. However, thanks to my OCD, I became a little enamored with putting together closing packets and got really, really good at them. Silver lining, I guess?
- Behavior technician; When I was about 18 years old, I took a job away from the law firm and working with kids on the spectrum for the very first time. I knew I wanted to major in psychology, but this job introduced me to the world of ABA and behavior analysis. I instantly fell in love and knew this was what I wanted to do. However, I had a very bad boss that took the wind out of my sails and made me question that decision after a couple of years…
- Clinical coordinator; Which led me to go back to the realm of clinical psychology. I worked as a clinical coordinator at a therapeutic foster care agency for 5 years. It was so rewarding at first, and then the complete opposite. It was day in and day out of feeling like I was hitting a brick wall repeatedly and not making a difference in anyone’s lives despite working so hard to do so. I knew I needed a change and remembered how fulfilled I felt when I was working as a behavior tech with kids on the spectrum.
- Behavior analyst; That led me to a complete career change. I went back to school, collected experience hours and and sat for 2 very grueling exams after the age of 30 to start working as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I absolutely love what I do (even though it can be very stressful and frustrating at times), and it makes me feel like I am helping others on a daily basis – a feeling that really drives me.
FOUR THINGSÂ I DON’T EAT
- Anything with gluten; Through blood work in my late 20’s, I was diagnosed as being gluten intolerant. It has been a war ever since, trying to avoid it as best as possible despite being an extreme lover of all foods. I miss a whole lot of stuff and sometimes I cheat, but I’ve been squeaky clean since finding out I was pregnant 6 months ago. I fantasize about drinking all the beers and eating all the burgers.
- Strawberries; I still felt sick even after doing blood work, so I decided to go for a comprehensive exam that tested my body’s reaction to over 300 different foods, chemicals and environmental factors. It turned out I was allergic to a whole slew of foods that can be found in basically…everything. Strawberries is one of them. Cue sad music.
- Vanilla; This was also on my list – do you know how hard it is to avoid vanilla?? It’s basically in everything. It doesn’t help that this was categorized as being on my “severe” list, so I really can’t ingest it or my stomach goes into immediate rejection mode.
- Lemonade; Aside from all my food intolerances and allergies, there are some things I just dislike (but very, very few). Lemonade is one of those things and I know that’s pretty weird. I just can’t stand the taste and find it entirely too bitter. However, I totally love Starbucks’ iced tea lemonade like there is no tomorrow. Who understands taste buds, amiright?
FOUR THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR
- Being a mom; This is clearly the most obvious one, right? This is a whole new, terrifying but exciting journey that I’ll be entering with my husband and I can’t wait to chronicle it all with you. Sometimes the thought of this new role keeps me up at night, but most of the time, it makes me smile pretty wide.
- The Geekie Awards; I am beside myself with my nomination for this year’s Geekies and still can’t believe this is reality and that it actually happened. Even if I don’t win (there is some stiff competition), just the fact that I was included in this elite group of 5 in my category is enough to really boost my confidence about this blog and its content. This is just the beginning for Melificent!
- The Sherlock Christmas special; OK, I had to include a silly one in the mix. I am such a huge Sherlock fan and even though its not coming back 100%, we are getting one special Christmas episode and it is taking us back to the proper Arthur Conan Doyle time period in which the stories were written. If past episodes have been an indicator, we are definitely in for a treat!
- Girl Bossing; I’m feeling a lot more confident as a whole in my abilities lately and I cannot wait to use this newfound confidence to push my career(s) forward. I don’t know exactly what that entails, but that kind of makes it even more exciting.
FOUR PLACES I’VE VISITED
- Romania; I can say I’ve been here, but it was on a work trip where I saw the inside of an apartment and a child’s school for 2 weeks. However, the trip itself symbolizes something very big for me: independence and confidence. It took me long enough, but I finally feel like I can take on any challenge thrown my way – even a trip alone to the other side of the world where I was treated like garbage every day. But guess what? I survived. I did it. And now I know I don’t want to do it again. 😉
- St. Lucia; What a gorgeous place! The hubs and I ended up on this island as part of a Western Caribbean cruise for our 1 year anniversary and I’m so glad it was part of our itinerary. I had never been out of the country, much less to such an amazing locale. My only regret is that we didn’t get to stay longer than a few hours. One day we’ll be back!
- London; This has to be my most favorite place on Earth, and I’m sure those of you that have followed my blog have realized that. I’ve been twice with the hubs on our European travels and every time just gets better. What gets worse? Leaving. I’ve cried both times.
- Barcelona; This was my first taste of Europe, and it couldn’t have been a better one. I was just in awe of everything I saw. I tried my absolute best to retain it all, take mental images that would stay with me always because it felt so magical. Thankfully, I’ve felt the same every single time I’ve traveled.
FOUR THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
- My computer; This is a big duh! As a blogger (& also for my job job), I cannot breathe without my laptop. When it was stolen from me last year in San Francisco, I felt like a limb had been removed. If it isn’t my phone (which should have honestly been on this list), you will find me glued to a computer screen.
- Books; If you want to find your way into my heart, buy me a book. I can’t tell you how happy I am to get lost in one as often as possible. It is the best form of escapism and has been such a big part of my life since learning how to read during summer tutoring (yeah, I had a hard time). I can’t wait to introduce my child to the amazing world of literature!
- Ice Cream; As I mentioned above, I have some serious food issues, so when I find a simple pleasure I can actually consume, you better believe I will. I don’t particularly like sweets, but am obsessed with ice cream. This makes it hard for me because vanilla is in almost every flavor (and a lot of ice cream has gluten – what gives?). However, I found out that Cold Stone’s Sweet Cream does not have either. Hallelujah! My sweet husband has been going in every 2 weeks or so to buy me a pint since I got pregnant. He’s a keeper.
- Music; I adore music just as much as books. It’s also been just as important in my life so far. Any day can be made a better one if you listen to the right music (although the opposite can occur as well – so watch out!). It gives me words when I have none, comfort when I feel alone, and all the right (or wrong) feels.
FOUR PET PEEVES
- People that drive slow; I don’t know if this peeve came about from living in Miami or my family’s penchant for speeding, but I just can’t handle someone moseying along at speed limit. For this reason, I often offer to drive because I physically cannot take being in someone’s passenger seat while they are driving slow. I want to claw my eyes out and jump out of the window. It’s pretty bad. So take it as a compliment if I’ve ever let you drive me somewhere more than once.
- Dry hands rubbing against paper towels; My mother used to do this all the time and it gave me goosebumps. There’s something about the sound of dry hands against paper towels that makes all my hairs stand on end. Thankfully I don’t have to hear it often because I don’t know anyone else that does it, but on the rare occasion that it has happened, I’ve had to walk away immediately. I’m a weirdo, I know.
- Naps; I detest naps as much as a 5 year old. First off, I can’t nap. I just lay there, in a half awake, annoying state. And if I manage to fall asleep, a nap is never enough. I have to sleep for hours and when my alarm goes off, I am extremely upset and stay that way for all the hours I should have been sleeping. Overall, not a good idea for me. Thankfully I have enough energy to not really ever need them, unless I’m jet lagged, have been day drinking or in my 1st trimester of pregnancy.
- Intolerance & close mindedness; Although this is the last on the list, it is the one that bothers me the most. Nothing boils my blood like someone spouting hateful things about a group of people from a place of ignorance. It’s one of the key things I plan on teaching my child. I want her to be understanding, loving and compassionate. I can’t tell you how many terrible things I overhear on a daily basis that makes me cringe and ultimately, makes me very sad. Why can’t we love each other?
B. says
I can’t do short naps either. I don’t understand “power naps.” If I’m going to nap, it’s going to be for a few hours, not minutes!
♡ Kristin ♡ says
SAME! Anytime I’ve ever tried taking a nap I end up waking up feeling awful and going back to sleep until the next day!
♡ Kristin ♡ says
<3 <3 <3 So happy to read your answers for this tag!
melificent says
Of course, my dear!
melificent says
Man, I’m so glad I’m not alone! Every other adult seems to love them!