The Winner Takes It All [ABBA]

I got a lovely little note this evening from Sara at A Note on the Screen Door that she had awarded me this Beautiful Blogger award. If you haven't been by her blog before, you really ought to. She's quite funny, really sweet, and full of awesome recipes I only wish I had the opportunity to try out right now!

Okay, for the rules of this award:

- Thank the blogger who gave you the award and make sure to link back to them (check)

- Pass it on to 15 other beautiful bloggers who you've recently discovered. Link them & notify them about their award.

- Share 7 interesting facts about yourself.

This is perfect, because I really wanted to write a post today, but couldn't for the life of me sit myself down and write out a coherent narrative. I blame the tediousness of doing nothing all day. It makes your brain rot - so, keep on thinking!

Okay, here we go!

1. I really do love my cat Phoenix in the same manner most people love their children. Being here in Budapest, spending two years without her is torture. My parents put the phone up to her when we're talking and make sure to show her to me on skype whenever we chat. She's the most amazing cat I could have asked for.

2. My worst bad habit is that I still bite my fingernails. Gross, right? I've tried a bazillion ways to stop, but it seems that when I'm anxious or nervous or stressed out I do it without even thinking about it.

3. I'm trying to figure out a way to ensure that my thesis deals with something that will get me back to Rome. Is that bad of me? I mean, what I'm studying is interesting, and if I can center it around a city I love, why not? Right? (Please validate this line of thinking for me!)

4. I am horribly afraid of needles. And before you get to the question why the heck do you want to be a doctor then? Let me clarify - I am horribly afraid of needles pointing at me. I do try to overcome this fear when I go to the doctors offices to have shots or blood drawn. I even, last August, went and donated blood - which turned out to be quite the experience and resulted in my only almost passing out experience ever. But, that's a story for another day.

5. I think in my young-old age I'm becoming an adrenaline junkie. I want nothing more than to learn how to do tricks on a half pipe, ski jump, ride the craziest roller coasters, fly jets. This is probably not healthy, right? But would it be so bad? No, I don't think this is a quarter life crisis. It's not about some sort of soul searching. I just want that adrenaline high.

6. I think life would be better if we all had our own theme music. You know, a certain song that would play when we entered or exited a room. A set of chords that would pulse louder and louder when things were getting a little too scary. Music that would play when we were beginning to fall in love. I dunno, it just seems like we ought to have a little more music in our lives. My playlist of the moment includes (but is not limited to): The Temptation of Adam - Josh Ritter, American Honey - Lady Antebellum, Alone - Glee Cast, The Chain - Ingrid Michaelson, Monster - Lady Gaga, and Here (In Your Arms) - HelloGoodbye.

7. Though it hurts me to say this, if for some reason the Tar Heels don't make it to the NCAA finals this year (which, I believe they might still be able to salvage their season and get their blue & white butts there), I'll be rooting for my dad's team: the University of Kentucky Wildcats. I'm doing this for the love of my family. Even though after UNC beat UK in 2005 and went on to win the National Title, dad didn't talk to me for a whole week. I think that may be the longest we've ever gone without speaking. What college basketball will do to a family.

Now, for the fifteen beautiful bloggers I'd love to pass this on to. I wish I had the energy (and initiative) to write a little note about why each of you in particular deserve this award. But I'll sum it up to this: I just love reading all of you guys! You're all so awesome and so different in your unique little ways and quirks. Anyone who's read this far - you must read all these blogs!

- A Little Piece of Sunshine

- An Italian Strawberry Living in PA

- Chapter Twenty Something

- Chasing After Fireflies

- Emily And JJ

- From This Side of the Pond

- Goodbye Animosity

- The Kimichi Chronicles

- Kurt & Amy

- Life Is Beautiful

- Life, Love, and Polka Dots

- Live, Laugh, Love

- Paige's Page

- Southern Comfort

- Tangles Out