Sunday Steal

1. What Is Your Middle Name & What Is A Middle Name You'd Rather Have Instead? Why? 
If I won't tell you my first name, why would I tell you my middle name? I don't mind my middle name. It's actually the name my mother calls me unless I'm in trouble, and then she calls me by my first and middle name.

2. How Would You Spend $1MM (You Have To Spend Every Penny!) 
 Traveling around the World and eating amazing food.

3. Yellow Light - Speed Up Or Slow Down?? 
Depends on how far away from the light I am.

4. What Was The Last Movie You Saw & What Did You Like/Dislike About It? 
The last movie I saw in a theater was The Shape of Water (2017) and I enjoyed it very much so. But I tend to enjoy most of the films that have Guillermo del Toro's name attached to them.


The last movie I watched at home was The Cloverfield Paradox (2018) on Netflix. It wasn't amazing but it wasn't a total piece of garbage and I enjoyed it for what it was.


5. If A Movie Was Made About You, Who Would Portray You In That Movie? 
A younger Janeane Garofalo.

6. What Is The Strangest Thing You've Eaten & What Did It Taste Like? 
I tried Durian (Which is a smelly fruit native to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia) while I was in Hong Kong. I was made into desserts, so I didn't get the pungent smell that is the biggest complaint about it. But I don't remember enjoying it. It's definitely an acquired taste.

7. What Color Is Your Bathroom? 
Dark teal-green color.

8. If You Could Vacation Anywhere In The World RIGHT NOW, Where Would It Be & Why? 
Right at this very second, I guess I'd wanna be somewhere warm because it's winter. Maybe like somewhere in South America or Australia. If it wasn't cold and I wasn't thinking about it in terms of being in a warm environment, I'd wanna be in Croatia. Which is hopefully going to be our next vacation destination.

9. What Is Your Least Favorite Thing To Cook? 
I don't like cooking meat because I don't eat it.

10. What Is The Dish You Make That Your Family Rolls Their Eyes At? 
Nothing to my knowledge. My family likes my cooking and I always ask what people want to eat.

11. What Are Three Things On Your Bucket List? 

• Visit where my family is from in Cuba
• Become a certified scuba diver
• Take a submarine to where the Titanic currently rests

12. How Many Skeins Of Yarn Do You Think You Are Currently Hoarding? 
I might have like two or three scattered around my apartment. Not too many.

13. Today Is My Birthday. What Virtual Gift Are You Going To Give Me? 
Well my birthday is in less than two weeks, what are you gonna give me?

14. What Is Your Favorite Candy? 
I don't really do candy often but when I do I'll go for like a Take5 candy bar.

15. What Is Your Favorite Time Of The Day & Why? 
The time I get to go home from work, because I'm free...

16. If You Could Call In Sick For A Day, What Would You Do With The Time? 
If I call in sick and I'm not actually sick I'm probably doing something cool. Like that one time I called in sick and waited in line for hours to get tickets to see Foo Fighters at Irving Plaza for the tiny pop up show they did when their HBO documentary/miniseries Sonic Highways (2014) was on.

17. How Much Did Your Last Crafting Run Cost You? 
Um, the last time I crafted something was mine and Justin's Halloween costumes. So like less than $100 for both of us to be The Keymaster and the Gatemaster from Ghostbusters (1984).

18. Can You Play A Musical Instrument & If So, Which One? 
Nope. Which is really sad because my father is a musician.

19. What Is Your Least Favorite Craft That You Still Do? Why? 
I don't do anything that I don't enjoy.

20. If You Could Have Any Job For Just One Day, What Would It Be & What Would You Do?
Maybe a Homicide Detective or an FBI Profiler. Something like that would be fun for a day because murder and stuff like that is fascinating to me (Yes, I'm a creep).

Facebook Bucket List Survey...

Apparently some how I missed this bucket list survey post going around on Facebook and didn't see it until I went to go catch up with what Karen was doing over at A Peek At Karen's World. So I'm stealing it because I love me a good survey.

(X) Shot a gun

I think I was eleven or twelve the first time I shot a gun. I'd actually love to go to a shooting range and take some shots.

(   ) Gone on a blind date

Never.

(   ) Skipped school
Not like skipped skipped school.

(   ) Watched someone die

I have not seen a person die die. I've seen a dying person but I did not witness them actually pass away.

(X) Visited Canada

Yes, but it was only to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

(   ) Visited Hawaii
Nope and I'm not interested in visiting Hawaii.

(   ) Visited Cuba
I have not yet. We have tried to plan a trip because my father was born in Cuba but we just haven't made it yet. Hopefully next year.

(X) Visited Europe

More than once. -- You can read about those here.

(   ) Visited South America

Not yet.

(X) Visited Las Vegas
Twice. 

(X) Visited Central America
Not yet.

(   ) Visited Asia
Not yet but I have my plane tickets to go to Japan and Hong Kong this summer.

(   ) Visited Africa

Not yet.

(X) Visited Florida

Tons of times.

(X) Visited Mexico

Yup. Been to Cancun with my girls. -- You can read about it here.

(X) Seen the Grand Canyon in person

I've seen it from inside a plane flying to Cali.

(   ) Flown in a helicopter

No but I would like to.

(X) Served on a jury

Yup, I was the foreman of a jury when I was like 19 or 20.

(X) Been lost
Yes I have...

(X) Traveled to the opposite side of the country

Yup, I've been to Cali.


(X) Visited Washington, DC
Yup. I went with my mother back in 2012. -- You can read about it here.

(X) Swam in the ocean

I grew up down the block from the beach.

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

Unfortunately yes.

(   ) Played cops and robbers

I don't remember doing so.

(   ) Played cowboys and Indians

Another I don't remember doing.

(X) Recently colored with crayons
I'm a Youth Services Librarian... I color all the time.

(X) Sang karaoke

Um yeah... My sister and I rapped "Drop It Like It's Hot" a few weeks ago.

(   ) Sang a solo or duet in church

Nope.

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
Oh yeah I have.

(X) Made prank phone calls

Of course I have.

(X) Laughed until some beverage came out of your nose

Never actually.

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
Yup.

(   ) Had children

Not yet.

(X) Had a pet

I don't have one now but I have in the past.

(   ) Been skinny-dipping

Nope.

(X) Been fishing

Yup.

(X) Been boating
Indeed I have been boating. I'd love to go yachting...

(   ) Been downhill skiing
Hell no.

(   ) Been water skiing
I would but I have not.

(X) Been camping in a trailer/RV
Yup. We used to sleep in the trailer while Upstate on our rafting trip. Now we sleep in tents.

(X) Been camping in a tent
See above...

(   ) Driven a motorcycle

Never have and I don't want to.

(   ) Been bungee-jumping

Never gonna happen.

(   ) Gone to a drive-in movie

I haven't but I would really like to.

(X) Done something that could have killed you

Many many many times.

(X) Done something that you will regret for the rest of your life

No.

(   ) Rode an elephant

Not as of yet.

(   ) Rode a camel

Nope.

(X) Eaten just cookies or cake or ice cream for dinner

Yeah.

(X) Been on TV

Multiple times.

(X) Stolen any traffic signs

Oh yeah. I had a bunch in my bedroom as a teenager. I might still have some...


(X) Been in a car accident

Yes but thankfully none have been serious.

(   ) Been in the hospital in past 24 months

Not for myself but I was in the hospital while my sister was having surgery last June.

(   ) Donated blood

I can't.

(   ) Gotten a speeding ticket in the past 12 months
I've gotten one but not in the past 12 months.

(X) Gotten a piercing
Just my ears.
Three in one ear, two in the other and my nose.

(X) Gotten a Tattoo

Yup. Thinking about getting another.

(   ) Driven a manual transmission vehicle
Nope. No one will teach me and Justin's car is stick.

(   ) Ever owned your dream car

I wish...

(X) Been Married

Currently am.

(   ) Been divorced

Never gonna happen. One of us is gonna have to die for our marriage to end.

(X) Fell in love

Yes.

(   ) Fell out of love
I've fallen out of really liking someone.

(   ) Paid for a strangers meal
I have not.

(   ) Driven over 100mph

Nope.

(X) Been scuba diving or snorkeling

Never scuba but I've gone snorkeling tons of times.

(   ) Written a published book/story/poetry

Not yet.

(   ) Eaten snails

Nope. Gross.

Getting To Know Me...

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was taking part in a project called Send Something Good that Gentri, Kaitlyn & Kristy are sponsoring/putting together. Well, to make it easier on the person who is sending me a package here is all of the random information that you could want to know about me -- If you've been reading my blog for awhile you may or may not already know these things.

About Me

• I'm a born-and-bred Long Islander
• I'm 27-year-old (My birthday was last month)
• I'm a 90's kid through and through (You can totally tell by my guilty pleasure playlist)
• I'm a Youth Services Librarian (I got my Masters in Library & Information Science last year)
• I love all things zombie
• I always have a camera with me (Canon Rebel T2i, Canon PowerShot 300HS or my iPhone 4)
• I don't read as much as you'd think I would but not because I don't like reading
• I don't have a gallbladder (Found out on my 21st birthday I needed it removed)
• I took a seven country tour of Europe in 2010 as a 25th birthday present to myself
• I have a tattoo on my left ankle (A stack of books with a Dewey Decimal Number under it)
• I'm the oldest of two children (I have a sister who is two years younger than me)
• I paint my nails every other day
• I love shopping in thrift stores
• I'm obsessed with dying my hair (It's currently pink & black)
• My favorite purse is my Louis Vuitton Speedy 30
• Donald Duck is my favorite Disney character
• The only meat product I eat is bacon
• I've been dating my boyfriend Justin for nine years
• Sparklers make me happy
• I'm Cuban, German, Portuguese and Native American
• I carry a Lego Man that I named Raul with me everywhere
• I suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder 
• I love Cheez-Its
• I don't like roller-coasters or other rides that involve falling
• I enjoy karaoke very much so & my go to song is "Fuck Her Gently" by Tenacious D
• I love red lipstick
• I'm pen pals with Lou from Foxy Whiskers
• I've been a Page, Circulation Clerk, Processing Clerk & Librarian Trainee at my library
• I go to at least ten Mets games every baseball season
• I love a good cup of tea
• Ducks are my all time favorite animals
• I love any and all things cherry flavored 
• My family has a eight month old puppy named Nella (She is a beast)
• Glitter makes everything better
• My undergrad degree is in English
• I have a fedora that I take with me whenever I travel (It's been to 8 different countries & various states)

Favorite Books

• "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo
• "Invisible Monsters" by Chuck Palahniuk
• "Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire" by J.K. Rowling
• "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans

Favorite Bands

• Incubus ← I've seen them in concert six (6) times
• Foo Fighters ← I've seen them in concert five (5) times
• Weezer ← I've seen them in concert seven (7) times

Favorite Songs

Favorite Guilty Pleasure Songs (Mostly 90's Music)

Favorite Movies

• The Godfather (1972)
• Halloween (1978)
• Eurotrip (2004)
• Half Baked (1998)
• The Goonies (1985)
• Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
• Clue (1985)

Favorite TV Shows

• Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
• Roswell (1999-2002)
• Arrested Development (2003-2006)
• The Walking Dead (2010-Present)
• True Blood (2008-Present)
• Sailor Moon (1995-2000)

Favorite Quotes

"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star." - Friedrich Nietzsche

"To be great is to be misunderstood." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring." - Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

"Life is an x-rated soap opera." - The World According To Garp by John Irving

"I think pimp, therefore I am pimp." - Katt Williams

"Hysteria is impossible without an audience. Panicking by yourself is the same as laughing alone in an empty room. You feel really silly." - Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk

Things I Collect

• Nail Polish (I own over 200 bottles)
• Matryoshkas (Russian Nesting Dolls)
• Records
• Old Cameras
• Card Catalog Cabinets
• Scrabble Boards
• Mugs
• Headbands (Think Blair from Gossip Girl)
• Shot Glasses *

* = I have shot glasses from the following places...

• Alaska • Austria • Aruba • Belgium • California (Alcatraz, Hollywood & San Diego Zoo) •
• Dominican Republic • Florida (Disney World, Miami, Fort Meyer & Key West) • England •
• France • Germany • Italy • Jamaica • Maryland (Ocean City) • Massachusetts (Salem) •
• Maine (Bar Harbor) • Nevada (Las Vegas & Hoover Dam) •
• New York (The Flanders Duck & Fire Island Light House) • North Carolina •
• Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Hershey, Eastern State Penitentiary & Gettysburg) •
• Puerto Rico • South Carolina • Switzerland • Washington DC (The City & Library of Congress) •

Seven Things...

If you've ever checked out Gentri's blog (Gentri Lee) you know that she has a "Seven Things" post with questions and such. I enjoyed it so much that I decided that I wanted to participate, so here are my answers to her seven things...

1. Pick a boyfriend: Edward Cullen, Peeta Mellark, or Harry Potter
I don't know anything about Peeta, I hate Edward, so that leaves Mr. Harry Potter.

2. If you HAD to have a crazy hairdo, what hairdo would you choose and why?
I love odd hair styles -- Obviously, my hair is currently pink and black. So maybe something like this from Ricci Hair because it is just so crazy and beautiful...

(via: Carol Chan)

3. If you could be a celebrity what would you like to be celebrated for?
(Dance, Singing, Acting, Reality TV, Political Leader, etc)
Singing,there seems to be less pressure than being an actress in my opinion.

4. Be honest - Do you brush and floss your teeth daily?
I brush every day, but I don't always floss.

5. What is one fear you are working to overcome?
My fear of spiders. They are supposed to be good luck and a symbol of the goddess.

6. White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, or Semi-Sweet??
I'm not really a big fan of chocolate, but I'm gonna have to go with dark chocolate.

7. What is one trend you wish you could pull off?
Peplum skirts and dresses. They are super cute but I don't have the body to wear them.

11 Things...

I saw this 11 thing question thingy over at Little Chief Honeybee and wanted to do it. Here was go...

THE RULES...
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them you've tagged them.

11 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME...

1. I want to get my PhD in Library and Information Science because I want to forced everyone to call me Doctor.

2. I'm over 6 inches taller than my sister. I'm not super tall or anything, she is just short.

3. My favorite animals are ducks and I've wanted one as a pet for as long as I can remember, but my parents wouldn't let me have one. Hopefully one day I can have a house with a big ol' yard so I can eventually get myself a pet duck.

4. The only meat I eat is bacon and it has to be crispy, if it isn't crispy I won't eat it.

5. On my 21st birthday (Which was on a Saturday) I found out that I needed my gall bladder removed. Instead of having emergency surgery like the ER doctor suggested I went back to campus (Yup, I was away at college when this all happened), got my friends and had a birthday party. The next day Patrick & my sister (Who came up to visit me for my birthday) drove me back to Long Island. I was admitted to the ER on Monday morning and I had my gall bladder removed Tuesday afternoon. So, March 7th is the 6-year anniversary of me loosing my gall.

6. I have a sick obsession with ghosts, cemeteries and the idea of witchcraft.

7. The Random House Book of Poetry for Children is one of my favorite books from my childhood and I own two copies of it -- I have more than one copy of it because I thought I lost my original copy and bought myself another copy, then I found the original copy and I was annoyed.

8. If I have a daughter I am going to name her Lola in honor of my grandmother.

9. When I evacuated my house because Hurricane Irene I made sure to take my cat's ashes with me because I couldn't bare the thought of loosing what I have left of her -- I had her for 18-years of my life and I loved her more than I love Justin, so not taking them was never an option.

10. I have a collection of random kitchy kitchen items that I am saving for when Justin and I finally move in with each other. I have oven mitts with Japanese food characters on them, odd cookie cutters, mugs & glasses, a ceramic pancake warmer, etc.

11. I love melted Polly-O mozzarella (Chunks of Polly-O melted in a microwave on a plate) and saltines. It's delicious and I wish I had some right now.

THE 11 QUESTION...

1. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?
Totally. If you read the description of a Pisces you have read an accurate description of me.

2. If you could teleport to any time and place, where would you go and why?
I would love to be on the Titanic before all the chaos. So, April 10th 1912 to April 14th 1912.

3. What are the three closest items to you right now?
My blanket, iPhone and the TV remote.

4. If you had a spirit animal, what would it be?
I'd totally be a wolverine.
5. What is your earliest childhood memory?
I'm totally blanking on my childhood right now.

6. Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years?
I'm hoping to be the head of the youth services department at my library.

7. Have you kept in touch with your childhood best friend(s)?
No. She and I had a falling out long ago. But I am still friends with my friends from middle school and high school (Erin, Phil, Patrick, etc.)

8. If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?
Creative. Loud. Domineering. Chaotic. Cuban.

9. Describe your idea of a perfect day: Where would you go, what would you do, who would you do it with?
My perfect day would consist of me having off from work, some beautiful weather, Justin/Erin/Phil/"Favorite Page #1"/My Sister, my camera, a cemetery/NYC/yummy food/etc. All of that stuff makes me happy.

10. What kind of "weird" foods do you like?
I love this dessert called dulce de leche cortada. It is cooked sweetened curdled milk. It sounds really gross but it is so yummy. It's a Cuban thing...

11. Do you collect anything? If so, what?
I collect a lot of things... LPs, Russian nesting dolls, old cameras, jade Buddhas, shot glasses, nail polish, makeup, etc.

MY 11 QUESTIONS...

1. Who is your favorite author?
2. Do you remember your dreams? If so, what did you dream about last?
3. What did you want to be when you grew up?
4. What is your favorite article of clothing?
5. If you could have one superpower what would it be?
6. What is your ultimate comfort food?
7. Do you suffer from any phobias?
8. As a child did you have an imaginary friend?
9. What is your favorite sound?
10. Could you go a week without going on the internet?
11. What would your "last meal" be?

I tag: Lou, Jess, Mandi, Jessica, Kaity & any of you lovelies that wants to do it.

Questions For A Bookworm...

I saw that Sophie from Her Library Adventure had this survey up and I just had to do it.

If you could ask a favourite author just one
question, what would it be?
Chuck Palahniuk, how do you come up with all of this screwed up stuff?! I love it!

If an author gave you the chance to rewrite or to
change the fate of a book character, who would you chose?
Hedwig wouldn't have died in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.

Did your parents read stories to you when you were little?
If yes are there any special ones you remember the most?
My father used to make up stories for my sister and I. So the stories I remember the most were there Spanish stories that my Abuela used to read my sister and I. I honestly don't know the name of the book. All I know is that she read us these stories about witches and such from this old yellow book she had.

What do you like more the smell of old antiquarian books
or the smell of new fresh ones you just bought?
Old books hands down. There is nothing like the smell of old books.

You get the opportunity to choose between to secret talents: either to be able to make things come to life through reading them or the gift to read yourself into a book. Which one would you like to have?
I think I'd like to be able to read myself into a book. I'd have a ball exploring the worlds of my favorite books.

Do you have a favourite children’s book or a favourite fairy tale?
I love Madeline by by Ludwig Bemelmans, just about every
Mo Willems book and The Random House Book of Poetry for Children.

Someone would talk to your friends and ask them
to compare you to a book character.
With who do you think would they compare you?
My father would tell you I'm like Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl at times. Which unfortunately is true.

Tell me the name of a writer who you would like to have as a friend.
I think I'd like to have F. Scott Fitzgerald as a friend or maybe Stephen King.

You can hide in a written down world for only one
night into which world do you escape?
Oh, this one is hard. I'd love to party at Gatsby's, but I would also want
to wander around Wonderland or maybe visit Oz.

You have to flee to an unknown place and all you can
take with you are three books of all the ones you own.
Which three ones do you put into your bag?
#1. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
#2. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
#3. The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll by Lewis Carroll

Tag! You're It!...

I saw that Gentri Lee had done this over on her blog and I figured I'd do too it since I really don't have any patrons around to keep me busy today. Plus she tagged all of her readers, so I have to do it...

#1. What's a nickname only your family calls you?
If I told you then you'd be able to figure out my actual name! And you all know
I can't tell you for my own safety, I write tons of crap about my coworkers here.
Sorry guys...

#2. What's a weird habit of yours?
I constantly am moving my feet when I'm sitting down.
My college roommate used to say that I was "swimming" when it did it.

#3. Do you have any weird phobias?
Ehh... Some people think it's weird that I don't like elevators...

#4. What's a song you secretly LOVE to blast
& belt out when you're alone?
I love 90's pop music. So I end up blasting a lot of Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys & N'SYNC.

#5. What's one of your biggest pet peeves?
It drives me crazy when Justin bites his nails.

#6. What's one of your nervous habits?
I clench my jaw. Thus the TMJD that I suffer from.

#7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
At home I sleep in the middle of my king size bed.
At Justin's I sleep on the left side of his queen size bed.

#8. What was your first stuffed animal & it's name?
I don't remember an animal animal... I have a doll that I've had since
I was a baby and her name was Mary Cherry (She has cherries on her dress).

#9. What's the drink you ALWAYS order at Starbucks?
When it's warm I order black tea lemonade unsweetened.
When it's cold I order caramel apple spice with whipped cream.

#10. What's the beauty rule you preach..
but never ACTUALLY practice?
Base coat before putting on nail polish, but I always forget and just paint my nails.

#11. Which way do you face in the shower?
Huh? I face the shower head... What an odd question...

#12. Do you have any 'weird' body 'skills'?
I have excellent dexterity in my feet. I pick things up all the time with them.

#13. What's your favorite 'comfort food'/food
that's 'bad' but you love to eat it anyways?
Elbows with butter and mozzarella. My Abuela used to
make it for me all the time. It makes me think of her.

#14. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?
"What planet do you live on?!" and/or "True story..."
Oooh ohhh! And "I'm a spic, I will get stabby with you..."

#15. Time to sleep- what are you ACTUALLY wearing?
Tank top and panties. All year long.

ABC's Of The Misfit...

A. Age: 26

B. Bed size: King, all to myself.

C. Chore that you hate: Folding and hanging laundry.

D. Dogs: I am not a fan of dogs, I'm a total cat person.

E. Essential start to your day: Shower.

F. Favorite color: Hot pink and black (I'm really 16-years-old inside).

G. Gold or Silver: Gold. I want the gold!

H. Height: 5’5.5"

I. Instruments you play: None, I was a chorus kid.

J. Job title: Youth Services Department Librarian Trainee

K. Kids: None, but I bet I know how to handle them better than most.

L. Live: New York

M. Mother’s name: Now, if I won't tell you mine why would I tell you hers?

N. Nicknames: Misfit

O. Overnight hospital stays: Once.

P. Pet peeve: Stupid people.

Q. Quote from a movie: “Nothing is what it seems” – The Labyrinth.

R. Right or left handed: Right.

S. Siblings: Little sister.

T. Time you wake up: 7:45am when I work 9am-5pm/11:45am when I work 1pm-9pm

U. Underwear: Whatever is clean.

V. Vegetable you hate: Broccoli.

W. What makes you run late: My father.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth, right knee and left ankle.

Y. Yummy food that you make: Lots! Spinach fish, cakes, black bean & corn salsa, etc.

Z. Zoo animal: Do ducks count? I love ducks.