ME

NLJ you've inspired me!

Amanda is for my maternal great-grandmother, Julia Amanda.

My other maternal great-grandmother, Mary Julia (shouldn't I have been named Julia?), used to sing for the king and queen of Germany before heading for America. She was only in her teens - very cool, no?

They almost named me Amanda Lynn until they said it fast. Personally, I think it would have been rather appropriate to name me after a musical instrument!

I play five musical instruments well, but know how to play a little of five others.

My favorite chords are Dbmaj9 and Gbmin7.

I love theatre and dance, too. I was even a cheerleader.

Yes, I know I don't seem the type.

I like to dance so much, I actually still do the Grind workout tapes.

Stop laughing. (However, I do think that Eric Nies is an overgrown meathead with no rhythm whatsoever.)

I was conceived in Cleveland (or maybe LaCrosse) during a road trip to Pittsburg, PA, where my dad lived in junior high. They had tried for a baby for 3 years and had just decided to adopt when Mom started getting sick...

This is something I never needed to know. Thanks Dad.

I could have had my BA in music for free, but now I've gone to six colleges and still don't have one.

I have never left the Midwest except for two trips to Florida.

But I'm goin' to San Diego next month to visit my sistah!

If it kills me. (It might.)

I still wonder how my life would be if I'd have moved to NYC.

Same goes for Seattle.

Next on the itinerary are Italy and Boston.

I also despise bad grammar...and I'm claustrophobic.

There are days I think I could move into a tent on a riverbank and live there happily for the rest of my life, as long as I could see the stars at night, listen to the water, and have something to write in. A piano would be nice. Emma could come along.

I often pause during my day, close my eyes and say to myself, "May I be awake in this moment just as it is."

In fact, sometimes I put my hands over my stomach and tell myself that my children are already here. I tell them I can't wait to meet them.

That felt really self-expository.

My fridge is plastered with self-made quotation magnets, the "Healing Words" set of Magnetic Poetry, and pictures by my godkids! My favorite line of random words reads, "be_still_and_know_a_whole_aware_strong_heart"

I have cheated death thrice. I'm still pretty scared of large bodies of water. Carbon monoxide poisoning sucks. Helicopter rides suck worse.

There are two moments in my life that I count as "bests." One was my first standing ovation. Two was when Derek said he loved my smile.

I still think about being a doctor. Or a pharmacist. Or a physical therapist. Or a nurse-midwife. I could happily teach anatomy & physiology for the rest of my life.

I always wanted to teach Spanish - or any foreign language for that matter!

I can read and sing in six languages.

But in German, Latin, and French, I rarely know what I'm saying.

I have worked as a day care provider, in fine collectable retail, as a pharmacy tech, a nanny, a tour guide, a telecounselor, a nursing assistant, a chef, and as an EMT.

Speaking of chef work, I could also own un ristorante! The more exotic, creative, and elegant, the better!

Maybe I'll just drive ambulances forever. I think that makes me sad.

I put garlic and red pepper in everything. I could dip anything in honey mustard. Artisan breads, granolas and trail mixes...mmmmmm.

Feed me mushrooms or cilantro and you'll be sorry.

I also slice the frosting off of everything. Mom says I've done this since I was a toddler.

In my life, collectively, I've lost 237 pounds.

I love my humongous family - all 7 aunts, 10 uncles, 17 cousins, and [something like] 60 second cousins. Love them in all their dysfunctional, loving glory.

My sister says on her page that my life "resembles what true courage and determination are about"...and I thought she was nuts. Maybe I don't tell my siblings often enough how I really feel about them.

You're both kinda incredible.

And I am one of the most tenacious people I know.