3.15.2016

Five Years

Happy Tuesday, readers!

Please excuse my blog absence last week. I had the flu and barely even opened my computer all week. I'm now back to the grind, and other than a slight lingering cough, am well. Thank goodness. It was my first time having the flu in 10 years and really knocked me down!

Today I am posting with exciting news...today my blog turns 5! I can't believe all the ways that writing this little blog has enriched my life! I have met amazing people because of blogging and have learned so much.

This is such a special place for me and I appreciate all of you for following along.

I thought in honor of 5 years, it would be fun to fill out the same survey that I did in my very first "Welcome!!" post (read here). In some ways, I am so similar to who I was 5 years ago, and many answers have remained the same. In other ways, I have grown and changed. I appreciate each and every one of you that have joined me in this journey so far! Can't wait to see what the next 5 years bring for both me and Alexandra Bee Blog.

How about some doughnuts to celebrate?


FIRST NAME?
Hopefully you've picked up on this from reading the blog, but my first name is Alexandra, and I go by Allie as a nickname.
NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes, my middle name is Bennett after Barbara Bennett, my mother's godmother.
WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
Anyone else mourning the loss of Downton Abbey? I last cried watching the second to last episode of Downton Abbey when Mary visited Matthew's grave.
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Yes, my handwriting is a quick mix of print "teacher handwriting" and cursive.
DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
Yes, I have a gratitude journal I keep by my bed. I did a really good job of recording what I was grateful for at bedtime each night early last year. I need to start opening it up and writing in it again! It was a great way to wind down and end even the worst days on a happy note.
DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
I wouldn't say I'm a sarcastic person, but definitely can be at times depending on the situation and who I am with.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I would totally bungee jump! I'm actually a bit of a daredevil, and on a similar daring note, my dad and I are planning to go skydiving this spring!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but I can't remember the last time I had it! During the week, I eat Rice Chex each  morning on the way to work.
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Most of my shoes don't have laces, but when I do wear my tennis shoes or duck boots, I never untie them when taking them off.
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes, I'd like to think I've overcome a lot...and have overcome even more since writing that 5 years ago.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
My favorite ice cream is a Richmond classic, Gelati Celesti and Bryce and I regularly treat ourselves to it in the summer at Boyer's Ice Cream & Coffee that's right around the corner from our house. I usually get a cup that has half Cookie Dough and half Oreo. When they have Cinnamon, I swap that out for the Oreo. Their ice cream is the best ever...a delicious mix between gelato and ice cream.
SHOE SIZE?
8
RED OR PINK?
Pink, of course!
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I can be judgmental at times. I'll still say that's one of my biggest flaws, but I also tend to be a worrier and over-analyzer. Overall the analytical side to my personality is a positive, but it can get me in trouble sometimes.
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My Grandpa Rex. I still miss him so much to this day and hate that he and Bryce never had the chance to meet. They have so much in common and I know my grandpa would be so happy for me to have found Bryce.
WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I am wearing black and white printed ankle pants with my black patent leather Revas. I don't wear black a lot, but I'm laughing right now, because when I wrote this 5 years ago, I was wearing a black printed jersey dress!
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The sound of my typing.
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Crayola Tickled Pink
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL?
I'd have to say baby smell...particularly babies right after a bath!
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
I spoke to Bryce briefly earlier today. What's even crazier to think about is when I wrote this 5 years ago, I hadn't even met Bryce yet!
FAVORITE SPORT?
Volleyball
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope, I, knock on wood, have perfect vision. I wouldn't mind having a pair of cute reading glasses, though.
FAVORITE FOOD?
Oh goodness, this is a tough one. I have expanded my palate SO much in the last five years. When I first wrote this I listed mac-n-cheese, chicken parmesan, and crabcakes. Those are still all favorites, but I would definitely now add scallops, roasted asparagus, and anything with truffle oil to the list.
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?
I love a good scary, thriller style movie, but would say I'm more often drawn to a happy ending these days.
SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer for sure. I am always the happiest in the summertime.
HUGS OR KISSES?
That's a tough one, but I do feel that there are few things a good hug can't fix.
FAVORITE DESSERT?
Tiramisu and ice cream are still two definite favorites, but since discovering cookie dough stuffed rice krispies, I have to say they might take the lead. Get the recipe for those here.
WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
I just finished Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews. I'd been doing a lot of heavy reading for my book club lately, and this was a great quick, escape read while sick with the flu. I've got My Year with Eleanor: A Memoir, this month's book club selection, on hold at the library now and am going to pick it up after work.
WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?
The Bachelor Season Finale...crazily enough that was the same answer as 5 years ago! I'm trying to remember who the bachelor was that year. That year, I was an RA and hosted my RA friends within my association for the finale. Last night, I was also with good friends, so that's a win-win in my book.
FAVORITE SOUNDS?
If you've read my blog for a while, you know I'm terrible at picking favorites. Though this probably wouldn't be my very favorite sound, all I can think about right now is Widespread Panic radio on Pandora. Last night, I jammed out while getting ready for The Bachelor. Some of my favorites that came on last night were Shakedown Street, Atlantic City, and Soulshine.
FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?
Homburg, Germany is still the answer. I'm dying to trek across the globe again, though, and visit Italy!
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I wrote compassion 5 years ago, which I do think is true, but also sounds so pretentious, haha! I honestly can't think of any special "talents" per se. I'm really good with kids!? I guess it's a good thing I never was a pageant girl!
WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
I was born on November 28, 1988 in Richmond, Virginia...the same place that I still call home today!

Have a great day and thanks for making these 5 years of Alexandra Bee Blog such a joy!
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