Since I’ve been doing this for two years (wow!) already, I figured maybe it’s time to get to know me a bit better! Here’s 25 things about me that you may or may not already know!
1. I am 50% Greek.
My grandma (Yiayia) came to the U.S. when she was a teenager with her aunt and some of her cousins. We were raised speaking Greek & English and also went to Greek School on Saturday mornings from Kindergarten through 6th grade! And yes, we are stereotypically proud of our Greek heritage.
2. I am one of three girls.
I am the middle of three sisters. My older sister, Christina, is two years older than me and works as a NICU nurse. She’s getting married in the fall and we’re so excited! Ariel is my younger sister by three years and works as a pediatric Occupational Therapist! She just got married this past year and I can’t wait to help decorate her new house.
3. I met my husband, Todd, during my senior year of college.
We had been working together over summers at Blarney Island (a bar in the middle of a lake) for the previous 3 years, but never really spoke or hung out (he’s 9 years older). We started talking at an employee training meeting. A week or two later, I stayed after work one night and went out with him and some of his cousins whom I had known since grade school, and we hit it off! I asked him on a date, and the rest is history!
4. I taught high school Biology & Human Anatomy for five years.
Before staying at home, I taught high school science and LOVED it! I decided to stay home because I wanted to be able to be home with my boys during their early years and also, having three under three is pretty difficult to have full time childcare for! I’m definitely planning on going back within the next couple of years because I definitely miss it!
5. I’ve been in a book club for almost 6 years.
My friend and “un-cousin” (cousin by marriage), Holly, started a book club for a small group of us and it has been going strong ever since. We joke that it has sometimes become less about the books and more about the food/drinks and get-togethers (which have been via zoom for the past few months), but still, being a part of this group has reignited my love for reading! I’ve also jumped into 3 other more specifically-focused book clubs since then!
6. I love doing makeup.
I discovered my passion for makeup right after graduating from undergrad about 10 years ago. I started off by watching YouTube makeup gurus, started testing out different brands and products, and even have done a few of my friends' makeup for their weddings! (Also did the makeup of one of my own bridesmaids for my wedding to help distract me from being nervous!)
7. I can play the piano & clarinet.
While I started by playing the violin, I don't count that as an instrument that I can still play. I started playing the clarinet in 5th grade and continued through my sophomore year in high school. I also learned how to play the piano from my grandma and continued teaching myself different songs throughout the years. I can often play-by-ear, without sheet music.
8. I moved to a new town when I was 10.
I grew up in Melrose Park, IL, and then our family moved to Lake Villa in 1998. It was a huge change-- our house was not built until November, but we started at our new school in August. My mom drove us the hour-long ride to school and back each day, so that we could avoid switching schools mid-year. I had to make new friends and basically start over, but I will always be grateful for my parents’ decision! I ended up moving back to Antioch (the town my high school is in) after college and we are raising our boys here too.
9. My husband’s family is HUGE (and mine is really not)
Contrary to the “Big, Fat, Greek Wedding”, my family is not really that large, especially in comparison to my husband’s family. Just on his dad’s side, there are 130 direct descendants from his grandparents! (Plus number 131 is on the way!) That does not include spouses, either. So, you can imagine what that family reunion looks like! It’s amazing and I love it!
10. I’m the opposite of a “picky-eater”
I absolutely love trying new foods! Ever since I met Todd, I have been more open to trying a variety of foods. Growing up, we pretty much stuck to some main staples, but now, I love almost every type of new food I try. My favorite meal has to be sushi or any Greek food, though!
Well, I hope you enjoyed learning something new about me! Thank you all for continuing to support my blog! It means a lot and I continue to enjoy doing this!
1. I am 50% Greek.
My grandma (Yiayia) came to the U.S. when she was a teenager with her aunt and some of her cousins. We were raised speaking Greek & English and also went to Greek School on Saturday mornings from Kindergarten through 6th grade! And yes, we are stereotypically proud of our Greek heritage.
2. I am one of three girls.
I am the middle of three sisters. My older sister, Christina, is two years older than me and works as a NICU nurse. She’s getting married in the fall and we’re so excited! Ariel is my younger sister by three years and works as a pediatric Occupational Therapist! She just got married this past year and I can’t wait to help decorate her new house.
3. I met my husband, Todd, during my senior year of college.
We had been working together over summers at Blarney Island (a bar in the middle of a lake) for the previous 3 years, but never really spoke or hung out (he’s 9 years older). We started talking at an employee training meeting. A week or two later, I stayed after work one night and went out with him and some of his cousins whom I had known since grade school, and we hit it off! I asked him on a date, and the rest is history!
4. I taught high school Biology & Human Anatomy for five years.
Before staying at home, I taught high school science and LOVED it! I decided to stay home because I wanted to be able to be home with my boys during their early years and also, having three under three is pretty difficult to have full time childcare for! I’m definitely planning on going back within the next couple of years because I definitely miss it!
5. I’ve been in a book club for almost 6 years.
My friend and “un-cousin” (cousin by marriage), Holly, started a book club for a small group of us and it has been going strong ever since. We joke that it has sometimes become less about the books and more about the food/drinks and get-togethers (which have been via zoom for the past few months), but still, being a part of this group has reignited my love for reading! I’ve also jumped into 3 other more specifically-focused book clubs since then!
6. I love doing makeup.
I discovered my passion for makeup right after graduating from undergrad about 10 years ago. I started off by watching YouTube makeup gurus, started testing out different brands and products, and even have done a few of my friends' makeup for their weddings! (Also did the makeup of one of my own bridesmaids for my wedding to help distract me from being nervous!)
7. I can play the piano & clarinet.
While I started by playing the violin, I don't count that as an instrument that I can still play. I started playing the clarinet in 5th grade and continued through my sophomore year in high school. I also learned how to play the piano from my grandma and continued teaching myself different songs throughout the years. I can often play-by-ear, without sheet music.
8. I moved to a new town when I was 10.
I grew up in Melrose Park, IL, and then our family moved to Lake Villa in 1998. It was a huge change-- our house was not built until November, but we started at our new school in August. My mom drove us the hour-long ride to school and back each day, so that we could avoid switching schools mid-year. I had to make new friends and basically start over, but I will always be grateful for my parents’ decision! I ended up moving back to Antioch (the town my high school is in) after college and we are raising our boys here too.
9. My husband’s family is HUGE (and mine is really not)
Contrary to the “Big, Fat, Greek Wedding”, my family is not really that large, especially in comparison to my husband’s family. Just on his dad’s side, there are 130 direct descendants from his grandparents! (Plus number 131 is on the way!) That does not include spouses, either. So, you can imagine what that family reunion looks like! It’s amazing and I love it!
10. I’m the opposite of a “picky-eater”
I absolutely love trying new foods! Ever since I met Todd, I have been more open to trying a variety of foods. Growing up, we pretty much stuck to some main staples, but now, I love almost every type of new food I try. My favorite meal has to be sushi or any Greek food, though!
Well, I hope you enjoyed learning something new about me! Thank you all for continuing to support my blog! It means a lot and I continue to enjoy doing this!
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