E. G. Bella

Happy Friday!

I’ve been tagged for another fun challenge by my good friend and fellow blogger, Saraina Whitney (you should definitely go check out her site – she’s a fantastic and entertaining writer)!

The premise? Go through the list, striking out the things that I’ve done before (and if so, explain the circumstances). I think it’ll be a neat glimpse into my life, and I’m interested to see how many I’ve actually done. As you read, consider how many you would strike out!

The Questions

Kissed someone

Wow, starting off rather personal, aren’t we? I’ll strike this one out, because I have adorable siblings and I’m going to say kisses on the cheek/forehead/etc. count, even though I’m sure that wasn’t the original question, haha.

Gone to a rock concert

No, indeed. I’ve actually never gone to a concert, unless we count choir concerts that my siblings and I have taken part in. But definitely not a rock concert, and that’s okay with me. I’m not a big fan of huge crowds and loud noises for an extended period of time.

Helped someone

I hope everyone can strike this out! Yes, thankfully I’ve helped someone before, multiple times. If there’s anyone out there reading this that hasn’t helped someone before, what are you waiting for? I highly recommend it, for the benefit of the other person and you.

Gone fishing

Yes! Just once, that I can remember, when I was about nine. My family and I went on a vacation with extended family, and we went fishing with both sets of my grandparents for a a couple of days. I’m not very interested in fishing itself, but have fond memories of the trip.

Watched four movies in one night

I . . . can’t say that I have, actually. Which is kind of surprising, considering the amount of movies that my family and I have watched together. Three movies, sure, I’m pretty sure we’ve done that, but not four in one night. That’d mean being up all night, wouldn’t it?

Lied to someone

Well . . . I don’t know . . . have I? Oh, does that have a strike through it? I wonder why . . .

Failed a subject

I don’t think so, although I might just have blocked it out if I did. I was homeschooled, and my mom never allowed us to continue on if we didn’t complete a subject, so for that reason alone, I don’t think I ever failed one (thanks, Mom). If I did, it was probably art or science.

Been in a car accident

Unfortunately, yes. But fortunately, it was minor. I got rear-ended once, with my mom in passenger, and little sibling in the backseat. At the time, I’m pretty sure I only had my permit, and my dad had just spent the day fixing up the taillights, so I felt absolutely awful, even though the fault was on the driver behind me. My mom and I had some whiplash, and the back of the vehicle was unfortunately never the same. Still feel bad about that one . . .

Been in a tsunami

Wow, no! Praise the Lord, I’m nowhere close to being in a state where that’s possible. Large bodies scare me enough when they’re where they should be. I can’t imagine being swallowed by one, and I don’t know how tsunami survivors deal with the trauma of that.

Watched someone die (including pets)

Yes. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, and my prayers go out to anyone who understands.

Been to a funeral

Also yes. More than one, although I always prefer when they’re called ‘celebrations of life’.

Burned yourself

Oh yes. I’m notoriously clumsy in the kitchen, but my worst burn actually came when I was outside burning some cardboard boxes (in the country). Long story short, I tried to push some boxes farther down into the hot burning barrel, overestimated how much force I’d need, and ended up with a second-degree burn on my forearm. Had it been elsewhere or an inch or two longer, it would have qualified as third-degree. I still have the scar!

Run a marathon

No, but I wish! I’ve tried to get into running many times, but shin splints veto that idea pretty quickly. I can run decently far in one go and enjoy jogging, but after a few days of training, my legs hurt way too much to keep going, and I inevitably give it up again.

Spend over 10,000 bucks in one day

Not yet, thankfully! I’m not looking forward to the day I do, but I’m guessing that dark time will fall upon me eventually. Life is expensive, guys. I want to file a complaint.

Flown on an aeroplane

Yes! Technically, on several planes, although they were all for one trip. I didn’t mind it nearly as much as I feared I would, and I’d do it again if I had to, but I don’t miss the turbulence, crowds, or excess germs. I haven’t gone on one since, which is okay with me!

Written a 18 page letter (front & back) 

Surprisingly, I don’t think so! I’ve written some extremely long letters, but I believe my record was somewhere around eight pages (front and back). And now I feel slightly better about it, haha.

Gone skiing

Yes, but just cross-country skiing. I wasn’t amazing at it, but since it was slow and across relatively flat terrain, I enjoyed it! I’d love to be able to ski downhill, but I also know that my lack of coordination, tendency toward motion sickness, and general incompetence when it comes to sports or extreme anything, would likely lead to some bad injuries.

Lost someone you loved

Again, yes. I don’t know if there’s anything more difficult.

Got into trouble for something you didn’t do

I have several close siblings and we were all crazy, trouble-making children once, so yes, I’m sure this has happened. I can’t think of a specific example, but something is tugging at the back of my mind, so I’m just going to strike it out and trust my unconscious self.

Stolen a book from a library

No! I’ve purchased a book from a library once, when they had a sale, but that’s not the same thing, haha. No matter how much I enjoy books, I’m not that kind of criminal just yet.

Gone to a different country

Nope. I’d love to go to Europe some day though, and yes, I realize that would mean getting on a plane. Which I’d definitely do, if it meant I’d get to go explore Irish castles!

Gambled in a casino

Absolutely not. And I don’t ever plan to either. There are far better uses for money.

Been in a school play

Yes – eight of them! Although, I was homeschooled, so I’m just counting productions by our local homeschool drama troupe as ‘school plays’. They count in this case, right? Six were musicals, and two were plain ol’ plays.

Taken a lie detector test

No, although I’ve always thought this could be kind of fun for some reason. Not in a police station though. I would rather never end up in the wrong side of one of those!

Voted for someone on a reality TV show

Nope. I haven’t watched much reality TV at all, and even less of it was currently going on and able to be voted on. I think the extent of it was America’s Got Talent and Dancing With the Stars years ago.

Read more than 20 books a year

Yes! I’ve been an avid reader since I first learned how. Last year, I read 54 books, and I’m actually at exactly 20 books read so far this year. My goal this year is 55, so wish me luck!

Gone to Europe

Like I said above, no. Unfortunately. If you have a spare Irish castle you’re renting out for tours (or vacation stays), let me know!

Had a surgery

Yes! Just one, to get my wisdom teeth removed. Overall, it was a pretty simple process and I was thankfully only very tired and sore afterward, not loopy like I was afraid of.

Had stitches

Again, yes, but only in my mouth after the aforementioned wisdom teeth removal. Three of my wisdom teeth were mostly up, but the fourth was twisted and stuck in my gum, so they had to do a bit more intensive work and that hole took the longest to heal up. Ew.

Ridden a tuk-tuk (autorickshaw)

I hardly even know what this is, but after looking it up, I can confidently say no. It looks kind of fun though!

Had more than 5 IM conversations going on at once 

When I’m behind on responding to people (I’m trying to get better at this, I promise!), I tend to set aside a chunk of time to go through and respond to absolutely everyone close together. Which usually means I get responses close together…and the cycle continues. So yes, I’ve definitely been carrying on conversations with that many people at once.

Been in a fistfight

Probably..? I grew up with several siblings close in age so this feels like a given. Never an actual, trying-to-really-hurt-someone fistfight, but definitely play-fighting and tackling. And yes, we all still like each other.

Had a pet

Yes! Never a pet that was solely my responsibility, but my family had/has two dogs (a German Shepherd outside, and a Teddy Bear in the house) and a bunch of cats. Every spring there are more adorable kittens to find homes for. There were tough moments, but caring for pets is rewarding, and I’m thankful for them.

Petted a wild animal

I’ve pet a young raccoon before! Pretty sure that’s the only wild animal though.

Had your own credit card & bought something with it

Nope. So far I’ve only used a debit card, checks, and good old cash. I’m sure some day I’ll get a credit card, but it’s not a priority right now. Knowing how to use one responsibly when that day comes is something that I’m thankful my parents have taught me!

Dyed your hair

I have not. I’m a light blonde, and although I think it would be fun to try out other hair colors for a while, I’m always too paranoid that it will never go back to my natural color. So instead I just enjoy seeing other people experiment with it, haha.

Got a tattoo

Again, no, and I never plan to. They’re just not my thing. The only one I might consider one day is if for some reason I couldn’t wear my wedding ring anymore. I’ve seen people tattoo bands onto their ring finger, and I think I might consider that if there weren’t other options.

Had something pierced

No again! I used to want my ears pierced, and I’m still not against the idea, but I’ve been too lazy to bother with it. It seems like a lot of work and I’m a bit squeamish at the thought of the holes possibly getting infected… I use magnetic earrings when I want to be fancy.

Got a straight A

Yes, most often in my Bible classes, I believe. But I really enjoyed those lessons so it wasn’t as hard to pay attention. Science on the other hand…

Taken pictures with a webcam

Once upon a time, years ago, in my childhood…I believe I did this once with my dad. I have very vague memories of using a webcam to take a few silly pictures. I should investigate.

Gone to sleep with music on

Almost every night! My parents always used to play music for my siblings and I at night, and it’s something I still enjoy. It’s always soothing worship music (Maranantha, Fernando Ortega, etc.), and my current favorite is this playlist of Christian piano instrumentals. It’s also a very good distraction when I’m sick or just not feeling well and need to rest.

The Nominees

Yes, I’m going to be annoying, and nominate EVERYONE.

That is, everyone who would like to participate (including you!). Even if you don’t have a blog, feel free to answer the questions in the comments below. I’d love to read your answers!

The Questions (For You to Copy)

Kissed someone – 

Gone to a rock concert – 

Helped someone –

Gone fishing –

Watched four movies in one night –

Lied to someone –

Failed a subject –

Been in a car accident –

Been in a tsunami – 

Watched someone die (including pets) – 

Been to a funeral – 

Burned yourself –

Run a marathon – 

Spend over 10,000 bucks in one day –

Flown on an aeroplane –

Written a 18 page letter (front & back) – 

Gone skiing –

Lost someone you loved –

Got into trouble for something you didn’t do –

Stolen a book from a library –

Gone to a different country –

Gambled in a casino – 

Been in a school play –

Taken a lie detector test – 

Voted for someone on a reality TV show – 

Read more than 20 books a year –

Gone to Europe –

Had a surgery –

Had stitches – 

Ridden a tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) –

Had more than 5 IM conversations going on at once – 

Been in a fist fight – 

Had a pet –

Petted a wild animal –

Had your own credit card & bought something with it – 

Dyed your hair – 

Got a tattoo – 

Had something pierced –

Got a straight A –

Taken pictures with a webcam –

Gone to sleep with music on –

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