It’s my 31st birthday today! It’s been a good day so far – I got to open presents from my husband this morning – (he got me the first 3 books in a series of Manga I had been wanting and an address stamp – also something I had been wanting for a long time, I love to write cards!) – I got to get my favorite cake ever from the local bakery here in Abilene and share it with my coworkers this morning (it’s a sour cream pound cake with cream cheese frosting from McKay’s if you’re wondering) – and I got to have lunch with a friend and get bubble tea (another fav!)

So, since this day is all about me (have I mentioned I love birthdays?) I thought I would do a little “about me” feature since I have some new readers. So here is a little bit about the author of “Threads of Anxiety:”

THE BASICS

I am from Phoenix, Arizona – I love desert wildlife, it’s very beautiful to me. I have a twin sister who is 3 minutes older than me (NOT identical), so I suppose this day isn’t all about me, haha! (Happy Birthday, Rachel!) I have been married for 8.5 years to a wonderful man, and we have an 18 month old son that we think is the best! We currently live in Abilene, Texas.

PERSONALITY

Why are personality tests so interesting? I think it’s fascinating to learn more about myself and attempt to understand how I work. If you like sorting people, here’s a few ways you can put me in a box:

Hogwarts House

 Ravenclaw – I took after my mother here and can totally accept my sorting hat fate. Here’s the description for Ravenclaws from Pottermore.com: Ravenclaws prize wit, learning, and wisdom. It’s an ethos etched into founder Rowena Ravenclaw diadem: ‘wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure.’

Here’s a link to read with more reasons to get excited about being a Ravenclaw: https://www.pottermore.com/features/6-reasons-to-get-excited-if-youre-sorted-into-ravenclaw

Myers-Briggs

ISFJ – I am always a strong ‘I’ and ‘J’ when I take this quiz. According to the 16Personalities website, this labels me as a “Defender.” Read more here: https://www.16personalities.com/isfj-personality 

4 Tendencies

Upholder – this type tries to meet inner and outer expectations alike, like to be busy, get things done, make to-do lists, is very motivated… Learn more from Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Four Tendencies.

StrengthsFinder Results (top 5)

Achiever – likes to be busy, get stuff done

Responsibility – committed, honest, loyal

Learner – love to learn and improve

Empathy – can sense how others may feel

Intellection – introspective

FAVORITES

Book – Harry Potter series

Movie – Disney movies! Besides that, “You’ve Got Mail,” and “When Harry Met Sally”

T.V. Show – Stranger Things, The Office, Comedians in Cars with Coffee

Food – ice cream, pad thai, (cooked) sushi

Disney character – Ariel, Elsa, Jasmine

Music – Pentatonix, soundtracks (love ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’), Backstreet Boys

Hobby – crocheting – I make amigurumi dolls, writing, reading, making to-do lists, party planning

CAREER

I worked for 3 years as a reading teacher, two years in 2nd grade and one year in 6th grade. I took a year off to be a stay-at-home mom, and then in August of 2017 I started working as a librarian at Abilene Christian University. I am currently taking graduate classes online to get my Masters in Library Science degree.

UNDER-UTILIZED TALENTS

I used to always tell Dean that in another life I could have been either a race-car driver or a detective. I was always so good at car racing games when I was younger – I feel like I’ve missed my prime… And the detective thing is because I believe highly in my intuitive skills, maybe it’s a Ravenclaw thing.