This is me challenge: Growing up, early years

*Where did you grow up?  Describe it.

I grew up in Sacramento, California. It's the capital. We are two hours from the beach (San Francisco) and two hours from snow (Tahoe). We have hot summers and rainy winters but no outrageous weather like tornados or hurricanes.

*What was your earliest memory?

My sister and I were always at our grandparent's house playing with cousins and My earliest memories always include them. I remember going to church with them. Playing and making up games in the backyard. Having a mock funeral for one of my grandparent's dog. Right down to eating a piece of dog food in his honor. Not my idea by the way! I laugh and laugh at those memories. We had fun.

*What games did you play as a child?

Like I said, we made up games. Well our eldest cousin made up most of the games. Like Top Gun which was really swinging on the swing as high as it would go while wearing grandpa's old motorcycle helmet. My grandpa loved playing charades whenever we were just sitting around on the front porch.

*Where did you go to school?

I went to an elementary school near our house. For middle school, I kind of broke the mold of where I was supposed to go. The jr. high I was intended to go to was going down hill. So I talked my mom and grandpa in to letting me go to a different one. Then for high school I went to the same school that my sister went to (which was the feeder school of the not-so-good middle school) only so we could be in the same school before she graduated. She was a bad influence on me. We ditched. A lot. She drove us to school so it was easy. We weren't supposed to leave for lunch but we did. A lot. The first day of school we left, actually. I laugh about it now but when my kids do it I'm sure I won't be giggling. Then once she graduated (which was only after a semester of me being there) I transferred back to the original school I was supposed to go to. (Make sense?) So I already knew people because I had gone to jr. high with them.

*Who were your friends?

Oh gosh. I could go on and on. Scratch people off then rewrite their names. Because I changed schools over and over my main set of friends didn't happen until high school. (More on them later)

*Who were your favorite teachers and why?

A few teachers that come to mind that were my favorite were my first grade teacher Mrs. K. She was the sweetest old lady. Everyone thought she was mean. I guess thinking back to it she wasn't nice looking but c'mon she was a first grade teacher, I think that says she was super nice right there! My 3rd grade teacher Ms. Fur was really cool. She always had fun things for us to do. My sister and I both had the same 5th grade teacher Mr. Brooks who during "say no to drugs" week would use himself as an example because he was a big time smoker. He taught us how to make a humdinger. Literally. It was a contraption that made a humming sound and then make a DING sound at the end. It was probably by far the coolest class project I've ever done. My 6th grade teacher Mr. Chang was also really neat. He was really smart and funny. He really made his lesson plans fun. Notice how I only mentioned elementary school teachers? I find them to have been my most influential teachers. I never really connected with any of my jr. high or high school teachers. Sad, but true.

*What were your chores?

I thought we already covered this. I'll say it again. Dishes. They sucked! I hated doing them! Everyday!

This is Me Challenge: Your birth and family

This addition to my blog will take place on a weekly basis until I feel I've covered all my bases. Stay tuned.

The main reason why I started this blog is so I could capture every precious memory that happens in our life. All the happenings that take place currently. What I failed to think of is how when my children are older and when they have children, and when their children have children (yes I think that far) they will want to look back and read what my life, what my husband's life was like prior to and during and even after having kids. I can't tell you how many times I would ask my grandpa to tell me stories about his childhood even if I had heard them time and time again. I never thought to have him write them down. I never thought to record his stories for me to play back one day and live vicariously through his words. My grandma is the same story. I could talk to her for hours on end. Wanting to know every last detail about her life. I have so much more to learn about her and I love illustrating her stories in my mind. So when I stumbled upon this This is Me Challenge on good old Pinterest, I knew I had to start it. Obviously because my blog is public I will alter some questions and answers to protect the identity of some and the specifics of myself and my family. I hope you enjoy and I hope this gives you a chance to write down and answer some questions for your family's keepsake.

Your birth and family: 

*What is your full name and how did you get that name?  Do you have any nicknames?

My name is Nicole and I was named after my grandpa, his name was Nicola. I wouldn't change my name if my life depended on it. I love it! I loved him! So much so that I named my son after him. Nicolas. For me that was a no brainer.

*What are your parent's full names and birth dates and places?

My mom's name is Victoria. I like it because it's a classic name. It's proper and not very common these days.

*What is the date of your birth?  Where were you born?  What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went in to labor, how long, her doctor, your dad fainting, etc.) of your birth?

My birthday is June 29, 1988. I always loved that my birthday is in the summer. Although when I was in school I always kind of felt left out because I was never able to celebrate during the school year like all my friends.

*What are your sibling's full names and birth dates?

This I'm not going to answer for their privacy.

*How was your relationship with your siblings and parents?

The relationship I have with my sister is great. It wasn't always but it is now. We are three years apart and growing up those years seemed like lightyears. There were times when she hated me and there were times when I hated her. It took years before we became friends and now I don't know what I would do without her friendship. She's much more than a sister or a friend. She's my "go-to" person with pretty much anything.

My brother and I are 11 years apart and that really is lightyears apart. We're half brother and sister but I get along with him as much as I can get along with a teenager. I don't agree with some things he does and I have to keep in mind that he's not my kid even though I feel like I should parent him here and there. He's growing up and learning his personality and individuality everyday and I have to let him. Whether or not I agree. I just have to be his sister and be there for him whenever he needs me.

My parents/ Well I only have one parent. My mom was a single mom since I was about 2 and prior to her divorce she had never worked so once she was on her own she had to do anything and everything to provide for my sister and I. Growing up my sister and I were with our grandparents a lot. So in essence we feel like they are much like our parents also. I have more of a friendship relationship with my mom. I feel like I can talk to her about most things no problem but I also know that she'll be there to support any decision I make.

My grandparents and I have a great relationship. Like I stated, my grandparents feel like my parents at times. I can go to them with anything. Any guidance I need they are there. My grandpa died in 2008 and it was devastating for me. Luckily my grandma is still alive and kicking. I could literally go to her for anything. She is truly one of my very best friends. We have a relationship like no other and for this I am very grateful.

*What are some lessons you learned from you parents?

My mom taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
My grandpa taught me not to take even the smallest gift for granted.
My grandma continues to teach me how to appreciate the beauty in everything.

*How did you help in your home? 

I'm guessing this question refers to chores? At my regular home my mom made me do the dishes and (then) I haaaated doing them! I would have to load and unload the dishwasher. I remember thinking it was such a stupid chore and couldn't understand why I had to do it. Now doing my own dishes is not nearly as bad as I made it out to be. At my grandparent's house my sister and I would have to dust, vacuum, sweep the floor, help clean up the backyard here and there with my grandpa. But all these chores paid so we really didn't mind doing them.