And the WINNER is... (Plus a few Q & As)

Well, my first blog contest was a success. I really do LOVE you guys, and I've made lots of new friends (ahem, Followers) this week. :) Thank you for visiting me!!!

I'll admit I was a little humbled.  I like to believe there are thousands of you out there reading and just dying for a "Virginia is for Lovers" t-shirt.  But, alas, of the nine comments one was from my mother - who didn't even ask a question, just introduced herself like some kind of celebrity... She obviously just learned how to comment and make her picture show up -  three were real life friends who I'm pretty sure were just being nice, and one was actually mine.  Awesome.  Anyway, as promised, I used Random.org to calculate a winner.  (You are going to have to trust me on this one... I wanted to do one of those cool "screen shots" to prove it, but I can't figure out how.  For the sake of competition, I did include 1 - 9 in the generator, BUT I, of course, wasn't going to take the prize myself.) Man, I talk WAY too much.  Getting on with it...

THE WINNER IS...

Commentor #5 - JOE.  (Ridiculous... of all the people to win... Honestly. Hopefully we can at least expect an acceptance speech/ guest blog post later this week!)

Now, I know you all are just dying with anticipation for the answers to my "I Heart Followers Q&A."  Calm yourselves... The wait is over.  I will do a few today, and then finish up tomorrow. 

Here we go:

Q: What are your favourite and least favourite things about being a teacher? From Rinniez

A: I could honestly write pages about my job.  I LOVE it. I love that every day - sometimes every 45 minutes - is different. I love that I get to play a role in helping teenagers figure out who they are.  I love seeing kids "get" something for the first time.  I love that it keeps me young.  I love corn dog nuggets in the cafeteria on Fridays.  (What? I do!) I love that I get to be creative and thoughtful every day. I love that it keeps me humble and reminds me not to take myself too seriously. *I know a lot of people don't get to have a job that they actually enjoy.  I try to constantly remember how blessed I am! 

My least favorite things: standardized tests, grading research papers, politics, and attitudes (from teenagers and, sometimes, my colleagues).

Q: What is your favourite movie? From Simply Stacie

A: Steel Magnolias.  My sister and I have every line memorized, and I had an armadillo - shaped "Groom's Cake" (although the groom had absolutely no say) at our wedding in honor of it.  I highly recommend the movie for a little taste of the South.

Q: If you had a bucket list to do before you died what would be the top 5 things you want to do? ( I am not trying to be morbid - just creative ha!) From Allyson (Who I really feel like is a REAL LIFE friend and not just a blog friend.  I love it!)

A: One. Write a novel. Two. Run a marathon. Three. Adopt. Four. Visit all 7 continents. Five. Get my Ph.D. and teach teachers.  (P.S. I'm releasing a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30 on March 26th.  AND... I'm thinking about opening this up as a McLinky for everyone.  Should be interesting!)

Q: If you could be in any artist's music video, who would you choose and why? From Joe (of course)

A: Michael Jackson, of course.  I'm pretty sure if I had this opportunity and chose ANYONE else, Jeff would  never speak to me again.  I think my life would be very different today had I had the opportunity to learn dance moves from the King. 

(Actually, now that I think of it, that face is my signature look on the dance floor. No wonder people flock to me. Now, if I could only get an outfit like that, I'd be set.)