Blog Challenge!

A fellow blogger, Elamilia, whose blog you'll find HERE! presented a challenge a while back, and since I complained about not having topics, here I am, responding to that challenge. And I'm kind of a sucker for challenges ;)

So here we go!

(Note: some of my old readers may find that they know a lot of these things already.. sorry :))

11 THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I'm very sensitive, no matter how tough I may seem. I swear, I cry at everything, and because of that I can't even have a good fight with anyone. I'm crying my eyes out of frustration after the first argument. 

2. I love superhero movies. 

3. As if loving superheroes doesn't make me a geek already, I'm a total nerd otherwise, too. I do the normal nerdy stuff: reading and writing etc., but I'm also very interested in things that a lot of others aren't... the English grammar, for example. And now, a little reminder to my readers: English is not my first language, so despite of my interest in the grammar, I will make a lot of mistakes, as learning is a never ending process :) Oh, what a nerdy thing to say. Anyway, my other nerdy qualities include a knowledge of completely useless trivia about various things, and the willingness to learn geographical facts about different countries. In High School, even though I didn't have to, I taught myself all the states and capitals of the United States. Currently I'm learning the State nicknames. Should I learn the population of each state next? See what I mean? I'm a weirdo!

4. I already mentioned that I write, so yeah, I'm working on my first novel right now. It's been over three years now, and it will probably take at least another three until it's even somewhat done. 

5. And about my novel characters, and about the whole creating process.. it's going on nonstop in my head! Sometimes it's wonderful, and sometimes creepy. I'm working on it unconsciously and sometimes I really need a break. The characters can also turn into a nightmare. A couple of months ago I got so tired of two of them, that I literally told them to work it out by themselves!!! And I am not kidding.. I took like a week off after that. And I felt better after that week. But seriously, how do you know you've done a thorough job with your characters? When they start to live on their own. Is it me, or am I sounding more and more like a psycho?

6. I learn best by listening, so with a little practice I'm quite good with accents. I can do American (which is my natural accent), and I think my American accent is a mixture of the East and West, as those are the places I've spent my time at. I can do a southern accent, too, but not perfectly. But I can't do Boston, just can't :D I can also do British and have been practicing Australian accent as well. However, Finnish accent is something I've never had, even though I'm born and raised in Finland and didn't set a foot in the US soil until I was 19 years old. I can't even do Finnish, it's so awful. Funny thing about accents, though; I've noticed that a lot of people with English as their second language are very insecure to use their English, because they think they're bad at it. But when I listen to them, they make very little grammar mistakes. It's the accent that's fooling them. 

7. I used to be very punctual and always on time, but after spending last fall in the States, I kind of adapted to their ways. It was always acceptable, sometimes even preferable to be at least 15 minutes late. No offense to Americans, I totally love your way of life :) But here people show up at seven if that's when you asked them to be there. Basically you can wait for them any time after 6.30. But nowadays I'm always at least five minutes late to everything. I'm like "I've got 20 minutes, that's plenty of time," even though I know I'll need 25-30 minutes. 

8. I'm all for Apple. I've got MacBook Pro, an iPad and an iPhone. Oh, and an iPod, but haven't used that in years. Can't wear headphones :(

9. The reason for not being able to wear headphones, is that I have lost part of my hearing in my left ear. I've been dealing with tinnitus for over a year now, and also had several episodes of severe vertigo leading to nausea and vomiting. I most likely have Meniere's disease, which is an inner ear thing that causes everything listed above, but I don't have an official diagnosis yet. Within the next six months I should have an MRI, so the doctors can rule out a tumor. Yikes! Sounds freaky, but in this case the tumor would be benign, and the chances for that are very slim. But still. No worries, though :) It's not a life-or-death-kind of situation. 

10. My taste in music used to be very limited, but within the last couple of years I've widened my horizons. My current favorites are: Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, The Strange Familiar, Michelle Branch, Lifehouse, Chris Daughtry, Eminem, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Madi Diaz, Fransisca Hall, The Script, Christina Perri, Jason Walker, Hurts, Vanessa Carlton... 

11. I love the Oscars and watch them every year! :) I'm always guessing the winners with my friend and we have a competition. This year he won by one. He guessed 14 and I guessed 13. 

11 QUESTIONS FOR ME:

1. Your favorite amusement park ride?

Well, it used be a ride called Tornado in Särkänniemi. It still is, actually, but my days on the rides are over :( My balance just isn't what it used to be, due to my stupid ear, so no can do. And the easy rides that I could still take, like the ferris wheel, are so scary that I can't even do them. Especially the ferris wheel. I'm sooo scared of heights :(

2. Five of your favorite movies?

This is haaaaard! I'm such a movie fan. Am I supposed to name like some very meaningful movies or will anything do? I think I'll name more than five, just to be on the safe side. Here goes: Pitch Perfect, The Bridges of Madison County, Office Space, Little Miss Sunshine, The Blind Side, Inception, Forrest Gump, Notting Hill, Soul Surfer, Thelma&Louise... There are so many more, but I think I'd better stop.

3. Do you like stand up comic? Who's your favorite comedian?

Yes, me likes! I've only been to a comedy club once in my life, though, in New York City. Fun times :) And my favorite is by far Ellen DeGeneres, even though she's not really doing stand up now. It's so freaking unfair that her show doesn't air in Finland anymore, and I have to make due with YouTube clips :( ELLEN DEGENERES, IF BY SOME MIRACLE YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASEPLEASE (PRETTY PLEASE?? with a cherry on top?) COME TO FINLAND, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT OF FANS HERE! I'm the biggest fan, of course. And if you can't come to Finland, then I hope I'll be able to catch your show in CA some day :) Would be uh-mazing!

5. Do you take things calmly/steady or do you have the tendency to exaggerate?

Both. I can be a drama queen if I choose.

6. Do you watch any talent shows? Why/Why not?

I used to watch American Idol, but after five seasons it became boring. Sometimes I watch the auditions, cause that's what you call entertainment. After that it's booooo-ring. 

7. What recent fashion phenomenon do you like? Which do you hate?

I love all the different patterned jeans! I don't own any, though :( They can be jeans or even leggings if you can pull them off. The ones with the universe, like stars and galaxies are pretty cool :) And floral ones always work. Also, I love the bold use of colors, always. What I hate... pretty much anything I see Justin Bieber wearing. Ugh. 

8. Do you follow your favorite singer/band around or only go to their shows when they're playing near you?

Don't follow. Man, I had to wait for six or seven years for Celine Dion to come to Finland. 

9. Do you have a peculiar fear or phobia? (The kind that's only understood by the people with the same phobia, and maybe not by your friends and family?)

Well... I don't know if this is a phobia, but sunken ships freak me out. 

10. What are you good at?

Drawing (portraits) and English (I'm perfectly fluent and my writing's not bad, right? ;))

11. Do you like Ocean's 11?

Yeah! It's been a million years since I saw it, but yeah!

11 QUESTIONS FROM ME:

1. What's your favorite time of the day?

2. If you could be anything in the world, what would you be and why?

3. The best book in the universe?

4. Do you have any weird habits / obsessions?

5. Best way to travel?

6. Rainy or sunny?

7. Would you rather die by drowning or be burned alive?

8. Chihuahuas: adorably cute or look like rats?

9. If you got to choose to spend the day with either Stephen King or J.K Rowling, which one would you choose and why?

10. Why do you blog?

11. Are you on Instagram? 

I challenge everyone! :)