Seven things you didn't know about me

So incredible learning about each of you! Okay, here's some "stuff" 'bout me...

1. My first name actually is Lisa...yes, a far easier name than "Anahid"! We switched to my middle name in first-grade when three Lisa's in class made things a bit too confusing. Anahid was a familiar name for me, so I never imagined the challenges -- Ana-what? Huh? Say it again! Can I just call you Ann?

2. A wonderful track coach saw potential in a shy, gawky 12-year-old, and inspired me to give everything I had through the years to become a strong athlete. Weights, crazy workouts, racing against more experienced athletes, running in the rain, the snow, and through Michigan's 90-degree humidity prepared me to travel to the Armenian Olympics in New York at age 18 and to break the record (and set a new record) for the mile. Named most valuable runner in cross country in high school, I later recall Albion College frat guys yelling out from their windows, "Go Anahid!"  :)

3. I adore traveling. I've been to Europe many times, the first time for six weeks. A neophyte skiier, I actually skiied in the Italian and French Alps and recall one particular ski lesson on a gorgeous, snowy day in Italy -- "Anahida, you Americano no leesen to me!". I've also traveled to Armenia, Moscow, St. Kitts, Belize, Jamaica, and Cancun, and throughout the nation. I take refuge in Miami Beach a few times each year, to decompress at a family condo on the beach.

4. I actually grew up playing the harp, while my desire was the guitar or drums! When my mom pointed to a picture of a harp saying that my dad loved that instrument, I remember nodding my head to learn it. Through the years my troubadour harp was exchanged for a full-size harp with gold leaf. I've performed, and also love writing music for the piano. Music takes a back seat as Anahid plays her work these days.

5. I've been a lover of dance, especially hip hop and jazz through the years. We'd perform and go to clubs as people wondered, "how do they do that?!" Today, Anahid dances with her work.

6. I formed a marketing, branding and p.r. practice in 2004 after a career directing initiatives for major national clients. I am nearing 5 years in business and have a great team and great clients! I feel blessed to guide small and mid-sized businesses in strategically utilizing marketing to increase their visibility, grow, and really flourish.

7. I've always had a heart for helping people. So, a few years ago, I acquired a master's degree in counseling while working full-time (3.89 GPA, with honors!). I counsel clients in a private counseling practice in Bloomfield Hills in getting unstuck and creating a life of passion, peace and purpose -- the life they are meant to live.

I guess that I'll give this a try!

1) My family roots can be traced back to John Adams and John Quincy Adams. My grandmother on my fathers side gave up her maiden name Adams when she married  my grandfather. There were  8 generations of Adams in public service positions through the formative years of our country. She choose to leave home in Boston to attend the U of M. She was the first woman to graduate as a teacher and decided to stay in Michigan and became a teacher in Mason.

2) I drowned in a lake at age 10 and was dead for 6 to 7 minutes. This experience has  left me with no fear of death. I've been there and it's really cool(the most amazing place of peace and calm). My father also had an out of body experience but choose to come back because of me.  I also rode a little red wagon off a bridge into a river and almost drowned again. These experiences are the basis of my keynote speech.

3) I have read approximately 3000 books. My goal is to read 10,000 books before I die. I've got a lot to do!!!!!!

4) I carry around with me a list of 16 things I have to do before my end (my BHAG list). It used to be 17 things but in Sept. 2008, I crossed one off. I  held my breath for three minutes and eight seconds in 104 degree water!!

5) I once drove a truck and trailer loaded with antique furniture 2000 miles to Corpus Christy Texas to sell at an auction down there. It turns out that the auction house owner was a WWII buddy to my wifes uncle. It truly is a small world.

6) My first car was a 1974 volkswagon bug. It had holes all over and tons of rust. I was told in high school that it matched my personality. I still am working on understanding that. My second car was a 1971 bug!!!

7) I have studied all of the major religions in the world. Each has value and has its place. I've learned from each and have been able to apply some of the principles that I've learned. For example, I've learned tolerance for all men and learned that all men are my people. My spirituality is ever evolving and growing. (I've jumped out of a plane and scuba dove on a shipwreck in the carribean too).

Ken tagged me on his blog and I just finished it on mine the other day. Instead of cutting and pasting the whole thing here, here's a link if you really wanna read it.

Stacy

Happy New Year, Charlie!

I got tagged too, so the full post is on my blog: 
http://mediameme.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/snow-white-and-the-7-random-things-meme/

1. I can cook anything from scratch. My passion for cooking started
when I was 5 with an Easy-Bake oven. I was making fancy side dishes by
age 10 and cooking the family dinner around 15. But I can’t stand
rinsing lettuce.

2. I am a fantastic Rock Band / Guitar Hero singer, scoring in the 90th percents on the Hard level in RB2 training. My favorite songs to sing include: Kids in America, The Ballroom Blitz, Hungry like the Wolf and anything by Oasis. If I wasn’t a social media/marketing misfit executive, I’d be the lead singer in a rock band.

3.
Having worn glasses all my life due to an astigmatism, I have 4 pairs
that I view more as fashion accessories than Rx, although I can’t read
a thing without them (including the lyrics to the aforementioned Rock
Band).

4. My favorite cut flower is a tulip but I also love hydrangeas in garden beds.

5. I have hair OCD. Not mine — my daughters. Zig-zags, french
braids, ballerina buns, lattice ponytails, twists, knots, up-do’s - you
name it and I love to style it (when they let me). I’ve made more than
100 hair bows for them to match their outfits. My youngest daughter
just mocks me silently with her Shirley Temple curls and slowly slides
the bows out when she *thinks* I’m not looking

6. My favorite perfume and ’signature scent’ is Cartier’s Le Baiser du Dragon (aka “The Kiss of the Dragon”.

7. I am deeply religious — much more than people think I am. Every
week, I dedicate at least 15 hours to studying scripture, religious
doctrine and related books/magazines in order to strengthen my deep
faith in God and to teach others the gospel.

1)   My nickname in college was Lovey as in Lovey Kravesit in Matt Helm series.

2)   As a child I had an invisible friend named Elmer who I was always terrified would go down the drain after a bath.

3)   I've lived in St. Louis, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, L.A., San Francisco, Cherry Point, Ann Arbor.

4)    I am afraid of heights.  At the CNN Tower in Toronto I could not walk over the glass floor.

5)   I have never routed for the Tigers.

6)   My fondest wish is to visit Xian.

7)   I also have a fear of birds.  Parrots, McCaws, etc. scare the devil out of me.

Greg, I am NOT afraid of heights but that glass floor on the CNTower freaks me out as well!

Wow, 7 things you don't know about me. I tend to put all the cards on the table all the time. So if you have met me you may know these.

• 1) I am a music lover that is in to JamBands and anything that includes live improvisational music, Including: The Grateful Dead, Phish, moe, The String Incident, all things Jazz, Funk, Soul, Rock, Bluegrass and live.


• 2) My favorite all-time TV show was "VH1 Behind the scenes" I love music history and information about musicians. ( that's why I started www.whyyoujam.com)


• 3) I have abnormally large feet. Size 15!!! (Or 14 with the cut of some shoes. My brother used to tell me I looked like a frog as a baby)


• 4) My father is a rabbi, but in high school, my favorite food was bacon cheese burgers


• 5) Now I don't eat meat ( and on the rare occasion that I do, its only kosher meat)


• 6) I was born in Israel, and came to the USA when I was 7 (yes I am a US Citizen)


• 7) My favorite author is Hunter S. Thomson

Oh, I forgot to mention, He doesn't know this yet, but Allan Curtis and I are going to become very good friends. We have not even met yet, but after reading his list I can just tell. I had meningitis when I was younger, and died for a few minuets as well. I too have a bucket list, But don't Cary it around with me, I used to drive a truck for a construction company. And I too have studied most major religions, and have a deep love and respect for them...

Allan, Lets get some coffee

Fun!  Here I go...

1.  When I was 13, I was dropped at a pool and had the person who was carrying me fall on me.  (long story).  The EMS thought I was paralyzed, I couldn't move my legs or feel anything for about an hour.  That started problems with my back throughout the years, and they found recently that I have an extra vertebrae.  My parents say it was my tail that never fully formed.  :)

2.  I play volleyball.  I used to be quite good, and as I get older, I get worse.  I played competitive co-ed ball until 2 years ago.  Now that I'm 35 and out of shape, my vertical is about 2 inches and I am the slowest person on the court! 

3.  I've always wanted to get in a car and drive for a little while - just see where I end up.  Stopping to meet people along the way.  I regret not doing that before I had a family.  Maybe when I am retired and my son is in college? 

4.  I really want to start getting into shape again, as I sit here eating chocolate. 

5.  I got my degree in Social Work but only worked in the field for 6 months.  Even though I'm out of that field, I do believe that each of us should volunteer to make a difference in this world, and I try to do what I can. 

6.  My mom is from Scotland, and it has been said that we are related to Robert the Bruce.  I want to start to trace our roots back to see for myself.  That is something I've always wanted to do, but it seems so overwhelming!  I'm putting that on my 2009 list of To Do's. 

7.  Someone above said something similar, but they actually had talent.  I am just an ok singer, but I am a rock star in my mind. 

Ben, It seems there are a few of us who have shared the death experience. My heart stopped due to an adverse reaction to anesthesia when they were repairing damage to my leg after a motorcycle accident. The doctors were very intrigued when I was able to dicscribe in detail the steps they took to bring me back. Because they were half way through the process of hammering a steel rod in the top of my hip, down through the marrow to just above my knee, they ended up giving me a Spinal to finish the surgery. I ended up with a Spinal Headache and it's as bad as they say it is.

The power of social networking at work!!!!! Ben let's definitely get that cup of coffee! I'll even provide it if you'd like to attend our 1 year in business celebration lunch and goal setting workshop on Thursday Jan 8  from noon to 2! If interested, go to our website at www.Insights-Group.com ,hit CONNECT and rsvp on our calendar! If you can,t make it, let's be sure to connect at a future MCC event or for lunch !   Al

Hi Corey,

Yes, actually inherited them...

1. I was in the Army for three years as a medic, then spent 12 more years as an Army wife.

2. My oldest daughter was born in Germany the first time I was stationed there.

3. My younger daughter was born in Kansas when we were stationed there.

4. I have been married three times: first time or a year and a half (best result: oldest daughter), second time for 12 years (best result: younger daughter), this time almost 19 years (best results: a husband I can stand to spend quiet time with and three step-daughters).

5. I drag raced when we were stationed in Kansas. Went to Kansas City International Raceway for the Pepsi Cola Summer Nationials in 1980-something and got to meet Shirley Muldowney and got her autograph.

6. I swam on a YMCA swim team when I was in Junior High, and then on a team at Redford High School in Detroit.

7. Graduated Magna cum Laude from Baker College with an Associates degree in Web Site Design. I start classes again this week to earn my Bachelor's degree, and plan to maintain the same GPA.

Allan, I wish I could go to your event on Thursday. But Mid-Day Meetings are hard for me at the moment. But we should have the cup of coffee soon.

To the early birds on this thread. What does it mean when you say " I was tagged" by a person?

Ben Rosenzweig