From Ohio by way of Alaska

I’m currently at the Type-A Parent conference (10th Anniversary Yo!). It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Type-A Parent so I’m really excited to go this year.

Type-A Parent Conference Circa 2013. Photo courtesy Heather Durdil

I’m one of the Original Guard (OG, ya’ll) bloggers from Type-A Parent but just like every other conference I’ve ever been to, I’m being asked where I’m from. It’s the ice breaker, the conversation starter, the “do we have anything in common” question and this year it pains me.

It’s a hard question for me to answer because until now, every time I’ve traveled I’ve always been able to answer, “I’m from Ohio” and say it with happiness and pride.

My favorite Ohio wildlife

Alaska has adorable baby wildlife.

I am not “Alaskan”

It feels strange (and admittedly I haven’t even been able) to say, “I’m from Alaska” because in my own mind, I am not. I am not from Alaska. Everything I do, feel, and believe comes from the midwest; from Ohio. It’s been far easier for me to say, “I live in Alaska” than to identify and own the state I live in.

There’s nothing quite like an Ohio Winter sunset

But that Alaska Beach though.

I think this is important for the people I meet this weekend to know about me just as it’s important for people to know I’m loud and opinionated. I’m not a flavor that everyone can tolerate.

Knowing just those few things about me may put some people off but that’s okay because if you can get past the loud, opinionated me, you’ll also learn that I’m passionate and HI-LAR-IOUS (even if it’s sometimes only in my head).

One of the sessions yesterday was about tribes and friending the competition. Bloggers tend to define their people and their tribes by what they blog about but speakers Chris and Jana argued that we don’t have to make it that hard. Sometimes your tribe is simply finding that ONE THING that you have in common. I’d like to make it easier for ya’ll to learn more about me and also because if you start off with asking me where I’m from… well, let’s just say that you won’t be in my tribe.

Things that Rock my Socks

• Chocolate
• Knitting
• Lipton Iced Tea with Lemon (ONLY Lipton iced tea with lemon)
• TV Shows – This is Us, Grey’s Anatomy, General Hospital, Will & Grace (new and old), Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, The Ranch (Netflix)
• Books – no science fiction or romance pleaseandthankyouverymuch.
• Dogs
• Cats
• Instagram
• Office supplies
• Garfield
• Wonder Woman
• School House Rock
• Strawberries (in milkshake, raw form, or dipped in chocolate)
• Anything in the blue, red, or purple color scheme.
• The cat Chloe from Secret Life of Pets (spirit animal ya’ll)
• The Cleveland Browns
• Root Beer Floats
• Hot Fudge Sundaes
• Nail polish
• Driving with the windows down
• Baking

Okay so maybe that list isn’t the best way to get to know me (because now I’m pretty sure you think I’m weird) but it’s a good gauge of the kinds of things I’m drawn to.

I’m not opposed to talking about living in Alaska just know above all else, I’m a buckeye through and through.