Eeek! I’m not one to make a HUGE fuss over birthday celebrations and since I’ve decided to be a little more open so you all get to know better, celebrating a birthday should be known. Right?
So many moons ago on an extremely hot day in El Paso, Texas I was born and the next day apparently brought snow to the area! I was delivered by a Doctor Love and yeah I always get a kick out of seeing his name on my birth certificate. As part of you all getting to know me, here are some random facts (this post is totally inspired by Gillian over at Writer of Wrong’s post because I had a different post made up and decided this was more fun).
1. I have a scar on my one of my eyebrows (not telling you which) because as a child I was uh jumping on the bed and may or may not have been singing Five Little Monkeys (okay I was) and then I hit the headboard. Yup, I am a cautionary tale and kids “don’t jump on the bed.”
2. I have an ocular melanoma in my left eye (mole in the white part of the eye) and it’s not evident until someone points it out. Fun fact: my mom’s cousin (who happens to be a year younger than me) has one too, but on her right eye and we’re the only two people in the family (or in the history that anyone can remember) that has it.
3. When I was little I use to write short stories all the time. In fact my 6th grade principal heard of my story writing that he requested to read anything I wrote and often did!
4. My parents were teenage parents so I know of the struggles they had to endure, but guess what? They’ve been married for over thirty years and they’ve only had one major fight.
5. There’s a mini zoo in my household with 4 dogs (um one of them does belong to my sister and he’s currently on loan), 2 cats, and 3 birds (2 of them which also belong to my sister). But this is my girl and I just adore this picture of her:
6. When I was little I wanted to go to Space Camp! I admit it mostly because I just adored the film Space Camp. Haven’t seen it? You should!
7. I’m not one to often say, “I wish I was extremely beautiful” or “I wish I looked like a supermodel.” I’m quite happy with my lot. That wasn’t the case about 2 years ago. I was at Barnes & Nobles and I wasn’t going to go there first, but instead walk on by and enter the mall via the south east entrance and proceed straight to Victoria’s Secret to return some items for my sister, but I instead went into B&N. I browsed for a about 5 minutes or so and then decided I’d come back after my visit at VS. So as I’m walking towards the back entrance that will take to me the SE entrance of the mall, I saw a very gorgeous man! He was bit too thin for my taste, but he was oh so gorgeous. :sigh: I wasn’t planning on making eye contact, but right as we neared each other I look at him and he smiles right at me. And at that moment time stood still (REALLY!) and I pictured a lifetime of happiness with him (children included) that flashed and then it was over as I walked out the door. Then I thought, “oh why couldn’t I look a supermodel? I bet he would have said something!” I still think of him from time to time and it was just an odd thing to experience.
8. I love telenovelas! Yup, I’m a Spanish soap fan and I love them! Especially if they feature some of my favorite leading men like Sebastian Rulli, David Zepeda, or CristiΓ‘n de la Fuente . Some of my favorite soaps include Yo Compro Esa Mujer (costume drama set and title is: I buy that woman. I’m still waiting for this to be on DVD!), India: A Love Story, and La Pola.
9. I love all aspects of the paranormal and going on ghost tour walks! That stuff is so interesting and you learn a lot about history.
10. I’m a hockey fan! My favorite player growing up (well as a teen) was Mike Modano and in fact, the Dallas Stars just retired his jersey and they published a book of his life and career. One book with two options were available (one was signed and only 999 copies were made) and guess which option I went with? Oh I also got a copy of the game program from that night.


11. Speaking of hockey…I’m a Patrick Sharp fan and therefore that makes me a Blackhawks fan too! Though I adore my Stars, Aves, and Red Wings. I mean look at Sharpie!
12. I have 2 prized possessions: a hand written note by hockey hall of famer Bob Gainey and a used game stick by Patrick Verbeek.
13. Book that drove my parents crazy because they’d have to read it over and over again when I was a child? Green Eggs and Ham.
14. I got lost once in a Mexican shop when I was a kid. It was interesting and yet terrifying. I do remember being the center of attention as I was talking away to a few people.
15. My least favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical happens to still be one of my favorites. Huh? Yeah, I know, but there’s something about The Phantom of the Opera that I love and yet hate at the same time.
There you have it, a little bit about me and do we have anything in common? Do you have a favorite birthday memory?
To celebrate my birthday, I’m giving away a $25 gift certificate to the Book Depository. This means anyone can enter as long as TBD ships to your country. You’ll have the option of picking a book that is worth $25 or feel free to pick a few books as long as the total is $25. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Francine Soleil
Happy birthday! I hope you have a good one. π my birthdays usually suck so I don’t know if I have any good memories to share. But I do remember when I bought Anna and the French Kiss on my 19th birthday and read it in one sitting and instantly fell in love.
Francine Soleil recently posted…ARC Book Review: Fates by Lanie Bross
Jessica
Thank you! Oooh, Anna and the French Kiss is ONE book I still need to read.
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Michelle @ Book Briefs
Happy Birthday to YOU!!! I love Hockey too. This is a really great post. I love getting to know fellow bloggers a little bit better!
My favorite birthday memory was probably my 21st birthday (not for getting drunk) but because my boyfriend at the time and my roommate planned a surprise birthday for me. (my boyfriend was long distance then she he came up to visit and brought some of my friends from home) It was a really nice time.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
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Jessica
Yay, hockey fan! π Did your team make the playoffs?
How awesome is it that your boyfriend came to celebrate? Super cool and yay, for your roommate planning it!
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Jennifer @ Donnie Darko Girl
Happy Birthday!! I have many good birthday memories, but the best ones are the ones I got to spend with my mom before she passed away. I remember when I turned ten, and we were talking about how cool it was that I was in the “double digits.” The year I turned nineteen, I had a joint birthday party with my best friend (her birthday is five days before mine) and my husband (then friend at the time, his birthday is three days before mine). All three of our names were on the cake! Thank you for the generous giveaway! π
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Jessica
Awww, I’m sorry for your loss! I’m so glad you have such great memories of your mom and I know it’s hard not to have her especially on your own special day, but she’s with you always! π
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miki
Happy Birthday, i hope you will enjoy it. may your special day be filled with love, loved ones and books!
i will say my best memories was last month^^;; because for the first time i really got a real birthday ( not just my close family ( parents and brother)) oh the friends that live near me did forget once again, but my blogger friends did remember and i got short messages with birthday wish, and i even got presents some really personnal one ( a special cushion picked just to fit my tastes), some books and candies….. really it was simply formidable to feel special and loved so i do hope you will feel as happy now that’s it’s your turn
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Jessica
Awww, so glad you had a wonderful day on your birthday! Yay for blogger friends that make the day more special. π Mine was actually very quiet and that’s not normal for me. I usually get a lot of bday texts, etc but it was rather non-eventful. It was lovely though, thank you!
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smiling_ina
Happy birthday!!! I hope you’re having a fun-filled day and get spoiled, too. π
I love your dog! What a cutie!
I’m a huge hockey fan myself, though I have to admit my team is Montreal Canadiens. GO HABS GO!!! LOL
As for favorite birthday memory, I’m not really sure, but I do love seeing the face on my little man on HIS birthday. π
Jessica
I always think of the best reasons to have kids is to experience the world through their eyes. I’m glad you love seeing his face on his birthday.
Yay, fellow hockey fan! Actually, I grew up watching the Habs because of a step uncle who was French Canadian. Hoping some of the projected winners for the first round of the playoffs is wrong.
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BarefootMedStudent
Your post is so funny and interesting. Mhh my favorite birthday memory… I had some really awesome themed parties as a kid. Clown themed, Barbie themed and Monkey themed (don’t ask). My mom, dad and I always used to get up super early to get everything ready for the parties, and the atmosphere was always so fun. I have a summer birthday and that always contributed to the fun. So there isn’t really one specific – birthdays have just always been so special for me.
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Jessica
I loved themes for parties a kid! I always had a clown theme every other year much to the horror of some parents who were scared of clowns.
A summer birthday? Wow-I admire people with summer birthdays. I know growing up, it can be a bit hard with friends being on vacation, etc. I’m glad you’ve had lovely birthdays and memories. π
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Awatif
Happy birthday , wish you the best xx youre amazing, keep it going !!
My fav birthday memory is on 21st birthday it was such an amazing day and got a lot of surprises and one of them was my cat xx
Jessica
Thank you!
Awww, a kitty! π I’m sure the kitty cat was equally happy to be paired with you.
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anna@herding cats & burning soup
Aws how fun! Ouch to the jumping on the bed. Eek! And happy birthday! Hope it’s a good one!
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Jessica
Thanks you! yeah, if I can talk to kid me, I’d really talk her out of jumping on the bed. Yup, I learned the hard way why it’s a song taught to kids.
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fatma
when my friends threw me a surprise bday party at applebees:)
Jessica
Oooh, Applebees! Now you have me craving a cowboy burger or an oriental chicken salad.
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Chelsea B.
A very happy birthday to you! π
One of my favorite memories is a surprise party my family threw me even though we were going through a tough time. It was so sweet and hit me right in the feels π
Jessica
Awww, surprise parties are wonderful! I’m so glad you had that and can forever have a lovely memory. π
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Ashfa
Happy Birthday! My best birthday was my 15th when I got a tone of books from my family!
Jessica
Your family knows you well! I never get books for any birthdays or holidays. LOL
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Stephanie F.
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful birthday week. π
One of my favorite birthday memories was when I was 8 and my dad was on deployment. I didn’t think he was going to make it to my party but during it he showed up and surprised me. Has always been my favorite memory.
Jessica
Thank you! It’s been a lovely week.
Awwww, what a lovely surprise! I’m so glad he was able to come and enjoy the day with you. I thank your father for his service and your family for the sacrifice of having him away.
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celeste
Happy Birthday!!!!
My best memories was when last january when my family give to me a bookshelf for my lovely books π
Jessica
Thank you! I think it’s great you got a bookshelf! A lovely place for your books. π
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Kristi
Happy Birthday!!
My sweetest birthday memory is from last year. I was turning 30 and my 4 year old daughter (who’d just started writing) wrote me a note that said “Mama, I love you. You’re old!” with a smiley face. I had that note laminated and now use it as a bookmark.
Haha!
Michelle J.
I loved when my friends secretly decorated my room while I was gone–so sweet!
Gem
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
And thank you so much for this cool giveaway π
My sweetest birthday memory was my 16th birthday. That year, I lost about five cellphones. 2 weeks before my birthday, I lost my 5th cellphone that year and I was like “GOD DAMN IT. I’M DONE WITH FREAKING CELLPHONES. CONTACT ME VIA SMOKE SIGNAL.” When my birthday came, my friends surprised me! They pooled in some money and bought me this really simple and cute phone that looks like a calculator! And it’s also in my favorite color: yellow! I was so touched by their sweet gesture that I ended bawling my eyes out!
Happy birthday and thanks for the giveaway again! God bless! π
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Afra
Happy Birthday!
My favorite birthday was my my 16th when my friends threw a surprise party for me. π
Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
Daenielle
My family are complete. π
Michelle Lee
My favorite birthday memory is when it was just me and my two girlfriends back in High School. We just hung out and ate bunch of foods haha
Alaine
Being proposed to!!!