Make Mine a Mojito

This is the end! The last set of questions.

Also, I received my replacement ring yesterday. Wahooooooooo. Is there any interest in seeing it on my hand or were the pictures on the previous blog post sufficient? Thoughts?

15. Miscellaneous Part 2

What is your favorite part about living in Dallas?

My friends, the fantastic food scene, low cost of living, warm winters, being in a big city with a small-town feel.

How many people have you fallen in love with? Do you regret anything about those relationships?

Three.

Yes, I do have regrets. I know, I know. Regret is a wasted emotion (or so people tell me), but that doesn’t change how I feel.

I don’t want to go into too much detail, but if you’ve read Somewhere In Between Us, you’ll have a good idea about some of my regrets in the way I treated “Michael” and how I handled my relationship with “Reid”.

What do you miss the most about your previous “hometown” life?

I miss being close to my family on a regular basis. I also miss my best friends from high school SO MUCH. Nicole, Liz, and Megan in particular!

I’m sure you’ve talked about it before, but can you tell us a little but more about your wedding?

Check out this post here.

How did you get so into swimming? Was it just something you liked to do? And also, where can I find a swimcap that won’t get my hair wet?

I started swimming when I was three-years-old. I loved it the moment I dove into the water. My mom signed me up for swim lessons at the YMCA. When I got old enough I joined the neighborhood swim team (which I later coached for six years). I was the worst one in the pool. No joke. I got the pity clap every time I finished a race (in last place of course).

After several summers of pure embarrassment, my mom signed me up for club swimming (meaning year-round). Something clicked, and by the next summer, I went from the slowest person in the pool to winning league records. The rest is history.

This is NOT the swim cap I use, but this type of swim cap is good for non-competitive swimmers. It won’t pull out your hair and it keeps your hair dry! You can buy it at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

What was your major in college? Where did you go to school?

I have a Bachelors of Science in both mathematics and engineering. I also have a Masters of Science in Systems Engineering.

I received all of my degrees from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

What is your current job? Do you like your job? What is your dream job?

Currently I am a systems engineer for a government defense contractor. The job has its moments. Other times I want to stick a pencil in my eye.

My dream job would be a full-time author of chick lit.

16. Trolling

Other than laughing off mean, annoying people, where do you draw your humor from?

My father. He always finds the funny side in all aspects of life. I’ve tried to carry that mentality over to my life.

Mr. Mojito is also incredibly funny. I tend to steal his one-liners and jokes and pass them off as my own.

I also love shows like Ellen and The Soup.

How do you stay so upbeat and funny?

I try not to sweat the small stuff. But I’m not always upbeat, witty, or funny, though I try not to show that side on the blog because nobody likes to read Debbie Downer posts everyday.

What is your greatest source of confidence?

My faith and the support from those I cherish most (Mr. Mojito, family, and friends).

What do you do when someone is rude to you or blatantly does not like you? How do you handle negative comments on your blog?

It depends. Occasionally, I do get negative comments. Usually I laugh them off and ignore them. To me, it’s just not worth it to stress over something like this. Those people that know me personally know the ridiculousness of some of these comments.

Plus, I know I won’t always make every reader happy. Some people think I’m bitchy, pretentious, and rude. Others think I’m arrogant, pushy, and mean. Some find me witty, funny, and real. It’s all about perception. I can’t control what others think or say about me. I can only continue to be the best version of myself.

The only time I am truly bothered by negative comments is when they accuse me or assume something completely false. For example, I’ve received several comments that claimed the following:

I drive a luxury vehicle. (I drive a 1998 Nissan Sentra)

I spend thousands of dollars a week on sites like Rue La La and Gilt Group. (I don’t even have an account with either of these sites. Plus, I NEVER spend money on clothes, meaning I dress like a hobo 90% of the time).

My days consist eating bon-bons and wasting Mr. Mojito’s money. (Ummmmm, really? I mean, really?)

My attitude is that if you’re going to talk trash, at least be truthful about it.

If you want to say I spend an asinine amount of money at Restoration Hardware, I would agree with you. If you want to say that I’m obsessed with diamonds, go for it. If you want to say I’m a food snob, I’d say you’re right.

Just.Be.Truthful!

Also, I’d like to add that unless I feel really passionately about something, I never leave a negative comment. BUT if I do, I ALWAYS put my name behind it. I don’t belive in hiding behind anonymity. I never take negative comments seriously if the person can’t even man up with their identity.

Whew! That was fun, dear readers! Hope you enjoyed getting to know me a little better.

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7. Consumerism

In your pictures you always look so fashionable. Is this how you dress on a daily basis? If not, what does your normal workweek attire look like?

Five out of seven days a week I dress like a hobo. No joke. I look like I just came from the gym or rolled out of bed. I typically wear sweat pants or yoga pants, a t-shirt or long-sleeved cotton shirt, Uggs or running shoes, and a fleece or cotton jacket to work…everyday…without fail.

Oh and my hair is always wet when I leave my house. And you can forget about make-up.

On Friday and Saturday nights I try to look like a normal girl. Usually I wear jeans and a fun top from places like J. Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, or Nordstrom. If I am feeling really adventurous I put on a dress.

Where are your favorite places to shop and find hidden gems?

Hidden gems? HAHAHAHAH. That’s funny. I never shop for clothes so I have absolutely no idea where to find hidden gems BUT if you know a great place, please feel free to pass on that information!

What outfit do you feel the prettiest in?

A form fitting dress when I’ve actually decided to curl my hair, put on make-up, and brave stilettos.

What is your favorite outfit?

Do fleece pants and a sweatshirt count? No? Then I love any of my cotton J. Crew summer dresses and my Seven jeans with a casual top.

If money weren’t an object, is there a splurge or something you’d spend it on? Like on you–really expensive new car or a daily massage?

Diamonds. I can’t help it. I love bling. I’d also splurge on a housekeeper.

Who is your favorite jewelry designer? Besides Harry Winston….

David Yurman. But I also must say I’m not a big fan of Harry Winston. I much prefer Cartier.

What are you favorite beauty products?

Once again, I find this question hilarious. Beauty products + me = oil + water. We just don’t mesh. I leave all the beauty product talk to other fabulous bloggers that actually know what the hell is going on (SLynnRo, Kate at Elefantitas Alegres, Maggie at Freckled Citizen, Pretty in Pink Megan, My Brunette Reality, Blue-Eyed Bride, According to Nina).

In all seriousness, I am really not the person to ask about this. Heck, I can’t even apply make-up (don’t let my blog pictures fool you). I have absolutely no favorite beauty products except for maybe my perfume (I wear either Fresh Fig Apricot or Sugar Lychee). Does that count?

How do you get your hair looking so gorgeous?

After drying it, I throw my hair up in hot rollers for 10 minutes. I take out the curlers and shake the curls loose. I add some light hair spray.

When I say I am no fuss, total basics kind of girl, I genuinely mean it.

What is your favorite collectible besides Mojito stuff?

I collect Hard Rock Café shot glasses, wine corks, all types of glassware (I have enough sets of glasses that I could serve a party of 150 and everyone would have a glass…no joke), and Story People pictures.

What kind of car do you and your husband drive?

Contrary to rumor and popular belief, I do NOT drive a Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, or any other luxury vehicle. I drive a 1998 rusted-top red Nissan Sentra named Betty (after Betty Boop). I ADORE my car.

Yes, she’s old. But she’s got spunk. I love her.

The car was a present from my parents for my sixteenth birthday. I will continue to drive it until the engine falls out.

Mr. Mojito drives a 2000 Chevy Malibu that was also a gift for his sixteenth birthday. I think he may love his car more than he loves me. It’s rather sad actually.

8. Where’s Waldo?

Where would you like to travel to for an extended vacation?

Greece, Napa Valley, Spain, ST. JOHN!!!!

When are you headed back to the East Coast so you’ll be on my coast and I can meet you?

I promise next time I am on the East Coast I will let you know and we WILL meet up!!

If you could go anywhere in the world, money is no object, where would you go? How long would you stay there? What would you see/do? Who would you take with you?

Wow. Tough question. Can I take the cop-out answer and say I would spend several years traveling the world going anywhere and everywhere? I’d take Mr. Mojito and Oliver Pancake with me.

9. Life with Mr. Mojito

How did Mr. Mojito propose?

In May 2007, he took me on a gondola ride touring the Las Colinas canals. He placed a message in a bottle in the canal. When I retrieved it from the water, he told me to open it. The message was a love letter to me. When I finished reading the letter, Mr. Mojito got down on one knee in the gondola and asked me to join Team Mojito for life.

How did you meet Mr. Mojito?

Have I mentioned that the Mojitos are a bunch of math nerds? Well we are. BIG TIME.

I fell in love with Mr. Mojito over math equations. I met him the first day of senior year of college. He sat next to me in a math class. As the class progressed, we started studying together. Eventually he asked me out on a date. The rest is history.

What is Mr. Mojito’s occupation?

We are BOTH Systems Engineers for different government defense contractors.

10. Food for Thought

What is your favorite meal or food item and why?

Favorite meal: Risotto. It’s just a bunch of creamy, delicious goodness.
Favorite food item: Cheese or Toblerone. Neither need any explanantion.

Who cooks more in your house? You or Mr. Mojito? What are your go to dishes? Or do you guys mostly eat out?

Confession: We eat out ALL THE TIME. It’s something I genuinely enjoy so we budget for it. BUT, if we do cook in, I am usually the chef and Mr. Mojito cleans up my messes.

Pretty much any of Giada De Laurentiis, Ina Garten, and Tyler Florence’s recipes are my go-to dishes. I have all of their cook books and use them every time I prepare a meal. They haven’t let me down yet.

What would you eat for your last meal?

Risotto and chocolate. Oh, and mojitos of course!

What’s your favorite recipe?

My favorite recipe is my mother’s Mexican Stuffed Shells that she created on a whim:

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 medium-sized yellow onion finely chopped
1 packet taco seasoning
1 package of cream cheese
1 box of jumbo pasta shells
1 10 oz. or 16 oz. can enchilada sauce (mild, medium, or hot) depending on how much sauce you like
1 bunch scallions diced
1 package Mexican cheese blend
Diced tomato for garnish

Directions:

Cook the jumbo shell pasta in boiling water. Drain when al dente. Set aside to cool.

Sautee onions and beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the onions are translucent and the meat is cooked through, add the packet of taco seasoning. Stir well. Add the entire package of cream cheese and allow it to melt into the beef mixture. Allow the mixture to cool.

Then stuff a heaping spoonful of the beef mixture into one of the cooked jumbo shells. Place the filled shell in a baking dish. Repeat this process until all of the beef mixture is gone.

On top of the shells in the baking dish pour the enchilada sauce. Sprinkle the diced tomato and scallion on top of the shells. Cover the shells with Mexican cheese.

Bake on 350 degree for 30-40 minutes until the shells are warm in the center and the cheese is melted.

11. The Fit Train: Weight Watchers

Did you combine the program with lots of exercise?

Yes, I worked out 4-5 days per week. I typically did an hour of cardio followed by 30 minutes of weight lifting. I would also alternate days of cardio and weights.

Did you eat the horribly-diet-y food…or did you just monitor your portions with “normal food”?

Admittedly, I did eat diet-y food. I am an all or nothing kind of girl. I knew I would never be successful eating smaller portions of my favorite meals. BUT once a week I did have a major splurge meal and racked up the points and calories.

Have you had success maintaining your weightloss?

Yes and no. My weight fluctuates. Right now I am 7 pounds over my goal weight. BUT when I follow the WW program, I lose weight ridiculously fast. On the other hand, if I stop counting points and start eating whatever I want, the weight piles back on.

What is your favorite diet food?

100 calorie Smart Pop Kettle Corn Popcorn. I also love sugar free Jell-O!

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4. What’s in a name?

What is your real name?! Give me a name. Any name. Please?

I know I am going to piss off some people with this response, but this is one of the questions I can’t answer. I want to keep my name private.

BUT here’s a hint: there are several pictures on my blog where my name is written clear as day. If you can find those then you’ll have your answer

Of course, if God decides to bless me with a book deal in the future, then obviously the cat will be out of the bag and the entire world will know all about me. Until that time, you all will just have to call me MM.

5. Blogging on the Interwebs.

How’d you get into blogging? How did you come up with your name?

In summer 2008, I was laying on our tattered couch in our empty living room bored out of my mind watching mindless television. To cure the boredom, Mr. Mojito broached the subject of starting a blog since I had been anonymously stalking other blogs (cough, cough…Blue-Eyed Bride…cough, cough) for months. I laughed him off and said his idea was stupid. As I continued to twiddle my thumbs while staring at the ceiling in our living room, I started to put some serious thought into his suggestion.

After an hour I decided to take the leap. Knowing nothing about blogging, I chose the Blogging for Idiots route and signed up on Blogger. How hard can this whole thing be, right?

Wrong.

Then came the hard part. What do I call my home on the Interwebs?

Mr. Mojito suggested I call my blog Make Mine a Mojito since I have a deep affection for rum, lime, and mint. At first I hated the name. Then it grew on me. Before I went to bed that night, I had a tagline that played on the mojito theme as well as a blog penname.

My first posts focused primarily on home décor and renovation. I had no idea what I wanted my blog to be about. After some trial and error, I decided to throw the rules out the window and post about whatever the hell I wanted.

I never looked back…

How do you feel about the fact that your blog has such a large following? When you started writing the blog, did you ever imagine so many people would read it? Did you work at getting a large following or did it happen naturally? Do you ever wish you didn’t have so many readers? Perhaps when people leave rude, anonymous comments?

I am honestly speechless that so many people read my rants, ramblings, and raves on a daily basis. I am actually a very boring person that lives in sweat pants, drives a rusted car, and works with people who eat their toenails. I never thought anyone would find my life interesting. AT ALL.

My readers make this blog worth it. Every day they never cease to amaze me.

I have no idea how people find my blog or continue to read it (if you’d like to leave me a comment with your thoughts about how you found my blog or why you read, I’d love to read them). I guess I could say it happened naturally. I started commenting on blogs I connected with, and the next thing I knew people were commenting on my blog. It was a surreal moment to receive my first blog comment that wasn’t Mr. Mojito.

My blog following wasn’t instantaneous. It took a LONG time for me to have any sort of continued readership. There are several bloggers that I consider dear friends that were the first to read my blog. I will be forever grateful for them for their support of me and my writing.

I’m going to hold off on answering the anonymous blog commenters and trolls question for a future post because I feel that question deserves its own topic

How did you develop personal relationships with other fabulous bloggers? Did you know them before you started blogging?

In a nutshell: Commenting.

When I started blogging, those I now consider my best friends were nothing but faceless names on the Internet. I didn’t know any of them personally when I published my first blog post.

Initially, I found blogs I connected with and started commenting. Commenting morphed into sporadic emailing which morphed into constant emailing which morphed into phone calls which morphed into meeting in person over coffee or sangria which morphed into friendship.

How did you go about creating your own website? Any sites you can recommend that would help in setting up your own blog?

Nina was actually the first of my blog friends to take the leap. I’d been considering getting my own domain for months before I actually bit the bullet. Nina gave me the final push to purchase my own .com and hosting service.

GoDaddy.com and BSP eHosting are the companies I used to set up my blog. I also purchased the Thesis Theme for WordPress (which I later customized for my liking) as the template for my blog.

Did you make your own blog header and buttons on the side? If so, did you use Photoshop?

I DID create my own blog header, though Nina added the text using Photoshop. Basically I found pictures of mojitos I liked and created a mosaic with them. I sent that mosaic to Nina and she added the final punch with the text. Nina also created my signature (complete with lime slice).

What was the hardest part about moving from Blogger to Wordpress? Which do you prefer? Or pros and cons of each.

This is such a hard question. Wordpress is awesome because you can customize your website to anything you want. I like how it has separate pages to distinguish content. I like how clean my blog appears (I hate clutter).

But Wordpress isn’t always user friendly. If the user has programming knowledge then using Wordpress is a walk in the park. Most people don’t have this knowledge. I sure didn’t when I switched over, and I’m an engineer!

Ami at EAD was a LIFESAVER. She is a WIZ at Wordpress and helped immensely in creating this site.

Blogger is great for people that know nothing about HTML and coding. It’s easy to use, easy to post, easy to upload pictures, etc.

Wordpress is none of these things. BUT once I got used to it, I found value in it. Now, I’ll never go back to Blogger.

6. SIBU: Truth or Fiction?

Is Reid a real person? Do Kate and Kellen actually exist? If Reid is a real person, is he actually famous or in the movie business in some way? How much of Attison is reflected in you? How does Mr. M feel about the story knowing that it’s mostly autobiographical?

Without going into too much detail, I will say there are parts of SIBU taken directly from my life (scenes, situations, and conversations). Even some of the characters are mirror images of people from my life.

Vague? Yeah, I know that was a bullshit answer.

How about this…

-Mr. Mojito is not Reid.
-Kate and Kellen DO exist. I am still friends with them today.
-The “real” Reid is not a famous actor. I have to plead the 5th on the remaining questions regarding Reid. (Still friends?)
-I do NOT own the Tiffany key pendant though I wish I did and that it was sitting pretty on my neck.
-I was in a sorority. In fact, I was president of said sorority.
-Susan’s Bakery was modeled after Society Bakery in Dallas.
-Montgomery Park is real.
-Attison IS me, from her appearance to her mannerisms. I poured my soul into her character.

Also, Mr. M is 100% supportive of me and this story. He knows all about my past before we started dating. Besides, he ended up with the girl, right?

Are your planning on getting SIBU published?

I have no plans to publish SIBU. It was simply something I enjoyed writing. Honestly, after taking several writing classes, SIBU would NEVER be considered good enough to publish. BUT I love it anyway.

Are you going to write a sequel or add more to the story line?

Right now I have no plans to write a sequel, though if there is a big interest, I wouldn’t be opposed to writing some scenes that take place in the future. (Leave me a comment on SIBU if this is something you’d enjoy.)

Do you plan on writing another book?

YES! I am writing one right now that I hope to submit to agents later this year.

Would you ever consider writing a story based on a plot that someone gave you (not really ghostwriting because it’d be under your name but similar) or even co-writing a story?

Sure. Why the heck not? Got a good idea? Email me!

Do you have a weekly writing schedule? How do you carve out time to write during your busy week?

I spend every weekend during the day holed up in Starbucks pounding away at my computer. The baristas know me by name. It’s actually rather sad.

Devoting time to writing is hard, but I love it so much I make the time. It also helps that Mr. Mojito is in school for his MBA so he is usually there with me doing homework.

Did you always feel like you wanted to be a writer?

No, not at all. Blogging brought out my creative side, and I’ve embraced it with open arms.

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