Five Things Friday – A Few Facts About Me
Last night I had the pleasure of meeting a few healthy living bloggers that I’d connected with online, but never actually met outside the webosphere.
We linked up at The Balanced Blonde‘s app launch party at Equinox in West LA to enjoy Stevia-sweetened cocktails courtesy Bai and Veev and sushi from Katsuya – my idea of a perfect evening.
I got to chat with the hilarious Arman of The Big Man’s World, who is visiting from Australia, the lovely Sophie, founder of the superfood blends Philosophie, and of course my good pal Gigi of Gigi Eats Celebrities.
Outfit details >> Blazer, Rebecca Minkoff // Booties, Rag & Bone // Bag, Rebecca Minkoff // Top, similar here // Skirt, similar here
Meeting people after reading their blogs for a while is very interesting.
You think you have a solid idea of what someone is like, and then you interact with them face-to-face and experience so many other facets of their personality. It just shows you that people are so multi-dimensional and you really can’t get the full picture from what they choose to share with you online.
Which brings me to today’s post.
I usually don’t take part in random questionnaires — unless they’re super important like “Whose Butt Are You Anyway” (I got “Beyonce’s Booty,” in case you’re wondering).
But when fellow healthy living blogger Ashley from A Lady Goes West tagged me in a survey about my favorites, I thought “Why the heck not,” it’s Friday and I’m feeling candid.
Hopefully you find this list informative, a tad funny and you finish feeling like you know me a little better.
I switched up the questions Ashley posted a bit to incorporate a few health/fitness related topics and I challenge all of you to pick one and answer below – because I want to know about YOU too.
Let’s go!
Five Names People Call Me Other Than Whitney:
- Whit – everyone, even strangers, seem to think they’re on a short-name basis with me.
- Whitters – my parents.
- Wild Whitney – college. My roommate was “Hot Heather.” We made a killer combo.
- Whiny Whitney – when I’m cold or hungry, which is approximately 85% of the time.
- English Muffin – my besty CrisGib.
Five Jobs I’ve Had:
- A “Soda Fountain Girl” at Sonic – yes, the drive-in fast food restaurant.
- Weight Room Monitor at the University of Arizona Student Rec Center – Need a spotter?
- Lifeguard – No, I’ve never saved anyone.
- Waitress at “Bisonwitches” – a soup & sandwich meets Coyote Ugly type of joint. Yes, there may have been some impromptu bar top dancing. No, it was not a job requirement.
- Swim Team Coach – fearless leader of the Purple Heart Penguins.
Five Movies I’ve Watched More Than Once:
- Great Expectations – my dream love scene: kissing in the rain.
- The Beach – vintage Leo.
- Clueless – “You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet.”
- My Best Friend’s Wedding – this movie’s soundtrack defined my junior high years.
- A League of Their Own – a powerful story of female friendship and sisterhood – and some raunchy scenes from Tom Hanks.
Five Books I’d Recommend:
- The Great Gatsby – classic, amazing.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray – a haunting, cautionary tale about putting too much weight on beauty, youth and image.
- Me Before You – a sweet, contemplative love-story.
- The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. – dating, from a man’s perspective.
- Why Men Love B*tches – if you’re single, read this NOW. Seriously, go get it.
Five Favorite Places I’ve Been:
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Sabi Sands Reserve, South Africa
- Lake Petén, Guatemala
- Il Sentiero degli Dei (The Hike of the Gods), Amalfi Coast, Italy
- Ambergris Caye, Belize – and I’m going back soon for a very special occasion, hint hint!
Five Things I Could Eat Exclusively For the Rest of My Life:
- Sushi/Sashimi – brown rice salmon avocado rolls preferably.
- Croissants – can someone come up with a really healthy whole wheat version, please?
- Frozen Yogurt – with dairy, without dairy, made of bananas, made of almonds – I’ll take it all.
- Red Wine – Petite Sirah, por favor.
- Scallops – mmmm.
Five Exercises That I Loathe:
- Cycling – I’ll admit it. I hate it, but I’ll still do it occasionally.
- Running Up-Hill – unless someone is chasing me, I’d prefer to walk uphill.
- Hot Yoga – why does it need to be so hot? WHY?
- Push-Ups – I do these begrudgingly as part of my “chest day” – but no one is going to make me enjoy it.
- Pilates – I have a real love/hate relationship with this exercise. First of all, the equipment looks like an ancient torture device (and it feels like one too). But it’s one of the best core exercises I’ve ever done.
Five Exercises I Love:
- Romanian Deadlift – that’s how I got the aforementioned “Beyonce Booty.”
- V-Ups – nothing kills the core more.
- Kettlebell Swings – when done right, another great butt burner.
- Modified Lateral Raise – carves out the delts.
- The “Lizard” – in plank, bring your knee as close to your shoulder on the same side as possible, twisting your body to meet it. Repeat on the other side. Photo below. #hurtsogood
Ok, now it’s my turn to tag 5 fellow bloggers to open up! I choose:
Jordan of The Balanced Blonde
Arman of The Big Man’s World
Gigi of Gigi Eats Celebrities
Lee of Fit Foodie Finds
Davida of The Healthy Maven
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
Fun survey! I am with you on the red wine and fro-yo. Have a great weekend!
Whitney English says:
Essentials :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Hi Whitney!! Thanks for playing along, I love how you added a little fitness spin to this survey. You looked so great at the event and how awesome you met some fellow bloggers face-to-face. We seem to share a lot of favorites- i.e. sushi, wine, fro-yo, you name it. I’m jealous of your traveled to list — I want to go to both Thailand and South Africa one day. Have a fabulous weekend!! :)
Whitney English says:
Absolutely! Thanks for tagging me – it was fun!
We do share a lot of favorites – looks like we’re going to have to arrange a face-to-face soon!! xo
Dale Janee says:
What a fun event and I follow the Balanced Blonde too after seeing it on one of your posts a few months ago! I know what you mean about meeting bloggers you follow in real life, and how there’s so much more to a personality beyond what is shared! Love your question & answer session and yes, can someone please invent a healthy croissant.
xoDale
Whitney English says:
I actually stumbled upon a whole wheat croissant yesterday! It was also chocolate though and made of predominately sugar and butter, alas.
ganeeban says:
Loved the survey. I weirdly, enjoy reading these from bloggers. They are usually pretty interesting and you get to learn a little more about the person. I haven’t met any blends (blogger friends) yet, but I think it would be an interesting dynamic, for sure! Happy Weekend! xoxo, ganeeban
Whitney English says:
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for weighing in! xo
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says:
I couldn’t survive without bananas, oatmeal, chocolate, coffee (does that count?) or brownies. I probably should have mentioned a vegetable there somewhere, but we’re lucky there’s a fruit haha
Whitney English says:
Oh, coffee always counts! And fruits and veggies can be reserved for less apocalyptic lists :)
Kim says:
Love the group at your party – so fun that you got to meet Arman!!
Did you wear skates when you worked at Sonic???
Your movie list stressed me a tiny bit because while you were in Jr. High enjoying My Best Friend’sWedding, I was a teacher and fairly newlywed.
Whitney English says:
Funny thing, I wanted to wear skates but I was forced to work the soda machine inside – no skates :( I did make a mean cherry limeade though!
Tara says:
What about “Whitty too Pretty,” “Winny,” and “Shistah ?”
Whitney English says:
I could only have 5 :) xo
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says:
WOW you’ve been to some amazing places!! I love travel and would love to get to some of those places eventually! What a fun event you got to go to…it would be so fun to meet some fellow bloggers in real life! I also love your 5 food choices….SUSHI all the way!!
Whitney English says:
Thanks! If you ever need travel recs in any of those locales, let me know! xo
Jezz Dallas says:
Great post!! Love when I get to meet up with other bloggers as well…it’s weird at first but always a great experience!
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says:
I love this survey and I love that you met everyone!! :) So fun!
Whitney English says:
Thanks Tara!
Khushboo says:
Just opened another tab up to buy a copy of “Why Men Love Bitches”- I’ve heard about it but now I thinks about time I give it a read! As for me, 5 foods I could eat exclusively for the rest of my life include brown rice sushi (exactly the combo you stated), marinara sauce, dark chocolate, hummus & ice cream.
Whitney English says:
Yes!! Don’t be fooled by the name – it’s not about acting like a b*tch. It’s about having self-respect when dating. Let me know what you think!!