Get to Know Me – 10 Facts

Today I wanted to some what re-introduce myself, especially for those of you that are new to the Chapters & Tea Podcast. Let’s call it Get To Know Me – 10 Facts About Me. 

Where do you even begin? I feel like you already know me so well, I mean you basically followed me along on one of the most important voyages of my life. I suppose we can start with the basics. 

Fact Number One: I am born and raised Baltimore girl. I currently live in Baltimore County, Maryland, and love it. I was one of those girls who couldn’t wait to move back home after school. Home is home – there is just something about Baltimore County that gives me comfort. I am not opposed to traveling or possibly moving away someday, but for right now I am content living a mile away from my parents and sister. I don’t sound like the average 29-year-old girl full of independence, but this is me. Baltimore County is great for me, because you are 15 minutes from downtown Baltimore, but just a few miles away from the country. I suppose I am more of a country girl and love living away from the hustle and bustle. You all know how much I love to explore and go on local adventures. The convenience of being close to everything is why I love the county so much!

Fact Number Two: I was diagnosed with Lyme disease at the age of 19. Lyme disease has been with me thru some of the best and worst times of my life. I would love to dedicate an entire episode to living with Lyme. Just to learn a little, Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by Borrelia spread by ticks. If found and treated early on, Lyme can be manageable thanks to antibiotics or holistic treatments. Ticks burrow into the skin and basically suck the life out of you; well at least in my case that’s exactly what it seemed like. Some of the main symptoms are fever, headache, and fatigue. If not treated, Lyme disease can cause major musical damage and life long symptoms that I can talk about on a designated episode. I talk often on my stories about proactive prevention ideas on how you can dress safe and still enjoy outdoor living. I spent years inside and not enjoying so many of the things I love. Might as well use that transition to another fact about me.

Fact Number Three: I love exploration, travel, and adventure. Like I said in the last fact, I spent years and years hiding inside because I was scared of getting bit by another tick and having to start the healing process all over again. Four, Lyme caring, ticks in 10 years – who the hell gets that unlucky? Anyways, I have this new obsession and love for hiking and exploration. It’s also something Jeff and I can do together. We even drive all over Maryland and hopefully this summer all over the East Coast to explore new places. I wasn’t a travel lover until this past year, due to crippling anxiety, but now its pretty much all I can think about. I am not the ideal traveler, but I do everything I can to make it work. I get major motion sickness and literally travel with Bonine, a non-drowsy version of Dramamine, everywhere I go. It is the only thing that helps me get on a plane or as a passenger in any car; good thing I prefer to be the driver. If any of my friends or family are listening, they’ve probably helped hold my hair back a time or do after being a passenger in their car. Two years ago Jeff and I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas and I think that’s when the travel itch started. It was my first time out of the country and I’ve been making bucket list travel destinations ever since. I have a continuous list going of places I want to travel based on locations and occasions. Follow along with the hashtag #WanderWithSarahS to stay updated on our most recent travels. 

Fact Number Four: As you all know, I am a book junkie. I love to read and especially love listening to audiobooks. They are my absolute favorite. I just finished listening to The Wicked King, which by example wasn’t a book I enjoyed while I was just reading along. I didn’t care for The Cruel Prince and sometimes wonder if I would enjoy it a second time around if I listened to the audio version. I read the first third of The Cruel Prince solely out of obligation to the bookstagram community and the struggle was real. Once I gave the audio version a try and heard it from the narrator’s perspective, I actually quite enjoyed the story and might actually be looking forward to the next installment of this series. Who would have thought? My all time favorite audiobook is Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis. If you’ve been following along at all, you will know my obsession with Rachel Hollis and her entire family. We’ve already established that I am not a stalker, just a normal fan that thankfully lives thousands of miles away. Might as well take this into the next fact.

Fact Number Five: I am a not just huge fan of Rachel Hollis but also Joanna Gaines. I am obsessed with all things Magnolia. I even have my entire dining room and library room decked out in Magnolia Home furniture and décor furnishings. My kitchen cabinets are even filled with Hearth and Hand glassware and dishes. Okay, my entire house is decorated in Magnolia and Hearth and Hand. My dining room table and chairs are the pride and joy of our entire house. I am proud of host family dinners and celebrations at this table. Already planning our Easter now and can’t wait to have the family siting together again. When we drove thru Texas on our Cross Country trip, I new Austen and Waco were high on my list of MUST stop destinations. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work into the schedule and the heartbreak and devastation were real. It will continue to be at the top of my bucket list, but I WILL visit the Silos and Magnolia soon. Hopefully this year, if everything works out. I am the ultimate fan girl. No shame in my game.

Fact Number Six: I live for The Lord of the Rings. I should really start a series based solely on this topic. I will never forget reading the Hobbit in 3^rd grade, and have been in love with Tolkien ever since. Something about a fantasy world and magical realism does something for me. It’s probably why I love all things Harry Potter, Outlander, and A Court of Thorns and Roses. Game is Thrones is something I’m just starting to get into, but ill keep you posted. It wont be long till I add this to my obsessions list. But Legolas is my all time love and I will reread or watch the movies anytime. Embarrassing confession, but sometimes after my sister and I finish an afternoon walk, we watch certain battles scenes from the movies. Our natural go to is The Battle of Helms Deep – OBSESSED! I mean come on, its one of the best movie fight scenes ever!

Half of my instagram is dedicated to Lord of the Rings. I am constantly making posts featuring the books and captions talking about my favorite characters, scenes, and overall development of the fellowship and quest.

Fact Number Seven: My all time favorite television show is Gilmore Girls. I have seen every single episode time and time again.  Jess Mariano has a strong competition going against Legolas for love of my life. I love so much that all these years lady Milo Ventamilgia who played Jess is now a huge actor and star of This is Us. When I was in high school I wanted to be Rory Gilmore. She is probably the reason by book obsession started when it did. I guess I owe a shout out to her for helping jumpstart a love for reading that would live in my soul forever. I love that they still show reruns on TV and I’m constantly making Jeff endue the mother daughter duo.

Fact Number Eight: Fall is my favorite time of year. I love all things crisp, chilly, orange, and spooky. Leaves are my favorite and nothing is better than the color change. And HELLOOOOOOO, HALLOWEEN!!!! Halloween is my favorite. Apple and pumpkin picking are my main hobbies during the fall. I love decorating the house in oranges and purples and it just makes me really happy. Also gives me happy vibes because I know Christmas is right around the corner. I’m one of those girls that could skip right over thanksgiving and so straight from Halloween to Christmas. I know, I know, that’s a sin, but its how I feel. Maryland is the perfect state to live in during the fall. Getting all four seasons is a treat, but nothing is better than fall.

Fact Number Nine: Although I am a thru and thru water drinker, I thrive in a Vineyard setting. Wine drinking just happens to be a hobby my sister and I share. We are very responsible drinkers, but the most fun! Just picturing yourself sitting outside, soaking in the sun, listening to fabulous music, and sipping on something delicious – does it get better then that?

Fact Number Ten: I saved the best for last. My boyfriend Jeff and I share a home with our favorite little guy in the whole world, our cat, Charlie. Charlie is a 14 year old, 17lb maincoon with a love for snuggles and eating – my kind of guy. I had never had a pet before Charlie and he now holds the most special place in my heart. He is the true love of my life. I constantly find myself wishing Charlie was with me when I’m sitting at my desk or going on a hike and then I have to snap back to reality and remember he’s just a cat, but I don’t care. I can still daydream about that handsome little guy going on adventures with his mudder. You can keep up with Charlie on stories. He even has his own highlights section on my instagram. Make sure to go check that little dude out.

Wow – ten facts! Holy Cow. Thank you for listening along to learn more about me and a few of my favorite things. If you’re new to The Chapters & Tea Podcast or new to the blog or my instagram, I would love for you to reach out and say hello. Send me a few facts about you. Lets get to know each other and make the best use of this community and the connections and friendship potential.  DM me @SarahS_Reads! I’m serious. I want to get to know you all! My door is always open…well my Direct Messages are always open. You know what I mean.