I feel like a fraud.
I was sitting here, in the dark, creating my blog and I had to type...and retype....my name, 3 times.
I typed: Ashley Jens....
DELETE
Then, I typed: Ashley Jensen-Barre....
DELETE
Finally, I settled upon: Ashley Barrett.
That is, my name afterall. As of July 18, 2009, on my wedding day, that became my name. Well, again...fradulence. It wasn't actually my name until this past Wednesday. That date was November 25, if you are keen on pointing out my excessive tardiness. In addition to that, I technically hyphenated my name. I felt a tug of being proud of my given name and didn't want to lose that piece of me. So, legally, I am hyphenated. But, to you, my future students, and the mailman, I am: Mrs. Barrett.
I admit, I've slacked a bit on the name change post-the.best.day.of.my.life. It wasn't intentional, BUT, it was inconvenient. There are so many calls you have to make and I was whipping out my marriage license left and right to prove that I wasn't indeed, a fraud.
Turns out, I'm not. But, I'm not used to being Mrs. Barrett. She already exists. She is a terrific woman residing in a lovely home with a spectacular family and she can bake a mean dessert! I feel as though I am stealing her identity by claiming her name, when infact, I've only stolen....her son. I might be pushing my limits just a tad. I've married and kidnapped her only son for eternity, but now, on top of that, I'm legally requesting to share her name. Poor woman, what did she do to deserve that?
Luckily though, she is a good sport. I should be so lucky as to share that name with someone who has 28+ years experience in perfecting it. It is a lot to live up to.
The man at the DMV asked me why my husband wasn’t changing his name. I looked at him, momentarily dumbfounded, before I realized this was a secretary of state-style joke. I provided the obligatory giggle and he made me official. And, despite the reputation of long-lines at the dmv, all this identity changing business was signed, sealed, and delivered within 45 min.
I imagine lady luck won’t be as generous when I tackle the social security office on Monday….
Friday, November 27, 2009
26 in Celebration of Turning 26
I'm new to blogging. I like to write. Scratch that. I LOVE to write. I don't do it enough, so I'm starting a blog. So, to be fair, you should know that.
In keeping with the theme of "fairness," you should also know 26 amazing facts about me in celebration of my up-coming 26th birthday:
1. I am a 26 y/o female living in the Chicago Suburbs.
2. I am married to, "Patrick the Pilot." He is a real pilot and his name is really Patrick.
3. We are newlyweds as of July 18, 2009, I think that is fun-terrifying-and hilarious.
4. I currently work as a nanny. A lot of my material will stem from these experiences.
5. In reference to #4, if you call me a babysitter, I will tie you down and pluck your eyelashes out one-by-one. I'm not 15, I don't charge $5/hour, and all the neighborhood dads aren't hot for me. (Well.....only because the neighbors are 60+.....)
6. I once worked in marketing. Ew. Now, I'm BACK in school to become a teacher, elementary-style.
7. I think polka-dots are atrocious.
8. I'm originally from a small town, and I like it that way. I can easily name and identify all 174 people that I graduated with.
9. I enjoy celebrity gossip, reality TV, and Facebook. These are things which also may pop up in my blog from time to time.
10. I can't blow my nose in front of anyone. Bathroom. Door closed. I consider locking it occasionally too.
11. I try to avoid the topic of politics. I will probably rarely, if ever, talk about anything political.
12. I like to cook and my husband likes my cooking. No, really...he does!
13. I need my socks to be very very white. I am meticulous about laundering them.
14. I greatly adore and respect my parents. They are incredible people to learn from.
15. I originally majored in journalism/English, but I overuse commas like nobody's business.
16. I hate surprises. I don't just say that, I really do. I will be nosey and try to figure them out. I am often successful.
-----------I am struggling to reach 20, let alone 26-----------
17. My birthday is December 1. I am six years younger than my sister, Nicole, who's birthday is December 2. I was born at 11:28pm and my mom was determined that we would not share a birthday, so she pushed with avengeance!
18. My sister is a hair stylist. My sister-in-law, Danielle is a hair stylist. My mother-in-law, Wendy is a hair stylist. I will never have a gray hair of split end to speak of.
19. #18 is false, I typically have unbelievable split ends. Sad.
20. I am a freckle-face. My nephew calls them sprinkles, and my mom says they are kisses from angels. I say: thank goodness for makeup!
21. My husband and I argue over whether our future (very far future) children will have attached or detached earlobes. We can't remember which gene is dominant.
22. I am a text-messaging machine. I once averaged 5,200 in one month.
23. I love to run errands. Making a deposit at the bank is one of my favorite things ever!
24. I am typically very polite. Manners are really important to me, but if you don't match, I will be forced to tell you.
25. I am inspired by people who go out of their way for other people, just because.
26. I like to take naps.
Wow. 26 was beginning to feel impossible. But, that's just a little bit of who I am. A lot more will tumble out along the way, but that is just to get us started...better acquainted, if you will.
In keeping with the theme of "fairness," you should also know 26 amazing facts about me in celebration of my up-coming 26th birthday:
1. I am a 26 y/o female living in the Chicago Suburbs.
2. I am married to, "Patrick the Pilot." He is a real pilot and his name is really Patrick.
3. We are newlyweds as of July 18, 2009, I think that is fun-terrifying-and hilarious.
4. I currently work as a nanny. A lot of my material will stem from these experiences.
5. In reference to #4, if you call me a babysitter, I will tie you down and pluck your eyelashes out one-by-one. I'm not 15, I don't charge $5/hour, and all the neighborhood dads aren't hot for me. (Well.....only because the neighbors are 60+.....)
6. I once worked in marketing. Ew. Now, I'm BACK in school to become a teacher, elementary-style.
7. I think polka-dots are atrocious.
8. I'm originally from a small town, and I like it that way. I can easily name and identify all 174 people that I graduated with.
9. I enjoy celebrity gossip, reality TV, and Facebook. These are things which also may pop up in my blog from time to time.
10. I can't blow my nose in front of anyone. Bathroom. Door closed. I consider locking it occasionally too.
11. I try to avoid the topic of politics. I will probably rarely, if ever, talk about anything political.
12. I like to cook and my husband likes my cooking. No, really...he does!
13. I need my socks to be very very white. I am meticulous about laundering them.
14. I greatly adore and respect my parents. They are incredible people to learn from.
15. I originally majored in journalism/English, but I overuse commas like nobody's business.
16. I hate surprises. I don't just say that, I really do. I will be nosey and try to figure them out. I am often successful.
-----------I am struggling to reach 20, let alone 26-----------
17. My birthday is December 1. I am six years younger than my sister, Nicole, who's birthday is December 2. I was born at 11:28pm and my mom was determined that we would not share a birthday, so she pushed with avengeance!
18. My sister is a hair stylist. My sister-in-law, Danielle is a hair stylist. My mother-in-law, Wendy is a hair stylist. I will never have a gray hair of split end to speak of.
19. #18 is false, I typically have unbelievable split ends. Sad.
20. I am a freckle-face. My nephew calls them sprinkles, and my mom says they are kisses from angels. I say: thank goodness for makeup!
21. My husband and I argue over whether our future (very far future) children will have attached or detached earlobes. We can't remember which gene is dominant.
22. I am a text-messaging machine. I once averaged 5,200 in one month.
23. I love to run errands. Making a deposit at the bank is one of my favorite things ever!
24. I am typically very polite. Manners are really important to me, but if you don't match, I will be forced to tell you.
25. I am inspired by people who go out of their way for other people, just because.
26. I like to take naps.
Wow. 26 was beginning to feel impossible. But, that's just a little bit of who I am. A lot more will tumble out along the way, but that is just to get us started...better acquainted, if you will.
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