It’s awards time!
Jemi at Just Jemi awarded me with the Honest Scrap Blogger award and the Best Blogger award. Thank you, Jemi!
As part of my acceptance speech, here are seven random things about me that you might or might not know:
1. My name. “Belle” is my full, legal first name, not a nickname. I spent my first 20 years of life wishing my mother had chosen a two-syllable first name for me, because I really disliked having a one-syllable first name and a one-syllable last name. Not that I have a poet’s ear or anything, but it never sounded quite “right”.
But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate my name more and more (especially after changing my last name during my first marriage – I felt so utterly foreign to myself! It was quite a relief to change back to my real name).
2. Making changes. By the time I was 16, I had moved 13 times. I think this is the main reason why I’m rather fond of change and big moves. If I don’t get the chance to move residences every now and then, I end up moving furniture or (to my husband’s chagrin) shifting entire rooms in the house.
We’ve been in our current house for over ten years now – way too long, from my point of view. So, as an example of my fondness for changing things around, our current dining room used to be the kitchen, after which time it spent a year as a storage room. It then became a dining room, was changed to the “train” room (as in a model train layout), and now, in its present incarnation, is a dining room again. It drives my husband nuts but makes me very happy.
3. Not quite a lethal weapon. I have a brown belt in Aikido and a black belt in Jodo. (Jodo is not Judo – at quick glance, it’s an easy mistake to make, but in reality the two arts are very different. Jodo is a traditional weapons martial art.)
People ask me all the time – so, when are you going to start training again? To which I must reply: Never. I’m quite content to rest on my laurels and glory in my past achievements without ever stepping onto the mats again. (And now you know why I’m failing miserably in the Fitness Challenge – please don’t look at my progress in the sidebar.)
4. My first book. When I was seven, I wrote and illustrated my first book, Adventures in Candyland. The main character was an enterprising round candy by the highly original name of Mint. I’ll give you three guesses what my favorite candy was back then …
I then went on to write and illustrate a whole series of Mint’s adventures in Candyland. Unfortunately, each one is long lost, but I can still remember the many hours of enjoyment I had creating each of them.
5. A detour in life that lasted a bit too long. On my first day of law school, when the Dean addressed the first years and told us we were “the cream of the crop”, I had to fight down a massive attack of the giggles. In retrospect, I should have known this didn’t bode well for a future career in law.
To make things even worse, he was actually stating a fact. Does anyone remember that scene in Legally Blonde where Reese Witherspoon is sitting outside with a few of her new classmates, and they’re introducing themselves? And everyone has a long, long list of impressive credentials and degrees? That would have been about 75% of my classmates. The other 25% came from families who dined regularly with the Prime Minister. (There was, of course, some overlap between the two groups.)
I’m not sure how I snuck into this highly refined and academically excellent environment, but I somehow did. Can we say square peg in a round hole? Or maybe a bull in a china shop?
6. My ghosting experiences. I once ghostwrote a book on customer service that was published by Wiley Canada. I knew nothing about customer service, but of course that didn’t stop me. I even came up with a great survival of the fittest theme to organize all the points in the book.
I was also a freelance medical writer for two years, during which time I ghosted doctors’ speeches, medical articles, patient pamphlets, letters to the editor, and the occasional monograph. As for how much I knew about medicine, see paragraph above.
7. Blather, blather, blather. I have a tendency to be very long-winded when I put my hands to the keyboard. (Probably not such a great trait when it comes to novel writing, but there you have it.) Oh wait, you already knew this …?
There you have it – seven random things about me!
I’d like to pass this award onto all of you, so if you’d like to play, blog about it and let me know your link in the comments here, or tell me a random thing or two about yourself in the comments!
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I felt the same way in law school – square peg in round hole. Of course it didn’t help that I had a baby in my second year. The best class I ever took in law school was Law and Literature, where we got to discuss legal systems as portrayed in novels. I was also not suited to a job in a law office. When I got my first job offer (which was for something absurd like $15,000 a year) my mother told me to ask them to “sweeten the pot”. I didn’t take the job. I ended up opening my own practice. That’s all ancient history now and I am glad!
And I had a baby during my articles
Like minds …! But law jobs around here sound like they’re much better paying! I think I got triple the salary for your first job offer in my articling year.
I feel exactly the same way – it’s ancient history and I am so glad about that!
What fun to read your seven random things! I am so with you on the one-syllable resentment thing! I also like to keep moving. About once a week I say to my husband “Where shall we move?!!!”
Is Mint by any chance short for Junior Mint? I suppose not, because then your character might have been Mint, Junior. Junior Mints are a weakness of mine in the candy department. I’m sure I would have loved your book!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Moby Dick Mondays – Week 4 =-.
I’ve finally convinced my husband to say “yes” to the “shall we move?” question – but first we’ve got to get this half-renovated house fully renovated!
I love Junior Mints! But no, Mint was a round little white mint. I loved those mints until one year in high school during exam week when I bought them at the bulk store and ended up with a huge stomach ache right before a final exam. Now I prefer Mentos … and Junior Mints!
I love your seven random things of goodness!
My cousin named her daughter Isabella. Supposedly Belle for short, but that nickname got lengthened to Belly Button.
Hope you never went through that!
.-= Cat Woods´s last blog ..The Blocks =-.
I did go through that! I got “Belly Bowls”, and just plain “Belly”. At least belly buttons are cute …
I enjoyed reading your seven things; Belle is a lovely name. My name also was given to me by my parents, and many people ask me about it.
Terra
.-= Terra´s last blog ..children’s book giveaway God Gave Us Christmas & God Gave Us Love =-.
Terra is so lovely, and very unusual. And I love the name of your blog, too!
Hmmm, I had wondered if “Belle” was short for “Isabelle”. Now I know something new (7 things actually). Too bad about not coming back on the mats. Don’t you ever get the burning desire to swing sticks and swords at other peoples heads? Gee, I do (more often than is clinically safe to admit).
.-= Steve Kubien´s last blog ..Walnut Peppermill =-.
I’m glad you have the dojo as an outlet, Steve! But no, I never get a burning desire to swing a stick or a sword at other people’s heads, although I think I’ve been well-trained enough that if I ever picked up a jo or sword again, you can be sure I’ll aim right for the head! (I think someone whose initials are Sensei might disown me if I didn’t …)
We had a similar speech on my first day of law school and the Dean listed all the amazing things everyone in my class had done. I just sat there and kept wondering what I was doing there and how on earth the school had accepted me. I still claim to have filled some local kid quota.
One theory I have about law school is that lots of kids in school who are really good at English rather than the sciences end up there because it’s a good profession, career-wise – and lots of them then go off to do other things.
Have you ever noticed how many best selling authors are former lawyers?! That keeps me inspired!
And here I am actually practicing law.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..31 Hours by Masha Hamilton =-.
Which means you’re in it because you love it, not because your parents wanted you to pursue a profession and it sounded like the best one!
Numbers 1 & 2 are just like me. My first name is Becky, NOT Rebecca. My dad had a whole B-name thing going on. And I have moved so many times in my life that I thrive on it. I start looking around for new houses with potential about every 2 years. I’ve moved 24 times and I’m only 34. I’ve lived in my current house for 3.5 years now which marks the longest I’ve ever lived in one place, the shortest being 5 months.
I love reading the rondom things people come up with. One random thing about me: I gag every time I brush my teeth. I can’t stand that minty flavor anymore. No Spearment TicTacs for me.
.-= Petunia´s last blog ..Review: When She Flew =-.
It’s so nice to meet someone else who likes a big move every now and then! Most people I know get very anxious about moving, but it always feels like such fun to me.
Do you use the other flavors of toothpaste? I admit, I haven’t tried anything other than mint, but then again, mint’s one of my favorite tastes!
The actual moving isn’t so fun but the newness is awesome. I used to change my bedroom furniture around constantly when I was a kid. I wanted to be an interior decorator so I could move around furniture.
The only other flavors of tooth paste that I know of are cinnimon and bubblegum. I seem to be allergic to cinnimon(I hate those cinnimon cented pinecones the stores sell at Xmas. My nose runs, my eyes water, and my throat gets ichy) and the bubblegum flavor has so much sugar in it that it hurts my teeth, which is not good for a tooth paste. Mint is my best option.
.-= Petunia´s last blog ..Review: When She Flew =-.
Hey Petunia, I too can’t stand mint so I use a vanilla toothpaste which has a HINT of mint. Very refreshing. I think Crest makes it.
Hmmm, who knew Ms Bookish would become a law-school/martial arts/dental hygiene blog?
.-= Steve Kubien´s last blog ..Walnut Peppermill =-.
Vanilla mint toothpaste sounds almost edible …!
I love this post! I thought I’d moved a lot, but you’ve got me beat! I get the itch to pick up and move every five years or so these days.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
So pleased to discover another person who loves to move, Kathy! I’d been thinking I was kind of odd but I’m glad to see I have some kindred spirits in experiencing this itch.
Army brat here. I’ve never lived in one apartment for over three years. I however, am not a big fan of change. Moving books is a pain in the arse. Funny that you got medical writing gigs knowing nothing about medicine. I have an MD and can’t get them. It seems they want English majors. I can write, people!
.-= Cara Powers´s last blog ..TSS: Myths Aren’t Irrelevent & I’m Passing Some Along =-.
I remember when I first started doing the medical writing, my main client told me the number of freelance medical writers in the area could be counted on one hand – there was a ton of work available. A lot of the end clients were PR agencies for pharmaceutical companies, so that might be an avenue to pursue. Eventually, though, I got tired of not having a byline
From your blog, I actually thought you might be another law school grad!
I don’t like packing up and unpacking my books, but I do like rediscovering old books I’d forgotten about.
I’m going to take the law school grad thing as a compliment. Unfortunately, now medical writers are a dime-a-dozen. Employers also want 3-5 years experience and apparently my time writing my own original articles doesn’t count. It would bother me not to have a by-line too.
.-= Cara Powers´s last blog ..TSS: Myths Aren’t Irrelevent & I’m Passing Some Along =-.
An MD is quite an accomplishment! I kind of look at degrees though as a neutral thing. I personally would have loved getting a library science degree myself – it would be so nice to be a librarian!
That is too bad about the medical writing, though. It was such a fluke the way I got into it – someone had heard about me as an indexer, and asked if I did any writing. Not sure how that particular connection was made, but it was interesting work in the beginning.
My high school sweetheart called me Belle because of the Disney character and what it meant in French lol. I know what you mean! My middle name is Ann and I’ve always thought it should have an ‘e’ on the end.
.-= Ladytink_534´s last blog ..A Story from the Forest =-.
That’s such a sweet nickname for a high school sweetheart to use! As a kid, the French meaning consoled me somewhat, but even though French is compulsory, of course none of the other kids ever thought of that meaning!
I must admit, I always think of Ann with an “e” too. Maybe because Anne of Green Gables always talked about not being Ann but Anne with an e!
What a fantastic 7 things about you!
I take Viet Vo Dao, but I’m only a sky blue belt (aka the first belt).
It’s so great how much you love to move. I wish I loved to move, as I am constantly on the move, and it would therefore make my life a bagazillion times easier. I am just finishing my second year in the same apartment, and it is the first time since my sophomore year of high school that I have lived in the same house/apartment for more than a year.
So cool to know you’re a black belt and a brown belt.
I actually listed my 7 things about me some time back in October. The link is here:
http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-first-awards-and-interview-chez.html
They’re not nearly is exciting or long-winded as yours.
.-= Audrey/brizmus´s last blog ..Decoding the Lost Symbol =-.
You’re living in France right now, aren’t you? I always think you have such an exciting life! I was reading French Milk a few weeks ago and thinking about you.
Viet Vo Dao sounds interesting. But I’ve given up on all things martial arts
(Well, except for my husband!)
I’ve just spent a pleasant quarter hour reading your interesting post and equally interesting comments. All of this proves my theory that most bloggers are very intelligent and multi-faceted people.
I somehow missed the law school part of your past. I love the way most law school grads think (from all directions) and I should have spotted that in you. I have a paralegal degree and thought about going to law school. Instead I got a masters in Business and went on to a happy career in Human Resources. The little bit of law I had was very helpful in HR.
I’m another one who moved a lot throughout my life and loved it. Now in retirement we are on the go all the time. It’s what makes my life so much fun.
.-= Margot´s last blog ..A Progressive Dinner: Appetizers =-.
I worked in HR too, Margot. Not full-time, but as a student. When I was an undergrad, I had the opportunity to work the summers at my university’s HR office. And when I was in law school, I scheduled my classes so that I had Tuesdays and Thursdays off, and I worked in the HR department of an accounting firm for those two days. I really enjoyed working in HR – it’s so people oriented, and I learned a lot about interviews and what to look for in a resumé.
I think my love of moving is one reason why I enjoy your posts about your travels so much.
Those were 7 great things about you Belle! I love that moving around a lot as a child didn’t make your afraid to move again
Although I guess the martial arts expertyness means you’re not afraid of much, are you? 
.-= Jemi Fraser´s last blog ..Long or Short? =-.
No, my martial arts experience means I sort of know how to fall down
And then it started hurting a little bit too much when I fell down so now I’m very happy I’m not falling down anymore!
I’m so impressed by your martial arts awesomeness! I’m the opposite on the moving front. We’ve moved 7 times in the last 6 years and I hope never to move again!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Pursuing Dreams =-.
That’s a lot of moving about! I’m not sure how often I’d like to move – it depends on how long it takes for me to feel too settled in one place. Seven times in six years does sound like quite a lot!
My parents always loved moving and then I inherited that gene, I guess. The longest I had ever lived in one place was 7 1/2 years (which I did twice) until we moved here. We’ve now been here 15 years and I started getting the itch to move several years ago, which we will do as soon as we sell Dave’s business. I was headed for law school but my business law prof in college saved me from myself by proving to me absolutely that I “don’t think like a lawyer.” So I majored in history, not practical but certainly what I loved the most. I barely got started in medical writing when the bottom dropped out of the economy. Oh well, I’d rather write history.
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..Celebrities with Feet of Clay =-.
So interesting that there are a quite a few medical writers out there!
My son loves history, too, but has decided to major in criminology. I’m hoping a few university-level history classes will at least prompt him to minor in history. We should always pursue the path of what we love, not the path of what’s practical (I wish I’d had this belief when I was in my 20s!).
I moved a lot as a child and hate it now! I have still never lived anywhere for more than 4 years, but I hope to stay here for a while now. It isn’t the moving that bothers me – it is having to make new friends and develop a new social life whever you go.
.-= Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes =-.
That’s so true, Jackie. I was very lucky as a child – even though we moved so often, I went to a private school so my school environment never changed and my friends almost always stayed the same. I did have to move from the west coast to Toronto when I was 15, though – that was probably my most major move!
I love lists like this! I always feel like I learn so much about the list-makers–for example, I had no idea you’d been to law school.
I made a massive list of 50 random faclets about a year ago. I should probably do an updated one.
.-= Memory´s last blog ..November in Review =-.
I’d LOVE to read your list of random things, Memory!
Blather, blather, blather … but YOUR blather is always so fun!
“I spent my first 20 years of life wishing my mother had chosen a two-syllable first name for me …” Well, in Danish Bel-le IS a two-syllable name. We count the vowels and do not consider the pronunciation.
Law school? You must have been misplaced!
.-= Dorte H´s last blog ..DJ´s Bait in the Box # 44 =-.
I didn’t know that! I’ll have to start thinking of my name in Danish now, whenever I’m saying it with my last name.
Hugely misplaced, Dorte. That’s a good word for how I felt. I’ve never been very good at detail-oriented work, and that’s really what law is. Dotting all those i’s and crossing all those t’s!
“I spent my first 20 years of life wishing my mother had chosen a two-syllable first name for me …”
I have a four-syllable, ten-letter first name and a two-syllable last name (no middle name, thank you). True, most Italian names and surnames have way at least two syllables – that’s the way our language is. Even when I shorten my name, that’s still two syllables: Ale
I think Belle is a cute name. It has a nice sound.
.-= Alessandra´s last blog ..My contest is now closed =-.
I love the name “Alessandra” – it just rolls off the tongue. I definitely would have traded names with you when I was in grade school!
I like how your real name is Belle. Reminds me of Belle in Beauty and the Beast
And your first book ever sounds so cute! Mmm… Mint! I’m sure he had tonnes of fun adventures!