Be prepared for a major Irina overload in this post today. Last week I was nominated by Katie, Miss Polkadot, and Shannon for the Liebster Award and I’m excited to finally share my survey with you all!
Here’s What You Must Do:
~ Write 11 random facts about yourself.
~ Answer the 11 interview questions you’ve been given by the person who nominated you.
~ Create 11 new questions.
~ Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.
~ Go and tell the person who nominated you, along with the people you’ve nominated about your post.
11 Random Facts:
1.) I had a blonde phase back in junior high…literally! I was obsessed with highlights and eventually my hair was basically blonde with a few brown streaks. I decided I had enough of the blonde and colored my hair brownish-black freshman year of high school. Thanks to all the chemicals my hair basically turned green under flourescant lights until I finally found a great hair dye that fixed the problem and matched my natural hair almost perfectly (AKA no ugly roots!). It took four years for my hair to completely grow out…right in time for prom!
2.) Gross alert! I had surgery on my big toenails in high school. One side of my toenails grew outwards (instead of straight up) and I experienced a lot of pain when I started wearing heels. The surgery seriously changed my life in a subtle but noticeable way, and I even went back to get surgery on my other toenail so that they would look identical.
3.) My parents took my sister and I all around the U.S when we were young. We were poor but my parents managed to save enough money as they wanted us to experience places like Disney World and national parks before we got too old to enjoy them through a child’s eyes. This meant we had to drive to many of these places because we couldn’t afford flights, and so my childhood was filled with many family road trips to places like Florida, South Carolina, Canada, and Wyoming. I’m so grateful for this!
(my sis and I at Niagara Falls many years ago…)
4.) My sister and I got caught in a riptide the summer of 2011 during our family trip to Ocean City, Maryland. It was literally one of the scariest moments of my life. I still get a bit anxious even thinking about it.
5.) I have no idea what I want to do in my life. I vigorously and successfully studied Civil Engineering in college and ultimately decided that it wasn’t for me thanks to a summer internship before junior year. I still graduated with the Engineering degree but I am currently not working as an engineer.
6.) I’ve lost two iPhone 4 phones. Don’t ask…Apple products and I simply don’t get along well…
7.) I have a ridiculously obsessive personality. I’m also very crafty and that’s a dangerous combo! In other words, as soon I as I become obsessed with a certain craft (whether it be sewing, making bracelets, anything) I go all out. All.out.
(handmade headbands by me!)
8.) I got my first credit card only a little over a year ago. My parents never believed in living on credit so I only used a debit card until October 2011. My very first purchase using that wonderful piece of plastic? See photo below!
(still haven’t read it though…)
9.) I had to be taken to the emergency room once to get stiches. I either hit my leg on the corner of a bed frame or a wooden table corner. The truth is still unknown to this day but I have the scar to prove it!
10.) I wanted to be an astronaut when I was little. I love space. Read more about my childhood ambitions in this post!
11.) I have an obsession with miniature things like toys, dishes, and cookware. My friends make fun of me and always call my family the miniature family because we all buy small items!
Questions From Katie, Miss Polkadot, and Shannon:
I decided to a few questions each from Katie, Miss Polkadot, and Shannon instead of bombarding you with 33 answers.
1.) What’s your favorite holiday splurge?
Hmm does this refer to food? Shopping? Pampering? I definitely like to splurge on shopping but I always feel guilty when purchasing something for myself during the holidays. Anyone else?
2.) How do you hold yourself accountable for workouts?
Um unfortunately I don’t at the moment, but in all honesty the best motivator for me is a splurge on running clothes (*cough* Lululemon *cough*). Hey, if you spend the $$$ on a product you are basically forced to use it, right? I also tend to use race registration as my running motivation!
3.) What made you start blogging?
The first blog I came across was Angela’s at Oh She Glows. I instantly fell in love with the incredible online community that revolved around healthy lifestyles that matched the one I already embraced for years. After spending a few weeks exploring the blog world, I took the plunge and created my own space in the cyber world!
4.) What keeps you blogging?
At times I find blogging to be more of a strain than a stress-reliever, but then I find myself running back to this wonderful little corner of the internet. My blog is like my online diary, just a bit more filtered. I love connecting with people all around the world! That’s what it comes down to – the amazing blogging community!
5.) Favorite restaurant?
Hmm I’m not sure I have one, but lately I’ve been loving Hannah’s Bretzel for a quick and healthy lunch. My food cravings change daily and it’s hard to pin-point a favorite.
6.) Do you have a favorite subject in school? What is it?
I was always a math & science girl in school. I don’t mean to toot my own horn here, but I kind of rocked at those subjects. My two favorite classes in college were Physics (electromagnetics was the best out of the four I had to take) and Differential Equations. Oh how I miss using the left side of my brain!
7.) What TV shows are you currently loving?
Oh my gosh where do I even begin. I think I watch much more TV than I would like to admit, but I certainly go through periods (i.e. days) where I spend hours catching up on my favorite shows. Some favorites include: Dexter, True Blood, Pretty Little Liars, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl (R.I.P.), House of Lies, and Vampire Diaries. #dontjudgemeplease
8.) If you could switch places right now where would you go?
Basically either New York City or anywhere in Western Europe.
9.) What is one of your quirky habits?
I’ve been told I’m very quirky in general, but one of my oddest habits is smelling books. I have a very specific favorite smell, and it’s only present in new books. The smell of paper mixed with ink makes me go gaga in the best way possible 
10.) Which nicknames do you have?
I don’t really have any nicknames, but my sister loves to call me “malyavka” (child) because I’m younger than her and “kruchok” (hook) because I always slouch.
11.) What is your favourite way to treat yourself?
Three things instantly come to mind: cook/bake, shop, or lounge around in bed all day. Wow I’m such a female…
My 11 Questions:
1.) What is the worst kitchen disaster you’ve ever had?
2.) If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
3.) What’s your favorite store to shop at?
4.) What would you do if you won the lottery and had unlimited money?
5.) What’s your favorite kitchen utensil/gadget?
6.) What was the last vacation you took?
7.) What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year?
8.) What is your favorite beauty product? Share your secrets!
9.) What is your dream job?
10.) If you could have one magical power, what would it be?
11.) Quick – what are the three most important things in your life? List them off without thinking!
I nominate:
Emily @ Out and About
Amanda @ Running With Spoons
Hollie @ Fueled by LOLZ
Kelly @ Kelly the Culinarian
Alex @ The Run Within
Kim @ Ilax Studio
Maggie @ Mag Mile Runner
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal
Lindsay @ Running The Windy City
Christina @ Running 2 Heal
Happy surveying!
♥ Irina
I’m really glad to get to know you more. I always find these surveys so interesting. I had no idea but that is amazing how your parents brought you around to different areas of the US driving. I bet it brought you closer as a family. I break phones as well (my dog point blank bit my iphone and snapped it in half last summer…so it’s a bit nice to hear of someone else this happens too). I’m doing this survey sometime soon!
I really respect my parents for sacrificing so much in order for my sister and I to have that “American” experience. I can only hope that I’ll be a parent like that! I just listened to your survey…you’re hilarious girl
Needless to say I really enjoyed finding out more about you!
Taking you to many places was so sweet of your parents. It’s yet more proof of how much you and your sister mean to them. Which were some of your favourite places to visit?
Haha, I had a blonde phase when I was around 12 (?), too, though it was shortlived. Note to self: Never try changing your hair colour to such extremes at home.
. Fortunately, none of that is required in my current studies at university.
Maths and physics? Kudos to you being good at these subject – I majorly suck at anything in any kind of mathematical or scientific
I wish I was as crafty as you but haven’t found the “right” project for myself yet. Maybe you can inspire me
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I’m glad you enjoyed reading the survey! Some of my favorite places to visit were Canada and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Another favorite was the time my parents and I rented a car in southern Cali and spent a week driving along the coast all the way to San Francisco!
Um, can you please post a tutorial on how to make those glitter headbands? They are so expensive to purchase and I absolutely love the ones I have!
Thanks for sharing all of these facts!
Yes I definitely will! I already have it written, I just need some snappy photos
Warning, you do need to know how to use a sewing machine though!
I love this post! That picture of you as a blond is pretty awesome. Also I love that your parents took you on trips! I think it’s great that they saved money to give you great experiences instead of “stuff.” I’m trying to make that the focus of my life. More experiences, less stuff. And I have so many of those no-slip headbands, every time I get one and look at it and think “I could totally make this” but have I ever tried? No, of course not.
I completely agree – “more experiences, less stuff.” Well said! Sometimes it’s tough to justify an expensive trip or even a pricey visit to some fancy restaurant, but it’s important to realize that those sorts of investments make the best memories!
And no worries, I’ll post a tutorial of the headbands soon. You do need to know how to use a sewing machine though :/
Eeek rip currents are terrifying! I rarely swim in open water so fortunately I’ve never been caught in one, but I grew up close enough to Lake Michigan that I’ve had how to escape a rip current pounded into my head pretty much my entire life. Swimming parallel to the shore is key! Once you get out of the current, you’re good to go back to shore. Hopefully that’s knowledge I’ll never have to put into practice, but it’s a good thing to know nevertheless.
I wish I knew the whole “swim parallel to the shore” thing but it’s something I only learned about after the horrific experience!
aw thanks for the nomination, I love this post! I can’t believe you were blonde, adorable!
Just read your survey replies, thanks for answering!
I totally went through a blonde moment for a few years too and it took forever to get to my natural hair color – so much that people thought my natural color was the dyed one!
We should totally hit up Hannah’s for lunch one time. I think you are closer to the one that is on… hmm. Washington? I am by the one at Dearborn and Adams.
My brother had to have surgery on his toenails and it has helped him so much! Poor guy. He was always the one with broken bones as a kid, and as an adult he has had toe surgery and surgery to remove cataracts (from ea. eye).
I studied architecture and don’t know what I want to do. I feel like I can relate to your CE woes
Thanks for the link! Is it okay if I answere here?
My 11 Questions:
1.) What is the worst kitchen disaster you’ve ever had? When I tried to make a smoothie in our blender.
2.) If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Kimberlina. JK. I don’t know
3.) What’s your favorite store to shop at? Target
4.) What would you do if you won the lottery and had unlimited money? Pay off loans and travel (and help family too).
5.) What’s your favorite kitchen utensil/gadget? garlic roller
6.) What was the last vacation you took? I was in KC last weekend, but I would rather count NYC.
7.) What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year? Second Wind.
8.) What is your favorite beauty product? Share your secrets! Redken deep conditioner. Or maybe it is another brand…
9.) What is your dream job? Tour guide
10.) If you could have one magical power, what would it be? reading minds
11.) Quick – what are the three most important things in your life? List them off without thinking! happiness, family/friendship, health
Thanks for answering! I keep hearing about this Second Wind book! It’s only a matter of time that I buy it, although my current un-read book lineup is insanely long. And what the heck is a garlic roller? I’m such a hoarder of kitchen gadgets, maybe it’s better that I don’t know… I would also choose reading minds as my secret power. It would be such a blessing and a curse.
P.S. – unfortunately I no longer work downtown (as of last week) so sadly lunch is out of the question
I’m working on mine now!
I’ve been a blogging fail these days…I finally got to read yours! P.S. – I have brunch on Sunday with my family so a run might be out of the question, I’ll keep you posted though! My current running = zero
Awwr thanks so much for the shoutout, hun *big hugs* I filled this sucker out a little while ago, but it put a huge smile on my face that you thought of me.
I went through a blonde phase when I was younger as well. It started with highlights and progressed until every piece of my hair was basically blonde. I got tired of it eventually though, and ended up just going back to my natural brown hair. Brunettes are hot stuff
And speaking of hair, I looooove those headbands you made! I used to be into doing creative things a lot more when I was younger, but it somehow tapered off as I got older. I really need to start getting crafty more often, because it really is a lot of fun.
Haha YES! That’s exactly what happened to me too. I highlighted my hair so much that I eventually had blonde hair with a few brown streaks. Brunette is definitely the way to go!
Yay, I just love reading these questionnaires and getting to know more about the bloggers behind them. The answers are always such a great reflection of personality! Thank you for the nomination, too – I will work on it over the next week or so!
You got caught in a riptide once!?!?!? That sounds awful – I am so sorry to hear that you had to experience that.
Those headbands are GORGEOUS – you must share your secret on how you make them! I’m getting into a girly phase with clothing and style, and I’m starting to really take notice of cute headbands worn by runners.
I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a child, too. =)
I’m working on a how-to post now on how to make the headbands! Stay tuned
A fair warning though: you will need a sewing machine or some mad hand-sewing skills!
Love your blog! It’s always chocolate time for me
Also I read the Steve Jobs book over the summer. It was so good! I didn’t expect to finish it because it was so long but it was a great read! Enjoy 
Thank you! Thanks so much for stopping by! I can’t believe I still haven’t read the Steve Jobs book. Major fail on my part because, just like you, I think I will love it as well.
Aww thanks for the nomination! I had to save my sister from a rip current in California. It was the scariest thing in my life. Those headbands are gorgeous. Can you make me one?
Wow, you’re amazing for saving your sister! I can only imagine how traumatizing it was for both of you :/
I’ll be posting a tutorial on how to make the headbands soon! You will need a sewing machine or some great hand-sewing skills though :/
I love reading surveys! Thanks for nominating me
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You almost look unrecognizable with blonde hair, haha! My family and I did a lot more road trips/vacationing when I was younger as well. My favorites were a road trip across Montana, Idaho, South Dakota and states nearby and when we went to New Mexico. It’s funny that my fondest memories from those trips was eating the food there (like ice cream, the Holiday Inn restaurant)
Haha I still can’t believe I had blonde hair…highlights were “all the rage” back in the day and of course I couldn’t resist. All those states you listed, we drove through them as well and I literally have the same memories as you – ice cream (Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and homemade ice cream in Dakota) and hotels haha.
Weird, totally thought I commented on this already. Guess not. I used to have blonde hair too in high school for a short amount of time haha bad decision. You looked cute though!
And I Like to smell new books too.. it’s such a comforting smell. It makes me smile
I don’t usually do these surveys on my blog but I haven’t done one since beginning my blog so maybe I’ll do it anyway
Tehe, I like that you get to ask different questions each time so that’s cool. Okay! 
I’m glad you did this survey on your blog! I feel like you are one of the bloggers I don’t know enough about but want to learn more, and I’m happy to see that you made my wish a reality haha.
YES, so I answered on my own blog
http://wp.me/p2CS81-Uh
Thanks for the nomination!
xo
So I have a problem… I want to comment of every single fact here because they were so interesting! I love that your family traveled and your parents wanted you girls to see and enjoy those trips! I cannot imagine being caught in a rip tide! ah! And I think you are the first person to say you love those physics classes! Are they not super hard? If I ever have to take physics I will be visiting you! It makes me feel better that you don’t know what you want to do in life either. We share this trait! Sorry for this epically long comment I just loved this post!
Oh man I miss Physics so much! It was always my most time-consuming courses (lectures, discussions, and labs every week = killer) but I loved it. My least-favorite Physics course was probably Quantum…umm Schrodinger’s Cat…sooo weird. And please do come visit, even if just for fun