Last week Ashley posted a fun survey "get to know me better." I've been reading her blog for awhile and it was great getting to know her and her background better. She encouraged other bloggers to participate so I, of course am jumping on the band wagon. I really like doing these. I did this one a few months ago, but always forget about doing them until someone else does. It's gives readers an insight into who I am before and beyond the blog. As a blogger, these are also many of the questions I receive from readers. Here you go...get to know me better!
1. What's your whole name?
Megan Lee Olson
2. Are you named after anyone?
Not that I'm aware of.
3. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, a brother.
4. Where did you grow up?
De Pere, Wisconsin a suburb of Green Bay.
5. What activities did you do in high school?
I was in everything music. Show choir, jazz, regular choir, plays and musicals. I even played Miss Hannigan in Annie.
6. Where did you go to college?
St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.
7. What activities did you do in college?
Alpha Sigma Chi sorority girl.
8. What did you study in college?
Double majored in International Business and Spanish.
9. What was your first job out of college?
My first job was as an export coordinator for a large paper manufacturing corporation. I did that for 6 months before the company relocated me to Texas to work in Mexico as a medical device planner.
10. What kind of music do you like?
Alternative, rock, pop, latino. Definitely not country.
11. What's one hobby that you'd like to take up?
Road biker. I love biking and being outdoors, but riding anything other than a stationary bike scares me to death. I was injured on a bike in my teens and tore apart my ankle apart. I did ride a bike a few years ago with my ex. I can ride, but can't stop or turn well.
12. What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
CEO of a Fotune 500 company. No joke. I imagined I'd be a very successful business woman. I could have been too had I let my path take me there. For 8 years, I worked for a company and rapidly climbed the corporate ladder reporting to the VP of IT. They went through a massive restructure and offered me another relocation (that's how I ended up in Arizona) to Atlanta. I witnessed how quickly a company can turn on loyal employees when it comes down to it. It was horrible and I hate that I was part of it. It turned me off to Corporate America. Ultimately I left the company. I often think how different my life and I would be had I picked the other path.
13. What's the biggest project on your to-do list right now?
My blog. It's the never ending project pit, but I DO love it and when a reader tells me I inspired them, it makes my heart melt.
14. Do you have any irrational fears?
That a rattlesnake will be in the toilet, jump up and bite me in the butt. After discovering a snake in my garage years ago, I now carefully inspect my bathroom and ever corner of the garage.
15. Have you ever traveled outside the country? If so, where and when?
Yes! A lot actually. I studied abroad in Spain and backpacked all over Europe. I've been to England, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria. That was 16 years ago. Wow I'm getting old!
Then I worked in Acuna, Mexico for two years. I lived in Texas and crossed the border everyday. That was during 9/11 and not a good time for border crossing. After that I traveled many many times to Mexico, Honduras and Slovakia over a 4 year period when I was implementing a major project.
Within the last 3 years, I've traveled to Toronto, Singapore and China multiple times for work. Remind me to tell you about the narcoleptic Chinese taxi driver sometime. And in a few weeks, I'm going to Germany!
16. When's your next vacation and where are you going?
Going to L.A. in July! You'll find me lounging at the beach, walking the strand, shopping, attending IDEA Fit and possibly visiting the greatest place on earth!
17. Do you speak any other languages?
Yes, Spanish.
18. What's one talent that you wish you had?
Juggle, ride a bike, play the guitar and rock climb. I can't pick just one!
19. What's something that you wished you did more of?
Be more open to letting others in. I am very shy and stand offish. I'm much more outgoing now than I used to be. It's still a hard because I always feel like I get burned when I do let people know me.
20. If you weren't in your current job, what would you be doing?
I'd be a writer. It's been my dream ever since I was a little girl. In fact, I used to write short stories in the basement. It's still my dream to live by the beach and write someday. Maybe when I'm old.
What about you? Pick a question or two and answer it so I can get to know YOU better! What other questions do you have about me?
Lots of Health, Food & Love,
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Linking up today with Amanada @ Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud
Emily says
I was thinking when I read your last one that you are a writer!!! 🙂 You write a blog, and people love reading it! :)))
I liked this question.
19. What’s something that you wished you did more of?
I would love to travel more if I have the opportunity. I love how travel stretches me outside of my comfort zone, presses me to meet strangers, encourages me to pack light, and shows me just how big and awesome God's world is. :))))
Megan says
So true! Never thought of that, but I imagine I can call myself a writer. Wow! THANK YOU for pointing that out to me. Hope you get to see more of the world. It really is an awesome place!
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner says
You are a good writer! Love reading your blog...I would want to be a photographer and travel the world taking amazing pictures. 🙂
Megan says
That's a fun one! Can I come if you do?
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
And that right there is why I could never live in the desert -- I'm so scared of snakes! We don't have any serious ones up here, and I'd probably throw a fit if I ever found one in/around my home. And I can juggle! It's something I learned in 6th grade gym class and I guess it's like riding a bike -- you never forget it!
Megan says
I wanna see the juggling at Blend (if you're going)!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Megan! Yay! Thanks for doing the survey. I LOVE learning more about you. I do NOT miss the corporate world and would have originally seen myself climbing my way up, much like you did, before jumping off. And now you have me scared of snakes in the toilet ... ewwww. hahahah! You're well-traveled, that's for sure! 🙂
Megan says
I really like the company and people I work with right now! I'm not sure if and when I will ever be ready to leave, but it would be nice. 🙂
Suzy says
Holy smokes, woman you have been to a lot of places! You're a great writer and will no doubt be lounging by the ocean one day and writing books. I'll buy 'em!
Megan says
Aww...thank you so much for that!
Jill @ Champagne for Everyday says
Awesome post Megan, it was great to learn more about you! Do you ever have any regrets about not continuing to climb the corporate ladder? I want to learn Spanish really badly...do you think I have a hope in hell now that I'm an adult? I will start classes when life calms down a bit in the next 6 months or so.
Oh...and HAPPY THURS!!
Megan says
No, I have absolutely no regrets. As far as I'm concerned, I am more successful right now with the work/life balance I achieved than if I had climbed the ladder.
kristin | W [H] A T C H says
that snake is absolutely terrifying!
Jennifer Lattin says
I am an accountant currently, but If i could pick another job, it's be a chef/food taster! Possibly mix in some nutritional stuff with that. 🙂
I have never been out of the country! For shame, I know! My family just didn't travel much growing up and, then, school marriage, bills, lol (aka excuses!! 🙂 ). I hope to change my lack of experience in traveling.
Megan says
That would be a close second job for me. I really do love food. Hope you get to see the world soon!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
SO much fun! There are so many things about you that totally made me smile. You are so interesting and I could relate to so many things. I love to travel and backpacked through Europe when I was young. I've been a few other places since then, but since having kids it makes it tough to pick up and go. When you come out in July, we must meet up- I generally don't go to many conferences, but I may have to put that one on my list.
Megan says
I would love to meet you! Where in SoCal are you? I'm hoping to get out there a few days before IDEA.
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Writing and music for me too 🙂 I'm also a lot more open/outgoing than I was growing up. I always felt awkward and dealt with it by being quiet.
Megan says
You and I have a lot of the same personality traits. I was the same way.
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate says
I loved doing this survey and readings others answers too! I laughed hard at this one: "That a rattlesnake will be in the toilet, jump up and bite me in the butt." Those things are disgusting!! And I wish I could go to the IDEA conference!!
AmberLynn Pappas says
Oh to go to IDEA! And not just for the Las Vegas part of things. Have you ever seen that movie from the 80's where they put a snake in the gym teacher's toilet? I can never remember what movie that is. But I saw it and had that same fear for quite awhile!
Megan says
I never saw that movie! I probably shouldn't either since it one of my biggest fears.
Megan says
It's my first IDEA. I'm really excited! I wish you were going too. 🙁