25 THINGS {BY SAYEH}! 1 Aug 2012

 

 This week’s 25 Things comes to us from Katie Connelly. Most of the time, you will find her at the Old CIty studio, but if your schedule isn’t taking you there in the near future, learn a little more about her now.

1. I moved here from Cleveland in December for my fiancé’s job and I must say, I LOVE Philadelphia. My favorite thing thus far, aside from all of the historical stuff, the great restaurants, and the beautiful parks, is the abundance of delicious hot pretzels, readily available at any time of day.

2. There is nothing better than discovering new places and cultures. I love going somewhere new and immersing myself in the culture. Trying ALL of the food, experiencing the nightlife, meeting the locals, and trying to speak the language. It’s my favorite way to travel.

3. I attended Ohio State University and majored in Cultural Studies. I also attended 6 other colleges prior to completing my degree. Clearly, I lacked focus. But each school and each new city taught me something invaluable about myself. In hindsight, I wouldn’t change a thing.

4. While in school I spent a lot of time studying the world’s religions. Religion absolutely fascinates me and I love to read about all of the different explanations of where we came from and our purpose in life and see how they intertwine.

5. Whether on a fishing boat with my dad on the lake or catching some waves in the ocean, my ultimate happy place is in the water.

6. I think I have been a lot of things in other lives.

7. I met my fiancé, Ryan, in kindergarten and had a huge crush on him all through grade school. I used to pray that I would marry him. It took 25 years, but my prayers have been answered. We are getting married August 18th :)

8. I might have the best family in the world. I have an older sister and a younger brother and they are my best friends. Along with my wonderful parents, they have always been supportive of me and shown me unconditional love throughout my life, even when I didn’t deserve it. I cannot imagine a life without them.

9. When my brother was 21 he had an accident and broke his neck. The initial prognosis was that he probably would never walk again. However, in rehab he denied “wheelchair classes”, insisting that he would not need a wheelchair. After two months, he became the first person to ever walk out of the Spinal Cord Rehab Unit at Metro Hospital (he used a walker, but still). Now he lives in Asia as a photographer and a teacher and truly lives life to the fullest. Whenever things in my life seem difficult, I think of his unwavering spirit and know that I can get through anything. He is my greatest inspiration.

10. Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” I try to make this my mantra for life.

11. Before I was able to talk, I could sing. When I was young my nickname was Tweety Bird because I was always singing. I had a short stint as a singer in a band a few years ago (though I had to bow out due to severe stage fright) and I still love to sing and play the guitar or piano.

12. I credit my parents with my very deep love and appreciation for music. I love everything from gospel to Iggy Pop.

13. I learned to ski when I was 3.

14. I was an Irish dancer for almost 10 years.

15. I grew up surrounded by about 20 first cousins that I regard as brothers and sisters. We would take a family vacation to South Carolina each summer and all stay in ONE house (30+ people) on the beach. I have so many wonderful memories from these trips and they are by far some of my fondest memories from life. We still go on this trip, and it is just as fun as when we were kids.

16. A group of my cousins and I still  travel together. So far we have tackled North America, Central America, Europe and Asia. Next year we plan to add South America to that list.

17. While in Honduras a few years ago I completed my scuba diving certification. Sitting on a sand patch 40 feet underwater with eels, turtles and barracudas swimming around you is a truly intense and awesome experience.

18. I hate wearing shoes. When I was 20 I lived in Arizona and hardly ever wore shoes all year long. I even hiked down the Grand Canyon without shoes. There is something about being aware of every step that you take that really connects you to life.... I miss those days.

19. I wish I would have gotten into race car driving.

20. I LOVE SALT!!!!!!!! I know it is almost completely horrible for you, but I can’t help it.

21. I have a penchant for trying new foods and will try almost anything. Some weird stuff  that comes to mind are bugs, fried worms, teriyaki frogs and lots of organs. The stranger the better.

22. I have an irrational fear of rodents and road kill.

23. As a child I wanted to be a missionary. I was very affected by the famine in Africa and wanted to help feed the starving kids. My mom told me that I would take the little cardboard piggy bank from UNICEF and go around the neighborhood collecting donations. My dad has always called me a bleeding heart. I can think of worse things to be.

24. When I hear a story or see a clip of someone getting injured, I get almost unbearable sympathy pains.

25. Last but not least, I love Lithe. When I saw the job posting for Lithe Method and started doing some research, I quickly realized that I had found something unique. Being new to town, I thought that at the least, it would be a good place to meet some nice girls. What I found was so much more than that. Lithe is a community made up of strong and intelligent women, from nurses to lawyers to artists and everything in between. It is a group of women that have at least one thing in common which is  the desire to challenge themselves. To push themselves farther than they did the time before. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and here at Lithe that can be taken literally. I am so inspired by these women and feel very lucky to be a part of something so special. Happy Lithing!!

Nuff said, Katie!

Image of Lithe Old City Manager, Katie Connelly via Lauren

Comments

[Krista]

Love my fellow Ohio girl!!!

[Cate]

Just moved here from Columbus! Lithe Method is definitely one of my favorite things of my new city :)