A new nickname

     I found myself in the greatest company Saturday evening as I spent time with Cullen and Myca (my brother and sister-in-law), and their friends.  They got together to celebrate Ryan's birthday (Myca's brother), which included dinner at the Sizzler - and no, I didn't order the all-you-can-eat steak and shrimp platter - and then games afterwards.  Whoa nelly - it was a blast!  Card games, board games, a delicious cake and hilarious company = the best time ever!  And I loved how all the ladies were plotting pranks against their fellas who went to a late night movie.  Devious minds unite!!!!  hehehe...

     Anyway, throughout the course of the evening I somehow managed to acquire a new nickname.  Everyone in this group of friends has the nickname of a spice and I'd like you all to guess what my new nickname is: A) Rosemary B) Saffron C) Cayenne Pepper or D) Tarragon.  If it has anything to do with personality, let's see how well you know Kristen Kathleen Irvine.  After receiving one of the aforementioned names, I've been thinking of all the nicknames that I've accumulated over my 24 years.  In case you really don't know me as well as you think you do, here's a rundown that may help you get to know me better.  For your convenience, I've included the most common names and I've tried to keep them in chronological order beginning with the oldest:

#1 - PUNKIN: This has been around since May 23rd, 1984.  It has something to do with a toe-tag that my dad spotted on my toe the day I was born.  Legend has it that the toe-tag read, "This is the Punkin, take good care of her."  Variations on Punkin that show up frequently include, Punkin-the-Wunkin, Punk-Wunk, Kristen Punkins, Punko, or just plain Punk.

#2 - SILLY-BILLY-VANILLY: I said a lot of ridiculous things when I was a tot, so maybe that accounts for this particular nickname.  I have no other explanation, but if I find anything out, I'll let you know.  =)

#3 - BLUE EYES: This one seems pretty obvious (especially if you catch me wearing a blue shirt), but the funny part is that I HATED this name.  Loathed may actually be a better description.  My uncle used to call me "Blue Eyes" when I was a toddler and it sent me through the roof.  I was a crazy kid, what can I say?  I obviously hadn't internalized the notion of "the truth is an absolute defense."  My mom finally had to ask Ira to stop calling me that in hopes that I wouldn't be scarred for life.  Pretty sure I'm over it...

#4 - SNUFFY, or SNUFFELUPAGUS: I have no idea how to spell the long version, so we'll stick to Snuffy.  I have really bad hay fever (thanks dad!) and for years and years I would walk around with the sniffles come June and July.  I have a man-made crease across my nose (much to my parents chagrin) from rubbing it constantly for who knows how many years.  I like to think that I had great technique, but my parents think I ruined my nose with the way I rubbed it to make the allergies stop bothering me.

#5 - MUNCHKIN: A couple nicknames I have make fun of how short I used to be.  I say "used to be" because my Endocrinologist honestly didn't think I would reach 5 feet tall - ever.  Ha!  Fooled him!  I'm almost 5'4" and proud of it!!!  Honestly though, I used to be REALLY short.  This nickname is courtesy of my brother Scott.  When I talk to him on the phone, the greeting is either "Hey Munchkin," or "What's up Punko?"  If you don't believe me when I say I used to be really short, take a walk down the halls at WXHS and look for the photograph of the Munchkins with Glinda (played by my sister Lindsay her senior year).  You may spot a familiar face wearing a flower pot on her head.  Yes, that would be me....and I was 14 years old. 

#6 -  TWINKLE TOES: This one baffles me.  My sister Lindsay still calls me this on a regular basis, but I have absolutely no idea why.  If you have any ideas, let me know. 

#7 - KUTTER: Courtesy of Geoffrey (Jeff King).  He was my dance partner for a year on the Spring Performing Arts Company at BYU.  I could try and explain how this nickname came about, but that would be useless unless you know Jeff personally.  It's all about the attitude, sass, pranks, and onstage bloopers that came from a year of dancing together.

#8 - HERMANA CALABAZA (de la vina de ir): This comes straight out of the MTC.  My district leader, Elder Rowley, saw a letter I was reading from my dad, who had addressed it to "Hermana Punkins," and I never heard the end of it for the nine weeks I spent with my district.  Since we were all learning Spanish, Elder Rowley thought he would be clever and turned Punkin into Pumpkin....which then became Calabaza (it was the nearest translation into spanish).  The last part of the nickname is my last name broken down and mixed all around to work with the Spanish theme.  As Hermana Huayhua would say, "Que locaso!!!"

#9 - AMERICAN AIRLINES: Another nickname from the mission, but this came in the field.  My ward mission leader in my first area - Brother Perez - could not pronounce my name right if his life depended on it.  He decided to call me "American Airlines" instead of Hermana Irvine.  When he tried saying "Irvine" it always came out sounding like "air-bine" so airline seemed perfectly natural.  Oh how I love those crazy TEXANS!!!!

#10 - And last but not least....the correct spice is..........HA!!!!  I was being perfectly serious when I said I would make you guess.  Have your people get in touch with my people, and if you're right, you'll win the prize!!!  =)  Cheerio!