Fun Facts About Alyssa

Full name: Alyssa Kathleen Bittner-Gibbs

Etomology of name:

Alyssa - derived from the Greek “αλυσσος” meaning “rational” or “causing sanity”
Kathleen - derived from Irish, meaning "pure"
Bittner - derived from the German “büttner” meaning “cooper” or “barrelmaker”
Gibbs - an English surname derived from “Gilbert” an old minor noble surname

Symbol:

Alyssum (the flower shown in this page's border), a member of the mustard family. Legend has it that Alyssum was used in ancient and medieval times as a cure for rabies. Hence, it name derived from the Greek word for “rational.” The flower comes in white, cream, yellow, or lavender and is quite common in flower beds.

Hometowns, former and current:

Bedford, Pennsylvania (birth to July 1998)
Eskilstuna, Sweden (July 1998 - July 1999)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania (1999 - 2003)
West Chester, Pennsylvania (Summer 2002, 2003)
Stockholm, Sweden (January 2002 - May 2002)

Quincy, Massachusetts (August 2003-September 2004)
Boston, Massachusetts (September 2004 - now)

Astrological Sign: Libra

Chinese Astrological Sign: The Monkey

Birthstones: Pink tourmaline or opals. (The earrings I wore on my wedding day were pink tourmaline and diamonds -- a gift from Keith.  Sadly, they are gone now--stolen.)

Religious Affilation: Lutheran (ELCA)

Children?: Someday, starting in my late twenties, early thirties--I want at least two, no more than four.

Favorite Color: Changes every-so-often. My favorites are dark brown, robin's egg blue, Prussian blue, and apple green.

Favorite Food: Um... all? I love most cuisines, but seafood is probably my favorite, although I don't eat oysters, clams (except in chowder, which I love), calamari, or anything else too exotic.

Favorite Fruit: Strawberries. I live off them year round. Blueberries are a close second.

Favorite Cocktail: Long Island Iced Tea--I usually go for the less caloric and cheaper apple-tini.

Favorite Flowers: Blue hydrangea, cream roses, lilacs, cherry blossoms

Favorite Fiction: Gone with the Wind, Harry Potter books, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Circle of Friends

Favorite Non-fiction: English History (particularly Tudor), Etiquette, Biography, Home Improvement, Travel

Never Challenge Me To: Risk (you will die), arcade Pac Man (again, you will die), and Sonic the Hedgehog (you will cry first, then you will die). Also: I have a pretty keen memory.

Favorite Movies:

Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Gosford Park, Run Lola Run, Mostly Martha, Chappelle Show (have both seasons on DVD), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Broken Flowers, Groundhog Day, Harry Potter Series, The Hours, The Incredibles, Lost in Translation, Lemony Snickets: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Mr. Bean (BCC series), Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Oceans Eleven (and both sequels ), The Others, Sixth Sense, Joy Luck Club, Sleepless in Seattle, Meet the Parents, Cider House Rules, Roman Holiday, Pride and Prejudice

Favorite Film This Year (thus far): SiCKO, a documentary by Michael Moore

Favorite Music: Admittedly, the complete opposite of Keith's (well, not country). Keith's taste is completely deranged.

Alanis Morisette Barry White (oh, yeah) Beck Bee Gees Ben Folds Five Billy Joel Blink 182 Busta Rhymes Cake Chemical Brothers [I like them too -K] Coldplay Creed Daft Punk [again -K] Dave Mathews Band Depeche Mode [I like DM... doh -K] Dido Duran Duran Elton John (particularly older, 70's Elton John) Eminem (I sense a chuckle coming on) Fatboy Slim Fiona Apple Gorillaz

Gwen Stefani John Legend John Mayer Kelly Clarkson Lil' Jon (don't laugh) Linkin Park Live Madonna Norah Jones Oasis Outkast Peter Gabriel Phil Collins Red Hot Chili Peppers Robbie Williams Sheryl Crow Toto U2 Usher (again, don't laugh) Weezer White Stripes

As you can tell, I like lots of many different kinds of music. Many groups are not mentioned (because I may only like 1 or 2 songs). The only person I can't get along with musically is my own husband. Oh well, I'll still keep him. [For the record... we listen to her stuff in the car -K]

Pipedream: To run an arts supply or homewares store or seaside bed & breakfast in old age

Favorite Stores: Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Target

Countries visited:

Canada, Sweden, Austria, Canary Islands (Spain), England, Germany, Belgium, France, Monaco, Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark, Mexico, The Bahamas, Iceland

Has visited every U.S. state except Alaska, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama