Q1: Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you have as a dinner guest?
A: Not sure if this means alive or dead, so I’ll answer both. Alive, Pope Francis. Dead…sorry for the cliché, but if I were being totally honest I’d have to say Jesus. I know; shut up.
Q2: Would you like to be famous? In what way?
A: I’d like to be famous in that I’d like to do something so great for society that no one could help but hear about it, sure. And if I could, I’d like to do it through art, writing, or photography.
Q3: Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
A: Every time, unless it’s to one of my parents or my husband. Why? Because I’m an introvert and much prefer texting, so I can really think about my words. This is also why I’d rather just sit across the table from a new person and write notes to each other rather than speak. Seriously. All first dates should go down that way.
Q4: What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
A: There are two answers to this question, and I will answer both. The first answer is the one where I hypothetically have unlimited resources (i.e. money and energy): This day would probably take place somewhere in Africa, perhaps Tanzania. morning would begin with a sunrise photography venture in a wildlife reserve during which I would take pictures of animals. In the late morning I would be transported by helicopter (so I could see the landscape from above) to the nearest place where animals unable to survive in the wild (due to injury or previous captivity) are cared for. I would descend from this helicopter by parachute, and I would play with any animal who was willing. Preferably included would be a lion, a leopard, an elephant, a rhino, a monkey of some type, a giraffe, a zebra, a very large python (10’-16’), and/or baby versions of any of the above. However, if none of the above were available, I would be quite happy with whatever was. In the afternoon would be a safari during which I would get to observe animals in their natural habitat, and this safari would include a two- or three-hour stop during which I would be provided with supplies to draw or paint scenery and animals. The evening would be spent participating in bonding/celebratory rituals with a local bush tribe, and I would fall asleep in a luxury camping tent either in the rainforest or on the savannah. I would be taking pictures this whole time, and my husband would be accompanying me.
Now for the second answer, the practical answer. The answer in which I have my normal amount of money and energy (both rather limited). Ideally, the weather would be in the mid-70’s. In the morning I would sleep until around 9:00am, and would wake to a breakfast of vanilla crepes, eggs benedict, a mimosa, and black coffee. This would probably be followed by a trip to the zoo, where I would look at lots of animals, get Dippin’ Dots, and either take the Sky Tram or go out on one of the boat tours. After that would be lunch at either Unforked or Panera, eaten out on the patio. If I was worn out after that, I would go to my parents’ house in the country and rest with the dogs until evening. If I still had energy left, I would go to Worlds of Fun and ride roller coasters until evening. Either way, in the evening I would eat pasta and drink wine, again preferably outside on a patio. And again, throughout this day I would be accompanied by my husband.
Q5: When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
A: Myself? Like, five minutes ago. Every time I do the dishes or shower. To someone else…last week, to my dog; a song from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack that I’ve sung to him since I was 13 years old.
Q6: If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or the body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of y our life, which would you want?
A: Honestly, the body of a 30-year-old. I’ve experienced what it’s like to have an active mind but a disabled body, and it sucks. I’d rather be physically capable of doing what I wanted, even if what I wanted was stupid, than be mentally longing for all the things I couldn’t physically do.
Q7: Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?
A: Nope.
Q8: Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.
A: Well, since my “partner” in this instance is anyone reading my blog…1) we both are interested in how I would answer these questions, 2) we probably both have eyes, and 3) we can probably both count to 3.
Q9: For what in life do you feel the most grateful?
A: My loved ones.
Q10: If you could change one thing about the way you were raised, what would it be?
A: The only thing I’d change is that I wish I’d had more arts classes in elementary and high school. I was raised pretty awesomely for a girl in an average-ish-income family.
Q11: Take four minutes to tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.
A: Ok, I’ll try to do this fast. I was born in Wichita and lived in Portland at some point where I got stuck on a rock in the ocean at high tide with my mom and our two Dobermans. Most of my life between 4-11 years old was spent in KS, mostly Overland Park, where I had lots of pets and loved playing on the swing set with my older brother and my stuffed tiger Peploava that my parents gave me when I was baptized at 4 years old. At 7 years old I met my BFF with whom I swam in creeks, participated in Native American Blood Brother ceremonies, danced and sang and and got into trouble and dyed dogs purple. I was 11 years old when the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers, sitting on my parents’ bed and watching on their little TV. Shortly after, I moved to the country on 20 acres where I loved to romp around in the woods and creek with my dog Caspian. I rode wonderful horses (and some awful ones), worked at stables and at a pharmacy, and was diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. This has limited me greatly ever since. Due to repercussions of this illness I struggled with an eating disorder and self-harm issues for a couple of years (16-18 years old), but overcame them both with help from professional counseling, my wonderful family, and God. Between Johnson County Community College and MidAmerica Nazarene University, I began work on a college degree in Psychology. After a few dating relationships and learning about what I did NOT want in a man, in 2013 I started dating my future husband, in whom I found everything I DID want in a man. On a beautiful starry Thanksgiving night he proposed to me and I made the best decision of my life in saying yes. On the evening of June 21st 2014 the two of us had an absolutely beautiful wedding and became husband and wife. Nothing significant has happened since then, but I’ve been greatly enjoying time spent with my husband and our cat, and I plan to finish my degree.
Q12: If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?
A: Again, there are a couple of answers to this question. One is supernatural, and the other is practical. The supernatural answer would probably be the power of invisibility. The practical answer would probably be exceptional self-discipline. Seriously, who knows how much more I could accomplish with an iron will??
Q13: If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
A: Because I’m kind of scared of the future, I wouldn’t really want to know the answers to that. I’ll just let them happen and do the best I can. About myself, I’d just like to know exactly what I need to work on to become a more successful person in general. Maybe I’d like to know whether or not I have the potential to be a great artist or writer, or whether I should just give up on that.
Q14: Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
A: Publishing a novel. I haven’t done it yet cause I just finished writing my first novel recently and I don’t have it edited yet. Hopefully soon, though.
Q15: What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
A: I’m going to answer this based on merit and discipline rather than opportunities that were handed to me. My greatest accomplishment based purely on merit and discipline…I consider that to be training my horse Spirit. From a 3-year-old bucking bronco (when I was 13 years old) to a 14-year-old trail horse (when I was/am 24), it has taken courage, discipline, and literal blood, sweat, and tears to bring him to where he is today. Of course this is not without the help of riding trainers such as Anne Shafer and Shane Irvin, but I am still the girl who has continued to mount that horse, ride his bucks and spooks, and be on his back through all kinds of situations through the past 11 years, and I am proud of that.
Q16: What do you most value in a friendship?
A: Acceptance/understanding.
Q17: What is your most treasured memory?
A: Oh, so many. Riding horses with my mom, father/daughter banquets with my dad, getting into scrapes with my best girlfriend, singing along with my brother while he played his guitar, so many conversations with my husband, the day my husband proposed to me, our wedding day, visiting senior citizens and underprivileged children with my dog Caspian, my trip to Kenya in 2012, so many moments in between…how am I supposed to pick one?
Q18: What is your most terrible memory?
A: Hmm. There are a few there too, though not nearly as many (thank God). Many days where triumph and tragedy occurred simultaneously (isn's that just how it goes?). No specifics here, I’m afraid (though if you really want specifics you can email me and ask). Let’s move on.
Q19: If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are living now? Why?
A: Hmm. On a daily basis? I would spend more time outside. Talk to more strangers. Paint more. Ride my horse more. Go to monasteries and pray and sing in them, and read the Bible. Why? Because those are beautiful things. How about things I wouldn’t change? I would keep spending lots of time with my husband, because who shows me more of the love I crave in ways no one else can? I would keep letting the cat sleep in my lap even when there were dishes to do. I would keep gossiping with my mom, because who else will listen to you rant about absolutely anything and still be on your side? I would keep telling my dad about any little injustice, cause who else would get that angry on my behalf? Not even me. I would still drink wine with dinner in the evenings, I would still drink a beer while I work on art projects some afternoons. I would keep taking advantage of every experience that time, money, and energy allow.
Q20: What does friendship mean to you?
A: Unconditional acceptance and understanding, combined with forgiveness and FUN!
Q21: What roles do love and affection play in your life?
A: Roles that keep me afloat. Cuddles and encouragement from my husband. Advice and well-wishes from my mom. Defense and anger-on-my-behalf from my dad. Conversations from my friends. There is a lot of love in my life, and I don’t know what I’d do without it.
Q22: Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of 5 items.
A: Ok, I’ll share a total of 5 things I appreciate about you if you share 5 things you appreciate about me in the comments, ok? Ok. Here we go.
First of all, you’re reading my blog. That’s awesome. It makes me feel great that you’ve even gotten this far. You know people’s need to be understood? Yeah, I have that. Thanks for indulging. I truly, sincerely appreciate it.
Second, I don’t know who you are, but you have pretty eyes. You know how I know? Because every eye is beautiful. With the irises like a painting. Even if you just think you have blue eyes, or brown, you know you have lots of colors in there? You do. Look in the mirror, change the light, and watch them dilate and contract. Just watch. You have beautiful eyes.
Third, you have a consciousness, and that is even more beautiful. You have thoughts that no one else has EVER had, did you know that? The way you think, the colors you think in, the words. They’re unique. Write them down, paint them down. Make a scribble. No one’s eve made that before. Appreciate that. I do. January: what color is that to you? To me it’s sunshine yellow, but in a pale, pastel sense. What is it to you?
Fourth, you probably like foods that I don’t. I don’t like tomatoes, I don’t like guacamole. Usually I prefer deserts with chocolate or caramel or vanilla rather than fruit. But maybe you don’t. Maybe you agree with me in some ways but not others. Isn’t it great how we can all enjoy different parts of the world in the way things taste? If it were all up to me, so many things would be missed. Thanks for appreciating things that I can’t.
Fifth, what would happen if we made an art project together? With the different ways we think, I’ll bet it would be something pretty cool. Email me if you want to make something. I’m serious; I’d love to make something with you. Email me at nevadaville_spirit@yahoo.com . Collaboration is inspiration, and I bet there are a bunch of things that I couldn’t do without you, specifically.
Q23: How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?
A: My family was very close and warm, if you couldn’t tell from the rest of this post. I don’t know how other people’s experiences would compare, but I think I had a pretty great one.
Q24: How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
A: I love it. Even the generational gaps are just amusing, not divisive. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Q25: Make three true “we” statements for each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling…”
A: We are both using the internet. We both have foods we like. We both long for connection.
Q26: Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share…”
A: “…A Chipotle burrito.” Just kidding; I want it all to myself. Seriously. Back away.
Q27: If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.
A: I am a Christian in a sense that I love Jesus and I wish that everything in my life could align with what He would wish, even though I know it doesn’t, and I’m sorry for that. Really, I am. Also you should know that I love new experiences of all kinds, so let’s go do things, please. I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me. Though, unfortunately, if you do judge me I will probably judge you. Sorry. I don’t mean to; it just happens. I’m working on it. Give me time.
Q28: Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things you might not say to someone you’ve just met.
A: If you have thick eyebrows, I probably like that. That’s usually something I like, in men and women. Also, I’d never say this to someone I just met, but…honestly, I like your legs. The muscles in legs are just cool to me, no matter how much or little you have. Watch them move. I just like legs, ok? Shut up.
Q29: Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.
A: So one time at a Halloween party I was dressed as a Roman goddess, and my dress had a drawstring neckline. I was 13 years old and I was talking to this guy I had a huge crush on, plus two other guys, and the drawstring around my neck came undone. I kept chattering away while their faces all turned red, and finally one of them shut me up and told me to look down. I looked down to see my exposed bra and pale stomach in all their adolescent dorkiness (it was a big drawstring neck). I ran to the bathroom and hid there for the rest of the party until my mom came and picked me up.
Q30: When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
A: I think it was last week, in front of my husband. By myself, it was earlier that day. It was an emotional day.
Q31: Tell your partner something you like about them already:
A: You’re reading my blog. I like that.
Q32: What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about.
A: Rape, child abuse, and abortion. Don’t even try. It’s not funny.
Q33: If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
A: I’d probably regret most not having told my dad how much I appreciate his unconditional defensiveness. Why haven’t I told him? I don’t know. You know what? I’ll tell him next time I see him, cause that’s something that should be said in person.
Q34: Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
A: Assuming I’m already wearing my wedding/engagement rings…my stuffed tiger Peploava. Because she is the embodiment of my entire childhood, plus many tearful moments in adolescence and even young adulthood when I needed something to cry into and a memory to share, and because she was given to me by my parents at my baptism when I was four years old; all sorts of meaning there.
Q35: Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?
A: Oh gosh. I don’t know if I could answer that one. Blood family, or does husband count too? This is a terrible question. Let’s move on.
Q36: Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
A: Hmm, the problem I’m struggling the most with right now? Honestly, my body image isn’t very good. I’m terrible at dieting, and (due to lupus) I don’t have the energy to exercise as often as I would like. So, tell me in the comments. How would you handle that?
Now, stare at this picture of my eyes for four minutes straight:
Are you in love with me? No? Good, cause I already have a husband who I am madly in love with and whom I would allow to beat your butt if you tried to compete with him (not that you could even if you tried). But I hope you had fun reading my answers, and I hope you take the time to answer the questions yourself, either in the comments here or on your own social media outlet, cause vulnerability to other human beings is what makes the world go ‘round.
Good day, everyone!
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