it's not life that matters but the journey...

Since I originally posted this last week, I was asked more questions by dawnie1970 - so I'm reposting with her q &a.
again, if you want questions, just let me know:)

1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you 5 questions of a personal nature.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

Here are 5 questions asked by dawnie1970:

1 - What one historical person/character would you want to have lunch with?


By historical person, I'm assuming someone who is no longer with us. There are quite a few people from history who are inspirational, politicians, writers, actors, inventors, etc. But the one person who stands out is Mark Twain for some reason. Not only did he write some classic literature, but the man was so funny and intelligent, and I'd love it if he would share some of his wisdom about life and the world with me. and some of his writing tips - LOL!



2 - Is LJ the first blog you've had?


Yep - Live Journal is the first online journal that I've kept. I started it when I was in Japan as a way to chronicle my adventures there (the second time around, in 2005). after that I became addicted, and met so many great people on here that I'm not going anywhere else.



3 - If you could change one thing about yourself, would you, and what would it be?



Wow - just one thing? Well I've been trying to be happier with my physical appearance lately, and not worry about the things that I can't change, and try to improve the things that I can. So if I could change one thing, it wouldn't be physical. It would be my insecurity about everything, which leads me to have difficulty making decisions that are good for myself. I'm always worried about how my decisions will affect other people, rather than thinking of myself. I tend to do things (like stay in a relationship that is stagnant, or not live where I want to live) just because I don't want to make the BIG decisions that might be difficult, but in the end which might be best for ME.



4 - You get to go on one hunt with the Winchester brothers, what monster of the week do you want to fight?



I guess I'd love to meet some vampires, since I've always been fascinated with them. So, I'd love to go on a vampire hunt with the Winchesters, and kick some vampire ass. Just so long as I avoid getting sucked (except by Dean of course - LOL)!



5 - What one piece of advice would you offer to the next generation?



this is a tough question because I'm not sure I'm in the best position to offer advice to future generations. some of you are on my f'list - you are the ones that will take care of Me and My Generation when we get old. I feel like I mean compared to others of my generation, I'm not a serious success story. what advice could I offer from my experience, when some of you are already more successful and "together" than I'll ever be? I've already gone through one career, I've moved around like a gypsy, not settling anywhere, I haven't got a house or a family of my own. I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I "grow up." But on the other hand, I've seen a lot of interesting places (Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, thailand, HOng Kong, Portugal, Spain), and I've lived in a foreign country, and I've completed two degrees, and am in the process of completing a certificate in another field. So, I guess my life has been interesting.

but I've digressed - although there was a reason for this digression. I guess my advice would be this: Don't let anyone tell you what you should do with your life, and don't let society dictate your decisions either. If you want to be a painter, and it means that you have to struggle financially, so be it. Be what you want to be! Do things for yourself, and not only for others (but still be conscientious of others and be philantropic when you can). If you want to travel the world, do it! There's so much to see, and learn. Never stop learning either. And also, my other piece of advice is this: don't be in a hurry. slow down, look around you and enjoy the beauty, don't let your job or family or money worries turn you into a zombie. Live and enjoy life!



these are the questions that I was asked by pnksaph:

1. If you could work anywhere overseas, where would you work and what would you like to do?

2. When was the first time you thought you were totally and completely in love?

3. Why did you decide to become a teacher? Would you ever consider going back to that profession?

4. Describe - with sights and sounds - your idea of the perfect date.

5. Who did you admire when you were growing up, and why?

my answers are

1) If I could work anywhere overseas, where would it be and what would I like to do? Well, I've taught in Japan, but it was always my dream to teach in an Eastern European country like the Czech Republic or Poland or Hungary. I have a strong desire to visit those places, so I guess I'd like to be an English teacher in Prague, or Budapest or somewhere in Poland. it would be so romantic. If I ever come to a point in my life where I need something to do, I might join the Peace Corps. But who knows...

2) When did I first think I was in love? that's a tough question because you put the word "think." I knew I was in love with my first boyfriend, Tim. We were together for 3 years, he was my "first", and we were soulmates. But before that I might have thought I was in love with the boy who took me to my prom, but he was really a lot older than I was, and he was not in love with me.

3) I decided to become a teacher while I was working at my first job after I received my undergraduate degree. I worked for the Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento, and it was my job to coordinate the breakfast forums we had for members. We had one with a speaker who talked about being a teacher, and how rewarding it was. Then I decided to go to graduate school to become an English teacher. I only wish that it had been an easier profession to get into (teaching at the college level) - I never stuck with one school long enough to get a real full time job out of it. so to answer your second question, would I ever go back to teaching? Yes, in Japan (if I return there) but no, not in this country. But perhaps I would be an adjunct teacher again if I could afford to work only part time. Or I'd love to teach one of those community classes - a writing course or something about Grammar.

4) The perfect date? That's tough because I've been married so long and my hubby and I don't really go out much. If I were to date again, I think the perfect date would not be dinner and a movie, rather it would be a visit to a very cool modern art museum (or an aquarium), followed by a walk in a natural setting like a park or a riverside or an ocean. Then we'd eat ice cream, drink coffee and talk. *sigh*

5) Who did I admire growing up? that's easy: My grandfather (my mom's father). He was a pastor and in charge of missions and outreaches for the Church of God for many many years - he went to places like Mexico and Alaska and oversaw the building of churches for those who needed them. He was a truly selfless person, incredibly smart, highly respected by people all over the world, open-minded, non-judgmental, warm and gentle and giving. And he was funny and laughed at everyone's jokes! I still remember his chuckle! He even wrote a book that was published (about someone he knew from his missionary work). He was my absolute favorite person in the whole world. He died while I was in college, and I couldn't even finish my coursework that semester. I miss him to this day!


thanks, Diane - those were great questions!