Get to Know Me: A Self-Interview

Remember those questionnaires that circled social media where you were encouraged to answer accordingly and then share with your friends?

Pretty sure they are still out there.

I always wanted to fill one out and post it, but I always chickened out for some reason - maybe I assumed that no one would care to see my answers?

Well. Today that changes. This is my blog and I can do what I want.

Also, I assume that you are here because you have at least a slight interest in who I am and what I’m all about :)

I picked 30 random questions to ask myself in the hopes that my answers will shed a bit of light as to who is writing the words that you currently find yourself reading.

Enjoy!

(Also - if you you want, I’d love to know your answers to these questions!)

1) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND?

Gosh. I don’t know. I honestly hate this question and am annoyed that I selected it for myself. My favorite way to spend a weekend changes depending on the time of year - but, it would always include the following: a date with my husband, going out for breakfast, spending time with my friends, getting together with family and playing with my daughter and dog. And reading, preferably outside if it’s warm and sunny.

2) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?

Anything by Daddy Yankee or Nelly. Also, I love listening to film scores.

3) ARE YOU AN INTROVERT OR AND EXTROVERT?

I’m an Introverted Extrovert or an Extroverted Introvert depending on the situation :) 

4) WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVES?

I feel like I have a lot of them. But I can’t think of any of them now. I can’t stand it when drivers drive under the speed limit when the weather doesn’t hinder safe speeding. This probably bugs me so much because I’m late to everything.

5) WHAT ALWAYS INSTANTLY MAKES YOUR DAY BETTER?

Starbucks. And coming come and hearing “Mama!” <3

6) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?

Summer. It’s January now, and it feels so far away :(

7) WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DISLIKED FOR A LONG TIME AND SUDDENLY CHANGED YOUR MIND?

I wasn’t a fan of Tom (my husband) for my first couple of years in high school. Then one day, I randomly changed my mind - glad I did!

8) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT (DAY) JOB?

The people. And the travel perks.

9) HOW WOULD YOUR 10-YEAR-OLD SELF REACT TO WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING TODAY?

She would be thrilled. When I was 10 I was painting maps, making saris for my beanie babies and stalking friends’ foreign-exchange students for language lessons. 

10) WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED FROM A FAMILY MEMBER?

My mom once gave me a piece of excellent advice that has stuck with me to this day: “Our lives are not a Karen Kingsbury book, Leah.” This was in reference to the way love and relationships go. Couples go through struggles & arguments, and everything isn’t always fluffy and amazing.

11) WHAT PERIOD OF HISTORY WOULD YOU GO BACK TO?

This is a hard one. I’ve always been interested in the 1940s, but I’m not sure how well I would have managed in the war. I’d say the 1920’s.

12) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

I was a score keeper at a local ballpark near my house growing up. I started when I was 10 and did it through at least age 23. It was a great gig. I got paid $7 a game, which usually translated to about $7 an hour (as long as it was slow-pitch that I was working) and there were 4-5 games a night. I got to sit outside and run the scoreboard and keep the play-book. Doing it for 13 years, I got really good and was able to read a book at the same time. Also, I got free popcorn.

13) WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB?

The sounds. The “ping” sound of a hit, the umpire (who was my dad a lot of the times) making calls, the sound of cleats walking by… I miss it.

14) WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I was born in Holland, Michigan. I grew up in farm-country east of Zeeland, Michigan. 

15) WHAT KIND OF PARENT ARE YOU?

I’m honestly more laid back than I thought I would be. Given my past as an extreme worrier, I think I’m doing pretty well. I refuse to become a helicopter parent… or a lawnmower parent… and even though Greta is still a toddler, I think letting her practice her own independence starts now. Also - I don’t like to put up with BS. And with Greta being a toddler, let’s be honest… there is a lot of exaggerated BS. :)

16) IF YOU COULD GO TO ANY CONCERT, WHAT CONCERT WOULD YOU ATTEND?

Backstreet Boys. Hands down.

17) ARE YOU LIKE YOUR PARENTS?

Yes. Among several other characteristics, I’m sensitive to others like my dad & I have a sense of humor like my mom.

18) WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?

I always say I have three earthly passions (other than my family):
1) Fashion 2) Travel 3) Animals (bunnies specifically)

19) WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?

“Where is the Love” - Black Eyed Peas. I know all the words and consider it a talent.

20) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GENRE? 

I love a good war movie with some romance thrown in.

21) IF YOU COULD BE A CONTESTANT ON ANY GAME SHOW, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

The Price is Right

22) IF YOU COULD BE ON ANY REALITY TV SHOW, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I’ve always wanted to be a contestant on America’s Next Top Model - but I’m too short. So I change my answer to AMAZING RACE!

23) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

This answer has been the same since I could speak. Bunnies.

24) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?

I have three. Pink. Orange. Black.

25) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NIGHT OF THE WEEK?

I don’t think I am the only one to say this, Friday. Or Thursday (I don’t go to my full-time job on Fridays).

26) IF I HAD TO LEAVE MICHIGAN, WHERE WOULD I GO?

Are we talking other states? If so - South Carolina. 
Are we talking other countries? If so - that requires a lot more consideration :)

27) HOW MANY OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE YOU BEEN?

13 (not counting the USA). Canada, Israel, Turkey, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, England, Scotland. (Coming this spring - Spain!)

28) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COUNTRY THAT YOU’VE TRAVELED TO?

This is not a fun question, because there are amazing things about all of them. If I had to pick, I’d say Germany. Or Turkey.

29) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT AND DISH?

I LOVE Anna’s House and their Sweet Potato Brussels Sprout Hash is my favorite. Even though I always look at the whole menu, I end up getting it every time.

30) WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED REALLY HARD?

We were watching The Office, and it was the scene where everyone went to see Andy’s play and Micheal’s bottle of wine started rolling down toward the stage and then his bundle of balloons floated to the ceiling and all popped. That scene gets me every time.