May 03 2007
NOT AGAIN!!!
Hey everyone! I know that you’re never going to believe this, but I’m doing another interview today!!! Some of you are thinking, “doesn’t she do one of these every other day or something?” And no, Snippy Gentle Readers, I don’t do them every other day. Today’s is #3 and, honestly, I thought I was quite finished with interviews. But, you see, when I saw that the mighty Gunfighter was doing the interviewing, I jumped on board. I simply couldn’t pass up that kind of honor. And so, without further ado, I bring you his awesome questions and, perhaps, a mediocre answer or two.
Brillig,
{Personal? Hahaha. You’ve read my blog, right? I clearly don’t shy away from the way-too-personal…}
- UK
- France
- Austria
- Italy
- Greece
- Israel/Palestine
- USA
- Argentina
And no, not military or government. It was just for their jobs. (My parents are extremely adventurous people to start with–they would have found a way to travel without it being a part of their jobs.) My Father is an English Literature professor who was never very well-known in the United States but was considered the be-all, end-all scholar on various literary subjects in Europe. We spent a LOT of time there, while he taught, lectured, gave seminars, and researched. He also led several Study Abroad groups from the US to London. All together we lived in England for about 3 years, which makes England the place away from “home” that I’ve lived the longest.
My Mother is an Ancient History/Ancient Scripture professor. She led US-based Study Abroad groups in Jerusalem and we also travelled a lot (to Greece, Egypt, Jordan, and others) for her research and so on.
Being the youngest in the family, I was able to tag along on a lot of things that my siblings never did. But I was never allowed to be a “tourist”. Even when I was very young, everywhere I went I had to study about it first and learn all there was to know about the history and the significance of the site and even the language where possible
Living in Italy, Austria, and Argentina were things I did on my own, for my own self–Not “piggy backing” on my parents. Italy and Austria were for intensive language study and, well, for an adventure. Some of my time in Argentina was spent with my parents, but the majority of it was as a missionary–something I volunteered for and loved.
Tell us about where you live now. What’s it like? Tell us about the people that live there, and the things you and your family do for recreation. Tell us if you plan to live where you are forever, or if you have plans to change locations.
I live in the US now–Utah, to be specific. This is where I “grew up” oddly enough–we always had a house in Utah, no matter where else we happened to be living or travelling. I never expected to come back here. And I certainly never expected to like it. But I do. We own a home here, which we’re desperately trying to sell, and we’ll be buying another home here (about an hour away–closer to Hubby’s work). So yeah, it’s a pretty permanent home for now. As for recreation, my hubby and kids love to ski, but they don’t get to do it very much. I take the kids to museums and libraries and parks. Nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary–which is, perhaps, the appeal right now!
Since my life revolves around eating… tell me about your favorite foods, what things do you cook well? What is your favorite comfort food? What kinds of food (if any) make you physically happy?
Much to my surprise, and the surprise of everyone who knows me, I’m one darn good cook. Hahaha. Apparently I make a fabulous roast, but I wouldn’t know because I can’t eat red meat (no, not a religious thing. I don’t have the enzyme to digest it. When I try to eat it, I get very sick!) I make lots and lots of chicken dishes, because I can eat that. I love Thai food, Indian food, and Mexican food, and I cook all of that, but my personal favorite is Italian food. There’s nothing on this planet that can’t be fixed with a plate of penne.
Tell us about your religious background? Are you an adherent of any religion or denomination? Do you regularly attend services?
I am a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (read: Mormon). I not only attend, but I’m often a teacher or speaker. Hubby is often in a leadership role. (Mormons don’t have a paid clergy–the leaders have normal lives with normal jobs and then lead on top of that.) We have truly dedicated ourselves and our lives to it. I don’t talk about it here too much–not because I’m the least bit ashamed or because it’s any kind of a secret, but because I want everyone to feel welcome here. Because everyone is welcome here! I feel like I can reach a broader “audience” by talking about basic morals and everyone can be uplifted, rather than coming across as shoving my religion down people’s throats and having people put off by it. That’s not to say that I don’t like religious blogs–I do! I actually read quite a few of them, Mormon and Not Mormon.
Well, growing up with a brilliant English Lit professor, literature has had a profound impact on me. By the time I was 12, I had read all the great “Classic” literature, and I have since re-read most of it, some many many times. Among all the great literaries who I love, I think that Shakespeare has had the most shaping-effect on my life. I grew up watching Shakespeare plays in London and Stratford-upon-Avon, and I always wanted to be one of the actors myself. The more I study Shakespeare, the more I believe that Shakespeare knew EVERYTHING! And that he knew real truths–truths that eons before and after him somehow missed.
And that’s it, folks! Did anyone make it to the end? I wax a bit wordy, I’m afraid!!
And now I turn interviewer again on you. If you want one, just request it in the comments here and it will be provided in the comments (not via email this time). And then, naturally, if you’re interviewed, you answer the questions on your blog and then offer to interview.
