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.
br>
Brava!!
Wonderful.
GF
Fantastic answers. I’m in complete awe.
You are a great interviewee! If I ever interview someone, it’s gonna be YOU!
Hey, I grew up in Utah, too! In fact, my entire family still lives there, so I travel there to visit them every couple of months. I have to go often, as one of the family members of which I speak is my granddaughter and we all know they grow soooooooooooooooo fast.
I’ll stop by and see you sometime!
Ask and ye shall receive right ? After yesterday’s meme I asked to hear more about the brilliant Brillig. So this is great , and fast.
But c’mon you’re really not doing much to uhh let me know that you’re truly not perfect.
I knew most of this stuff having known you for a while, but i remember talking to Kateastrophe once about how we wondered if OTHER people knew–people in your neighborhood, at church, pre-school moms–what an intelligent, diverse, talented, articulate person you are. Or if they assume, as sometimes tends to happen with many of us, that you are your kids’ mom, or Craft Super Saturday, or minivans. Have you ever sat at some social function discussing the all-important new release of the latest pinking shears and screamed in your head…”I AM MORE THAN THIS!! THERE IS MORE TO ME THAN WHAT YOU SEE!” Hmmm, what a tragedy, if people did NOT know this amazing other side of Brillig. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Seeth why I loveth my besteth friendeth?
eth.
Oh my gosh. You are all SERIOUSLY TOO KIND!!!! Really. REALLY!!! STOP!!!! From this post and my last post, there is way too much admiration going on. I’ll have you know, I’m working on a MEME where I will force myself to disclose all the ROTTEN things about me, including the fact that somehow I’ve worded things to sound like I’m “super woman” or “smart.” I was going to seek Kateastrophe’s and The Bakers’ help, seeing as how they know me in person and therefore know what a pig-headed, selfish, lazy spoiled brat I am… but clearly they are not going to be any help. hahaha. (That meme will have to wait until Monday, of course, because nothing trumps Flashback Friday or Soap Opera Sunday…) For the rest of you, go read some of my soap opera sundays or something. They’ll let you know the truth about me! (And stay tuned for this week’s Soap Opera Sunday, which will be all about that time I made out with one of my best friend’s boyfriends–who SHE stole from another one of our best friends. Good times.)
I want to be like your dad, a literature professor traveling all over the world. And Shakespeare truly was a genius. He wrote whole plays in iambic pentameter for godsakes!
It’s really nice getting all the background and knowing more about you - it’s like a prequel lol!
I never appreciated Shakespeare until I left school, and wasn’t forced to study it
“I grew up watching Shakespeare plays in London and Stratford-upon-Avon”
You make me crazy jealous.
That’s a lovely “growing up”.
Super Des,
I know! It wasn’t enough to just be brilliant, but to be brilliant in Iambic Pentameter??!!! And yeah, I can see you being like my dad. He was fun and funky and smart, just like you!
Annie,
Yeah, it’s true. We all refer to stuff about our lives, but often people have no idea what we’re talking about until someone directly asks! Prequel… that’s good. haha.
Melissavina,
Um, see, that’s where the “spoiled brat” part fits in…
great questions. great answers.
YOu should totally do that meme. On it, have questions like “What’s the most nutritionally void dinner you’ve fed your children.”
hahaa..I’d do it! (Just like that last one!!)
Cool info! I’m so jealous.
Hello? *tap tap tap*
Hello? *tap tap*
Is this thing working?
Love the interviews. I’ve never been interviewed myself, sooo… Would you like to interview me?
And. I’m going to be in UT this weekend and next week. To check out BYU.
Holy moly, right?
Okay, so I read Cathouse Teri’s last comment and wondered what on earth she was trying to tell me. And THEN I realized that the whole comment that I’d posted responding to her and everyone else before Super Des was NOT THERE!!! It is, apparently, lost somewhere in Cyberspace. This happens to me from time to time, including last night too! Sigh. But, I love you, Blogger! I trust you! We’re still pals!!
And so let’s try this again…
Gunfighter,
Aha! You know the cardinal rule of “bravo/brava”–the one that so many break. Thanks for the interview, really. Your questions were fantastic.
Sugar Kane,
Awwww. You’re so kind!!
Cathouse Teri,
I can’t think of a better reason to be in Utah than to see a grandchild! And growing up in Utah, that means you speak Utarn! Do you say things like “crick” and “ruhtbeer” and “mou-nin?”
Worker Mommy,
Says the amazing Worker Mommy, mother of twins and step children? Hahahaha. High praise indeed, from such a source!
The Bakers,
Holy cow, I nearly fell off my seat when I read your comment. I can’t even believe anyone would say such nice things about me!! And no, most people who live around me or go to church with me have absolutely no idea about the “real me”–they just wonder what the heck is wrong with me for not knowing about pinking sheers. And I, in return, am actually in complete awe of them, because they make pretty things. I do not make pretty things…
Kateastrophe,
Eth right back atcha, darling. Eth.
Shauna,
Thanks, darlin’!
Butrfly,
Hahaha. That’s a perfect question! WAYYYY funnier than the ones I’d come up with so far. Maybe YOU should create the meme, and I promise to allow you to tag me.
Cathouse Teri,
Hahaha. It is now, I hope!
Kelly,
HOLY MOLY INDEED!!!
And, oh my goodness, my toes are tingling already at the thought of being able to interview you. I told you the first time I saw you comment here that seeing your name on my blog leaves me utterly star-struck! I’m serious!! It’ll take me until sometime tomorrow to come up with the questions, but come up with them I shall!!!
No, I don’t say those words, but I have often heard, “I gotta fix the altnater” and “we’re goin up ta ogden!” along with pronouncing the word sale like sell… and of course “Oh my heck!”
Hello - just dropping in to say hi - I’ve seen your comments on a few of the blogs I’ve been visiting.
I’m glad to read that you welcome everyone on your blog - Mormon or not - coming from Australia I know next to nothing about Mormon (ism?)
Great interview!
Once again I am in praise position of all things Brillig.
If I ever grow up I’m just gonna be you I think.
Loved the answers to the most excellent Gunfighter questions.
And look forward to the hilarity of the “truisms about me” post that you will soon share.
You da best!
Oh, me too, born and raised in Utah and I can speak it with the best of them. I used to sit up on the ‘ruff’ in the summer time and talk about all the ‘ignernt’ people I knew…
Great interview! I am envious of all of your travels.
Okey dokey, Kelly,
Here are your questions!
1. If you could pick one person to have lunch with and then sit down and blog together, who would it be?
2. You are an AMAZING blog designer–and I can say that because I see your name all over the place and I’ve just been through your portfolio. And you taught yourself???? Tell us how you managed that and what you think is the coolest thing you’ve learned to do.
3. Simon and Helene–are those family names? (I’M JUST KIDDING!!!) I think the names are ADORABLE! What is your child-naming process? Did you already know what you were going to name them before you had them, or did you just play it by ear? Do you have a list of names for future offspring?
4. I’ve seen your wedding pics (gorgeous!) but I haven’t yet figured out why you were in Hawaii. So I guess my question is, why were you in Hawaii? Are you going back any time soon?
5. Okay, you just dropped the BYU bombshell on me!!! What’s going on with that? Why are you looking into it? If you go, what are your goals and what do you want to study?
And then, oh queen of taglessness, you have to offer to interview your readers when you are done answering your questions! Have fun! Thanks for playing!
very intriguing!
This answers some questions that I’ve been kinda wondering. (like are you mormon and how you ended up in the different countries– although I did remember reading that you traveled because of your mother’s job)