Moving Right Along (To the beat of a different drummer)

I saw this shirt online today and laughed smugly to myself. Not just because it is funny but also because, for me, it is true. I've been moving all over the place and each move has been different. I utilize everything from suburbans to suitcases. I have moved all my possessions that I "need" to live in 6 suitcases. I have loaned couches to friends. I have ruthlessly used said friends to help me move. I have done many, many things. I think the next time I have a "moving party" I will make it a costume one...or provide Zorro masks. Why? Because its FUN!

In other news, pray for me. God is showing me that stability is a thing I need to depend on Him for. And I'm having a nice little yelling contest with Him about His methods.

When Scott and I saw this picture, we both knew it was awesome. But it was Scott who pointed out why. Yes, indeed, this is another perfect example to go into the informational pamphlet that we will someday publish entitled "The Joys of Force-Lightning" Of course, when the picture is in the pamphlet, it will be enhanced to show the actual force lightning being generated by Hilary's evil, evil mind.

So, this week I've got a new job - and it may just be the best one yet. I'm not sure why this position was called a "receptionist" - because that's not anything like what I do. I am working in the Rotman MBA program's Admission & Recruitment office. It is an amazingly fulfilling job. Which, just goes to say, "I told you so!" Well, maybe not you specifically, but I certainly told many people that I'd like working for a university department office. And boy, oh boy do I enjoy it. The really interesting thing is that, it is the intangibles that make this job better than all the rest. I've actually had jobs that pay more, jobs with better perks (i.e. free coffee, sodas & lots of gourmet food.), and jobs where I had a more comfortable chair, much more free time and many other things that other people might consider good. But this job makes me feel good. I am Making Things Right, Working for the Little Man, being the Only Voice that many prospective students have.

This is a good feeling. I am working intensely, thoroughly and doing much more than I have in other jobs. There is a regular banter between myself and the other lady in my office regarding the stupidity of people who send e-mails asking questions of an MBA program. I mean, they're trying to get an MBA...and about 50% of the e-mails we get I copy-paste replies direct from the website! That they HAD to have visited to get the e-mail address. Sheesh.

But then there are people like the lovely young lady whose only fault is that she took her degree in Mexico. Her English is better than many people who may get into our program this year, but she still has to take the TOEFL...and therefore can't get into the program she wants to apply for. Such sorrow! And all because of a test date!

All that to say, I like my job. Because it is fulfilling. And also, and I have to say, this is a factor, I think this job may last me a good long time...maybe until we leave this here country.

A Challenger Has Emerged!

You have to use three words to answer each question. No more, no less.
It's harder than you think.

1. Where is your cell phone?
Don't have one.

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend?
Silly Bouncy Boy

3. Your hair?
Changes Color Often

4. Where is your father?
At home, eating

5. Cheesecake?
Where? Give, now!

6. Your favorite thing to do?
Read, Game, Eat.

7. Your dream last night?
Antics with Broccoli

8. Your favorite drink?
Vanilla Herbal Tea

9. Your dream car?
Convertible Mustang Hybrid

10. The room you're in?
Warm yellow, red

11. George Bush?
Good times, but...

12. Your fears?
Clowns. Snakes. Falling.

13. Nipple rings?
Why torture yourself?

14. Who did you hang out with last night?
Dear sweet hubby

15. What you're not good at?
Lying to friends

16. Your best friends?
Sweet cuppin' cakes!

17. One of your wish list items?
apple iPod touch

18. Where did you grow up?
Abilene, O Abilene

19. The last thing you did?
Ate yummy potatoes

20. What are you wearing?
comfy green PJs

21. Tattoo on the lower back?
No, nay, never!

22. Ketchup?
Seasoned Fries Better!

23. Your computer?
Mac Mini Happiness!

24. Your life?
Full of anticipation.

25. Your mood?
Slightly guilty...fixable.

26. Missing?
Three Acceptance Letters

27. What are you thinking about right now?
Love my honey

28. Your car?
Don't Drive. TTC!

29. Your work?
Changes Almost Constantly

30. Your summer?
Home where warm?!

31. Your relationship status?
Head over heels!

32. Your favorite color(s):
Green for growth!

33. Last time you laughed?
Reading teh lolcats

34. Last time you cried?
Sad TV moment

35. High school?
Home school girl!

36. This quiz?
Fun but easy.

Music Hath Charms

The lyrics of some songs are most agreeable in their disagreement with their music. I shall 'splain...no, there is too much, let me sum up. On the other hand, 'splaining is fun - and kinda the purpose of this blog. So perhaps I should 'splain instead.

So you'll be an Austrian nobleman
Commissioning a symphony in c
Which defies all earthly descriptions
You'll be commissioning a symphony in c

I have no idea which particular historical Austrian nobleman is referred to here, probably one who commissioned a symphony or two in his time...possibly from Motzart. And, for the first time, I find myself mourning my inability to post music - because the contrast I'm looking at here is between the story that these lyrics don't so much tell as allude to and the hip, bouncy rock music it is sung to.

With money you squeeze from the peasants
To your nephew you can give it as a present
This magnificent symphony in c
Youll be commissioning a symphony in c

Completely filling the palace concert hall
Its warm and golden like an oven thats wide open
It has a melody both happy and sad
Built on victorious young triads

I think this last phrase is what really makes me like this song. The "victorious young triads" is exactly what the rock music is based off of - but, when you think of "victorious chords" and "symphonies" - you really, really don't think of those employed by Cake. They are masters of the subtle dance between lyric and music. And they do it while barely making any sense at all. Many artists have to write about compelling things to succeed - but not Cake - they can write nonsense and have it be both pleasant and historically referential nonsense. And people will probably enjoy it. I look forward to "The Rhineland Crematory Waltz"... :-p

In contrast, I shall put forth "Dangerous Game" from Jekyll & Hyde.

At the touch of your hand -
At the sound of your voice -
At the moment your eyes meet mine -
I am out of control -
I am out of my mind -
Full of feelings I can't define!

Here the music & lyrics amp each other up to great extremes. Even without brilliant actors (like Seibert & Organ of my ACU homecoming musical wonderfulness) portraying this dynamic struggle, you can hear it in the voices, the words, everything plays up in the very best of dramatic music. (For those of you who weren't there or didn't know, I used another piece from Jekyll & Hyde in my wedding...because it's BEAUTIFUL...plus I had an amazing soloist for a MOH, so I had someone who could do it proper.)

Pictures of Pubs that inspire me

After my last post, I decided to get some visual elements to make me happy about my pub hopings...here are a few.

Of course, a pub called the "Green Lady" has to have a beer garden.

Homes I have yet to live in

I'd love to think about something that isn't work or money related - but it is very, very hard to do. I think the closest I can come while actually at work (where I have much free time, but am stuck at a computer and can't read or play Wii...my true escapes) is 2 homes - both of them future hopes & dreams. It's almost like a 5 & 30 year plan....but that would be thinking about money - so I stick to the visuals, the dreamy parts.

In the next five years...

I want to buy & sell a house at a profit. I've been watching a lot of shows where people "flip" houses for loads of money - but that's not what I really want to do. Well, sort of - on a very protracted basis. What I want to do is buy the ugly house, the fixer-upper with excellent structure but hideous paint & a couple of walls that need careful knocking down. I could learn to knock down walls. Surely there's a self-help book out there "How to Knock Down Walls for Fun & Profit".

But this house wouldn't just be about profit - it would be about testing my many design ideas, discovering my limits in some new & exciting ways...and all without winding up with a "Disaster DIY" or some such. Careful planning is the key - I think, careful planning and lots of good advice & help. That and friends who are carpenters, plumbers, etc. And we would live in this house for the 5 years while Scott is getting his doctorate - and we'd pay it off, coming out of the bargain with enough profit to buy a nicer house for our "permanent home"...and hopefully without a huge mortgage on that one. This is all "the plan" - and I dream about "the plan" and the house, and what I might do with it...and I look on realty websites and find out where I could spend money well and where it would be silly...etc. This is my five year plan. Isn't it lovely?

In thirty years...or maybe 35...

This is our "retirement" plan, the way to be relaxed and happy at age 55. And it is called "The Green Lady." It is a home, but also a business. We assume that by this time, Scott will be an established professor with tenure at a lovely university. We have been putting money back, hopefully ever since Scott got his first position at a university and we moved into a little "family house" to raise our little family. So, we've been putting money into a special savings account labelled "Green Lady" - and once we get a nice tidy sum, (say $1000), we'll put that into a good mutual fund...and just keep contributing to it.

The Green Lady is our little pipe dream. And we talk about it all the time. It is a pub, it is a boarding house and it is our home. We hope to build it ourselves...but would not be adverse to restoring some old monstrosity. It is close to the university, right on a corner between commercial & residential. It has 3 floors at minimum. The basement is the pub. We have limited hours and do not depend on income from the pub to do more than support the pub. We sell the best burgers & fries anywhere and we have procured the recipe for Mushroom Pepperpot from the Eagle & Child. We bring in esoteric beers...and attract the beer snobs. We encourage philosophy clubs and the occasional poetry night. This is the heart of the Green Lady - this is where you can join your professor for a pint. We host poker nights but not Texas Hold-Em tournements.

The second floor is for boarders. This is where a few (between 5 & 10 probably...but it might be more...depending on roommate situation) students get to live. We promise their parents that we'll look after them and we promise the students that while we won't interfere - but that we will care. We are not an apartment complex or a dorm - we are a boarding house. We have rules and expect our tenants to follow them. The idea is that eventually living at the Green Lady will be a kind of "secret priviledge" - something that is neither the talk of the university nor completely unknown. And that the right tenants would begat future tenants, through recommendations, friends, siblings, etc.

Who am I kidding, we'll be starting this project as soon as it's affordable! I get so excited just writing about it. Once Scott gets tenure...we shall proceed! This is my big dream - the reason I'm so interested in the hotel and B&B business. A way to bring a little bit of the UK home with us and live in it always. Big comfy chairs & little Victorian cozy booths with lots of woodwork & wrought iron.

So...these are the things that I think of when I want to avoid thinking about the stresses that are currently majorly bugging me out. These are my long term goals...to live happily with my hubby...to make enough money during the semester that we can travel during the summer...and to have a little place that is all our own, and distinctly so. I can't think of the "reality" of these dreams yet - I can't even put aside any money for them, there are too many immediate things going on to do that. But I can scheme. I can know WHEN I should be putting down money for them. I can collect pictures and watch home improvement shows and visit lots & lots of pubs, B&Bs and "college student housing." These things I can do. So that when I'm a little older, a little greyer, but no less spry of mind (I have high hopes of taking after my paternal grandmother who is a force to be reckoned with to this day, all leather and wit), then I can paint a wooden sign, put up a chalkboard with the "brews of the month" and polish a bar 'til the granite gleams. (or wood...but right now I'm thinking dark green granite on a wooden base...sounds nice, huh?)

Tumbleweed Me (Good Advice)

I am sincerely tempted to photoshop up a picture of me as a tumbleweed. But I have no idea what it'd look like, except probably something out of a really bad '80s horror flick. So, no - I am nothing if not a professionally dressed tumbleweed. But a tumbleweed is what I am - the Texas tumbleweed that blows along, going from one place to another not out of its own voalition, but instead out of the whims of others. So, a new metaphor for my life as a temp.

Sometimes I wonder if I should've called this blog "the adventures of a temporary employee" or something like that. Perhaps. But I intend to be writing about my days much longer than I intend to be a temp. So there. It shall remain the enigmatic and inside joke "A Truck You Say?!" and that's that. For the true wisdoms behind my adventures as a temp, you may look to my up & coming wikiHow on "How to Succeed as a Temporary Employee" - where I dispense my hard won advice for free!

Someone once told me that advice is worth just about exactly what you pay for it, and I tend to agree...but I always take into consideration payments made not by me. For instance, when my Dad gives me advice, he dispenses it for the price of "I listen to him" - but the advice comes at the price of his own experience, which is considerable. Needless to say, I listen to his advice and usually (but not always) take it. I always, however, take something from it.

Step by Step

Well, things are progressing here in the cold North. The wind doth blow and the snow doth fall and the drifts doth form. I eat my oatmeal with no sugar, only raisins (yay! This is good! Less sugar!) I'm also working on a D&D campaign that should be lots of fun. I'd love to say what it's all about, but some of the people who read this blog are in it. But this is my first time DMing, so I'm pretty excited. We're going to do the whole thing online - via e-mail & chat. Should be a good experience, y'know? Fun times shall be had by all.

I'm realizing now that this is the first post of March. Well, this week has been decidedly odd. I'm working at TD securities, at least a little - I'll get...31 hours total from them this week. But, honestly, the less hours are worth the less aggravation. I'm just covering shifts @ lunch & breaks...helping out with a few things, but even only working 6 hours, I still spend a lot of time just sitting around. Without a computer! Well, speaking of, I've gotta go. Don't want to be late, y'know.

This Just In! Leap Day Not Sadie Hawkins Day!

Someone said that today, Leap Day, is also Sadie Hawkins day. This is not actually true. Actually, Sadie Hawkins day is in November, most traditionally, and it originated with a girl whose father organized races where the girls chased the boys through the town and got to "keep" a boy, if they caught him.

Leap Day is LIKE Sadie Hawkins day, only more so. The tradition is that Queen Margaret of Scotland decreed that on Leap Day, women could ask men to marry them. Indeed, if a man said no, he had to pay a penalty of one pound or a pair of gloves or a silk dress...depending on his station. Women, however, had to give fair notice of their intent by wearing a red petticoat. If the woman did not display at least a corner of the red petticoat before asking, the man did not have to pay the penalty. He also didn't have to pay if he was already engaged.

Although this was not an actual law, it is a pretty established tradition. You can find postcards & such celebrating the fact - picturing Victorian women asking fathers for their son's hand in marriage, etc.

These fun facts are brought to you by the "Hannah was bored at her job today" committee, bringing useless but timely information to slightly interested people since 9AM this morning.

This is a test

This is a test, this is only a test.  Do not be alarmed.  Ignore any Daleks you might see.

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Why can't every day...

Oh, it’s been one of those days

When You walk with me

So close I think

I caught the scent of angels’ wings

And my, oh my unsuspecting heart

Leaps from its place

Begins to race

I finally found the place I never want to leave, oh...

Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today

Oh, why do the good days end

Makes me wonder now

With the way I feel

If yesterday was even real

And why, oh why do You seem so far away

Could it be that I’ve gone too far this time

And can I make You change Your mind, oh...

Why should any day, why should any day

Why should any day, should any day

Be like today

Do I wallow in my insecurities?

Do I trust what my feelings are tellin’ me?

Or do I rest in the promise You made me

That You’ll never leave?

Oh, today my heart believes

That the truth remains

You never change

Your love for me is still the same, oh...

Why can’t every day, why can’t every day

Why can’t every day, can’t every day

Be like today

Well, it's about 15 minutes 'til 1AM, so I suppose that the real question here is: "Why can't every day be like yesterday?" But, this Chris Rice song is running through my head, not so much because I really felt like I walked with God today...some days are just magical that way, and some days are more relaxed and casual. Today was a relaxed, casual kind of day. But, I guess, the real thing is the dichotomy I find myself in regarding how my life goes through its paces.

Yes, I'm talking about temping again here. I guess, the real thing that's got me in a tizzy at the moment is that today I remembered what I really, really want to do with my life. I want to be a full time wife, with maybe a part time job - but not really a lot more. And, of course, at the moment, we can't afford for me to stay around the house and clean and cook fun interesting dinners for Scott and do the taxes and stuff. Because Scott is out getting his degree, not earning money but pursuing his passion so that he can earn the living that will eventually support this lifestyle I desire.

And I think about what I would be doing if I hadn't gotten married. I'd probably be somewhere in Texas, pursuing my own degree or career, living my own life by myself. In some ways, that would be easier. But it would also be lonelier. I guess it is just harder to value the life I have when at times I feel so discontented. The lack of a pattern, the lack of regularity, its not good for me. I need a life that has stability in it, a center I can cling to when everything else is crazy. This is what allows me to BE crazy - to have that stable center. And right now, it feels like nothing is stable, nothing is certain. I don't know what is going on with me, what will be going on with me. Nothing is in my control. Nothing is even in the control of people I know or trust. It's all up to these strangers, these people who choose which students are worthy and which aren't. And I feel so up in the air. Like I'm being juggled...just like a gosling.

What? Some people juggle geese!

And, I can hear you now, mother mine, very clearly indeed. This is just where I need to be, just where God has put me so I can depend on him. Only, really, depending on God isn't as easy as it all sounds. Especially when you're forced into a corner where dependence is the only choice. I prefer to choose to depend and then depend. To take that "step of faith" or whatever. But instead I've been pushed. And I'm free falling. And I just want to land somewhere safe. But instead, here I am, taking three precious "days of rest" where I say to my temp agency "no 1 day assignments" and I really mean it. Even when they call me and ask me with a pretty please. I mean it for reals. Because I need SOME sort of stability in my life...and a job is so much of life, when you have one. Scott has his school, and I need something stable.

So, right now, I'm going to pray. For stability. That, God will give me a peace that completely and totally surpasses understanding. And I've prayed for this peace before, and I do believe it exists. But I don't know if I've ever needed it so badly or thought it more unlikely than I do this week.

There's another song that goes "All I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly and love in my family." I have to add, especially in Canada, a roof over my head. But I wish I could have those things and stability too. Because right now I'm just following the goslings as we fly through the air. One after another. Only more random. Come to think of it - I'm jealous of the goslings! At least they have a pattern to their existence! I'm more like a hot potato or something.

God give me peace. Give me rest. Help me to sleep. And to wake up refreshed. Is this much to ask? I don't know. What I do know is that I need it - like I've needed not much else in my life ever before.

I like this picture

There is something powerful about this picture. It is a piece of art inspired by the work of one of my favorite authors (any guesses?) and I just love the strong sense of purpose in this young girls face. She has had a hard life, full of uncertainty, but now she has carved her place in the world and is comfortable with the path she has established. There are adventures in her future, but she will meet them head on, from a position of strength and purpose - mentally if nothing else.

Actually, I'm quite jealous of this girl, when it comes to it.

Ominous Hummmmm

I'm really, really, really starting to see a distinct bad thing in temping. Today I turned down a peach of a job for 2 reasons - 1) It was a 1 day job and 2) I was tired. Now, having spent some time in repose, attempting to not berate myself for avoiding this opportunity, I have come to a very telling realization about myself and temping.

You see - my father, who is a very wise man, once told me that many, many people slog their way through their days to pay the bills with jobs they hate - but that it is a very valuable thing to have a job you like, and worth much more than you might think. And he is right. The funny thing is, it took me this long to realize that I hate temping. Why? Because I don't hate the individual positions - that's why. Because I like the people I work for and the work I do. What I hate is the lack of regularity. I am a planner. But I cannot plan my days around my work. It irks me to no end!

So, I am left with a sinking sensation. And, unfortunately, no one but this here blog to talk to about it. Scott is off at class and my mom is teaching her class right now. I'm not sure if I feel better posting this or not - but just getting it out in sentences is helping. But, what am I to do?! I think I shall have to research the feasibility of that position for the ACU company after all. A steady job would probably be worth 1.5 hours commute each way. Probably. And, who knows, it might not be so long a journey. I know! I shall call the TTC! Hurrah for the ability to call the TTC!

With a plan of action comes a slightly lighter heart. Here's hoping.

Patience is for the birds! (And me)

Well, I don't expect to write during any other time today but right now (before I go to work) because when I get home from work I'll almost certainly be too tired and Scott will probably be on the computer. So now is the time to say what's on my mind.

I really, really wish I knew where we were going to be this next fall. We got our first letter from a school yesterday - a "no" from Wisconsin-Madison. Which is too bad because it would have been fun to live in the same town as Rachel. But then I understand that driving in Madison in winter is no fun. So I guess that's a plus. And they had a good library-science program, but it was expensive so I'd probably have waited until I'd lived the mandatory year or whatever to become a Wisconsin resident so it wouldn't be so bad.

Anyways, hearing back from only one school and a "no" at that is not the greatest. I know that I'm not supposed to get all anticipatory about hearing from schools yet - we shouldn't be really, not until March. But I just wish March would hurry up and get here and my life could be settled.

One reason I wish this is church - our church is really awesome and really going places. It is so exciting to hear how God is working in our church and through his people. I really kinda want to get involved! But if I end up leaving in August or June or something...then I leave a big blank place and in a church this small, that's not a good thing - probably more trouble than my helping would be help. I've talked with the pastor about it and he agrees with me - (at least I think he does...he was a little distracted at the time...but is usually able to carry on multiple conversations at a time, being a former lawyer and all that). So I wait. And pray. Perhaps this is what God is teaching me? Have patience?

Possible. Very possible.

Sushi! And Sake! In Containers! For Valentines!

This is my valentine's present - isn't it romantical?! It will look much more betterer once I have placed sushi on the plates, soy sauce in the little sauce things and sake in the sake pitcher.









And now, my friends who read Japanese...I have a challenge for you! We got the blue and brown sake mugs because they worked so well with our color scheme - but what do they say?! I'd love to know! Tell me please!

Back!

Well, some of ya'll have probably been wondering what's been going on these last 2 weeks. Because the blogging, it hasn't been happening so much! Well, the answer for that is really pretty simple - I've been really busy. But then it gets complicated. See - during last week (not the week that is currently ending, but the one BEFORE it, which contained the official Valentine's day) - I was a little stumped as to what to write about. Not because I didn't have stuff to write about but because all the big things that were going on in my life were wrapped around a SECRET.

That secret was that Scott & I were headed down to Texas on Friday. Scott's brother got married on Saturday - and we were there! It was so odd - to be down in familiar territory without months and months of anticipation. I barely had 2 weeks to plan! But, in those two weeks, not only did I figure out all the wonderful things I could do on Friday, Saturday & Sunday with the Garbaczes, I also planned a surprise for my own family.

With the help of my clever Dad I managed to drive down to Abilene, knock on the front door and surprise a 7 second long scream out of my mother! It was truly awesome. Both she & MaryLynn had no clue whatsoever that we were coming down. We spent all day Monday and most of Tuesday together - and we had a blast! We played Settlers of Catan (for which we bought the expansion pack in the US...much less expensive than buying it here in Canada!) and we ate fried chicken. Mom made my favorite jello salad and it was tasty tasty! Then, all too soon, we had to drive back to Wichita Falls and then to Dallas in the morning with Ginger. A completely uneventful flight later - we were back in Toronto! Crazy times, no? If the trip sounds short - it WAS - and yet we did so much in those 5 days. I wouldn't take it back for the world.

So, to top off the whirly windness of the week - when I got home I had a message from my agency - and I had employment on both Thursday & Friday. Good for the bank account - but as the employment didn't allow blogging (there was time, the sites were just blocked) I was unable to fill ya'll in on my doings of the week.

So, there's the answer to why haven't I been blogging for the last 1.5 weeks. I have been very, very busy! But now, hopefully, things shall settle down a little and I shall return to my blogging ways.

The Times, they are a-changin'

Well, I feel down right sheepish. No blog posting in so very, very long! And even now, I really have not much to say. It's Valentine's Day, but Scott & I are waiting 'til we're a little less stressed - right now there is much school going on. So we'll celebrate next week sometime - he has a reading week next week, so no going to school, just lots of reading here at home.

Super Mario Galaxy. It calls my name. But, even more, I know I need to chop veggies. Ah, the joys of wifely bliss. I take care of my hubby - because he takes care of me! YAY!

I had to say no to a job yesterday because I had a massive headache. In fact, just thinking about the headache now makes me remember what it was like and that's no fun! Why did I have a headache? Because of the poor priorities of the people who I was working for on Tuesday! There was this buzzing noise! And it went on and off at random intervals. For 7 hours. Hence: Headache.

Now I go chop veggies. Nom nom. That is all. So exciting, no? Maybe tomorrow I will get day-after-valentine's chocolates on sale. Tasty goodness! But what I really want is a cadbury creme egg. Now that's something I could really like!

Questionnaire!

Special thanks to Scott for pointing me towards this Praust Questionnaire. This is a Thing I Do When Bored. You may now share in the hopefully less than boring results.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
To let someone I love down

* Where would you like to live?
In a big, big house with all my family & friends! Barring that. Texas.

* What is your idea of earthly happiness?
A game night with all my family & friends, a delectible turtle chocolate cheesecake at my left hand, a Dr. Pepper at my right, Mom's lasagna wafting from the oven, cranberry jello salad available when I want it and veggies with french onion dip within reach. I likes the food! And the family and friends.

* To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Uber-focussedness. I know several people who are really, really efficient, but they are also definite bears to deal with when they are being so efficient. I actually tend to like these people even when they're all focussed in and I like to help them because they always make you feel useful.

* Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?
Sam (Lord of the Rings), James Qwilleran ("The Cat Who..." series), Lord Peter Whimsey (Dorothy Sayers books), Ron Weasley (Harry Potter books), Grissom (CSI) Dr. Who (the Tom Baker Doctor & the latest Doctor) & Jean Tannen (Red Seas Under Red Skies).

* Who are your heroes in real life?
Scott Kemp, Scott Garbacz & Mike Holmes

* Who are your favorite heroes of history?
John Adams, C.S. Lewis & the authors of the Magna Carta

* Who are your favorite heroines of history?
Marie Curie, Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots & Isabella of Spain

* Who are your favorite heroines in real life?
Linda Kemp, Ginger Garbacz, Christina Roberts & (don't laugh) Angelina Jolie

* Who are your favorite heroines of fiction? Alanna (of Tortall, who introduced me to the Strong Female Protagonist), Mary Russell (of the Mary Russell mysteries), Zifa (NCIS), Willow (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket) & Betty (of Ugly Betty).

* Your favorite painter?
Monet.

* Your favorite musician?
the Killdares or Johnny Cash

* What is it you most dislike?
Insincerity

* What is it you most dislike in a woman?
False niceness

* What is it you most dislike in a man?
self-satisfied pride

* What is it you most dislike in a Christian?
Hypocrisy & denial

* What historical figures do you most despise?
Hitler & the people who followed him...especially those who took "initiative."

* The quality you most admire in a man?
Honesty

* The quality you most admire in a woman?
Selflessness

* The quality you must admire in yourself?
Persistence

* Your favorite virtue?
Peacemaking

* Your favorite occupation?
Librarian

* Your most marked characteristic?
my finger that looks like its burned but isn't.

* One thing that makes you very happy.
Spending time with my family & friends. Especially without hurrying.

* One thing that makes you sad.
Being lonely.

* What do you most value in your friends?
Stick-to-it-ness & innovativity

* What is your principle defect?
lack of self-confidence

* What is your dream of happiness?
To have all the time in the world, not be worried about money & live with good friends, near family.

* What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?
To have the ability to do good, but to turn away from it.

* What would you like to be?
Successfully Creative

* What are most afraid of?
Personal failure

* What is your favorite flower?
the Bluebonnet

* What is your favorite bird?
a Cardinal

* Who are your favorite prose writers?
For the prose? C.S. Lewis & Dorothy Sayers

* Who are your favorite poets?
Madeline L'Engle & Brian Jacques

* What are your favorite names? S
cott, Michael, Joeseph, Jade, Megan, Sarah & Elizabeth

* What event in military history do you most admire?
The persistence & loyalty of the British people when they thought they were losing the war.

* What reform do you most admire?
any Tax reform that makes things simpler without making them more expensive.

* What natural gift would you most like to possess?
athletic stamina & coordination

* How would you like to die?
Of old age, with my family, and at the same time as my husband.

* What is your present state of mind?
really annoyed at this buzzing sound that's going on and off at random in this office. No end in sight.

* What is your motto?
Live life like you mean it.

* What is your most-often used cuss word?
Damn!

* What position do you sleep in?
on my side with a pillow between my knees and the wall to lean on.

* What is a recurring theme in your prayers?
Could Scott please get into the right school, preferably Notre Dame.

* What would you ask God if you had the chance to get an answer, straight from His lips, straightaway?
Where will I be living this next fall?

* How do you view Christianity today?
full of fallen, hopeless people who need the Jesus they think they have.

* How do you view art inside the Christian realm today?
few & far between

Too long oolong?!

Mmmm tea. I like tea. My love of tea started early. My mother has always stocked many, many different kinds of herbal tea, but since she is allergic to caffeine, it wasn't until last year that I discovered the many wonderful non-herbal teas that are out there. Thank you Trick! You totally introduced me to the terrific thing that is the "cup of tea" experience. This, followed by my jobs in Canada where tea is considered a terrific alternative to coffee, has led me to have my own wonderful tea drawer. You'll find the following in my third drawer down under the utensils:
Roobios
Vanilla Chamomile
Peach Ginger
Sleepytime
Chamomile
Orange Pekoe

Mmm mmm tea.