Category: Getting to Know You
If you have some spare time, feel free to answer the questions. It's a good way to get to know yourself.
SELF INTERVIEW
1 If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience, your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy.
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth?
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship?
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this question.)
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others?
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing?”
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make? Why?
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do agree with this idea? Why?
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing?
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous?
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain .
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea?
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear?
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now
1. If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience, your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy.
the day i joined the zone.
hmm this one is tough. i can't narrow down just one happy experience. i think overall my life has been a happy experience for the most part but not just one thing sticks out.
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth?
yes it has caused me more trouble than i care to share. and no it hasn't changed my ideas about telling the truth. honesty is the best way to go. i did learn that avoiding the truth just causes more trouble so speaking up sooner is also a good thing.
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship?
yes and yes
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this question.)
My mom. She was a housewife when her and my sperm donor got a divorce. She put herself through nursing school and worked sometimes 3 jobs at a time to raise her 3 daughters. Although we didn't always have a lot of time together, my mom was still there to teach me the important things and life and also that without love, a family, friendship, or a relationship suffers. She taught me many morals that I wish parents would instill into their children today. She helped me realize over time that I didn't need those who walked out of my life. I had my mom and she had enough love for me and she was the only parent I needed to make it. My mom never sheltered me or stopped me from doing anything in life because of my blindness. My mom has been there through good and bad times for me and I just hope that I can show her how much I love and honor her someday. I hope that I will someday live up to the amazing daughter that I should be to such an amazing mom.
As for not just a single person, all of those who serve in our milittary have a special place in my heart as my heroes also.
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others?
Defining friendship is a bit tough. There are many different levels of friends. But a true friend is someone who is there for you but yet you are there for them as much. Someone you can laugh or cry with. someone who isn't afraid to tell you when you are being stupid but yet is there to help you through the situations you got yourself into. i could go on and on here just thinking about my true friends, but the character max won't allow me.
As for me being a good friend... I would like to think that I do my best to be there for my friends and that I hope I am as good of a friend to them as they are to me.
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing?”
I can't really say there is too much i would change. everything has been a learning experience whether good or bad. there are a few things i wish i wouldn't have said to people in my past and i wish i would have been more serious the first time around with college. but other than that, nothing i would change.
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
yes definitely. i live alone. i am single and there fore in relationship status alone. but for the most part, i'm not lonely. i enjoy my alone time. i'm not saying that i don't get lonely though. in my opinion lonely is kind of a depressed feeling when you are alone.
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make? Why?
i would make myself a bit more outgoing and blunt at times. i would stop caring what others think of me so much and live my life to the full and complete way i wished to. and as for y, well although i am overall happy in life, sometimes i allow myself to be walked all over and things like that.
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do agree with this idea? Why?
yes i totally agree. read above about my mom. i grew up without much money and materialistic things, but was happy.
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing?
a couple of things come to mind. a less serious one was when my aunts stuck me outside of our house when i was a child totally naked with just a tea towel to cover up with. i think the embarrassing part is self explanatory. and a more serious one would be allowing myself to deal with a past relationship for as long as i did. embarrassing because that's not the type of person i am on a normal basis nor the type of person i ever want to be again and although i learned from it, i am embarrassed about it overall.
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous?
i am not perfect and must state this now, but overall in life, the lack of human respect is just rediculous. and well it's ridiculous because people don't deserve to be treated in such manner sometimes.
oh and another would be a group of people who picket on our street corners here. they are hateful people and i am embarrassed that they call my town their hometown.
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain .
hell yes i will. or i will try my hardest to be the mom that mine is. i've already explained.
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea?
dunno
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear?
death and i try not to think about it too much.
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now.
well other than hopefully being done with school and in a better financial state than i am in now, i hope that as a person overall i haven't changed much. i hope that i have matured and gained more wisdom. i hope that i will have possibly found mr. right and can do the happily ever after thing. but no one knows what the future will hold. i'll just go on living life and taking the knowledge and wisdom i can from it and do my best to give back to it also. and well... guess we'll see.
The happiest..easy when Matilda said yes to my offer of engagement,romeo and juliet was on the radio,the fiancee was fierce excited and hugged me so hard she tipped up the chair..there we were on the floor in a heap laughing like eejits.
Telling the truth isn't a problem as I'll always tell you straight out.
Deeply disappointed..I have to tell you now yes I gave him a few chances,in the end I parked it there and walked away.
A hero..I'd say my Aunt Meave, she's never been anything but positive about me, and she's great craic. She's honest, and full of encouragement whenever I've doubted myself she says Stevie, do you want to fail or fly.
Friendship understanding and tolerating each other, give and take,humour and patience. A good friend I'd say so I'm easy to get along with, once you learn to worship me.Smile
Changing things.I wouldn't have got in that car.
Alone is ok I don't like it we'er a friendly lot the Irish, lonely is needing contact and comfort.
I can be fierce honest and it's not appreciated by some so if a woman said does my bum look big in this, I'd say proportionatly, instead of christ yes!.
Money can't buy self esteem or self love,too much is like too many pints, you get maudling and miserable, and a pain in the arse to be with.
Embarrassing I've no capactity for embarrassment but in rehab I refused the catheter, and wet myself far too often, in front of a girl I liked,that's a passion killer all right.
Ridiculous. My pal Damien flying round the nurburgring on his bike, in a kilt, with no underwear, i saw it as ridiulous because Damien is a Hell's Angel,no Hell's Angel would do that except him.
I'd try to do the same as Da, because he made a good job of bringing us up in a tight spot. Da protected us from the troubles,even in Kerry we saw it on the telly, he's not afraid to admit that he acted the maggot in his childhood, so I can blame him for my misdemeanours.Smile
Genuis is wisdowm and youth he's wrong. The youth hasn't lived long enough or learned enough, to gain wisdom. Genuis can be taught, but how many children will work so hard without some fierce ambitious parent, pushing them night and day.
Greatest fear..What happens when the people of N Ireland discover the peace between Sinn Fienn and The Loyalists is lies. I hope, work hard and hope, that the lads are smart enough to hide the gobshitery for a good deal longer.
10 years from now. An Irish Aristocrat and the owner of Jamiesons distillery.Smile
I'd like to be wiser and rich smile..more able to cope with the odd times that my paralysis turns into a curse.
I'd like to be as happy as I am now,and feel as safe and brave
as I do.Married, content and not so pissed off at the world
and the gobshites dis-abled people have to
put up with.
Stevie.
Stevie.
Ok,
Sorry I'm bringing this topic back up again to the front. I've been working on my answers for awhile and can finally post them. So, here we go.
1 If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience,
your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy. I don't know. I've had quite a few happy experiences, but can't pinpoint one as the happiest.
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth? Yes. My dad was physically abusive, so if I told the truth and he didn't want to hear it, I got at best yelled at and called names and worst, punched, kicked etc. I began to lie when I got scared and I stilldo it if I really feel like I'm in a jam and it's because of how I grew up. But, at least I admit that I do it and am working to change that about myself.
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship? Yes. My best friend told my mom something I'sd specifically asked her to keep secret. I didn't really talk to her much for a year after that.
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this question.) I've been blessed to meet a lot of people I consider heros who have helped me at different points in my life.
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others? I try my best to be a good friend to others. I try to listen to my friends, help them with their problems, and tell them about my problems in return. I try to build them up when they're feeling down and I care more about my friends than I do most of my flesh and blood family. My friends have always been there for me and it's only thanks to them and God that I am here today.
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing? I would try to figure outwhy I was having fainting spells, energy and memory problems, when I actually really started being impaired by them. Rather than waiting until things got really bad to look in to and be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If I had gotten help sooner, I might not be so badly off now. I would also turn my dad in sooner, if I could go back and do things over.
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely? Yes. I'm not alone much, thanks to my animals and Herbie, but I am very lonely. I miss my friends and just want to go home.
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make? Why? I would not take things so personally sometimes.
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do you agree with this idea? Why? I agree that money cannot buy happiness, but I also believe that money can help buy things to aid in a person being happy, depending on how wisely they spend their money.
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing? I don't really feel like talking about it.
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous? I have no idea.
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain. I'd rather kill myself than raise a child/s the way I've been raised. That's part of why I'm working so hard on myself mentally. I'd like to have kids someday and don't want to put them through what I went through.
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea? Haven't the foggiest.
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear? I don't know what my greatest fear is. Maybe having things happen to people I love. I try to talk to them as much as possible and tell them how much I love them.
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now I'd like to mainly be the same perwson, but there's always room for improvement. I'd like to open a rabbit humane society out of my home and things like that. Get married to Herbie and get a house.
Take Care,
Dawnielle
SELF INTERVIEW
1 If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience, your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy.
The happiest experience would be to see all my friends and most importantly my cousins back from the Philippines again and be given a chance to spend even one day or a week with them. Sometimes I dream about these moments. It was really exciting but the only sad part about it is that you wake up and figure it was only a dream. It was cool though most of my dreams involved fun and laughter with those people. I think most of it were conversations that didn’t finished cause I woke up and I can’t even remember some of the topics we’ve talked about. Nah, I’ll go there and visit sometime.
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth?
Yes it caused me some problems, but it did not change my thoughts about telling the truth. These are some of my views about telling the truth. When I want to say something to another person whether positive or negative, I always take the initiative to tell that person what I want to say. As much as possible, I try to be straightforward with that person instead of letting others convey the message for me, I think it‘s better if the person hears it directly from me. It’s better to be honest and let the person know what I think instead of prolonging the moment and keeping that person wondering. I think you would be doing the person a favor if you were honest than keeping them happy with some lies. Yeah, there is always a possibility that they might be hurt if they found out, but at least you were honest.
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship?
Yes, I disappointed myself, friends, sometimes, but I’m still friends with them. That’s why I never expect anything from anyone. I learn this lesson the hard way. If I want something done, I try to do it by myself. I don’t like depending on other people especially for attending to simple things, when the situation becomes harder, I’ll see if I can do something about it before asking some suggestions from others.
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this question.)
Hero is a role model. Some one that has strength, honor, and bravery to stand up for himself, for others, as well as for his beliefs and philosophy, and have the courage to protect others. Yes I consider Jesus Christ as a hero because he offered his life for all of us and right now, he is still continuing to help us all through by his miracles and blessings. Another would be my parents, yeah, don’t tell them that I was writing about them okay? They are so loving and accepting. I know I can never compare my parents to anyone. They are the best people I know because they were there for me no matter what and they had my back even when I was rebelling toward them back then. I love my parents because they are one of the few people that appreciate the simple things that I achieve and they always show concern about me even though sometimes I recent them. I consider them my hero because they are enduring, and encouraging. They always want my best interest at hand. I would die for them. We got into so many arguments, but they never stopped believing in me. I really love them, but It’s so hard for me to express my feelings toward them or anyone I love.
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others?
Friendship is a strong relationship between two or more people that shows trust, acceptance and honesty no matter what happens. Someone that is willing to stick with you during the good and bad times and is also willing to put up with who you are inside and outside. Someone that is honest to you about your faults and weaknesses with the intentions of your betterment. Someone that you can laugh and cry with. Yes I’m a good friend, I can be trusted with secrets and I don’t judge or look at physical appearance when choosing a friend I look at their personality and their ability to return the friendship. Also, a long lasting friendship requires efforts from both people and the initiative to participate in give and take situations as well as respecting each other’s differences, opposing views, and beliefs about life, religion, politics, ethnicity, and just about everything. In short, a person that your comfortable with to talk just about anything under the sun. ANYTHING !!!!
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing?”
If I was given a chance to change everything, I would seriously start from the operating room. I wish my mom never got sick when she was pregnant with me, then I would never have suffered with this eye problem that I still endure up to this day. I just found out last year from the head of the eye department in a well known eye clinic at Chicago that its not going to work out if they tinkered with it, so here goes. There were two doctors. The younger one wanted to operate it and try to fix it, but the older doctor the head of the whole department knew exactly what I see. Well, she was the only person who really understood my description, she suggested not to touch it because it might get worse or I might lose my remaining sight from one eye. I know I can only see with one eye and its not even clear, but I’ve already accepted it a long time ago. I’m happy now with my life and I no longer expect anything to change because I’m pretty contented on where I am at this point.
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
Being alone is a term to represent someone by themselves. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your single so your alone, I think it depends on how the person handles himself being alone because alone is only an adjective use to describe an individual. On the other hand, loneliness is an adjective that refers to how the person feels. Some people are still happy even though they are alone Sometimes there not, it all depends on how the person handles the situation of feeling lonely. In addition, being lonely is feeling sad or empty, or even left out so even though your spending time with a crowd if you feel lonely then your lonely. Well in that case you can feel like your alone even though your with a big group when your lonely. I think these concepts are not the same, but they are related in some way.
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make? Why?
If I was to change my personality there are a couple of things that I d like to like to change. First of all, I would want to be more outgoing, fun, carefree, and relaxed. I always saw myself as being shy and I know since before that I worry too much about everything. Sometimes even the simplest things and I’m getting tired of that same old depressing mood that I used to have thinking about one person over and over again. I want remove stress from my daily routines but sometimes it’s a little bit impossible to do that. I think the only thing that I recommend myself is to simile. It got me out of so many bad situations, so I think smiling works out pretty well. The next thing that I would want to change is to become a more focused, organized, and responsible person. I want something that can drive me to finish all my tasks without noticing the noise and the disruptive behaviors around me. I don’t want my brain to wonder off and think about something while I’m doing my homework or when I’m concentrating during a lecture in class cause my mind really wonders off quickly I lack the concentration that I need. Well as far as being organized and responsible, I’m trying it this year and so far it’s working out pretty well. I trained my self to use a planner and to wake up at a certain time and to make it a daily routine to clean up my room every week. It was so helpful, now I’m so drawn to being neat. Hey, just a food for thought, its better to think when everything is organized around you. I think that’s the only things that I would want to change, but other than that I think I’m contented about Me.
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do agree with this idea? Why?
Yes, I Totally Agree with this idea. People that have everything end up wanting more and end up being sad because of their discontentment’s. I’m happy even though I don’t have all the material things that money can buy cause I have a real family, I have true friends and I enjoy each day of my life with those people. Time with someone you love is more important than all your money. I know I don’t have a lot of friends even though the numbers in my friends list are about a hundred or something, but at least I know that I have a very strong group of people that I can rely on no matter what. I would say that the best thing to do in order to overcome being sad because “you can’t buy this or that.” is to become contented with what you have and learn to appreciate the simple joys that every day brings. Yeah, you don’t have enough money but at least you eat, you sleep in a house, you have someone who cares about you, and your alive. Hello, sometimes money is worthless compared to the real deal of being alive and experiencing life to the fullest.
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing ?
I would say that the most embarrassing moment of my life is when I stupidly called 911 because there was someone stalking my phone. I was so stupid to delete the person’s number. The police came in our house and didn’t see any evidences on my phone, so it sounded like a false alarm. My parents were almost about to let me stop college because they were thinking “Why would we bother to let you continue your education if the only thing you to is to rebel, act stupid, and disobey our rules?” after that incident, I came to a realization that not everything comes from books and that sometimes you got to experience how hard life really is before you can say that you’ve fully understood the consequences of your action. It was hard for me to get out of thinking how stupid I was, but hey, I’m only human. I’m never perfect and I really felt stupid for what I did. I d never would want to call that number again. I know I was not thinking when I demonstrated that reckless behavior and that experience serves me a lesson. Yeah, I know we do stupid things when were young. By the way, this incident took place a year ago around the month of February. I think the most important thing I got out from that incident is that I valued my education more. Why? Because I thought that my parents were going to let me stop studying, so I really pushed myself to get A’s during that semester. Now, I know that If I want to, I can do anything. Getting A in a college classes is somewhat similar to real life situations, the only difference is real life does not require books for you to be tested, but instead it requires your character as a person to be challenged.
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous?
Pornographic pop ups from the internet. I HATE POP UPS !!!! It’s so disturbing. Why do they want to parade what they do in their rooms. Is it possible if they make it private. Seriously, those pictures are so obscene. Okay, good for them If they still want to continue cause I bet they make a hell a lot of money from those pictures, but try to tell them to at least pick beautiful ladies and hot looking male models that look descent to post for them and not just anyone who feels good and comes to volunteer for the job. Okay, lets face it, not everyone looks good and there is a lot of negative consequences that relates to them publicizing their business. What if little children were using computers to play games and after some clicks to go to play pac man, suddenly a random picture of a girl appears there dancing her ass around the computer monitor. Hey, be concern at least for the children help stop pornography.
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain .
Yes and No. Yes because I understand they just care about me. I plan to pass all the values that my parents taught me to my future child and I will give him the independence to figure out life one his own by letting him make mistakes. I d probably offer him my guidelines, helping hand and encourage him to take on the responsibility for what ever he does, but I’m glad my parents raised me this way I want to thank them for molding me into the person I am right now. No, there are things that I feel like changing when I’m raising my own child. I want to enforce discipline and the importance of being a goal oriented person, but I will not do some of the things that my parents did with me for instance, being too strict, overreacting with small misunderstandings, having a curfew that was too early, and forgetting the difference of our time now and the time before. Parents should never expect their children to act the way they did back on their days. I bet most of the parents these days are just acting like that toward their children because their parents did the same. I think, one of the biggest reasons for parent and children misunderstanding is the differences in time frame of how each generation (parent’s or child’s generation) were raised. Another thing is the lack of clear communication and trust from both parties. I think parents should give their child opportunities to grow and make mistakes and at the same time giving them support along the way, so the child knows that someone cares. He will probably lessen his irresponsible behaviors.
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea?
I think his wrong. I know that youths are the hope and generation of tomorrow, but kook at some smart and young people who make the biggest mistakes and are so stupid to even admit it. They may be smart, but they lack common sense and wisdom necessary for them to make rational decisions. It’s not the knowledge of how smart you are, its how well you apply it when you are confronted with the real situation. I think wisdom is whets inside your heart, it’s what you acquired over the years of life experiences. When a person grows old, their wisdom about life also matures along with their age. Well sometimes it depends on the person cause there are people who are older but still act like they are young. Yeah, age comes with responsibilities, so I guess I don’t have a choice but to say that we still need to listen to our old folks because they know better than us and I know 100 % that that is a true statement. Wisdom are the traits that make you a virtuous person. As for our youth today well they take everything for granted. They just don’t appreciate what they have thinking that it doesn’t make any sense but it does make a lot of sense. Some of them don’t even recognize the special talents that they have. Most of the time, they look for things that they don’t and will never have and overlook their positive attributes right in front of them.
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear?
I have a couple of things that I want to put in here. First, being totally blind. I really will never know what will happen to me if one day I accidentally or it just happen that I lose the remaining sight that I have. I think I would be shocked about it and may take me months or years to deal with it but I’ll deal with it no matter what. The second thing I want to point out is not graduating from college. Since I started to go to school, college graduation had always been my priorities. I know it’s so difficult these days, but I’ll do whatever it takes just to graduate. Next year, I’m transferring to a university, I know it’s a big responsibility and involves a lot of money, so I decided as soon as I transfer, I’ll immediately get a part time job on campus a long with my part time classes. I hope everything goes well. Every class is important to me cause I can’t afford to repeat anything. It only waste my time, my money, and my energy, so it would be nice to endure the difficulties of the class and learn something out of it instead of being too reluctant that your going to pass without exerting any effort or not giving the initiative to do work.
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now
Ten years from now I just finished college with a Master’s degree in Special Education. I think I hope that I’m already married and is settled with two children. I’m working as a full time teacher at a high school for the blind and visually impaired people. In my free time, I hope I still enjoyed the things I do now, but I know it will change. I think I would want to spend my free time by working out, running, long walks on the beach, and creating effective ways to improve my lessons. Hmm speaking of long walks on the beach. I want to buy two houses one in the city and the other one near the beach. A place to celebrate family gatherings, holidays, and relaxing in a hot Sunday afternoon. I hope !!!!
Wow! This is, by far, the deepest and most heartfelt survey I've ever taken, and that's saying something!
1 If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience, your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy.
12 June 2006. That was the day I found out that I have some Greek blood. I woke up and it was an ordinary day. Mom came in and told me "I hate to say it, but you really do have some Greek blood." She'd found an old letter from my biological father. In it, he'd said that his grandmother was half Greek. At first, I was shocked and then I ran to her, put my arms around her and started crying. I said "are you serious," and she said "yes,". The whole day I was on a cloud. I'd dreamed of this moment, never realising it would become a reality. I'd been interested in Hellenic culture for at least five years by that point and had recently taken a selfmade oath to the country under The Gods and the flag. For me, this was a varification of my place in the world and of my love.
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth?
No, only lies cause trouble. Once, I lied to my mother and told her that my friend and I were in the hotel room where we were staying, but she and I had snuck out to the giftshop downstairs. She found out and although she was upset, it was the words she said that stuck with me. If you don't tell me the truth, how can I ever trust you? I never lied to her again.
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship?
One of my friends talked about me behind my back. I'm usually not the forgiving type, but for some reason, I forgave him. Still, it took awhile before I could trust him again. I think he learned his lesson.
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this.
I'm using it not in the religious sense of a demi-god but of someone who personally inspires me and is my roll model. I'd say my mother. She's such a strong and amazing woman, always there for me, always wants the best for me, wanted me when no one else did. She's firm but also unbelievably understanding and caring. We're as close as a mother and daughter can be and I love her deeply. In business, she's supreme, and whenever she talks about her areas of interest, my mouth drops open. She's sacrificed so much for me it's ridiculous. I only pray I could be half as good as her when I become a mom.
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others?
To me, a friend is someone on whom I can always depend. A friend is there for me and will support me, but will also give their opinion if they think I'm doing something stupid, dangerous or that may eventually harm me. A friend is honest and won't let me go out looking like a slob. If it's a close friend, we can share secrets and if not, they'll still not lie to me. Being a good listener is a must, and a friend is never jealous. A friend is also loyal, and unless it's a serious situation that would warrent it, they should always keep what I say confidential. Also, friends don't take one another's partners away. I believe that I'm a very good friend because I'm always there when needed and I never ask anything in return. I'm loyal, honest, and will defend my friends to the very end if I know they're in the right, but I'm not afraid to tell them what I think.
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing?”
I'd skip that independence place in Pennsylvania and go for my real dream in culinary school. I wish I would've done that. Now I have to pay for it myself.
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
Absolutely. Being alone is fine. I love to do things by myself many times. It's when you're alone too much and crave the company of others that it gets bad.
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make? Why?
I'd take away my procrastination. It's ruining my life! I want to change it so much and would do anything to beat it out of me. I could get started on something and never finish it or never continue with it or never start it in the first place. And if it's something that has to be done, I'll rush through it like a maniac instead of being able to relax.
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do agree with this idea? Why?
I agree. You have to be happy within yourself first. If not, then you'll never find happiness no matter where you go or how much money you have .
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing?
I don't really think I have a moment that's that embarrassing. There are things I regret or that I'm not proud of, but they're not embarassing. They're learning experiences.
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous?
That's a toss-up between PASOK and New Democracy arguing instead of helping the country during the fires in the summer last year and the Greek American community sending over bibles this year when most of the victims still need homes and money. Obviously, this is ridiculous in the exasperating and frustrating way, not the funny way. I would've done anything to help those people when this was going on and still would. The lack of adequate support is, in fact, ridiculous, to say the least.
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain .
I was given alot of love and freedom of speech, and there was no fear or hatred between my family and I as I grew up. So I think I would do the same except in religion and patriotism. I was raised with no real religion, and while it truly benefitted me in the end, I'd like my child to be a Hellenic Polytheist. Of course, he/she would choose when he/she was older, but I would like to bring up my child with a religion. As far as patriotism, I want to bring him/her up with Hellenic pride. My mother is a proud American, but I never felt the same, so maybe my child wouldn't feel it for Greece.
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea?
Genius is wisdom and age, for with age comes wisdom. That is, unless you study the great philosophers and sacred texts at a young age. However, that's still no garintee that you'll be wise. YOu may just be knowledgeable.
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear?
It used to be going deaf, but I ended that one by telling myself that the likelyhood of that happening is extremely rare. Now, it's never being successfull enough to get out of here in general, and then, to move to Greece and to become a citizen. That or dying before I could do so. The first one I can resolve if I put my mind to it. I just have to work hard at getting a job, keeping it and saving up enough money to meet my goal. As for death, only The Fates can control that, and I'm hoping they have a nice long thread of life for me.
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now
I'm living in Greece, nice and settled. I've been here for several years, and due to my marriage am now a citizen. The Gods have blessed us with a little child who's just learning to crawl and who loves talking. It was hard at first getting used to my new surroundings but now I feel comfortable. My job isn't the best, but it brings in enough money and it's at home so I can take care of the little one. I never thought I'd make it, but here I am. I still love my gigs on Saturday nights in the taverna, when the stress of last week washes away in a haze of bouzouki playing, and on Sundays, I cook and clean and prepare for the week ahead. (Btw, I'm not against stay-at-home dads or men who cook etc, so if I really had a husband and he wanted to share part of it, I'd be very glad, though I doubt it.)
1 If you had to choose one experience as the “single happiest moment of your life, what would it be? Please be sure to include the details of the experience, your actions and reactions, and explain why the experience was so happy.
Well, it was one summer I went to this fishing trip and I met this brilliant gentleman. I was just amazed at his knowledge. It was good, because I learnt a lot and for the first time feel the real feeling of fullness in knowledge
2 Has “telling the truth” ever caused you trouble? If so, did this change your ideas about telling the truth?
Not trouble but some people couldn’t handle the truth and there was just a stir up. There is always a time for the truth and a time for silence and not to say anything, but lying is unnecessary
3 Has there ever been a time when you’ve been deeply disappointed by someone you considered a close friend, Did this change your friendship?
Yes, I expected this friend to make better decision, but she didn’t, so we just separated.
4 Do you have any one person you consider a hero or heroine? Why? (its probably I good idea to define hero/heroine when you answer this question.)
All right, Yes, I have a few. A hero is not what everyone calls a hero, one who is selfless and can help everyone to save the day. No, a hero is a person I can look up to, and live my life like. I have a few, not just one
5 What is your definition of friendship? Do you consider yourself as a good friend to others?
A Person who shares values and can express a liking for each other, and Yes, I do make a good friend
6 If you “had to do it all over again,” What would it be? What changes would you make ”in the doing?”
I wouldn’t
7 Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
Yes
8 If you could instantly, magically change your personality any one way what change would you make?
I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t tbe me. Why?
9. “money cannot buy you happiness” Do agree with this idea?
Yes, but in the longterm it can in some way. Why?
10 What would you consider the single most embarrassing moment of your life? Why was it so embarrassing?
Uh…
11 What is the single most ridiculous you’ve ever seen? Why did this strike you as so ridiculous?
A woman through a fit on the bus. It was because the way she resolved her problem is completely dumb.
12 If you are someday a parent, do you think you’ll raise your child/children in the same way you’ve been raised? Explain .
No, I was originally raised with an altruistic heart and a communist attitude. I want to teach my child liberty and selfness in the good way.
13 Poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote “Genius is wisdom and youth” What do you think of this idea?
I disagree
14 What is your most greatest fear? How do you deal with this fear?
Death, I simply don’t think about it.
15 Create an autobiographical sketch of the person you will be ten years from now
A ceo, well off siting in a office, kind of like Dagny In Atlas shrugged when she first started, maybe not a CEO first off, but.