from tenseteacher.

1. Which bill do you hate paying the most?
the maintenance bill. they keep raising the thing with promises of this and that, yet they never do it.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
gee. it’s been a while.

3. How many colleges did you attend?
one.

4. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
it’s comfortable.

5. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
“is it ah or uh?”

6. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
“will i make it through the night?”

7. What do you miss about being a child?
not worrying about having to get the bills paid.

8. What errand/chore do you despise?
cleaning.

9. Have you found real love yet?
i always think i do, but i guess i’m wrong.

10. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
poorer.

11. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
yes.

12. Which famous person would you like to have dinner with?
i don’t really know. i wouldn’t be much of a dinner companion, though.

13. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
no. but i’m curious as to what an unintended purpose is.

14. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go?
san francisco.

15. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
a new career.

16. Do you have a “go to” person?
hmm. i guess so.

17. Are you where you want to be in life?
no.

18. Over the years, what about you do you think has changed the most?
how everything is just right there–no searching for a pay phone, just pull out the cell phone. no bringing a map, just use the gps gizmo. no going to the library for research, just use the computer. it’s all within reach, and it’s turned me into a hermit, i guess!

19. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life?
hmm. maybe. i think college wins out, though.

20. Are there times you still feel like a kid?
yes.

21. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
the bowling alley or the mall.

22. Whom do you think impacted your life the most?
i don’t know. i guess my son? and my mom.

23. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
there have been a few.

24. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age”?
sometimes. *blush*

25. What is the scariest thing that has happened to you as an adult?
i almost died.

26. What advice would you give to someone about to get married?
don’t take the other person for granted.

27. What advice would you give someone starting their first job?
try hard and always be ready with a smile.

28. If you could go back and change one thing you did, what would it be?
i’d have taken better care of myself and not let the job consume me.

29. If you could go back and change one thing someone else did, what would it be?
florida’s whole election scandal thing that sent the wrong person to the top job of the u.s..

again from tenseteacher.

1. Name one person who made you smile today:
my son.

2. What were you doing at 8am this morning?
resting.

3. What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
the “if i were” meme. gosh, that took a long time.

4. What is your favorite candy bar?
snickers! or butterfinger.

5. Have you ever been to a strip club?
no.

6. What was the last thing you had to drink?
water.

7. What was the last thing you ate?
a hamburger patty.

8. The last sporting event you watched?
nephew’s baseball game.

9. Do you go to church every Sunday?
no.

10. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?
hmm. depends what kind. i think so.

11. What are you doing tomorrow?
hopefully continuing to rest and clean

12. What do you think of when you hear Australia?
kangaroos and koalas.

13. Biggest annoyance right now?
my heart keeps fluttering. scares me.

14. Last song listened to?
“i’m yours”

15. Do you have a maid service clean your house?
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAA! (had to keep that in from tenseteacher! that so perfectly describes my reaction!)

16. Are you jealous of anyone?
yes.

17. Is anyone jealous of you?
no.

18. What do you usually do during the day?
stress.

19. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
no.

20. Are you thinking about someone right now?
yes.

heehee can’t stop thinking of that song “if i were a butterfly…”

If I were a direction I’d be… east, as i’d like to meet the sun as it gets up.
If I were furniture I’d be… a bed, as i’d like to provide comfort…as well as pleasure.
If I were a liquid I’d be… honey, as i move very slowly.
If I were a sin I’d be… sloth or envy, as i am a lazy green-eyed monster.
If I were a gem/stone I’d be… a synthetic sapphire, as i’m born in the month of the sapphire and i’m a cheap knockoff of an original, more valuable stone.
If I were a metal I’d be… aluminum, as i’m easily crushed.
If I were a tree I’d be… a koa tree, as i’m a lighter-colored version of the natives, and i’m a bit of a hard head.
If I were a fruit I’d be… a durian, as i tend to repulse a majority of people, but am appreciated by a very small few.
If I were a flower I’d be… a baby’s breath, as i am just there in the background, not really standing out, but a part of the whole picture.
If I were weather I’d be… a rainy day, as i tend to dampen spirits.
If I were a music instrument I’d be… a violin, as i range from being a sad-sounding individual to a screechy child. i can be easily plucked, and i will gently purr if played right.
If I were an element I’d be… water, as i tend to go with the flow. most times, anyway.
If I were a color I’d be… gray, as i just am sorta there, in between the two extremes.
If I were an animal I’d be… a turtle, as i’d like to be able to move about both on land and in the sea. i also have a hard exterior but am soft inside. and i move slowly, as if i carry all the world’s problems on my back.
If I were a sound I’d be… a whisper, as i’m just about that amount of comfort to some, and irritation to others.
If I were a lyric I’d be… “you can talk but still say nothing / stay together but alone”, as that’s how i feel most times. not just pertaining to relationships, but with just regular people, too.
If I were a song I’d be… “dancing in the street”, as that’s how i really feel when it’s summer time–like dancing in the streets! all carefree and happy.
If I were a music type I’d be… the screechy psycho violins, as that’s what my voice sounds like.
If I were a perfume/cologne I’d be… silk, as i don’t really cause people to turn their heads, but i can drive them crazy! (i think that’s the name of the perfume…i’m not exactly sure on that.)
If I were a feeling I’d be… morose, as that’s what i make people feel–sullen and unwilling to talk to me.
If I were a book I’d be… a cliff’s note book, as i pretend to help you out but really, you’d be better off just doing it yourself.
If I were food I’d be… a potato, as i’m very bland, but can be whipped into shape to be anything i need to be.
If I were a city I’d be… hollywood, as i feel like such a fake sometimes.
If I were a taste I’d be… salty, as i can ruin a good atmosphere when there’s too much of me, and i tend to make blood pressures rise.
If I were a scent I’d be… that smell that clues you in that it’s going to rain soon, as i give people the feeling of impending doom.
If I were a word I’d be… floccinaucinihilipilification, as i may seem long and complicated, but really, worth nothing.
If I were a verb I’d be… recoil, as that’s what i make people do.
If I were an object I’d be… a tissue, as i can provide comfort to others who are crying or feeling sick, but i am also easily torn up and wadded up into a ball and tossed aside.
If I were a piece of clothing I’d be… a nude bra, as i like to give support, but also blend in at the same time.
If I were a body part I’d be… the underside of a foot, as people walk all over me.
If I were an facial expression I’d be… a grimace, as that’s what i cause people to do when they see me. i also feel like a big purple blob on some days.
If I were a cartoon character I’d be… clumsy smurf, as i’m quite clumsy and goofy.
If I were a movie I’d be… up, as i’m always torn between holding on to the past, and fulfilling the promises of the present and future.
If I were a geometrical figure I’d be… a trapezoid, as it’s hard for me to fit in (anyone who has had a classroom full of trapezoid desks knows what i mean!).
If I were one of the 4 seasons I’d be… winter, as i’m definitely not hot!
If I were a sentence I’d be… one composed by me, as i’m like a whole lot of words but not much thought!

from tenseteacher.

1) Are your parents married or divorced?
divorced.

2) Are you a vegetarian?
no. i tried…but i couldn’t do it.

3) Do you believe in love?
♪ ♪ wee-ooh wee-ooh wee-ooooh ♪ ♪

4) Have you ever come close to dying?
yes.

5) What jewelry do you wear 24/7?
i don’t wear any jewelry 24/7.

6) Favorite time of day?
late afternoon.

7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?
yes?

8 ) Do you wear makeup?
no.

9) Ever have plastic surgery?
no.

10) Do you color your hair?
yes.

11) What do you wear to bed?
clothes?

12) Have you ever done anything illegal?
speed, sometimes.

13) Can you roll your tongue?
yes.

14) Do you tweeze your eyebrows?
no.

15) What kind of sneakers?
i don’t like sneakers.

16) Do you believe in abortions?
“believe in”? huh?

17) What is your hair color?
brown.

18 ) Future child’s name?
i have the girl’s name picked out. i don’t know about the boy.

19) Do you snore?
i don’t know.

20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
i’d like to go anywhere safe.

21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
no.

22) If you won the lottery…
i’d pay off the house and car and other loans. give some to family. save the rest, especially for son’s college.

24) Hamburger or hot dog?
hamburger!

25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
i was going to say pizza, but i like tense’s answer of “salad.” i could do that, if i could throw in some meat in there every once in a while.

26) City, beach or country?
beach.

27) What was the last thing you touched?
this computer?

28 ) Where did you eat last?
at home.

29) When’s the last time you cried?
a little while ago.

30) Do you read blogs?
yes.

31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?
i guess? but no.

32) Ever been involved with the police?
i got pulled over for speeding once. wasn’t cute enough to get out of it as some of my colleagues always do.

33) What’s your favorite shampoo, conditioner and soap?
i like pantene shampoo&conditioner, and i like bath and body works soaps.

34) Do you talk in your sleep?
i don’t know.

35) Ocean or pool?
either one.

36) What’s your favorite song at the moment?
“i’m yours”

37) What’s your favorite color(s)?
blue and red.

38 ) Window seat or aisle?
window.

39) Ever met anyone famous?
i don’t think so. at least not when they were famous.

40) Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life?
hmm. not really.

41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
who cuts it?!?!

42) Ricki Lake or Oprah?
they’re about equal.

43) Basketball or Football?
football.

44) How long do your showers last?
about 10 minutes.

45) Automatic or do you drive a stick?
automatic.

46) Cake or ice cream?
ice cream.

47) Are you self-conscious?
yes.

48 ) Have you ever drunk so much you threw up?
no.

49) Have you ever given money to a tramp?
no.

50) Have you been in love?
yes.

51) Where do you wish you were?
anywhere there’s family.

52) Are you wearing socks?
no.

53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
no.

54) Can you tango?
i wish i knew how.

55) Last gift you received?
a box of chocolates.

56) Last sport you played?
racing.

57) Things you spend a lot of money on?
i agree with tense–bills!!!

58 ) Where do you live?
here.

59) Where were you born?
in a hospital.

60) Last wedding attended?
a colleague’s.

61) Favorite drink(s)?
water.

62) What’d you do last weekend?
mostly just hung out.

63) Most hated food(s)?
anything gross.

64) What’s your least favorite chore?
cleaning.

65) Can you sing?
no.

66) Last person you instant messaged?
alana.

67) Last place you went on holiday?
home.

68 ) ?

69) Current Crush?
craig

from tenseteacher.

1. What color is your front door?
gray.

2. Tell me about your siblings. If you are an only child, tell me whether or not you wanted siblings, older, younger etc.
i have two younger sisters, who grew up close because they were closer in age and attended the same high school, whereas i was a bit older and went to a different high school. they are both married; one has kids and the other has dogs. we fought a lot growing up, but are pretty close now. i also have a half-sister who is a few weeks younger than my son.

3. What color/type butterfly is your favorite?
i…have no idea. i know the monarch butterfly, as that’s the one we see quite often and that’s the one that we … hatch? in school. i think i’ve seen a picture of a bluish glittery one–i would like that one.

4. Will you be celebrating Cinco De Mayo?
no. i actually forgot about that and celebrated boy’s day instead.

5. Oprah — love her, hate her, or don’t care?
don’t care.

6. Are you worried about the spread of swine flu?
no, not really.

7. Hard or soft pillows?
i like pillows that can bend so i can fold them up under my head. so kinda soft, but not so fluffy soft that they can’t bend (they want to spring back)–i need some firmness to hold up my head.

8. How many trees are in your neighbor’s yard?
none.

9. What was the color of the last car you saw?
white.

10. When does your driver’s license expire?
2011!!!

11. Look at the clock on your computer and type the numbers backwards.
952

12. When you put your pants on, what leg do you put in first?
right.

13. What are your current obsessions?
craig ferguson.

14. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?
my long, black skirt.

15. What’s for dinner?
we’re gonna try this meat thing i saw at costco.

16. Last thing you bought?
just spent a whole bunch at costco for kid’s snacks for his team.

17. What are you listening to?
nothing right now.

18. If you were a god/goddess who would you be?
who do i want to be? or what would i be a goddess of? i’d want to be aphrodite or athena.

19. Favorite holiday spots?
anywhere there’s family.

20. Reading right now?
yes.

21. 4 words to describe yourself.
tired, hopeless, slothlike, depressed.

22. Guilty pleasure?
yes.

23. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak?
quite a few, actually.

24. Planning to travel to next?
i don’t know. town, i guess.

25. Best thing you ate or drank lately?
i had some wonderful steak from a lunchwagon.

26. When did you last get tipsy?
i don’t think i’ve ever been tipsy.

27. Care to share some wisdom?
i don’t have any?

28. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you?
“hi.”

i didn’t realize that i hadn’t updated this one for two months! i guess i’ve been spending all my time over on the other one. so i went over to my usual source of these memes, tenseteacher, and found new memes. it’s funny there are ones called “chatty meme”s because i just updated my status not too long ago as feeling very chatty. i don’t know what it is. and i guess it’s obvious because look how much i’ve written just to say, wow, it’s been a while. sheesh. anyway, here’s one that promises it will never end, but thankfully, does.

Where did you take your profile pic?
i took it with my isight camera in photo booth and then used the “pop art” effect, and then used appleworks to trim it down to just one square. man, of all the applications i thought i’d never use on my computer, i’m loving photo booth a lot! it’s such a blast to distort yourself.

What exactly are you wearing right now?
exactly? hmm. i’m wearing a pink t-shirt with eeyore on it. it also has lots of hearts on it. very girly. is that exact enough?

What is your current problem?
what isn’t my current problem? sheesh. oh, i know. work. ah, i’ll be hating that come a month from today.

What makes you happy most?
not having to go to work and being with the family. i would also be most happy if i can get my house cleaned up and then enjoy a nice big steak. oh gosh, i just made myself hungry.

What’s the name of the song that you’re listening to?
the song in my head right now doesn’t have a name as i just made it up…”i want some steak / nice, juicy steak / won’t somebody grill me a steak right now?”

Any celebrity you would marry?
ohhhhhh yeeeeeesss he’s already married, though. bum.

Name someone with the same birthday as you.
i know 3 other people who were born on my exact same birth day. i wonder if we were all in the hospital together–probably, right? it’s a small island. oh, but i think one was born in okinawa because her family was military. but it’s neat how we all ended up attending the same school years later. 3 of us! and we were all girls. what are the odds?

Have you ever sung in front of a large audience?
yes. on tv, too, in fact. or well, i guess i more mouthed the words than anything! hmm…but by myself in front of people? does in front of my class count? i guess they’re not large. oh, i did have to sing with my kids once at a parent meeting and then my kids decided to clam up and left me singing there all alone!!! that was embarrassing. i kept looking at them like uhhh?? hello?? they just got the major stage fright and stopped singing and left me there strumming my ‘ukulele and singing by myself. eeeesh. oh, and we’ve had to sing for hula, too. so, uh, yeah.

Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
nope. “celebrity” implies that person is famous, and a famous person would not look like me.

Do you speak any other languages?
a couple.

Has anyone you’ve been really close with passed away?
no, thankfully. yet i’ve taken their passings very hard, so i am really afraid of how i would take the passing of someone i’m close with. i’d be so torn up.

Do you ever watch MTV?
hello? i grew up on that thing! i watched it so much i could probably identify any music video that came from the ’80s. i haven’t watched it though, in years…ever since they stopped playing music videos and only did reality shows. it’s no longer MUSIC television.

What’s something that really annoys you?
people.

Middle name:
i have two, one after my grandmother, and one … i actually don’t know where my mom got it from. i think she just thought it sounded nice.

Nickname(s):
i have three–one my mom calls me, one my sisters call me, and one from an ex.

Current location:
bedroom.

Eye color:
brown.

Do you get along with your parent(s):
yes, i guess. more my mom than my dad. it was tense for a while there with my dad, but i guess i got over it.

Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
they are recently divorced. dad did the typical trade-in-for-a-newer-model deal.

Do you have any siblings?
yes. i have two sisters, and one half-sister.

Ice Cream:
yummy yummy goodness. *drool* what is being asked?

Season:
something we hardly have here. well, i think we have two. even though i have to teach my kids about 4 of them. hard to do that when you don’t experience it, you know? oh well.

Shampoo/conditioner:
what you wash your hair with? am i supposed to be doing something else?

Dance in the shower?
all the time.

Do you write on your hand?
no? why?

Call people back?
if i have to. i hate the phone.

Believe in love?
♪ ♪ do you believe in love? / do you believe it’s true? ♪ ♪

Any bad habits?
lots!

Any mental health issues?
oh yes, i’m pretty sure there are.

Broken a bone?
nope, not yet.

Sprained stuff?
well, some of my aches and pains have been described by dr as “sprained” but i don’t see a possible explanation for that.

Had physical therapy?
no.

Gotten stitches?
yes.

Taken painkillers?
i think they gave me some after my surgery. i don’t remember specifically taking them, though; it must’ve been in the iv. but the darn thing drove me crazy! i can see how people addicted to the stuff act now. ack!

Gone scuba diving or snorkeling?
no.

Been stung by a bee?
yes, two or three times.

Thrown up at the dentist?
uh, no? is that common?

Sworn in front of your parents?
nope.

Had detention?
nope.

Last movie seen?
up. sad, sad, sad movie.

Last three people to text you?
sister, niece, and an ‘invalid number’ txt from the phone company because i forgot to put 808 before my niece’s phone number when i replied to her txt.

Last person you called?
my sister.

Last person you hugged?
my son.

Last person you tackled?
my son.

Last thing you touched?
the keys on this keyboard.

Last thing you ate?
i had a french bread pizza for breakfast.

Last thing you drank?
water.

Last thing you said?
out loud, to someone? umm… “hurry up! the bus is going to leave! quickly! come on! hurry! have a nice day.”

Were you named after anyone?
umm, i was named after a song…i guess the song was for someone, so in a way?

When was the last time you cried?
just a little while ago i teared up because as i was cleaning i found my son’s acceptance letter into his school.

Do you like your handwriting?
no.

What is your favorite lunch meat?
roast beef.

Do you have kids?
yes. well, one.

If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
probably not.

Do you use sarcasm?
of course not.

Do you still have your tonsils?
yes.

Would you bungee jump?
no way!

What is your favorite cereal?
i like the kashi one, but i don’t know the name of it.

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
no. my shoes don’t have laces, anyway.

What is your favorite number?
5.

What is the first thing you notice about a person?
if they’re smiling or not.

Red or pink?
red.

What is your least favorite thing about yourself?
myself.

Whom do you miss the most?
well i’ve been missing a friend from high school as i looked over the reunion pics and thought about all those kids in high school, and then i suddenly remembered my good friend and wondered how she was doing. then i realized i really missed her.

What are you looking forward to about tomorrow?
not having to go in to work but more cleaning…

What are you listening to right now?
the birds chirping outside.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
blue.

Favorite smells?
certain flowers, a can of coffee being opened (reminds me of small kid time), and nothing makes my mouth water more than grilled steak or hamburgers.

Favorite sports to watch?
volleyball or baseball.

Hair color?
brown.

Do you wear contacts?
no.

Favorite food?
steak and potatoes

Scary movies or happy endings?
happy (but realistic) endings.

Summer or winter?
summer.

Hugs or kisses?
both are nice.

What book are you reading now?
My Father’s Dragon

What’s on your mouse pad?
i don’t have a mouse pad!

What did you watch on TV last night?
nothing.

Favorite sounds?
children’s laughter, a good bass line, the 2:00 bell.

Rolling Stones or Beatles?
gosh! my dad liked one, and my mom liked the other. hmm. i guess the beatles.

What is the farthest you have been from home?
san antonio, texas

Do you have a special talent?
no.

Where were you born?
in a hospital.

Who was your favorite teacher?
i can’t pick just one! i had a few

What’s your secret?
i don’t know that i have any.

What’s your biggest goal/dream?
i’ll have to copy tense teacher (though i don’t know about the dream job part!!!) and say to be debt-free! everything paid off so that i can just relax and enjoy life instead of working it away and deteriorating healthwise.

from tenseteacher.

Bloggy Meme

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?
let’s see, for the other one, its literal meaning is thoughts that spontaneously grow. as explained on the about page, a seed is planted in the mind, and from there, the stories blossom forth. this one’s name means a log of thoughts, or a journal. i guess i should actually switch the names…

2. What are your general goals for blogging?
well, lately it’s been to finish a nablopomo theme. but it’s mostly for therapy, i guess. it helps me to write things out, even though i don’t publish a lot of them! i guess another goal, especially for this one, is to just have something to do to pass the time.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous?
i think it’s anonymous. at least, i don’t go around telling people that i blog. but someone who stumbles across it might figure it out.

4. How often do you post (x per week)?
during times when i take the nablopomo challenge, it’s daily.

5. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?
oh, i read a lot of other blogs, daily. or almost daily, since some days i don’t fire up the computer at all.

6. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?)
it’s not really a certain topic, but just, really, anything i find interesting. i think i go more towards those that are conversational and not so formal, but i do read some of those, too.

7. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?
oh, there have been many times i’ve just wanted to delete it all. so no, not copying them to anything. in fact, this may be gone already.

8. What are the things you like best about blogging?
i like seeing that other people suffer the same things i do. i like being showed different ways to look at situations. i like learning about other people, languages, cultures. i like reading about things i could never experience, or even things i can, but through the eyes of someone else. i like to share in the laughs, empathize with the struggles, and cry at the losses. these are all the great things i love about people blogging.

9. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?
the pressure of having to produce something noteworthy.

10. How do you handle comments?
the only comments i get are spam, so they get deleted.

11. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?
remember that not everyone agrees with you. people look at things differently. that doesn’t meant you’re right and they’re wrong. share your opinions without being condescending or attacking the other person. and points can be shared intellectually and calmly, without swearing.

12. Any desired blog features?
hmm. can’t think of anything right now?

13. Have you suffered blog addiction?
yes, i have. *ashamed*

Friday 5 for April 17: The Great Outdoors

When did you last sleep in a tent?

it’s been years. like 25 or so.

What comes to mind when you think about relieving yourself in the great outdoors?

i always think it’s much easier for a boy. especially when you don’t have to deal with the monthly thing.

Where’s the best place you ever went camping?

i actually don’t even remember where it was? i can see it in my mind, but i have no idea of the name of the area or even where the area is.

What’s your favorite camp food?

has to be roasted marshmallows, right?

What’s your sleeping bag like?

i had a thick, red sleeping bag that was cloth, not the shiny, windbreakery type of material. i used it maybe 6 or 7 times total.

Friday 5 for April 10: 5 Ws, Part 2

What’s something you know how to draw?

the short end of the stick.

Who’s someone you could get away with impersonating?

a teacher who knows what she’s doing.

Where’s the stapler?

on the table.

Why will this be a great weekend?

there will be celebrating for the dance that has survived many years, much to the chagrin of a few.

When are you going to make that phone call you’ve been putting off?

gosh. i know i have to do it soon. they keep bugging me about it.

from friday5.

What is your favorite fizzy, bubbly drink?

there’s this creme soda that comes in a glass bottle that i love. mmmm. i haven’t had it for years, though. if i ever had to crack, that’s what i’d run to.

What is your favorite deep-fried food?

hmm. i like fried mozzarella sticks. i also like jalapeno poppers. oh recently i tried deep-fried cheesy macaroni bites. they actually were not bad! but i guess i’d choose mozzarella sticks, especially with a good marinara sauce. or i guess the poppers–i’d eat them w/o any sauce.

What is your favorite hot beverage?

hot chocolate. mmmmm. more for the cozy feeling it gives.

What is your favorite really messy food?

all foods are pretty messy the way i eat. i constantly spill on myself. i guess anything sauce-y with noodles that you can slurp.

What is your favorite recipe for a blended or mixed beverage?

coffee ice cream and milk and ice and chocolate syrup. yum!

from friday5.

Friday 5 for March 27: Turning

To whom do you normally turn when you need to complain about something?

usually my mom or my sister. i don’t like to bother people at work with my complaints even though i have a lot!

Which annual season-turning do you enjoy the most?

summer! i actually prefer when the weather turns cooler, rather than hot, but for me, it means vacation!

Where can you get a really good turnover?

i don’t really care for pastries, so i’m not sure what is good or what is not. i’ve had the napples; they were okay.

What’s employee turnover like where you work?

very high. when i was at 7 years, i was the third-highest in terms of seniority! a lot of the newbies do their 2 years probation and then get out or quit. the average seems to be about 4 years before one leaves. we get a lot of people from the mainland who also do their 2-3 years and then decide to move back. it’s unusually high, but our principal never gets investigated for it because a lot of people just think, well that’s just the area they work in. but really? there’s been quite a few who didn’t want to leave because of the kids or the area. it’s because of the admin. but no one questions them. which is sad for the kids.

One of the Wonder Twins could turn into any form of water, while the other could turn into any animal. Which of these powers would be more useful to you?

i think i’d like to turn into the animal–then i could fly, swim, run…whatever i’d need to travel. i’d be afraid of being drunken if i was water.

Friday 5 for March 20: Quarterly Progress Check

Would you say 2009 so far is meeting expectation, exceeding expectations, or failing to meet expectations?

whose expectations? if my own, then it’s meeting, because i don’t have very high expectations. but if it’s a standard…then it’s probably failing to meet, or even well below.

What letter grade would you give yourself for your performance at work or school?

well below.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how happy have you been with the weather so far in 2009?

it’s been cold…but i did save on electricity. for the first time in 10 years, it went below $75! wooo! and i’m in a part where it’s not too rainy, so it hasn’t been that bad for me. i’d say an 8.

Which of the Motion Picture Association of America’s film ratings would you give your social life so far in 2009?

mine has not yet been rated.

2009’s parents are on the phone and want to know how 2009 can improve its performance. What have been 2009’s areas of strength and what are its areas for growth in the second quarter?

2009 keeps chugging on, no matter what happens. nothing holds it back. great perseverance. but i know it will keep on that path, and wait for no one. it could slow down a bit so that we may enjoy it, but i guess we just need to change our own perceptions and let it continue on its course.

from friday5.

You Are Doted On

You are sweet, sensitive, and a bit anxious. You are likely to have some health problems. It’s likely that you will have four or more children… whether you use birth control or not! You are not easily moved. You are very stoic and not thought of as an emotional person. You are a bit lazy. You sometimes don’t shower or brush your teeth all day. You are quite conservative. You are neither a flirter or a flaunter.

What Does Your Belly Button Say About You?

seen here.

had fun with the other name game so tried to search for more and came up with this one!

Google name game!!! [stolen from a couple of peeps]

How To Play:

Go to Google and type the following in the search box (make sure they’re in quotation marks). Then post the relevant sentence in the first result, or which ever result is easiest to read. Simple!

“[your name] is”
“[your name] has”
“[your name] needs”
“[your name] looks like”
“[your name] says”
“[your name] thinks”
“[your name] wants”
“[your name] does”
“[your name] hates”
“[your name] asks”
“[your name] likes”
“[your name] eats”
“[your name] wears”
“[your name] was arrested for”
“[your name] loves”

here are the results:

“Malia is sitting up by herself and saying Mama.”
“Malia has the photo bug…”
“Malia needs YOU to send them into her”
“Malia looks like a nine year old when she is actually 91 years old.”
“And then Malia says, ‘First African American president — it better be good.’” (you knew an obama one had to pop up!)
“My Auntie Malia Thinks I’m The Cutest Baby Ever”
“Malia wants you to buy one of hers.”
“Malia does not have any Contacts at this time.”
“malia hates being so indecisive.” (hey! this was my tweet! it’s first?!)
“Malia asks her uncle, Big Boi, if he will perform at her party, and he happily agrees.”
“Little Malia likes the big drums.”
“Malia eats noodles.”
“Malia wears a short black wrap tied around her waist that only accentuates the perfect shape of her legs.” (woo!)
No results found for “malia was arrested for”. !!! Thank goodness!
“My cousin Malia loves me!”

saw another one here. will pick the best one that pops up on the first page, rather than the first entry.

The Google Name Game

Google the following, then select the best result from the first page of hits and add a {personal comment} for each answer.

1: Type in “[your name] needs” in the Google search:

Malia needs to stop working so much.

{heee! and ironically, that was from a person who was also playing this game, so i don’t know where the original came from.}

2: Type in “[your name] looks like” in Google search:

Malia looks like a nine-year old when she is actually 91 years old.

{okay, same as the one above (from a biography of malia dysis), but really, all the other responses were about how malia either looks like her mom or looks like her dad. i’m more like my mom, myself.}

3: Type in “[your name] hates” in Google search:

One of the villagers, named Malia, hates all the labels she bears.

{cool. did you know on that first page of searches, three of them, including the first one, were from me? my twitter, plurk, and tumblr pages. gosh, i hate a lot. *hanging head in shame*}

4: Type in “[your name] goes” or “..has gone” in Google:

And isn’t it funny that I have 3 episodes of uhh, “Malia goes to the Dentist” and “Malia gets Botox” yadda yadda?

{from a forum dedicated to the show bridezillas. kinda weird, if you ask me.}

5: Type in “[your name] loves” in Google search:

Malia loves the flowers.

{they’re so pretty!}

6: Type in “[your name] eats” in Google search:

I can honestly say that Malia eats, sleeps, and breathes homeschooling and organization in the home.

{ha!}

7: Type in “[your name] has” in Google search:

I’ve been impressed with how Malia has evolved into a vivacious, energizing force in the belly dance world in Hawaii.

{heee! i’ve taken a few belly-dance courses. i don’t have the belly for it, though. or is that too much belly? heeheehee belly is a funny word. belly belly belly belly!}

8: Type in “[your name] works” in Google:

Malia works, but she admits that, in the back of her mind, she thinks someone will just bail her out if she gets into trouble (like her mom always has).

{or even if i don’t get in trouble…}

9: Type in”[your name] lives” in Google search:

Malia lives in Seattle and says that living there is just like living in Hilo… green and rainy.

{except when it snows.}

10: Type in “[your name] died” in Google search:

Unfortunately, by the 15th July 1980 when Ana Malia died, both Sione Mo’unga and Taniela Fifita had predeceased her.

{this was just a sad one to look up }

11: Type in “[your name] will” in Google:

President-elect Obama says Sasha and Malia will clean up after dog.

{every single link on the first page was about them! but yeah, the only way i’ll be around the white house is if i have to clean up after their dog.}

seen here.

1.Your rock star name: (first pet, current car) Niele Sentra

2.Your gangsta name: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Slippers (yo!)

3.Your Native American name: (favorite color, favorite animal) Royal Blue Dolphin

4.Your soap opera name: (middle name, city where you were born) ha! this one wouldn’t work at all!

5.Your Star Wars name: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name) heeheeheeheeheeheehee gosh that sounds obscene.

6.Superhero name:(2nd favorite color, favorite drink) Red Water (probably an effect of a speeding bullet, not faster than one…)

7.NASCAR name: (the first names of your grandfathers) Larry Francis

8.Dancer name: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Jasmine Butterfingers! heeheehee!

9.TV weather anchor name: (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Bitler Baltimore

10.Spy name: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Summer Gardenia

11.Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now) Mango Tanktop

12.Hippie name: (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Cuttlefish Candlenut

13.Movie star name: (first pet, first street where you lived) Niele Pi’ikoi

hilarious!

seen here.

What type of day are you having?
it’s been alright.

Was there anyone who “made your day”?
not yet. but the day’s not over yet.

Are you liking how you look today?
am i liking how i look any day? i don’t think so.

Do you have anyone crushing on you?
no.

Have you ever eaten a bug?
umm…not intentionally. i probably did accidently.

Are you vegeterian [sic]?
no. i honestly tried at one time, but i couldn’t do it. i was shaking real bad.

When was the last time you kissed someone?
i kiss people hello or goodbye all the time. intimately, though? it’s been a while.

Have you ever had something stuck between your teeth, but no one decided to tell you?
i think so.

Are you a mother or a father?
one or the other.

When was your last paycheck?
last week.

How many pets do you have?
several.

What kind of toothpaste do you use?
cinnamony kind.

Are you closer to being rich or poor?
destitute.

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
no.

What was the last gift someone gave you?
one of my students gave me a dolphin-shaped eraser.

Do you appreciate that person?
no. duh, of course!

Are you on any type of drugs?
prescription kind.

Are you in love?
with?

Have you ever been in love?
with?

Do you even believe in love?
oooh, flashbacks…huey lewis and the news… ♪ ♪ ♪ do you believe in love? ♪ ♪ ♪

How many things are you really thinking about right now?
several things.

Did you talk to anyone you didn’t like today?
no.

Do you like picnics?
hmmm…they’re okay.

What kind of mood are you in?
kinda depressed.

Are you waiting for anything?
summer break.

Are you going to bed after this?
maybe. took a long nap earlier, though, so i may not be able to fall asleep right away.

Have you ever watched fahrenheit 9/11?
no.

What book are you currently reading?
it’s called one on one and it’s about conferencing. i have to get better at that with my kids.

What song did you last listen to?
the song that is currently playing on my shuffle is “soda pop.”

What movie is in your DVD player?
no movie in my dvd player as the tv doesn’t work. but i did watch the “as time goes by” series on my computer the other day. it’s not still in my computer, though.

How many windows are open in your computer?
there are six right now! wow!

Are you a very stressed out person?
i can be.

Are you single?
yes. but that’s not why.

Do you have a beach house?
yes. in my dreams that i’ve had since i was a teenager.

Where do you live?
in a small, cluttered home.

Do you sometimes watch the news?
not really. i mostly see things on the internet.

Have you ever seen a UFO?
i did see something weird the other time.

Do you believe in aliens?
i do believe there is some other life force out there.

What is your favorite magazine?
hmm. i used to like games and mailbox. i don’t think i really have one now? not one that i read regularly, anyway.

How many times have you gone to a foreign country?
one.

When will you next go on a plane?
still debating whether to go next week or not.

When did you last go on a plane?
gosh. it’s been a while. i think it was just before my son was born. OH! wait, i went to texas 4 years ago.

Do you watch football sundays?
sometimes.

Do you read Perez Hilton?
no.

Do you like Dr.Phil?
i used to!

Do you like Oprah?
not really.

Do you ever want to get married?
no.

What is your favorite country?
this one?

Do you like animals?
yes.

Do you have an ipod?
on my phone.

Do you watch TV alot?
i used to.

Are you afraid of the dark?
yes.

What’s your favorite frozen heat-and-eat food?

hmm. it would have to be hot pockets or chicken sandwiches from costco. actually i get them both from costco, but they’re usually what i bring for lunch–easy to just pop in the microwave before you run to the library to photocopy something, and it’s ready (and not too hot to eat!) by the time you come back. plus it’s small enough to gobble down in one minute while you’re doing other stuff. sadly, though, i’ll have to look for a new lunch. because of budget cuts, they are slashing our electricity bill, and so we are not allowed to have microwaves in our classrooms any more. we already couldn’t have mini-fridges, but now we can’t have microwaves. they just really know how to kill morale, huh?

How sensitive are you to cool temperatures?

i get cold quickly. i grew up in a place that was always very warm, and we never had a/cs, so i’m used to being warm. so when the temperature dips a bit, i feel it and get cold very quickly. i don’t know about now though–i don’t own a sweater or jacket (or umbrella) because where i live, it’s always very hot and sunny. but these past few days i’ve shivered without a sweater or jacket so i don’t know. maybe now i’m acclimated to the cold!

How many ice-cube trays are there in your freezer?

none.

What aspect of your life seems to be frozen in place?

my relationships? not sure what this is asking.

What’s your favorite blanket like?

it’s blue and fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other side. so when it’s cold, i keep the fuzzy side towards me, to keep me warm, and when it’s warmer, i put the smooth side on me, to help keep me cool. i used to have a green one like this that i had for years (over 25!), but it got so old and tattered it separated into two blankets. i told my mom, and then she went and made me this new blue one a couple of years ago yes, i’m in my late 30s, so what?

from friday5.

seen at tenseteacher.

How old do you look?
apparently, i look 50. :/ well, i guess it’d be 52, by now.

but when i was in my late 20s, people thought i was right out of high school. now that i’m mid-30s (eeps!) i don’t know. do people think i’m late 20s now? or do they think i look my age? or older?

i guess older. or at least, more stressed out.

Where do you live?
in a rather small and cluttered house.

Are you waiting for something?
break!!!

What’s one pet peeve of yours that is not common?
i don’t like swearing, which i guess makes me unusual since everyone and his child is doing it nowadays.

Last text message you received, what’d it say?
“i HATE that mcdonalds filetofish commercial.”

Can you handle the truth?
not always.

Did you cry today?
hmm. i don’t think i have? wow.

Do you hate the last person you had a conversation with?
at times. no, i don’t hate. well, there is one person right now i hate, but i’ve never conversed with him.

Do you want kids?
sure.

Have you ever thought about converting your religion?
to?

Last shocking news you heard?
a colleague is leaving us.

What was the last thing you drank?
water.

Last person you hugged?
one of my kids.

Whom do you most look like in your family?
i really don’t look like anyone. i think i’m the most like my mother. oh, and there’s my son, which some call a lighter carbon copy of me. but none of my sisters and i look alike, and none of us look like our parents.

Did you dream last night?
yes.

How many piercings do you have?
2, one in each ear.

If you could have something right now, anything, what would it be?
well, it would be nice to have $$$ right now, but honestly? i could go for a nice steak.

Does anyone call you babe?
not since my last exbf.

Where does most of your family live?
on this island.

Where did you grow up?
on this island.

Where do you want to go on vacation?
i wouldn’t mind going anywhere that’s not cold or dangerous.

Have you broken a bone?
no.

What did you receive for Valentine’s Day?
a headache.

Have you ever had a panic attack?
i think so. dr thought it was more serious, but i kept trying to explain that it went away once i was away from the situation. but those feelings i had…i think it was due to a panic attack or anxiety.

Can you sleep in jeans?
i guess so? if i was taking a little nap.

What can’t you wait for?
break!!!

When’s the last time you told someone you loved them and meant it?
awww. not counting my son…um. it’s been YEARS.

Have your parents ever smoked pot?
i don’t know…i wouldn’t be surprised if my dad did, but i would if i found out my mom did!

Want someone back in your life?
sometimes.

Do you live near your most recent ex?
no.

Are you good at giving directions?
not really. i always trip up on the words and end up saying left when i mean right or whatever.

What do you order at the bar?
i order vincent d’onofrio to wait until we’re in private.

When was the last time you cried really, really hard?
gosh. 2004, i think. my mom had heart surgery, and i didn’t handle the thought of being without her very well.

Whom was your last text from?
my sister.

Ever licked someone’s cheek?
yes.

What is your favorite thing to eat with peanut butter?
bread?

Where were you on July 4th, 2008?
at home making sure the animals were okay.

What body part(s) do you wash first in the shower?
face.

Have you ever kissed anyone who’s name started with a D?
yes.

Do you prefer warm or cold weather?
warm.

What do you currently hear right now?
the fan whirring behind me.

Does someone like you right now?
no.

Could you go out in public looking like you do now?
heh. i suppose. but people’d recoil in fright.

What are your nicknames?
my mom’s nickname for me brings instant comfort when i hear it; my sisters’ nickname for me irritates me; the other one reminds me of an ex so it makes me sad.

On the opposite sex,where do you like them to have piercings?
nowhere.

If you could go any place in the world right now, where would you go?
anywhere there’s family.

Have you ever made someone so mad that they broke something?
yes.

What is your favorite color?
blue. or red.

If you could go back in time, how far back would you go?
college, or right after it.

On March 6, 1869, Dmitri Mendeleev presented the first Periodic Table of the Elements to the Russian Chemical Society. What memories do you have of your high-school chemistry course?

a lot of the memories of high school chemistry are all in my head. i’ve never taken a chemistry course. and that really bummed me out! i *really* wanted to take chemistry; it fascinated me so. and i was placed in honors biology, and the next logical step would’ve been to take honors chemistry, which was talked about as being very hard, but i was up for the challenge! so i was happy when i was recommended for honors chemistry. but it conflicted with one of my required classes so i decided to put it off until the next year–the class was made up of mostly juniors anyway, and it was held on upper campus, so i’d wait until i was a junior. but then i became *really* interested in ocean life. so i ended up veering away from the honors chemistry and ap physics and ended up taking marine biology and oceanography. i’d still love to learn chemistry, though. that must be so fascinating!

On March 6, 1899, the Bayer company registered aspirin as a trademark. When did you last take medication for pain?

i’m always taking medicine for pain, it seems. i’ve had really bad headaches the past two weeks, and though i longed to take something for it, i restrained because it conflicts with my current medication. booo! but i did use some muscle rub the other day for my shoulder. that counts as medicine, right?

On March 6, 1853, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera La Traviata premiered in Venice. How do you feel about opera?

i don’t think i feel one way or another towards it. i’m not as passionate about it as i am with some other musical things, but i don’t think badly of it, either. i’ve never seen one, though, so maybe i’d change my mind if i was able to sit in a theater and just be a part of that whole atmosphere.

On March 6, 1947, American film director Rob Reiner (Meathead!) was born. Which of these Reiner-directed films have you seen, and what do you think of them?
The Bucket List (2007)
Rumor Has It… (2005)
Alex & Emma (2003)
The Story of Us (1999)
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
The American President (1995)
North (1994)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Misery (1990)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Stand by Me (1986)
The Sure Thing (1985)
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

um. i don’t think i saw any of these, at least not the whole thing. i did see part of stand by me. well, mostly hear. my sister loved the movie, and we had the tape, and she’d watch it over and over, so i’d always hear it in the background, but i never sat down and actually watched it. i’d start off watching it, but i never made it all the way through. i think i remember the songs more–”everyday it’s a-getting closer” and “lollipop, lollipop, oh lolly lolly pop.” and of course, “stand by me.” which i actually knew more from the radio, but oh well. anyway i had no idea rob reiner did that movie.

On March 6, 1972, American basketball-player Shaquille O’Neal was born. How do you feel about basketball?

i don’t really understand it. i mean, i know you have to take the ball to your side of the court and shoot it and you get 2 points, or 3 points if you’re outside the half-circle thingie, and you get a point for free throws. but i don’t know why people get free throws, or why there are fouls, or why people intentionally foul, or why a layup is not considered travelling when you’re not dribbling while you’re running to do the jump. i grew up around football, and practically every day from april – october, we were watching baseball because my dad was really into the braves, and we would go to islanders’ games and uh football games and little league baseball games … but nothing with basketball. actually, my dad is a great celtics fan (that’s how i know names like kevin mchale and larry bird), but i guess basketball games were more at night when we kids weren’t watching tv, anyway. so i never watched, and i don’t know anything about basketball. but my nephew just joined the basketball team at his school, so i go now to support him, even though i have no idea what’s going on. that’s really all i know about basketball.

hmmm. sorry for the way-too-long answer just to say i don’t know anything. yeesh.

from friday5.

How often do you get paid?

twice a month, the 5th and the 20th. luckily, there’s less days in between this month’s 20th and next month’s 5th so it’ll come faster. or so it seems.

Do you tend to splurge a little on (or shortly after) pay day?

shortly after. well, i wouldn’t say it was a “splurge.” it’s used to pay bills. luckily, my bills are due all around my pay days. so as soon as it’s in the bank, it’s write the check and mail it. nothing really to “splurge” on.

What are the few days leading up to pay day like for you?

they’re okay? i mean, sometimes i’ll think, yay, 3 more days ’til pay day. but then i don’t know why i get happy about it, because the money just goes to bills. :/

If you had the option, would you like to be paid daily for each day’s work?

i don’t think so. if i had to be paid daily, i’d for sure use it up daily and not be able to have it build up to pay the big bills–mortgage, maintenance, car, etc. weekly might be nice, though. one of my son’s old babysitters demanded to be paid weekly. and she received more $ than me, and she only watched 6 kids! what she made in one week would be one month’s paycheck for me, and i had 4 times as many kids as she did! if i made that kind of money, i’d like it weekly, too–grocery shopping would be much more fun. one week at what she charged would pay for my mortgage, car, electricity, phone, dues, etc.! i’d still have 3 more weeks’ pay to do whatever.

When did you get your first paycheck and what was it for?

i got it in june ‘88. i was 16, and it was my first real job. my coworkers told me to frame it, but i think i just photocopied it and had my dad deposit it for me in my account.

from friday5.

seen on tenseteacher. i actually had this done weeks ago, but just never felt right about publishing it. sorta sacred, you know? hmmm. maybe i’ll unpublish this one later, but right now, here it is.

1. Were you married at the time?
no.

2. What was your reaction when you found out you were pregnant?
i was very, very, very happy, and very relieved.

3. How old were you?
older than most out-of-wedlock moms, i’ll bet.

4. How did you find out you were pregnant?
well i had been monitoring everything, so when i was 2 days late, i held my breath and took the test. bingo. but i often wonder, if i really had another warning. about 2 weeks before, i got strangely soooo hungry that i was nauseous, in like, a span of 5 minutes. i was feeling fine, then all of a sudden, was just STARVING, and then i felt soooo sick that i couldn’t stay at the party i was at (it was a christmas eve party). i had never, ever had that feeling before, or if i did, it did not happen that fast. i’ve also never had it since. it was just so strange. looking back, i think that was when the little embryo might’ve implanted itself, and my whole body reacted to the change.

5. Whom did you tell first?
i told my mom, the next day after taking the test. i had been taking hormones and wasn’t sure if i should continue. i didn’t want to harm the fetus, but at the same time, i didn’t want to stop taking them and lose the baby. so i needed advice on what to do.

6. Did you want to find out the sex?
oh yes!!! but i never got an ultrasound because dr wouldn’t do it unless there was a medical emergency in case insurance didn’t cover it. so i had to wait. it drove me nuts!!! i’m the person who has to read the end of the book first, who looks up spoilers from the mainland before watching the tv show here, who just NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN!!! and then when he was taken out, the doctor said nothing! it was the anesthesiologist who remarked, “oh, what a little prince!” that’s when i knew what i had. i had always told myself, i’d find out the minute i could, though i expected it to be at around 4 months along, not when the baby was 4 minutes old!!!

7. Due date?
actually, it was pretty close to my birthday.

8. Did you deliver early or late?
i was two weeks early.

9. Did you have morning sickness?
i think so, but i wore seasickness bands. they helped the nausea a lot. i never threw up, even though i was told i would, because that’s how i was on the pill. so i guess those bands really did help!

10. What did you crave?
TOMATOES. gosh. i honestly thought the baby would come out tomato-red, i ate so many darn tomatoes. i’d drive to the 24-hr diner to get spaghetti or chili or anything with tomato sauce. i’d eat canned tomatoes straight from the can at like 2 in the morning. gosh. tomatoes. yum.

11. What irritated you the most?
honestly, i was sooo happy to be having a baby, i was not irritated in the least at anything that happened, even when my legs swelled up to tree trunks. i didn’t care. i was just so happy to have a baby. oh, i guess not finding out the sex was very irritating to me. but i think that was it.

12. What was your first child’s sex?
a boy.

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregnancy?
50!

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
yes, towards the end, the final two weeks. my blood pressure was sky-high. i was so swollen. it was thought i had toxemia, which is what my doctor had predicted for me, anyway, because of my reaction while i was on the pill. i was put on strict bed-rest the final week. i was only allowed to walk to the bathroom and back. no other walking, not even to the kitchen to get something to eat. dr sent in a note to my workplace, saying i could not come to work “due to complications in pregnancy.” those words never scared me so much. i cried a lot during this period, thinking i was going to lose this baby that i had waited so long for, when i was sooo close to the end, too.

15. Where did you give birth?
at the local women & children’s hospital.

16. How many hours were you in labor?
about 15 hours, i think. i didn’t feel the contractions, at first, though they told me i was having them (the monitor showed them, anyway). i didn’t feel them until after being given the highest dose to induce me. then BAM! it was so sore, i couldn’t believe it. the last 9 hours or so were KILLER.

17. Who drove you to the hospital?
my mom.

18. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
oh yes. i had an epidural, and that was sooo nice. until it wore off. then i asked for another. poor anesthesiologist had to come back three times to up my dose. the last time, he refused to go any more because he said i needed to feel something so that i knew when to push. i wanted to strangle him.

19. How much did your child weigh?
just shy of 9 lbs.

20. What did you name him/her?
he remained unnamed for a while, because i was so sure i was having a girl, plus, everyone was telling me, “oooh, you’re carrying high/glowing/looking healthy/craving sweets/etc./etc./etc., you’re going to have a girl!” , that i had two girl names picked out and i was going to wait until the baby came out to see what it looked like before deciding which name, since one name i picture more with a fair-haired girl, and the other, with a dark-haired girl. but then when it was a boy, i was confused. it took me a looooong time to decide and i almost went home with an unnamed baby! it was just a last-minute, hurry up and fill out the birth certificate so i can get home already!, name. oh, and his middle name’s his dad’s.

22. Whom does your child look like?
unfortunately, he looks like me. but he has his father’s coloring. everyone says he looks like a lighter-version of me.

23. Did you get mad at your husband during labor?
no. i didn’t even miss him. his loss.