Today, I'm going to take the questions Regina answered as me and show how I would have answered them. I have to say, I was pretty dang impressed with Regina's answers! This project really showed me how much we can learn about one another just through reading our blogs. Below, I included Regina's answers as me in black, and I wrote my own answers and comments under each answer in green. Enjoy!
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1. If you had a completely free afternoon, what would you do?
It would be a toss up between two things. One would be to plan my wedding. I'm ENGAGED!!!! If the plans were all settled and I had nothing pressing about our big day, I would sip a warm fall beverage and read, read, read. I was planning on being less ambitious this year after only completing 12 of the challenges I attempted last year, but I just found way too many fun challenges to turn down. As well, I host my own throughout the year. It's not too late to join the one I'm running now!
I wish I could say I would spend it wedding planning! I have to admit, I've been horrible at this so far. Good thing my fiance is so on top of things. (Update: As of last night, we booked a videographer and photographer! And we locked down a date and venue a week or two ago, so that was a big step.) Instead, I would definitely do exactly what Regina described in the second option: a hot drink and a book. That is definitely my perfect afternoon!
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Only one place? My wanderlust is twitching...
This question is too difficult to answer singularly so I will recommend that you follow my Travel Tuesday posts for places I've been, places those places inspire me to want to visit and travel tips learned from yours truly. The world is so big and I want to see it all. Fortunately, my family, friends and fiance like to travel too, so I am not lacking on traveling companions.
Right again! I want to go sooooo many places. But if I did have to pick one place, I know exactly where I would go: the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This has been a dream of mine ever since I learned what Mt. Kilimanjaro was in elementary school, and it's actually the second item on my life list. But thanks for promoting my Travel Tuesday link-up, Regina! :)
3. What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Let's see....
Was it the time in 2012 when I was successfully trained on the content management system "Outside Online" and was able to start building content. As an intern!?! Ooorrr, was it the time that I read everything in my Google Reader - huge, there was a LOT waiting for my attention. Maybe, it was the time that I got finally bucked up and got a library card from the Santa Fe Public Library? Too small?!?
Perhaps, it was the time when I graduated from Mizzou?!? Such a wonderful compilation of memories and fond experiences leading up to my moving successful through and on from my undergraduate days.
Or maybe, the moment that shaped my perspective, preparing me and others to leave our marks on this world. Not just in order for us to move through it passively, but to move through it actively and with plans to leave our indentations stamped on those we come into contact with (in a positive way); the time that I spoke to my senior class at our high school graduation. This is my proudest accomplishment because they were not just words that I shared, in the half dozen or so years that I've been there, they've been words that I've come to live by.
"I wish that none of you will ever have to say, 'high school was the best four years of my life'". I had a great time, but this world is so much bigger and has so much more to offer and I'm out enjoying every moment of it. THIS is one of the proudest accomplishments of my semi-charmed life and I try to live it everyday.
Wow. Let me just say Regina makes me sound way cooler and more accomplished than I actually am. (Thanks, lady!) I'm so honored that my high school speech spoke to her; it definitely does convey a message I still try to live by each year. I think one of my biggest accomplishments would probably be my selection for the Mizzou '39 award at my university, which I actually mentioned in the graduation countdown post Regina linked to above.
4. Who or what inspires you?
My time in Rwanda has left a mark on my way of thinking and living. There have been many inspirational women/people who have left an imprint on me but Dr. Margee Ensign, the president of the American University in Nigeria, was forceful in her strength and certainty about the genocide in Rwanda. Her strength, power and her professionalism were truly inspiring to me.
Again, I'm amazed at the posts that stuck out to Regina during her "study" of my blog for this post. I'm so glad she focused on my posts about my study abroad experience in Rwanda! In reality—and I don't think anyone would know this from my blog—I think I'm inspired by potential opportunities and education. By this, I mean I love to learn, and I'm inspired by how much there always is to learn about the world and people around me, and what roles I can take to help others grow their knowledge base. Cheesy, but true. :) As far as people, there are a lot of strong, independent women in my family who inspire me, including my grandmother, mom and sister.
5. Why did you start blogging?
Initially, I started blogging on what was then called, "Work in Progress". I had a brown background with little birdies flying across the top of the page, and I really didn't think the blog would last further than my summer travels. I was so excited to have a place to post about my trip to Africa, and did. When I returned life took over and the blog got quiet but did not die. Travel got me into this blog world and is still (along with my love for all things reading & books) has kept me here.
I had never thought of it this way before, but Regina answered this question better than I ever could have: Travel is what got me into the blog world, and it is what has kept me here. I probably would have just said I started it as a study abroad journal and then I kept it as a hobby when I was living on my own in Santa Fe and had a lot of time on my hands.
6. If you could be any animal what would it be?
Well, my favorite animal is a TURTLE. And if I were to be a turtle, it'd be because they have large backs to carry their friends and their burdens along with them.
Oh, is my love for turtles that obvious? (Kidding.) Although my fiance would probably say I would be a cat, because the sun makes me sleepy and I like to wrap up in the blankets like a little human burrito at night. Purrrrrrr....
Overall, this blog swap was a great experience! I know I've said it before, but I am so honored that Regina asked me to be the first blogger to be in her project. I honestly didn't know how it would turn out at first; my biggest fear was that I would answer a question completely unlike her and offend her with my perception of her or her life through her blog. But I think through this project, we've both realized we are pretty genuine bloggers, because we generally agreed with each other's answers. And that is a great realization to have!
How would you have answered the above questions about me? Do you feel like you know me pretty well through my blog? Did any of my answers surprise you?
P.S. — If you're interested in participating in something like this in the future, please let me know and I'll pass your information on to Regina! It really was a neat experience. :)
This is such a fun post and it sounds like she did answer most of the questions quite similar :) I got married in May and was AWFUL with wedding planning-- mainly because I was crazy busy with school & working, but I think it bothered other people more than it even bothered me that I didn't have all the details picked out months in advance! It all worked out perfectly in the end :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so humble. Thank you for taking this leap with me. It is such a great foundation for a project that I hope to continue to grow. I appreciate your time, energy and creativity.
ReplyDeleteKeep your eyes peeled for snail mail. It'll be on its way soon!