Meme of doom

This morning, Johnny tagged me to take a turn on his Meme of Doom, since Mrs. Figby, the current tag-gee was very busy. So I started working on it, but then Mrs. Figby posted and tagged Jen. So I wrote to Johnny and asked if I should wait, but he insisted and asked me to squeeze in between. I promise you, I wasn't trying to steal a turn, Johnny told me to do it! So here goes:

1) Read the meme that was dumped assigned to you. Answer the questions.
2) Add TWO new questions to the list. Answer those questions.
3) Forward Dump this onto the next blogger victim (and list their name and link to their blog).
4) This series will conclude when we get 50 questions - so yes, it’s 25 bloggers in the chain.
5) Please make sure that the next victim in the “link” doesn’t have a password protected blog.
[Optional 6] Update the links so people can follow along (this is similar to the method I used in the Why China series).
[Optional 7] When you see an update, down the chain, update your own page with the new questions and answers.
[Optional 8] Copy these micromanaging instructions into the top of your meme post.

The Chain:

Johnny(1,2) -> Our Journey to China (3,4)-> 3D's Adoption Journey (5,6)->Waiting for Pumpkin (7,8)->Two Kayaks (9,10)->Watch Our Family Grow (11,12)-> Our Journey to Little Maple and Back (13,14)-> American Family (15,16)-> Chicago Mama (17,18)-> The Further Adventures of Spacemom (19,20)-> Mrs. Figby (21,22)-> ME! (23,24)-> JenEx

1. What secret/surprising/personal goal (that is realistically achievable within the next 15 years) would you like to fulfill?

Regular readers won't be surprised: have my own tv show. I've had a taste of TV and I love it! There are possibilities, especially on French TV around here, but I'm such a procrastinator, I haven't devoted myself to actually making it happen.

2. Can you list an event in which you made a last minute decision or guess that significantly changed the path of your life?

There are 2 and I can't pick, so here goes:

In my last year of high school, I applied to go on a student exchange and I wanted to go to Austria. They offered me another country (I believe Argentina) and I turned it down. I registered for College and forgot all about it. Then, in mid-August, just weeks before the program started, after having picked all my classes and a few days before buying my books, they called me and found me a host-family in Austria. I left 14 days later. It set me on the path to learning languages and traveling on my own and my life was never the same after that. I was going to be a gradeschool teacher!

December 1998. I was depressed. I hated my life, my job, myself. My friend IH and her then boyfriend invited me to a new years party at his house. Then the party got somehow moved to some guy's house that her boyfriend knew. I didn't want to go, but she nagged and I went. Turned out the "guy" was someone we had gone to College with, we knew lots of people at the party, and I met my husband that night. I wasn't going to go, I hated my outfit (Payless shoes! arrrgghhh!), but we would have never met otherwise.

3. What is one unrealistic goal (but your total secret dream) that you would love to come true, but are pretty sure it won’t ever happen?

A house in Westmount. Not a Victorian a the bottom of the hill. One of the real big ones at the top. It's pointless, we don't need it, but I drive around there on the way to and from the kid's school and I make notes on which ones I like, which ones I'd consider. I want to restore them, not gut and modernize....

4. Who has had the most influence on your life and what did they teach you?

For sure it has to be my parents. Not very original, I know. My mom did everything herself: painting, sewing, moving furniture (a piano! she moved a piano by herself once!!!) and so I totally get that from her. My dad always made me feel girls could do anything. He never expected anything different from me. (Except riding a moped. He wouldn't let me get one but he did my brother!!!) Between the two of them, I was encouraged to make my own path, no matter how windy the road got. I studied abroad, changed majors, had a 180 turn around in carreers, converted to another religion and did another about-face in my work. They never blinked. OK, maybe once.

5. You are on a deserted island. You are stranded with someone from any point in time for 2 months (they are coming to rescue you but are busy right now). Other then family/friends/naval engineers, who is it?

I feel like a big idiot typing this, especially in light of my previous post. But, how can you expect me to say anything but Martha Stewart? I know the woman can be a big pain and I probably wouldn't enjoy her company too much, but to me, it would be an opportunity to learn from someone who has done so many of the things I dream of doing, both from a craft/homemaking standpoint and a business standpoint.

6. Name and describe 3 things on your mind lately. Is there any particular reason why you’re thinking about a particular thing?

- My husband's health. He gave us a big scare in June and I can honestly say I haven't recovered. I'm not sure how to deal with it.

-Dumpling's behaviour. We make headway, and then she slips back. It's frustrating. I don't want to be the mom who obsesses, but I really feel like if we let it go, it will not work itself out alone....

-My sugar intake. I don't eat too much dessert, maybe twice a week, and I've cut out chocolate, but I poor huge spoonfuls in my coffee, twice a day. It's bugging me. I bought artificial stuff, which I don't love the idea of. But I'm worried about too much sugar. I wish I enjoyed coffee unsweetened, but I don't.

7. If you could go back to one moment in time and change it, what would the moment be and what would you change it from and to?

When we sold our first house. I like our new house. But I HATE what the new owners did to our old house, and I have to drive by it every single day. I would either A) keep the old house and work harder at coming up with a reno that could have met our needs and the city's requirements, or B)  I would have sold it to the other couple who made the lesser offer, but clearly had not intention of gutting it within an inch of it's life.

I know it's a very superficial answer, but really, I am very happy with how my life has turned out, so there isn't anything in my personal life I would alter.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve and is there anything that you can do or not do to stop other people from doing it? 

I really had to think about that one. At home, my biggest pet peeve is that my husband is obsessed with doing the dishes, cleaning the dishes, etc, but he rarely uses the dishwasher, he insists on hand washing, which, in my opinion, is a big waste of time. I have tried, but it cannot be altered. I have given up.

9. Who has been the most influential teacher in your life and why did he or she have such an impact on you? Have you sent them a note?

My 5th grade teacher Francine. She was very special. She encouraged me to reach for the top. We stayed in touch for many many years. She is the one who first told me about exchange student programs and thought they would be good for me (this is years after I had left grade school). She stayed in touch with my mother for years. She even gave her daughter my first name (don't know if it had to do with me or not, but hey!)

10. What three things do you regret not learning to do?

1. Snowboarding. My knees are shot now, it's hopeless.
2. Speak Italian. Would have been much more useful than Russian....
3. Dive. I can swim, I can't dive.

11. What is your biggest fear?

My husband's health going downhill before the girls are old enough to have enjoyed a really good life with him.

12. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I really need to be more patient.

13. What is the answer to life, the universe, everything?

If i knew that, would I be typing this?

14. If you knew, beforehand, that the wait for your child from China would take this long and drastic a time frame, would you still go through with it or would you choose another country.

No question about it, we wouldn't change a thing. We are re-thinking our plan of more than 2 less than 5 ( ie 3 or 4). But #1 and #2 were meant to be here in the time delay that it took.

15. What is one food that most people like that you do not like at all?

That is soooo tough. I'm a pretty adventurous eater and there is very little I don't eat. I guess Vinegar comes to mind, but I don't know that MOST people like it. I can't stand it. The smell just grosses me out.

16.  Name one place in the world you would love to spend at least one month visiting?  Is there anywhere on earth that is so repulsive to you that there is no amount of money that could convince you to visit it?

A month in New York. I'm going to get flack for this, but I have no interest in setting foot in India. Every image I have of that country is somehow associated with a smell (I watch too much Amazing Race)

17. What book have you just finished reading and why did you pick it up?  Would you recommend it to others?

M. the amazing babysitter lent me "how to teach filthy rich girls". it was pure chick lit and I enjoyed every second of it. I would recommend it as a completely useless read.

18. Share a relatively quick and easy recipe for Fall.  One pot/dish recipes given extra credit.

One head cauliflower, cut into florets. Spread over a cookie sheet, preferable covered with a silicone mat. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syprup, sprinkle Kosher/coarse salt, sprinkle with Curry powder (to taste). Coat well. cook at 400F for about 30 to 45 min depending on the size of the florets.  whenever i make it, there is not one piece left. Kids love it because of the sweetness

19. Would you rather be financially well off, but unhappy, or a happy person who is always in need of money?

I have, at different points in my life been all of those and more: wealthy/unhappy, wealthy/happy, poor/happy and poor/unhappy. If given the choice between the 2 in the question, I would take happy and in need of money. Because it's easier to find ways to make money or live without it than finding ways to be happy, and you can't live without being happy.

20. What is the most comforting sound in the world to you and why?

"Mommy!"

21.  What is your all time favorite book?  If you aren't a reader, what is your favorite movie?  And why?

Anne of Green Gables. As a kid, it was the life I wanted, the life I dreamt of. And I wanted to marry Gilbert.

22. Share one of your most cherished childhood memories.

When  I was a kid, my uncle Pierre had us over one time to go boating on the lake. He made us (my brother and I) Kraft Dinner (what we call Kraft mac 'n cheese in Canada). I had never had macaroni from a box before, my mom was strictly home-made. It was unbelievable to me. When I moved out years later, I ate KD twice a day for a month!

and now my questions:

23. What are you paranoid about?

I constantly worry about stepping on toes or disturbing people. Like when Johnny tagged me and the Mrs. Figby posted, I was paralysed in fear of offending if I posted. I am always worried about being in the way....

24. What trait of yours do you MOST hope your children will carry on?

Resourcefullness, the ability to try to do anything. I got it from my parents and I really hope I inspire my daughters to do the same.

So now it's really onto Jen!

Comments

[Magi]

I enjoyed your answers. I grew up calling Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Kraft Dinner, too. My mom made it about three times a week though. She always served it with either tuna fish and LeSeur peas or fish sticks and LeSeur peas.

[Mrs Figby]

Hey, I took Russian, too, in college! All I remember how to say, though, is "I speak good Russian because my grandmother is Russian." Which is untrue in every possible way.

So sorry to jump in and worry you! (I'm paranoid about the same thing.)

[lisa]

Ahhh-I spoke Russian once upon a time-would love to be that disciplined again in languages-but there's so much fiber to distract!
My first mac and cheese was when I was babysitting-my mother didn't buy such things-but it's still my comfort food.
Looking forward to the tv show-you should do podcasts (for those of us without tvs-but also a good way to get started ;) ~lmc

[Johnny]

Oopsie, sorry about the misfire.

I had Mac & Cheese from the middle school cafeterias. Never had it at home because it was never in my parents' history.

[shelly]

C'mon, that's not soooo much sugar. Have you tried Sugar in the Raw in place of the old processed stuff? It's a bit sweeter, not as much needed. I've never been part of a MEME chain ;-(

[Jeanne]

Hi - I've been following Johnny's rolling meme of doom with great interest across all the various blogs and have loved reading all of the variations. I don't usually comment, but because your favorite book is also one of my all time favorites, I feel obliged to point out that it is Anne-with-an-e. I'm glad I found your blog, and plan to stick around and lurk some more

[Allison]

You won't get any flack from me about not wanting to go to India. Me neither. My images are also from "The Amazing Race." No thanks.

[Jo]

I think you should have your own show NOW. Go get it. Go, go.

[Jen]

Please, like I'm overly worried about having a few more days to contemplate why I agreed to do this meme of doom? No toes stepped on here!