A Different Bird Interviewed: Part II

My friend, Janet, blogger extraordinaire of Slice of Pink sent me the following questions (per my request). Janet is a sweet, sweet person and a great blogger - you should check her out!

1. If all the impracticalities were sorted out for you, what animal would you most like to have as a pet?

A dwarf hamster. It's not an impractical pet, but one I have wanted for many, many years. In fact, I made Cam (he was willing) go into a pet store the other day so I could go stare and squeal at the cute little hamsters. After visiting the store, I definitely want a Roborovski hamster, the smallest of all domestic hamsters.



And from what I understand, they live the longest of any type of domestic hamster. Maybe the impractical part would be that the hamster would have his own room with tons of space to run around and lots of piping and other hamster goodies. And he would have lots of dwarf hamster friends in the room with him, obviously.

2. What is your before-bedtime routine?

It's funny you ask, because I am extremely anal retentive about my before-bedtime routine. In this order, I floss, brush my teeth, wash my face (especially concentrating on getting the eye make-up off) and then slather moisturizer on. I change into my pajamas, get into bed, either text or call Cam and then read while on my back to stretch it out. Then sleep time!

3. What are you wowed by the brilliance of?

Maybe this seems like a shallow answer, but stand-up comedians who kill at improv. Cam and I went to see Rich Hall at The Funny Farm Comedy Club recently, and I was awed by how quick and funny he was on his feet as he interacted with the audience. (If you haven't seen him, you really, really should!)

4. What were you like as a six year old?

I was extremely inquisitive and a bookworm. You would sometimes even find me reading in the bathroom for hours on end because I couldn't manage to put the book down. Not even for two minutes apparently. I loved playing on the swing set with my sisters but also coming up with new games inside the house, like crock pot (weird name, I know). I had a huge imagination and I would make up episodes of Beverly Hills Teens (an 80s cartoon) and tell them to my sisters at night. I loved to draw and color and play Barbies. I remember taking the blame for some things, even though I hadn't done them, just to keep the peace and get past interrogation from my parents. I was a very loving child, always snuggling up to my parents and I remember hugging my Kindergarten teacher a lot (Mrs. Fox), but not my first grade teacher (Mrs. Christopher) because I didn't like her. I remember, even at 6, wanting to be the best in the class. After reading this back and thinking about it, I really haven't changed all that much. Life's funny like that.

5. You win $5,000, all of which you must spend in only one store. Which store do you choose and what do you buy?

I would actually choose Target, because I could get an assortment of items for reasonable prices.

Now, I want to go all out for #5, so I am actually going to fully answer that in another post. Thanks for reading!

A Different Bird Interviewed

So, one of the bloggers I follow, Carmen from La Petite Belle, posted answers to questions she received from another blogger, and then she offered to 'interview' other bloggers in return. I said, why not, and requested some questions.

So, here are my questions from the lovely Carmen, and my answers.

1) What made you start a blog?

I was actually inspired to start my first blog several years ago by my best friend, Kari, who was living in and blogging about Africa then. The first blog was similar to A Different Bird, just a lot less stuff on the page (damn you, widgets!). I also kept a blog about my adventure in England, where I lived for 14 months to get my Master's degree.

2) If you were in a deserted island and could only bring one person with you, who would that be? (you can pick someone you do or do not know)

Honestly, it would be Cameron, my boyfriend. He is one of my best friends (we get along extremely well and I would need to really love the person since we are the only two on the island); he is an outdoor guy (so he could build us that fabulous lean-to we'll need to survive the elements and hunt us some food) and he's fun to snuggle with (got to start thinking about populating that island ;)).

3) If you were only allowed to read ONE more book before you died, which book would you pick?

I thought this would be difficult to answer, but then I realized that I really want to read 'The Last Lecture' (it's on my to-do list this year) and I think the book's content would be very fitting!

4) If you could go back in time and re-do something in your life, what would that be?

There are a number of things I can think of, but I think I would redo high school - making much better decisions and setting a much better mental path for myself.

5) What would you tell your 10 year old self if you saw her sitting in front of you right now?

"Quit stressing out about everything. It really does all work out - for the good or the bad. Really enjoy time with the family. Do more things with your parents and your sisters. Your parents really give great advice, but do travel even when they don't want you to go, and do activities that you really want to do even if they don't want you to do them. And your sisters will be your best friends some day and all that fighting will be for naught, so chill! Savor every moment of those family vacations to St. George Island. They will still be some of your best memories when you are 27. Eat - for goodness' sake, eat. Even when you don't want to and you think it gives you some sense of control to starve yourself. Exercise. Enjoy physical activity. Go for long walks. Travel more. Try different cuisines. Always stay open to new ideas and new cultures. Be understanding of everyone's differences. Enjoy learning more than making high grades. Don't worry about middle school - everyone is awkward in middle school. Don't worry about not doing what everyone else is doing in high school. There really are so many things that are better suited for life after high school. Love as much as you can, but guard your heart against those who would hurt it. Don't waste your time on losers because you have an incessant need to make things work - in friendships, in relationships and in work. Try new things! Take more pictures but don't worry about taking pictures. Allow your creative side out in everything you do. And do what you love."

I have more to tell my 10-year old self, but I think my 10-year old self would have started stressing out about having to do all this stuff. And you didn't think I had always been this anal retentive?

1. If you want to participate, leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” (And please leave your e-mail address if I don't have it)
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. (eh, only if you want)
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (again, only if you want - this blogging thing shouldn't be that stressful)

UPDATED: TGIF!

Thank you to those who posted questions yesterday, but I should qualify what I meant when I said ask anything. You can ask anything, but I may not answer. :) I will most definitely stay away from politics and religion and since certain members of my family (hi Dad!) read this blog, I won't answer any questions about my sex life. Does this make me a bit boring? Meh. Maybe.

And since I haven't written answers to those who posted questions - and thank you for asking them - I'm going to leave that open through the weekend - feel free to add to the burning questions - and post answers on Monday. You are gripping the edge of your seat in anticipation, aren't you?

And I'd love to get some more feedback about the book list. Seriously, I am a bookwork and a half and LOVE to get recommendations.

UPDATED: I was able to get my beautiful, older sister on the phone to send me some photos of Ava to wish you a proper Happy Friday/Weekend.


Ava smiling at herself in the mirror.


Oh, stop.


Ava says have a great weekend... or else!

It's Question Time

So, my friend Andrea randomly does these 'Ask Andrea', 'Ask Finn' (her beautiful baby boy) or 'Ask Lee' (her devilishly handsome hubby) posts. And I love asking her random stuff.

So, I thought, hm, is there anything readers of A Different Bird want to know about me? Does that sound too narcissistic? Could this be a total disaster if I don't get a single question? Is this kind of an excuse not to write a real blog entry? Maybe, Yes, Yes, Yes.

So, ask ANYTHING you want.


You can even ask about this night.