Bonus Material

posted 21st January 2011    Written by: Alisha    CATEGORY: Alisha, All Posts, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 3

Oh yes, it’s that time.  The Interview.  Just in case I hadn’t shared enough with you, here’s a little bit more.  I hope you enjoy the bonus.

 

1. What do you miss most about being a child?

I miss running and skateboarding.  I miss spending Saturday mornings with my father, drinking gas station cappuccinos, and browsing Lowe’s Hardware.  Most of all, I miss being care-free.  Now I understand why my parents always told me not to be in such a rush to grow up.

2. What’s on your bedside table?

Back issues of O, Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living magazines;

“Potty Training for Dummies” (Must get these kids out of diapers ASAP);

“I Thought it Was Just Me” by Brene Brown;

and my NOOKcolor.

3. When was the last time you were giddy with happiness, lost in one of those can’t-hold-back-a-smile kinda moments?

Every time I visit my parents I feel like a kid in a candy store.  I am fortunate to have two parents with whom I really like to spend my time.  Even though my home is here in Chicago, with my husband and kids, I love the feeling of going “home”: the food, the smells, the familiar sounds.  And now, I get to see the joy on my parents’ faces when they play with my children.  It’s awesome.

4. What are you most looking forward to in the next 6 months?

I expect the next 6 months to be a little crazy.  I will be carting my son to and from his pre-preschool classes (yes, it’s ridiculous but you can actually prepare your kids for preschool) and trying my best to break my lease as early as possible.  (Did I ever mention that I live on the third floor of a walk-up?!  3 Floors + 3 Kids = Tired Mommy.)  I also hope to see my name written somewhere other than my own blog and journal pages.

5. What’s your hell like?

My hell is a Chicago winter that never ends.  The sun never comes out, the car doors creak when you open them because they are practically frozen, and no one has a smile on their face.  In my hell there is no crème brulee, red wine or my mother’s German Chocolate Cake.  There are no books, no pens or paper, and the only thing on TV is Dr. Phil.  And I’m all alone in my misery.

6. What’s your heaven like?

In heaven I get to spend infinite amounts of time with all of my favorite people.  Each morning I wake to the sight of snow-capped mountains and every evening I fall asleep on the beach as a bonfire glows brightly and my favorite musicians take turns serenading me.  Oh—and crème brulee, red wine, my mother’s German Chocolate Cake, ice cream sundaes and fudge brownies don’t have any calories.

7. What’s the biggest lesson you’re taking away from the past 6 months with Stratejoy / how has the experience changed you?

Anyone with depression will tell you that one of the most overwhelming feelings you experience is loneliness.  I often felt as though I was suffering alone, that my struggles and triumphs were mine alone.  But my experience with Stratejoy has shown me that though the details of our stories may vary, the themes remain the same.  It has been such an amazing feeling of community and support.  My time here has given me hope that even though life may be hard some times, I’ll make it through just fine—just like everyone else.

8. What song lyrics fit your life, right now, at the beginning of this brand new year?

My theme song for this year is “King of Anything” by Sara Bareilles.  It puts a little pep in my step, reminds me that I am the queen of my life and I get to choose happiness.

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

9. If you had a time machine, what place and time would you travel too and why?

If I could travel to any place in time, it would have to be the late 1940s or early 1950s—except without the Jim Crow laws and racism :)  I looooooove the fashion from that time period.  (Pencil skirts, hats, gloves and peep toes—yes, please!)  The deliberate femininity, sophistication, martinis and all those handsome men. . . . I think I would have a blast.

10. What is something that not a lot of people know about you that you wish more people could know?

I wish more people could know that even though I am a big introvert and look like the quiet and shy type, I like having people around.  I want to be the person who always has a full house.  I want to be the person throwing dinner parties every weekend just because I want to celebrate life.  I hope that this year I will be able to create new connections to bring me closer to that goal.

11. What surprised you the most about 2010?

Holy crap was I surprised by the amazing people I met through Twitter.  My parents were hyper-vigilant.  I never talked to strangers.  But I’m glad I let go of that fear and started branching out on Twitter.  I met some women who are my long lost sisters.  It is amazing how much solidarity I have found, how much encouragement I have received, and how much genuine love spread.  I am so glad I decided to try to be “cool” and jumped on the Twitter-train.

12. What’s the best present you’ve ever received?

It sounds so cliché, but the greatest gifts I have ever received are my children.  They came a little earlier than I had planned, but they push me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be.  Their presence has increased my self-awareness.  Their hugs and kisses, giggles and dances make my soul burst into flames.  Some times they drive me crazy, but I am crazy in love with them.

13.  Dream Job?  Dream Home?  Dream Vacation?

Dream Job: In my dreams I do everything.  I write bestsellers; I do public speaking gigs; I design and sell my own line of jewelry; I paint and sketch; I run and own a small press; and I own a funky little coffee shop and bookstore that rents out artist studios and open mics every week.

Dream Home: Ok.  I’m going to escew practicality here and go ahead and admit that deep down I dream of being an ex-pat.  So my dream home is a flat in a cute European town…maybe somewhere in France or Italy, though Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Prague are on my radar. 

Dream Vacation: See above :)  

14.  Imagine your life was being made into a movie. What would the title be? Who would you pick to play you? What would the theme song be? How about the little trailer blurb for the advertisement?

This is a really difficult question.  I actually don’t watch a lot of movies so to conceptualize this is pretty difficult for me.  I have no idea what the title would be, but the theme song would be “King of Anything.”  It would be a romantic-comedy-drama about a young girl who is just going through her days figuring out life, love and pursuing happiness.

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Comments (2)

2 Responses to “Bonus Material”

  • Renee Says:
    January 21st, 2011 at 8:08 am

    I love that Sara Bareilles song/album. Right now, "Let the Rain" seems to be my anthem.

  • Alisha Says:
    January 21st, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    I haven't heard the whole album yet, but I need to go buy it. I loved her last album so I'm sure this one is just as amazing.

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