Questions Bipolar Version #8

Hmmm I can’t really think of anything. I’ve not had a problem with loneliness. I’ve been alone a lot in my life but not lonely. I’d make an excellent astronaut for the Mars mission if it was just me. But no they send several people crowded together in tight quarters. I’d not do well with that.

Would you want to go on the mission to Mars?

When I was a child & we would go on family vacations I would continually get smacked for asking, "How much longer until we get there?" I'd be EXTREMELY obnoxious on a trip to Mars! Since my parents can't really travel anymore, we have to go visit them in Arizona sometime this year (a three day drive, at least). The mere thought of being penned up in a car that long makes me anxious. So, Mars itself might be interesting, but the trip there would be to much for me! I'm with you, Nammu!

Have you ever seen a UFO? Do you believe beings from another planet have ever visited us?

I’ve never seen a ufo but oh how I wanted to. When I was a kid and couldn’t sleep I’d sneak out the window and go lay on the picnic table and wish my real parents would stop by and take me home to a planet 🌎 that made more sense and one where I’d fit in.

Buddha brings up family trips. They were a mixed bag, what with having to share the back seat and top bunk with my sisters and all! Did you go on family trips when you were a kid?

Before my hideous step-father arrived on the scene it was only my mother and I; she'd drive us around California in her V.W. Bug, and once up to Portland. She loved the coast and the ocean, so we did lots of that. Her attitude about travel was good. It was Let's just go and we'll find somewhere to stay. And we always did. Campgrounds, often, or motels.



Do you enjoy amusement parks?

No, not really. Maybe slightly when I was a kid. I suppose what I like about places like beach boardwalks is more foods like funnel cake, seafood dishes, or a particular soft serve ice cream that is vanilla-orange swirl. I also like the beaches there. But no, I'm not into Great Adventure or Disney World anymore.

Are you a good swimmer? Will you be swimming somewhere in the summer?

I'm pretty good at freestyle. I used to swim 2km 4-5 times a week 4 years ago. I was kind of fit at that time. Then, I changed to other gym workouts and weight training. I want to swim again though. Unfortunately, summer has ended here. I would've loved to go to my hometown and swim at the beaches there.

If you could have a robot to do some of your chores, what would you choose for it to do?

cook, I think. not sure what a robot's cooking would taste like, but I'd take it over mine.. I'd take anything over mine
and shower too, so I don't have to move and hurt myself

is their a coping method that people are always on about being really good for them, but it has done nothing for you at all?

Coloring. I can't stand it. It's so boring just coloring in something someone else made, but one little twitch will mess it all up. I like drawing though, feels like I have more freedom.

If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life, what would they be?

I'd get fatter than I already am, but I'd live on pizza, shrimp lo mein, and hippie hash platters (a specialty at a local diner that consists of hash browns, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, bacon pieces, two eggs up, all topped with feta cheese, complete with two pieces of sour dough toast).

Last night I went to my first baseball game of the year. The grass was green, it was perfect weather, a great game, & the sky was beautiful as the sun set...The very definition of serenity. I know many of you haven't experienced much of it lately, but describe the most serene moment you've experienced within the past two weeks.

Honestly, the bath I just got done taking. I had worked hard, physically, all day long and knew I might be sore. I ran a deep warm bath with lavender bath salts. I just laid down in it, with my head on the soft new bath pillow I bought. It felt really good, and being super clean afterwards is also pleasurable. Plus, Hubby went straight to bed and fell asleep. Right now there is no TV (or talk of Trump and his cronies). All I hear are birds chirping, soon before their bedtime. It's almost 9 pm.

Earlier, we planted oodles of flowers and more herbs in the herb garden. I swear that as we finished, more birds and bees than usual showed up. I know for a fact that the birds and bees super appreciate flowers. Plus, the worked soil brought forth lots of earthworms. These facts made the birds less afraid to come closer to us than usual. Birds and bees are our friends!

What is something you can look forward to this weekend?

Just staying home and not having to go anywhere is what I look forward to. It’s going to be very hot and muggy so staying home in the AC will be nice. Sunday I plan to be in my PJs all day long. We’ve a few library boooks to read and Saturday night is a long PBS tv night.

Speaking of long hot days what do you like to do to pass the time on such days? Do you embrace the heat and play in it or tuck yourself inside someplace?

I am stuck inside when it's hot because my meds make me sick if I get too hot. I would like to be able to be out more.

Is your hair straight, wavy, curly or non-existent? What color is it (was it if you are lacking hair)?

My hair used to be auburn and waves but now it’s a dull unfortunate salt and paper that waves. I keep hoping it will go all white or silver but it is sure taking its time staying at this unfortunate state.

Speaking of hair do you dye yours, or did you ever dye it? Home kits or professional ?

I do dye my hair with home kits.

Have you ever moved across the country (if in the US) or otherwise had a big move?

I moved 10 hours away from home for grad school.

What are you listening to?

Birds chirping/singing outside my bedroom windows and the occasional car or bus going by.

Do you try to practice mindfulness on occasions? Meaning to shut out other thoughts and just quietly observe using different senses (visual, auditory, touch, smell)? What things are most satisfying?

Well to be honest, I have the TV going most of the time, and at the same time I’m usually reading or on my iPad....so that’s not being very mindful. I do much better when I’m outside, nature help a lot to stay in the moment. Even if I have my ever present book with me I notice nature. I have a lot of awe moments when I’m outside. A tree can really ground me. That was always the worse part of being hospitalized, no access to outside. But when I’m with people I really listen. My whole self is actively listening. I guess that’s why I like being alone so much, it’s hard work being around people.

Hmmm 🤔 a question 🙋*♀️ 🤔 What was your favorite part of the pandemic?

Getting my 2nd COVID shot! (OK, I also enjoyed doing my Bible study via Zoom I also liked my "how long can my hair get?" challenge until it got so knotted I had to cut a chunk off.)

Are you still choosing (or will to choose to continue) to wear a mask in public after the order is lifted?

I am going to continue to wear a mask because I haven't had a cold or asthma symptoms since I started wearing one

Question: Have you ever gone on a last-minute trip or otherwise impulsively traveled?

Sure. I guess the first major time was when I was living and working in the town of my alma mater, between college years. The situation there didn't work out so one day I saw a flyer about teaching conversational English in Poland. I had never been to Europe at that point and never otherwise even thought to go to Poland. I called my mother and mentioned the opportunity. My mother said to go for it, so I did, leaving about two weeks later. I spent the rest of the summer in Poland.

I guess the second time I lived in Taiwan it was a bit of a last minute decision. Then towards the end of my time there, that time, I up and quit my job in Taiwan and started traveling in Hong Kong and Thailand. That was another notable example. Later down the line, after being married, Hubby and I would occasionally head out somewhere last minute.

Are you afraid to travel by yourself? [Beyond just going to the store, or the like.]

Not at all. I've traveled to many parts of the world alone and entirely enjoyed it. Strangely, errands (such as going to the store) cause me more anxiety than true traveling does. Go figure.

Do you experience agoraphobia?

To some extent, more so now when I'm in public after so long in isolation. Being around people feels weird and overwhelming (and I'm not going out that often).

Did you watch the Friends reunion?

During my depressive episodes, I experience something akin to agoraphobia; I've never been diagnosed as such, though. I just have a terrible time feeling comfortable leaving the house. I sometimes avoid leaving the house for a week, or more.

My niece's high school graduation was this weekend. If you were 18 & a new grad, what would your future plans be if you didn't have to worry about mental illness derailing your efforts?

Whoops! We overlapped!

I might have seen a few episodes of the show when it first came out, but I didn't care for it, so I didn't watch the reunion. I think I must have bad taste in TV, because I hated Seinfeld, too.

My niece's high school graduation was this weekend. If you were 18 & a new grad, what would your future plans be if you didn't have to worry about mental illness derailing your efforts?

Eighteen? That's just high school. My plan was and would still be going to college. If you're referring to the summer in between high school and freshmen year of college, I might just try to have fun and enjoy that interim. Actually, I forget what I did that summer. I had just returned from a trip to China PRC at that time (slightly hypomanic). The summer flew by, quickly. I think I was also at least hypomanic during my first semester at college. I think I was better, mental health-wise, during the second, if I recall correctly.

If you attended college (undergrad, grad, other) which semester gave you the most trouble, and why?