Questions Bipolar Version #9

Of course, but some never came to fruition. But there's still room for some. In my early youth, I wanted to be a professional dancer. It did not happen. I suppose I still want to be a dancer, but a figurative one. I've also always wanted to be a traveler (both literally and figuratively). I've certainly done a lot of that. I now live abroad. In some ways I feel trapped in my new place, but I know the gate could be opened. So could various types of success.

What was your main hobby as a child and/or teen?

Hey @Soupe du jour since you wanted to be a professional dancer can I assume youve had dance training and classes? The reason I ask is Im wondering if you are familiar with troupes like "Alvin Ailey" or others?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour Of course, but some never came to fruition. But there's still room for some. In my early youth, I wanted to be a professional dancer. It did not happen. I suppose I still want to be a dancer, but a figurative one. I've also always wanted to be a traveler (both literally and figuratively). I've certainly done a lot of that. I now live abroad. In some ways I feel trapped in my new place, but I know the gate could be opened. So could various types of success. What was your main hobby as a child and/or teen?

Hi @sarahsweets. Yes, I took formal ballet lessons, and to a lesser degree Modern dance, for about 10 years in my youth. I have definitely heard of Alvin Ailey and his company. It's very well-known among all dancers and dance enthusiasts.

I had quite a few hobby’s as a child. I embroidered a lot, made quite a few samplers. Reading was more of an addictions than on hobby, anything related to Star Trek like model building and story writing, and last but not least was my pony, black boy. As a teen it went to swimming, embroidery and reading.

If you could hire someone to help you, would it be for cooking, cleaning, yard work, or to drive you around?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour Hi @sarahsweets. Yes, I took formal ballet lessons, and to a lesser degree Modern dance, for about 10 years in my youth. I have definitely heard of Alvin Ailey and his company. It's very well-known among all dancers and dance enthusiasts.

I figured as much! I’m really excited, I belong to a group called by nothing and it’s all about recycling and giving items we don’t want anymore. Someone who was a former dancer give me a gigantic Alvin Ailey framed picture. I will have to take a picture and share it.

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A: Yard work. Absolutely hate mowing or raking leaves.

Q: What's your go-to snack?

It varies. Lately it's been popcorn. I've had salt cravings for some months now after years of not. At the start it was potato chips, but I thought a switch to popcorn was better. Some years ago, it was yogurt. That helped me fall asleep.

What is a food you avoid because you know you'll eat too much of it, or some other reason?

Since I've been eating too much in general, I haven't been avoiding any foods (gluttony). If I were to avoid a food because I tend to go overboard, it would be pizza, though. I can actually sit down & eat a whole pie if I'm hungry enough. Lord knows I don't need the carbs!

What items and from which chain (if a chain) constitutes the perfect pizza for you?

The perfect pizza is from a local restaurant and is mushrooms and jalapenos. I'm not vegetarian but I love it

Do you enjoy reading mystery novels?

I do. I started with Ellery Queen, sir author Doyle, Agatha Christie, Poe, the hardy boys Bobsie Twins and Nancy drew. Also comic book’s although they are not strictly mystery.

What’s your favorite holiday movie?

It's between It's a Wonderful Life (with James Stewart) and Charlie Brown's Christmas.

What is something that you recently made yourself do that you'd be neglecting to do?

Laundry. I've had a virus that keeps lingering (negative COVID test although it seemed like COVID was possible) and with the body aches laundry was just hard. I finally forced myself yesterday and woke up with every muscle sore but I'm so glad to have clean sheets and pajamas.

Are you doing Black Friday shopping (you know someone had to ask it )?

Lol 😆 no I’m not going shopping but I am driving mum to her pharmacy tomorrow. Back in October when they were saying everything was going to be scarce I did all my shopping then. But lo and behold there’s no scarcity but instead there’s just increasing prices. So I am glad I’m done.

I noticed today that except for me and the under 5s everyone ate cranberries. Do you like cranberries?

I like cranberries but I'm not a fan of turkey or gravy. So I have kind of weird Thanksgiving. My mom is the same and every year says we aren't doing turkey and then every year she does turkey. Maybe we've had 2 years off. Last year I only remember the details of my dying family member and have no idea what we ate.

Have you been through grief in the holidays?

Unfortunately, yes. My mother (the family root) unexpectedly passed away 15 years ago, in September. Thanksgiving, and all of the holidays that year, were quite miserable. We even decided to have Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant that year. Actually, holidays have never been the same, since. I'll be happy to spend this Christmas in Czech Republic with my sister-in-law and her sons. I think if my siblings and I had had many kids, it might have been easier. My sister had two sons, but only one is still with us, and he's reclusive. My brother and I never had any. The whole "family dinner" idea is almost dead in my family, with our dad in assisted living and my siblings unwilling to host. My sister's house is basically a mild hoarder house (not her doing) and my brother keeps my dad's house a disaster, too, but he's more an obsessive hobbyist. Plus, they're both strange birds. I am, too, but am oddly the most "normal" of us. My house is always clean and tidy, but Hubby never lets me host more than four people. I still grieve.

Who has traditionally cooked the holiday dinners in your family? Has it changed over the years?

Traditionally it was mum. By the time I came along ( surprise baby and by far the youngest) the job was my mum’s the oldest girl in her family. On mum’s side of the family her brothers and sisters with their families would join us. A variety each year as they would alternate years. I do have very vague memories of going to my grandparents but I’m not sure it was for any holiday. Then about 10 years ago ( mum was in her 80’s) my oldest sister started having it at her house, then her oldest son started having it at his house as it’s bigger. But this year my sister made thee turkey and stuffing. And everyone who comes brings different foods.

Soupe lives in Czech now and may move again. If you could live anywhere where would you live?

Arizona in the cooler months and Michigan in warm months

Do you ever wish you could go back to see places where you've lived in the past?

Sure. It was only maybe a year and a half ago that my husband and I drove to the street I lived on from birth to 9 years old. The house looked totally different. They put a second level on it. A while before that we drove passed my old elementary school there. They changed its name for some reason. Not sure why.

I think we went passed by the house I lived in in Berkeley, CA once, during a trip to the Bay Area. I have also passed by my old university dorms, in the past. I doubt I'll ever go back to Taiwan.

What was your favorite grade in school (or university), and why?

I only stayed in school until around grade 5
and, I guess out of those, grades 1 or two

I enjoyed blowing bubbles threw a straw. I still do. I am so grown up.

did you complete school. if not what grade did you get to?

I did 4 years of university but didn’t graduate, I kept changing majors so the credits weren’t enough for any one major. Since I paid for myself I felt free to take what interested me. One of my favorite classes was Science Fiction, another was an honors ancient literature, but they did me no good, except that they were interesting 🧐. Then I stupidly got married instead of taking one more semester to graduate with a double major!

Did you ever take classes purely for entertainment and enjoyment?

A: I took honors abnormal psychology. I found it fascinating. We had a lot of selected readings and case studies. It was just a fun glimpse into a very small facet, albeit interesting, of psychology. If I could do it over again, I would go into the field of cognitive psychology, perhaps.

Q: What is something , good or bad, a teacher/professor/boss has said to you that has always stuck?

There's surely something more significant, but I can't think of it. One professor remarked that I'm "Too wordy" in my papers. I know it. Still often am, but I can edit, when needed.

Name one way that you've improved over the years? Leaving the question general.

tried to show more interest in what's going on around me (and the world in general)

this time last year I didn't even know who the queen was, and could only name 1 US state

now I know about news stories, know who the queen is, and can name all 50 states

I guess having never a proper education, people consider me thick, but I am trying to change that- not just for myself, but also because I live in the world. I need to know the basics.. who the queen is, who the government is, the words to my national anthem, etc etc

do you worry the best days of your life are behind you?

No because I was seriously ill and miserable. I'm much better now and doing great! I'm hoping the best is yet to come though I do admit I miss physically being younger.

If you have one, what is your favorite Christmas movie?

the christmas bunny, which is actually showing on saturday so I'm going to watch it

are your decorations up?