meme

Writing Meme

July 26, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

D’Ann tagged me. I haven’t done one of these in a while.

1. What’s the one book or writing project you haven’t yet written but still hope to?

A novel about a couple who meet in Africa on missions projects and impulsively get married. Meanwhile (back at the ranch), an African woman (who becomes close to the new bride) struggling to survive. Okay, so I confess, I don’t know the actual story, but someday I want to write about these characters. Story to follow…

2. If you had one entire day in which to do nothing but read, what book would you start with?

So hard to pick because how can I communicate who I am based on this one question? I’d start with the latest Harry Potter since that is the book I’m in the middle of right now. Then I’d read Jodi Piccoult’s Nineteen Minutes, because that is the book I interrupted to read HP. Then I’d get back to From Homer to Harry Potter, my nonfiction read, which often gets put down for a fiction. Then I’d pick up (because it’s a really long day, of course), Anna Karenina from my shelves because it’s been gathering dust for too long eyeing me, sometimes winking and fluttering her lashes.

3. What was your first writing "instrument" (besides pen and paper)?

If journals don’t count, then a computer, first a hand-me-down desktop, then my laptop.

4. What’s your best guess as to how many books you read in a month?

Some people keep lists. Not me. I don’t know how many I read. 4? 5? Maybe 6? Depends on the month and the life around the month.

5. What’s your favorite writing "machine" you’ve ever owned?

I guess my laptop right now OR really, my Nancy Drew notepad that goes everywhere with me. It houses some fun observations (and hugs walls as it creeps up steps).

6. Think historical fiction: what’s your favorite time period in which to read? (And if you don’t read historical fiction–shame on you.)

Does Jane Austen count since when she wrote she was contemporary? Or Dickens. Pirates. Okay, so I haven’t read anything pirate-y yet – oh, that’s not true! I read Treasure Island, and we’ll count Robinson Crusoe because I want to though it has nothing to do with pirates. I love pirates and the mafia, so I need to read more pirate-y and mafia-y (the 1920s for the mafia would be the most romantic, methinks).

7. What’s the one book you remember most clearly from your youth (childhood or teens)?

50 Jeanne pts to the first person who guesses this. Seriously, folks, if you can’t guess this, you’ve never actually been to my blog.

I tag all the Misfits: Ang, Chris, Jen, Jenny, Mich, and Mike

Filed Under: books, meme, writing

Eight Random Things about Me

May 10, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

Sandi and Elaina tagged me, so here goes:

This is actually hard to come up with, because I think I’ve weaved in random things about me in previous posts and don’t want to bore you. Let’s see:

1. I worked as a church janitor one summer. Hated the job. Vacuuming rooms in August when the AC has been turned off for the week (in Texas, no less) is no fun. And why do the men’s bathrooms always have sticky floors no matter how many times one mops?
2. I spent a summer in Czech Republic teaching at English camps for half of it and learning about different churches in Prague for the other half (and trying to encourage the missionaries while I was at it).
3. I got married in Mexico with my toes in the sand (the most important part). Everyone was barefoot except for my dad (who married us)—he wore flip-flops that left the message: Bob-Was Here. A Mexican military strolled across the beach mid-ceremony. And someone staying at the resort became a Christian after asking one of the guys at our wedding what some of the things in our ceremony meant.
4. I’m addicted to the ocean.
5. I have a deviated septum so extreme that it prevents me from scuba diving.
6. I can’t ride a bike. I did seldom when I was a kid, was forced to in college in San Francisco after giving it up for Lent 10 yrs earlier (my thighs hated me for a week after all the hills), and then again on our honeymoon (where my new husband laughed at my stress at an oncoming truck on a very narrow road. I ran into trees, and he took pictures).
7. If anyone I know goes to Philly, I force them to bring me a hoagie (I’m from Jersey across the Hudson from Philly and grew up on the yummy delicacies).
8. I happen to be married to the sexiest man in the world, so I feel sorry for all the other women who can’t be me.

Oh, and the rules, of course:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I’m not tagging anyone, mainly because I’m too lazy to see who’s already been tagged, but I’d love to see some fun answers!

Filed Under: meme

It's All the Rage

February 12, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

Michelle tagged me. I guess I outta.

A – Available or Married? Married
B – Best Moment? My wedding
C – Cake or Pie? Cake (chocolate with chocolate icing or Italian wedding)
D – Drink of choice? Wine or Amaretto
E – Essential Item? A book – always with me like a security blanket, that and my Nancy Drew notepad
F – Favourite Colour? Red
G – Gummi Bears or Worms? Bears
H – Hometown? Marlton, NJ
I – Indulgence? Hee-hee
J – January or February? February (January is too depressing after the holidays)
K – Kids & names? Our fish are named Henry, George, and Jeremiah (sorry about all the males – Violet died)
L – Life is incomplete without? Chris (my hubby)
M – Marriage Date? May 30, 2005 (still the newlyweds – aww…)
N – Number of Siblings? 1
O – Oranges or apples? Apples, but only if they are green or honeycrisp
P – Phobias/Fears…I think you all know this one
Q – Favorite Quotation? Two from Rent: “the opposite of war isn’t peace; it’s creation” (that one is my signature) and “to being an us for once instead of them” and about 1000 Kierkegaards
R – Reason to Smile? Too many to list, my eternal hope, my husband, my life…
S – Season? Spring
T – Tag three people! I’ve tagged enough people in my list. I may get on some sort of blog blacklist
U – Unknown fact about me: This one is hard because I’m so open about everything. I’ll have to come back to it. Okay. I’m back to this one and still struggling. How about this? I still feel guilty for getting mad at my sister when I was, oh, I don’t know, maybe ten or eleven, and I thought she cheated at Go Fish.
V – Vegetable you hate? Brussel sprouts. I had a bad experience (my mom made me try them at a young age). Actually, I would probably like them if I tried again because I love veggies.
W – Worst habit? Throwing my music when I get frustrated
Hey, where did X go?
Y – Your favorite food? Oh, I love food. How can I narrow this? Let’s just say pasta. Oh, and chocolate.
Z – Zodiac? No, thank you. I already have one.

Filed Under: meme

Six Weird Things about Me

January 12, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

Jennifer tagged me. It’s been a while since I’ve done a meme, I think, and this one seemed especially apropos for me. Six weird things about me. Huh. Where to begin…
I name everything. Our fish have names. My car has a name (Annie). Our Christmas tree had a name. I didn’t think this weird, but Chris tells me it is. You know, my piano doesn’t have a name. I’ll have to remedy that…
Everything reminds me of a song. Even now, what I’m typing reminds me of a song. Several, actually. Which means that I have a constant soundtrack running in my head.
I break out into song and dance. Even when I worked in an office, I was known for random pirouettes and big Broadway finishes. During specific songs, all heads turned toward me because they could count on me picking up my imaginary microphone and bellowing. Secretly (or not so secretly), I’ve always wanted to be a Broadway star. In my head, maybe I am.
I have a special spot in my heart for all things pirates, gypsy, and mafia. Love em. (This was before Pirates of the Caribbean, by the way, but I do absolutely love that film and gave quite a bit of grace to the sequel just because I love pirates.) The Godfather is one of the best movies ever. I used to dream of marrying into mafia. I have bought shirts because they remind me of gypsies.
I’m not so good about following cooking instructions. I’m the queen of substitutes. Oops, forgot to pick that up at the grocery store. Hmmm, this will do nicely. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
Letters and numbers have genders in my mind, and personalities, come to think of it. For example, A is a girl, sweet and shy while D is a very overbearing girl. E is a shy guy (probably because he’s next to D). Ask me any letter or number, and I’ll tell you all about them. I told a friend this fact once. She suggested I never share this. Oh, well. Now you know.
I’m tagging Michelle, Erin, and Willowtree, and anyone else who wants to participate.

Filed Under: meme

Christmas and More Christmas

December 16, 2006 By heather Leave a Comment

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
One in each fist. After all, I’ve perfected my hot chocolate recipe, but you can’t go the holidays without some good egg nog.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
He wraps them – different wrapping paper for each family member. It saves him writing tags and us looking at tags. We can just tear in, and boy, do we ever tear in. Our goal: carpet the living room with wrapping paper. We have to rip faster than my dad can clean it up. Mainly, we’re just trying to drive him crazy.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
We did just blue lights this year, and I’m pretty keen on that look.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Don’t need it.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Weekend after Thanksgiving if possible. We watch White Christmas on Thanksgiving night to initiate the season.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Do I have to pick just one? I love food! The stuffing and mashed potatoes – oh, the mashed potatoes. As the joke goes, our family eats enough mashed potatoes to set off the next Irish potato famine. And the cranberry sauce, and the pink stuff…
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Waiting at the top of the steps with our chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast and favorite stuffed animal until Mom and Dad got everything together and music turned on and lights lit (and presents under the tree, which, of course, we didn’t know at the time, cuz, after all, Santa left them there last night). Then there was the one present that Santa almost forgot one year. He left it by the garage door. My skateboard.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
It was in the summer at the lake for vacation. A sort of free for all – Santa, Easter Bunny, Toothfairy. Not sure how I figured it out. I was sad, but it wasn’t traumitzing. I think I got over it in a matter of minutes, somewhere between bites of the juicy peach.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yup – ornament and Christmas pajamas. This year, we’re celebrating with Chris’ family, and my family is joining. We’ll still do the ornament and pajamas from my side and something from his mom on his side.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Lots of lights – blue lights, as I mentioned above. Lots of ornaments. Not really a specific theme, although the little tree in our bedroom is red and gold with white lights.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it – but I live in Texas now. Not too much of it. We had maybe half an inch a few weeks ago, before it went back up into the 80s.
12. Can you ice skate?
As long as I’m holding on to the rail.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The painting chris did for me – two paintings that fit together. One represents me; one represents him.
14. What’s your favorite thing(s) about the holidays?
All of it. Christmas music (the station that plays all Christmas music until Christmas); the cookies; the parties; the family; the traditions; the houses all decorated; mom in her kerchief; visions of sugar plums…
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Butter cookies made with the cookie press into fun Christmas shapes with red and green sugar splashed on top.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Christmas Eve candlelight service, followed by dashing through the lit streets to take in all the holiday lights. Then we go back and read Luke 2 and Twas a Night Before Christmas.
17. Did you ever see an angel?
Sorry, but no. I’ve heard they’re pretty scary warriors with the glory of the Lord accompanying them sometimes, which always inspires fear. Either that, or they come to tell you your pregnant. So I’m okay with not seeing them for now.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
the giving part more and more (although I still like the receiving, so you can send gifts to…)
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Silent Night. Since I was a Christmas baby (remember the whole December birthday month thing – still accepting gifts), my mom sang it to me as a lullaby. Christmas ended; she still sang it. I must have been about 10 when I discovered that it’s actually a Christmas carol. I still get sleepy when I hear it.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
I give ‘em to my hubby, who adores them.
21. Favorite Christmas movie?
White Christmas far and above. Followed by Rudolph for obvious reasons.
22. What do you have on your list this year?
Books. Big surprise there.

And one random Christmas question I have: Jesus was born as a human, died as a human, resurrected as a human (see the part of him eating food with his disciples), and ascended as a human, and will return as a human. He chose to become human for all eternity, although he is still fully God. However, as a human, does he still need to eat?

Filed Under: Christmas, holidays, meme

Another Meme

August 23, 2006 By heather Leave a Comment

I was tagged by Jennifer over at Snapshot, so here goes.
Five things in my freezer:
Vanilla bean ice cream
Mint chocolate chip ice cream (it’s important to keep a variety)
Frozen strawberries
Spinach pops (my uncle’s standard answer to, “What’s for dessert?” Okay, so maybe I don’t have spinach pops, but I do have frozen spinach)
Ice trays

Five things in my closet:
My last husband’s body in a bag (man, did he get on my nerves…just kidding)
hangers
clothes that should have been given to Good Will four years ago
thread and needle kit (gathering dust)
My fancy wrap from Spain

Five things in my car:
used tissues
unused tissues
dirt (who actually has time to clean their car?)
steering wheel
receipts

Five things in my purse:
my Nancy Drew notepad (you never know when you might stumble on a mystery)
pen
beeswax
ipod
flask (useful when waiting in lines or at the railroad crossing while the longest train in history passes by at the high speed of .03 mph…kidding, kidding, don’t pull me over, officer)

Filed Under: meme

Out of Breath

August 15, 2006 By heather Leave a Comment

Tagged again (by Michelle Pendergrass). Apparently I have no idea where base is. But this one is simple.
The novel you want to write: A twenty-something dealing with the dearth of dreams, stuck in a mind-numbing job that has nothing to do with her college degree. Speaking of college, there are all those bills. Her best friend, who recently discovered she has AIDS. They set out on a road trip across the U.S., falling in love with the country, rediscovering dreams and their true meaning, and learning how to live in an evil but beautiful world.
Oh, wait. That is the novel I’m writing.
(Side note: this is not my official "pitch." In fact, I’m scrounging. I would love your suggestions. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge.)
I’m tempted to not tag, since I tagged yesterday, but what the heck. I’ll tag two who were not tagged yesterday: Josh and Tran.
By the way, I have been asked to post my philosophy of aesthetics. Being a musician and a writer, I’m looking forward to this. It’s just taking me a while to get my thoughts together in one succinct blurb. I’m going to try to have it up tomorrow.

Filed Under: meme

I'm Melting!

August 14, 2006 By heather Leave a Comment

I’ve been tagged by Dineen Miller. Here goes:
1. A friend who has blessed me: I’m listing three: Armida, a best friend that sort of snuck up on me. She has moved far, far away, and I’m not quite sure what to do without her. Christina and Tran, friends that share my love of the arts, spoil me with paintings and chocolate chip banana bread and massages and laughter.
2. An unexpected gift: My husband, Chris. I was headed for the mission field when God put him in my life. We each almost ended it every time we saw each other (unbeknownst to the other) because of the missions thing but never could. So we got married instead, and God is using my passion and training and our shared heart for missions in a different way than I imagined. My husband pushes me and stretches me and spoils me. (I’m seeing a trend here. Apparently I like to be spoiled.)
3. A kind word shared with me recently: An editor of a local paper said she wanted to see more of my work. That’s all it took to make my day.
4. Something that makes me stop and praise God: I know this is veering on the TMI track, but I’m going to be completely honest here (the weak of heart should skip this and move on): sex. I love it.
5. Something I’m looking forward to: California trip in a couple of weeks. It’s for a wedding (boo) but we are going to stay a couple of extra days to spend time with Chris’ family and sightsee.
6. A particular part of me I’m pleased with: The color of my eyes and my curly hair. Crazily enough, I’m keeping the exact answer of my predecessor. I would like to add that I’m pleased with the loud-mouth part of me that scares others off. I should be ashamed of it, I know, but it makes me laugh.
7. Something in my life that I wanted but never expected: Writing a book. Again, this is the answer of the Obi Wan before me, but I leave it as is. This is exactly what I would answer. That and the baby grand my parents gave us for a wedding gift last year.
8. A place that moved/moves me: The ocean. Anywhere on the ocean. It impresses me with the magnitude of God’s love and sovereignty, his danger, yet his fun. It is overwhelming and constantly moving.
9. One thing/person that always makes me smile: My husband. That man is just down-right funny. Also this morning’s reading in Judges: love that it mentions how fat Eglon was. And the fact that he was on the pot. Ha!
10. Most recent "love note" from God: It’s a good thing to use our talents for God, even if these talents are only a slow drip in the ocean compared to the torrents of Dostoevsky and Twain and Austen. It’s a good thing to enjoy the good gifts He’s given us.
I’m tagging: Robin (the faithful queen of comments), Willowtree (who might be a bit bitter at having to be left out of carnivals because of the whole testosterone thing), and Erin (whose creativity on the road – literally – amazes me)

Filed Under: meme