342. What is the closest you have ever come to fearing for your life?
Riding on the back of my dad's motorcycle in Canada. He drives like a maniac, and the twisty Canadian gravel roads don't agree with his driving style. I was planning my exit off the back in case something terrible were to happen.
343. How do you deal with isolation and loneliness?
I wrap myself up in whatever I'm doing. I never have a lack of obligations or responsibilities, with my tendency to over-commit myself to everything. I typically either work more or focus on homework like I should. Sometimes I cry about it and take a bubble bath. I very rarely get lonely.
344. What do you know well enough to teach to others?
Plenty of things. I made my living teaching others for a year! ACT/SAT/PSAT test prep, math through college level, biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, English. Non-academic: virtually everything there is to know about wine, particularly Old-World regions and varietals; beer; spirits (particularly scotch whiskey); knitting; cooking.
345. What’s a quick decision you once made that changed your life?
The decision I made to go to Europe was a pretty impulsive one that definitely shaped that summer, for sure. A quick decision that changed my entire life, though? Probably buying my plane ticket to Jacksonville six and a half years ago. It was a total impulse thing.
346. What have you lost interest in recently?
Last weekend was a pretty traumatic experience for me, and I've been having a difficult time coping. I wouldn't say I've necessarily lost interest, but I've lost motivation to do a lot of things - schoolwork, showering, housekeeping.
347. What makes life easier?
Lots of things. Money. A great support network. An education. Limited bills. And the love of a wonderful partner.
348. What was the last thing you furiously argued about with someone?
I don't "furiously argue" about much of anything, but I was very upset about how work handled a situation and when Kyle said he could see their side, I got slightly irrational.
349. What job would you never do no matter how much it paid?
Janitorial work. I won't clean toilets, period. I dislike cleaning my own enough. I definitely wouldn't clean anyone else's!
350. What is the number one solution to healing the world?
Love. More love = less hate, more tolerance, better support systems, and more heartfelt response to tragedy.
351. What could society do without?
Haters
352. What stresses you out?
Others' expectations. I'm not stressed by responsibility, but I'm definitely stressed by someone else's perception of what I should be doing with that responsibility, or how I succeed in situations.
353. Now that it’s behind you, what did you do last week that was memorable?
Finished another book toward my 101!
354. Where do you spend most of your time while you’re awake?
Usually at school. I have school for more than seven hours a day, four days a week. So I spend a lot of time on campus. When I'm not at school, I'm almost always at work.
355. What makes someone a hero?
I think heroism is incredibly personal, so a hero to me would likely not be a hero to anyone else. However, I would say a hero is someone who attempted a selfless act at great personal risk to themselves. Alternatively, someone who has a lasting positive impact on someone's life.
356. When in your life have you been a victim of stereotyping?
I'm a redhead. I'm also a girl in a science field (engineering, then math). The vast majority of my education, I've surprised people.
357. When was the last time you felt lucky?
Kyle and I scored a free room at a gorgeous B&B in Sedona for Veteran's Day as a thank-you for his service. That was pretty lucky!
358. When did you first realize that life is short?
I've experienced a lot of loss, but I think one of the most poignant was a guy I went to high school with, who was a year behind me. He passed away my first year out of high school and I went back home for the funeral. Totally normal kid, senior in high school, friends with everyone, and didn't make it to his own graduation.
359. What is the most insensitive thing a person can do?
Ignore you when you need them
360. What can someone do to grab your attention?
Say something about expensive wine or yummy food!
361. What do you usually think about on your drive home from work?
How freakishly tired I am, and whether or not I'm staying between the lane lines
362. What’s one downside of the modern day world?
Easy internet access for kids is dumbing down their vocabulary. Just take one quick look at Youtube.
363. What simple fact do you wish more people understood?
Hard work will get you far in life. Quit skating through life and passing off your work to everyone else!
364. If you could do it all over again, would you change anything?
I firmly believe in learning from past life experiences rather than regretting them. But I do wish I would've scheduled my plane ticket for a few days before Grandpa Jer passed away. I would have really loved to see him once more.
365. How would you describe your future in three words?
It looks bright.
