Category: Friday Questions

Friday Question #108

By , April 9, 2010 5:21 am

Growing up, did your family take a lot of photos? Do you take a lot of photos now? What do you photograph?

I ask about family first, because I think the reason I am so in to taking photos now is because my mom and grandma always were. ALTHOUGH, IT IS NOT OKAY TO TAKE PICTURES OF PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE EATING (I am talking to you, mom + grandma).

I loved going to my grandma’s house when I was a kid and looking through all of her photo albums. And even though she has a digital camera now, she doesn’t have a computer (I know, I know) so she prints out a ton of photos and I still love to look through them!

I think that taking those random photos at family/friend gatherings is such a great way to remember things, and spark conversation too.

Of course, now, I am like my mother and grandmother. I take photos of everything. People, animals, food, buildings, cars, peoples’ cars that are parked poorly, crazy stuff I think people won’t believe I saw unless I show them a picture… but NOT PEOPLE EATING!!! I like to back up all of my photos on to our external hard drive, and even put copies in our safe, because they mean so much to me.

When I wrote this, I didn’t have any photos in mind to share, but that seems kind of silly, so here are a few of my favorite photos from when I lived in Rome (click “continue reading”).

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Friday Question #107

By , April 2, 2010 5:54 am

How much television do you watch a day (on average)? Do you think it is bad for you if you watch too much?

Quite awhile ago, I read about this study that said that happier people watch less television than unhappy people. Based on evaluating 34 years of data related self-rated happiness and media use, on average, the “happier” people watched an hour less of television a day than the “unhappy” people, and spent more time socializing and reading the newspaper (okay, and were “active in religion”). The “happier” people also spent about 15% more time a year with relatives than the “unhappy” group.

I always wonder about these “television” studies. Do they include watching movies? What about time wasted in front of a computer? Because I don’t really spend any time any day watching television (on purpose, Steven usually has it on). I don’t have any shows I like to watch, except for catching Top Gear on On Demand. But I watch* a TON of movies and sometimes spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME on the computer. So, what is the difference? I think it is awful to spend too much time do any one thing that involves sitting on your ass and staring at something.**

Oh, and speaking of television shows, I thought I would share this article (SPOILER ALERT) about the final results of Jamie Oliver’s cafeteria makeover since everyone and their mom is talking about that show.

*Watch = fall asleep during
**The exception is sitting on your ass staring at the ocean

Friday Question #106

By , March 26, 2010 11:12 am

Do you have a green thumb? Do you grow plants/herbs/vegetables inside your home or in a garden? Or do you tend to kill them/have no interest?

In our home, Steven is the one with the green thumb. We have 9 plants in our living area – four corn plants (one which is Erin’s!), two peace lilies, one palm, one “White Bird of Paradise,” and one I cannot identify (ha ha). Three of the plants are from funerals of family members, so they have special meaning. (I apologize for the crappy iPhone pics – I accidentally froze our camera in the car.)

We think this is a peace lily

Erin’s corn plant, mystery plant, and the other peace lily

Two corn plants and the palm

“White Bird of Paradise” (???)

The huge corn plant

Some people think it is strange that we have so many plants, but I like it!

And I would LOVE to grow some veggies and herbs! Unfortunately, I cannot garden in our yard (we don’t “own” our yard) and Data would probably eat anything we grow inside… but we might try something on the porch later this year!

Friday Question #105

By , March 19, 2010 5:33 am

Are you interesting in your ancestry? Have you done any research on it? What tools do you use?

All I know about my ancestry is what I’ve learned from talking to my parents and grandparents. I have not done any digging on my own. And to be honest, I don’t know much, but I would like to!

A few years ago, a distant relative found my blog and sent me some family information. I thought it was pretty cool that we connected this way. Of course… we have since lost touch!

I thought I would ask this question because I have known a few people to really get into this. I wondered if anyone else was!

Friday Question #104

By , March 12, 2010 7:50 am

Out of all the concerts/plays/comedy shows/etc. that you have seen, which has been your favorite and why?

I know, it is really hard to decide on just one! We’ve seen Robin Williams’ and Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy routines, we’ve gone to Wicked and I swear I have seen The Phantom of the Opera and A Christmas Carol at least twice each. We’ve also been to a few cool orchestra concerts, and I have been to see a few bands.

Overall, I suppose my favorite was seeing Van Halen with my parents (and roommate’s boyfriend) when I was in college. There was just so much energy in the show! I left the concert feeling super pumped (and went back to my studio to work on some stupid project after my parents left).

Friday Question #103

By , March 5, 2010 4:37 am

What is one thing you should get rid of, but probably never will?

You know, I have had this question stored as a draft for a long time. I wanted to ask it, but didn’t have my own answer! I love to throw away/give away/donate things, so it took me awhile to come up with something. But I figured it out when I was reading Marcia’s post questioning whether or not she should get rid of her running clothes.

One thing I should get rid of, but probably never will, is my running bibs!

Kim's wall of racing bibs

After a race, I tape the bib (and sometimes medal!) up on a wall in my closet. Then I print out a picture to put next to the bib. When I get dressed in the morning, I feel inspired looking at them!

But, what is going to happen when I fill up the wall? Move on to the ceiling?!

Friday Question #102

By , February 26, 2010 5:17 am

Do you have blogger friends who have turned into “in-real life” friends? If yes, do you consider these friendships any different than those that developed more conventionally? What do you tell people when they ask how you developed the friendship? If no, what are you waiting for have you ever thought about what it would be like to meet a fellow blogger in real life?

As I mentioned on Monday, most of our Chicago friends are bloggers!  So, yes – they have turned into “in real life” friends!

And I don’t consider them any different than friends we have met more conventionally. In fact, I dare say that bloggers are easier to keep in touch with – they’re more likely to respond to email, and of course, you communicate through your blogs.

I’m not saying it’s a replacement for meeting friends more conventionally (maybe this is a conventional method, who knows), but that for me, it turns into a more sustainable friendship. The question is, does the friendship remain when one person quits blogging? Hmm…

I’ve told everyone about my blog, except coworkers, so I am pretty open about sharing how I’ve met people (except with coworkers). You can really tell when people “don’t get it” though! It’s the same people who ask “why would you want to write a blog?” and look at you with blank stares.

Friday Question #101

By , February 19, 2010 4:54 am

Are you an asker? When you want something (a raise, a refund, better service, directions, forgiveness, a date, someone to treat you differently, etc.) do you ask for it immediately or do you hesitate?

There was a story in the March issue of Women’s Health about an author who was going to a party to celebrate the publication of her first book. On the way to the party, she ran into a famous columnist – Maureen Dowd – in the airport. She got up the nerve to ask Dowd to attend her party and Dowd accepted and attended, and the two developed a relationship. The author wrote:

I shudder to think of what an awesome connection I would have missed making had I not worked up the nerve to approach Maureen. But all too often, fear gets in the way of bravery. Think about it: When was the last time you asked for something with big risks and potentially big consequences? The kind of ask that can make your heart pound and your palms sweat, such as asking for a promotion, asking for forgiveness, or—scariest of all—asking a guy out on a date?

I love that! Don’t let fear get in the way of bravery! And I have to include the last two paragraphs of the article:

As with most things in life, the more you do something, the easier it becomes. So start small and build up to the Big Ask. When my family and I go to a restaurant and don’t like our table, I’m the one who asks to move. I ask for directions and for advice from strangers. I even ask to use the discount-club card of the person standing next to me in the line at the grocery store if I’ve forgotten mine.

Here are a few things I’ve learned about asking: The minute you’re afraid to ask for something is when you should do it. It’s nice to offer something in return, even if it’s just a compliment or a kind gesture. It also helps to take a few deep breaths and imagine the worst possible outcome. Usually, it’s simply getting a no, which is not exactly life threatening. Whether the result is life changing (like it was with Maureen Dowd) or disappointing, asking is always a significant accomplishment. Because if you ask me, it’s the questions in life—not the answers—that really count.

I AM an asker. When I want something, I do ask for it. Sure, I get the nerves and the pounding-heart, but I know it would bother me more in the end, NOT to have asked*, then to hear “no” or not reach a solution by asking.

I mentioned on Monday, I have asked for items to give away here. Many have said no or not gotten back to me. But I kept at it, and received that awesome necklace to give away.

At my last job, I found myself frequently talking to my bosses about company policy and how their decisions affected me. I know that seems bold, or maybe out of place, but to me, it felt better to get things off my chest. Now, I commonly find myself being the “voice for the group,” when other people don’t want to speak up.

I either lack a filter I should have, or am simply not shy. But I cannot remember a time when asking has caused me any harm!

*A few months ago Erin and I had lunch out, and the waiter threw away my leftovers instead of boxing them up like I asked. I didn’t want to… get nasty (let’s say) in front of Erin, so I didn’t ask for a refund. I wish I would have. That was effin’ bs and I am still pissed about it.

Friday Question #100

By , February 12, 2010 5:35 am

What traits do you admire most in other people? Whose personality do you find extraordinary?

Confession – I stole the idea for this Friday question directly from this article – “6 Personality Traits to Admire and Acquire.” The author talks about how she’s always writing articles about negative personalities, so why not cover some of the positive ones? You know, those people you just feel wonderful around, and bring out the best in you.

The six personality traits listed in the article are:

  1. Selflessness
  2. Tolerance
  3. Genuineness
  4. Sensitivity
  5. Integrity
  6. Humility

What a great list. Most of those traits focus on considering others – which I think so many people don’t do. Just think of how different people would act if they first considered how their actions affect others!

Anyway, I would add to the list:

  1. kindness
  2. generous
  3. open-minded (similar to tolerance)
  4. hard-working
  5. enthusiastic
  6. fun-loving

Our neighbors are like this. They’re incredibly generous and loving to everyone. We feel lucky to know people like them! Too bad they are moving to New Mexico. I’m really sad for us, but very happy for them at the same time.

Friday Question #99

By , February 5, 2010 4:56 am

What is your opinion on therapy? Have you ever been to a therapist? If yes, did you find it helpful? If no, have you ever thought about going?

This question is inspired by Stef’s Wednesday post. Check out her post for the full context, but this part stuck with me:

It saddens me to know that many people still consider it to be cowardly to seek treatment for mental health problems. Like some of the other commenters said, mental health should be no different than physical health. If I had cancer, would people tell me to just use my willpower to fight off the disease? Would it be shameful or “cowardly” to get chemotherapy? Doubtful.

I instantly thought about one of Jillian Michaels’ podcasts – she was talking about how we have coaches for sports, and mentors at work, but there is still a stigma behind therapy, when really, it’s just a “life coach.” She said we should ALL have life coaches. I really love that comparison.

And that is how I think about therapy now – as coaching, or guidance. It’s someone you talk to, who is able to look at your situation from a different perspective. Sometimes you need this outside perspective, sometimes you can see it on your own. But either way, there is nothing wrong with seeking help. We all get in bad places from time to time, and are not always able to pull ourselves out on our own.

I have had 50/50 luck with my three therapy experiences. I had an awful therapist my sophomore year of college. I was dealing with the stress of just getting into the grueling architecture program, and she didn’t really listen to me, or give me any useful feedback. I quit seeing her.

During my junior year of college, I was still dealing with anxiety, and really connected with my second therapist (I believe making that connection with the therapist is so important – if you don’t feel it, it’s not going to work), and was making a lot of progress… but then we had a meeting with my parents and she told them something I specifically asked her NOT to. So, I didn’t trust her anymore (you can read more about that time in my life here – I discuss an anxiety drug she put me on).

My last therapy experience (last summer/fall) went really well, and I felt like she helped me see things in my life from a different perspective, and help me balance out my moods a bit more and NOT strive for perfection (I’m just a little bit Type A!*).

So, I do find therapy helpful, but it is kind of about what YOU bring to it. And since I tend to get there and just SPILL it all out, I think that has helped me.

Do you want to hear my thoughts on my last therapy experience? Click “continue reading” to read more…

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