Without further ado, the Q&A completed.
Which living person do you most admire, and why? This is such a tough question. Even after giving it a lot of thought, I haven’t been able to pin it down to one person. I think the people I admire the most are those who give up everything to go to places near and far to work amongst the poor and needy, to give them a better opportunity and life than they would otherwise have had. Anyone who makes this kind of difference in someone else’s life is worthy of my admiration.
When were you happiest? I think I’ve always tried to be a happy person. And there have been so many happy times in my life. And now, it’s really important for me to always encourage my children to be happy. I truly believe you can always choose to be happy despite the circumstances you are in, especially if you believe that God works together for the good of those who love Him.
.What was your most embarrassing moment?
The only one that immediately springs to mind is a time walking home from school as a teenager when a gust of wind blew my pleated school uniform skirt up high enough for the car load of boys from school driving past to get a full load of my knickers. Wished a hole would open up right there and then to swallow me up, but sadly none was forthcoming!
Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought? Probably the centrally heated heat pump system we put in our house two winters ago – it was freaking expensive but we have not regretted it for a moment. Being able to heat the whole house quickly in our crazy changeable Wellington weather is a godsend!
What is your most treasured possession?
Like Sarah, I could joke and say my iPhone which I’m embarrassed to admit I would be more than a little lost without these days. But in reality, it’s the special memories we make as a family that I treasure the most. Every moment of beauty that unfolds, and especially the moments of beauty we stumble upon completely unexpectedly, these are my real treasures.
Where would you like to live? Somewhere a lot warmer and less windy than Wellington! But let’s face it, we don’t live here for the weather! There’s much to love about this city and I would miss so much if we ever moved.
What’s your favorite smell? Apart from diesel fumes (ha ha - did you read that post?!), probably the smell of a jasmine or daphne flower, or the scent of a freshly bathed babe.
Who would play you in the film of your life? Jennifer Garner. I have always been a massive fan since her days as a kick butt heroine in the Alias TV series, and action movies like Daredevil and Elektra.
What is your favorite book? Always and forever, this will be Cry the Beloved Country. How can you not fall in love with a book that starts with: There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass covered and lovely beyond any singing of it. And ends with: Yes it is the dawn that has come. Ndotsheni is still in darkness, but the light will come there also. For it is the dawn that has come, as it has come for a thousand centuries, never failing. But when that dawn will come, of our emancipation from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret.
What is your most unappealing habit? Constant, and I mean constant hair twirling (or twiddling as my family calls it). I do it when I’m concentrating, contemplating, nervous, tired, basically I do it ALL day long. It is such a comforting feeling for me, but I think it probably drives everyone around me bananas!
What would be your fancy dress costume of choice? I’ve never really been a dress-up kinda gal. But I’ve felt way more free to have fun with this since having kids, and my most recent outing was dressed up as a pirate with Noah.
What is your earliest memory? Watching fireworks (apparently I used to call them rock-icks) out my bedroom window in Mairangi Bay, Auckland at about age 3.
What is your guiltiest pleasure? Anything that starts or ends in in the word chocolate.
What do you owe your parents? Introducing me to Jesus at an early age, and always encouraging me to be the best I could be. My parents are both really hardworking and I think I get my work ethic from them.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? Can I change the question and say that God is the greatest love IN my life.
What does love feel like? A feeling of love can spring from a thousand things….but it always feels exactly the same. That beautiful, warm, fullness that completely overtakes you and makes you feel like you're a warm piece of hubby’s chocolate brownie when it’s been heated - all gooey in the middle.
What was the best kiss of your life? The kiss hubby and I shared at Auckland Airport after seven months apart on opposite sides of the world when we first started dating.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Lately I've started saying ‘Sheesh!’ and I have no idea why or where it came from!
‘Good work’ - use that a lot with the kids!
What is the worst job you’ve done? That’s a hard toss-up between picking raspberries in the oppressive heat of the midday sun, dusting and wrapping up 100-year old council rates books in brown paper for weeks on end, flipping burgers at Burger King, or emptying the rubbish bins every day at my university hostel. Oh yes I’ve had some goodies!
If you could edit your past, what would you change? I’d have thought a bit more about what studies I did when I went to university at age 17, so that I didn't have to go through it all again and do a whole other degree later!
What is the closest you’ve come to death? Losing my cousin in a tragic fun park accident when we were both fourteen. We’d been penpals and I’d seen her only a couple of weeks before. It was such a terrible shock for our families.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being able to complete an Accounting degree and then Chartered Accountant studies whilst working full-time over six years and starting a family. Something I couldn’t have done without the total support and encouragement of my wonderful hubby.
When did you last cry, and why? Watching the Royal Wedding last night – I am a hopeless romantic who loves a good love story and I also love the Royal family so when you put the two together it’s a sure recipe for many happy tears.
How do you relax? Writing blog posts like this one, creating art with photos whether it be a photo book, photo boards, or collages for the blog. This is usually only complete when accompanied by a glass of my favourite bubbly, and some naughty sweet treat!
What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Spending more time with my family.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Life is truly a precious gift.
And there you have it! I won't re-tag anyone who's already been tagged, but if you wanna play along I'd love to learn some more about y'all out there too!
Yes, that means you!