1. What’s something that has recently ‘tried your patience’?

This is super minor but yesterday, a girl sat on the bench outside my office and listened to some crap TV show without headphones. I repeat, without headphones. I sat here, boiling quietly, until my friend came in and saw my barely contained rage. She kindly went out and told the girl she was being disruptive to an office area where people were working. And what do you know; she turned it down. But I was actually content just being angry about it.

2. Do you think patience comes to us naturally or is it something you have to learn as you grow? On a scale of 1-10 generally how patient are you? (1=I blow up at the drop of a hat and 10=I’ve got all the time in the world).

I do think some people are naturally more patient. I always had a tendency to fly off the handle and I’d but myself at about a 5 or 6 now in that I get annoyed at people who waste time in lines or some such. I have zero patience for people who are unaware of the world around them.

3. Share about a time when you felt like you could fly. Or a time you wished you could fly. Or a time you felt like you were flying.

I guess the times I feel like I’m flying are at the fair. The swings that go round and round or even the ones that are set up like hang gliders. I love them!

4. Your favorite song with the word fly in the title or lyrics, or your favorite song that relates to flying in some way?

The first two that came to mind were “Gonna fly now” (the Rocky theme) and “Flying high again” by Ozzy.

5. What’s in your fall picnic basket and where are we picnicking in your neck of the woods this time of year?

Hmm, probably a lot of basic sandwiches, cheeses and breads. If we went on a picnic we’d go to the field at Tom Brown.

6.  Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping…which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

I’d say carpentry because I’d love to be able to build a new deck.

7. What’s something you think is too expensive to justify buying lately?

Ugh, a new pair of running shoes. I know I need them but they average $110 and I just cannot do it right now.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, at 12:30 today I am officially on vacation! I’m going home to finish packing and do laundry and then my parents will be here and we’ll get the kids, say goodbye, then drive to Jacksonville. I am nervous and stressed but excited and anxious. I am looking forward to having my time be all for me. I am looking forward to having meals cooked for me and not having to think about the kids’ food. I am going to drink beer and sit on beaches and zipline over gorges and hike around volcanoes. And it will be… glorious.

Me, ten yeas ago, Honolulu