My Answers (Part I)

Well you guys came through with a great set of questions for me to answer!  There were so many I'm splitting them into two posts.  Today, we'll talk about finding the right guy, traveling, my job and cooking.  Tomorrow it will be New Mexico, life, my childhood and running.

As to finding the right guy...

What was your worst date ever?  I have actually blogged about this before.  It was on Valentine's Day, no less.  Check it out here (it's Step 3).  In his defense, I'm not sure he thought it was a date date.  But still bad!

As you've gotten older, what quality has been added (if any) to your "must have" list for a spouse?  Oh, great question.  Hm....I think that the quality I have realized is more important than I probably thought it was 10 years ago is kindness.  I tend to be attracted to people who are funny and loud and outgoing and sometimes it takes me a while to realize that a person is actually not all that nice, even though they are a lot of fun.  I think that finding someone with a good heart and kind spirit is more important to me now than it ever was before.  Which is why I am so thankful I didn't end up married at 21!

What quality(s) have fallen off your list?   Okay, listen, one semester of college during finals, College Roomie and I wrote up a list of qualities my husband would have to have.  It was LITERALLY  7 pages long and we hung it on the wall.  I kick myself all the time for not saving that.  Anyway, there were a lot of funny things on there that I don't actually care about.  For example:  (1) Ability to beat me at 1 on 1; (2)  Knows how to ride a horse; (3) Never wears flip flops.  If a guy is a good person and loves me, I wouldn't care about these things (although I would still pray for athletic babies even if mom could beat dad at 1 on 1).

Have your priorities shifted any?  There is this video that I've thought about posting, but the language is pretty rough and you all know we have Bible Belt Moms who read this blog.  Anyway, I swear it changed the way that I look at relationships.  The basic point the guy makes is that every relationship has a "cost of admission."  So there is going to be something about your partner that is not ideal and that drives you freaking crazy.  When you realize that there is no perfect person for you, and that you love them despite the fact that he never puts the mayo away after making a sandwich and that's just the cost of admission to the relationship, you get it, and your relationship is better for it.  It was mind-blowing for me. I stopped worrying about finding "the one" and everything being perfect and it made all the difference.  If anyone wants the video, let me know and I'll email it to you.

Do you believe in love at first sight?  Nope.  Sure don't.  Particularly given that I think loving someone is so much more about things on the inside--their heart, their personality, their spirit--you can't see that at first sight.

Describe your perfect date (you know where I'm going with that one).  "That's a tough one, I'd have to say April 25.  It's not too hot, not too cold...."  Yes, dear College Roomie, I knew right where you were going with that one.  If I were picking the perfect calendar date, I'd probably pick something in late October--cool weather, football games, hoodies, cute scarves, green chile roasting.  Can't beat it.  If I were picking the perfect date date, I'd go with a pick up truck parked in a field looking at the stars.  And dancing.  And ice cream.  Because, seriously, every good date involves ice cream.

As to travelling...

Whats your next trip you want to take?  Well, you know it's football season coming up in 6 weeks (HALLELJUAH!!) so I was just looking at the schedule.  I'll be going to OSU games in Houston and Stillwater and maybe Austin or Lubbock, a Notre Dame game in Arlington, a Notre Dame game at Notre Dame and a Cubs game with Uncle Black Belt.  Plus, I'll throw in two more weddings, the NM State Fair, and a trip to Wisconsin for a work conference.  There's my fall!

Where would you suggest traveling in Europe to somebody who has not been?  Great question.  I think it depends on what you are looking for.  The most beautiful place I have ever been, hands down, is Switzerland--the tiny villages along Lake Geneva.  It's breathtaking, quiet, clean, very calm and low key.  Rome, however, is a place that's much more like a big city, but has things that you have seen in books your whole life--the Coliseum, the Pantheon, the ruins, St. Peter's Bascilica.  I also feel like everyone should go there.  Lastly, if you want something a little more Eastern or if you are a Pope John Paul II junkie, Poland is your place.  I fell in love with everything there--people, food, countryside.  It's amazing!

Switzerland - 2009

Rome - 2009

Poland - 2013

As to your job...

What do you like most about new job?  I love the chance to get to work on issues and learn law that I am really interested in.  I get to spend my day learning things that can help real people, which is awesome!  I'd also be lying if I didn't admit that I love the hours and my free weekends.

Least?  I miss the people I used to work with.  Not that the new people are not great (they are) but the people at my law firm are just amazing!  I also don't love all the university paperwork.

What is different than you thought?  So far it's been a bit slower than I thought, but I can tell that is changing, quickly!

If you weren't practicing law/working as a professor, what other career would you pursue?   Oh wow......good question!  I always say my dream job would be to run cows and sheep and write a book.  So I guess I'd try to be a writer.

As to cooking...

What recipe would you most like to master?   Um....anything?  No, seriously, I would like to have a good list of "every day" type recipes that I could whip up for dinner without having to put much thought into it.