Journal entry 63--Holidays

Describe your favorite holiday. What makes it so memorable?

For years my favorite holiday has been Christmas and it still holds a special place in my heart. I loved going to my grandparents house for Christmas and comparing gifts with my cousin. However, within the past few years, I've been enjoying Halloween. I love going trick-or-treating with my children and seeing friends and neighbors outside. I like the decorations leading up to this holiday. And I especially like the candy! Halloween represents Fall which represents coziness and fireplaces. Also, I think Halloween is the lead in to three months of holidays--Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It's just a great time of year.

Journal entry 62--Home Remedies

Describe a home remedy your mother used that either worked or didn't work. Do you still use this remedy today?

Whenever someone was choking or just having a coughing fit, my mother would immediately raise your arm in the air. I still don't understand why or what the meaning was behind this, but I think she was trying to force air down your throat. Of course this doesn't make any sense and hence I don't use this remedy anymore.

Journal entry 61--Small Things

Describe how a small and simple thing or act has impacted your life in a big way?

A simple act of friendship is what has kept me on the right path in life. When I was a teen-ager my cousin was my good friend. It was she who encouraged me to join her in church activities and social events which helped me avoid hanging out with my other party friends. Because of her, I went to our church college and met my husband who happened to be my boy-cousin's roommate. I'm grateful for her example and support during a time when I needed it the most.

Journal entry 60--Hopes

What do you hope your children will learn from you?

The one thing I want my kids to learn from me is serving others. It's impossible to make poor choices when you are serving others. Service equals unselfishness, sin equals selfishness. I hope that my children can learn to work hard for themselves and for others.

Journal entry 59--Illness

Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.

When my daughter was just 6 weeks old, I came down with viral meningitis. I literally had the worst headache of my life and could feel my brain throbbing whenever I moved. After the doctor figured out what I had, I stayed overnight in the hospital. When I came home the next day, I pretty much stayed lying down for 2 weeks taking Vicodin every 4 hours. There were several women at my church who helped me with my children and dinners. I'm grateful for their service. It was quite a painful illness which I hope to never have again.

Journal entry 58--Embarrassment

Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Unfortunately I have several embarrassing moments, however, the one that comes to mind is when I was 16-years-old and in a play with 200 audience members. I was playing Marion the Librarian in "The Music Man" and was singing the song "Till there was you." There's a part in the song that goes high and when I went there, my voice cracked. Right there in front of everyone, including my boyfriend at the time. When it happened I just kind of laughed a little and kept singing. All the while I wanted to run off stage.

Journal entry 57--Least Favorites

List ten of your least favorite things.

In no particular order:
1. Littering (especially smokers who think it's okay to throw out cigarette butts)
2. People who annoy me.
3. Going to a nice restaurant, spending money and the food ends up tasting terrible.
4. Traffic
5. People who play their car music loud enough for me to hear a mile away.
6. Not winning a game that I know I can win.
7. Tatoos, body piercing other than ears, any form of self mutilation.
8. People who drive slowly when I'm in a hurry.
9. Cashiers who chat with the person ahead of me causing me to wait.
10. A messy bed in which to sleep.

Journal entry 56--Favorite things

List 10 of your favorite things.

Some of my favorite things in no particular order:
1. Taking a nap on a Sunday afternoon with the window opened and a cool breeze blowing in.
2. Spending time with my family, playing games.
3. Winning something or getting something for free.
4. Eating good food.
5. Clean, tight sheets on my bed.
6. Going to the beach.
7. Taking a cruise with my family.
8. Giving someone the perfect gift and watching them open it.
9. Fall time.
10. Making time for myself.

Journal entry 55--Your town

Describe where you grew up. Was it a big town or small? Do you still live there or would you like to? What made this place special to you?

I grew up in Arcadia, California and I loved it. It was the Goldilocks city--not too big and not too small. Everyday I could walk out my door and see the San Gabriel mountains, which are the color purple. Arcadia had a cozy feeling to it, maybe I felt that because I lived there for 20 years. It's where I did all my schooling and held my life with my mother before she passed away. I don't live in Arcadia anymore and don't really want to move there. My memories of Arcadia are my childhood; it would feel different now as an adult. It's always different going back.

Journal entry 54--Learning

Write about something you would still like to learn. How will you accomplish it?

I would really like to learn multiple languages. Spanish, of course, because I live in California and it is such a commonly use language here and possibly sign language because it seems interesting. I've been wanting to learn these languages from taking classes at the local college but I just need to find a time that fits with my schedule. Soon I hope!

Journal entry 53--Teasing

Describe some ways you teased your siblings or friends if you were an only child. How did they react?

I liked to tease my older sister when I was a child. We shared a room and whenever she was changing her clothes, I would abruptly open the door just to watch her dive under the bed and scream at me. So predictable. There was another time when she was sitting watching TV and I had just finished drinking a glass of milk. For some reason I felt compelled to pour the last drop of milk on the top of her head. The drop sat there suspended on the part in her hair. She of course, blew up and chased me through the house. I ran to my mother for safety from my sister's rage, but I still got in trouble. I must admit, it was fun to tease my sister.

Journal entry 52--Sports

What's your favorite sport? Either to play or watch. Did you play this sport as a child?

My favorite sport to watch is anything my kids are playing. Right now we into soccer and boy is that an exciting game to watch! I never played soccer as a child nor did I really have an interest in the game. I do, however, enjoy my children playing the sport. As a child, I liked to play baseball. I played sometimes with my brother and threw the ball around with my uncle.

Journal entry 51--Childhood

Describe a fun activity you did as a child. Did you play it with others or alone?

I loved playing with Barbies when I was a child. I had an entire corner of a room devoted to my Barbies. It was called the Barbie corner. Whenever friends came over to play, we always went to the Barbie corner and spent hours there. I had a three story Barbie townhouse, a ranch style house, ski lift, van, and cruise boat. My friends and I loved making up stories, almost like mini soap operas, involving Barbie and her friends. Most of the Barbie paraphernalia is gone today but I still have some of my Barbies and their clothes.

Journal entry 50--Going to school

Describe how you got to school every day when you were a child. If you have children now, do they go to school the same way?

When I was in first grade I rode the bus to school. Later from second grade to high school, I mainly walked. When I was in elementary school I liked to alternate between riding my bike and roller skating. I had a cool bike. It was purple with an orange sparkle banana seat. There was a basket on the front with flowers and streamers that hung from the handle bars. Looking back it probably was a hideous bike but I enjoyed it. Now things have changed and it's not as safe for my children to walk to school. So I drive them everyday. When I was little, having mom drive you to school was a luxury.

Journal entry 49--Traveling

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Who would you take with you?

There are many places I want to travel and visit. One place I would love to see is Egypt. I've always been interested in archaeology and would like to visit the great pyramids and other artifacts of Egypt. It's amazing to me that people could build these structures and what is the true significance behind them. Another place I've always wanted to visit are the Galapagos Islands. I simply want to see the tortoises, marine iguanas and other creatures found on the islands. And of course I would take my family with me.

Journal entry 48--Scary

Describe your scariest experience. How old were you when it happened? Did it change your life?

One of my scariest experiences was when I sang a duet in church in front of about 150 people. I had never sung in public before and my boyfriend at the time kept nagging me to sing with him. I was 16-years-old and terrified! The entire experience went well and my voice didn't crack. It changed me because it helped me realize that I can do something like sing in public and survive. Also it was the first time my mother heard me sing and she really liked it. Through that experience, I now know that you don't need to have an amazing voice to sing in front of people-- just courage.

Journal entry 47--Second grade

Describe your second grade teacher and schooling. What was your teacher like? Was he/she kind? Did you have a memorable second grade experience?

I loved my second grade teacher. I thought that she was the nicest teacher ever! She was gentle and kind and I don't remember any grumpiness coming from her. Our class had a pet guinea pig and I got to take it home over the summer with the intention of bringing it back when school started again. Except, this guinea pig became attached to my pet rabbit so my teacher let me keep it. I also recall on the last day of school, asking my teacher to bend down closer to me so I could whisper something in her ear, only instead I gave her a giant hug. She was such a great teacher that she made my second grade experience unforgettable.

Journal entry 46--Disappointments

Describe your biggest disappointment in life. How has it affected you now?

My biggest disappointment in life was not growing up with a father. My father left my family when I was a child and I grew up desperately wanting a father at home. After I married, it was difficult watching my father-in-law--who is an amazing father--because I then realized just what I missed out on. But he has since replaced my need for a father. I have a great husband who is a wonderful father to my children. It's comforting to know that my kids will not have to go through what I did.

Journal entry 45--Grandfather

Describe one or both of your grandfathers. What were they like? Did you know them well? What influence did they have on you?

I only knew one of my grandfathers. He was my mother's father and was the true patriarch of our entire family. My grandfather was an entrepreneur who was always thinking of some way to make money. He was the example I had for handling money and taking risks with it. I loved my grandfather, who whenever he took us out for brunch would tell terrible jokes to the waitresses. I felt sorry for them, having to pretend to enjoy these jokes for a good tip. He was funny and would often say, "Oh for gosh sakes." My grandfather was generous and kind to me and I will never forget the way he treated me.

Journal entry 44--What will they say?

Take a moment to really think about what will be said about you after you die. I know this seems like a morbid topic, but I've been pondering this thought recently. Please write down how you would like people to remember you. Will it be for your accomplishments? Or for the way you treat others? After you've written this down, be sure to read it often for your own reflection.

Journal entry 43--Impressive

Describe something you did to impress another. Did it work?

I can't think of something I've done to impress another, however I can think of something my husband did when he was 7-years-old to impress a girl. For some reason he thought it would be impressive if he stuck blue clay in his ears. The teacher found out only because he couldn't hear anything she was saying. He was sent home with his grandmother who was watching him while his parents were out of town. She didn't take him to the doctor to get the clay out but to a veterinarian who was his uncle. The clay eventually came out and the girl was never impressed!

Journal entry 42--Meeting someone

If you could meet one person who is dead, whom would if be and why?

I would like to meet Mary, Christ's mother. I'd love to talk with her and find out exactly how she felt knowing she would give birth to the son of God. She seems like such a courageous woman with tremendous faith. It would be interesting to know what it was like for her to live in that time and raise Christ as a child. I think she's a fascinating person.

Journal entry 41--Playing with a friend

Describe a time during childhood when a friend came over to play. What did you do? What games did you play?


My friend, Melinda came over to my house when we were 4-years-old. While she was over we wanted to ice skate, however, because we lived in sunny California there was no ice. So we did what any other 4-year-olds would do--we made our own ice skating rink in my kitchen. We covered the floor with leaves and pour water all over them. Then we happily skated around until my mom walked in and almost had a heart attack. She quickly shooed us outside with peanut butter sandwiches and some chocolate chips for dessert while she cleaned up. Well we must have been bored because soon there was sand in our sandwiches and the chocolate chips melted on a hot, metal slide which we then slid down in white shorts. I don't think my mom ever had Melinda back again, but we sure had fun.

Journal entry 40--Traditions

Describe a tradition your family shared while growing up. Do you still hold this tradition yourself or with your family?

Every big holiday my family would go to my grandparent's house for a huge family dinner. All the family would be there--cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone. I think it was hard on my mother because she wanted to stay home and rest but I loved going. I loved playing with my cousin and comparing Christmas gifts, running around my grandparent's backyard chasing their dogs and playing games with people. Since then my grandparents have both passed away and their house has been sold but I'll always have that memory.

Journal entry 39--Standing up for yourself

Describe a time when you stood up for yourself. What were you defending? Or were you defending someone else?

I've have several times when I've stood up for myself, but the one that comes to mind right now is when I was in kindergarten. I used to wear these little animal pins that were filled with a rub on perfume. My friend wanted the pin badly and told me if I didn't give it to her she would stop being my friend. I thought about it for a moment and decided that I'd rather have the pin than her friendship. So I told her no and she still was my friend. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't let her walk over me and I stood up for something that at the time was important to me.

Journal entry 38-- Movie

If you could be a character in any movie, who would it be?

My cousin gave me this idea, to be Giselle from the movie from Enchanted. This character can sing a few notes and animals come from no where to help clean her house. I also like the fact that while walking in a park, she can break into song and have everyone around her join in a perfectly choreographed routine. Lastly, it doesn't hurt to dance with Patrick Dempsey.

Journal entry 37-- First Car

Describe your first car. What was it like? What kind of car was it? How did you feel when you got it?

My first car was a 1974 brown Mustang. Looking back, it truly was an ugly car, but I thought it was magnificent because it was mine. I got the car before I had my license so I drove it up and down my driveway, dreaming of the day when I could take it on the street. I remember that the car had no air conditioning, but it had a tape deck so I thought it was a cool car. I was excited when I got the car because I needed a car to commute to college. Ugly as it was, it got me to school on time.

Journal entry 36--Superhero

If you could be a superhero what kind would you be? What kind of special powers would you have and would you use them for good or evil?

If I were a superhero I would be Graffiti Girl. I would morph into a building wall and quietly wait for a gang of hoodlums to start spraying. Then I would jump out of the wall and attack the taggers, perhaps spraying them with the paint. Also as part of my job of Graffiti Girl I would make the offenders clean off any graffiti left on buildings and then throw them in jail!

Journal entry 35--Gift giving

Describe a time when you gave someone a gift. What was the occasion? Did the person enjoy receiving this gift from you?

When I was probably 9-years-old at Christmas time I wanted to give my sister a special gift. During that time she was taking a Biology class and was classifying insects for a project. I thought it would be nice to give her something that might help her with the project so I went to a window sill and collected all the dead bugs left in the window track and put them in a box. Not only was I giving my sister a box of dead bugs but I hadn't bothered to clean off any of the dust and cobwebs on them. Needless to say my sister was quite surprised that Christmas morning.

Journal entry 34--Kindness to others

Describe a time when your choice affected someone in a positive way. What was the outcome? How was this person affected?

When I was in third grade I met a girl on the playground. I was swinging on the rings and she wanted a turn so she counted to ten. Of course I didn't want to get off the swings so I asked her to give me a little longer and I would be her best friend. She did and it turned out later that we in fact became best friends. Several years later she told me that other children made fun of her because her skin color was brown. She said I was the only child who wanted to be her friend. This person ended up being a close friend whom I couldn't imagine a childhood without.