Q&A - Part 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Last call for questions!

Annd Part 4:

Does Mr. Perfect have any brothers or friends that are equally as perfect? I mean...HELLO!?!? Now that you're so happy shouldn't you be setting up your friends? *I think you know who this one is from!

He has a brother - but I absolutely love his girlfriend. Sorry. I would probably say out of all of his friends, I'd be most likely to set someone up with Josh - if he didn't have a girlfriend I loved!

There is another brother/friend of his I could set you up with... his name rhymes with SchmodFlommitBon. Kinda. That doesn't really rhyme. Whatevies.

Oh, and I have quite a few people this question could have been from - hmmm.

What are 5 things that you could not live without?

1) Mr. Perfect

2) My family

3) Ability to communicate

4) Humor

5) Books

What is the biggest lesson you've learned this year? What is the biggest lesson you've learned ever?

I think the biggest lessons (yes, there are many) I've learned this year are:

How to maintain friendships from afar. For me this meant postcards, cards, emails, Facebook and phone calls. Lots of them.

How to conduct a job search - I had never looked for a job before this year. Honestly. My last job was my first job out of college. A friend literally emailed me, asked if I wanted a job, sent my resume in for me and that was it. While the job search process was extremely taxing (emotionally, physically, financially, mentally), it also reminded me that people want to help you - just ask.

How to deal with big unknowns - (money, job) without being encompassed by them - which I was at times. This is a work in progress. I think the biggest lesson here was that I did it (somehow) and I will be able to do it again.

Laughter can fix a lot of things.

Laughter is very important.

I feel like I have been healthier since I moved to D.C., and I think the amount of giggling and all out laughing that occurs with Mr. Perfect (and Josh) has a lot to do with it. Mr. Perfect and I also have a similar sense of humor - mostly laughing at really inappropriate (serious) things. It's a part of how we cope, and it works.

The biggest lesson I've ever learned is something I am reminded of almost daily by coworkers, family members, friends, strangers, the news, and so on.

It is a lesson in humility, compassion and empathy.

It has been critical to my growth as a person, and I think is the real difference between me a few years ago (quick to judgement, flippant, immature) and me now (trying not to be those things).

It is my truth.

It is probably your truth.

You never know what is going on in someone else's life.

It sounds so simple.

It is.

And it's true.

I could give examples, but instead I challenge you think about a person, a situation you've been quick to judge. And remember that you don't know what is going on that motivates people to think, feel and act the way they do.

Are you still the stupidest loser?

Yes! I have been randomly weighing in from 168-171. This is a happy weight for my body. It feels good.

The only downside is needing all new clothing! I tried to wear a belt high around my waist the other day and it didn't fit on the tightest setting. It's strange because I don't feel like I look any different.

What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Wow.

Do you want to hear what I would say in an interview, or the real answer?

Ok, interview strength: communication

weakness: delegating work to others because I want it done perfectly.

Real life strengths:

communication, empathy

weaknesses:

interrupting people - it's so horrible, but I swear my intentions are good. Also, I will always remind you what you were talking about and circle back. That doesn't mean it doesn't make people feel like I don't care about what they're talking about.

Self doubt. Anxiety. Obsessing. Taking on others' problems (too much empathy). Normal stuff.

Top 5 moments of 09.

1) Moving to DC - which was quickly followed by one of the worst moments of '09 - a flooded basement that lead to no heat and meant my first shower after the move was freezing cold. It was traumatic. I cried. A lot.

2) Presidential Inauguration

3) Trip to California - beautiful wedding with family members I don't see often enough, drinking toooooo much with Shell (almost got it's own spot in the top 5 - and still makes me giggle), Yosemite with Mr. Perfect, San Fran with Francakes!

4) Spending time with my visitors - three very different trips, all memorable in their own perfect ways. Plus, how awesome is it that three of my friends came to see me? I mean, I am loved.

See also: Shell and I hanging out together in DC, San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle and Kansas City this year. Gotta love it that quite a few of those were due to work trips. Bonus!

5) Ending the year with a job (!!!!) that I love.