11 Random Facts and the Liebster Blog Award

1. I have green eyes. I always say, “Hazel-colored,” but I’m not 100% sure what that means.

A HS boyfriend once meaningfully sang Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” to me. He didn’t acknowledge that I don’t have brown eyes! How was that possible?

2. I’m left-handed, but, no, I don’t write all cock-a-mammie up-side-down.

3. My mother insisted I learn to cut right-handed, because lefty scissors at school suck; always rusty and never cut right.

4. I’m right-legged, thanks to years of dance training in which barre, centre floor, and choreography always began with a leading right leg. I can’t pirouette for shit on the left.

5. I can’t ski. Skiing makes my life flash before my eyes. I don’t ski, I spa.

6. To wit, I consider massage a form of exercise. Receiving one. (Hey, it releases lactic acid, right?)

7. I know, I should exercise more and stop being such a prima donna. Touché.

8. I look like a female version of my biological father, who wants nothing to do with me.

9. I loved having dogs growing up. I always had sinus infections growing up. Come to find out, I’m allergic to animal fur.

10. Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses = fashion staple. I own stock in her company.

11. For better or worse, I forgive, but I don’t forget.

Thanks to Sonia Marsh for nominating me for the Liebster Award.

Answering 11 questions from Sonia …

What is your biggest accomplishment so far in your life? Besides my kids? (I have to say them.) The morbid truth? That I’m still here.

Where did you first meet your spouse? The 2003 Eastern Orthodox New Year’s Eve Celebration (Jan. 13) at the Serbian-owned Little Rock Bar in LA. My crazy-fun Russian-Serbian grad school roommate engineered the blind date.

How do you see yourself at 80? I’ll be Baka (grandma) taking care of a ton of grandkids, so my daughter and (future) daughter-in-law have time to enjoy their careers, friendships, marriages, and children … guilt-free.

What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years? I want to write two more books. I want a happy marriage, and I want my kids to thrive, wherever we are.

What is your biggest fear in life and why? Currently, it’s that I might not have a good relationship with my kids when they grow up.  They’re little, and are still very forgiving of my parenting mistakes. Adolescence and adulthood? Whole other ballgame.

Are you a Gutsy woman? In what way? Um, sometimes. I try to be. Perhaps my first-ever New Year’s Resolution will be to Be More Gutsy.

Where do you see yourself living when you retire? Well, the purpose of moving to Serbia was so that my husband and I could simplify our lives, and live in a sort of semi-retirement.

But, like in-my-60s retirement? Ideally? Travelling frequently, but living down the street from both my kids. Is that wrong?

Do you regret any decisions you’ve made in your life? No regrets. I’ve made the best decisions I could with the information I had at the time.

Is there a profession you would pick today if you could start over? Investigative (broadcast) foreign correspondant—perfect for my pre-kid life.

What are you looking forward to in 2013? Releasing the 2nd edition of my memoir, writing another book, moving back to the US, then standing at my brother’s wedding … in that order.

How do you stay motivated? Once I find something I’m passionate about, it’s not hard for me to stay motivated. Self-discipline and organization (to a fault) are basic parts of my personality. The biggest thing is finding that passion to begin with.

11 bloggers: 11 things I want to know about YOU …

Tag! You’re it: Alicia at Born Ready Baby, Rebecca at Love is Not A Pie, Grace at Subplots by Grace, Amanda at The Declassified Adoptee, Christine Macdonald, Cynthia at Beverly Hills Mom, Matt at Turndog Millionaire, Lori Lavendar Luz at Write Mind Open Heart, Beth Megill at Dancing Poetess, Monika at Monika’s Musings, and Sophie Novak.

1. Your favorite childhood memory?
2. A pet peeve
3. Best response from a friend or family member about your blog or writing.
4. Do you agree with how others see you, or is there more than meets the eye?
5. The best book you read recently
6. Congrats! Your life is about to be made into a movie … Who do you want to play you?
7. Your strongest personal characteristic
8. Your most over-used phrase, in speaking or in writing
9. Do you have an inspirational quote, motto, or words you live by?
10. Little known or secret talent
11. What should you be doing now, instead of blogging?

Liebster Award rules

1. Thank, link back to the giver, and paste the award picture onto your blog (google, you can find plenty).
2. Post 11 random facts about yourself, and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
3. Pass the award onto 11 other blogs; make sure you notify him/her!
4. Write up 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.

heart image from freedigitalphotos.net