Q & A: Part 1

So, wow.  You guys had some awesome, creative questions!  Here are a few of them, and my answers.

How many friends do you really have, you know, the ones you can call anytime and just chat? — from MaryJo

Well, first of all, you should probably know that I am not a phone person, like, at all.  BUT…I think I know what you’re getting at.  If  I needed something, do I have friends that would be there? And the answer is a resounding YES.  I guess I don’t often write about my real-life friends, but I think like most, I have friends from different things, including childhood/high school/college time.  Other friends are people I used to work with, but have kept in touch with and still spend a lot of time with.  Now, I am friends with people I teach with and have met through other friends.  I try and make time to be social with friends between 2-3 times a week, and I love those times.  I like to think I’m good at keeping in touch and being a friend in general.  I don’t know the exact number of people I can call to chat, but I do know that between friends and family, I am never, ever without support.  I am the luckiest.

What is your favourite city & why? — from Kyla

Ooooh, tough question.  I love Sacramento, but I think my favorite city ever is Portland, Oregon.  I don’t really know what it was about the city: I visited my friend Jamie there a few years ago, and I’ve never forgotten how much I enjoyed it.  The public transit is easy to use and really clean.  The coffee was delicious.  The wine and food was fantastic.  The art and creative scene was incredible—I visited the Saturday Market and absolutely loved it.  Best of all, the people were really friendly and easy to hang out with—everyone was great.  And?  POWELLS.  Ahhh, a block-long bookstore?!  YES, PLEASE.

Describe the “perfect Sunday”… do you like to be out and about, or just get cozy at home? — from San

My perfect Sunday would include sleeping in late (hopefully because I had a great Saturday night!), going to breakfast with Andrew.  I’d then come home to read, watch crappy TV, read blogs and take a nap or take a long walk near the river.  Then, I’d meet a friend for coffee.  Afterwards, I’d go to my parents’ house for dinner and games.  Andrew and I would grab fro-yo on the way home before going to bed.

I’m lucky because many of my Sundays include at least a few of these elements.  I love Sundays.

What one song is GUARANTEED to get you up on the dance floor? — from Paula

It’s a little know fact to some of you, but I really love to go dancing.  It doesn’t take much for me to get out on the dance floor, though I am partial to “Love Shack” by the B-52′s and most Madonna.  But seriously?  Anything will do.  I just like it.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Are you generally mistrustful of people, or do you open up pretty quickly? Describe your personailty. Are you the jealous type, are you doting, or both? — from Caitlin

On my About Me page, it used to say that I was an introvert masquerading as an extrovert, and I still think that’s one of the best descriptions of my personality.  I love spending time with friends and family, but I also absolutely crave time alone and am content to be home by myself.  I know myself well enough to know that on weekends, I need at least one block of time to be alone, but I also try and see friends and family a few times a week.  As for whether or not I trust people, I generally DO trust people, sometimes more than I should (cue emo kid music here).  The older I get, the more willing I am to guard my heart and feelings and sort of be careful about who I let in.  Finally, am I the jealous type?  Yes.  It’s not a quality I am proud of.  I am a lot better about being jealous in friendships than I used to be, and since Andrew and I have been together forever now, there’s not much for me to be jealous of any longer, but it’s definitely still there.

If a biopic were written about your life, who would play you? Who would play Andrew? Why? — from Suburban Sweetheart

This question was amazing, mostly because we spent a long time discussing it.  Andrew is literally a clone of Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm (not in looks, THANK GOODNESS!) but in personality.  When I watch that show, it’s exactly the way Andrew operates.  As for me…the only celebrity I’ve ever been told I resemble is Elisabeth Shue—and several people have said it.  I’m gonna go with her.  I think.  Another friend suggested Drew Barrymore, and a few said Amy Adams.  Who do YOU think should play me?!

What do you like most about yourself? How do you harness this positively? — also from Suburban Sweetheart

Several people asked a version of what I like about myself.  It’s hard for me to answer this one, mostly because I’m usually making fun of my ridiculousness, not praising myself.  I think that what I do like about myself is that while I am sarcastic and silly and self-deprecating and weird, I think that I really do try and make people feel comfortable around me.  I am genuinely interested in the people around me, and I think that shows in most of my interactions.  Sure, I might poke fun at someone or crack a joke, but I’m willing to do it to myself, too, and for me, it’s really all about showing people that I relate to them, I “get” them and we’re all a lot alike.  My life experience has lead me to understand that everybody has their flaws and their crap, and I think life is better if we can be nice and understanding towards one another, but also laugh at ourselves and the world.  I try to make others see that and make a genuine connection when I spend time with people—because I really do care about others.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? — from Stephany

This is a tough question.  I think most of my goals have to do with things I’d like to do by that time, since I’m settled into a career.  In 5 years, I’d like to be thinner, to have been to Europe, to be writing more.  By 10 years from now, I hope I’m married and a mom to at least one kiddo.  I hope I’m still teaching, but have explored other things I’d like to do.

You’re a great writer: any tips for the rest of us? — from Nora

I recommend the book Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott.  A few tips from her: “Write straight into the emotional center of things.  Write toward vulnerability. Don’t worry about appearing sentimental. Worry about being unavailable; worry about being absent or fraudulent.”  She–and just about every writing teacher I’ve ever had—emphasize the importance of writing, of writing a lot, and writing every day.  I’ve been writing since I was a little girl, and do it often.  I really think you get better with working on it.

What is your BIGGEST pet peeve?  Just one Amy…  I want to know THE ONE that is the Major No-No in Amy’s life… — from Gina, a real-life friend who knows that lots of things irritate me, hahahaha.

Sheesh.  It’s hard to pick one—I mean, there’s loud chewing and slow drivers.  I think the things that frustrates me the most in other people is something I call “idle bitching”: complaining and moaning about things without doing anything about it.  I feel like most of us have the power to change things if we so choose.  I wish more people did it instead of just talking about it.  Myself included.

I will DEFINITELY answer more.  So…what do you still want to know?!  Ask away…