10 New Things to Learn about Me
A #TBIN August Interview Response
[1] What’s a new technique or topic you’d like to try writing about?
I am still trying to figure out how to write a limerick. I might need to call on limerick master TC Hails (here and here) for help. I’ve gotten as far as “there once was a girl whose man wouldn’t shake / so all their fun times *something* fake … oh well I’ll keep plugging away at it.
[2] What are your top three values in life? What are your main values?
Great questions as always, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)! I started to write a piece on my top 10 guiding principles in my life a while back… I should finish it. Here are 3.
- Do onto others as you would have them do onto you (This is biblical.)
- Plan for success, but find joy in imperfection (I learned this from my parents and life experiences)
- Live frugally and love abundantly (I learned this from both my parents and a bunch of podcasts and books.)
I can’t wait to read other peoples’!
[3] If you only had 5-minutes to squeeze in some mental health / self-care time, what would you do?
My favorite self-care activities take time (e.g., calling a friend, taking a nap, or having a bath). I rarely think about self-care /mental health time on a short duration scale. I suppose I may write in my journal, pace around, daydream, watch a short funny video, and/or send a quick text to a friend within that time.
[4] What is one story, tradition or myth about death that has been passed down your family?
I just finished a piece on death (that really is about living). Stay tuned!! I’m really proud of it.
I think the tradition I’ve been fascinated by is what happens after death. In the Christian tradition, those who die are merely sleeping — not literally. It means that death is temporary. Those who die are expected to rise again and have either life once more or meet judgment. There is some comfort in believing that good deeds will be rewarded in the afterlife even if not in this life. There is hope in the thought that “death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
I had a hard time figuring out a good ending to the piece because I wanted to honor this faith. I want to acknowledge the hope of death being temporary.
[5] If you could have a magic wand to zap away one food in life and never have it exist again, what would it be?
Such a shift in the topic! I guess it is related to a death to that food.
Probably raisins*. I liked them as sweet treats as a kid, but for the most part, I find them utterly useless (with some exceptions**), kinda insipid, and all-around “yuck.” They are misused in dishes such as salads, porridge/cereal, breakfast parfaits, trail mix, and in savory dishes like mashed potatoes (I kid you not). This perversion of perfectly fine recipes is uncalled for and ought to stop. Never use a raisin when a dried cranberry or blueberry works better. Here are 10 ways to enjoy raisins:
- Don’t eat them.
2-10. Repeat step 1
Do not get me started on goji berries they take the worst part of raisins and make it red and then 10x worse.
*This entire response is sarcasm, please enjoy raisins… at your own risk.
** In all seriousness, I do enjoy raisins in desserts like my family’s Jamaican Fruit cakes (canceled out by wine, rum, & other fruit) and in cookies (canceled out by the rest of the cookie).
Faves?
- Favourite podcast app? Podkicker (My Dad suggested I download it & I never looked back... The new update looks great.)
- Favourite app on your phone? It’s a three-way tie between Twitter, WhatsApp, and FB Messenger. I like to stay connected to family and friends all over the place and these three apps help with that.
- Favourite piece of technology? My laptop!!! It is the reason I can write this piece and all the others.
- Favourite person? My favorite person who is not in my family, but definitely is my family would be Stefonsimmons. My favorite person list is long, but he’s at the top.
- Favourite kitchen item? Ooo… my Ninja Foodi. It’s awesome!!!
Articles to share
- Your top piece last month (Last month’s interview!!)
- A piece that deserves more love (Show her some reads, please.)
Until next time
Prose Poem for ‘Not Wanting to Say Goodbye’ Prompt (3 of 3)
ashleaamorgan.medium.com
- A piece that starts with the letter M (Short & sweet. It was my first ever published tanka)
- A piece that is more than 3 minutes (5 min read! Not too long or short.)
- A poem (This poem and reflection really defined why I’m on Medium.)
Thank you for the questions, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)! If you want to answer them for yourself, go to the link below:
Hi Reader! Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) offered this challenge. Based on your birthday month, check out last month’s interviews. Mine is for my birthday month so I read the one before:
- 🔴 Jan, Feb🔴A reflection exercise on writing, work and self-care by Niru
- 🟠 Mar, Apr 🟠 So you want to know more about me — #3 July by Giulia
- 🟡 May, June 🟡Ask and you shall receive by Barbara Dalton
- 🟢 July, Aug 🟢 July Q&A with The Brain is a Noodle by Rachella Angel Page
- 🔵 Sept, Oct 🔵How Grey’s Anatomy has reminded me about breaking ice and mental health? by Yan Huang
- 🟣 Nov, Dec 🟣 So… what do you want to know? by Ashlea Morgan
