50.

Got this off of another blog I read. so I thought I'd answer them for the fun of it =)

1. What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?   Suz (I like this one a lot, especially when Ben calls me Suz), and Heysoos (brothers, dad and a few select friends call me this)

2. What books on your shelf are begging to be read?  I actually just bought two books and I'm excited to read them.  But I lately have been re-reading my books.  I really enjoy re-reading.  I think I've read "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" at least a dozen times.  That is no exaggeration. 

3. How often do you doodle? What do your doodles look like?  I doodle when I'm in church, or I used to a lot in class when I wasn't taking notes.  and they would be random shapes and designs.  I'm not an artist.  

4. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep? Toss and Turn? Try to get up and do something productive?  I can count on one hand how many nights I have not been able to fall asleep.  Normally it was because of massive amounts of poison ivy over half my body or God was trying to tell me something.  Praying, Nyquil and staring into space often helped me go to sleep.  

5. How many days could you last in solitary confinement? How would you do it?  I'm not sure how many days.  I have learned in the past few years to be comfortable with myself but not sure I could do solitary for that long.  But I guess I'd pass the time singing, coming up with a book to write, and I'd talk to myself and have practice conversations with people.

6. Do you save old greeting cards and letters? Throw them away? Oh my.  I am the biggest card and letter saver.  Written words mean a lot to me.  So I keep anything that someone wrote to me with an ounce of feeling.  I often have thrown cards that were basic "happy birthday" with a signed name.  But anything with a message I keep.  like anything.  My friend once wrote on a starburst wrapper and I put it in my Bible and its still there.  

7. Who is the biggest pack rat you know? It was this lady that lived across the street from my parents house.  I used to go over and give her a bath and clean her house once a week from age 12 to age 17.  She kept everything. Receipts and papers from the 1940s, chintzy gifts people gave her.  She'd even keep her old shirts to make into rags.  She could hardly throw old food away.  She was old and I think the mindset came from going through the great depression and having a poor family.  Sometimes it was neat to see the things she saved...but you could hardly walk through her house.  

8. When making an entrance in to a party, do you make your presence known? Do you slip in and look for someone you know? Do you sneak in quietly and find a safe spot to roost?  I used to be a make-my-presence-known type of person.  I always wanted to be the center of the party.  Now I really don't like entering parties...Especially if it is at a place I'm not familiar with and where I might only know one or two people.  It's like i've changed completely opposite.  I generally slip in and look for someone I know.  or find the lady's room. 

9. What is your strongest sense? If you had to give one up, which would it be?   My sense of hearing might be strongest?  I think?  My friends used to make fun of me that they could whisper something and I could hear it.   If I had to give one up it would be....ugh this is hard.  Giving up sight would be so so hard.  Hearing would be hard too because of music.   Taste or even smell would be terrible because I love food.  Touch...not sure how I'd give that one up.    Probably hearing at the end of the day.  Because I could learn ASL and still communicate.  And music could be felt.  

10. How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?  Hmm Whenever I wash my hands after using the bathroom I glance in the mirror.  But I'd say I look at myself intentionally in the mirror like three times a day.  

11. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?  That my parents paid people to be my friends because I wasn't really capable of making them on my own.  or something was wrong with me and everyone knew it but me, so they were all my friends because they felt sorry for me.  

12. What is one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up?  Playing candy crush on my phone.  

13. Who performs the most random acts of kindness out of everyone you know? Probably Sheri.  She is a dear friend of my mom's and my friend Kaeli's mom.  (and she's my friend too...)  she would show up to our house with a cup of coffee or a fresh made treat just because.  And she did this for everyone, for no particular reason.  

14. How often do you read the newspaper? Which paper? Which sections?  Never had the newspaper growing up, and still don't get it.  But when i'm at my in-laws house, I read the funnies in whatever paper they have.  

15. Which animals scare you most? Why?  Very few animals scare me.  insects-maybe, arachnids-definitely.  animals, not so much.  

16. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on?  Oh my.  Depends on who the conflict is with.  Sometimes it is better to avoid it.  Sometimes it is better to engage.  But I tend to be an engager in general.  

17. What was the most recent compliment you’ve received and savoured? That I am going to be a blessing and make a difference in the lives of the children I will be working with in my new job and that i'll be good at it. 

18. What is something about yourself that you hope will change, but probably never will?  My disinterest in exercise, particularly running.  

19. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.  Yes.  I like routine.  Things that I can count on.  I tease Ben about being predictable, but at the end of the day, I like that I can count on him to be and do certain things.  He throws me a curve ball every once in a while, and that livens things up =)  I like adventure and spontaneity but overall, I have habits and I follow them.  

20. Are you high maintenance? Explain.  Oh dear.  This is one of the things I told Ben I never wanted to be.  I think in some ways I'm not high maintenance.  I don't require a lot of money or time to take care of myself.  I am pretty independent.  But in other ways I think I am.  I am like a sponge soaking up love, compliments, affirmation...and I think that could be a way I'm high maintenance.  It is both a lesson to me of learning how to accept and believe when those things come my way, and also that God is the ultimate source of affirmation of who I am, not the people around me.  Even my dear sweet husband who is really good at affirming me and loving me.  

21. When was the last time you really pushed yourself to your physical limits? haha oh my.  anyone who knows me knows I don't push myself to my physical limit often.  Lets say...Sunday.  I was running through a corn pit and since I'm so out of shape, it was a good work out and made me entirely out of breath.  Deep corn is hard to run through...let me tell you.  

22. Do you have a whole lot of acquaintances or just a few very close friends? Why?  Both.  I have a LOT of acquaintances.  Because that is just who I am.  I make friends, I meet and connect with people, even if I'm with them for a short time.  But I also have my close friends who I would say know me really well and who I know really well.  They know who they are ;)

23. Are you more inclined to “build your own empire” or unleash the potential of others?  Unleash the potential of others.  I'm not a visionary, but I will support, encourage and work alongside someone who is!  

24. What’s a strange occurrence you’ve experienced but have never (or rarely) shared with anyone?  First of all, I generally share my strange occurrences with someone.  because I don't like experiencing things on my own and not telling other people. especially if it was significant in some way.  Hmmm.  I really can't think of anything right now.  NOTE:  if I have shared a strange occurrence with you, remind me of what it was!  

25. What do you think about more than anything else?  That is tough.  I think the one subject that has had more of my thought time than any other single subject would be myself.  I know the answer should be Jesus (and I think he is a close second)  But honestly a lot of my thoughts have to do with my past, my future, my today, my job, my marriage, my family etc... maybe that is too broad.  

26. What’s something that amazes you?  That the agape love of God has given me value and worth. 

27. Do you prefer that people shoot straight with you or temper their words? Why?  Shoot straight, definitely.  I can work with someones true feelings, no matter how much they may surprise or hurt me.  But the whole beating around the bush, reading between the lines thing?  I can do it...it just takes too much work, and then you have to learn how to say something back in a round-about way and the whole thing feels like playing a game.  

28. Where’s your favourite place to take an out-of-town guest?  In MN:  St. Peter's Cathedral and Summit Ave. and the dog park.  in CA: Top of Lake Ave hike on a clear night, Zephyr coffee shop and Hermosa Beach.  

29. What’s one thing you’d rather pay someone to do than do yourself? Why?  I used to pay my brother to wash my truck because I didn't like doing it.  and he did a good job.  But now...hmmm....probably still would be to wash the car. 

30. Do you have a catchphrase?  Used to be:  Be Happy.  But now I'm not so sure.  Ben has a lot, and his "it is what it is" is rubbing off on me... 

31. What’s your reaction towards people who are outspoken about their beliefs? What conditions cause you to dislike or, conversely, enjoy talking with them?   Oh my.  I have mixed feelings.  If the venue is online communication, I dislike outspoken people (even those I agree with).  Because it makes discussion very difficult and people often get misunderstood.  But I love a good debate, chat or even argument with outspoken people in person.  Especially if there is mutual respect for each other as a person aside from what we believe.  I have several coworkers who I debate with almost every time we work together.  And we always leave friends, but we go at it =) 

32. How and where do you prefer to study? When I was in college I liked studying outside and in coffee shops.   Basically not in my room or the library.  I like things happening around me.  

33. What position do you sleep in? Side or stomach.  I can't fall asleep on my back.  

34. What’s your all-time favourite town or city? Why? Oohh this is hard.  I love Pasadena (and surrounding areas) and I always will.  Growing up there....mmm we got history.  But I also enjoy the Twin Cities too.  They are unique and have some great food places and parks and the lakes....it is nice.  
You might be asking why not a town or city ELSEWHERE where you've traveled!?  Well, I like cities I have lived in.  You only get to know a city so much when you visit.  To really know if it is your favorite I think you need to live there for at least a little bit... just my personal opinion.  

35. What are the top three qualities that draw you to someone new? Confidence (not arrogance), sense of humor (as long as it's not dirty or immature), Respect for others.  

36. How has your birth order/characteristics of siblings affected you?  Well I'm the only girl in the middle of brothers.  It is good I wasn't the oldest or youngest.  I was bossy and spoiled enough as it was.  I think that i had the right amount of love and teasing and a lowered chance of becoming a girly-girl.  in the end I think I turned out ok.  

37. If you could eliminate one weakness or limitation in your life, what would it be?  My lack of self-motivation at really inconvenient times.  

38. If you could restore one broken relationship, which would it be?  Hmmm at this point, I think all the relationships that have been broken that needed to be restored have.  There are always hiccups and low points in relationships, but aside from some people that weren't good for me, I think my relationships are intact.  

39. If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?  I used to want to change my name all the time.  Katie, Amy, Jennifer...lots of names.  But I am content with my name.  I like it.  It is relatively unique, and yet easy to say and spell (for the most part. people still mess it up).  

40. Do you believe ignorance is bliss? Why or why not?  Sometimes it is.  But it also is irresponsible and unrealistic at times.  Because you're ignoring something that may make your life harder, but was meant to be known.  

41. What do you consider unforgivable?  I've thought a lot about this... And I think that if God can forgive me of some pretty terrible things, how can I find something unforgivable in people.  Besides giving forgiveness isn't meant for the other person as much as it is meant for myself and my own well being.  Not saying it is easy.  at all. 

42. Have you forgiven yourself for past personal failures? Why or why not?  Yes.  But occasionally the Enemy likes to bring them back up and taunt me with them and try to find ways to make me believe I haven't changed.  

43. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?  When I realized forgiveness isn't only for their benefit but mainly for mine, I found it less difficult to forgive someone who refuses to apologize.  

44.Do you hold any convictions that you would be willing to die for?  Absolutely.  My convictions regarding Jesus Christ I would be willing to die for.  

45. To what extent do you trust people? Explain.  in general, i trust them about as far as I can throw them.  which doesn't bode well since most people are a lot bigger than me and are not easily thrown.  Haha just kidding.   Unfortunately I trust people until they give me a reason not to.  I have been burned by this.  But I think people deserve a chance to be found trustworthy.  Basically I don't like having to be suspicious of everyone.  

46. In what area of your life are you immature? Oh dear.  with a group of girlfriends late at night.  

47. What was the best news you ever received?  that I was going to be an auntie.  more than once.  I don't know if Ben's proposal was "news"  but I was pretty happy to receive it...just sayin'

48. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular?  if my words may be hurtful, it is more difficult.  I don't like hurting people with words, especially because I have been hurt by words.  But sometimes truth can be hurtful.  still difficult.  If my words are unpopular though, it is less difficult.  I have learned that a lot of what I have to say is unpopular and yet if I stand by it, I'll say it.   Contrary to what a guy in high school thought when he wrote in my year book (after I slapped him for saying something inappropriate to me): "Sweet simple Suzy,  Just a little advice.  If you keep your standards too high, soon you won't have any friends. "   Um.  Standards are still high.  I still have lots of friends.  So there's that.  

49. When did you immediately click with someone you just met? Why? What was the long term result? Conversely, are you close with anyone now that you really disliked at first?  Too many questions in one question.  Yes, I immediately clicked with a lot of ppl that I just met and became really good friends with most of them.  And yes, there are several people I met and disliked and we became really good friends.  

50. When do you find yourself singing? All. The. Time.  ask anyone.  I sing at the table, I sing in the shower, at work, in the car, at church. EVERYWHERE.  RANDOMLY.  ANY SONG.  i love singing.  especially now that we have a piano.  I sing at home alone a lot =)

So there you have it.  Hopefully it didn't bore you too bad.   Any of my close friends might have been able to tell you most of this about me anyway.  I kinda wear my heart on my sleeve and I talk a lot.  

Anyway.  picture post coming soon.  au revoir.