The Rules:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using ONLY the first page, pick an image to represent your answer.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What is your favorite color?
4. Favorite drink?
5. Dream vacation?
6. Favorite hobby?
7. What you want to be when you grow up?
8. What do you love most in life?
9. One word to describe you?

First off, you may notice there are not nine photos, but twelve. I shall explain.
Nothing came up for “EllenRebekah”. I searched for “Rebekah” as that’s how I’m known, but later searched for “Ellen”. Then I have always wanted to be two things when I grew up, with equal passion I think. Then to even out the mosaic in the creator I used I added a second dream vacation. I love that last three are all passion movement but did not all come up when I searched for “dance”, I actually had to try a few things, as I did for mother.

• 1a. The cookie baking came from the show of the same name
• 1b. “What’s a Rebekah?”
• 2. Never been good at choosing one favorite but I do love a big plate of spaghetti with meat sauce.
• 3. I chose “teal” and loved this, I do love seaglass colors.
• 4. My favorite fizzy
• 5a. I would love to take a few days for a girls trip and be a total fan girl in that green part of the West Coast.
• 5b. I would also really love to take another Disney Cruise (and visit Disney World again) with Tim, but also share it with Sara Ellen, and bring my fam along for fun and babysitting (if we even needed it with all the kid stuff on the Cruise Line).
• 6. For “beading” the “teal” photo came up but this one is just really cool.
• 7a&b. So, always wanting to be a mother and a dancer, I had to choose both and somehow make it work. The dance pic is so simple and striking.
• 8. Eight and Nine boiled down to “God’s joy” but not wanting to be redundant in joyfullness, I tried things like hope, faith, etc. In this one movement is full of joy, I really like this song from whence the lyrics come (in the photo description), and danced to it my senior year at R-MWC. There is the freedom that He gives.
• 9. More joy, shining through.

Yay, you! You did it! You’re done! You made it! You’re through! OH, WHAT A GREAT MOMENT! Now what will you do? There are so many choices. The world is immense. Take a good look around and decide what makes sense. Some like to go fast. Some like to go slow. Some like to get going however they go. Some like to be peaceful, and joyful, and wise. Some choose to just ponder the size of their thighs. So look north! And look south! Look ahead! Look behind! Stare into the mirror… now. What do you find? Should you live where it’s cold? Should you live where it’s hot? Do you want to be terribly busy? Or not? Do you need lots of friends, or only a few? Would you like to have friends with a new point of view? Is your mind moved by science? Or does art move your soul? Do you listen to rivers, or to great rock-and-roll? Do you long for adventure? Do you love to read maps? Would you rather stay home with your chocolate perhaps? You already have wit. You already have style. You have very kind eyes and a dazzling smile. But now… But now… But now… But NOW… Hey! What’s the hurry, anyhow? There are PLACES TO GET TO! And PROJECTS TO DO! PEOPLE TO TALK WITH, and LUNCHES TO CHEW! But stopping a while is okay, too. And whatever you do – now or later, big or small, loud or quiet – whatever you do, don’t worry. Just try it. Whatever you do, whether near or so far, I know you’ll be great. You already are.

Sara Ellen asked me to read this to her and I was seeing all the choices that I’ve made in the last 6 years, or just the things that have happened. I’ve gone slow, then suddenly fast, getting there however I do. I’ve tried peaceful and wise, but often stared at my thighs. I’ve lived where it cold… and hot. I’ve kept up with old friends, made some new, and most have their personal POV. Science is interesting, but art moves my soul. I like rivers and rock, though probably not together. I like adventure, reading maps, but I also like to stay home with chocolate.

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn Thank you Kate for shoving them into my hands!!

Twilight I had not planned to reread so soon, but it was around (after I bought a copy for myself at Target) so I did, with the idea that I’d get the timeline in my head before the movie.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I read all these because I it was another world I knew I could get lost in. I needed something else!

House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubas III. One of a bunch of books I got basically free at a book fair. I really did not like it at all, but the writing kept my attention. I wanted to know what happened and after reaching the pathetic ending, tossed the book in the recycling.

Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment by Joan Aiken. Kind of like (or is) fan fiction. Picks up after Austen’s work. I really enjoyed it! It was lent to me during a camping trip to Rocky Gap November 1 & 2. I’d brougt Lord of the Rings but this was easier to get into.

New Moon After buying it from Target. I don’t remember exactly when that was, perhaps before the above.
Eclipse in Nov/Dec ‘08 after getting it “free” from amazon
Breaking Dawn I’d purchased it soon after it came out b/c I’d only been lent the first 3. This time I stayed up till early morning reading the first night Sara Ellen and I spent in our CVille home on the sofabed. I wasn’t trying to finish it, it’s just wonderful. The Cullen family is the best.

The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood I thought I’d read it before but there were things I hadn’t remembered. I’ve also read (not this year) Little Altars Everywhere and Ya-Ya’s in Bloom

A Wrinkle in Time My first time! Actually, I don’t remember reading any of these particular books by Madeleine L’Engel, except for AAT. I enjoyed them and even Tim read them after my descriptions of the ideas of science involved.
A Wind in the Door
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
Many Waters
An Acceptable Time

Angels and Demons Not because the movie is coming. I just did not want to read TDC but wanted something I knew that was fast-paced.

Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn My third time – Tim has no idea why I’m so obsessed.

Jurassic Park I started this on our plane trip to California January 30 and finished on the trip back Feb 3. I realized I hadn’t read it!

Twilight I now confess, I read for the 4th time in February while Tim was away and am now making it known to him.
New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone audiobook Listened to it on short trips between Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and Richmond. I really helps keep me focused (music can fade in the background), less nervous on unknown roads (I got crazy “lost” between LBurg and Richmond).

Emma I’d seen the movie Clueless recently and wanted to compare it to the book, as well as read a classic. Took a while to get started in the first two weeks in March but it was fun.
Digital Fortress Took this, an easy read, for our trip to Massachusetts March 12-15.
Congo Also took to Mass. Not as exciting as the movie, which is one of my classic 90’s favorites.
The Notebook Got free at the CVille book recycling trailer (at the McIntire Rd recycling center, and read in a few hours before bed, and finished the next morning.
The Samurai’s Daughter A random find at last year’s Key School Book Fair. I really enjoyed the perspective of Japanese/American woman who grew up in San Francisco. Finished in time to have it packed on March 27.
The Host Finally gave in and got Stephenie Meyer’s only other [so far] non-Twilight book. I started in on the trip to CA, March 29.
The Devil Wears Prada First pick from the Cupertino Library. Not nearly as enjoyable as the movie.
The Jesus Chronicles: Luke’s Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Started slow but got better once Luke was older and hearing the rumors of Jesus and it’s neat to read at Easter-time.

Artic Drift A new Clive Cussler, slow going.

Twilight audio Gave it a chance and don’t love the reader’s voice

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I think it might get better every time

The Other Boleyn Girl Kind of interesting, a *little* easier than watching the movie but I didn’t love it.

New Moon
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn

StardustIt was ok, I like the movie better.

Vienna Prelude I haven’t read this in years. Still good but not my favorite anymore. First of nine in the Zion Covenant.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder Same author at the Ya-Ya’s. I wasn’t sure where it was going for a while I ended up really liking it.

Neverwhere Another Neil Gaiman. I liked it a lot, more than Stardust

Corsair Another new Clive Cussler like this better than Arctic Drift

Midnight SunStephenie Meyer’s work in progress of Twilight from Edward’s perspective. It’s available on her website. I’ve read it three times now. It’s only 12 chapters so far (Twilight is 24) and it doesn’t corresponde exaclty, but it *is* a work in progress. I love the original series but it’s equally amazing reading this way.

1. I was born in Washington, DC and lived in Alexandria, VA for two months. I grew up in Annapolis, MD. My parents live there still and until a month ago, that was my official US address.

2. I gave birth to my daughter in Norway. She could have dual citizenship, but does not.

3. I have always wanted to be a mother AND a dancer. It is still a goal!

4. I have had surgery 4 times.

6. Two of my surgeries were related to a condition called Osteochondroma and sometimes Exostosis.It’s generally just annoying. Occassionally embarassing. Infrequently causes pain or restricts movement (only when I try to split on one side:-)). I just seem to have a funky skeleton.

5. I graduated from a private Christian high school but most of my schooling was actually public.

6. I went to a woman’s college, not because it was single-sex (and I do mean “was”), or because my mother went to one as well (not the same), but because I loved it (and I still do).

7. I support, and have been a practitioner of, extended breastfeeding.

8. I have never had an obsession until recently. Shame on you (or me) if you don’t know what it is. I want to travel cross-country to revel in its fictional glory!

9. I grew up practicing ballet, but my adoration of modern dance began in college (as is the case for many). Martha Graham is just wicked and it’s my desire/goal to be in a [small] modern dance company.

10. I love to scrapbook but I follow my ideas, not “Creative Memories”. My albums won’t be used for advertizing, but they suit me well. I also find inspiration in fun jewelry designs but go my own way, using what I have for myself or others.

11. I am quite fair-skinned and I am always learning to live with it.

12. I would love to have redder hair but I’m not going to dye it, God gave me a very nice mix of colors. I also would love it to be wavier or curlier, but I don’t have the time or skills to make it so.

13. It’s almost 3 years since I returned from living in Norway. I’d really like to visit but I’m not sure what I’ll do all day if I make it.

14. I am 6th in a heritage of Ellen’s. My daughter is 7th.

15. I grew up knowing one set of grandparents, my mothers. Her mother was widowed (with 1 child), her father was divorced (with 2 children) before they found eachother. They had three children together and lived happily ever after. My daughter has three grandmothers, and two grandfathers!

16. I always have been, and probably always will be a “troublemaker” when it comes to my name. It wasn’t my fault originally, but I made it even more complicated, but that’s only because I like it so much!

Where is your mobile phone?
bedroom

Describe your girlfriend(s):
alumnae

Your hair:
unstyled

Your mother:
goofy

Your father:
retired

What is your favourite gadget?
cellphone

What did you dream last night?
travel

What do you prefer to drink?
chai

Dream car?
bigger

What room are you currently in?
Living

Your ex?
married

Your biggest fear?
leaving

What do you want to be in 10 years?
dancing

Who did you spend last night with?
family

What are you not?
mathematical

The last thing you did?
snuggle

What are you wearing?
gray

Favorite book?
yikes

The last thing you ate?
nuts

Your life?
transitional

Your mood?
average

Your best friends?
south

What are you thinking about right now?
lots

Your car?
unsure

What are you doing right now?
responding

Your Summer?
norway?

Marital status?
ideal

What is on your TV right now?
reflection

When did you last laugh?
recently

When did you last cry?
sunday

School?
sad

Your it – Allison, Makeba

I have friends who use all the different blog-hosting sites, facebook, xanga, etc. Anyone can read some public stuff but if you want to see some things, make comments, you need your own account. Ugg. I used to use xanga but deleted that account after a week or two once we set this up. I created another xanga just so I could post comments on Emily and Michael’s sites, that was more important when I was in Norway.

I got my own site because I wanted to design it my own way. I really like it, though there are things I’d like to tweak. It’s not free but with all Tim’s online stuff, it doesn’t cost us anything, except for having my own domain name. I’m not sure of all the details. He helped me put it together and I learned so I could do the upkeep myself.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their
conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, “I love you,” mean it

FIVE. When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
~~ We were engaged 3 1/2 months. Just enough time to bring together the simple wedding we loved and somehow get packed off to Norway. I don’t recommend this time length. In fact, 6 months is probably easier. I do recommend knowing the person a good while.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
~~I haven’t necessarily agreed but when I first met Tim, I knew I wanted to know him. (And I did like how he looked.) You might called this love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone’s dream. People who don’t have dreams don’t
have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way
to live life completely.

TEN… In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don’t judge people by their relatives.
~~

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
~~Some of the best people I now think more slowly, mull things over. If you think too quickly you may not process it all.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile
and ask, “Why do you want to know?”
~~Sometimes that just generally a good idea, and very useful with children.

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great
risk.
~~When Tim and I got back together in 2003, it was because we believed it was worth the risk.

FIFTEEN. Say “bless you” when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and
responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
~~In college I left one roommate for another and the previous relationship was a little strained. I apologized and our friendship was saved.

NINETEEN. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to
correct it.
~~Figuring out how and why you made the mistake are good too

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your
voice.
~~That’s easier when you have caller id

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.
~~Refreshing and getting to know yourself. This is important when you’re a mom. Just taking time out to shower (or take a hot bath) is good. Soaking in warm water is wonderful!

One of the questions was “favorite childhood memory”. I have a hard time picking a favorite anything because there are lots of things I like but I had erased the previous answers to put my own and completely forgot to answer it. Since then I’ve come up with a few neat memories.

*I played flute in the middle school band. After concerts Dad would take me to 7-Eleven for slurpees.

*As a pre-/adolescent Dad and I would have Dad/Daughter dates. I don’t remember everything we did but one time during a trip to Richmond to visit Mom’s parents, he and I went out by ourselves to see “Ghost Dad” with Bill Cosby. It’s still one of my favorite movies.

*As a very little girl Mom would make up stories to put me to sleep. They usually included my favorite cartoon characters like Care Bears. She read sometimes of course, but those spur-of-the-moment stories are more memorable.

*Before moving to Richmond, my grandparents had a house in Simsbury, Connecticut. During one winter visit, the downhill driveway had been paved so there was a huge pile of snow. My cousin Barrie and I climbed all over it. I think we wanted to get over it instead of just going around.

*Making mud pies

*”Sneaking” around my street with a flashlight looking in other peoples yards and infrequently windows.

*Feeling brave in elementary school because we stood on mounds of hard-packed red dirt by the building walls we pretended, or thought were dead bodies and listening to the walls for ghosts.