An Interview With My 29 Year Old Self
Birthday Celebrations
To celebrate the beginning of the end of my 20's, I ran a 10k in Santa Cruz. I trained for this race for the past few months, getting up in the cold, dark, wee hours each Saturday morning and running my routes while everyone was still sleeping. I've done so many races in my life, from 5ks to half marathons, but I took a break from racing last year and it felt so good to get back into it this weekend. I was pretty happy with my time (43:43) given it was a hilly course, and it was fun to get first place out of 259 women. Derek and I stayed at the Hilton in Santa Cruz for the weekend, and I honestly can't imagine a better way to celebrate my birthday! A few other special birthday moments over the last few weeks included a yummy lunch with my family (who got me chocolate covered strawberries) and Derek going to a 6am yoga class with me on President's Day, which was so fun! Well... more fun for me than for him lol.
my Top goals before I turn 30
1. Take a solo vacation to a place I've always wanted to go.
2. Visit at least one continent I've never been to before. Africa, Antarctica and South America are the only ones left...
3. Film my grandparents and other family members sharing their life stories.
4. Run in at least four races and place in the top three for each one.
5. Get promoted at work.
6. Gain at least one new client for my scrapbooking business.
An Interview With My 29 Year Old Self
I thought it would be fun to reflect on my past 29 years of life and fill out the Proust Questionnaire, a famous set of questions. I'm so curious to read this again someday and see how my answers have changed, if at all. Here we go!
- What is your idea of perfect happiness? Reading a book alone on a secluded, warm, sunny beach, after I've just gone for a long run.
- What is your greatest fear? That someday my child passes away before I do. The loss of a child is, in my opinion, the most devastating loss in the world.
- What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience. Mostly with myself, but also with other people. It can make me very uptight sometimes, which I hate.
- What is the trait you most deplore in others? Insecurity. Although it comes out in different ways depending on the person, it is almost always mean or hurtful to others.
- Which living person do you most admire? My brother, who has faced so much adversity in his life, who beat the odds in so many ways. Despite having many reasons to be angry or resentful, he isn't. Which I doubt many people, including myself, would be able to say.
- What is your greatest extravagance? Staying in really nice hotels - I always splurge.
- What is your current state of mind? Curious and apprehensive. I started a new role at work, so I'm curious about the new problems I'm solving, but the slightest tinge of self-doubt creeps in on the daily.
- What do you consider the most overrated virtue? This isn't really a virtue, but I'd say extraversion. Society tends to reward people who are "people-people" but the ability to connect with yourself and find energy from within is undervalued.
- On what occasion do you lie? When it will protect someone from feeling extremely hurt or disappointed.
- What do you most dislike about your appearance? My skin - I wish it was naturally more clear and tan!
- Which living person do you most despise? I don't despise anyone I personally know, but there are a few people who I cannot tolerate because their insecurities breed toxicity.
- What is the quality you most like in a man? Humility. Strangely, I find it less tolerable to be around men with big egos than women with big egos.
- What is the quality you most like in a woman? Eloquence. I admire women who are articulate and have conviction when they speak.
- Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "You know what I mean?" or "Oh my god"... I'm working on getting better, I promise!
- What or who is the greatest love of your life? Derek. He is a go-getter with a heart of gold. I've adored him since the day we met.
- When and where were you happiest? March 5, 1998, at Good Samaritan hospital in San Jose, when I finally got to hold my newborn little sister.
- Which talent would you most like to have? To be a writer. I would love to have the ability to write gripping, heart-wrenching historical fictions.
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be less conflict avoidant and just speak my truth. It would lead to stronger, healthier relationships.
- What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a supportive role-model to my sister.
- If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? This is corny, but I think I'd want to come back as a seashell so that I can sit on the beach and just listen to the ocean all day.
- Where would you most like to live? Singapore. Easy access to beaches and other beach destinations, but still a clean, beautiful city with warm weather.
- What is your most treasured possession? My engagement ring. I am so obsessed with it that I'm often scared to wear it for fear of damaging or losing it.
- What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Silent suffering. When unhappiness or negativity sits inside of you, is never vocalized, and then makes you bitter or resentful. I think that is truly the most miserable feeling.
- What is your favorite occupation? Being a chef. I don't want to be one, but I absolutely love watching chefs cook, eat, and talk about food.
- What is your most marked characteristic? Probably my uber-neat/clean freak/organized nature. It's intense.
- What do you most value in your friends? Authenticity. I'm drawn to people who know who they are, are real with others, and aren't afraid to say what they think.
- Who are your favorite writers? Lisa See, Liane Moriarty, Emily Giffin. They're the only authors who have written multiple books each that I love.
- Who is your hero of fiction? Rocky Balboa. I love anyone who is an underdog and rises to the top.
- Which historical figure do you most identify with? I have no idea. Does Michelle Obama count?
- Who are your heroes in real life? My Poa Poa, who came to the US with barely anything, got an education, had a successful career, and is the most generous, selfless person I know.
- What are your favorite names? That's top secret. Check back in 10 years after I have kids.
- What is it that you most dislike? When people try to force their beliefs or lifestyle on you, or judge you for your beliefs or lifestyle.
- What is your greatest regret? Not keeping in touch with as many people as I would like.
- How would you like to die? Peacefully in my sleep, after kissing and hugging my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
- What is your motto? Early to bed and early to rise...