| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | I grew up on a small one hundred acre farm, so I helped with chores and farming the land. On Sundays, we would go into town where my mom's parents lived. It was there where I learned to water ski, fish, as well as play cards. My whole family is big into playing cards; from Bridge, to Pinochle, to Sheephead, to Gin Rummy. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My little sister and I are the closest due to the fact that the older siblings were out of the house a lot sooner. Being close in age, we did most everything together. We used to fight like cats and dogs as kids, but ever since high school we have been best friends. She is just the most caring and compassionate person I've ever known. I'm close with all my siblings as family has been, and always will be, important to me. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire people with confidence and passion in whatever they do. People who are kind and caring and would go that extra mile, or give you the shirt off their back...that is kind of attitude that gains my respect. I believe that one should use their gift. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | Well, I love to laugh, and life provides plenty of opportunities for laughter. I suppose there are a hundred stories I could recall. For example, the only animals we had on our farm were dogs, cats, and chickens. I remember the first time I helped butcher chickens. I must have been about nine or so. My dad worked the chopping block. Once he was done, it was my job to transport the bodies down to the house where the women were waiting to clean them. Well, no one had told me that even without a head a chicken can still jump or run around for a short while. So here I am running after these headless chickens! Kind of bizarre, but it was pretty funny at the time. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I've traveled many places already, including Italy, Greece, Egypt and Germany. Traveling has always been a passion of mine. Learning about history and new cultures fascinates me. The next place on my list to visit is Spain and Portugal. They seem to have a great laid-back way of life. It would be fun to witness a bullfight and just experience the culture. Also on my list are Australia and New Zealand. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | There is so much to tell and to teach that I'm not sure where I'd begin. I'd like to instill in them a sense of goodness and kindness. It would be nice to leave them with a strong sense of self, and the belief that they can do anything that they set their mind to...if they can dream it, they can do it. God has given us all many talents, and we should try to use them the best we can. Most of all I'd want to pass on the knowledge that they are loved. |
