Tagged by Default

So my friend Cate over at Show My Face was recently tagged to do this 11 facts thing and while she sensibly didn’t re-tag anyone (who likes being tagged, I mean really. It’s too much pressure!) I just knew that she was looking in my direction when she said she wasn’t tagging anyone. Because if she was tagging anyone at all, it’d totally be me because that’s how we roll. We’s tight like that. So here we go.

11 Facts

Ok, already I’m going to have to put my foot down and say no. Eleven facts about me? You can find 100 of them on my About page. I can’t even think of 11 more.

Oh hey, questions! That’s much easier:

1. If you could meet someone famous (living or dead), who would it be?

I think I’d like to meet and chat with Dzongsar Khyentse Jamyang Rinpoche. He is a world renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher (and movie director!) who has a straight-forward and almost offensive manner of teaching the Dharma. He is featured in a documentary called The Words of my Perfect Teacher. I’ve seen the film and my absolute favourite part is a single line uttered by Rinpoche about the importance of a spiritual teacher or guru: “He is the assassin… 
he is the man or woman whom you have hired to completely dismantle you.” There’s something romantic about this notion that hits me at my very core. And of course he’s totally right… a teacher is not there to soothe your ego, but to assist you in breaking it to pieces so you can see things as they are. So I’d like to spend some time with Rinpoche so that he could skillfully disabuse me of my notion of self. (photo credit)

2. If you could live somewhere else, where would you live and why?

I’d like to live in a quiet place, in a valley or on a mountain side, next to a stream. I was born and raised in a beach city but I’m not beachy at all. I prefer trees and prairie grasses to sand.

3. What is the biggest mistake you think you've made?

Hmm. This could be a number of things (I’m not known for my great decision-making skills) but I think the primary mistake I wish I would have avoided was taking out student loans to go to grad school. I never did finish my MA but for some reason the d*cks still want their money back. A LOT of money. Like a luxury car worth of money. I’m one of the working poor thanks to those blundered series of decisions.

4. Would you prefer playing the guitar or the violin?

I’ve played both. As a child I briefly played violin, and I played guitar as a teenager. I don’t have much interest in playing either of them now but I guess if I was going to, I’d like acoustic guitar.

5. What is the best thing about being the age you are now?

Knowing my own mind better, and knowing how to deal with it when it acts up like a spoiled brat.

6. What is the worst thing about being the age you are now?

Creaky knees and hips. But that could be more related to extra weight than age. It bothers me tremendously that I can’t sit on a cushion on the floor for teachings and meditation. I’m hopeful that weight loss and yoga will get me comfortably back on the floor where I belong.

7. What is your worst nightmare?

Falling down and breaking bones. Or falling, cracking my head, and then dying.

8. What was the best thing that happened to you in your childhood?

I was taught to laugh… at myself, at difficult situations.

9. Do you enjoy cooking and baking and what's your favourite dish?

I really enjoy cooking but I’m not such a good baker. I don’t have the patience for all the exact measuring that’s required. I’m not a fancy cook and so my favourite dish is cho-cho, a simple Tibetan noodle stir-fry dish. You can make it with whatever protein and veggies you have on hand. I like firm tofu with napa cabbage, yellow onion, sliced garlic and grated carrot. Season with some soy sauce, white pepper, a dash of coriander, a pat of butter (I know that sounds weird but TRUST ME, it makes the sauce), a dollop of chili sauce and a splash of sesame oil and you’ve got a delicious and filling supper (or lunch the next day!) A close second in terms of favourites would be my husband’s momos (Tibetan steamed dumplings). Full of fat and onions, they are so good but very labor-intensive. I can help make the filling but have no skill in wrapping them up in the little dough rounds.

10. When was the last time you relaxed all day and did what you wanted to do?

Last week! I try to do that one day a week, usually Wednesday (it’s one of my days off from work). I sleep as late as I want, eat whatever I want and just generally goof off most of the day. Sometimes I run errands or have dr appointments but for the most part, the day is mine. I stay in my jammies and write letters or make cards or envelopes and watch reruns on Hulu, Amazon Prime or YouTube.

11. Have you ever swum in the nude, and would you if you could?

I haven’t but I would if I could (if no one would see!)