Hmmm...how about: "Interested in everything"? Anytime I see something new I want to know everything there is to know about it. I lose many an hour on Google because of this!
Before I became a mum I taught EFL at different levels. One year it was P1 in Beijing, China, then after that I spent several years teaching at a university in Laos.
I continued to teach and completed a master's degree after my first child was born, but now that I have two children I let myself have a break from that.
Currently I work on a part time basis as a substitute teacher at an International school, and also do some freelance writing.
I first started blogging in 2000 because someone showed me a blog community (it was called Diaryland) and said, "I think you would like this!"
I began as an online journal, then when I had my first child in 2004 it metamorphosed into a way to connect with other women in the same phase of life. I actually didn't have any mum friends in my 'real life' circle. I was the first to have a child. I still feel a closeness to those women I 'met' online in 2004, even though we have never been together offline.
It was only a year ago when I decided to buy a real "dot com" address and use my blog as a platform to encourage others that travel with children is possible, and even enjoyable!
People really surprise me with their empathy. When I had a lump on my chest that needed checking out, I had a reader email me privately to see if I was okay and if the appointment went well.
Then around Christmas I blogged about my four year-old asking for a 'Woody' action figure from the movie Toy Story, but when I checked prices on Amazon they were very expensive (because the movie is 15 years-old, or more!). A reader emailed me that her 14 year-old son had a 'Woody' toy from when he was younger; she dug around in storage, found it, and mailed it to me!
Just recently I had a sweet email from a lady who said she had read my blog for a long time, she really enjoyed it and had bought some products based on my recommendations.
It really touched my heart and made my day!
Well, I am a bit biased because my favorite reads are mostly those who I feel are my bloggy friends as well.
I love reading the blog for Bamboletta dolls, beautiful handmade Waldorf dolls. In fact I've just ordered a custom doll for my preschooler.
Also some of my friends I've yet-to-meet are Katy did and Kid, a mum of one who blogs about crafting and green-living katydidandkid.blogspot.com
And Megan is a terriffic writter with adorable kiddlets, based in the Chicago area. She was one of the original friends from back in 2004! I might actually get to meet her this summer because I'm attending the BlogHer conference in Chicago, June 2009.
The hip thing in America right now is blogging as a business, so everyone buzzes about 'building your brand' and 'search engine optimization'. It's quite overwhelming, especially if you are essentially only journaling online, but I did study Mass Communications at university so I find it very intriguing.
My favourite advice source for achieving bloggy greatness is BlogCoach.org
Having a blog really is a lifeline. It's easy to get frustrated with a 'host culture', especially after the honeymoon phase is over. Some days I love everything about being here, and some days there isn't a single thing I like! Being able to blog my emotions and get nearly instant feed back (via commenting) from friends around the world really helps me keep perspective. And it's so much cheaper than therapy!
I felt a bit smug when my first child potty trained by his 2nd birthday! We used an Asian method of "elimination communication" and he really did great!
Oh and I'm very proud that my 18-month-old can understand instructions in different languages, even though he can't speak. I didn't really have anything to do with that but it still makes me swell with pride!
I also feel proud when they willingly try new and exotic foods, but that doesn't happen every day!
I love the idea of raising my children to be 'world citizens'. Of course they aren't entirely exotic; they like eating chips and watching cartoons just like every child!
I am always marveling at the sage advice I am made to spout. It's usually along the lines of, "Don't eat that!", "We don't lick (the mirror)", or, "You need to wash your hands now."
I wish children were born knowing about germs.
Only by association, but I often wanted to crawl into a hole when one of them would be noisy or disruptive on an airplane flight.
It wasn't his fault but when Jojo was two and a half, we flew alone, just the two of us, a very long distance (over 12 hours) to go visit my parents. Just as we were landing, he vomited all over the place and started crying! Then he said he had to wee! But the 'fasten safety belts' sign was lit so I just had him wee into an air sickness bag. Really all of the other passengers were very understanding, but I was keenly aware that all eyes were on us!
I wasn't mad, I just wished I was invisible.
My boys are 18 months and four and a half years. The younger ADORES the older and follows him everywhere. However the older does not appreciate his company at all! I wish I knew how to help them be friends.
I also worry about doing enough to connect them with their home culture as they grow up abroad.
I would love to talk to Oprah. I haven't seen her show in years but I admire how she has acheived widespread fame in a positive way, having come from very humble beginnings.
I'm not really sure what I would ask her, but since everything she touches seems to turn to gold, maybe I would just ask her to give me her best advice!
