zeal (n.): passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favour of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.
is there any better word to describe what i want from life in my 30s?
i don't think so.
can you keep a secret? in exactly 30 days, i'm going to be 30. thirty!!! even as i type it, i can't believe it.
i feel so blessed for the life i lead. there are so many things that make it lovely.
which is why, over the next 30 days, i hope you'll indulge me in a bit of a my-favourite-things countdown. from patio parties to weddings, there are so many reasons to love -- and be inspired by -- life.
to begin, i'm going to do something i've never really done before: an all-about me survey. have a little fun with it and send me your answers, too!
what time did you get up this morning? 7:45 a.m.
what goals are you currently working on achieving? i'm thinking of doing a summer reading challenge. book suggestions are welcome! but i also have this long list of life to-dos.
diamonds or pearls? gemstones or yellow diamonds for rings. pearls for earrings.
what was the last film you saw at the cinema? midnight in paris. as a writer and paris-lover, it's now my favourite movie.
what is your favourite tv show? true blood, mad men, gossip girl, boardwalk empire...
what do you usually have for breakfast? green tea and a homemade muffin. (what? i like to bake.) on weekends, it's all about bacon and eggs. mmm.
what is your middle name? anne.
what food do you dislike? cauliflower. *barf* runner-up: celery.
what is your favourite cd at the moment? i don't own any cds, though i'm currently obsessed with the black keys.
what kind of car do you drive? i don't drive anymore: i'm a bike rider/public transit taker/runner/walker. i used to own a mazda3.
favourite sandwich: oh, dear: i love sandwiches. love. i particularly enjoy prosciutto and arugula or anything stuffed with bacon or cheese. but i also get cravings for peanut butter and jelly on white bread. or, après too much drinking, one brimming with potato chips (a hand-me-down obsession from my british au pair).
what characteristic do you despise? people who won't forgive others' faults. no one is perfect.
favourite item of clothing? a green dress i nabbed at h&m.
what's your go-to workout? running. i'm training for a half-marathon in october.
realist or romantic? romantic.
if you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? i'm pretty fortunate to have travelled to many of my must-see places (southeast asia, south america, france). right now, it's a toss-up between south africa, paris (again), australia, india or italy.
favourite brand of clothing? i don't have one label i love... i kind of go with whatever i feel comfortable in.
where would you like to retire to? i think i'd like to stay in toronto (with some moola so i can travel the world).
what was your most recent memorable birthday? i'm a summer baby. i'm either never around for my birthday or no one else is. i'm looking forward to this year's celebrations.
favourite sport to watch? hockey or soccer. i like going to baseball games, too.
are you a morning person or a night person? no question: morning person. the latest i can last without losing it at night is 4 a.m.
what is your shoe size? ring size? eight. for both.
pets? i grew up with dogs (brutus and buster!), but am without until i have a backyard/house.
what did you want to be when you were little? anything and everything, but mostly a television news weather anchor or a novelist.
what are your favourite sweets? fresh chocolate chip cookies, this mandarin orange tart-like cake my mom bakes, lemon meringue pie or mint chocolate chip ice cream. though, i rarely eat sweets or dessert.
what are your favourite flowers? daisies, peonies, lilies, sunflowers or white roses.
what are you listening to right now? Q107
what was the last thing you ate? a homemade banana chocolate chip muffin.
do you wish on stars? all the time… one day my wishes will come true, so I can’t give up!
if you were a crayon, what colour would you be? yellow.
how is the weather right now? sunny and warm.
the first person you spoke to on the phone today? no one. i have a smartphone. so i text or email. :(
favourite restaurant? delux on ossington avenue, oyster boy/terroni/the drake on queen street west... but i also love trying new restaurants.
real hair colour? brown.
what was your favourite toy as a child? molly the dolly. or she-ra.
summer or winter? fall.
favourite holiday? thanksgiving or summer long weekends.
hugs or kisses? hugs.
chocolate or vanilla? chocolate.
coffee or tea? tea. or lattes.
when was the last time you cried? i cry (tears of joy!) at everything, so probably yesterday.
what is under your bed? nothing. that's bad feng shui.
what did you do last night? pedestrian sunday. dinner at my brother's house. went to see midnight in paris. stayed up late talking.
what are you afraid of? flying. wasps.
salty or sweet? salty.
how many keys on your key ring? way too many. nine at last count.
how many years at your current job? seven months... and i never plan on leaving.
favourite day of the week? friday.
how many towns have you lived in? three.
are you a good friend? i've been a distant friend (for various reasons), but i'm making up for that now. and i'm blessed to have a friend base that's understanding (they've helped me grow into a better person).
