MeMe Q&A Follow up

Thanks everyone for making me feel special and asking me to talk about myself.

Oh man, you guys seriously asked some really hard questions.

I was thinking more on the lines of “what’s your favorite color/food.” Talk about deep thinking. Not to mention, some of these question may or may not require me to open old long ago healed wounds, and reveal my most painful deepest darkest secrets. To protect my mental/emotional well-being, I may have to be somewhat vague. You understand, I’m sure.

That said, I’ll do my best to answer each of your questions and candidly as possible.

So…..

Andrea asked:
“If you could change one thing about your teen years, what would it be? It seems like the majority of people always say that they wouldn't change anything because they learned so much from it, or are the person they are today because of the choices they made, blah, blah, blah, it kind of sounds like crap to me. However, I am curious as to your thoughts on the subject.”

Hmmm. There are some things I would change, sure. I wouldn’t have been so boy crazy. And let me tell you I was really boy crazy. I finally wised up my senior year, and had a blast with my girls. I wish I hadn’t wasted so much time chasing boys.
And I wish I had passed the AP English test. Stupid Grapes of Wrath (which I didn’t read).

Annette asked:
“What was your favorite childhood toy?”

That’s an easy one. Thank you Annette! When I was little I was obsessed with Annie (as in the musical, little orphan Annie). I sang the songs constantly. I used to make my little sisters act it out with me.
I had a doll, I called it my turn around doll. It had a frilly pink dress, and you could wind it up and it would turn around in a circle and play “The Sun’ll Come out Tomorrow.”
I also had a heart necklace that was broken in half, just like the one Annie had.

Erin asked:
"What is the best book you have ever read?"

That’s harder than you think to answer. Because I like different genres for different reasons, and I have favorites in all categories. Best over all? Hmmm….I’m not sure.
I really enjoyed reading Angels & Demons because of the history, and of course because it’s sent in Italy. And I like the action. I’m not sure if that’s my absolute favorite though. I also loved Pride and Prejudice. And all of Jane Austen. And David Morrell. This is a really hard question. I just can't decide.
But since you're asking favorites, and nobody asked this, my favorite composer is Chopin. Hands down.

"When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

I’ve always had a passion for music, even when I was really little. And I’ve always loved to perform. I remember my extended family gathering around to hear my sing, and loving the spotlight.
So, I always knew I wanted to be in music, and be a performer. Concert pianist, or broadway singer.

"How many hours a day did your piano teacher require you to practice at the highest point?"

I don’t remember if she set an actual time limit. I do remember at times I would practice at least 2 hours a day. I used to get up at 5 in the morning to practice, I’d go to my piano lesson during my lunch break in high school (so I could be in the musical after school), then I’d go home after school and practice more. I also remember loving to practice. Sometimes it was hard and I wanted to goof off and play something besides what I was supposed to, but my Mom never had to hound me to practice. I actually got out of a lot of chores because I was practicing piano.

"What is your most embarrassing moment?"

Ha ha! All of my embarrassing moments involved bodily fluids. But my most embarrassing?
Probably 5th grade. The class was taking SAT tests, and I was afraid I’d get in trouble if I asked to go to the bathroom, and I just couldn’t hold it anymore, so I wet my pants.
It was the single most humiliating moment of my life.
I was very emotionally scarred for many years because of it. Thanks for opening that wound. Thanks a lot.

2busy asked:
"Any more psycho car chases lately?"

Ha ha! No, thank goodness. Hopefully that whole thing has been settled. Keep your fingers crossed.

span>"On another note, did you study music in college?"
span>
No, I didn’t. And I regret it. At the time, I felt so insecure and inadequate and I knew the music department was so competitive and I didn’t think I was good enough. I didn’t even audition for a scholarship, and later my freshman year, after the department head had heard me sing, she told me I should’ve auditioned because I would’ve gotten it. One of the many times that my insecurities of held me back.
So, my declared major was English secondary education…and I took A LOT of music classes, before I quit to get married and have babies.
So, yes, I’m a college drop out. (I’m so ashamed). One day, I want to go back, and I would like to study piano performance, but again, I’m afraid I’m not good enough, or that now I’m too old.

Lagirl asked:
"Any "guilty pleasures"?(I'm talkin' food here)"

Uh, hello. Umm…all of it!! I have a very unhealthy relationship with food. Eating is probably one of my favorite past times. If my hubby and I go out, it is always to eat. Always. I love eating out. But my biggest weakness if chocolate. I actually like a lot of healthy food. I don’t really love fast food, or hamburgers. But, give me dessert, and I just go hog wild. I always order dessert. And I have been known to eat an entire bag of Hershey’s kisses in one sitting.

Peggy asked:
"Yeah, whatever happened with that guy?"

Hopefully, he’s off the grid, and I’ll never see him again.

"How do you get a piano student to practice? He loves coming to lessons (I think he has a crush on me) but just is NOT progressing. Any advice?"

How old is he?
I’ve learned over the years that parent involvement is the biggest factor is kids practicing. It seemed, without fail, that every time I had someone not practicing it was because their parents used piano lessons as a half hour break from their kids every week. I would stress very strongly about getting them involved.
I also had a practice record they took home every week, and they had to fill it out and bring it back to me, and show me exactly what songs they practiced and how long.
And I always had a treat or some kind of reward for practicing.
Good luck!

Jan asked:
"When did you start having your social anxieties? I have always been curious about that. Love this."

You know, it’s probably not as bad as I make it sound. I was always kind of a nerd growing up. I was never really comfortable in social situations. Ironically though, I always craved the limelight. So, I learned to draw attention to myself. I kind of became the class clown. For some reason, if I made a fool of myself I didn’t feel so stupid.
As I’ve gotten older, and mellowed out, I’ve been a little less, um, dorky, I guess.
But, it’s gotten worse as I’ve gotten older and had kids. Crowds really bother me. It started, I guess, when I was expecting my first baby. I couldn’t stand people touching me, and being “in my space.” I guess I just never grew out of that. I like to have my distance. I’m not much of a hugger. I prefer small, intimate gatherings rather than big ones.
By the way, thank you Veronica for letting me ride with you to the meet and greet, because I would’ve been way less comfortable if I hadn’t had one person with me when I arrived.

Wonderwoman asked:
"So I can't ask what your fave position is? I feel so free when I'm commenting.....I know my mom won't read it."

You can ask, but I’m not going to answer it. And, your Mom reads my blog!
Mwa-hahaha (evil laugh)

"Seriously......I want to know your most embarrassing moment. And biggest regret."

Biggest regret? I’ve decided that I can’t live my life looking back, and wishing I hadn’t done this, or I’d done that. Besides, I don’t think we should live with regret. That is what repentence and the Atonement are for.
That said, if I had to name a few regrets: not majoring in music in college, not finishing college, quitting the violin.
But those are trivial things, and I try not to let them bother me.

Sarah asked:
"Will you come to my house and help me redesign my blog?"

Sure! Anytime! Although, I’m probably not the best person to ask.

Melissa asked:
"What started your passion for running and when did it happen?"

It’s funny, I used to hate running. I was one of those people (that I now make fun of, yeah, sorry, I’m mean like that) who always had some excuse for not doing it.
Then, I had my third baby, and I was frustrated that I couldn’t lose the weight. I had always been active and walked everyday around my neighborhood, which was about a ½ mile. My husband suggested I start running because it might help with losing the weight. So, I went to the park in my neighborhood that had a track that was a ½ mile long. And I decided I would try to run the whole loop. And I did it. And I hated it. Because it hurt. But, I kept going till I could go twice around, etc.
Then, I got a little gung-ho, and signed up for a 5k with my Mom and my SIL.
It took me 45 minutes. (I know!) But, I loved the exhileration of being in a race and being surrounded by people who always loved running (and yes, Jan, I can’t stand for someone to be in front of me in a race). And my competitive nature kicks in, and I just start passing people.
Then, I signed up for a 10k. It was a huge accomplishment. Then, 2 years later, I signed up for a half marathon. I think that’s when the love of distance running kicked in for me. Running 6 miles is hard. You just barely get into your rhythm and you’re done. Running 13-26 miles, is easier because you get into your groove, and then you just glide along, letting the endorphins carry you along.
Running is like a drug for me. I crave that adrenalin rush after finishing a race.

Tink asked:
"1. Is your hair naturally curly?"

Yes, it is naturally curly, and yes, I hate it. It’s not quite as curly as is used to be, it’s relaxed a lot. Having babies will do that, I guess.

"2. If your kids wanted to quit taking piano lessons, would you let them?"

My kids are still little, so only one of them has started. And we’re hit and miss. I guess that’s what happened when the mom and the teacher are the same person. I will start my 5 year old soon. And I will probably give them the same opportunity my parents gave me and my siblings. We got to choose our instrument, we could do piano and one other thing, and we had to have lessons until we graduated from HS, then we could choose if we wanted to continue. But, I don’t want to force it down their throat, and make them hate it, either. KJ is already showing more interest in sports than music, and that’s OK with me.

"3. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

A concert pianist or a singer on broadway. Even from when I was really little, I loved to perform.

Mina said:
"What was your best college memory (if you didn't go, I guess insert young adult era)?"

I loved going to country dancing with my girls from my student ward. Jamming with my roommate, Rebecca, who was/is an incredibly amazing musician. Doing my homework upstairs at the Salt Lake Roasting company over a cup of steamed milk.

"How much time do you practice the piano now?"

Not as much as I should. I spent a lot of time last year while I was writing a lot, and last summer/fall while I was recording. Lately, I’ve just been playing around. I need to practice more because I still have like 10 songs to transcribe.

"Are you happy with where you are now in life?"

Absolutely! Actually, the thought occurred to me the other day, that all of my life’s dreams are coming true. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot in recent years: I have a loving husband, and beautiful, wonderful children; running marathons; and recording an album.

"Where would you like to see yourself in 15 years?"

Translated.
But, if not, then I want to still be writing/performing music, hopefully make some money doing it, have more babies, and have confident, well-adjusted children, and a happy husband. And I DON’T want to be a grandma, yet. KJ will be 23. She could wait a few more years, although I was 23 when I had her.

Alyson asked:
"Social anxiety? Do tell!"

I elaborated under Jan’s question, but in essence, I just don’t like big crowds, or people touching me, or walking in front of me, or lots of noise. I get confused. Maybe I’m just getting old.

Boob Nazi asked:
"Who/what were you named after/where did your parents get your name?"

I wasn’t named after anyone. I think my parents just liked the name. My Dad wanted to name me Marandy. Not MarandA, but MaRandY. He also liked Thelissa. (with a soft th) Yikes! Sorry, to anyone out there who is named Marandy, or Thelissa, but I’m just grateful that my mother used her veto power on that one! BTW, funny story: if I had been a boy, they would’ve named my Clint. Hmmm…..

Kristen asked:
"Who is your favorite sister? j/k I already know it's me j/k again. I'm okay with being 2nd fav, cuz Kathryn is so awesome."

Yes, Kris, you and Kat are my favorite sisters. Love you!
p.s. are you still pregnant?☺