Johnny's Gargantuan, Rolling Meme of Doom! *

1) Read the meme that was dumped assigned to you. Answer the questions.
2) Add TWO new questions to the list. Answer those questions.
3) Forward dump this onto the next blogger victim (and list their name and link to their blog).
4) This series will conclude when we get 50 questions - so yes, it's 25 bloggers in the chain.
5) Please make sure that the next victim in the "link" doesn't have a password protected blog.
[Optional 6] Update the links so people can follow along (this is similar to the method I used in the Why China series).
[Optional 7] When you see an update, down the chain, update your own page with the new questions and answers.
[Optional 8] Copy these micromanaging instructions into the top of your meme post.


1. What secret/surprising/personal goal (that is realistically achievable within the next 15 years) would you like to fulfill?

My personal (which is neither secret or surprising) goal would be, as many of those before me, to be a stay-at-home mom...whenever that may be. Though with the most recent info from RQ, that could be anywhere between 2009 and 2011....ugh. Thankfully our finances are such that this SHOULD be a reality.

2. Can you list an event in which you made a last minute decision or guess that significantly changed the path of your life?

While it's 'technically' not a last minute decision, I did decide over a year ago to meet someone who I had only known online, in person...and on my birthday no less. That person I can count as being one of my closest and dearest friends. Had I never started this blog, I never would have met any of the utterly fantastic people I can now call good friends.

3. What is one unrealistic goal (but your total secret dream) that you would love to come true, but are pretty sure it won't ever happen?

Having a house FULL of children.

When Josh and I were dating and things were leading towards marriage, we always talked about having somewhere between three and five children. This was obviously before we found out that wouldn't happen biologically.

With China, as I said, being a few more years away, I don't know if it's going to be possible to adopt from there again. We've thought of other countries, but IF this takes another four years, well, I'll be 40...and I don't know how I'll feel about going through a long wait (even if it's another country). Us Canadians aren't as lucky as the Americans out there, we can't do a concurrent international adoption. We can, however, do a domestic...but for reasons I won't go into here, that prospect scares the living bejesus out of me.

4. Who has had the most influence on your life and what did they teach you?

I'd definitely have to say my mom. She taught me how to fight for what's right and to not get taken advantage of, how to love without condition, and how to be a survivor.

While my dad DID influence me and helped shape the person I am, he's been gone over 21 years. My mom tells me that she sees a lot of him in me (ie., my laid back nature, peacemaker, quiet personality).

5. You are on a deserted island. You are stranded with someone from any point in time for 2 months (they are coming to rescue you but are busy right now). Other than family/friends/naval engineers, who is it?

I'd have to go with him, because...oh...my...G-D is he gorgeous! We could get pissed as newts while I take advantage of him have a deep, philosophical conversation with him in a semi-clothed professional manner.

6. Name and describe 3 things on your mind lately. Is there any particular reason why you're thinking about a particular thing?

a) Migraines. It seems that I've been waking up each and every morning with them lately. I don't know if they're because of the 'stress' of moving or if they're just getting progressively worse. I know I *should* go back to the neurologist and have myself checked out, but I'm just too flipping busy to bother.

b) Adoption. This one is self-explanatory, obviously, but at times I feel this just isn't going to happen. With the seemingly never-ending time line, I don't know what to do. Not that we're pulling our documents, I just have an overwhelming fear that something is going to derail this. I hope that I'm just overreacting.

c) Family. I've been thinking about my late father quite a bit lately, especially after writing this. I've just gotten to thinking about people who will never get to see or hold "Little Maple".

7. If you could go back to one moment in time and change it, what would the moment be and what would you change it from and to?

Now here's where I'm going to get deep, dark and brooding. I've ALWAYS had regrets about this and I wish I could go back and at least try...but realistically I know I can't.

When my dad had his heart attack at home, my mom sent me out of the house for some reason (which isn't really important to the story). I had just taken CPR training at school a few weeks prior to his heart attack, and I regret that I wasn't in the house to AT LEAST try to perform CPR on him. I know the doctors said that there was nothing anyone could have done, but I wish I had at least tried. I'll take that with me for the rest of my life.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve and is there anything that you can do to stop other people from doing it?

Typos. I know, I'm anal about it, but I've been fixing them as I've been going along in this meme. :P

9. Who has been the most influential teacher in your life and why did he or she have such an impact on you? Have you sent them a note?

Mrs. S., my OAC (grade 13) English teacher. She helped me with my studies and for my kickass project on irony and hyperbole (and let me show clips of Monty Python in class). We ended up watching The Search for the Holy Grail over two days. Gotta love any teacher that likes Monty Python. ;)

10. What three things do you regret not learning to do?

a) Driving. I should have gotten my license AGES ago, but I never did. I need to rectify that before "Little Maple" comes home.

b) Lasagna with my dad. In grade 9, about a week before my dad passed away, I had just learned how to make lasagna and my dad and I were going to make a batch of it the following weekend. He passed away the day before we were going to do that. So whenever Josh and I make a lasagna it has a special meaning for me. I know, I'm weird.

c) Needlepoint. My mom used to make wonderful needlepoints and I regret not learning how to do that. I know I can still learn...

11. What is your biggest fear?

Like Dolores, I would have to say losing another family member. I don't think I could handle it if I lost someone really close to me before they meet our daughter.

12. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I could lose weight AND keep it off. I lost about 30 pounds a few years ago on Weight Watchers, but slowly (and surely) the weight has been creeping back on. Ugh, I hate that. I've been thinking I need to re-enroll once things with the house start to settle down...

***NEW QUESTIONS***

13. What is the answer to life, the universe, everything?

42. ;)

14. If you knew, beforehand, that the wait for your child from China would take this long and drastic a time frame, would you still go through with it or would you choose another country?

I know this is a 'loaded' question, but I felt I should ask it. Yes, we would continue on our path, but if we could do a concurrent international adoption we would take advantage of that opportunity. I know it's 'pat' to say this, but I do feel that we have a child in China...somewhere...sometime...

O.k. here is the link chain as per Johnny's Command:

Q 1 & 2 - So it's Come Down to This,
Q 3 & 4 - Our Journey to China,
Q 5 & 6 - 3D's Adoption Journey,
Q 7 & 8 - Waiting for Pumpkin,
Q 9 & 10 - Two Kayaks,
Q 11 & 12 - Watch Our Family Grow,
Q 13 & 14 - Journey to Little Maple,
Q 15 & 16 - American Family,
Q 17 & 18 - Chicago Mama,
Q 19 & 20 - Spacemom,
Q 21 & 22 - Mrs. Figby,
Q 23 & 24 - Mortimer's Mom,








*I was hoping like hell I was going to avoid this one, but at least I got in on it 'early'...oh how I pity the fool who gets 49 and 50. ;)