Interview with a Virgo

Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!

This week, I picked the topic: Interview your partner from last week's post. Ask 10 questions, including the one you're dying to know the answer to.

Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie-Interviewed Moma Rock
Mom of Many--She interviewed me! :)
Moma Rock-Interviewed Froggie

Last week, I wrote what I knew about Susanna, a.k.a. Mom of Many. This week, I asked her some fun and thought-provoking questions to get to know her even better. I enjoyed reading her answers and hope you will too!

Which of your kids is most similar to you in personality?
I would say Hannah. When she was a baby she would make faces at me that were exactly like faces I make. She is easily annoyed when things do not go her way. She is also motivated and determined, maybe a bit stubborn. But, she also has a good heart. My Sammy is the one I am least like. He is just so sweet and charming. The way he can schmooze people into doing amazing things, these are skills I just don't have.

How are you most and least like your Zodiac sign?
I am not really sure what they say about my Zodiac sign other than Virgos are organized and detail oriented. I am organized, but not very detail oriented.

What is the craziest thing that's ever happened while you were traveling?
I was on a business trip and the airline called me to tell me that my plane was going to be delayed and that they would rebook me on a different flight, but it was leaving 30 minutes earlier. I decided that I could make it. So I booked it to the airport. I got there and the agent had not done something right and because I didn't have a paper ticket (it was a while ago), I had no plane reservation for that day. I ended up buying a ticket on the plane so I could go on the trip. But, because there were no coach tickets left I had to buy a first class seat. (The airline ended up refunding me the entire amount because it was their error.) As I was flying with a lot of coworkers, many heads were turned.

When we arrived at our hotel, I let everyone else check in first, since there was some anomosity about the whole first class situation. I got my room key and went up to my room. I opened the door to my room, just as a naked man was walking out of the bathroom after completing a shower. It was horrifing for everyone. I immediately went back to the front desk and told them my story. There were no more rooms available. We were there for a trade show and all the rooms in the are had been booked. The only room still available was the Presidential Suite. Guess who slept in the Presidential Suite? I didn't mention it to my co-workers, but I sure enjoyed the whirlpool tub and other amenities while I was there that week.

The few people that I did tell about my misfortunes were upset that they checked in before me. I guess things work out sometimes!

How do you pay it forward?
I try and always be helpful to parents who look frazzled. It really is more paying it back than paying it forward. While many people have been unbelievably rude to me, there have been ones that have shown me such amazing grace that I try and remember them and follow their lead. My favorite thing to do is buy candy for kids when there mothers a loosing it. I walk up to the mom and say, "Your kids are so cute and nice, I just wanted to get them a small treat, would it be ok if I give them some M&M's?" It always changes the mood. The moms stop being crabby and snapping at the kids and a boost in blood sugar can sometimes make everyone happier.

If a movie were made about your life, who would play you, your husband and your kids?
A movie about my life? That is sort of hard to contemplate. I am not really sure who would play us? Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt? Aren't they the celeb parents dejour? That is right, my look, my life, they are just like Angelina's. My husband sure looks like Brad Pitt. I am really not sure who would play the kids. You would think I could, I watch enough Disney channel. The actor who plays Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, while not the right age, would be great for Mac. Jessie from the new Disney channel show would be a good Hannah. Sam... I can't think of an actor that is charming and adorable, but that would be who would play Sam.

If you could learn a new language, what would you pick and why?
Spanish. We watch a lot of soccer on Spanish television and it would be nice to understand it better.

What is your favorite movie of all time?
Blues Brothers. I am not sure why, but I really loved that movie. Now that we live in Chicago, it would be fun to watch it with the kids.

Where is your favorite place to shop?
I don't really shop much, but many of my clothes come from Eddie Bauer. I also like to shop at Target and Kohl's. I wish I could afford fancier stuff, but since it is likely someone will puke or pee on me, well, I guess utilitarian is the way to go.

What is your #1 tip for saving money?
Do not buy things you don't need. We buy a lot of things that we don't really need, but want. At the end of the day the easiest way to save money is to not spend it in the first place. This applies to everything, including the grocery store. When was the last time you bought food you didn't use and tossed because it was yucky? Or you bought food that wasn't really healthy? I always ask myself, do I need this? If do need it, then I try and get it at the best possible price.

As someone who was raised non-Jewish, what do you find most compelling about Judaism?
I hope my answer does not offend you. I don't really find anything compelling about Judaism. I believe that there are many paths to G-d. Within that there is "organized" religion. Organized religion offers a structured path to G-d. As humans we like structure. If you look at the basic fundamentals of most religions, they center around living an ethical life. There are different paths and beliefs about what is defined as an ethical life. I can not believe that G-d really chooses people of one faith over another. Is an ethical Christian really better or worse than an ethical Buddhist? I don't think so. Because I don't really believe in organized religion, it was an obvious choice to raise our kids as Jews. My husband had a very strong belief that was the right way to do it. I want my kids to have a religious foundation. I recognize that my unorthodox set of beliefs is not really practical for most people. If my kids get older and make other spiritual decisions, then I will support that. As long as they have a connection to G-d, I don't really care what path the follow. Of course, this begs the question, if I don't find anything compelling about Judaism, why do I fight so hard to make sure that my kid's rights are protected? It is more of a philosphical point of view, I believe that discrimination of any type is wrong. Especially in the US, a country founded by people escaping religious persecution. It is a slap in the face of the people that created our country to allow religious persecution. Also, who wants their kids to be outsiders?

If you like what you read today, you can learn more about Susanna and her views on life by visiting her blog.