Friday, June 24, 2005

A Little More About . . . ME!

Anne reminded me the other day that I still haven't answered her questions for me. So, the baby's taking a nap now and I have a few minutes.

1. How/where/when did you and Alec meet?

Alec & I met at a Christmas party in 1998 at the home of the Brockman's, some friends from church. The Young Adult Fellowship group we belonged to has a fancy, dress-up party every year in December. Our first impressions of each other were much less than favorable - I thought he was annoying and bossy and he wondered (after I hissed at him like a cat) who in the heck I was and where did I get off being nasty to him? In my defense, he was being obnoxious! Anyway, we were re-introduced in 1999 by a mutual friend, became friends, became good friends during a snow week from school, "dated" in January of 2000 for 2 weeks, got engaged, and were married in June. Last week we celebrated our 5th anniversary.

2. How have you changed in the last 10 years? How have you stayed the same?

I'd say that in the past 10 years I have learned to not value the opinions of other people so much. I don't think I ever had a problem with peer pressure, but I always felt like I didn't quite measure up. I think the opinions of people (that really weren't very nice to me anyway) for some reason seemed to matter too much. I think this may have come as a result of moving to a new state in the middle of high school and trying to fit in where others had a 2 year head start on me.

I think I'm still pretty laid back, but I don't seem to have as much a problem with procrastination anymore. I'm sure this is a result of teaching for 6 years and having to discipline myself with deadlines.

I'm sure I've changed in other ways as well, but they're not so obvious to me right now.

3. In addition to your faith, what other principles and values are your top priorities for instilling in your kids?

Respect is a big one. Alec and I were talking the other day about how even just addressing adults has changed since we were kids. We grew up addressing people as "Mr. and Mrs. Lastname." Today it's "Miss Katie and Mr. Alec." It bothers me. I know it's a small thing, but why should it bother my friends so much to be called Mrs. so-and-so? Yes, that's your mother-in-law, but is she such a bad person that you don't want to be reminded of her when you hear your own name? Do you feel old? Well, you're an adult! Get used to it!

I think I'd also like Luke to learn the importance of honesty. Not just because lying is wrong, but because his whole reputation can hinge on whether or not people can trust that his yes is yes and his no is no. I know as a parent, I'd like to be able to trust his word, especially when he's a teenager!

I'd also like Luke to know the importance of having fun. Not the kind of "fun" that is a time-waster or brain-addler. I want him to be able to relax and not be uptight and serious all the time. I want him to be creative and come up with fun things to do on his own. We will NOT have a Nintendo or other such nonsense and I'm sure going to try hard to keep the TV off. After teaching for 6 years, I saw too many kids that didn't know how to occupy themselves without a TV in front of them or a GameBoy in their hand. I guess that's 2 things - have fun and be inventive.

Again, I'm sure there are other things that I'll teach my kids, but this sounds good to me for now.

4. What are some of the most favorite, well-remembered gifts you've received in your lifetime?

Well, the diamond ring Alec got me last month was pretty great! The first gift he gave me was a CD of Charlotte Church and the use of his headphones for the plane ride home (before we were married) and the next Christmas he gave me a pair of warm gloves (because he "gloves me").

I also remember a really cool nurse's kit I got in kindergarten for Christmas.

One Christmas my brother gave me some really nice sapphire earrings (and I think I hurt his feelings by callously saying "are these real?" instead of "thank you").

I can't really think of any others. I'm sure I've gotten some real bang-up gifts, but I mostly remember how fun the holidays were, not the presents. We always opened presents on Christmas Eve after church - in college it was usually around 10-11 pm which made it more fun because everyone was a little slap-happy.

5. What would your family (parents/siblings/husband) say is your most annoying quality or habit? Do you agree?

Like I'm going to disclose that!

Actually, I don't really know. Every time I ask them this question, they say "I don't know" or (Alec) "I don't want to start a war!"

I think it must be annoying that I don't tell people when I'm upset with them until I'm really mad and ready to blow my stack.
(Oh, and Alec just said "parking like a girl." He used to valet park cars at the Waikiki Sheraton so he's very good at it and I'm not, but I'm learning to use my mirrors!)

I'm sure my siblings will now feel free to update me on the true annoyances of their eldest sister.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

In all honesty Katie, there are few things that really bug me about you. Maybe that's because we haven't lived together for a few more years than I have with Bee and Em, so I guess I've just forgot all about your annoying habits. (yeah that's it) Oh and the earring thing, I think you didn't believe they were real because it was your little bro 'buying' but to tell the truth, I think Mom helped out with the picking out and the purchasing. But its ok... no hard feelings. :)

MLE said...

Actually, I vividly remember helping Bob buy you those earrings, so I'm going to take credit here. As for your most annoying habit--as the younger sister I'm going to go with you being "bossy"--though rest assured, that is also a big thing that has changed about you in the last 10 years! So, it doesn't annoy me nearly as much anymore!!! Plus, distance and time makes a lot of things much fuzzier...

Katie said...

Yeah, I'm bossy. I guess that comes with being first-born.