Meme from To Taste a Peach

What were you doing 10 years ago?
In 1998 –
We were preparing our move from Madrid to Malaga with great joy and anticipation, looking forward to leaving the big city and all of its disadvantages…and advantages, and embrace life by the sea, among family and in a house instead of an apartment.

I had recently realized I wanted to leave business and management consulting behind, and had begun creative writing again and other creative activities.

I had met and become friends with someone who was a help in that arena, then disappeared, and who has come back into my life as a catalyst in my new reading promotion activities now, 10 years later.

My mother was still alive, so important in the changes I have undergone from then to now.

My girls were 5 and 8, full of promise, excitement, wonder, fun… all in that innocent loving manner that changes in the teenage years we are experiencing today.

To do list for today-

Pick up house after 4 days away.
Go to grocery store
Lat day of Padel Class and group breakfast after
Fix a good healthy lunch for the family
Polish my writing pieces from my trip to send to friends and post on blog.
Meet with local bookstore owner to discuss summer and other future activities
Catch up on e-mails
Accompany my daughter to her favourite store to see the dress she wants
Get spoiling time for my husband who is going through difficult days at work.

What would you do if you were a billionaire?

To improve my own life I would change houses to one that had a separate guest house so that it would be easier for friends and family to spend time with us. It would not be a huge mansion but bigger than I have now with a bit more land. I would have a 2nd residence in the US. I would have daily help to do the cleaning washing house keeping and some some cooking, to leave me time to dedicate to creativity and developing other projects.
I would finance the volleyball team and youth sports project my husband would establish and run.

To improve the world I would set up a foundation, or become an influencing voice in an established one (money brings power and facilitates this) in order to help form businesses that work towards: reducing our dependency on oil; resolving water needs and related issues in third world countries; supporting and developing local entrepreneurs in those countries to be able to create jobs for their own people and develop their own country.

To improve the life of our family members I would offer a set amount for each sibling to allow them to own a home and/or start a business endeavour, and for each parent and/or aunt and uncle to allowi them to live comfortably and without financial worry in retirement.

4. What are three of your bad habits?
1. Procrastination
2. Leaving things out of place allowing clutter to collect and make the room messy.
3. Allowing the negative thoughts and chatter to spend time in my mind, slowing down my progress and growth.

5. What are some snacks you enjoy?
· Popcorn
· Chips and dip
· Nuts
· Cheese
· A cookie now and then and a square of chocolate or one Hershey Kiss

6. What were the last five books you read?
You must keep in mind that I earn my living (or a salary that one day will be enough to consider a living) through reading programs and creative writing workshops so I must read a lot. These books I read in May and June.
· The Zahir by Paolo Coehlo
· The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
· Maridos (Husbands) by Angeles Mastretta (Mexican author)
· Elogio a una Madrastra (Ode to a Stepmother) by Vargas Llosa (Peruvian author)
· The Purple Hibuscus – A novel from Africa by a young African woman whose name I cannot recall.
· Three young adult short novels for the youth reading group I facilitate, including The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in both Spanish and English.

7. What are five jobs you have had?
1. Current – Story teller, reading promoter, creative writing coach.
2. Fundraiser then Fundraising and Communications Manager for local Cancer Hospice
3. Management Consultant focusing on systems improvement, then on Customer Service and Leadership.
4. Travel Agent
5. Airline ground agent

8. What are five places where you have lived?
1. Spain – Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Malaga
2. USA – Washinton DC suburbs in Virginia (where I grew up)
3. San Diego (As a single adult)
4. Dallas Texas (As a single adult)
5. Phoenix Arizona (as a child)

9. What five people do you want to tag?
Vale of Evening Fog
Bonnie at Wordsmith
Frankelscence
Marginal Views