interview challenge: so heres the deal, i am taking on the interview challenge from davide... who posed any 5 questions he wanted to ask me... if you would like to take part in this insightful game, please respond or email me  and i will pose 5 questions on you!!!  below are my interview questions & answers...

1.  Do you like the rain...why or why not?  Try to elaborate as much as possible...it doesn't have to be a straight up yes or no. 

it really depends on my activities for the day.  for instance, if i am laying down in a warm, comfy bed and can hear the pitter-patter of the rain... then i would say yes, i love the rain.  also, i loved the rain while i was in siena b/c i got to walk around with my love under an umbrella and eat gelato..... but then again, when is italy not lovely?!
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however, if i am out and about then i dont really like the rain.  first off, if i am walking, i really hate stepping, or almost stepping, on worms and snails!  those critters drive me insane!!!  second, if i am driving, i dont like the rain b/c i get scared about getting into an accident.  ...also, when it rains a lot, there are several floods... which makes me both scared and sad b/c people lose their homes and what not...

2.  What is your best quality...BEST quality...one thing and one thing only that you have or do better than anyone else?  and your worst? and for your worst quality, are you content with it that way, or do you wish to change it and what steps would you take to do so?

i believe my best quality is not something physical, but the fire that burns inside of me... i am extremely passionate and determined about my activities and dreams... and i think it partly exists within me because i have been given wonderful opportunities... i have had people believe in me... i have talent... and this has all given me the confidence to take some task and see it through.... not part of the way... not half way... but all the way.  so when i set my heart at a goal, i have always been able to achieve it... whether it be making a competitive athletic team... to acing a class... to getting hired at the job location of my choice....and i think that this is my best quality!
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my worst quality is that i get frustrated easily if something is not done my way (i.e. stubborn).  and yes, i think it might be helpful to myself and others if i changed this a bit.  however, i usually have reasons for why i do what i do... and if i werent so stubborn and set in my ways, then i wouldnt accomplish half of the things that i do.  so in that sense, no, i wouldnt want to change.

3.  How has being Japanese affected your life in general...but also elaborate with any specifically funny or big-impact situations?  What do you like/dislike about being giapponese?

being half giapponese has affected my life in several ways.  i was brought up with my japanese side of my family (basically my grandmother) almost forcing the buddhist religion on me, among other japanese aspects of life... b/c the elder japanese are extremely cliquie and would shun the japanese families who were not like all the others.  therefore, while growing up, it was as if my grandmother did not want to be shunned by her japanese community and tried to influence my sisters and i with the traditions of the japanese.  *  being the ethnicity i am has also caused some social problems in middle school and high school.  i was not brought up to hang out with people solely based on the color of my skin or the race i am; but rather, to become friends with those who are kind, fun and have positive qualities.  the thought of hanging out with only asians never really crossed my mind until middle school-- where i noticed that there were a few south east asian girls who did not like me: the one asian girl at the middle school who did not hang out with all of the other asian kids.  this experience made me very aware of the separation between ethnic groups.  and although it did not affect my choice in people to hang out with, it did give me first hand experience to the ignorance of others. *  also, it frustrates me when people make assumptions about me based on the mere fact that i am part japanese.  for instance, people look at me oddly b/c i dont eat a variety of sushi... or i dont watch anime... why am i supposed to fit the japanese stereotype?  * i like being japanese b/c i have so much family history... and after hearing the stories of my grandparents and all that they have endured, it truly makes me proud to know i come from such a strong, persevering and loving family.

4.  When you sit and contemplate about your life right now...where you've been and where you're going...what comes to mind?

the need for speed.  hahahha... desires.  desires that have been fulfilled and the many that have not been.  i look back on my life thus far and feel satisfied with what i have accomplished and done-- everything from being a valued athlete, to being the wild child, to graduating at a university in southern california... to experiencing life in another country.  yet, i have so many dreams that have yet to come true.  when im old, i dont want to think of what could have been... i dont want any regrets... i want to look back and be satisfied with the moments i had experienced... these moments would include: traveling, being completely happy in my line of work, marriage, and a family.  so basically, as i sit here thinking about where i want to be in my future, what comes to mind is a "white picket fence" lifestyle with some worldy experience.

5.  What one thing or person (or one of each...your choice) makes you the happiest...all the time, every time, without fail?  Same question...but the saddest or least happy?

the one thing that makes me the happiest: playing with a puppy.  the one person that makes me the happiest: this is a tough one... so i would have to say nick and kate... b/c i love them both so so much!!!  the one thing that makes me the saddest (aside from all the wordly distasters, deaths and unfortunate incidents that plague millions of people): when i see  someone i care about not succeed when i know they have the potential to do great things.

***now that im done with my interview... i challenge you!!! ***

pink, the color of gloom:  i've always thought of pink as a happy, uplifting color, but two days ago made me think otherwise.  a phone call was received at work where a lady was placing an order for pink linens for an event.  pink.  now was it someone's bridal shower?  was it a funky wedding party or some trendy banquet going on???  no, no... unlike most of the events my work puts on... this was no celebration at all.  this order for pink linen was for a young girl who was killed by a hit-and run in the san diego area a few days ago and her family was ordering pink because that was her favorite color.  ...here's to a sad, yucky-feeling-in-my-tummy day #1.

then, yesterday some lady came in for an interview... while she was waiting inside, her kids were chasing each other in the front of the building.  all of a sudden, the kids come running toward the building and are crying their eyes out... apparently they brought their dog, who was playing with them outside.  however, the dog ran into the street and got hit by a car...  the dog got hit so hard that the dog couldnt even get up.... and his back legs kept twitching.  they took the dog to the hospital... i hope that dog is alright... and yet another yucky-feeling-in-my-tummy moment.

on another sad note, eric winter, aka rex, is no longer on days of our lives... and it is also said that chloe, nicole and brady may be leaving soon as well since their plot is wrapping up.   nuts!

I WANT TWO DOGS!!!!!