Monday, September 3, 2007

Interviewed by Presbyterian Gal!



1. What inspired you to become an optometrist?

Well, I don't know how "inspired" my decision was, but I gravitated to that profession because I enjoyed (and was good at) science & math and felt a career in health care would be rewarding. (And it has been!) I must confess a big reason I specifically opted for optometry (ooh, cool word play) is because of the reasonable hours -- It is very family (and "life outside work") friendly so that's been great.

2. Which book of the Bible is your favorite and why?

I could say Leviticus because the rules are entertaining, but I'll go with Mark on this leg of my journey since it is (as far as I know) the oldest gospel and therefore probably the most accurate portrayal of Jesus' life.

3. What was one of your most defining moments in life that changed or altered your course?

While I don't think I've had a moment that altered my actual 'course' per se, the defining moment that impacted my life was the senseless, random murder of my brother in 1996. My life had been fairly idyllic up to that point (just your normal life stuff anyway), then suddenly I had that evil and its aftermath to deal with and all of the myriad ramifications...


4. Who was your favorite teacher?

No contest -- my first grade teacher, Mrs. Dobler. We bonded so well that to this day she sends my kids birthday cards! She had two boys, so my mother always let her "borrow" me for the annual church Mother-Daughter banquet. (This picture was taken on one of those occasions.) She is one of the kindest people on this planet.

5. If you had to trade lives with anyone living, dead or fictional, who would it be?

I guess I'd pick Kathleen Norris. For me, it wouldn't get any better than living in small town Dakota and writing theological musings.


Alrighty then! If you'd like to play, here's the scoop:

1. If you are interested in being interviewed, leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by posting five questions for you. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.


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Credit: original (i.e. unaltered) 'interview' cartoon found here

14 comments:

Lori said...

OMG about your brother. No words.

And re: your first grade teacher, that is just so amazingly cool. What an excellent mom you have. And what a mature young girl you were.

Can't wait to meet you in person!

marie said...

You have an amazingly good life, with some amazing bad stuff thrown in.

Diane M. Roth said...

yes, about your brother, truly awful.

Loved the picture of you and your teacher. you mean I can send my favorite ss kids birthday cards?

great interview...and
what presbyterian gal said.

Barbara B. said...

thanks, pg, marie & diane!

and it would be GREAT to meet you, pg & diane! (already know marie!)

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

what a terrific interview! (PG interviewed me too) losing a sibling is the pits and wow. just wow.

and loved the cartoon...

marie said...

My "poofreading" skills are obviously on the decline, but you know what I meant.

Jan said...

This was so interesting, and your cartoon fit perfectly. How dreadful about your brother. I cannot imagine that happening at all. No wonder you have so much compassion.

Terri said...

wow. just wow. your brother, oh my. life is just incredibly fragile...just one wrong place at the wrong time...or something like that.

thank you for sharing all of this, it's really special.

Barbara B. said...

thank you hot cup, jan, and mompriest for your nice comments... yes, life is fragile indeed

Rev SS said...

AARRRGGG ...My Blogger is being weird again ... I left a comment this morning and it's not here .. did the same thing to a comment I left on Presby Gal's post recently! Anyway I said "nice post ... glad you're sharing about your brother ... and, glad I have the opportunity to know you"

Diane M. Roth said...

ok, I have been thinking about this and also been preoccupied with a few things, but (nervous sigh) interview me.

Barbara B. said...

Alrighty, diane, I'll be e-mailing you! :)

RevDrKate said...

That was wonderful on the part of both interview-er and ee. That is truly tragic about your brother, I cannot imagine.That held up against the positive power of your teacher, yes one life, one act changes things.

Barbara B. said...

very true, revdrkate...