Interview you

This interview meme was graciously provided by Jamoosh at one of my favorite, yet neglected, blogs to read, Das Mixture. OK, J, I'v rested for a month, so now I guess I'll get with the program.

If you want to play along:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Question one:

1. What is the most rewarding thing about your current career choice?

What? No reward has been offered...

It's tempting to go with the obvious, the "making a difference in a single child's life makes it worth the heartache" kind of answer, which is true. Between helping my adolescent Engllish language learners master reading and writing to coaching milers to victory, I get to see kids succeed in ways they previously didn't think possible.

But seriously, for those who really know me, you know I speak the truth when I say... it's the entertainment value. Yep, the little boogers shove the boredom of what a nine-to-five existence can be. It's the reason I left the riveting insurance industry, and it's what keeps me "collecting" teaching certifications in any areas where I think I could function.

2. If you could spend a month eating in any country, what would be the country, and why?

Hmm. Seeing as how I hav actually only visited three other countries, Mexico, Costa Rica and Dominica, none of which exactly boast amazing cuisine, that's a toughie.

With my penchant for all things noodly, you might think Italy, but unless I want to spend a month in a white-flour pasta coma, that's not the brightest idea.

Since sushi is my second favorite thing to consume, Japan might be anohter logical choice. After indulging in ahi for thirty consecutive days, my mercury levels with rival Jeremy Pivens to the point that I might be able to rent myself out as a thermometer.

With nothing but triite literature to go on, I'm gonna say France because French Women Don't get Fat, right? I fancy myslf a cook with some panache, but my knowledge and skills of sauces are lacking so a month at Le Cordon Bleu would please the husband to no end. While there I could also take the sommellier course, to assist in the pairings, non?

3. Describe yourself using one of the following running distances: 5K, 10K, 15K, 13.1 Miles, 26.2 Miles

I'm going to go with the big daddy on this one, Chuck. The marathon, the 26.2.

In every aspect of my life with the exception of running, I'm what you might call a late bloomer. I didn't hit 50 lbs until 5th grade. Mostly a wiry tomboy until about 16, and then not far off. To finish college I took...well, let's say that for about 4 years I majored in Delta Zeta/Sigma Chi little sister. And as for the years...I'd been legal to drink for quite some time before I brought home the sheepskin.

I met Grind when I was over thirty, and we didn't marry until we were 37, just after moving into the first "owned" house I'd live in since I was in second grade. Even after finally graduating from UH when I was hummmana-mumma, I didn't delve into education until I was thirty-five.

The marathon, much like life, or my life anyway, requires a person un-averse work and rest, perseverance, patience, and an appreciation of carbohydrates. You have to want it for wanting it, even though time-consuming and uncomfortable.

Oh, and although the thrill is there after the first finish, the longer you've been running them, the less worked up you get, and there are plenty of fabulous milestones along the way.

4. Your task is to take an out-of-towner out for three meals in Houston: breakfast, lunch and dinner. What restaurants do you choose, and why?

First off, not all in the same day, 'kay?

Breakfast:

First, we must run 11-12 miles, no exceptions. Okay, maybe biking for 2.5-three hours would be an exception, but that's it. Quick shower.

Next, we go to either Catalina Coffee or Bright and Early (both on Washington) for a latte or a Cafe Mexicano, respectively.

Coffee in hand, drive either down Washington to Los Dos Amigos or to La Mexicana in Montrose for Mexican breakfast. Los Dos has tasty chilaquiles plates for 3.95 and a friendly staff. For a more leisurely breakfast, sit under the palapa deck at La Mex. Be indulgent, have a frozen margarita with your breakfast chips. The huevos con jamon with ranchero sauce and a side of Mexican rice will refuel your system from the long run and prepare you fully for your upcoming nap.

Lunch- again, pick a nationality.

You want sushi? The Blue Fish on Richmond. Tasty bites of fish bits AND AFAIK, they are the only sushi place to serve St Arnold Amber. Gotta have spicy tuna and spicy salmon hand rolls .

You want Thai? Vieng Thai on Longpoint between Sliber and Antoine. Rob Walsh contends it's one of Houston's as most authentic, and since Ubon of Thai Gourmet passed way, I must agree. It's all fab: curries, salads, Thai coconut soup and my favorite, PadKee Mao noodles. Mmmmm.

Wanna sandwich? Pedal down to Onion Creekk on White Oak Drive. The bartender knows which beer I'll want, and have the turkey on Ciabatta.

Or we can go to Star Pizza. You decide.

Dinner. I even consulted the husband on this one as I was having difficulty nailing anything down.

Sure, Vic and Anthony's is nice, if you're into meat. Anything Pappas is always quality, but enormous and not really a "Houston" style of cooking. Maggiano's rocks, but they're a chain. I used to love Backstreet Cafe, but we haven't been there in years.

Why, you ask?

Because we make better dinner at home! Between the two of us, we can make pasta dishes, gumbo, any style of fish, seared venison back strap, steamed veggies, habanero brownies, salads, pilafs...all paired with amazing wines, and that's just from what we have in the fridge and freezer RIGHT NOW!

So, candlelit dinner at Casa Gaslight.

5. You currently live in a 100 year-old home. What is the best thing and the worst thing about your house?

Best: the wrap around porch. It's about 9 feet deep, with a view of the Houston skyline to the south or the sunset to the west. Nice Alpine glow on the buildings.

Worst: C-o-l-d. Between the wooden floors and pier & beam construction, I wear fuzzy slippers alot. Of course I say that, but I felt differently after visiting my sister in December. She lives in a nice, new house, an darnit if you have no idea of the temperature outside when you're indoors. That's just freaky!

Grind would probably say the constant stream of projects, but I don't think he really believes that nearly very homeowners we know spends continual time planning home improvements, regardless of the the age of their home.