HAPPINESS IS...

Questions For You - What's Your Fondest Holiday Memory From Childhood?

Welcome to the holiday edition of Questions For You. I've been inspired by the home movies my dad recently converted from slides to VHS to digital. Here's our little family in action, set to the classic record, A Merry Mancini Christmas, featuring a solo at the end by yours truly, age 3. I'm so grateful to have these videos. They always bring me happy tears.

Friends, I'd love to know, now that Christmas will soon be here...

What is your fondest holiday memory from childhood?

My answer... aah, it's hard to choose just one. I have sweet memories of my family decorating the tree. I'd search for the perfect branch to place my special Shannon ornament, a brass angel ringing her bell. My dad would lift me high up into the air to place the homemade tinfoil star on top. And on Christmas Eve, we'd make snowballs: ice cream rolled in coconut. At midnight, we'd place a candle in each, sing Silent Night, and make a wish. We still do, to this day.


{Images via The Little Hermitage}

Questions For You - At What Age Did You Become An Adult?

Let's get deep and gushy. With this week's question for you...

At what age did you become an adult?

My answer... Still waiting to find out. As evidenced by my wedding, I'm a big kid at heart. So is Hal and that's probably what attracted us to each other. We like to play. I remember as a child, auditioning for my first musical with the song, I Won't Grow Up from Peter Pan. Here I am, decades later, singing the same lyrics. I saw an art print on Pinterest that made me giggle: Don't grow up - it's a trap! Ha. Maybe I'll feel like an adult when I have a baby of my own. Or buy my first home. Or maybe everyone's answer will be the same as mine? I dunno. Does anyone ever feel grown up?


{Original image via Wish by Walter Blum}

Questions For You - What Is Your All-Time Favorite Meal?

As the weather cools down, I'm craving warm comforting foods for dinner. So here's my question for you...

What is your all-time favorite meal?

My answer... If you know me at all, this one's easy. Mac n' cheese. Plain or fancy, with herbs, veggies, gorgonzola, spices, truffle oil, or all of the above. A close second would be raclette. Mmm, cheese.

Now you!


{Image by Verses From My Kitchen}

Questions For You - Did You Ever Get In Trouble As A Teenager?

I want to see your dark side! So here's my question for you...

What did you get in trouble for as a teenager?

My answer... I'm purposely avoiding my fake ID story because that's just too embarrassing. So let's take it back to the beginning of my awkward years. Age 13, when I discovered rebellion. Or my idea of rebellion. Let it be known, I was the smarty pants choir girl, voted "most likely to succeed." During a choir concert one night, my friend Amy and I decided to change up the choreography at the last minute without asking the teacher. Instead of raising our arms up at the end of the song, we turned back to back and folded our arms across our chests. You know, how people stood in the 90's. Our choir director saw it and gave us the ultimate death stare. His face changed from white to red to purple in a matter of seconds. After the show, he walked straight over to my parents and threatened to kick me out of choir and flunk me! Can you believe it? He ended up not, but let's just say I was no longer his favorite pupil. And that, my friends, is how I tarnished my goodie goodie reputation in middle school.


{Photo by Annija Muižule}

Questions For You - Do You Have A Celebrity Encounter Story?

I realize some some of you may not have met a celebrity before. But since I lived in LA for 10+ years, it was bound to happen. And no matter how common the sightings, I was star struck every time.

So here's my question for you...

Do you have a favorite celebrity encounter story?

My answer... The very first celebrity I met was P. Diddy, who went by Puff Daddy at the time. It was my freshman year of college at USC and the Shrine Auditorium was right across the street from my dorm. I spotted him chilling on the corner in a fur coat. I knew I'd kick myself if I didn't say hello. So I walked right up to him and did just that. He said, "what up" with a chin raise and a smirk. Then I ran away.

My second celebrity encounter happens to be my favorite. My friend Candy and I were somehow invited to a private Oscars party at the Chateau Marmot in Hollywood. As we were leaving out the back, Ethan Hawke, Matt Dillon and Frank Whaley were just arriving. Ethan, still married to Uma Thurman at the time, eyed us as we walked passed. So we promptly turned around and followed him back inside. I raced in front of him and held out my hand..."you're Ethan, right?" all coy and nonchalant (Candy teases me to this day). He laughed and flirted and kissed our hands. They invited us to their table, but we had to leave. The rest of the conversation was a blur, but I will never forget my special connection with Ethan Hawke. Maybe that's why he and Uma didn't work out. Just sayin...


{Pre-edited image via Mistress Marilyn Monroe}

Questions For You - What Movie, TV Show, or Book Last Made You Cry?

The older I get, the more emotional I become. Has that happened to anyone else? It doesn't take much for me to cry these days. And I'm not just talking sad tears. Happy ones too. I actually enjoy the release and the knowledge that my heart is open, working as it should.

So my question for you:

What was the last movie, television show, or book that made you cry?

My Answer... The movie that last made me full on cry, err sob, or rather heave in uncontrollable spasms, was a little independent film called Hachi. Have you seen it? Ignoring the fact that Richard Gere plays the lead role, I decided to watch it on Netflix one night in bed while Hal was asleep beside me. Without giving it away, it's a beautiful remake of a Japanese film and true story about a dog's undying loyalty to his owner. I cried the entire second half and for an hour after it was done, waking poor Hal up with my hysterics. Dog movies. They do it to me every time.


{Image via Paper Thin Walls}

Questions For You - What Was The First Album You Ever Owned?

My question for you...

What was the very first album you ever owned? 

My answer... This will completely date me. As a child of the 80's, the first cassette tape I begged my mom for was Madonna's True Blue. Followed soon after by Tiffany's self-titled debut and Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth (I also owned the perfume). Wow, right? My first CD was one I WON at a middle school dance. For what, I'm not quite sure, but it probably had something to do with the dorky dance routines my friends and I made up. That album was MC Hammer's 2 Legit 2 Quit. And the first CD I purchased with my hard earned allowance was Pearl Jam's Ten (through BMG Music Service's 12 for the price of 1). Sigh, don't you miss the days of buying full albums and listening to them over and over and over again?

Your turn! Leave me a comment below...


{Image by Violet May}

Questions For You - Are You An Introvert Or Extrovert?

Alright, friends. I'm doing it. I'm bring back my series, Questions For You. I've missed learning about what makes you tick. If you're a newer reader, the rules are simple. I ask a question. I give my answer. You give your answer in the comments. Ready? Let's go.

My question for you...

Are you an extrovert or an introvert?

My answer... I spent most of my life trying to convince myself I was an extrovert. Because I related introversion to being shy or anti-social. Extroverts were the cool popular kids. But as I've grown older, the more I've come to terms with who I really am. Yes, world, I am an introvert. And (finally) proud of it. Despite popular belief, most introverts are far from being timid or fearful. They love people and have many meaningful friendships. They simply need more alone time. If given the choice to attend a party or stay at home with a good book, I'd probably choose the later. If I'm around extroverts for long periods of time, I'm completely drained by the end of the day. Experts say that introverts' energy expands through reflection and dwindles during interaction. Do you agree?

P.S. Here's a fun illustrated guide to interacting with an introvert.


{Image via Kemukujara}

Questions For You: What Would Your Super Power Be?

This poster belongs in our home because I ask Hal this question every time we watch an X-men movie.

So my question for you:

If could have any super power, what would it be?

Hal's answer... Invisibility or flight.
My answer... Influencing other people's thoughts.


{Image via Madame Herve by Pop Chart Lab}

Questions For You - Have You Experienced Love At First Sight?

I love hearing how couples met. Hal and I have told our story thousands of times over the years, but it never gets old. One day I will tell you ours, but today I want to hear yours.

My question for you:

Has love at first sight ever happened to you?

My Answer... It was more lust than love, but yes. I locked onto him the moment I walked into the room.


{Image by Kelty of Steep Street}

Questions For You - Who Was Your Very First Best Friend?

I've been missing my besties. And since it's been awhile since my last Questions For You, I'm in the mood to hear your stories.

My question(s) for you:

1. Who was your very first best friend?

2. Are you still friends?

My Answer... Renee. We were neighbors growing up. Both our families moved away and we naturally lost touch. But thanks to the magical world of Facebook, we reconnected online decades later. It's kind of strange, because I don't even remember that much about her. She now has the cutest baby girl of her own. But to me, she'll always be my little blond friend with the big toothless grin.


{Image via We Heart It}

Questions For You - Counting Down To Meet Your Soul Mate?

I watched the indie flick, TiMER, this past weekend and absolutely loved it. Have you seen it? It's a sci-fi romance set in the not-too-distant future where people can opt to have timers implanted in their wrists. These clocks will count down to the exact day you'll meet your soul mate. But your soul mate must have their timer implanted as well, or else your timer will be blank. On the day your timer zeros out, you and your soul mate's timer will beep once you make eye contact. Crazy, right?

So this week's question for you is...

Would you want to know when you'll meet your soul mate?

My answer... Before I watched TiMER, my answer was absolutely YES! But after viewing it, I have mixed feelings. A lot of thought-provoking ideas came up, for instance... what if your timer says you won't meet your soul mate until you're in your 50's? Or what if your soul mate never gets a timer implanted and you're always wondering if you even have a soul mate? Or what if you fall in love with someone who isn't your "soul mate" but your timer is still counting down to meet someone else?


{Image by Shirley Two Feathers}

Questions For You - What Was Your Favorite Childhood Toy?

I really love visualizing my friends as children. So let's get nostalgic again, shall we?

My question for you...

What was your favorite toy growing up?

My answer... the Hippity Hop. Apparently it's called the Space Hopper in the U.K. I could have bounced for days. As an older child, my fave toy might be the Skip-Stick. Do you remember that thing? My parents wouldn't dare buy me the real thing. So my crafty dad made one out of a hollow plastic pipe, rope, and duct tape. I loved it, but was mortified to pull it out in front of friends.


{Image via Virgin Media}

Questions For You - What Is Your Relationship Criteria?

It's question time again and I want your answers! Thank you to everyone who has been participating in the past few weeks. I genuinely enjoy reading what you have to say.

Question for you...

(a) What is (or was) your relationship criteria?
(b) If you're in a long-term relationship, did your partner match up?

My answer...

A couple months before I met Hal, I made a list describing everything I wanted in a man so I could manifest him. It was your fairly standard list: makes me laugh, taller than me, dark thick hair, intelligent, kind eyes, loves music, killer smile, adventurous, artistic, big heart, wants children, communicative, and wealthy = added bonus (I felt bad being superficial). Then I met Hal and didn't realize until about 6 months into our relationship, that he met all my qualifications. Err, except for being wealthy. Maybe it shouldn't have been an "added bonus"!  ;)

{Images via Love, Obsess, Desire by Katie Turner}

Questions For You - What Is Your Purpose In Life?

The past couple of Questions For You have been light-hearted and fun. But I'd like to dig a little deeper this time.

My question for you...

What is your ultimate purpose or calling in life?

I personally believe everyone has a dharma, a Sanskrit term which translates into "life mission" or something you were born to do or become. Dharmas can be big or small, not to say a small dharma is any less important. Perhaps you are here to be a nurturing mother to a child who will make a great discovery as an adult. Or maybe you are supposed to play a vital role in our planet's green movement. You might even be here to influence one particular person to make one particular decision that affects a great number of people in the future. They say that the larger the dharma, the greater the obstacles you will have to overcome.

My answer...

I think I was brought to this earth to uplift and inspire others through music, art and creativity. I'm doing this currently on a small scale with my band and this blog, which comforts me to know that I'm on the right path. But there is so much more I see myself doing in this world, which is why I feel my purpose in life is just beginning to unravel itself. My life ain't seen nothin' yet!  ;) 

P.S. If you have no clue what your purpose in life is, I once read about a simple way to narrow it down. Ask yourself the question and write on a piece of paper whatever pops into your head. A short phrase or a couple of words will do. Keep writing until you come up with an answer that profoundly moves you, maybe even makes you cry. This is your purpose.

{Image via Lethhanna}

Questions For You - What Are Your Special Hidden Talents?

You guys, I was so tickled reading your answers to last week's question. What creative and wacky little kids you were! So I've decided to keep this question game going. Getting to know you is fun  :)

My question for you:

What are your special, quirky, strange, or unusual hidden talents?

My answer: I have two. One, I can precisely mimic a cat in heat. It's quite scary. When I do this, most cats will perk their ears, stare me down, and either run away or attack me. Two, I can hold most long and skinny objects in between my upper lip and nose. I know, weird.

Your turn!

{Image by Nikolinelr}

Questions For You - What Did You Want To Be Growing Up?

Hi friends. I want to know more about you. I'm thinking of making this a regular post, so your feedback is much appreciated. Here's how it works: I ask you a question. You give me your answer. Simple as pie!

My question for you...

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

My answer:  Apparently, when I was a wee one, my favorite reading material was a book on reptiles. When my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told her I wanted to be a snake!


{Image by Ana War Hier}