#425. strength, stamina, seizing opportunities & Scottish whiskey

Age: 58

Occupation: College professor

Income: 60, 000 euros/year

Astrological Sign: Libra

What is something you look forward to every day?

Going to the gym to do CrossFit and improve my strength, stamina, and posture. CrossFit makes me feel powerful and happy.

Describe how your year thus far is going, using only three words:

Change. Friendship. Support.

What is the most valuable thing you have earned?

My degrees.

What is the most precious thing you have lost?

Several pets.

Fill in the blank: if loving ____ is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Wine.

Is there a moment in your life where preparation has met opportunity? Did you take it?

Yes. I have seized the opportunity to move to the other side of the world three times.

In a room full of people, who are you looking for?

Women.  

What is the most impactful, published piece of writing you have read?

(this could be a book, a poem, an article, a study, etc.)

This is a very difficult question because so many books have had an impact on me. There’s one author that I can read and re-read endlessly: Jane Austen. I love Henry James too, especially Portrait of a Lady.

The problem is: the list of authors I love is too long!

When I am self-loathing, I tend to…

Avoid mirrors.

When I am self-loving, I tend to…

Feel powerful.

If you had endless amounts of talent and skill, what would you want to be famous or known for?

I would love to be famous as a singer, someone like Sinead O’Connor, or Dolores (RIP) from the Cranberries. Someone with a political message.

How does the best relationship in your life make you feel?

I think my relationship with my children is probably the best, and I am so proud of all three of them. I feel gratitude and endless love thanks to them.

When do you feel most inspired?

When I am outside, looking at nature and feeling surrounded by its beauties, even if it’s only a few flowers on a grey day. Being outside is important to me; it gives depth to my thoughts.

What is something that your inner child needs to hear from you?

My inner child is dead. She was killed by the adults that were in charge of my existence and of my well-being when I was little. I assume she’s dead because I cannot reach her, and I don’t want to either, because she was a victim, a powerless, innocent victim who suffered a lot, and I never want to feel that way again.

What is something that your future self needs to hear from you?

Carry on fighting for women, carry on fighting for yourself.

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you had made a different decision, and do you wish you had?

Yes! Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like without my children, and if I hadn’t gotten married. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had left my husband after my first child, the first time I had doubts about his faithfulness.

I love my children, so I do not regret my choices. However, I should have decided to complete my studies when I was still child-free and single, instead of waiting post-divorce.

If money were no object, what is one thing you would have an unlimited supply of?

Chanel’s Chance, sports bras and shoes, Pinot Noir and Scottish whisky.

What is the most predictable thing about you?  

That I am going to speak my mind, whatever the situation, even though it might cause awkwardness or even conflict. I’m done shutting up. My friends know I will defend any woman or child against anyone who’s harming them. Also, I have no more fucks to give.

What is the most unexpected thing that has ever happened to you?

Meeting Frederik De Klerk on the terrace during the interlude at the Sydney Opera House, right after Mandela was elected president of South Africa, all thanks to him. I was in awe!

Describe a time that you were in awe of your own courage or bravery:

I raised three kids single-handedly. Looking back, I am proud of the courage it took for me to do that. Also, there are several other things that make me feel brave:

·       leaving my side of the world to start from scratch thousands of kilometres away, 3 times

·       taking up running at 50 and winning my first half-marathon at 54

·       taking up CrossFit at 56

BONUS: Tell me something good.

I have pets, all of them are rescues. They are the best pets ever. One is a cat, who is almost 16 years old, my other cat died a year ago, it is still painful, and I have two dogs, a small one and a bigger one, both are mixes. They would give their lives for me, and I love them so very much. I used to volunteer at a shelter when I lived in the South Pacific, and I adopted them then. They flew all the way to here with me; I still don’t understand how some people can leave their pets behind. They’re family.