I have been tagged by Ana, the sweet and amazing blogger of the Mom Life with Chiari site.  Her blog  (which I LOVE) is both inspiring and fun to read.  If you haven’t checked it out,  please do so and you’ll know what I mean. 

Here is what this tag entails:

Rules:

° Thank & tag the person that has tagged you

° Attach the tag photo

° Answer the ‘This or That’ questions

° Tag 10-20 friends

Here we go:

° How do you feel at the moment?

I am enjoying my day, minute and second.  Nothing is better than the weekends, a much needed pause before the week starts again.

° What do you need more in your life?

Courage.  If only I learn to stand up for myself and say no once in a while, that would really be terrific.

° What would make you happy right now?

I would really like some quiet time with a good book but it has to wait.

° What is going on in your life right now?

I used to work but I am now a home maker who is busy helping out at school, cooking, cleaning and looking after my family.  I just started this blog a short while ago and I have been trying to carve out some time to write.  Having time to myself has been the hardest challenge but I am sure I’ll figure it out eventually.

° What am I most grateful for? List 10 things.

• My kids, hubby and all my family members
• Good health (not just mine but everyone around me)
• Friends who have become my support system
• My small cozy home
• My husband’s job and how hard he works
• Every little act of kindness I encounter (they remind me to pay it forward)
• Every little annoyance in life that allows me to grow
• Bloggers and readers (ALL OF YOU) who keep me connected, inspired and motivated
• Flowers that have really sprung up everywhere (although my allergies aren’t quite so pleasant)
• Food oh glorious food!

° When did you experience joy this week? 

I wasn’t feeling too well this week.  The loving care from my husband and kids really touched me and gave me joy.  Nothing is better than feeling loved.

° List a small victory/success?

I am quite obsessive when it comes to keeping a clean and neat home.  My success is when I manage to let go a little and enjoy the time with the family instead of keeping a spotless house.

° What is bothering me & Why?

It bothers me that kindness, integrity and basic human decency have become values that I need to fight for and protect.  It bothers me that we have come so far in technological advancements but have not figured out a way to find love and compassion for one another.  It bothers me that cruelty still runs rampant and has become acceptable in many corners of the world.  Perhaps I am too idealistic and unrealistic.

° What are my priorities at the moment?

To be the best mom, wife, daughter and friend that I can be.  It means being there for those around me.

° What do I love about myself?

Despite being rather timid, I almost never give up on anything.  I just find other ways to get things accomplished.

° Who means the world to me & why?

My kids, my hubby and all my immediate family mean the world to me.  I can be who I am because of them.

° If I could share one message with the world, what would it be?

Don’t shy away from criticism.  They are the only way you can grow in life. Friends who care for you will always be honest with you and as such, can’t always give you compliments.  Keep them close to you in your life.

° What advise would I give my younger self? 

Get out of your bedroom and spend more time with your parents, siblings and grandparents.  When you get older, it will be harder to do so.  Ask them all the questions you have, get to know them and tell them often how much you love them.  Also, continue with that ballet class you love, even when no one thinks you are good enough.  Dance till you get to wear those point shoes.  Just be happy and tune out what others say.

° What lesson did I learn this week? 

I learn that it’s important to meet up with an old friend once in a while.  It helps you reconnect with those you care and recall those wonderful memories that you might have forgotten about.

° If I had all the time in the world, what would I do first?

I would spend meaningful time with my family.

° What’s draining my energy?

My own worries, both founded and unfounded.

° What does my ideal morning look like?

When I get up before anyone and enjoy a cup of coffee before my kids come down for breakfast.

° What does my ideal day look like?

When I get all the cooking and errands done before kids come back from school. It gives me serious satisfaction to be productive.

° What makes me come alive?

When people enjoy the food I make for them, I feel like I have been given a 100 new lives.

° What/Who inspires me the most?

My mom and dad, each in their own way.

° Where does my pain originate?

Sometimes people take me for granted.  That gives me a lot of pain.

° What are my strengths?

I always try to see things from others’ perspectives.  I am not sure it’s quite a strength, really, but it does help me avoid many unnecessary conflicts.

° What is something I’ve always wanted but too scared to get?

A pet dog.  When I was young, my dog died after I had him for only two years.  The loss was unbearable as he was my best friend.  I am afraid of getting another pet dog because of that.

° What is something I would love to learn?

Continue with ballet until I get to dance in the point shoes.

° Where would I want to live my ideal life?

Anywhere is fine as long as I have my husband by my side.

° Where would you like to travel in the next 5 years?

Italy, Spain and France.

° What can I do to take better care of myself?

Get that haircut.  It has been almost a year!

° What hobbies would I like to try?

I would really like to learn how to use a sewing machine and start doing some sewing projects. I think it will be fun.

° When have I done something that I thought I couldn’t do?

Blogging.  This was a terrifying thing for me to jump into.  I still have ways to go but at least I started it!

° At the end of my life, what do I want my legacy to be?

A loving and caring mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend to all my loved ones.  More than anything, I hope they know how much I love them.

My nominees: 

I am going to go against the rule (sorry) and not confine my nomination to a list.  There are so many blogs I like out there that would not fit into a list.  Instead, I would like to extend the tag to anyone who is reading this post and who would like to share more about themselves.  It has been a lot of fun for me answering these questions (though they are a tad lengthy) and I hope you feel the same about them.

Cheers!