JAJ Installment 4: Leslie

I hope this Q&A thing is not getting on your nerves, because quite frankly I am sick of myself. I should have done "Ask Julie About Her Kids" instead. I feel so self-centered, but one thing I am loving about this is getting to know all of you better. You are all blogging and giving me candid and honest responses to the questions I asked. I love that! I must think of more ways to make you all blog more regularly because I love hearing what you have to say.

If you want to hear what Makinzee had to say to her questions, click here.

If you are so sick of me that nausea has set in, click elsewhere or grab a barf bowl because Leslie had lots of questions.

Oh and Leslie, since I was eating apple pie when I posted Erin's answers, I am eating foreign cookies from Ikea in honor of your post.

Leslie asked: Will you please come to the next Family Reunion so we can laugh together? (Please make all of your siblings come, too.)

I would love to. I really would, but seeing as I am way out yonder I am not sure whether or not it will happen. At Nonnie's funeral I noticed that they listed all 19 of her grandkids on the back of the program and where they lived. I was the only one not in Utah or California. How fun to see new places, but how sad to be odd man out. I would love to be closer so that we could all run in to each other at more than just a funeral once a decade. Even if I can't go to the next reunion, make sure my siblings get an invite so that I can hear all about it. Oh, and send me a t-shirt.

Leslie asked: I'm dying to know about your siblings. Can I ask you if Jeff is still shy? You don't seem shy to me at all, so I am wondering if Jeff grew out of it, too.

Jeff is a funny creature. I bet there are people in our family who have never heard Jeff say a single word. He doesn't have the run-your-mouth-uncontrollably-when-you're-nervous gene that I have, but he is a bit of a blabbermouth once he warms up. I daresay that when Jeff is on a roll he can out talk any of us, and he is hilarious. Still shy, yes. Worth getting to know, for sure!

Leslie asked: Does Valerie live in Temecula, or is that Kristen? Where is Kelly?

Both! Valerie and Kristen both live in Temecula. You are neighbors. Would it make all of you uncomfortable if I suggested that you should all get together for lunch? Kelly lives in Salt Lake. So does Steven. And Jeff. Such a bummer, Valerie and Kristen see each other every day. Jeff, Kelly and Steven are roommates so they see each other every day. I am way out here. I miss those guys.

Leslie asked: How many years apart are you and Val?

Three years. We were 4 years apart in school because I had a November birthday and barely made the cut off date for California schools and went to Kindergarten when I was 4. She was born in January and missed the deadline so we never really went to school together.

Leslie asked: What was your major in college?

Ugh! You had to ask that question. My college career is not exactly something I am super proud of. I was not making any decisions about school so Glenn ended up applying to several schools for me, all in Utah and Idaho. Ugh, again. He even wrote my admittance essays for me. He ultimately chose Southern Utah University because of their theatre program and I moved to Cedar City, Utah two weeks after high school graduation to start summer school.

Glenn declared me as a theatre major when he applied, due to my interest in theatre. What did I actually want to be? I had no idea at that point in time. Those were not my best years. To be frank, they were my worst. I wasn't happy and I dropped lots of classes and I got very little accomplished, and I feel guilty even still because Nonnie was supporting me financially.

At the end of two years in Cedar City I went up to Salt Lake City for a Bon Jovi concert. I stayed with my friend, Jami, in the Avenues, by Temple Square. I felt happy and so relieved to be somewhere fresh. I went back to Cedar City and a few weeks later decided that I had to start over, somewhere new. I guess there were too many ghosts for me in Cedar City.

I have never been more scared of anything in my life. I was so scared that I literally thought I was losing my mind. I was paranoid, so paranoid that I could feel my organs bouncing off the walls of my body at all times. When it was dark it got worse so I drove around all night and would try to sleep when it was light out. I had terrible fears that I would die if I made this move. Crippling fears. I could barely breathe. I know now that Satan was trying to hold me captive by my fears. Big things were waiting in Salt Lake and he didn't want me to get there.

I finally decided that I was moving, no matter what the consequences were. I could stay where I was and be unhappy or I could take a chance. I took a chance.

I packed my car to the brim and drove North, and wouldn't you know that as soon as I hit the interstate a smile came and the fear stayed behind. I arrived in Salt Lake City and stayed with my friend Jami for a few days until I could find a place to live.

I registered at the community college and still dropped more classes than I should have, but I was heading in the right direction. I now had to pay my own tuition/rent which made me work harder, and not drop classes after the refund deadline. I ended up being at Salt Lake Community College for two years before my mission, and two more after. I finally got it together and ended up leaving with a 3.9 GPA. (And if you know that I am a perfectionist you know that it BU-U-UGS me that it was not a 4.0) I have enough credits for a Bachelors degree, but I never declared a major and transferred to the Universtiy. I guess I was just scared to commit. I hemmed and hawed over what I loved more, advertising and PR, or English, and what do you do with an English major if you don't want to teach? I spent so much time asking questions that I never finished college. I did get my two year degree after the college finally told me that I needed to apply for graduation or start paying more as a non-degree seeking student. I just liked taking the classes that sounded interesting. Declaring a major was a scary commitment to me and I do have regrets about that now. However, I learned so much about myself during those years and grew stronger and better as a person and in the long run that means more to me than a degree.

But, I am ready to declare a major now and I am looking in to going back to school part time in the next couple years, which is why I am looking at working at home again so that I can pay for it. I will major in English with an emphasis in writing. No surprise there, right? And I don't care anymore what becomes of it. I just want to accomplish it for me, and I want to better myself by developing my writing further. For me, and as a way of showing gratitude to Heavenly Father for getting me from that crazy place I was in as a 17 year old starting college, to where I am now. I am ready to complete the journey.

That was another answer that I did not think would be as long as it was but I am trying to just put down whatever comes in the moment. It is no use promising an answer unless it is an honest one.

And to think, I could've answered that one in one word.

Redo: What was your major in college?

Nothing.

Leslie asked: How did you become interested in writing? Have you ever tried to get anything published? I think you should try.

See Erin's post for how I became interested in writing. The quick answer would be that I was just born that way.

Published! Oh, the P word. No, I have not ever tried to have anything published. I would like to try at some point in time but I am not sure what, or where or when. I don't anticipate becoming rich and famous for my writing, but I would like to see my name in print, just once. I would like to leave one creative mark on this world.

Recently my mother in law called and said she was submitting one of my blog posts to the Ensign. I told her to please not do that and to let me think about it. The post was very lengthy and full of casual jokes for my blog readers. It needed to be revised to be considered for magazine submission. That was one reason I gave her, and it was true. The other reason that I told her no was because I want to do this on my terms. I want the first time I see my name and my words in print to be a result of my own planning and design. I need to be the one to believe in me, say I'm good enough, and put myself out there. That is when it would mean the most to me.

Oh and as for the "I think you should" advice. Thank you! That means something to me, more than you know.

Leslie asked: Where did Seth grow up? Is he from Utah?

Seth is from Green River, Wyoming, or as I call it, Pleasantville. Did you see that movie? Where everything is like a 1950's perfect sitcom? That is how I felt when I was introduced to Green River. Everywhere we went people knew Seth. Several people stopped to tell me about the miraculous basketball game Seth once played in. Every little thing was big time in a small town. Seth's best friends, Corey and Josh, were on missions but we stopped by to see their families. We didn't call ahead but when we got there Seth strolled right through their unlocked doors. I was so embarrassed until I saw that this action was met with smiles and hugs for everyone. I am so intrigued by small town life, and so happy that places still exist where doors don't need iron gates and a 20 year old ball game is still local folklore. I love my small town boy, but I must tell you that Seth prefers big city living.

Leslie asked: What kind of board games do you stay up late playing?

Depends on who I am playing with. Nothing embarrassing like Cranium unless it is a siblings only affair. Trivial Pursuit if I want my mom and Glenn and Jeff to join in. And I mostly love games where you get to know the other players better and laugh a lot. My favorite is Loaded Questions. Imaginiff, Apples to Apples and Skip Bo are fun too. I also love Monopoly because it takes so long. Once I get playing I don't want the game to end and the party to be over. One time we played Monopoly with our friends, Ryan and Margie, for so long that Napoleon Dynamite played 4 1/2 times in the background. I am not gutsy enough at Monopoly so I was out hours before it was over, but I was so happy that the game was still going and my friends were still trapped in my house.

Leslie asked: (Like Erin) Did you think we were the most obnoxious, loud and ridiculous cousins you ever knew? Did you dread our family parties?

Since I answered the obnoxious question for Erin I will get right to family parties. I will say that we always felt a little bit like fish out of water at your parties, but not in a bad way. You are all so welcoming, always. Your parties are just so different from our parties. I have to remind myself sometimes that your parents are converts because you guys fit the Mormon bill so perfectly. The talent shows, and hat contests, and corn shucking races. It was all so Mormon. I loved seeing everyone laugh and be silly. I just never have been in to all that because I get embarrassed too easily. At Ward parties I am always praying that we don't have to do anything silly and if we do I must confess that I still sit out. Our family, well we showed the convert in us on our sleeves a little more. Sorry to out us Mom! We were a bit more raunchy and crude but that doesn't mean I don't love parties with jello molds and matching t-shirts. Please keep inviting us.

Leslie asked: Did you like Matt, Brian and Noelle better than us?

Unfortunately I have to say that I never really knew them. You guys lived closer and had kids our age so we saw you more. I only remember being at their house once or twice in my life. I wish I'd known them better too but I really only knew them at all through what Nonnie would tell me. I am sure to them we all looked like a bunch of crazy Mormons.

Leslie asked: All right, that's 10 questions I just rattled off easily. Can we have a monthly question and answer session?

I am not sure there will be any part of me left unexposed by the end of this session. I also think I would lose all my readers, but again I do love that this is making some of my less bloggy friends blog and dig deep to give me the dirt on themselves.

Leslie asked: Can I ask 2 more before I go?

Sure, why not!

Leslie asked: Did your mother ever tell you I told her I was going to shoot her tongue off? (I was little.)

My mom read this comment and called to claim that you have your facts twisted. She said you told that to a woman named Lou who was friends with your parents. She said you also told poor Lou that she was staying too long and to go home during a visiting teaching appointment. Whether you said this to my mom or to dear old Lou, my mom does have a tendency to carry on and it wouldn't hurt for someone to tell her to bite her tongue, or shoot it off if you'd rather.

Leslie asked: And, Can I ask how your Dad is? He was one of my favorites when I was little. Your Dad could get me to put my sweater on when no one else could.

Dad, your fans are waiting. Where are you? I told him to come in and say hi to Erin too but he hasn't yet. He is here. He is one of my regulars. He still lives in the OC (but I know he is still faithful to LA in his heart, right dad?) He serves at the Newport Beach Temple. Is that your temple? Go look for him, he would love it. My mom told me the sweater story too and I must say Miss Leslie, that you were a bit of a spit fire as a child. You look like a Disney Princess; I never would have guessed you had a sharp edge. It reminds me of stories about Nonnie, and my mom, and Valerie as children so it makes me happy to know that your family had a headstrong, willful child as well.

Was that my longest post ever?

Your turn Leslie.

Julie asked: How are your kids? Where are they all? I remember Kelly having a crush on Jacob when they were little. So cute! I remember Jacob and Jordan who were so cute that they would make anyone want two little boys. And Holly and Mallory who were still sweet little round faced babies on our last St. George excursion. All of them were darling. I have only met Erin Leigh and Annie Laurie once though so please tell me about them too.

Julie asked: Did you get the name Annie Laurie from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? I love that book and actually wanted to name a daughter after Francie Nolan, because I think she is the sweetest little girl in all of fiction but I don't like the name Francie too much. I so badly wanted an Annie though.

Julie asked: Tell me about your writing background. How did you become interested? What kind of stuff have you had published? What are you working on right now?

On deck: Brittney, and all she wants is a picture. That ought to be easily done with a minimal amount of words. You know I can't go entirely wordless. That would leave me feeling stark naked.