Smile!
A person without a smiling face should not open a shop. -Chinese proverb
My neighbor turned 100 years old! Her advice to a long life? Smiling. Actually, laughing. She says that she weathered life’s ups and downs with a dose of good humor.
Also, I was recently nominated for a blog award by Brittney (thanks!). The name of the award makes me smile: Sunshine Award. The rule is I have to answer eleven questions:
1. What is your favorite vacation place? I really enjoyed visiting Italy when I went there. There’s great people, art, and food. What more could you ask for? Currently, though, Hawaii’s on my list of places to see again. This is due, in part, to Lori‘s great comments and posts about the island(s).
2. What is your favorite dessert? In a nod to my answer above, I’m a sucker for a delicious tiramisu. And I really like dan tat (the dim sum egg custard) at all hours.
3. What is your favorite season? We don’t have seasons in California, but if I had to pick one here, I’d settle for spring. That’s when there’s a nice temperature, and the flowers are bursting with color all around. If I went back to upstate New York, though (where I went to undergrad), I would choose winter. There’s something magical about watching snow falling in the glow of lamplight on a dark, still night.
4. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? Reading, of course!
5. Where would you like to live if you could choose anywhere? I really like California. I would love to explore the rest of the United States as well, particularly the South. I think the U.S. has such a great mix of scenery and cultures; I really envy friends who’ve done cross-country trips.
6. What’s your favorite color? I’m partial to light blue and dark green, both calming colors.
7. What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you this year? Getting published! Second to that, having readers interact with me and compliment my book.
8. Tell us something about yourself we might not already know? I used to own pet chickens.
9. Do you have a pet? I have goldfish, courtesy of a stranger from the 626 Night Market.
10. What’s your favorite kind of pet? I like ones that are soft and furry. I had a real affinity for dogs when I was a kid. Nowadays, I sometimes think about owning a hamster.
11. What did you like doing the most when you were a kid? I liked imagining new worlds. I would strap on my backpack and put various things inside, so I could go on an adventure. Then, I would traverse couches and avoid dangerous obstacles to reach my destination.
As a recipient of the Sunshine Award, I’m supposed to refer to eleven other bloggers. Since I’ve already received this award (see sidebar), I’m going to ask the questions to my audience instead. Dear readers, feel free to answer any of the questions above or this one: What do you think is the secret to longevity?
