The Campfire Network... featuring Ria

Ladies & Gentleman, I am so excited to share this round of the Campfire Network with you. This time around, I swapped questions with the beautiful, smart and fellow Michigan blogger, Ria. She blogs over at & that's the way life goes and we recently found each other and I couldn't be happier.

If you're here visiting from Ria's blog, I just want to say hello and welcome
:: waves :: 

After you're done reading Ria's answers my the questions I passed along to her, make sure to visit Ria's blog to find out my answers to her questions. In addition, if you're feeling rather frisky today, check out my other Campfire Network swap with eQ here. And if you're interested in doing a Campfire Network post with me, just shoot me an email and we can get one set-up. I really love doing these and having the opportunity to get to know a fellow blogger on a more personal level. Plus it's always fun to step outside of your comfort zone and answer questions that are rather interesting.

Okay, I'm going to stop blabbing now, let's get onto what this post is really about... Ria!

You are handing a check for $500,000 - what do you do with the money?
First I pay off all my debt, including my 20k+ student loan.  Next, I give my dad enough money to buy a building for his tae kwon do school and some to put away because his retirement is probably nonexistent.  I'd give money to my friends that have families that are having a hard time so they have food for dinner.  I'd then give money to local animal organizations/shelters that need funding desperately.  Almost Home Animal Rescue League and the Dearborn Animal Shelter, for starters.  I'd also like to save a little ;)

 (( via here ))

As 2009 is closely coming to an end, what is one thing you've learned this year and one thing that you wish you would not have learned (or done)?
I learned that owning a house can be a lot of work! But it has its rewards too.  I also learned that even though I have a mortgage I don't feel any more grown up than I did when I was renting.  I wish I would have not have learned how bad my dad is at finances :(

 (( via here ))

Do believe that people are inherently good or bad?
I think that people are born with a specific personality that they will have all their lives no matter what they do.  I think based on situations and choices, they "choose" to be good or bad.  I guess it comes down to, do you have a conscience or not?

(( via here )) 

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?
The better question is what would I not attempt?  I think the possibility of failure hinders me from doing a lot of things.  I was an art student for a couple semesters in college but I can't draw.  I felt so bad about myself that I ended up dropping most of my art classes.  Because I felt if  I can't draw or paint how will I be able to design and create?  I had a photography class too that I was just afraid of bad criticism and not enough time to put myself in my projects.  At the end of the semester at our 1 on 1 I told my prof that I was thinking about going back into journalism and she told me that was a good idea.  I will never forget that.  To this day I'm still afraid to try some of the ideas I have in my head artistically because maybe I'm not creative.

(( via here )) 

What is the best advice you've ever given and received?
Someone in the blogosphere posted this quote, "Love What Is".    It is so true.  We focus so much on what could be, what might have been that we forget to be grateful what is right now.  I'm also a big fan of the saying, "don't borrow trouble".  I think we worry too much about what could be or what might happen.

(( via here )) 

Now scadoodle on over to Ria's blog to find out what I had to say to her questions!