interviews

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in the Life of Prerna Malik

by Mandi on May 25, 2011

I’m excited to introduce a new series we’ll be doing at Life Your Way, called “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in the Life of…” Each week I’ll post an interview with someone as they share how their past has shaped who they are today as well as who they hope to be in the future.
We’re starting with the Life Your Way contributors, but I’d love to include readers as well. If you’d like to participate, just send me an email at contact@yourway.net and I’ll send you a questionnaire!

Today’s interview is with Prerna Malik of the Mom Writes:

source: The Mom Writes

1. Looking back on your childhood, what events do you think shaped who you are today?

A happy home, a mother who was loving but firm {and quite a clean freak}, and a father who worked very, very hard to provide for his daughters.

2. Were you always so productive and organized?

Unfortunately, no!  I was big on spending, credit cards, and shopping when I was younger and had just stepped into the corporate world. The lure of plastic took me into a bit of debt and it was when I met my to-be husband that I learned the importance of saving and budgeting.

As for organizing and being productive, again, that is something I started doing once I got married. I found that it helped me stay sane, manage a then-fulltime job, and keep a happy home.

Yeah, growing up, I was pretty much a go-with-flow kinda gal! But I was passionate about writing then too!

3. How would you describe yourself today?

I’m at a very happy place in my life today. I have an adorable daughter, I’m learning SO many new things about being a mom, a blogger/writer and a homemaker, all while spending time with the most loving  and patient man in the world!

source: The Mom Writes

4. What do you most love about your life?

The fact that I can do what I love the most – writing while staying at home and being with my family. You know, “have my cake and eat it too!”

5. What would other people be surprised to know about you?

There isn’t much, but yes, I totally suck at packing a suitcase. I love to travel but would so NOT enjoy moving from place to place. I need a base. And yes, I am an extrovert who takes her time to know people.

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Wow. Umm, I’d like to have written a book. Moved into our own home. Traveled to Europe and the US. Meet in real life with some of the awesome bloggers who’ve rocked my world as a work-at-home mom.

7. What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I want my daughter to grow up with a deep love for family, a respect for hard work, and the desire and drive to pursue her passions.

Prerna Malik is a mom, a wife, a writer and woman who believes in being postively productive, parenting with love and creating a home that invites you to put your feet up and relax. Find her sharing her journey and experiences with productivity and parenting at The Mom Writes.

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Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in the Life of Jo-Lynne Shane

by Mandi on April 6, 2011

I’m excited to introduce a new series we’ll be doing at Life Your Way, called “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow in the Life of…” Each week I’ll post an interview with someone as they share how their past has shaped who they are today as well as who they hope to be in the future. We’re starting with the Life Your Way contributors, but I’d love to include readers as well. If you’d like to participate, just send me an email at contact@yourway.net and I’ll send you a questionnaire!

Today’s interview is with Jo-Lynne Shane of Musings of a Housewife and DCR Design:

source: Musings of a Housewife

1. Looking back on your childhood, what events do you think shaped who you are today?

Wow, you start out with a tough one. I would say that performing as a violinist and later as a solo vocalist were both experiences that gave me confidence. My strong family life, a good relationship with my mom — these aren’t events, but I think they gave me the independence that I have today.

The decision to go away to college was a biggie.  Again, I think all of these experiences forced me to step out of my comfort zone and helped shape me into the person I am today.

2. Were you always interested in fashion?

I always loved to talk, so I guess it follows that I found a home blogging. :-) Seriously, my teachers always gave good reports with one caveat – that I talked too much. Well, no one can tell me to be quiet on my own blog! So there!
I always enjoyed shopping, and now I run a style blog.  The design part, though, that’s kind of a surprise. I was never particularly artistic or craftsy. I kind of fell into that.

3. How would you describe yourself today?

Fun, honest, passionate.

4. What do you most love about your life?

I love that I have found a way to make a career for myself from home, that I can be my own boss, that I have the luxury of a flexible schedule, and that I love what I do. I love that I have the opportunity to travel, and that my husband supports me in all of the above.

source: Musings of a Housewife

5. What would other people be surprised to know about you?

I’m not sure much would surprise people; I’m pretty much out-front on my blog. Anything they don’t already know, I’m probably not tellin’. ;-)

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

I hope that I’m able to make more of a career out of this blogging thing. I’d like to think that I will find a focus. Right now I feel like I’m doing 155 things part way, but it’s hard to turn down great opportunities when you don’t know where they might take you.

7. What legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I hope people remember me as kind and generous. I’d like to leave the world (and the interwebs) a better place than I found it.

Jo-Lynne Shane is a happily married mom to three lively school-aged children. When she’s not buried under piles of laundry or a kneading a mound of bread dough, she writes at Musings of a Housewife about faith, family, food and fashion, as well as blogging and design tips. As if that’s not enough, you can also find her beautifying the blogosphere at DCR Design.

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