25 Random Things About Susan Jensen
Do you remember back in the early days of Facebook when people posted all kinds of lists in their “Notes” section? Our all-time favorites were the amazing “25 Random Things About Me” lists — they were so real, so personal and so fascinating that we actually based the eSSSence box at the bottom of all our interviews and guest posts on them. We hear from many of you about how these resonate with you and how much you enjoy reading them, too.
So we thought it would be fun to post our own lists so you can get to know us better — and we may find out a few secrets about each other along the way. We’ve already posted Lois’ list and Amy’s list. Now it’s Susan’s turn:
1. I grew up on a farm and loved every minute of it. I was allowed to roam free, something my daughter did not get to do.
2. Dogs are an important part of my life and I have had over 10 in my lifetime. My current love is Buster.
3. Catherine and I have an annual mother/daughter ornament exchange and brunch that started when Catherine was in the 8th grade. She is now a junior in college.
4. I hate lima beans and liver regardless of what is on top of them or what they are cooked in.
5. I dropped out of college and that is my biggest regret in life.
6. I love the feeling of renewal that spring brings. Flowers popping up, trees in bloom, longer days, warmer weather. I am definitely a summer kinda gal.
7. I make a mean batch of English toffee and I give it away at Christmas time to friends, family, and neighbors.
8. If I could have been anything in life I would have been a singer. I loved Barbra Streisand and would pretend to be her when I was younger, singing at the top of my lungs throughout the house when no one was home. I also would pretend the doors in my house were boyfriends and I would slow dance with them.
9. I love Motown music, the Stones, Beatles and, yes, even rap music.
10. I spent many a weekend in my 20’s in gay discos in San Francisco dancing up a storm, having a ton of fun and seeing lots of very interesting things!
11. I love everything about being a mother. Having a child at 40 made me a wiser, calmer, more enlightened mom and I believe a better parent than if I had been in my 20′s.
12. Elephants are my favorite animal. They are smart and filled with soul, compassion, and loyalty.
13. I love to travel and high on my wish list is an African safari, visiting distant relatives in the Basque region of France, the Galapagos, taking the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver to Banff, rafting through the Grand Canyon, visiting an elephant preserve in Africa and/or Thailand, taking a Mediterranean cruise and, thanks to Lois, Iceland.
14. I love eating the pizza Larry makes and I love how much he enjoys making it.
15. I love red wine and vodka martinis. Martinis must be served up, dry with two olives and must be made with a name brand vodka.
16. A motto Larry and I both live by is treating others the way we want to be treated.
17. I am a very logical, practical person. I love to laugh and I’m seldom depressed.
18. I love having dinner parties and trying out new recipes on my friends. Some are successful and, well, some are not!
19. On my first sorta date with Larry, I took him to a Dim Sum restaurant in San Francisco, ordered tons of food, then found out he was allergic to all types of shellfish. Needless to say, I had lots of “to go” boxes.
20. I love my Zumba classes at the gym. I try and go four times a week if I can. I also love working out with weights.
21. My day isn’t complete if I don’t have my two mugs of home brewed coffee in the morning with frothed milk, no sugar.
22. As I have gotten older I have trouble sleeping and I would give almost anything for a good night’s sleep where I awake feeling rested and refreshed.
23. I love See’s Candy because it reminds me of my mom, my grandma and my sister. Our motto was the sooner we ate the pound box of candy the sooner we’d be rid of the calories.
24. I had two of the best Grandmothers that ever lived. I learned unconditional love from both of them and it was truly life altering.
25. I elect not to take things personally because most of the time they aren’t. It saves me so much grief, heartache and anger.
The eSSSence of Susan Jensen
Style: Comfort & practical — think Chicos. Oh, and dare I say, “granny panties” now fall into this category. Age has its benefits!
Substance: I am logical, practical and not a worrier. Additionally, surrounding myself with fabulous friends and positve energy makes for a very enriching life.
Soul: The most important thing I will do in my life is be a good mother.
OK, I laughed out loud at #23!!! That has always been my motto with Sees candy and my husband has never figured out why I can’t just chuck the box and not eat it! Sacrilage!! Thanks for the beautiful day starter. I am still chuckling ….
Dear Susan,
I have been waiting for your list! You are even more amazing than I already thought… Please, no regrets. You are one of the wisest, smartest, worldliest, kindest, inspiriring persons I have ever met. There are many paths, and the value you place on education is more important than any piece of paper. You have accomplished so much more and made so much more of a difference in all you do. So wonderful soul, wife, mother, district employee of the year, Oprah’s chosen, and friend- my life is richer for knowing you.
You have an uncanny way of calming down others too. Sometimes I hate that about you (ha ha ha ha), but you do bring me down to reality alot. Also, how come I didn’t know Larry makes great pizza?
I also respect all of the volunteering you have done and are still doing to this day. You set the bar very high young lady!
You are the best sister in law, aunt and great aunt there is. You are always the wisest one in the family so I don’t think a piece of paper defines education. Live with no regrets cause you are awesome the way you are! Thanks for sharing your 25 things, I truly respect and love you!
Sue,
WHy didn’t I see horse trainer on your list? I often think back on the many years we spent together and have to laugh at most of them. I also didn’t see snipe hunter as a memorable event. Anyway kid, miss you and will always remember the years we had together growing up, K thru 12 and the times we got to visit after you moved south. You have always been teh bestest and always will be. Love you all.
Susan,
I loved reading your list! About numbers 12 and 13 — elephants are AMAZING animals (and the babies are flat-out adorable). If you ever do take that African safari, let’s talk! You absolutely have to go to Tarangire park in Tanzania — there are so many elephants there, and it’s beautiful. I’d be glad to share what I learned planning my own safari — my mom and I went in 2010, four years after our India tiger adventure, and it was the trip of a lifetime.
Cheers,
Katy
Loved your list, Susan! Having worked with you for a long time with the Children’s Hospital auxiliary I will always think of you as Volunteer of the Year!! Being extremely analytical I had to see which of the three of you I was most like. It was like taking a Sex in the City test in Cosmo! Susan, we are a real match. The bad news is you are so much like me – yikes!!! Love all three of you, The 3 musketeers!
LOVED this! I of course, love #12 the most:) And I loved learning more about a woman that I have known for a long time but now REALLY know…and love her even more!! You 3 are just such amazing, wonderful women that I am SO proud to know!!!