Ericson

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: When I'm with my family.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: Losing my family.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd take my family and go back home, to the Philippines.

Jason

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Swimming in the ocean.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: I hope the world doesn't end.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Cancun and take my wife.

Jen

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: When I went on a road trip on my own, from Winnipeg to San Diego, a couple of years ago.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: a) I work with kids, and so I worry about incompetent people who work with kids, not fighting for their rights. b) I worry about my transience, I don't know where I'll be in five years. c) I worry about not living a life according to my morals and values, and always standing up for what I believe in. and d) I worry about dying alone.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to China where my mom grew up, and India where my dad grew up. I'd take a friend, or a partner (if I had one), who is adventurous and open-minded.

Brad

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Whenever I'm traveling. (I go to Mexico almost every year to visit my family.)

Q: What do you worry about?

A: Being able to follow through with what my dreams are.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd travel to Japan and take my best friend and my boyfriend.

Shawn

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Snowmobiling at my uncle's farm.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: My family.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Amsterdam and bring my friend Brett.

Brett

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?

A: Whenever I'm doing Cadets Survival stuff.

Q: What do you worry about?

A: Dying.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go, and who would you take?
A: I'd go to China and take my friend Shawn.

Angelu

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Whenever I'm with my dog, Wacky.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: My grades.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?

A: I'd go to the Philippines and take my boyfriend.

Shauna

Unfortunately for some reason my photo of Shauna disappeared! I decided to post this one anyway, partly because it was such a great conversation and I want it documented, and also because I know Shauna will be checking this out. (Sorry Shauna!) Trust me people, she's a beautiful woman and she had a very cute tiny puppy with her.

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: The first day I met my fiance on the Greyhound bus. We randomly bumped into each other at the gym six months later and have now been together for ten years.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: I'm not really a worrier. It's more, 'water of a duck's back', than about worrying for me.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Paris with my fiance.

Lola

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: When all of my relatives are together, singing and playing instruments.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: My family. The future and safety of my children.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Uganda (my other home, where my husband is), and I'd take our son Oren.

Analisa

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?

A: When I married my husband and realized I could have sleepovers with him for the rest of our lives together.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: What don't I worry about? I worry about car accidents all the time. I can see death in everything.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Tahiti, to a hut on the water with my husband and two boys. But then I'd worry that my kids would fall into the water and drown.

Barbara

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Going to Cuba with my boyfriend recently. Especially the day trip to Havana.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: At my age, I start to worry about my life coming to an end. (I had a brain tumor last year, but I'm glad I'm okay now.)

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Paris with my boyfriend.

Dave

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: My years at the University of Manitoba, from 20-22 years old.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: All of the things I shouldn't. Because I can't do anything about it or don't want to do anything about it.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: The Maritimes, because it's peaceful and the people are nice. I'd go alone.

Jesse

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Kayaking with the Beluga whales in Churchill.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: People dying.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to Fiji with my girlfriend.

Kai

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: I try to have fun everyday, at work, with friends, playing in my band.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: Myself and my family. (They are all in Burma.)

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go, and who would you take?
A: I'd go see my mom in Burma, I'd take a friend.

Mariah

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: Being in my first (and last) school play last year.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: Finding my place in life.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go, and who would you take?
A: I'd backpack through Europe and take my little sister.

Jackie

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?

A: Tobogganing on New Year's Eve.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: My non-profit work not having enough funding.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: Cypress and Lebanon with my husband Lucas.

Ten Weeks

This morning I talked to Rob. I arrived at work today in a particularly down mood. I'm feeling so sad these days, with the anniversary of my mom's death hanging in my weary bones, in the position of the sun in the sky, in my broken heart. But I was early for work and determined to get through the day, so I sauntered by the food court to see if there were any potentials for an early-hour interview. Then I saw Rob, a middle-aged, long-haired, kind-faced man, sitting alone in the sun with a cup of coffee. Perfect. I approached him, he reluctantly welcomed me, and what followed was a stepping out of my own pain, and into the story of this human. Regular and real like me. Rob had beautiful responses. I learned that he's a hunter and a fisher, that he loves his kids, and that he worries about the people in his life too much. "Add that, 'I worry too much!'", he said with a laugh. Rob asked me, "Why are you doing this?" As I got up to leave I said, "To get into other peoples' heads, and out of my own." He smiled.

Rob is one of the many folks I talk to who didn't want his photo taken. Respect. No problem. Although there's part of me that wants to share every connection I have, maybe it's good that I get to keep some of these stories all to my own heart.

If there's anything that has surprised me after doing this daily for the past 10 weeks, it's how ready people are to connect and soften and share super personal things. Even when there is an initial bristle (sometimes coming from me too), the smile and story opens with the first question I ask. I walk away from these conversations feeling more alive and connected 100% of the time.

I began this project for my own sanity. As I told Rob, it is meant to push me outside of myself, to continue to strengthen my compassion for others in spite of my own shit, and to help me remember that I am not alone in joy or in sorrow. We are travelling together.

Also, regular people are the most special.

Sandy

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: I've been lucky and have had lots of fun. Laughing so hard that my stomach hurts when I wake up the next morning. The last time was recently when I was out with friends.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: Stupid things. Like me or something not being good enough.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you bring?
A: An all-inclusive resort down south. I'd take as many friends and family as could fit in the plane.

Allyssa

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?

A: Going on a trip to Banff last summer.

Q: What do you worry about?
A: School and my future.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: Hawaii with my boyfriend.

Vida

Q: What's the most fun you've ever had?
A: When we went out of the city last summer. (It was my first summer here, away from the Philipeanes.)

Q: What do you worry about?
A: My future and my studies.

Q: If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go and who would you take?
A: I'd go to the beaches in the Philipeanes and I would take my classmates.

Jennifer

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My strength and kindness. (Both thanks to my mom and dad)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?

A: I wish I had worried less throughout my life.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be? (I get two, because this is my blog!)

A: That there would be love instead of fear.

Jessie

Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My (ex) football career.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: That I stopped playing football.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To be rich. I'd buy a car.

Bhabe

Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My family.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: Not finishing school.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: Good health.

Troy

Q: What are you most proud of?

A. Being a good friend, uncle, brother and son every day, or at least trying to.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A. It took me a long time to realize that I shouldn't be afraid to speak up when I believe in something.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A. To love life every day, and stay close to my favourite people.

Kristy

Q: What are you most proud of?
A: That I got my Master's. (And that I'm not having a nervous breakdown.)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I regret buying a house with someone I didn't really know.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To live happily ever after.

Les

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Right now, the fact that I'm in group therapy.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I regret not having a plan for my money.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: The ability to live freely in life, doing exactly what I want to do every second of every day.

Bethany

Q: What are you most proud of?
A: Living on my own for this long. (It's been a few weeks)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: Being scared to do things, and then not doing them.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To be happy and have money.

Fay

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Having my grandchildren. (8)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over again if you could?
A: I'd like to live my life over without alcohol or drugs.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To go back to work.

Peter

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Being a father.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?

A: I wish I had been more focused on what I was doing when I was younger. I wish I had gone into broadcasting in my early 20's.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: Peace on earth.

Lauren

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Being in school right now. (Early childhood education)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I try to live with no regrets. But one thing I'd change is the way I started school, I would have started with the program I'm in now and saved myself time and money.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To travel the world, starting with Australia and Europe.

Samantha

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I'm proud of the Occupy Winnipeg people. (Although when I passed them this morning there was a girl sitting on a Hummer smoking a cigarette.)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?

A: I regret not starting university right after high school. Also I regret going into International Development Studies with such a positive outlook. I've been disappointed by the whole industry.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: Get rid of greed.

Anita

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Raising my two kids alone. (They are 17 and 19 now)

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I wish I had done more training earlier, in graphic arts and design.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To go away on an exotic holiday with my kids.

Ryan

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Myself as a person. I'm very proud of who I am.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I would not admit to any regrets.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: I'd like to be able to do the things I want to do in life, like travel and study.

Rico

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Myself. I've achieved all of my goals. I'm a positive person.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: My dad passing away, everything changed when he died.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: To have my dad alive again. I wish he could see my son growing up.

Daryl

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Getting my independence and establishing a career in a second language.

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over if you could?
A: I regret not having been able to have kids.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To have my sister back.

Erin

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My parents and the work ethic they've taught me. And especially in the last year, the way they've handled everything since my aunt died.

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over again if you could?
A: I don't have any regrets, I'm pretty content.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: For happiness and safety for my family and loved ones.

Graham

Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My son.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?
A: I wish I had spent more time with my extended family and that I was closer with them.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: For my musical career to be self-sufficient. To be paid to play music.

Matt

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My ability to get back on the horse after falling off. (I've been practicing this while riding longboard lately.)

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over if you could?

A: I don't have any serious regrets.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To travel the world, starting with India.

Angela

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: How much time I spend with my grandkids. I help my daughters out when they have appointments, and over the summer my grandkids in Toronto come and stay with me.

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over again if you could?

A: I wish I had gone to school and been a foster parent.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: Peace on earth.

Erika

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: How my life has turned out.

Q: What regret do you have, or what would you do over if you could?

A: I would get more education.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To stay healthy.

Jim

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: The way my kids have handled the last year (since my wife died).

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over if you could?

A: Life is what we make it. I wish some things were different, but I really have no regrets.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: That we as a family will continue to deal with our grief in good, healthy ways. That we will continue to enjoy each other and the babies that are coming.

Anthony

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I'm going to be a father!

Q: What is a regret you have, or would you do over if you could?

A: I wish I had traveled home to Zambia to see my mom when I had the chance.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: I wish there was no winter.

Jamil

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: The opportunity to make changes in the lives of youth.

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over again if you could?

A: Not taking more chances when I was younger. I regret not doing more, now that I see how many chances I had (in university when I had less responsibilities).

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To accomplish all the things I need to achieve in life, and have a family.

Sativa

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Performing in a fringe play at this year's Winnipeg Fringe Festival with my mom, step-dad, and baby brother.

Q: What regret do you have, or would you do over again if you could?

A: My first dance recital when I was two. I stood on the stage and did nothing.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?
A: A trillion dollars, and to be able to fly.

Stephanie

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Living with integrity in an amazing community. Also, graduating with a Masters.

Q: What is a regret, or something you would do over if you could?

A: I don't have any regrets at this moment.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: I wish that my brother was alive and healthy. To live my family's alternate life.

Chelsea

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: That I'm going to university and am paying my own way through.

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you'd do over if you could?

A: I wish I had done more, and taken more risks in high school. Because it's done now.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To someday travel to Europe and Australia.

Sueanne

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Having graduated as a Nurse.

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?

A: I would have been less worried about being hurt.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: That my sons and stepdaughters would never have to experience the loss of a loved one.

Darren

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My occupation. (Refrigeration Mechanic)

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?
A: I would have spent more time with my dad.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To get my dad back.

Gloria

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Having a job and being a mom.

Q:What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?

A: Dropping out of college.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To find happiness and a husband.

Helen

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: What my children have become.

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?

A: My biggest regret is having been too impatient with my kids when they were younger. Also, I wish I had become a nurse.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: That we would all be together in eternity.

Pete

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My daughters.

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?

A: I wish I had gone to university.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: For my girls to grow up happy.

Ernie

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: My family.

Q: What is a regret you have, or something you would do over if you could?

A: I'd start my work-life differently. I don't like my job right now.

Q: If you had one wish, what would it be?

A: To win the lotto. I'd pay my bills and see the world.