Twenty Questions With – Ritu

It’s the last day in November, how scary is that?! Time is just flying by and before we know it Father Christmas will be stuck in our chimneys and it will be 2019. I remember how futuristic it sounded to say the year 2000.

So another month has gone by which can only mean one thing, it’s time for my latest round of Twenty Questions. This month I am honoured to interview blogger extraordinaire Ritu.

I can only dream of being the reliable, structured, consistent blogger that Ritu is. A writer of variety over at But I Smile Anyway, you can find family life, creative writings, the words of a teacher, poetry and recipes.

As for question 7 Ritu, your first answer is the right one. In my opinion anyway!

Neighbours is a throwback to my teen years too. Haven’t watched it since, not sure why.

I love the beginning of your answer to question 13 Ritu. I think it is something we all must do, however difficult.

Question 15, you’re absolutely right!

I’m not sure I want to be in the head of a tween…

My Questions/Ritu’s Answers

1. What made you decide to write a blog?

It was totally by accident that I fell into blogging. Around 4 years ago a good friend of mine bravely wrote a post on her first blog, opening up about her journey through depression, and she posted it on Facebook. I read it, and being the supportive friend, I wanted to comment on her post. So, WordPress was more than happy to register me so I could do so. Comment left, I went to click out of the window, then it beckoned to me, with a little pop up saying “Why not start your own blog?” Bear in mind it was about 6.30am, on a school morning, and I was sipping my first cuppa of the day. Something made me think “Why not, indeed?” and But I Smile Anyway was born. There was no forward planning, at all, no niche I wanted to conquer. In all honesty, I didn’t even know what a blog was!

2. What do you want your blog to achieve?

I use my blog as a vessel to stretch my creativity, and to spread positivity, humour and my cat. I hope that my blog reaches many, so when my book (eventually) is released, there are lots of people who are interested enough to buy it!

3. What is your biggest flaw?

I think I may just be too trusting. I have been brought up to always think the best of everyone, but not all in this world are as genuine as I tend to believe… I’ve got better at judging people as I’ve got older, but still, there are times I’ve been stung.

4. What is your best attribute?

Oh, my positivity by far! I credit my Pops and Mum for fostering that attitude within me, and it has helped me though many a dark time.

5. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?

I was going to say easy, then about a million things popped into my mind that I couldn’t live without! I think it would have to be chocolate though. Maltesers in particular!

6.An apocalypse is imminent, you have 30 minutes to prepare, what 3 items do you pack?

A huge bottle of water, my phone and chocolate. (I’m assuming my family would be with me, cat included…) I know there is unlikely to be any power outlets to charge my phone, but at least the last moments of my life, I could scroll through my photos, and call any loved ones who aren’t with me.

7. When making tea would you pour the milk or water in first?

For myself, it is water first then the milk. But for some reason, when I make my parents, it is always the milk first. I’m not sure what is right or wrong!

8. What is your favourite way to relax?

On my bed, or the sofa with a cup of tea and a good book. I’ve taken to bringing my kindle or book with me everywhere I go, on the off-chance that I might be able to read!

9. If you could interview any human, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you ask?

That is a really hard question! There are a few people who spring to mind, but I’ll say Prince Charles and the question I’d ask is “ Do you really want to be King, or will you step down, and let Wills have a go instead?”

10. What would be your dream job?

When I was seven, I watched the head girl in our school come down to the Infants school and do her work experience. This was the first time I realised that teaching was actually a job! From that day onwards, I wanted to teach. And here I am, doing exactly that! Of course, the other dream was to be a writer, and though some may say “Well, you write a successful blog, so you are a writer already!” I mean I want to write that book… Or I should say publish that book (it’s written, just needs the editing doing!) and for it to be a success.

11. You’ve just won 10 million pounds (congratulations!), what 3 things would you do with the money?

I’d make sure all my family were financially secure, paying off mortgages and debts, take a huge holiday, and retire early, knowing we were okay for money, so I can follow my dream of writing for a living!

12. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

I really want to go to Australia. Not only is it the other side of the world, but I have family out there who I’d love to visit. I want to celebrate Christmas on the beach, and check out the Neighbours set too – that was such a huge part of my teen years!

13.What one thing would you change about yourself?

This is actually really hard to answer, as I have come to accept and love myself for who I am! I think I would say that maybe I need to learn to say No more often. I tend to try and please everyone and can end up burnt out because I hate to let others down.

14. If you could play any part in a film, past or future, real or fiction, who would you be?

Sandy from Grease! Love that film!

15. If there was a pill that would freeze you at your current age and you could live forever as you are now, would you take it? And why?

No, I don’t think I would take it. I think every age we go through holds a different set of wonders and challenges, and I want to experience them all!

16. If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be and why?

Honestly? My daughter, so I could try and figure out what goes on in her head! She’s a tween, and believe me, kids that age are so different to what we were like at the same age, way back in the good old days!

17. If you could time travel, where would you go?

I’d love to go to the future, say 15 years ahead, to see how well my children are doing in life.

18. If you were made Queen and allowed to pass one new law, what would it be, and why?

That chocolate was free for all womenkind!

19. What personal trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

This is easy… my smile and welcoming nature has git me into some pickles in the past! I smile all the time, and will start conversations with anyone. It’s just me. But sometimes I don’t realise that others see it as a sign that I am perhaps up for it, or flirting. I’m not, obviously, but it’s definitely got me into hot water!

20. As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?

Well, I think I answered this one earlier! It’s been a teacher since the age of seven! Of course, I dreamt about becoming a pop singer too, crooning songs into my hairbrush as a teen, but I knew that was just a pipe dream!

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So now I fancy some Malteasers. Thanks Ritu!

Its a shame really that being to trusting can be classed as a flaw.

Thank you Ritu for a being a great interviewee, I enjoyed reading your answers and am sure everyone else will too!

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Don’t forget to check out some of Ritu’s writings for yourself at her blog But I Smile Anyway.

You can join Ritu on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

You can also find Ritu’s author profile and poetry book on Amazon.

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Enjoyed this interview and are a bit nosey like me? Check out my Twenty Questions series.