1. i enjoy cooking; it's a nice relaxing hobby, and i like the food i cook 2. no, i usually decide what i want for dinner and pick up ingredients on the way home from work, or plan something using the contents of my fridge 3. there's seldom a 'usually'; i like variety. if i'm tired and just want a quick dinner, though, it's usually rice and a vegetable curry, or a single chicken thigh marinated for 30 minutes and then baked with rice and vegetables (both of which i can prepare without thinking about it and know it will taste good) 4. nope 5. mise en place is more helpful than you'd think. prep everything first, then start cooking.