| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | I remember being woken up by my dad at 4 a.m. one day to take a surprise road trip to see a pair of Komodo Dragons at the zoo. The memory was made even more complete when I visited Komodo island this past year and called my dad while I was there. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I closely identify with my grandmother, who has always taken a hands-on approach to showing the world to me and my brother. Since we were young she has taken us on road trips all across North America and inspired me to travel even further, learning about new cultures and keeping an open mind to new experiences. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I most admire bravery, selflessness and compassion in individuals. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | While running to catch a bus for a cycling race I tried to jump over a muddy puddle and after landing on the other side I slipped backwards, right back into the puddle. I sat muddy on the bus for next 4 hours...and laughed the whole way! |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I have always wanted to travel the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok, stopping along the way to explore the Russian winter! A close second would be the Galapagos and Easter Islands in the Pacific. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | Most of all I would like to pass on to my children my compassion and respect for others. I would have them learn that the world is a bigger place than themselves and to be open to new experiences and cultures. |
