| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experiences were the evening walks I used to take with my parents and my younger brother. When the weather was pleasant, we used to take nightly strolls after dinner. My parents would walk while my brother and I rode our bikes through our neighborhood in the suburbs. When the weather became cooler and there was snow on the ground, my brother and I would help shovel our driveway instead and spend hours in our yard playing with the snow. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I most closely identify with my brother. Although just one generation apart from our parents, my brother and I were born and reared in the United States. Because the cultural environment in which we were reared was much different than that of our parents, we share more similar interests and outlooks. When I look at him, I see a younger version of myself, and in many ways, we are shockingly similar. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | The character traits I admire most in an individual are passion and empathy. As someone in the medical field, I have much admiration for those who are motivated by non-material means. Many times, it is the small thankless acts of kindness that impress me the most. Those individuals who are able to find something that they are passionate about and able to do it for a living are truly blessed. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | One of the funniest things to happen to me took place in the gross anatomy lab my first year of medical school. Our group used to keep an old radio next to our table and play music during lab sessions. One day, during a particularly difficult session, the song "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys came on. The five of us looked up at each other at the same time without saying a word and moments later, we broke out into our own karaoke-dance version of the same and hilarity ensued. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If time and money were not an issue, I would travel to either southern France or the Greek islands. I had the opportunity to visit France once in the past, and I have always wanted to go back. I have always had an immense curiosity about European culture, and if given the chance, would someday like to learn a Latin based language aside from English. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | When I decide to have children, I would like to impart several messages to them. I would like them to learn the importance of a good work ethic. I would like my children to do whatever makes them the happiest; however, I would like them to succeed at whatever they ultimately choose. I would also emphasize the importance of personal fulfillment in making life decisions. |
