| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | I fell in a pool at my babysitter’s house when I was about three or four years old. There were many children playing and so no one noticed immediately. Submerged, I tried jumping from the bottom of the pool to reach the ledge, but it was too high. After several jumps, I felt tired and was ready to give up. My babysitter’s husband jumped in and carried me out. I’m very grateful he did. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I closely identify with my youngest sister, though I’m sure everyone would like to. We have a large family, but my sister is most like me in interests and temperament. She is generally reserved and observant at home. But at school she loves to sing, perform and debate and she joins all the clubs she can. She and I share a spirit of curiosity and independence. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Curiosity, intelligence, humor, resourcefulness and dedication. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | I was leaning on a loose chair during church choir as a child. The chair broke beneath me and I flew back. When I did, I kicked out the tooth of a nearby friend. It was embarrassing, and I feel bad for my friend, but looking back, it was funny. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If time and money were not an issue, I think I would keep travelling. I would like to spend a lot of time travelling throughout India, China and regions of the Amazon rain forest. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I would like to give a family watch handed down several generations. Then there is the oral tradition that my grandparents shared with me. Storytelling makes me feel connected to the history of Gaelic seanachaís, who used memory to relay history, poetry and diplomacy between ancient chieftains. I would like my children to enjoy myth making - creating heroes, choosing values, recounting superstitions, tragedy and triumph. It’s a tradition that relays the immigrant experience and stresses memory and listening. |
