| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My grandmother lived right on a lake. For a few days out of the summer I got to go visit on my own, without my siblings. I got away from my hectic home for a week of country living. I got to hang out on the beach and build bonfires. While indoors I spent my time with Legos, crafts, and reading. All of these activities I still enjoy today. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | I really connect with my aunt. She is easygoing and relatable. We have a similar sense of humor so it's always a good time when we get together. We both have a love of language and history. Our conversations come easy and last late into the night. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire people who are self-disciplined. These are people that have worked harder to reach their goals. They are able to make up for their personal flaws (which we all have) by working a little longer or smarter. They are stable people. That personal grit carries over to all aspects of their lives. It also manifests as inner strength, helping you to overcome addictions, procrastination and laziness, and to follow through with whatever you do. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | In the middle of a lecture, one of my professors stopped a couple times to touch his tooth. After about half an hour, he says "Yup. there it goes," pulled the tooth from his mouth, and put it in his coat pocket and continued teaching like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | This could be a very long list. I love nature and mountains so first on my list would be Colorado followed by international trips to Peru and New Zealand. I've always loved hiking and there is no lacking in Colorado. New Zealand offers so much variety and beauty in their landscapes. Peru offers interesting terrain but also the history of the Incan culture. Other places I would love to visit for their culture include Ireland, Japan, and Rome. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I'd like to share advice on building confidence and making friends. I've always been a good runner; I hope that this athletic trait would be passed on. On the playground I was one of the fastest kids. This was a great way to build confidence and feel included. As an adult I am an avid soccer player which is a fun way to exercise and meet new people. |
