| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | I've always lived a happy and healthy life. Even though my parents got divorced when I was three, and I faced the problems that are inherent to this kind of situation, the environment was always happy and healthy. That being said, I've had many great moments and experiences. But come to think of it, the things that always pop into my head first when answering this kind of question are of the simplest nature. Just glimpses of moments that might not mean anything or have anything special before other people's eyes, but that I recall fondly. When I was little for instance, I received as a gift from an older cousin - a pack of "The Lion King" cards with the characters from the movie that would come in bubble gum wrappers back then. My cousin was very dear to me and “The Lion King” was my absolute favorite movie, so I cherished those cards very much. I remember one afternoon I was in my room alone, it was close to sunset, golden hour sun was pouring into my bedroom as it normally would so I had my blinds shut, but the golden color filled my room even through the beige cotton curtains. I was sitting on my bed that was perfectly made with fresh sheets, watching Scooby Doo on the small TV I had in my room, and I had all the "Lion King" cards laid in front of me on my bed. That was just a moment of absolute peace and bliss. I think we usually value fancy experiences over the simple things in life, and the beauty in these moments is often greater than bungee jumping, or skydiving, or traveling to the Bahamas. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | A first cousin from my mother's side of the family. My parents got divorced when I was very young and I grew up as an only child, raised by my mother. I feel that my first cousin filled the role of the younger brother I didn't have. We shared a lot of common interests and personality traits and it was always very easy getting along. He's also the son of my favorite uncle and aunt, who's also my godmother. I've taught him a lot of things growing up, and to this day he's one of my dearest friends. Even during times when we wouldn't see each other much, we both always knew we could count on each other. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | Intelligence, curiosity, open-mindedness, a good moral compass, perseverance. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | That's so hard to tell. I don't think there's ever been "one" thing that was ever so remarkable to put above all the others. I've had my share of clumsy tripping and falling in front of people in different situations and scenarios. I went through a "Jack Ass" type of phase when my friends and I would attempt some of the stunts they perform on the show; jumping on bushes and everything. Maybe one of the things that makes me laugh at myself the most is when I was young and had a fishing hook caught on my thumb while I was fishing with my family. Not because it has anything special to it, but just the way I reacted to the whole thing. Like I said, I've never been hospitalized or anything so the sole thought of it was terrifying to me. My mother tried to convince me to let her take out the hook herself but every time I made up my mind to let her do it and she tried touching it I'd change my mind and say I'd rather let the doctor do it. Then when we were preparing to leave for the hospital I'd say I'd rather her do it, and this back and forth went on for hours and hours with an inner battle of a kid who couldn't turn back to a time with no hook in his thumb. She ended up taking it out herself after a lot of convincing. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | Where wouldn't I travel is a better question. I'd spend most my time traveling. But I'd probably start with old Europe, especially the countryside in Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Understanding and knowing the origins of our western culture is a great way to start. Then probably doing the same with eastern countries, starting maybe with Japan. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | Be a good person, help others whenever you can, fight for your dreams and for the dreams of others, leave the world a better place somehow. |
