| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | When I was in middle school, I played on the basketball team and was fortunate enough to be surrounded by close friends. There was one weekend with a city-wide tournament. We spent every minute of that weekend together, and eventually won it. We were all at an age where we were just discovering freedom, and felt like we were invincible because of it. That tournament cemented the friendship of a group of young boys. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | My grandmother and I are very similar. As I was growing up, my mother and sister were two peas in a pod, while my grandmother and I would listen to the same music, visit museums, and go on hikes. We loved our time together and continue to be close even to this day. We talk regularly and have connected on an even closer level now that I've grown up. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | I admire those who think for themselves, those who are able to break the molds of the world. The individuals who innovate the world around them. Also, those who can be honest. Not only with others, but be introspective and also be honest with themselves. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | When I was younger, I was playing with a spider that I had found at school. I was lying down, watching it crawl across my stomach. Suddenly, it made a mad dash into my pants, and in a panic, I ripped my pants off. I was approached by a teacher and, long story short, I was written up for indecent exposure. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | I would love to go to New Zealand. Too often, I feel trapped by the culture and technology around me. I always feel as though I need to go faster and accomplish more, and spend way too much time looking at screens. Getting back to a natural environment will hopefully help me to reevaluate my perspective. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | I only hope that they learn to be content with their lives. That they don't need to chase the objects in shop windows and do not need to envy the lives of others. I want them to be happy that they woke up, happy that they were given senses to explore the world with, and happy that there are people around them to give and receive love with. |
