The Proust Questionnaire
Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 11:01 a.m.What is your idea of perfect happiness? Spending time with a good friend, no matter where, laughing and making memories.
What is your greatest fear? Losing my dog, Bijou.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? I see myself as a unique individual--no one who lived before me was quite like me. I am inspired by historical figures, but I don't particularly identify with any one.
Which living person do you most admire? My friend Kyung Lee Gagum, for tackling graduate school as a non-traditional student with two children at home and a husband stationed in South Korea.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Dishonesty.
What is your greatest extravagance? Groceries--I but lots of them and I like to experiment with new ones.
What is your favorite journey? Traveling Europe mostly by myself during the summer of 2009. That was a journey I could not have lived without--you really discover who you are when you step outside your comfort zone.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Temperance.
On what occasion do you lie? On no occasion.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? My arms.
Which living person do you most despise? White supremacists.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "OK".
What is your greatest regret? I regret nothing--everything is a learning experience.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? Germany.
Which talent would you most like to have? A fantastic singing voice.
What is your current state of mind? Relaxed.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? The dynamic on my maternal side of the family would be more like the dynamic on the paternal side.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Graduating from college in four years with two bachelor's degrees, summa cum laude with double honors, perfect GPA. All while working at least two jobs at a time, being involved in various clubs and organizations, going home regularly to visit my parents and having a small bit of social life. I've come a long way from Willcox High School.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be? A dog.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A tiger.
What is your most treasured possession? My laptop.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Being sick, especially when it's a respiratory sickness.
Where would you like to live? Somewhere with four seasons, houses taller than one story and lots of greenery. I want to be forced to endure summers that never get as hot as 90 degrees and winters that are never warmer than 40 degrees--the opposite of Southern Arizona.
What is your favorite occupation? Creative writing.
What is your most marked characteristic? I'm a genuine listener.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Honesty, respect, intelligence, motivation, practicality, spontaneity, a fantastic sense of humor, a great smile, a hearty laugh. Calls me just to say hello. Not afraid to give compliments or share what's on his mind.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honest, good listener, non-judgmental.
What do you most value in your friends? Their honesty, loyalty and ability to make me laugh until I snort.
Who are your favorite writers? Edward Rutherfurd, J.R.R. Tolkien, Paul Celan, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Bill Bryson and Jane Smiley.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Probably Tristan, because he was capable of so much.
Who are your heroes in real life? My best friends (Jamie Zelechowski, Lauren LePage, Jess Bishop, Kyung Lee Gagum and Daniel Frey) and my parents.
What are your favorite names? Claudia, Katja and Annette; Dominick, Nickolas and Kole.
What is it that you most dislike? Not having enough time to accomplish everything on my to-do list.
How would you like to die? As long as I'm asleep and don't feel it, I don't care.
What is your motto? Mobilize. Divide and Conquer. Look Good Doing It.
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Thank you to Lauren "Moonbunny" LePage for putting this questionnaire on her Web site and inspiring me to use it.