On your days off, where would we most likely find you?
On my days off I would most likely be found up north at my cottage, doing outdoorsy things. I’d spend most of my time swimming, biking or hiking on nearby trails. Having family and drinks around a fire really completes my day! But on the rainy days I enjoy spending time at home doodling in a sketchbook or tackling a blank canvas. Painting projects are so rewarding when they’re finished!
Describe a time that you wanted to quit something you were doing, but didn’t.
There was a moment in my life where I started to doubt my desire to get a University education. It was such a drastic change from life in high school; expectations were so much higher it became intimidating. I was afraid of failure but I didn’t want to go down without a fight. I worked harder and by the end of the year I was winning awards and gaining recognition at school.
Who is your favourite superhero and why?
My favourite super hero would have to be Beast from the X-men. I have a secret love of comic books and I really like the back story of Beast’s character. He was an ugly duckling growing up with his mutation; because of his classmates’ teasing he immersed himself in books and science. As he gained respect for his work he began to accept himself for who he was. I like this story because I believe that hardship shapes who we are and helps us grow, when it is applied positively. I live by this philosophy and I believe a lot of good can come from enduring hard times.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child I had several different life ambitions. I remember two distinctly - the first was to be a farmer. I loved the outdoors and liked the idea of taking care of animals and riding horses for a living. The other ambition I had was to be a cartoonist. I’ve always love drawing and I thought there would be nothing better than to have my drawings be on television for other kids to enjoy.
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
My friend and I were in Mexico, and heard from a local about a great, non-touristy beach that had good surfing. So we jumped on a bus – not an air conditioned tourist bus, but a local Mexican public transit bus. No one spoke English, but it seemed to be going the right way. We were a bit worried when we were in the middle of the jungle a half hour later, but were rewarded when the bus let us off at the most spectacular beach I’d ever seen. It was great surfing, although I discovered that I should have rented one of those protective surf shirts, because surfing has a lot in common with rug burn. Our day finished, we had one more adventure ahead – finding our way home.
If you were stranded on an island, what one item would you want with you?
If I were stranded on an island, I’d probably want the most local necessity – a boat. Then I could stay and enjoy the island, but then head home when I felt like it!
What is your favourite outfit to wear?
My favourite outfit is a pair of short khaki shorts, a grey off the shoulder American Apparel shirt, and my strappy sandals; it’s classy, comfortable and summery.
What was your favourite childhood television program?
My favourite show when I was a kid was Magic School Bus. It was about a class of kids who would go on weird fieldtrips, like into the digestive system. The teacher would do things like bake the kids into a cake, or turn them into reptiles. It made me dream that maybe MY teacher would turn me into a reptile! Sadly, St. Barnabas Catholic School didn’t hire teachers with magic buses.
