1. Which do you like better, New Jersey or North Carolina, and why?

North Carolina.  There are several reasons.  I moved here straight out of grad school (in MA), partially for the job, but also to see if I could just pack up, move somewhere where I knew no one, and make it.  It took a while, but I have.  I have a job I like, good friends, this MW guy, and I'm very happy with my life here.  I also love Raleigh, because it has the benefits of a large city (good concerts, a symphony, a ballet, even the art museum), but is close to the country.  Also, there are many good hiking trails within a reasonable driving distance of my house, something that there wasn't in NJ (at least where I grew up).

 

2. What would you think of me if I told you I was scared of horses?

It wouldn't change my opinion of you.  That was actually the most common thing people told me after my accident, and some of those near and dear to me have the same fear.   Is it because horses are big?  I don't know.  I would tell you that horses are flight animals and are very unlikely to attack you.  They have distinct personalities, but most (much like dogs) want to please you (although all can have bad days.)  One of the things I enjoy about riding is that you have to develop this partnership with a member of another species, and there are few spots where you can do that.  I would also offer to take you to the barn where you could watch me work around them.   

 

3. What is the ONE movie you could watch a million times and never get sick of?

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Although I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to the new Johnny Depp version.

 

4. What was the toughest lesson in life you ever had to learn?

That making other people happy by doing what was expected of me (as is my nature, being the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter of an eldest daughter) was never going to make me happy.

 

5. If you could have ONE job, with money, training, and natural skill being irrelevant, what would you choose? And why?

Oh, I would be a professor.  Probably of history, but lately I've become fascinated by linguistics, so maybe that.  I love to learn about these things, and am constantly telling others interesting stuff I've read (All my friends:  Yes, please stop that.).  I love the idea of working at a small teaching college (as opposed to a research university), spending my time discussing these topics with undergrads, hoping that some of them are as interested in them as I am. 

So, here are the rules:

The Official Interview Game Rules

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment saying "interview me."

2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different.

3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.