whether in literature or reality, even the most bookish of girls can be heroines
the BASICS
Name: Camille
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Likes/Talents/Hobbies: Reading is a given in this community isn't it? :) I'll say it anyway, I love/live/breathe to read, mainly fiction (romance, fantasy, science-fiction and horror) since I read to escape. I can honestly say that I'm quite good drawing (or art in general), which will remain a hobby despite suggestions to follow it into a career but it's only something I do when I'm inspired. I enjoy icon-making on photoshop, graphic novels, blue skies, watching movies whether they be at home or at the cinemas, and random acts of kindness make me smile.
Dislikes/Pet Peeves: Hypocrites, pretentiousness, spontaneity, dreary days, hot weather, heights, worms, animal cruelty, liars, orange as the new tan, racism, flies, ignorant people, untidiness and surprises
the FAVORITES (and please try to explain why)
Color(s): Not sure how one can explain the exact 'why' of liking a particular color but I'll try. Green because it's a calming, earthy color (more the light pastel or sage greens than the darker shades) as well as pink because it's a very feminine, pretty color that, as Galinda/Glinda has said, goes very well with green! I see the two colors as somewhat of a representation of the two different sides of myself, green which is often associated with intellectual pursuits shows the 'thinker' and academic me (despite being a sensitive creative type of person I'm a pre-law and business student in university) while pink stands for all those years I spent playing with Barbie dolls and my girly side that loves to shop.
Movie(s): The Count of Monte Cristo (wonderful film adaptation with a great cast and like the book, it has EVERYTHING! romance, action, revenge, religion and even pirates!), The Holiday (Kate Winslet's opening monologue on the subject of 'love' is fantastic and the film is light hearted, funny and sweet plus there's Jude Law- need I say more?), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (I tend to see things with an artist's eye and this is an exceptionally beautiful animated film but it has a lesson to be learned), In Her Shoes ( a heart warming story about two very different sisters who need one another more than they'd admit, and aside from the great shoes I can relate to Toni Collette’s ‘Rose’ in having a younger, more beautiful sister than myself. But I say that without envy, I know I’m not hideous but neither am I as attractive), Penelope (LOVE this film, aside from James McAvoy this story of a pig-nosed girl's journey to find true love is funny and insightful), Becoming Jane (do I really need to explain this one? Though its accuracy is arguable, it was entertaining and again, James McAvoy), Pride and Prejudice 2005 (in my opinion the best adaptation ever), Ella Enchanted (under-appreciated by the masses but it's an entertaining angle on the often told Cinderella story), The Notebook (one of the greatest romantic movies of all time)...that should do for this application :)
Music: I have an eclectic taste when it comes to music, ranging from anything to everything- I enjoy a little of this and of that-acoustics, R&B, pop/punk rock, the 80's etc; depending on my mood. I can say for certain however, that techno is not music- it's noise and I’m not a fan of overly twanggy country.
Book(s): You might regret asking my 'why' for every-single-book that has ever made an impression on me therefore I'll cut it down to a manageable size as to not bore everyone :) (I won't mention Rowling or Tolkien as they are obvious and the reasoning would be described with a simple 'duh') Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (one word. JAMIE. To understand you have to read it! It's an absolutely fantastic/beautiful/heart wrenching/EPIC piece of romantic historical fiction with a dash of time-travelling but the story is complex in it's telling of the sufferings in love and war). Memnoch the Devil (Rice's interesting, if not convincing, take on the reason for heaven and hell) and Blackwood Farm of the 'vampire Chronicles' by Anne Rice (great prose, erotic and gothic- a true master of the vampire genre) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (oh how does one even begin to explain? Is an explanation even needed!? Thackery described it as the work of a genius and I whole-heartedly agree. This is the Edward everyone should be swooning over to quote a good friend of mine). Another Bronte book but it can't be helped- Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (which I read long before I picked up 'Jane Eyre' and was captured by Heathcliff's savage and self-destructive passion. I despise Catherine and frankly cannot understand what Heathcliff sees in her but she gives the best quotes in the entire novel) A Witch's Beauty by Joey W Hill (in my opinion, wrongly categorized as 'erotica'; it's more sensual than erotic and is one of the most beautiful (and unconventional) versions of the 'Beauty and the Beast' story I have ever had the pleasure to read), Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (a misunderstood beauty who finds love with a mysterious circus performer, fun and sexy and there's a wonderful side story about two of the circus animals), Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel's Trilogy (Bishop has created one of the greatest fictional worlds in fantasy to go along with a dark plot and engaging characters, to say nothing of the dangerously sexy trio of father, brother and lover that is created in Saetan, Lucivar and Daemon respectively) The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle (Bentley Rutledge is an absolutely delicious tortured rake, Carlyle can write the darkest backgrounds for her heroes and have equally formidable heroines to redeem them) That should suffice right? XD
Food: hot dogs and pizza are enough to have me purring in satisfaction, but I do enjoy hot foods, Thai and Italian
Animal: I'm an animal lover (having 4 dogs and 3 cats) and so aside from domestic pets, I would say small monkeys- they’re adorable and intelligent. Then there’s the combined beauty and grace of the Jaguar and as a little girl growing up I had a fascination for eagles…it’s difficult to choose!
Season: I would say winter, having lived in a country quite close to the equator with only two seasons as a child (very hot or rainy, sometimes both)
Quote/Saying: There are way too many but here’s a few:
"I'll be honest about it. It is not atheists who get stuck in my craw, but agnostics. Doubt is useful for a while. We must all pass through the garden of Gethsemane. If Christ played with doubt, so must we. If Christ spent an anguished night in prayer, if He burst out from the Cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" then surely we are also permitted doubt. But we must move on. To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation."
-'Life of Pi' Yann Martel
"Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is [...] it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don't blush, I am telling you some truths. That is just being "in love", which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away."
- Louis de Bernières
"I guess the man's a genius, but what a dirty mind he has, hasn't he?"
- Nora Joyce (wife of James Joyce)
the PERSONALITY
What are some of your positive traits? Most would say that I’m quite a funny person (more in a dry sarcastic sort of way) and that I have an enormous amount of willpower. Only my family and a few (alright, two) close friends will ever know that I’m much more sensitive, considerate and thoughtful than I seem- mainly because I don’t like people knowing. I’m self-assured and confident but coupled with my introverted nature, I’m often perceived as arrogant. I’m a highly moral person who values honor, loyalty (having found out the hard way that people are fickle creatures) and respect; it’s difficult for me to address those in positions of power (such as lecturers or an employer) by their first name even when they wish it, but I’ll do it if that’s what they prefer.
What are some of your negative traits? I’m a proud person and refuse to be the first to apologize, reluctant even when I know I have to. Unfortunately I can be judgmental (even though I dislike people ‘judging books by their covers’ literally and figuratively; I can’t seem to help but make initial judgments about people) at times self-righteous (it’s inherited! lol) and temperamental (though I can be feisty I’m calm the majority of the time. They say it’s the curse of petite girls= attitude. I’m 5”2.5. But again, only to those who know me well, those who don’t think I’m quiet and shy).
How do you view love and relationships? Never been in love but I’m young and that doesn’t bother me, I believe it’ll come when it comes. I don’t however, believe in ‘love at first sight’ (I think that’s more a strong case of lust in most cases) Love in my opinion, comes with time and getting to know someone. Relationships take work and I don’t think it comes ‘easy’ for any two people. Also, I heard it said that a relationship is between two ‘whole’ people (I agree) so finding your other ‘half’ implies that you need someone else to survive and that to me signals a low self-esteem and insecurity. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very much a romantic at heart but love should be about finding an equal, someone that compliments you and that you both choose to live your lives together. Then again, this could be the naïve rambling of someone who has admitted she as never fallen in love.
What are your some of your goals and dreams? At the moment I just want to finish college. Afterwards I’d like fulltime work then save money and start buying property for investment and hopefully someday in the future I’ll be able to help my mom set up a business she’s always wanted (and help her pay off the mortgage) and of course, what every woman wants (feminists, though I do admire them and have been called one myself, are lying to themselves) the whole white picket fence deal including the dog.
THIS or THAT (feel free to elaborate)
Optimistic or Pessimistic? an optimistic realist.
Realist or Idealist? my head is in the clouds but my feet are firmly planted on the ground.
Introverted or Extroverted? Introverted
Impulsive or Cautious? Cautious
Leader or Follower? It seems whoever I’m with I’m often looked to for direction and answers, so leader
Mature or Immature? I’m mature when I have to be, immature when I don’t.
Selfish or Selfless? Selfless.
Trusting or cynical? more so cynical, I say it’s better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed.
Romantic or not? Romantic but it’s not obvious to most people.
the HEROINE
Describe your personal style: I like to look good and be comfortable, usually neat and trendy. Natural make up in day-to-day activities and dark dramatic eyes for the evening. I love floral dresses, stockings and boots as well as boyfriend shirts, a nice belt and jeans for shopping. I also love the bohemian look, it’s very care-free and natural.
Describe (briefly!) your ideal romantic partner (or if you’d prefer to be alone, explain why): He would be someone older by a few years (males my age are still boys, I want a man) who compliments my personality; someone patient, extroverted (although not by much) and be able to calm me down when I have my internal panic attacks because he’s in tune with my feelings which I tend to hide (I’m a crybaby but only my family know that, not even the two close friends I’ve mentioned have ever seen me cry).
How do you overcome obstacles and hardships? By over-thinking, crying a little by myself, suffering insomnia and getting on with it even if all I want to do is crawl into a cave and never come out.
Where would you most like to live? (this may include houses, locations, climates, etc.) In a place with moderately fine weather, blue skies and green. On the edge of the city, far enough from the hustle and bustle and noise where there are trees but not deep in the country. The size of the house depends on whether I’m living with someone but I want to live comfortably.
What kind of heroine do you think you would be? A quiet, bookish one with more strength in her than what her appearance suggests.
Which heroine do you think you’re least like? I’ve always felt akin to Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Eyre and Elinor Dashwood.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know and take into consideration? I think I’ve written enough :) thank you to voters in advance!
And finally, please link any (at least three) applications you have voted on:
1. Bridget
2. Melissa
3. Kathy