No one can live in the light all the time
Name: Mary
Age: 20
Location: Long Island, NY
Are you open to cross-gender votes? Yes I am. :)
Would you be open to being voted as characters that are not in your age range? Would you prefer to be voted as a character who is within your age range?
I would prefer it within age range s'il vous plait.
1. What are your three defining positive traits? Explain how you exhibit each trait in everyday life.
[1] Faithful - My love for God has given me the ability and courage to be the following two positive traits. It is my firm belief that faith fosters hope. And with belief and hope, everyone has a chance at living a life that is sweet and fulfilling regardless of worldly hindrances. I tend to not judge and look at people immediately for their flaws, as my mother claims it's all right to do at times, but I tend to put trust and confidence in others' virtues. It's my trust in God that has me where I am right now.
[2] Strong-willed - physical, mental and emotional strength is what my cousin in the Philippines has noted me and commended me for. I'm determined to keep my faith, my dreams, my priorities etc. intact. I refuse to succomb to peer pressure, and the temptation to be like "everyone else." My strength keeps me genuine and unique. It helps me question what I can change. It gives me courage to do it. And it helps me accept what I can't and should keep my nose out of.
[3] Intelligence - I'm a fast learner. And I'm one of those listening type people wherein I just pay attention in class, never really study and get a A woohooo! I never worked hard for good grades. Boy is that a good and a bad thing! I'm widely read. I can speak a few languages. It's just..nice having the option of never being bored. It's easy for me to socialize because there is always a ground I can step on in a conversation that makes me, and everyone else around me feel at ease.
2. What are your three defining negative traits? Explain how you exhibit each trait in everyday life.
[1] Master of procrastination. - When I get lazy, I get lazy. If my mind and heart are just not into what I'm doing, I want to not do it at all. I leave almost everything to the last minute. I admit it might be the way I thrive on pressure and adrenaline rushes. I get this added speed. And like I've mentioned about my intelligence, I usually get good grades with it anyway. This happens when it comes to reports or me studying 30 minutes before a test and getting an A on it anyway. The good outcomes are actually maybe the reason why I keep doing this...I'm waiting for karma to kick me in the butt, but not eagerly so.
[2] Extremely Sentimental - I tend to get in over my head sometimes. The world wasn't meant to be perfect right? Knock on the door to your dreams. It's rather a perfect world isn't it. Where your knight in shining armor is on bended knee ready to whisk you away to picnic where there are no calories in food, you don't get fat no matter how much you eat. And despite all that time you spend with this knight, you still manage to pull an A+ grade out of your butt when you studied nothing for the test at all the next day....blah blah blah. Yes. I am a dreamer. I dream of my soul mate. I dream of a family. I dream dangerously sometimes that I need to firmly and forcefully plant my feet to the ground.
[3] Stubbornness. I don't like people telling me what I can or cannot do. I promise you, I shall go out of my way just to prove it wrong. And sadly, I won't be satisfied unless I am outrightly proven wrong, in which case I end up looking like an ass and just laugh off my stupid nature...or I prove myself to be not which was said I was or was not. Get it? No. I don't think I got it either. ;)
I guess this is linked with my pride. It's not that I think of myself highly or better than anyone else really. It's more of an attitude of I want to be in control of my own life. What I do. Whom I see. What I say etc.
3. If you were studying in Spence, which would be your favorite place? (By the lake, garden, church, caves, etc.) Why?
My favorite place to be would have to be the lake. I am naturally drawn to water as a moth is to flame. If we happen to be by water and I tell you that I'm not going in, I'm either lying or unbelievably sick. I don't know whether it's my being born under a water zodiac, or whether it's because I've lived by the water since I was 4, but I just love being around its various forms. I guess that life at Spence can be hectic and rather aggravating sometimes. The sounds, the smells and the sight of water would be such a great sanctuary from teacher's harsh critiques and arrogant whispers from the other students.
4. Would you have stolen the wine from the church in order to be in Felicity's group? Why or why not? If you weren't part of their crowd, what kind of clique would you be in, if any? Why?
I wouldn't have stolen the wine just to be in Felicity's group. There are different reasons why I think Felicity’s group would ask someone of that. First is to take revenge on whatever it was that I did that embarrassed them. Secondly, if they want to have a bit of fun and games on my behalf, because they find amusement in the belittling of others. And lastly, they’re challenging me to be initiated into the group. Neither of these reasons are good nor appealing to me. The one that would be bothersome to me would be if they were challenging me. I don’t want to back out on it because I refuse to be bullied around by arrogant rat droppings that have the illusion that they think they‘re better than everyone else. If I weren’t part of their crowd, the only clique that I’d be interested in being in is one where people didn’t care about cliques and labels and names. I’m in such a “clique” right now that I would never trade being with any other. (I play the part of the smarty negotiator in my group. lol)
5. If the Door of Light were to appear in front of you and you were to go into the realms, what would you choose to do in them? What would they be like for you?
If I were to go into the realms, I see two possibilities that I would choose to do. The first I can think of is being with my cousins from the Philippines. We’re all together playing Filipino game called pattentero or just story-telling or debating. There is never a dull moment when the Zulueta clan is together. And the person I’d want to see and play with the most is my deceased grandfather. He is my hero. Despite his age, I know he’d be up for our games and gimmiks.
And secondly, I’d want to be with my first love. In the realms, he would have no fear and neither would I to be with one another. I guess I’m playing off of what Pippa did with her knight-in-shining armor. A part of me knows I’m going to love him forever, and I’m building myself strong that maybe it’s just not meant to be. But in the realms, we wouldn’t necessarily have to be lovers, but I’d want to be with him. Talk to him. Get to know his secrets. Have him play his guitar just for me...
6. Do you think the power of the realms should be shared by the members of the Order? Why or why not?
I believe that the power of the realms should be shared by the members of the Order because even if the Order means well in wanting to control it so the balance is always tipped to the “good,” it’s only good within the eyes of the Order then. Each culture and each human has a different conception on beauty and goodness. If the power of the realms are shared, then there is peace and a tendency that balance won’t be broken. What do people in power want? More power. I wouldn’t want to endanger the members of the Order to think in over their heads, and think that they’re the almighty. Every creature and species serve a purpose. The Order must respect that first and foremost.
7. If you were a woman living in the Victorian Era, what do you think your life would have been like based on how it is now, your ambitions, and place in society?
If I was living in the Victorian Era, I think I would have been as confused and weighed down like Gemma Doyle. Throughout my life, I’ve been raised to certain expectations. And the older I got, I came to question I am and the part of me that others want me to be, and the fight between should I let others influence me or not. Of course I want wealth, a handsome husband who loves me, to be known for my artistic/singing ability, but I certainly don’t want to wake up everyday to routine and gossip and wanting in on the latest fashions and being judged by my opinions or lackthereof. So, I’d feel rather torn.
8. If you were granted power by the realms and could use it inside and outside of the realms, what would you choose to do with it?
I wouldn’t know where to begin. I think it depends on the place I am and who I’m with. Oh. Maybe the power to speed-read a second a page in any book and be able to maintain the information. If I’m caught in an embarrassing moment or if I need to laugh or burp without being rude, I’d freeze time. Or if I were too lazy to close a door, or even just for fun, I’d have the power of telekinesis.
9. What is your favorite scene (A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels combined)? Why?
My favorite scene in the series is the end of Rebel Angels. I loved how Libba Bray used a leaf as symbolism of leadership and maybe even Gemma. That leaf was expected to fall to the ground. The law of gravity, what can I say? But instead, the wind picked it up and blew it away and Gemma never saw it touch the ground because other leaves followed. Leadership and taking the step alone leads other to do the same. It was very uplifting.
10. What is your favorite quote from the books? Why?
From Rebel Angels pg. 235
“But how can you be sure that you are following the right course? What if there is no such thing as destiny, only choice?”
“Then I do not choose to live without destiny,” he says with a slight smile.
I like this conversation between Gemma and Kartik in particular because it reminds me of good memories I have with my older cousin in the Philippines. He and I could debate for hours about how life should be, Utopia, politics, love etc. Acting as each others’ devil’s advocates.
11. Pick one character among Gemma, Felicity, Ann, and Pippa. Tell us what she (the character you chose) could have done differently. (We are sure you did not agree with their every action.)
Ann is too meek, timid and humble. She has talent. She has good character, yet she is quick to put herself down because she feels as if she knows her fate as being a lowly governess. She is always comparing herself and her beauty to others. She has talent, but she didn’t ever exploit the gift until they brought back magic from the realms. The worst of it all was she was cutting herself “just to feel something.” Does she not feel pain already when she puts herself down? She says it’s truth, but rather for me it’s self-pity. I wish she would have been stronger. When she became beautiful in the realms, I don’t believe it was magic that did that but rather others saw her beauty on the outside for who she really was, not her imperfections that needed to be addressed.
12. Which A Great and Terrible Beauty/Rebel Angels older character would you consider as a good role model? Why?
I think Hester Asa Moore was a good role model. As the blurb in the community stated, she was witty, intelligent, cultured, and independent. She was an encouraging teacher that challenged her students rather than just taught for the helluvit and expected her students to just listen to her. Though others may have looked down on her being single and her ability to do and travel as she pleased without answering to anyone, her character inspired Gemma to be strong and think for herself too.
13. Sort these words in order of appeal to you: beauty - glory - security - power - wealth - self-fulfillment - freedom. Explain your answer.
[1] Self-fulfillment - Everyone has their purpose and unique dreams and goals in their lives. And when these are accomplished, you’re fulfilled. You’ve lived your life just as you should have even with the mistakes you’ve made along the way. What better way to learn? This is the most important to me because I want to know I’ve done what I could without having the want to do it again.
[2] freedom - I would hate feeling trapped and unable to make my own decisions. Freedom is a necessity for me.
[3] beauty - what is life if you can’t live to appreciate it’s beautiful things? There are so many places that it can be found.
[4] power/wealth -I think these 2 come hand in hand. If I have wealth, then I have power. The power to have a comfortable life. Power to have fun. The power to influence etc. It would be nice to have these things, but it’s not a must-have on my life list.
[5] glory - it says in the dictionary, that the meaning of this word means praise and honor, though glory in its one word is different in my own definition. It’s more of an adoration for something done. And I don’t need or want to be given glory for something good I did. The deed done in itself is enough for me.
[6] security is last because nothing in life is secure, even if you have power, wealth and riches. If you’re secure or beautiful or glorified by others, NOTHING in life is that secure.
14. If possible, please post one or more pictures of yourself here. This is not mandatory, but if you do have pictures, you're encouraged to post them.
