resorting applicant #1
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All About You
1. Describe your ideal house/home. Please go into as much detail as possible, and be sure to include your ideal geographical location in the description!
There are a few aspects that are essential to my ideal house. The first is location: I would hate to live more than about thirty minutes away from a major city. I am a city girl at heart. I grew up about that far from Los Angeles and have lived in both Washington, DC and London for school/study abroad. I absolutely thrive in the hustle and bustle of cities - there’s so much to see and do, always something new and exciting and challenging. I love all the people and that it’s easy to walk everywhere or if I have to take public transportation I can read (though I do also love driving, coming from Southern California).
I would also like to have some place big enough or, if a little smaller, would allow for dogs. I’ve had dogs all my life and I love them so, so much. They are absolutely family to me and I can’t imagine living for any extended period of time without a dog in my life. They make some of the most wonderful companions and can really make me unbelievably happy. Having a dog to cuddle when you’re feeling down is one of the best pick-me-ups there is.
As for style, I’ve never lived in a big house and I don’t think I’d be very comfortable in one; I like cozy. That being said, I also love Colonial style houses. The furniture would all be deep and really comfortable, there would pictures of adventures and memories with loved ones all over the walls (as well as movie posters), and if I could have any room at all in my house, it would be a small movie theatre.
Last but certainly not least there would be a dart board with a picture of Richard Nixon on it. Because I will never not feel anger or bitterness towards that man and justice not being served. So throwing darts at him would certainly alleviate some of that, I hope.
2. Imagine you’re given the classic opportunity: a genie granting you three wishes. What would you wish for? Please be as elaborate as you can. Wishing for more wishes is not permitted!
• I’m afraid my first one is going to be rather boring but given I’m going to be graduating soon, the number one thing I’m not looking forward to upon graduating is paying off my student loans. So absolutely my first wish would be for all my student debt to vanish or automatically be paid off. I find wishing for money to be somewhat of a cop-out of answer for this question and so I definitely don’t want to wish for anything that would take away from my own journey. However, having no loans to pay off would certainly make my journey easier to start (granted, in many ways I’ve already started!).
• For my second wish, I would wish for space exploration to advance. Specifically, I want humans to find life outside of earth. This is something I’ve always wanted for mankind, mostly because I think it’s ridiculous to think we’re alone and I love space exploration and science excites me. However, and this may be where it gets a little confusing: I don’t want to wish that we just find the life because where’s the fun in that? I wish for it to happen but, like I said, I wouldn’t want any wish to take away from a journey or adventure. I still want us to advance and make all the discoveries ourselves, I just wish that it happens one day.
• My last wish is more of an indulgent one. I would wish for a time machine and the first place I would go would be the American Revolution. Specifically to meet Thomas Jefferson (I’m only a little in love with him). As a History major, the chance to experience history would be one I’d snatch up in an instant. It would be such an adventure! I would get to immerse myself in the periods I’ve studied and really get the adventure of a lifetime. Not to mention for more frivolous adventures, it would make my dream vacation of traveling to all the Disney parks in the world in one go much easier.
3. In your life so far, what accomplishment are you the most proud of? Why? You can list more than one if you have trouble deciding. ;)
I went across the country to go to university and as that’s coming to an end, I realize how much I’ve grown and evolved as a person. I’ve always considered myself independent and self-reliant; I knew from a young age that I wanted to leave home when I went to college, I just never counted on how hard it would turn out to be. University has been an amazing experience (and will continue to be!) and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I just never counted on the homesickness or the loneliness and how hard those feelings would be to face. I nearly transferred to go back home but looking back on it all, I’m so grateful I didn’t. I have been able to come into my own in ways that I never could have even dreamed of. I’ve fallen in love with my university and the city I’m in now, while also realizing my home and loved ones there aren’t going anywhere. I’ve become much stronger and I can definitely take on the world and what it has to throw at me.
4. Which of the following is most important to you: Love, Money, Knowledge, Family, Friendship, Adventure, or Pleasure? Which is the least important to you? Please explain why for each choice.
Clearly all of these have some degree of importance but I think it’d be fairly easy to guess which one is most important to me based on the app so far: adventure, of course! We only have one life and so we have to make the most of it! There’s absolutely no room for regrets and we have to seize life by the horns and hold on tight. We have to challenge society and show the world what we’re made of. I love making memories and taking pictures and I’m extremely nostalgic for remembering good adventures. However, I do have to add that adventures wouldn’t be nearly as wonderful without some company so friends and family are pretty much on par here.
As for least important, it would have to be money. Again, money is important; we can’t live without it. However, what makes it least important to me is how much it stresses me out. It’s a necessary evil in this world but honestly, it gives me more anxiety than I’m comfortable with (and I’m not a very anxious person to begin with). It can be really nice, of course, to get a paycheck or save up to splurge on something but as of right now, it just brings too much stress to really embrace it. There are so many other aspects in life to embrace that can make it fulfilling.
5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
One quote that really means a lot to me is: “I never had an opinion in politics or religion which I was afraid to own. A costive reserve on these subjects might have procured me more esteem from some people, but less from myself.” - Thomas Jefferson
I am not going to apologize for who I am and I’m also going to fight for what I believe is right and just, especially if I feel I’ve been wronged. I love to please people - I’m an extremely generous person and I love making people happy. However, this won’t do me any good and I wouldn’t be very good at it if I wasn’t first happy and pleased with and proud of myself. I’m not going to be able to please everyone and I certainly won’t have the same opinion as everyone so I just need to stick to my own guns.
I do need to mention one more quote because I just got it tattooed on my leg this past summer so clearly it does mean a lot to me: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” - Walt Disney
Like I said before, we only get to live one life and you never know what will happen unless you try!
6. How do you manage your money? On that note, how important is money/financial security to you? Go into as much detail as you can.
Financial security is extremely important to me, money is less so. As I said before, money can stress me out. I wish it didn’t so much but hey, what can I do? But I stress about being financially secure (especially with that whole college debt thing) and it’s really stability that matters to me, rather than wealth. That fear of not being financially secure definitely helps me manage my money. I can restrain from buying something with quite a bit of ease, to be honest. There are definitely times and things I like to splurge on but I have this theory when it comes to spending money: make every time you wear/use whatever you buy equal one dollar (or however much you want) and if it’ll pay itself off, you might be able to justify buying it.
7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
• Getting lost in fictional words: whether it be literature or theatre or film or television, I let myself become consumed by fictional worlds and characters. Film and television especially, given I’m a film minor, and they’ve had some incredible impacts on me and my life. I love fictional characters. They do mean a lot to me and I do care about them. Fictional worlds provide me with a comfort. If anything at least for a little while, a bad situation can be alleviated by throwing myself into a fictional world. Real life is exciting and incredible but of course it can become a lot to handle; sometimes it’s really nice to just put it aside for a few hours.
• Wandering aimlessly: Some of my best memories and adventures have been the unplanned ones. I love cities and living in cities my whole life, there’s so much to explore and do! And honestly? I find the best way to explore is to really just do that: start somewhere and start walking in a direction and see where you end up! I go to school in Washington DC and one night my friends and I started in Chinatown and just started walking. We knew the city pretty well at this point so we weren’t going to get lost but we had no destination and just let our feet lead us. We ended up by the pool in front of the Capitol and just sat and talked and it was one of the best nights.
• Going to Disneyland: I can say with a lot of ease that Disneyland is my favorite place in the entire world. I’ve only seen a fraction of it and I absolutely want to see the rest but traveling to Europe this past semester made me realize how grateful I was to be seeing and experiencing all these new places but it also really reaffirmed that no place will ever make me feel like Disneyland does. There is nothing happier for me than walking down Main Street in the morning when you first arrive. All of my cares and stresses wash away when I go to Disneyland. It truly is magic and the Happiest Place on Earth for me.
8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
• Disappointing People: This fear can honestly make me sick to my stomach. I hold myself to quite high standards and I have it in my head that everyone else does too. I know I’m an accomplished person and I don’t have a habit it in me to disappoint me or anything but it doesn’t unnecessarily stress me out at times. I like please people and receiving praise from those I hold in high esteem and care about. So I strive as hard as I can to make that possible. I’m less afraid of failing because I know I’m a confident and capable person, I just want people to see me as the best that I am.
• Cleithrophobia: This is the fear of being locked in an enclosed space. It's very different from claustrophobia in that I'm totally fine being in a small space just as long as I knowI can get out. When I was much younger, I was in a bathroom at camp that had no inside handle. The door accidentally shut and I was locked in. I couldn't have been in there for more than five or ten minutes but it absolutely traumatized me. I am terrified of being locked somewhere or buried alive or anything related. This relates to my love of adventure and my fear of being alone and just the fact that my heart starts hammering the second I think I won't be able to get out of a space. I can rarely go in elevators and anything that looks like a flimsy lock to me makes me nervous. I just can't stand the thought of being trapped somewhere and having my life and freedom taken from me.
• Sharks/Sea: There isn't really any logical or childhood experience that explains this fear. It may have been Jaws or visiting a beach one day where there was a memorial for a girl who had drowned in a rip tide. I really can't say but even just photos of sharks get my heart racing. I know my having an encounter with one is a rare chance but the mere thought is enough to get me extremely nervous. They can rip me out and that's really what it comes down to (while, on the other hand, I adore lions and orcas so don't ask me about logic). As for the ocean, I'm cool and even really enjoy going to the beach and going out to wade in the water but as soon as I get deep enough where I know the water has complete control over me, I'm not comfortable. The ocean is a powerful and unpredictable monster and the absolute fathomless-ness of it really makes me nervous. So really it's more being in open sea that freaks me out.
9. Name (and elaborate on) your top three BEST and top three WORST qualities (personality-related, not physical). Please answer as fully as you can, as this is an important question.
BEST
• Passionate: When I love something, I love it 110% and want to consume it. It's why I'm a History/Film and not literature or musical theatre. I used to want to be a Broadway actress and I still really love musicals and enjoy being center of attention, but I don't breathe it the way I do film or history. They feel like integral parts of my life. I like to really embrace whatever makes me happy because if you don't, what's the point? I always believe as long as it's not harming anyone else, go after what you love and what brings you joy in life. As I've said before, we only have one life to live so we might as well try and be as happy as we can during it. I like being happy so I'm going to hold on to that feeling in whatever I find it in as tight as I can. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I’m horrible at hiding them so instead I just embrace them!
• Optimistic: If you ask me whether the glass is half-full or half-empty, I will always, without fail, say that it's half-full. I believe in happy endings, what can I say? They’re not without hardships and you have to work for them but they’re out there waiting for you. I’m a total extrovert and generally outgoing person and I find this mentality just makes life that much easier to bear. I don’t consider myself naïve but I like to think the good guys win (I have this massive turn-on for justice).
• Loyal: I will stick with someone through thick and thin, fictional or real or otherwise. This relates to both my extreme stubborn streak as well as being a little selfish (because if you help someone and stick with them, you’ve hopefully made an ally as well) but with good intentions. As I’ve expressed before, I love my friends and consider them some of the most important people in my life. When the going gets rough, I will be with them every step of the way. Remember that saying how a friend bails you out of jail and a true friend is sitting right there with you? Yeah, that true friend is me. I’m also extremely loyal to my beliefs and I don’t like giving up on things. Ned and his stupid loyalty and honor and justice gives me a lot of feelings.
WORST
• Stubborn: There’s a reason I’m an Aries. I don’t back down easily and I typically don’t compromise easily either. I can clash with other personalities and find them wearisome though if this is the case, I don’t necessarily think it’s worth the time because we only live once and we should make it as enjoyable for ourselves as possible. However, if someone challenges me, I’m not going to back down from them and yes, I can start confrontation. I have a hot-headed and impulsive and spontaneous personality and while I can mold and evolve my own opinions, I will defend them every step of the way.
• Selfish: Another necessary evil in the world but, to be honest, I think it’s naïve to think one can go through life without being selfish. And it’s best to accept that, really. I don’t like to hurt people, of course, but sometimes you really do need to look out for number one first. I’m not going to be above healthy competition to strive to be my best, whether for myself or for my loved ones. On another note, you can’t be there to help the people you love as much as you want when you aren’t doing well yourself. Sometimes we have to put ourselves first, and sometimes it’s for the benefit of someone else, and that’s okay.
• Sarcastic: This serves two purposes for me: comedy and a defense mechanism. For the former, I find sarcasm to be a really funny tool if and when it’s used right. I know it’s not for everyone but sometimes it’s honestly a knee-jerk reaction for me. As for the latter, sarcasm can help me in an argument or confrontation so I don’t let that hot-headed personality of mine make anything worse. To be fair, sarcasm might anger people more as well but it at least helps me detach myself somewhat. I don’t have a short temper and I don’t like getting angry, but being stubborn and impulsive definitely have their moments to shine.
A Song of Ice and Fire Related
1.How many books from the series have you completed?
I’ve read all five of the books that have been released so far.
2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
• Arianne Martell: I fell in love with her nearly the moment we met her. She’s a strong female and takes matters into her own hands and doesn’t let things compromise her but she’s not a ‘cold hearted bitch’ and she has feelings. I’m really eager to see more of her because I really admire her in so many ways. She felt truly regretful for what happened with Marcella but her intentions were so good and all she wants to do is what she thinks and believes is right. I know we haven’t gotten nearly as much of her as we have other characters but I still can’t help but completely love her. She is her own person and yet she still remains affectionate and complex and layered and I just think she’s wonderful.
• Stannis Baratheon: Remember how I mentioned justice turns me on? Yeah, so, Stannis’ black and white way of thinking is a wonderful thing. As I read A Dance with Dragons I got increasingly more concerned for his fate and I think I’m going to be extremely concerned about this until the series ends or, well, the inevitable heartbreak comes upon me. What I love about Stannis is that he isn’t unfeeling. Renly’s death is a great example of this and my heart honestly broke for Stannis. He’s been unloved and unappreciated and it’s hardened him and I find him fascinating. By all intents and purposes, he is next in line to be on the Iron Throne. I don’t think he’d make a good ruler of Westeros but this is his duty and that’s why he’s on this crusade and I love the Lobster King for that.
• Sansa Stark: This character’s arc and growth is one of the most wonderful I have ever had the privilege to be privy to. Like most fans, I found her frustrating at the start of Game of Thrones, even while understanding the circumstances in which she was raised. Arya was just the more relatable of the two for me. However, about a third of the way through the first book, I began to recognize the potential Sansa had. By the end of it, she was one of the characters I was most excited for and proud of. She will be one of the most crucial and adept players at this game and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her (while also remaining terrified, of course). I so admire her strength and resolve and how quickly she’s adapted and survived.
3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
• Joffrey Lannister: This one pretty much speaks for itself. He grew up a monster and I don’t doubt the environment he was raised in helped in any way but it certainly doesn’t excuse or justify any of the things he did. He terrified me, it’s really as simple as that. Power went to his head and it reminds me a little of Octavian and Atia in Rome. Once upon a time Cersei could mold him and keep him under her watch but he realized the patriarchal system and once he had that crown, even Cersei saw what he was turning into.
• Ramsay Bolton: This is another one that I feel speaks for itself. He’s another terrifying character that’s been corrupted by power. I have complicated feelings about Theon (that will be addressed in a moment) but I don’t believe anyone deserves the treatment he got from Ramsay. And his pleasure and sadistic nature honestly makes me feel physically ill.
• Theon Greyjoy: I know a lot of people were compelled by his arc starting in ADWD and certainly it’s proving to be one of the more interesting and dramatic and well-written arcs and I pity him but I still can’t help disliking him. He puts a really sour taste in my mouth. I certainly don’t believe he deserves how he was treated by Ramsay or that it was karmic justice in any way but he rubs me all the wrong ways. I know the concept that he doesn’t belong anywhere should be an interesting one but honestly for me it’s just frustrating. I don’t quite detest him the way I used to but when he had that thought in ADWD that he should have died with Robb at the Red Wedding? Suddenly all my angry and frustrating feelings towards him came back. Or maybe I’m just blindly loyal sometimes.
4. #1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
I hope this doesn’t earn me any angry stares but Renly’s death. Honestly it has nothing to do with my feelings towards him (or Stannis) but more that it was an event that got a massive snowball rolling. I actually quite liked Renly! But his death was so shocking and really made me say oh shit for the very first time in this series and that was, frankly, exciting. There are so many different fallouts from this event and it’s really satisfying to watch play out.
5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I don’t think about this a lot to be honest. Right now I’m really squaring my shoulders and preparing myself for whatever GRRM is going to throw next at us and deal with it then. While Stannis is my favorite of the official contenders for the throne, I still don’t believe he’d make a great leader. I’m expecting him to die but honestly I would love if GRRM threw me for a twist there.
I want to see the remainder of the Starks survive and reunite and I wouldn’t say no to any of them on the throne (except maybe Arya). I have a bit of an obsession with Rickon and Shaggydog so I’m going a little insane over wondering where they are but I would definitely like to see the Starks come out the victors in any way that’s possible. I also wouldn’t mind a Stark-Daenarys alliance. As well as with the Martells. They will make an epic tri-force of good and justice and Westeros will thrive.
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All About You
1. Describe your ideal house/home. Please go into as much detail as possible, and be sure to include your ideal geographical location in the description!
There are a few aspects that are essential to my ideal house. The first is location: I would hate to live more than about thirty minutes away from a major city. I am a city girl at heart. I grew up about that far from Los Angeles and have lived in both Washington, DC and London for school/study abroad. I absolutely thrive in the hustle and bustle of cities - there’s so much to see and do, always something new and exciting and challenging. I love all the people and that it’s easy to walk everywhere or if I have to take public transportation I can read (though I do also love driving, coming from Southern California).
I would also like to have some place big enough or, if a little smaller, would allow for dogs. I’ve had dogs all my life and I love them so, so much. They are absolutely family to me and I can’t imagine living for any extended period of time without a dog in my life. They make some of the most wonderful companions and can really make me unbelievably happy. Having a dog to cuddle when you’re feeling down is one of the best pick-me-ups there is.
As for style, I’ve never lived in a big house and I don’t think I’d be very comfortable in one; I like cozy. That being said, I also love Colonial style houses. The furniture would all be deep and really comfortable, there would pictures of adventures and memories with loved ones all over the walls (as well as movie posters), and if I could have any room at all in my house, it would be a small movie theatre.
Last but certainly not least there would be a dart board with a picture of Richard Nixon on it. Because I will never not feel anger or bitterness towards that man and justice not being served. So throwing darts at him would certainly alleviate some of that, I hope.
2. Imagine you’re given the classic opportunity: a genie granting you three wishes. What would you wish for? Please be as elaborate as you can. Wishing for more wishes is not permitted!
• I’m afraid my first one is going to be rather boring but given I’m going to be graduating soon, the number one thing I’m not looking forward to upon graduating is paying off my student loans. So absolutely my first wish would be for all my student debt to vanish or automatically be paid off. I find wishing for money to be somewhat of a cop-out of answer for this question and so I definitely don’t want to wish for anything that would take away from my own journey. However, having no loans to pay off would certainly make my journey easier to start (granted, in many ways I’ve already started!).
• For my second wish, I would wish for space exploration to advance. Specifically, I want humans to find life outside of earth. This is something I’ve always wanted for mankind, mostly because I think it’s ridiculous to think we’re alone and I love space exploration and science excites me. However, and this may be where it gets a little confusing: I don’t want to wish that we just find the life because where’s the fun in that? I wish for it to happen but, like I said, I wouldn’t want any wish to take away from a journey or adventure. I still want us to advance and make all the discoveries ourselves, I just wish that it happens one day.
• My last wish is more of an indulgent one. I would wish for a time machine and the first place I would go would be the American Revolution. Specifically to meet Thomas Jefferson (I’m only a little in love with him). As a History major, the chance to experience history would be one I’d snatch up in an instant. It would be such an adventure! I would get to immerse myself in the periods I’ve studied and really get the adventure of a lifetime. Not to mention for more frivolous adventures, it would make my dream vacation of traveling to all the Disney parks in the world in one go much easier.
3. In your life so far, what accomplishment are you the most proud of? Why? You can list more than one if you have trouble deciding. ;)
I went across the country to go to university and as that’s coming to an end, I realize how much I’ve grown and evolved as a person. I’ve always considered myself independent and self-reliant; I knew from a young age that I wanted to leave home when I went to college, I just never counted on how hard it would turn out to be. University has been an amazing experience (and will continue to be!) and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I just never counted on the homesickness or the loneliness and how hard those feelings would be to face. I nearly transferred to go back home but looking back on it all, I’m so grateful I didn’t. I have been able to come into my own in ways that I never could have even dreamed of. I’ve fallen in love with my university and the city I’m in now, while also realizing my home and loved ones there aren’t going anywhere. I’ve become much stronger and I can definitely take on the world and what it has to throw at me.
4. Which of the following is most important to you: Love, Money, Knowledge, Family, Friendship, Adventure, or Pleasure? Which is the least important to you? Please explain why for each choice.
Clearly all of these have some degree of importance but I think it’d be fairly easy to guess which one is most important to me based on the app so far: adventure, of course! We only have one life and so we have to make the most of it! There’s absolutely no room for regrets and we have to seize life by the horns and hold on tight. We have to challenge society and show the world what we’re made of. I love making memories and taking pictures and I’m extremely nostalgic for remembering good adventures. However, I do have to add that adventures wouldn’t be nearly as wonderful without some company so friends and family are pretty much on par here.
As for least important, it would have to be money. Again, money is important; we can’t live without it. However, what makes it least important to me is how much it stresses me out. It’s a necessary evil in this world but honestly, it gives me more anxiety than I’m comfortable with (and I’m not a very anxious person to begin with). It can be really nice, of course, to get a paycheck or save up to splurge on something but as of right now, it just brings too much stress to really embrace it. There are so many other aspects in life to embrace that can make it fulfilling.
5. What's one quote (or passage, song lyric, etc.) that effectively describes you and your values? Explain.
One quote that really means a lot to me is: “I never had an opinion in politics or religion which I was afraid to own. A costive reserve on these subjects might have procured me more esteem from some people, but less from myself.” - Thomas Jefferson
I am not going to apologize for who I am and I’m also going to fight for what I believe is right and just, especially if I feel I’ve been wronged. I love to please people - I’m an extremely generous person and I love making people happy. However, this won’t do me any good and I wouldn’t be very good at it if I wasn’t first happy and pleased with and proud of myself. I’m not going to be able to please everyone and I certainly won’t have the same opinion as everyone so I just need to stick to my own guns.
I do need to mention one more quote because I just got it tattooed on my leg this past summer so clearly it does mean a lot to me: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” - Walt Disney
Like I said before, we only get to live one life and you never know what will happen unless you try!
6. How do you manage your money? On that note, how important is money/financial security to you? Go into as much detail as you can.
Financial security is extremely important to me, money is less so. As I said before, money can stress me out. I wish it didn’t so much but hey, what can I do? But I stress about being financially secure (especially with that whole college debt thing) and it’s really stability that matters to me, rather than wealth. That fear of not being financially secure definitely helps me manage my money. I can restrain from buying something with quite a bit of ease, to be honest. There are definitely times and things I like to splurge on but I have this theory when it comes to spending money: make every time you wear/use whatever you buy equal one dollar (or however much you want) and if it’ll pay itself off, you might be able to justify buying it.
7. Name (and elaborate on) some of your hobbies. What are your favorite things to do outside of school/the office?
• Getting lost in fictional words: whether it be literature or theatre or film or television, I let myself become consumed by fictional worlds and characters. Film and television especially, given I’m a film minor, and they’ve had some incredible impacts on me and my life. I love fictional characters. They do mean a lot to me and I do care about them. Fictional worlds provide me with a comfort. If anything at least for a little while, a bad situation can be alleviated by throwing myself into a fictional world. Real life is exciting and incredible but of course it can become a lot to handle; sometimes it’s really nice to just put it aside for a few hours.
• Wandering aimlessly: Some of my best memories and adventures have been the unplanned ones. I love cities and living in cities my whole life, there’s so much to explore and do! And honestly? I find the best way to explore is to really just do that: start somewhere and start walking in a direction and see where you end up! I go to school in Washington DC and one night my friends and I started in Chinatown and just started walking. We knew the city pretty well at this point so we weren’t going to get lost but we had no destination and just let our feet lead us. We ended up by the pool in front of the Capitol and just sat and talked and it was one of the best nights.
• Going to Disneyland: I can say with a lot of ease that Disneyland is my favorite place in the entire world. I’ve only seen a fraction of it and I absolutely want to see the rest but traveling to Europe this past semester made me realize how grateful I was to be seeing and experiencing all these new places but it also really reaffirmed that no place will ever make me feel like Disneyland does. There is nothing happier for me than walking down Main Street in the morning when you first arrive. All of my cares and stresses wash away when I go to Disneyland. It truly is magic and the Happiest Place on Earth for me.
8. Name three things you are afraid of. Explain.
• Disappointing People: This fear can honestly make me sick to my stomach. I hold myself to quite high standards and I have it in my head that everyone else does too. I know I’m an accomplished person and I don’t have a habit it in me to disappoint me or anything but it doesn’t unnecessarily stress me out at times. I like please people and receiving praise from those I hold in high esteem and care about. So I strive as hard as I can to make that possible. I’m less afraid of failing because I know I’m a confident and capable person, I just want people to see me as the best that I am.
• Cleithrophobia: This is the fear of being locked in an enclosed space. It's very different from claustrophobia in that I'm totally fine being in a small space just as long as I knowI can get out. When I was much younger, I was in a bathroom at camp that had no inside handle. The door accidentally shut and I was locked in. I couldn't have been in there for more than five or ten minutes but it absolutely traumatized me. I am terrified of being locked somewhere or buried alive or anything related. This relates to my love of adventure and my fear of being alone and just the fact that my heart starts hammering the second I think I won't be able to get out of a space. I can rarely go in elevators and anything that looks like a flimsy lock to me makes me nervous. I just can't stand the thought of being trapped somewhere and having my life and freedom taken from me.
• Sharks/Sea: There isn't really any logical or childhood experience that explains this fear. It may have been Jaws or visiting a beach one day where there was a memorial for a girl who had drowned in a rip tide. I really can't say but even just photos of sharks get my heart racing. I know my having an encounter with one is a rare chance but the mere thought is enough to get me extremely nervous. They can rip me out and that's really what it comes down to (while, on the other hand, I adore lions and orcas so don't ask me about logic). As for the ocean, I'm cool and even really enjoy going to the beach and going out to wade in the water but as soon as I get deep enough where I know the water has complete control over me, I'm not comfortable. The ocean is a powerful and unpredictable monster and the absolute fathomless-ness of it really makes me nervous. So really it's more being in open sea that freaks me out.
9. Name (and elaborate on) your top three BEST and top three WORST qualities (personality-related, not physical). Please answer as fully as you can, as this is an important question.
BEST
• Passionate: When I love something, I love it 110% and want to consume it. It's why I'm a History/Film and not literature or musical theatre. I used to want to be a Broadway actress and I still really love musicals and enjoy being center of attention, but I don't breathe it the way I do film or history. They feel like integral parts of my life. I like to really embrace whatever makes me happy because if you don't, what's the point? I always believe as long as it's not harming anyone else, go after what you love and what brings you joy in life. As I've said before, we only have one life to live so we might as well try and be as happy as we can during it. I like being happy so I'm going to hold on to that feeling in whatever I find it in as tight as I can. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I’m horrible at hiding them so instead I just embrace them!
• Optimistic: If you ask me whether the glass is half-full or half-empty, I will always, without fail, say that it's half-full. I believe in happy endings, what can I say? They’re not without hardships and you have to work for them but they’re out there waiting for you. I’m a total extrovert and generally outgoing person and I find this mentality just makes life that much easier to bear. I don’t consider myself naïve but I like to think the good guys win (I have this massive turn-on for justice).
• Loyal: I will stick with someone through thick and thin, fictional or real or otherwise. This relates to both my extreme stubborn streak as well as being a little selfish (because if you help someone and stick with them, you’ve hopefully made an ally as well) but with good intentions. As I’ve expressed before, I love my friends and consider them some of the most important people in my life. When the going gets rough, I will be with them every step of the way. Remember that saying how a friend bails you out of jail and a true friend is sitting right there with you? Yeah, that true friend is me. I’m also extremely loyal to my beliefs and I don’t like giving up on things. Ned and his stupid loyalty and honor and justice gives me a lot of feelings.
WORST
• Stubborn: There’s a reason I’m an Aries. I don’t back down easily and I typically don’t compromise easily either. I can clash with other personalities and find them wearisome though if this is the case, I don’t necessarily think it’s worth the time because we only live once and we should make it as enjoyable for ourselves as possible. However, if someone challenges me, I’m not going to back down from them and yes, I can start confrontation. I have a hot-headed and impulsive and spontaneous personality and while I can mold and evolve my own opinions, I will defend them every step of the way.
• Selfish: Another necessary evil in the world but, to be honest, I think it’s naïve to think one can go through life without being selfish. And it’s best to accept that, really. I don’t like to hurt people, of course, but sometimes you really do need to look out for number one first. I’m not going to be above healthy competition to strive to be my best, whether for myself or for my loved ones. On another note, you can’t be there to help the people you love as much as you want when you aren’t doing well yourself. Sometimes we have to put ourselves first, and sometimes it’s for the benefit of someone else, and that’s okay.
• Sarcastic: This serves two purposes for me: comedy and a defense mechanism. For the former, I find sarcasm to be a really funny tool if and when it’s used right. I know it’s not for everyone but sometimes it’s honestly a knee-jerk reaction for me. As for the latter, sarcasm can help me in an argument or confrontation so I don’t let that hot-headed personality of mine make anything worse. To be fair, sarcasm might anger people more as well but it at least helps me detach myself somewhat. I don’t have a short temper and I don’t like getting angry, but being stubborn and impulsive definitely have their moments to shine.
A Song of Ice and Fire Related
1.How many books from the series have you completed?
I’ve read all five of the books that have been released so far.
2.Who are your favorite three characters in the series? Why?
• Arianne Martell: I fell in love with her nearly the moment we met her. She’s a strong female and takes matters into her own hands and doesn’t let things compromise her but she’s not a ‘cold hearted bitch’ and she has feelings. I’m really eager to see more of her because I really admire her in so many ways. She felt truly regretful for what happened with Marcella but her intentions were so good and all she wants to do is what she thinks and believes is right. I know we haven’t gotten nearly as much of her as we have other characters but I still can’t help but completely love her. She is her own person and yet she still remains affectionate and complex and layered and I just think she’s wonderful.
• Stannis Baratheon: Remember how I mentioned justice turns me on? Yeah, so, Stannis’ black and white way of thinking is a wonderful thing. As I read A Dance with Dragons I got increasingly more concerned for his fate and I think I’m going to be extremely concerned about this until the series ends or, well, the inevitable heartbreak comes upon me. What I love about Stannis is that he isn’t unfeeling. Renly’s death is a great example of this and my heart honestly broke for Stannis. He’s been unloved and unappreciated and it’s hardened him and I find him fascinating. By all intents and purposes, he is next in line to be on the Iron Throne. I don’t think he’d make a good ruler of Westeros but this is his duty and that’s why he’s on this crusade and I love the Lobster King for that.
• Sansa Stark: This character’s arc and growth is one of the most wonderful I have ever had the privilege to be privy to. Like most fans, I found her frustrating at the start of Game of Thrones, even while understanding the circumstances in which she was raised. Arya was just the more relatable of the two for me. However, about a third of the way through the first book, I began to recognize the potential Sansa had. By the end of it, she was one of the characters I was most excited for and proud of. She will be one of the most crucial and adept players at this game and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her (while also remaining terrified, of course). I so admire her strength and resolve and how quickly she’s adapted and survived.
3.Who are your least favorite three characters in the series? Why?
• Joffrey Lannister: This one pretty much speaks for itself. He grew up a monster and I don’t doubt the environment he was raised in helped in any way but it certainly doesn’t excuse or justify any of the things he did. He terrified me, it’s really as simple as that. Power went to his head and it reminds me a little of Octavian and Atia in Rome. Once upon a time Cersei could mold him and keep him under her watch but he realized the patriarchal system and once he had that crown, even Cersei saw what he was turning into.
• Ramsay Bolton: This is another one that I feel speaks for itself. He’s another terrifying character that’s been corrupted by power. I have complicated feelings about Theon (that will be addressed in a moment) but I don’t believe anyone deserves the treatment he got from Ramsay. And his pleasure and sadistic nature honestly makes me feel physically ill.
• Theon Greyjoy: I know a lot of people were compelled by his arc starting in ADWD and certainly it’s proving to be one of the more interesting and dramatic and well-written arcs and I pity him but I still can’t help disliking him. He puts a really sour taste in my mouth. I certainly don’t believe he deserves how he was treated by Ramsay or that it was karmic justice in any way but he rubs me all the wrong ways. I know the concept that he doesn’t belong anywhere should be an interesting one but honestly for me it’s just frustrating. I don’t quite detest him the way I used to but when he had that thought in ADWD that he should have died with Robb at the Red Wedding? Suddenly all my angry and frustrating feelings towards him came back. Or maybe I’m just blindly loyal sometimes.
4. #1 Favorite moment in all of ASOIAF so far? Why?
I hope this doesn’t earn me any angry stares but Renly’s death. Honestly it has nothing to do with my feelings towards him (or Stannis) but more that it was an event that got a massive snowball rolling. I actually quite liked Renly! But his death was so shocking and really made me say oh shit for the very first time in this series and that was, frankly, exciting. There are so many different fallouts from this event and it’s really satisfying to watch play out.
5. In your dream-world, how would you like to see the series end, and why?
I don’t think about this a lot to be honest. Right now I’m really squaring my shoulders and preparing myself for whatever GRRM is going to throw next at us and deal with it then. While Stannis is my favorite of the official contenders for the throne, I still don’t believe he’d make a great leader. I’m expecting him to die but honestly I would love if GRRM threw me for a twist there.
I want to see the remainder of the Starks survive and reunite and I wouldn’t say no to any of them on the throne (except maybe Arya). I have a bit of an obsession with Rickon and Shaggydog so I’m going a little insane over wondering where they are but I would definitely like to see the Starks come out the victors in any way that’s possible. I also wouldn’t mind a Stark-Daenarys alliance. As well as with the Martells. They will make an epic tri-force of good and justice and Westeros will thrive.