Interviewed by Definitely RA

As I mentioned last week, the fantastic RA interviewed me! Hooray!

1. What's the best thing about where you live? The worst?

As I'm sure y'all know by now, I live in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. But, being a Southern Girl at heart, I still say y'all. Obviously. Also, sidenote: I spell y'all correctly. But I digress. ANYWAYS, overall, I really love where we live, and it has been a great place to build our first home together. Although the proximity to a great Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's ran a close second, I'd have to say that the best part about living here is our apartment. We live in a 19th century building on the campus of the school where Preston teaches, and I absolutely love it. We have great hardwood floors, large windows with (some) window-seats, and an embarrassing amount of space that we could never afford if we weren't living on a school campus. The apartment has its downsides, of course (hello MICE and uncontrollable heat), but overall, I absolutely love our apartment and dread the day when we have to move. The worst part about living here is the traffic. I know, I know. It's no Boston or New York, but don't knock it till you've tried it, people. Driving here sucks. The area is already overcrowded, the lanes are narrow, the Main Line drivers are impatient and frequently bitchy, and left turns on red abound (since left turn signals are incredibly rare). Also, PennDOT = NO FUN.

2. What would your teenage self think of the person you are now? In a word, shocked. I think she would be pretty appalled that I had gotten married at 22--and to my high-school boyfriend at that. She would blush with humiliation at my unconventional college career (you can read an abbreviated biography here) and she would be horrified that I was plebeian enough to end up at a state school [N.B. this is my teenage self]. Similarly, I'm sure she thought I would be in a PhD program at an Ivy League school, already publishing brilliant scholarship. The fact that I am currently struggling through my first year in a non Ivy League MA/PhD program would be, undoubtedly, deeply disappointing. Clearly, my teenage self was delusional. On the one hand, the last six or so years certainly haven't been what my teenage self thought they'd be, but on the other hand, as I sit here in our apartment with the dogs sleeping beside me, I can honestly say that I wouldn't change a thing about them. Every time I try to think of a regret, I can immediately find something else that counteracts that regret. So I'd sit down my teenage self and say to her: I know you think I'm lame, I know I've disappointed you tremendously, but just calm the hell down, and hear this one thing: overall, I am happy. I have a husband who is a supportive and present partner, dogs who make me laugh, friends who are always there, and a healthy body and mind. I'm a lucky lady. Teenage self, I wouldn't switch places or perspectives with you in a thousand Ice Ages. Good luck (also: try to forgive yourself for buying so many issues of InTouch magazine in 2005...embarrrrrrrassing).

3. If you could be anyone's personal assistant, who would you choose?

Hands down, Tina Fey. I kind of love her. For example, although I haven't watched any of the fancy awards shows this month, there's a chance I might have gone onto YouTube the mornings after just to watch her acceptance speeches. A chance.

4. Which occupation would you try for a week?

If it were just for a week, something in the technical theatre vein. I worked backstage for four years in high school and, by my senior year, was very invested in the theatre program--so invested, in fact, that by the time I got to college, I was determined not to involve myself with theatre in any way. Theatre was all-consuming in a way that my other activities weren't, and I was, simply put, tired of it. Anytime I go to a play, however, I can't help but feel slightly nostalgic for the theatre. Seeing everyone pull together to put on a show--tech crew, stage managers, actors, directors, costume and makeup, etc.--I've found few experiences that are as simultaneously gratifying and exhilarating. There's an insistent, pulsating energy inherent in the theatre that's really pretty thrilling, and if I could return to it just for one week, I would.

5. What are you looking forward to? Spring is my favorite season, and I can already feel myself aching for flowers, warm weather, and GREEN, but mostly I'm looking forward to this summer. At that point, the angels will be singing (and I will be sleeping) because I will have made it through a whole year of graduate school. I'm applying for a teaching job, so I'm crossing my fingers for that, but otherwise, there are home-improvement projects, recipes, nearby parks, and day trips that I'm itching to get to. Additionally, as of a few weeks ago, we're tentatively planning a trip to Europe for August...which would make summer that much more divine. Plus it's SUMMER, which on the academic schedule means: LET'S ALL HUG AND CELEBRATE THE GOODNESS OF THE WORLD. Or something.

Want to be interviewed? Just leave a comment or send an email saying "Interview Me," and I'll send questions your way.