Proust Post

DAY 24
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

I was just reading actress Helen Mirren's Proust questionnaire over at VanityFair.com and thought I'd add a little bit more fun here and answer one myself. I have a feeling I've already done this in some form sometime ago. And, now that I'm writing this last sentence as I've typed up and edited my answers, I noticed that many of them resemble Helen's! (You can even answer the interactive questionnaire on the VF website and your answers are then compared to famous people. I haven't tried it, feel free to leave a comment about it.)

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A weekend nap with my husband on high-thread-count sheets and a fluffy comforter on a heavenly mattress that can support both our aching backs; our 90-pound dog also snoozing on the floor at the edge of the bed where the comforter dangles.

Which living person do you most admire?
My grandmother who's 86. She raised eight children (and lost a ninth); baked native bread to sell during the war in a makeshift oven that she made; took care of many of her children's children as the young parents were setting up shop; sang at the church choir. My Lola is the original SUPERWOMAN.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Deceit in any form no matter how "small."

What is your greatest extravagance?
Food.

What is your favorite journey?
Any "journey" involving hopping on a car (or plane) and then being on a boat headed somewhere sunny and sandy.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Punctuality in the morning. Although I agree that many successful people are early risers (e.g. Martha Stewart). Hence, I've hopped on the early morning bandwagon.

On what occasion do you lie?
On forms that require you to list some form of numerical (or informational) valuation of the financial (or career) kind.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Once a month, I feel ridiculously bloated all over. That's when I seem to 'dislike' everything. All other times, I'm fine and happy with how I look.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Oh my gosh.

What is your greatest regret?
Every time something happens wherein I feel a deep sense of regret and convince myself that I would remember that day or moment forever, I seem to forget what it was weeks or months after! So, right now, no regrets.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband. He's one of a kind. I'm absolutely happy that he never listened to me all those times I wanted to give up because of the whole long distance "challenge."

When and where were you happiest?
You know what, I never thought I would ever say this in my life, but it is what it is: I was happiest at my wedding! There was so much love (and fashion and beach and family…) all around!

What is your current state of mind
Calm after that dreadful (PMS) storm.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd like to be less paranoid and less influenced and affected by the varying temperaments around me.

What is your favorite occupation?
The sum of all that follows: writing, reading, being in the kitchen, sleeping.

What is the quality you most like in a person?
Honesty.

What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.

Who are your favorite writers?
I don't have a single favorite. There are so many brilliant writers out there!

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
British aristocracy—still married to the British aristocratic version of my husband who has the Royal Ascot version of our fat and lovable dog as a pet :)


Illustrations by Risko. Photo courtesy of http://coolstuffaround.net.