1. Grab the book nearest to you and turn to page 18. What does line 4 say? “Above her the stars winked, mocking her with their limitless canvas.”

2. What song are you listening to right now? “Some Nights” by fun. It’s been a decade since it first released, but the anthemic and rhythmic chorus still evokes intense emotions in me. I can’t help but be moved by its passion and vulnerability.

3. What is your favorite genre of music?  I don’t have a favorite genre. I gravitate toward music that makes me feel something. I crave songs that knock on your soul’s door and remind you that you’re alive.

4. What’s your favorite thing about marriage (Or, if you’re not married, what’s your favorite thing about being single or in a relationship)? My favorite thing about being in a (healthy) relationship is its unyielding friendship and partnership. Through the ups, the downs, and the everyday mundane, we walk beside each other. The love isn’t conditional, and although we take care of one another, we don’t abuse that care. We fill each other’s cups. It’s a stark contrast to my past experiences, which makes me appreciate it all the more.

5. What’s one thing you own that you should probably get rid of, but just can’t? Jeans and shorts that I fit into when I was 23 and still hope beyond all logic I’ll fit into them again. I know my size 1 and 2 days are over, but the clothes consist of some of my favorite outfits.

6. Can you do a split? If you asked me this question about three years ago, the answer would have been yes! But my lyra days are over and my flexibility went out the window when I started running.

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike? I can’t remember, but I was really young.

8. How many oceans have you swam in? Two: Atlantic and Pacific.

9. How many countries have you been to? Hmm, I live in the U.S. so I supposed that doesn’t count. Outside of the U.S., I’ve traveled to Costa Rica, Canada, England, Scotland, and Wales – so five.

10. Is anyone in your family in the army? Not that I know of. My father and brother were both Marines. My brother is now in the Navy. My uncle and grandmother served in the U.S. Coast Guard.

11. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child? Oh gosh… There were so many that it’s hard to choose just one. However, Boy Meets World is still one of my all-time favorite television shows. I rewatched the series as an adult this year and I enjoyed it even more than I did as a kid.

Mr. Feeny was a sage of wisdom!

12. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight? Probably either a Disney princess, a cat, or a gypsy. I usually rotated between those options.

13. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series? I’ve read most of Hunger Games and Harry Potter. I read one page of Twilight and found it so terribly written that I had to set it down.

14. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?  A posh British accent sounds fun! But if given the choice, I think I would keep my semi-southern accent.

15. Have you ever taken karate lessons? I have not! Knowing me, I would probably feel awful hitting someone even if it was just part of a sparring session.

16. Do you know who Kermit the frog is? Of course! I watched a lot of Muppets television shows and movies as a kid.

17. What’s the first amusement park you’ve been to? Probably Busch Gardens. I went to camp there once during the summer as a kid.

18. What language (besides your native language) would you like to be fluent in? Definitely Spanish. I think it’s a beautiful language and I can speak enough of it to get by, but I’m far from fluent.

19. Do you spell the color as grey or gray? Gray. While I prefer “grey,” it’s the british spelling of the word and so technically incorrect where I live.

20. Do you know triplets? I’ve known plenty of twins throughout my life, but not any triplets (that I’m aware of).

21. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook? Neither, to be honest. Both movies bore me.

22. Have you ever had Indian food? I have. It’s delicious, albeit a bit spicy!

23. What’s the name of your favorite restaurant? Hmm, Namba. They have THE best tonkotsu ramen!

24. Have you ever been to Olive Garden?  I have, but I’m not a fan. Growing up with a Sicilian grandmother, I developed a taste for more authentic Italian food.

25. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender? I don’t know, to be honest. It was never discussed.

26. If you have a nickname, what is it? A ton! The most common are: Elli, Liz, Squirrel and Squirrelli.

27. Who’s your favorite person in the world? Nate.

28. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs? I have a soft spot for rural areas. I feel claustrophobic in cities. I prefer open land, trees, and nature.

29. Can you whistle? I can, but I sound like a dying bird.

30. Do you sleep with a nightlight? Not usually, no.

31. Do you eat breakfast every morning?  I do now. It’s a recent development.

32. How many times have you been to the hospital? Five times? Possibly more. I don’t exactly keep a tally.

33. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo? Of course! “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”

34. Where do you buy your jeans? I’m a bargain shopper, so wherever they’re cheap.

35. What’s the last compliment you got? The cashier said I had “captivating eyes” while I was at the grocery store. It was a bit awkward, to be honest.

36. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning? Occasionally, but not often.

37. Favorite beverage that isn’t water?  Definitely coffee.

38. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own? Maybe five or six? I buy shoes more for practicality than I do fashion.

39. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?  It’s hard to say. There was never a clear moment of revelation. My family stopped celebrating the secular side of holidays when we were old enough to understand the religious aspect.

40. What is one food that you used to hate but now you love? Hmm, probably brussels sprouts. As an adult I learned how to cook them in a way that eliminated the bitterness. Now I love them!

41. What is a weird lie you’ve told? I’m a terrible liar and avoid it whenever possible, but there was this one time when I was really young that I told my parents I rode an ostrich (I definitely did not). No idea what compelled me to say that, but I had a wonderful narrative to back it up.

42. Heels or flats?  Oh, 100% flats. Comfort > fashion. 

43. Do you have any weird phobias? I am absolutely terrified of animatronics and people in mascot costumes or masks.

44. What is a phrase or word you always say? “Okee doke”

45. What is a song that you bast or belt out when you are alone?  How can anyone choose just one? My car is a place for karaoke and I take advantage of it anytime I drive. Lately though, I’ve been singing to a lot of country music.

46. What is one of your biggest pet peeves?  People who are mean or cruel to others. I understand no one is perfect. Sometimes we get angry and say or do things in the heat of the moment that we later regret. But there is a difference between acting out and acting with intent. Individuals who are intentionally malicious, be it for fun or to reinforce their personal delusions of superiority, upset me.

47. Do you sleep with your closet door open or closed? Closed. My little feline ninja will cause a ruckus in the closet if given the opportunity.

48. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?  Why is this even a question?! Who drafted this questionnaire?

49. Do you have any weird things you do?  Nothing really comes to mind, but I’m pretty quirky in general.

50. What movie could you watch over and over again and still love? The Lord of the Rings trilogy. They’ve hands-down been my favorite movies ever since they released.