(It’s just a survey, sorry. No actual Beefaroni is contained in this blog.)

1. What is the craziest, most outrageous thing you want to achieve? 
I’d love to win a Pulitzer.

2. Have your parents influenced what goals you have? 
Probably to an extent. I’m pretty sure at least part of the reason I stayed in academia career-wise is because of both of my parents working at the U of I, and given the fact that both my dad and his mom were/are teachers, there might be just some general influence to become an educator.

3. What is a fashion trend you’re glad went away. 
I don’t know if it’s gone away yet, but the prevalence of “yoga pants as everyday pants” seems to have diminished a bit.

4. What word or saying from the past do you think should come back? 
I’ve always liked “hurry up, you’re burning daylight” just because of the mental image of daylight catching on fire.

5. What do you bring with you everywhere you go? 
My iPod. My external hard drive + miscellaneous USBs. Self-hatred.

6. Is there such a thing as a soul? 
I don’t think so, no.

7. Is there life after death? 
Not in the way that we usually consider “life.” I think all matter is conscious to some degree and that consciousness never actually goes away; it just gets redistributed amongst the things in the universe. 

8. Do you think there will ever be a third world war? 
Probably.

9. What smell brings back great memories? 
BITCH WHY

10. How would you like to be remembered? 
See #1.

11. What kind of music are you into? 
Anything with a good beat. I don’t discriminate.

12. What is the biggest surprise of your life? 
Probably my career choice. Math AND public speaking/teaching? No way.

13. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
If health needs to be considered, broccoli. If not, chocolate.

14. Where is the most awe inspiring place you have been? 
I don’t know if this counts as awe-inspiring, but one of the most serene and uplifting places I’ve been is just running along the river path on a cold but sunny winter day when there’s snow everywhere. Everything is kind of hushed and crisp and it’s easy to get lost in just being outside.

15. Describe your life in six words.
Busy, anticipating, goal-driven, long, short, odd.