Caffeinated Convos

Name: Edward Age: 69 Hometown: LA Central (South of Hollywood) Meeting spot: Otto Moser's Restaurant in the PlayhouseSquare District, Cleveland, OH Drink: Lemonade

I ordered their coffee, which was delicious (no cream added), but forgot to ask them what brand it was.

Photo Courtesy: GoTime.com Cleveland                                                                                                      ----

Cup 47 has been a security officer at the B.F. Keith Building downtown for 12 1/2 years. He works the first shift: 7:30am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. He deals with everyone who comes through the building, assists maintenance and management people, and has other certain responsibilities with some of the businesses in the building.

Why this location, and why that drink? "I chose Otto Moser because I like their food, they are close to my work and I knew it would be reasonably quiet for our conversation. Lemonade is very tasty, has vitamin C - which is important for this time of year - and it's a pleasant change from sodas and coffee." Describe yourself in 6 words. "Oh, that's easy. Nasty, old, son of a bitch. You know what a curmudgeon is?"  Are they all businesses in there [B.F. Keith Building]? "No, there are some law firms. There's an insurance agency and some non-profits. The businesses are mostly high tech-companies, so anything dealing with computers, the Internet, all that sort of thing." During your 12 1/2 years there, have you noticed any big changes in the offices that are there? Have most of them stuck around for awhile, or have many of them come and go? "A few of them have been here for the entire 12 1/2 years I've worked here, but there's been a bit of change, as well." What were you doing before this security officer job? "I was doing office work at an administration for pension and profit-sharing plans in California.  I recall, when I was describing my blog to you, that you warned me about how conservative you are and believe that current American culture is disintegrating. You also asked me to watch that video on Dennis Prager speaking at Colorado Christian University, which I did, so that I would understand what your beliefs are. Why Dennis Prager, and can you elaborate on your thoughts? "Well, he's only one of a slew of conservatives who believes in this, but I admire him because he's extremely articulate and we're both Jewish. I'm a non-practicing Jew but I lived in Israel at one point." What were you doing in Israel?  "I volunteered at a kibbutz for 6 months. A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was started by people who immigrated to Israel and started to develop agriculture and manufacturing. The word, kibbutz, comes from the Hebrew word, kibbutza, which means 'a group.' We lived separately from the families who lived in the kibbutz - almost like a dorm kind of thing - and what was expected of you was pretty straightforward: to do the work you were assigned and to learn the language, or in my case, attempt to learn. All meals and housing were provided, and when you weren't working, you could take the bus to Haifa and hang out. You could pretty much do whatever you wanted.

Being Jewish, I had the right to go, and when I was 39 years old, the war with Lebanon broke out so I thought, 'I better go and contribute something.' 

Sha Kibbutz, Israel Photo Courtesy: TDreports

Kibbutz Gan Shmuel on Shavuot, 1959 Photo Courtesy: דוד שני via PikiWiki Israel

Picking cotton at Kibbutz Shamir, circa 1958 Photo Courtesy: Shamir Archive                                                        -

What did you miss most about the U.S.? Why did you come back?

"Cheeseburgers. I came back though because I wouldn't have fit in. I didn't conquer the language. I didn't have a job, and it's hard to become a citizen of Israel. But I wanted to be a citizen of America.

You know, it's been 35 years since I've quit smoking. February 23rd."

Oh, Congratulations! So going back to my question earlier, can you elaborate on your thoughts about America?

Angrily, Cup 47 replies, "I think American culture has gotten so high-tech that it has overspilled its useful areas into personal area, in particular, the cell phone.

The cell phone has great use. A businessman needs it for work, to call his co-workers, etc. For women, it provides a measure of safety. But I've seen many young people come through those front doors and many of them have a cell phone stuck to their ear. The cell phone is not an agent of social connectedness, but of separation.

Photo Courtesy: Mitek Systems

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From 2003-2012, the offices of CSU (Cleveland State University) were housed in the building I work at, and a lot of those students, who are supposedly Americans, can't speak English, write, or debate. These people are extremely Left-wing, believe in extreme social justice, want people to pay for them. They know nothing about American history and culture and have no love for our country. They're self-centered and egotistical.

When you turn on the television, all you hear about is entertainment. Beyoncé this, Lady Gaga that, Miley Cyrus - how she turned from wholesome Hannah to this lascivious character. I just don't see or hear the talent these people supposedly have. I usually turn on the radio. I like to tune into WKHM 91.5 FM. They play standard American music up to the middle 50s. Throughout the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, there was great talent, personality and delight to be associated with our culture. These days I feel like there are a lot of celebrities without talent and their voices are electronically created. It would be incredible to hear Lady Gaga sing without electronic editing and her ridiculous outfits."

What do you think young people need to do in order to turn around this culture?

"You can't change it. This culture has been created because young people are not discerning enough or demand anything in particular of artists."

Who is your favorite artist? Who do you enjoy listening to?

"I used to like Linda Ronstadt before she contracted Parkinson's. She was very charming and sang rock 'n' roll and country music. She went on tour with Nelson Riddle and made albums on great American Classics that were absolutely brilliant.

I like Elvis. He did his career the right way and served in the military when he was asked to, and demanded people treat him the same as everyone else in service. 

As far as classical music, I like Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Boccherini. Apollo's Fire [Cleveland Baroque Orchestra] is a great group."

                                                      ----

What do you like to read?

"I like to read about current American politics - strictly conservative - and American History from the end of the Civil War to the start of the World War, so that would be from about 1865-1914/1917. The United States, at this time, had a very economic way of doing things. There was a true middle class in a large country, people were determined to make their own way of living ... you worked hard if you wanted to. You weren't stuck being a peasant or sharecropper, like in the feudal system. You could be a real human. You could get an education, a decent job, have access to a free library system, take night classes, live in a decent home, live in middle class neighborhoods with little to no crime, have a car, a phone, a television, a phonograph. We had a greater number of citizens than in any country who had political rights. You could criticize the government more freely and have any view you ever wanted to have. 

                                                        -

The U.S. surpassed England and France in steel production. Do you know what that means? It means we were able to do things like build gigantic cities. We got started late in history but now we lead the world in everything. The Constitution was ratified in 1787. We built our country in 2.5 centuries. Because of the Constitution, we have a political system. Because of the Constitution, you have more opportunity to give input and money flowed like wine. 

                                                        -

In the 1950s, there was the Cold War. The Russians boldly told us, 'We're going to bury you.' They believed that Communism was the answer but look at them now. In the Korean War, 50,000 American men died to save South Korea, and there are still American soldiers stationed in that country to this day because who knows what North Korea will do, especially with Kim Jong-il's crazy son now leading the country. He beheaded his uncle for no reason. if you ask any older people in South Korea if they ever wanted the American soldiers to leave, they would say 'no.'

                                                        -

Our culture is distracted. It's different than when I was younger. We don't have draft anymore. There is a very small percentage of youth in service. When Pearl Harbor happened, all of the young men ran to the nearest army post and enlisted because they had an understanding of how important it was to protect our country. 

                                                       -

At the age of 40 years, I had a revelation. I realized that people were not taking enough responsibility for their actions. They weren't taking care of their kids and raising a decent family. The liberal Democrats were changing their politics. In the 20s and 30s, there was a new phenomenon. Welfare, welfare checks, everything expected to be free - primarily by the black community ... it just all piled up. This isn't what I wanted." 

                                                   ----

Education

"In education, the situation of sports and university scholarship is very disturbing to me, especially at public universities. Why are we handing money to student athletes who cannot read and write at the high level expected of other college students at the university? Very little is demanded of these athletes yet their college education is often all paid for but only because they are athletically superior, not academically. 

Going to college seems to be a right these days. If you can't afford to go to college, educate yourself."

Imprimis is a monthly newsletter compiled by Hillsdale College (Michigan), of speeches delivered by conservative thinkers discussing subjects of current concern. "It [Imprimis] allows me to read these things and try to understand the concepts. I have to really pay attention to what I read in order to store information and to be able to go back to it to further understand.

YouTube is also an amazing resource. You can find and learn from videos on just about anything you want."

                                                   ----

In discussing relationships:

"Couples have to be open with one another and as close in their thinking as is comfortable. I think that's what holds marriages together. I was married for 9 years, together for 15 [if you include the dating prior to their marriage]. We worked at the same department store, she pursued me, and then we started dating. Her parents didn't like me though. I was a poor kid, and the longer we dated, the less her parents thought of me, especially her mom. Her mom didn't want her daughter to get married and have kids with me. But we got married anyway, no children though. Then my wife had a nervous breakdown and was out of work for 6 months. This was in northern California, the Bay area. After 3 years of trying to help her, I finally said goodbye and left our marriage. I met someone else around this time but chose not to pursue it.

But I soon discovered though that I was reasonably happy and better off being single. I can travel everywhere and not have to worry about another individual. I've traveled to eleven different cities, always alone: Montgomery, Charleston, Columbia (SC), Greenville, Raleigh, St. Louis, Kansas City, Louisville, and Baltimore."

                                                  ----

What idea or quote would you say you try to practice daily? 

"Try to understand, as well as I can, human nature. Civilization is a consensus to behave in a certain way to benefit everyone, and the consequences of their actions destruct them. We're beginning to excuse people from their crimes. The idea of shame is disappearing. The flagrant nature of sexual matters is out of hand. It's fine to enjoy in private but we need to hold ourselves together when out in public. Sex, today, is thrown out into the streets. If this is today, what the hell is it going to be like tomorrow?

The most important aspect of civilization in America is the almost fanatic recognition of the individual person. But it's falling away because we have all these interest groups demanding extra favors, expressing legal concerns, etc."

On the evening of February 28, 2014 at the historical Tudor Arms Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, experience the sounds of Kristy Kline, Cleveland’s rock harpist, appetizers and desserts from Cleveland restaurants and vendors such as District Cleveland and Coquette Patisserie. Bid on over $10,000 in silent auction items, enjoy social dancing, a live band, a gourmet meal from the chef of The Tudor Arms and many other exciting announcements and surprises. 

Enjoy a performance by Ballet Le Rêve and nationally recognized professional ballet stars Allison DeBona, Rex Tilton, and Christopher Ruud of Ballet West and the television series Breaking Pointe. 

Name: Sandy Rippetoe (pronounced rip-ah-toe) Age: 38 Hometown: Lakeville, MI Location of coffee chat: Bean & Leaf Cafe in Downtown Rochester, Michigan Drink: Small Latte with a triple shot. (All of their coffee comes from Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, MI).

Today, I had a Small Dirty Chai Latte.

Cup 46's favorite hobbies, aside from being a mother, are hiking, camping, and doing yoga. Her favorite color is "a nice, sagey green." Favorite books are Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Her favorite movie changes on a weekly basis; currently it is the operetta, The Pirates of Penzance. She loves Willie Nelson and her favorite song is, of course by Willie Nelson, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. Her favorite food? "Anything with avocado," she answers with a smile.

Why did you pick this location and that drink?

"I love independent small businesses, and I really really like espresso. Bean & Leaf makes a good latte."

Describe yourself in six words.

"Creative, interested, mother, nature lover, learning."

I know of you primarily as a henna artist. Do you work full-time?

"No. I call myself a freelance part-time henna artist. I'm a mom to three children so I devote a lot of my time to family, gardening, cooking ... you know, domestic goddessing."

Discovering henna in 1998 after being 'incredibly intrigued' by the henna on a friend, who had just returned from an Indian wedding, Sandy's business, Dreaming in Henna, didn't actually appear on the radar until 2009. 

"[In 1998] I tried several times to get into it [henna] but I think the time just wasn't right. In 2004, I tried again, just playing ... drawing henna on myself and friends, not focusing on advancing artistically. It wasn't until 2008 that I got serious about teaching myself. Then I started the business in 2009. It was a very, very part-time business. It's only been within the last year and a half that I've put forth a lot of energy into my business and not just as an artistic hobby."

I heard about you from Susan Joul, who was actually the second person I interviewed for my blog. How did you two meet?

"We were friends first. We met at a parenting group, and when she learned that I did henna she was like, 'Why, we [her daughter and her, presumably] love henna!', so then she became one of my clients."

Did you ever go to art school? What were you doing before you started Dreaming in Henna? 

"I have no formal art training. I would like to; it's still a possibility. If I went to school, I would love to learn more about the history of folk arts. Before, I was an apprentice horse trainer and adult caretaker for disabled adults."

Where do you get your inspiration from for henna designs?

"I'm drawn to traditional designs and motifs. I'm inspired by traditional artists from all over the world, henna masters such as, Kiran Sahib in England, Sumeyya Rehman in Chicago, and Hiral Shah in California. I've met both Sumeyya and Hiral a couple times, and they both inspire me as artists and businesswomen. Hiral is from Michigan but moved to California to become a full-time henna artist. 

Is henna more popular in California or something?

"You just don't get as many weddings during Michigan winters, when everyone is bundled up from their nose to their toes. It's almost impossible to be a full-time henna artist in Michigan."

What happens when you get into a rut? What do you usually do?

"Sometimes I take a break from doing henna on myself and turn to my clients. I'm not sure if my client base is changing, but when I ask people what they would like, they often say 'Artist's Choice'. I like to do more intricate Indian and more open Arabic style [Indo-Arabic fusion], and willing to be not in control of the elements or the finished product, which I love.

I also like to look at different art, like block printing, for example. Creating artistic copies that are almost stamp-like. It's an art form onto itself."

Block Printing ... the way you described it just now sounds like something I might've done in art class in grade school.

"You probably did! With the foam block and hot-wire foam cutter."

                                                   ~~~~~

Some of her sketches.

                                                 ~~~~~

Yeah! Okay, next question. Can you describe to me a pivotal moment in your life that affected you personally or career-wise?

"I tend to view my life as a series of events, branching off into various directions. When my children were really young - I think my youngest was still a baby - I realized how important it was, to me, to be a good mother and to do something for me. Henna fed me. It made me happy, and I could actually do something with it. It was the realization, 'You know, I can still do this for me while being a good mother. Without this realization, I don't think I would've done henna seriously."

What has been your greatest struggle so far?

"Not to be overcritical of myself and my own work. Sometimes I look at something I've made and start to pick it apart in my brain. 'Oh, I could've done this or that' but then I look at designs made by other artists, and I think to myself, 'Well, it looks good when they do it ... why am I nitpicking at myself when I think what they did is beautiful?' So, I just try to, 'Get out of my own way,' as my henna artist friends tell me."

What's your most positive trait?

"I like people. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. Henna is a great tool for that."

If you could sit down with anyone over coffee, who would it be and why would you choose them?

"Willie Nelson. He's a country singer. I've read several of his memoirs, and his particular Zen outlook on life while still being proactive in his beliefs, I find inspiring."

What are some of his beliefs?

"One of the things he talks about a lot is how we need to support small farms, and people over businesses."

What do you think the world could use more or less of?

"I wish people would respect each other more. But 'respect' isn't the word I want to use ... I want people to appreciate each other more."

What's your greatest dream?

"To be able to devote lots of time and energy to doing a lot more travel ... delving deeper into culture and art of all the places I could visit."

Where's one place you'd really like to go to? What's #1 on your list of destinations? 

"Peru."

What are you most looking forward to in 2014?

"In 2014, I'm looking forward to really starting to do bridal henna. The henna itself, the stain, the ceremony of application. There's a lot of tradition behind it."

Is there a big difference between bridal henna and uh ... regular(?)/normal(?) henna?

"Yes. A regular appointment is usually about 2 hours. A bridal henna appointment can take up to 4-6 hours. Intricate Indian, many fine details. They can go all the way up from the finger to the elbows and from the feet halfway up to the shin.

Then you have to wait 8-10 hours for the henna to dry. It's very important to have a good 'stain.'

Do you have any Indian or Middle Eastern clients?

"I'm starting to get Indian clients. I just made the decision to go into bridal henna. I already do henna for festivals, parties, markets, and private appointments. I figured it was time to add in some bridal henna to the mix."

Can you tell me more about the ceremony?

"It varies greatly by region, but they call it Sangeet, or 'Night of Henna.' It's a night of dancing, singing ... almost like a rehearsal dinner but with henna."

Have you ever been to an Indian wedding?

"I have not participated yet in an Indian wedding. I hope to someday."

So Sangeet, you said, is like the rehearsal dinner. Does it happen the night before the wedding or earlier?

"No, it's usually 2 or 3 days before the wedding. The henna needs 2 days to darken so that the henna is at its peak color for the ceremony."

Where do you get your henna from?

"I order from suppliers who specifically deal with henna artists. Henna Muse in Ohio, I frequently order from, or Artistic Adornment on the East Coast. They deal with all the little stuff to transport plants across borders, custom fees, negotiations."

Plants. So it doesn't already come as a paste?

"No, it comes in a powder. Most good henna artists will make their own paste. Everyone has their own recipe. There's an ongoing joke that if you ask 10 henna artists about what their recipes are, you'll get 2 dozen answers.  With Michigan's weather, I add varying amounts of sugar. For example, in dry humidity, putting extra sugar keeps the paste extra flexible."

Henna art sounds almost like a science, in addition to being an art.

"Science and chemistry really come into play. A henna artist can tweak all that to get the best possible results."

                                                  ~~~~~

Life Lesson: You're gonna have to read a little farther, fellow reader.

                                                  ~~~~~

At the end of the interview, Sandy Rippetoe offered to do henna on me, and of course I said yes because I really do love henna. A continuation of what Sandy had discussed before, I couldn't help but notice that she had a very slight accent. To my ears, it sounded like Irish. Plus, she said 'wee' a few times during the hour, which is unmistakably Irish. So I asked her about it, and she laughed and answered that she identified more with German heritage but her husband and her have friends who are very much Irish, so it's just one of those things that you pick up when you hang around someone or in a certain area a lot.

                                                   ~~~~~

                                                   ~~~~~ 

It was almost like storytelling. I was captivated by everything Sandy was telling me about this ancient art and its history. She told me about how in parts of North Africa, it was traditional to put henna on the umbilical stem, in an effort to combat evil spirits. These negative spirits can also be called germs. What the ancient people didn't realize back then was that henna has antimicrobial properties so it kept things clean, protecting the otherwise vulnerable health of a baby.

While painting my left hand, Cup 46 informed me about the chemical reactions that were taking place. 

"Lawsonia [name of the genus or plant family] is very specific to henna.The henna molecules oxidize after bonding with the keratin in the epidural layer, which is what actually creates the stain, and they migrate into the skin cells. It's similar to how a tea bag works."

It takes about 30 minutes to dry completely but you must leave it on for 8-10 hours. If you can't wait 8 hours, at least 4. Also, do not wash it off immediately after the drying period; let it flake off naturally. After the long wait, be sure to put on a natural balm or lotion on the design. The healthier and happier your skin is, the less it will exfoliate. Also, avoid excess scrubbing, like dishwashing, if at all possible.

                                                     ~~~~~

Sandy uses her father's old camera bag, which she restored, as her supply bag. 

                                                   ~~~~~

The earliest evidence of henna as a body art was 2,000 years ago in Africa. But it didn't pertain to scholarly inquiries until about 500 years ago because it was a folk art passed down through oral traditions and so much a part of daily life that it was overlooked by scholars. Not to mention that due to its rustic origins and being scattered throughout history, the art has evolved differently in different regions, mainly in North Africa, the Middle East, and India. You can find clues in indigenous textile art that suggest henna having been a common cultural practice. Scientists have actually even discovered traces of the dye on Pharaoh Ramesses II's body. Although some studies state he was a natural redhead, many more studies point toward his hair color as a result of hair dye made from henna.                                                      ~~~~~

                                                    ~~~~~

So how does one make the perfect henna paste? Most henna artists, I learned, would be able to tell you without batting an eye that their paste contains henna powder, water, tea (It's usually green or black, but any kind will do.), lemon juice, sugar, and essential oils (i.e. lavender, tea tree oil, cajeput, niaouli, eucalyptus). The essential oils, nicknamed 'terps' by henna artists, are monoterpene acids. All of the ones I listed above are cousins of each other in the Melaleuca family. They help to facilitate the Lawsonia bonding with skin cells, for a better and longer-lasting stain.

Commenting on one particular ingredient, "I've noticed that some people can be sensitive to the lemon juice in the paste. Even if they can ingest it, some people realize for the first time that having citrus on their skin makes them itchy. But it's a really quick fix. If a child told me that their skin feels itchy, I just tell them to go wash it off. No harm done. But that's like 1 in 100 children. So I've cut down on my lemon juice usage, and since then, I haven't had any complaints."

Rippetoe also told me about the dangers of 'black henna.'

"Henna should smell good. Black henna is rarely used in the USA because it's banned by the FDA. It contains a chemical called PPD, which can cause a severe allergic reaction. PPD enters through the bloodstream and can cause liver and/or kidney damage, blistering, and permanent scarring. Sometimes when people go to tourist spots, like Cancún, the Virgin Islands, or on the California coast, they get henna done but then have a horrible reaction to it. A good henna artist will be able to tell you the ingredients that are in their paste. If a henna artist can't tell you what it's in their paste, it either means they're not educated or they're using black henna. Natural henna always stains brownish red [At the very beginning, it will stain orange but then it'll change into a brownish red.], never black. There are still some people around the world who continue to use black henna and don't have any problems. You might be fine and not have a reaction, you might not. It's a gamble. Luckily, there's been more media coverage about this, in the States and abroad."

By the way, how did you come up with your business name, Dreaming in Henna?

"The name came from dreaming about henna designs! It's fairly literal."

Life Lesson: "Find that one thing that feeds you, that makes you want to get up in the morning. Embrace it, whether you're good at it or not."

She put medical paper tape on me so that I wouldn't get henna all over my steering wheel while driving back home. Despite its purpose to protect the design, I ended up driving one-handed on the freeway because I was worried about squishing the paste. :-p

5 hours later.

Later that evening, so probably another 6 hours later.

Here are a few other samples of Sandy Rippetoe's artwork. You can find more in her gallery on her website. 

The pictures below are from her Facebook page.

Name: Chelsea Stockman Age: 21 Hometown: South Lyon, Michigan Meeting spot: In the living room of her apartment in East Lansing, via Skype  Drink: Yogi Tea's Breathe Deep

Every Yogi tea bag contains a delightful thought. Some people enjoy collecting these; Chelsea is just getting started with hers. It's like me with my invisible gratitude jar. (Currently, I'm putting the thoughts I want to write down off to the side in my brain. I'll put them down on paper eventually.)

Describe yourself in six words.

"Energetic, determined, stubborn, adventurous, curious, empathetic."

                                                 ~~~~

"I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was twelve years old, maybe a little older. My grandpa died when I was about twelve, and my mom was a nurse. My dad’s an engineer and he showed me some things about cars but I didn’t feel it was the field I wanted to be employed in. I also thought Architecture or Interior Design would be a freeing and adventurous profession but after further exploration I decided it wasn’t the long-term job for me. Then there was one time when my brother was seizing, curling up in a ball, screaming, crying. I held him and tried to calm him down in the backseat of our car while my mom drove us to the hospital … Throughout the entire ordeal I remained calm. Even the hospital calmed me and somehow felt like home. That situation changed my perspective of my professional future.

To further explore the possibility of pursuing a career in healthcare/medicine, I participated in an event called the National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Health Care at Northwestern University. Everything about that experience made everything click. What I experienced during the conference solidified my goal of pursuing medicine. A lot of my male friends question my choice ... but they simply don’t know me well enough. Don’t get me wrong; I love cars. I love working with metal and being a 'grease monkey' but I couldn’t do it every day as a job. It’s more of a hobby for me. My boyfriend is studying automotive mechanics so I can practice and learn with him on the side.”

Chelsea Stockman is currently a Michigan State University Pre-Medical student studying Human Biology, Spanish, and Bioethics. She dreams of working as a physician of Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Pediatric Oncology.

I was lucky to catch her at a time when she could sit down and tell me her thoughts about this thing called life for a good hour. Most of the time she is MIA because she’s running off to one of her three jobs or studying science things that I know nothing of, one of which is the MCAT exam. (Double irony note: Her laptop was sitting on top of study books for the MCAT during our caffeinated convo, and I was consuming green tea from the motherland - two teas for the win!) Speaking of running, of all days Cup 45 chose to run it was right before our interview. She knew she was going to be standing for six hours as a Target cashier later that day so she ran to get some energy out. She also hadn’t run quite some time due to her crazy schedule; which is tragic because Chelsea absolutely loves to run. Today [the day of the interview] seemed like a good day to get back into her routine.  

When not working at Target as a team member or Starbucks barista (Might I also add that she used to work at Biggby, too? This Cup knows her coffee!), Stockman works as a Data Collector for a research movement titled Girls on the Move, founded by MSU’s College of Nursing (http://tinyurl.com/m5w7q4k), as well as a patient companion for post-surgical, suicidal, fall-risk, and confused patients at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. 

Courtesy of MSU College of Nursing

What are you looking most forward to in 2014?

"Battling the MCAT, and graduating in December, of course. I’m not looking forward to graduation as much as applying to grad schools. I’m anxious to learn what’s next for me. In January 2015, I plan on applying to 1 and 2-year Master’s programs in Colorado and Michigan. I’d like to move out to Colorado to work and live. I want a more consistent climate and I agree with the regulations in Colorado more so than here in Michigan. It doesn’t hurt that the cities I’m researching support my health-conscious and active lifestyle."

What would you say has been your greatest struggle so far?

"Time management. I have a problem with overscheduling myself between studying/school, working, and family and friends. I never get to see anyone aside from my family and boyfriend."

When you're feeling bogged down or in low spirits, what gives you the most liberation?

"Running helps most. Talking to Ryan [Chelsea’s boyfriend] is also uplifting. He always knows what to say and gives me encouragement and hope. But running gives me time to think and to be by myself, as well as a fight for my tiny, asthmatic lungs. I was diagnosed with asthma at the age of ten. I like the challenge and feeling of physical growth. And releasing all those endorphins doesn’t hurt either!

I started running per the encouragement and persuasion of a friend in high school who was on the cross country team. I ran for a season; I was one of the slowest on the team and on the course. But I didn’t care. All that mattered was I was stronger physically and mentally than I ever had been before. I pushed myself beyond so many limits and grew immensely. I was hooked. However, towards the end of the season I had near fractures in my tibias. I went against doctor’s orders and finished the season; I even ran through post-thunderstorm mud in Sault St. Marie. It wasn’t long after that I took a year off to heal. The time I spent not running led to a downward spiral of my lifestyle – to this day it is my least favorite, and hardest to remember, time span. I started running sporadically the season after that. Ever since I’ve had a yo-yo relationship with running – I by no means have a consistent physical activity routine/habit, but it works well enough for me. Since I prefer solo running, when I do try to incorporate friends it’s on fun runs such as The Color Run.”  

I asked her if she ever thought about swimming and I received a “Yes” with a side of “But I didn’t inherit the fish genes. Those went to my brother.” Then I asked if she ever considered taking up dancing and to my surprise, she has. Stockman plans on attending ballroom dance practice sessions at MSU this spring semester. She was introduced to the art/sport by her previous roommate (and now good friend) Ania, who is on the Michigan State Ballroom Dancing Team. But she was very quick to point out that she wasn’t in it for the competition. “Competing’s not my thing when it comes to exercise. I’d rather compete against myself.” 

She also likes to do yoga.

Chelsea, you mentioned earlier in this interview that you have an interest in cars. Can you elaborate more on that?

"I’ve had a thing for cars since I was a little girl. My mom bought me Barbie dolls and American Girl dolls; my dad bought me a dirt bike and taught me how to fix anything with an engine. My family and I go snowmobiling a lot, and we had a modified golf cart that my mom used to haul things across our ten acre ‘yard.’ One time the golf cart broke down and my dad and I spent an entire summer fixing it. When I got my first car, my dad told me, ‘In order to have this car, any car, you need to know how it functions, how to maintain it, and how to fix it.’ I spent all of my money fixing up that car. The work was difficult, expensive, time consuming, and often resulted in arguments out of frustration, but it taught me countless lessons. It’s impossible for me to look at a car as ‘just a car’ or a ‘hunk of metal.’ To me, it’s a living machine. When I look at a car I see a body filled with organs that need to be carefully monitored. How’s that for mixing medicine and cars?"

I noticed your profile picture on Facebook is of you shooting a gun. Do you enjoy shooting, as well?

"Yeah. My brother’s been into guns for as long as I can remember and my boyfriend talks about guns a lot, too. He [her boyfriend] thought it would be kickass to have a girlfriend who knows how to shoot. Originally I wasn’t all too hyped up about guns and shooting … But I’ve been getting more interested in it because I’ve had more exposure to it. The one I’m shooting in my profile picture is my boyfriend’s first gun which originally belonged to his best friend. It was a Christmas gift immediately before he departed for the military. It’s a Russian SKS. My brother has some of my grandpa’s guns; recently I shot his shotgun (it was a first, and it was a blast, haha). I actually didn’t know that my grandpa had owned any guns until after he died because the only people he ever told about them were his wife and his best friend. Naturally my brother, the oldest male grandson who loves guns, received them. For now I practice with my boyfriend’s SKS at local ranges. Someday I’d like to buy my own handgun, most likely a 9 mm. I’m looking to spend between $500-$1,000. It sounds like a lot but I can’t spend less than $500 if I want a reliable gun. 

For me, the attraction isn’t in the danger of holding a weapon – it’s the power of the machinery against your body and mind. The challenge of shooting is glorious. Going to the range is a fun way to hang with friends/relieve stress.” 

Courtesy of Chelsea Stockman

If you could sit down with anyone over coffee, who would it be and why?

"I would really like to talk to Jennifer Lawrence. I know it's probably a common answer these days but what she believes in is what I believe in. I love her attitude. Every time I see her on TV, I'm thinking, 'Ohmygod. We could be best friends. Why haven't we met yet?!'

What are your other hobbies, aside from working with cars, running, and shooting?

"I like to knit, I have a painting easel that I haven’t used in forever but would like to if I ever have time.. I like coloring books.. (I’m just really artsy-fartsy.) I play guitar as much as I can, sometimes I play piano, building things, cooking, trying new foods, and volunteering. My parents also do a lot of volunteering. I’m actually one of the two Volunteer Coordinators for the MSU Pre-Medical Association." 

Favorite Movie: “I used to say 13 Going on 30 … well … it’s still one of my favorites. Jenna learns so much about herself and has a change of heart when she realizes that life is not about money and status but rather making the best of what you have and being yourself, having a family, and being happy with what surrounds you. It’s inspiring and motivating.”

Favorite Book: "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. For similar reasons as my favorite movie explanation.”

Favorite Music: “Right now I’m hooked on Linkin Park 'Recharged'. It’s a dubstep, synthesized remix of their top recent tracks. I also like Thousand Foot Krutch, crazy hard rock stuff like Of Mice & Men ... and then there’s my love for ZZ Ward and Florence and the Machine. I like select country music, too. I have all-around taste. I use a lot of 8track and Pandora.”

Favorite Food: “I love everything food-related (except seafood) but I really love chicken alfredo. I could eat it every day if I had Lactaid (for my lactose-intolerance).” 

What invention or idea would you like to see appear or happening in the world?

"I don’t know if there’s an invention that would help but I wish people would be more equal to each other. We don’t support each other anymore. It’s almost like the Wild Wild West, where everyone is out for themselves. We should be more of a society and family rather than individuals. Even an action as small and simple as smiling at people in the hallway helps. No one smiles anymore! It’s awful."

Based on your experiences leading up to today, what are 3 things you would highly recommend individuals incorporate into their lifestyle?

"Number One: Exercise. I know it sounds crazy but there is a huge lack of understanding our bodies and minds. We surround ourselves with people who are like ourselves – there is huge potential for positive influence if one person in each group made healthier choices. There are so many physical and mental benefits to exercise.. 

Number Two: Healthier Eating. Again: Major lack of understanding our bodies and minds. I think that’s super important. Food feeds our organs and our minds. It can really help us but it can also really hurt us. For grad school, I’m applying to some Public Health programs focusing on Nutrition so that when I graduate I will be a certified dietician. I really want to learn more about the subject.

Lastly, have an open mind and sense of community. So many people are selfish these days and not considerate of others. There is a world outside of your room, your house, your work … a world outside of you. Open your eyes and open your mind. Branch out, be empathetic, and help someone else. You may be surprised by what you learn.”

Courtesy of Michigan State University

-HK

Name: Brian Myer Age: 25 (and a 1/2!) Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Meeting spot: Peet's in Cleveland's Tower City Mall Drink: Peet's House Blend Dark Roast Coffee

Cup 44's hobbies include singing soprano arias, searching random places on Google Maps (mostly monuments, cities, and border towns), and Pokémon (but only the original 151). His favorite food on the planet is sushi (I had a feeling he was going to say that.), and his favorite color is green, specifically forest green, but he enjoys them all. "Except for that gross pastel green - I don't like that one." In six words, he described himself as goofy, whimsical, gluttonous, "and super fun." (He had a hard time coming up with three more adjectives.)

Tell me 5 interesting things that happened to you in 2013.

I got roofied -

Wait. Did one of your friends do that to you on purpose?!

*laughs* No, it was by a not-friend.

- received my first royalty check from the choral piece I published - It's called Go, Lovely Rose (http://www.sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=1056). I did the Color Run, which was my first 5K, sang Papageno in Mozart's Magic Flute, and played soprano recorder for Orchestral Conducting class.

Soprano recorder?

Unfortunately, I couldn't sing in the orchestra, so I was thinking to myself, Gosh, I don't want to just sit through this boring class doing nothing every week. How can I have some fun with this... And then I remembered that I had a soprano recorder from 3rd grade. I got to be pretty good at it when I was young. Anyway, in class I played the flute or violin lines. So I guess you could say that I was the *in a dreamy, upper echelons voice, his hand on his heart* Principal Solo Recorder of the CIM Orchestra.

So you're a singer. How did you get into your vocal studies? Actually, did you start out on another instrument before moving to the voice?

Yeah, I started out on the piano when I was nine years old. I'm the only musical person in my family so it just seemed like the most obvious choice. I think my parents gave me piano lessons as a birthday present or something, and I did that for nine years. But I wasn't that great at it and I was so bad about practicing. 

Then in 6th grade I decided to join band and I played the flute for one year. For an 11-year-old I was pretty good at flute but I hated the band teacher. So I quit and the next year I signed up for choir, went to a performing arts high school in Vegas for voice, and the rest is history! *laughs* 

I was really into academics. Straight A student, was valedictorian at my graduation. So my very 1st semester of college, I majored in Mechanical Engineering. I lasted about 3 weeks. Got too overwhelmed and then switched to Music. 

Why didn't you just go into music in the first place if you went to an arts high school for voice?

I never planned on being a performer. It just didn't seem like my thing at the time.

I have this not-so-secret passion for choral music. It's disappointing how many singers at CIM don't have a choral passion. In high school I guest conducted the choirs, was always writing choral pieces. That's why I wanted to teach. That, and to impact kids the way I was impacted. 

And then I fell into opera by accident. In school I was in multiple choral groups and was double majoring in Foreign Languages, and then there was a scheduling conflict so I was forced to audition for the opera production. I landed a small role in Gianni Schicchi, which was fine but that's when I fell in love with opera. But I didn't switch to Performance. I decided to finish my Music Ed and Foreign Languages degrees since I was already so close to being done. 

And then you went to grad school to pursue Vocal Performance.

Right.

On your Facebook it says that you attended Tuscia University in Italy. Was this for a study abroad program? 

Yes, I did a study abroad program at Tuscia University in Italy, I think, in 2010. It was in the middle of my undergrad. I told you earlier that I was double majoring in Foreign Languages. I could speak French very well but my Italian needed a little more work. So I went to Italy for a summer. The program had nothing to do with music. It was just taking classes and studying the language. Then an opera festival came to Tuscia (called the Tuscia Opera Festival), and I found out that they were in need of male singers. So I went into their office one day, and introduced myself and told them that if they ever needed a singer I would be happy to help. They were excited and desperate, so they had me sing a little bit just to make sure that I could actually sing. Then they hired me, and they gave me the role of the Count in Marriage of Figaro. 

*grinning* Oh my God! Wow! That's great!

And I had 8 days to learn the role.

*in disbelief, big eyes* Oh my GOD. Wow.

Then in the summer of 2011, I went to the American Institute of Musical Studies, also known as AIMS, in Graz, Austria. There I met and studied with Dr. Dean Southern, who is my current teacher. I really enjoyed working with him and felt he was a good match for me so I applied to the University of Miami, where he was on the faculty, along with a few other schools. So I went to Miami to audition, was accepted, received a great financial package, and I was about to confirm my acceptance until I got a call on, I think it was like April 10th or something, from Dean Southern and he said he was no longer going to be teaching at UoM and was moving to CIM. And of course I was shocked and taken aback, so I was saying things like, "I didn't audition there." and "I'm going to have to wait another year to audition and study with you." Like, I had never even heard of CIM. Knew nothing about it, let alone been in Cleveland. The first time I set foot in Cleveland was when I was looking for an apartment in the summer and that was it. 

But then he was like, "No no, it's okay! Just get in contact with Mary Schiller and tell her that I sent you." And then everything got sorted out really quickly and smoothly, and then I came to Cleveland. :)

What are your plans for next year? I heard that you got a contract with an opera company.

Yes, starting in the spring. In February, I will be singing in a concert version of Carmen with the Windsor Symphony. I will be singing the part of Le Dancaïre, who is basically a smuggler in the opera. Then I'm going to San José, California to play the part of Masetto in Don Giovanni with Opera San José. Oh, and in between all of that I will be Aeneas in CIM's production of Dido and Aeneas. 

And then you'll come back for graduation -

Right, I'll come back for graduation, and this summer I will be attending the Chautauqua Opera's Young Artist Program. I just came back from auditioning for them in New York.

You're going to love Chautauqua. I was just there this past summer for their orchestra program. What is it about opera that you love or admire so much?

I love how there is such depth, both musically and emotionally. Even the comedic stuff is very sophisticated while still being enjoyable and accessible. It's sad that opera has this high-class stigma associated with it. I love both comedic and tragic operas. I think my personality is better suited for comedy. But deep down I would love to be a tragic and suffering character. But that's usually for sopranos.

Really?

Yeah. Usually the tenors are in love with the sopranos and the baritones try to screw that up in some way. Baritones are usually evil.

What role are you most dying to study and perform? 

I have dream roles but they're all for mezzos or sopranos; I'd love to play Carmen. But in all seriousness, I think I'd really like to be Hamlet. 

Which opera character would you say is most like you, or resonates with you the most?

I think I’m most like Papageno from The Magic Flute. He’s silly, goofy, and kind of dumb sometimes in a common sense way.

Brian Myer as Papageno (on right) in CIM's Fall 2013 opera production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.

(Both) Courtesy of Cleveland Institute of Music/Leigh-Anne Dennison

If you could meet anyone for coffee, who would it be and why?

Jean Grey from X-Men, because she has the power to do so many things but doesn’t overuse it.

Who has been most influential so far in your life?

I would say my grandparents. Their outlook on life is very simple - if you work hard, you get to benefit from the hard work. They were both teachers so they didn’t make a ton of money, but by being smart, saving money, and prioritizing correctly, they were able to travel to all the places they ever wanted to see all over the world.

Also, my undergrad choir director, David Weiller. He has given me wisdom not only when it comes to music, but also just about life in general. He has given me opportunities to grow as a leader and a musician and pushed me when I needed motivation. He supported everything I did and even sang in the choir for my composition recital three years ago (mentioned later in this article). Though we haven't always seen eye to eye, I can really say he has been a wonderful influence for me.

Do they live out in Vegas?

No, they live just outside of Phoenix. We talk to each other on the phone a lot. They’re fun to talk to and keep me on my toes. I’m actually flying out to Phoenix to see them on Christmas Day so I’m really excited about that. 

What do you think would or already does bring you the most happiness aside from music?

Hands down, showing gratitude to anyone as much as I can. It’s pretty amazing how great you feel when you show someone you’re grateful.

What haven’t you done yet that you would like to try or do?

Bungee jumping or sky diving. No particular location.

Name a pivotal moment (or two) in your life, and this could be career-wise or personally.

I have a moment that’s a combination of both. Is that okay?

Yeah, go for it.

I told you I was really into writing choral music. So in December 2010 I gave a composition recital. I didn’t have to. It was just because I wanted to. I wrote a cycle of five songs centered around a rose theme. They’re all choral a cappella pieces.

Courtesy of Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Inc.

Can they each stand alone?

Yes, they could. Except maybe for the last one because it’s a culmination of the four pieces that came before it.

It’s a story of a love and loss. I had a choir of 40 or so volunteers who were willing to rehearse every week for 3 or 3 1/2 months. It wasn’t paid. I had singers, actors reciting poetry, narration, and of course, the music. And my whole family was coming out for my recital. It was great.

On the day of the performance, my mom got really sick. She had a bad allergic reaction, and had to be taken to the hospital. It was the scariest moment of my life. I was almost about to cancel my whole recital until my dad took me aside and told me that if I cancelled the whole thing, my mom was never going be able to forgive herself for it. So I took a deep breath, walked over to my mom’s bedside, and told her that I hoped she was feeling much better but that I was going to go to my recital now, and she just kept giving me a thumbs-ups - because she couldn’t really talk - which made me feel a lot better.

So I got to the recital hall at UNLV, where everyone was waiting for me, and they were all super understanding about what had happened earlier. I stood in front of them just before the recital and told them that I am a very emotional person and especially with what happened earlier that morning, that I would probably lose it sometime during the concert. So if I put my head down or I'm not looking at them or something during the performance, that's why. So I gave the recital. And I was fine for all of it. Until the very last line of the last piece. I cried at that very moment. I was so emotional from what happened to my mom, from the pieces, the people who wanted to be a part of it. It was one of the best moments of my life. And it was - there it is again - a moment of sheer gratitude for everyone helping me to do what we worked so hard to do.

What piece of advice, motto, quote, or idea would you say has brought you to where you are now?

Work hard, play hard. And I've definitely done both.

Oh! And to drink coffee and apple juice. Because ... well, coffee is supposed to be bad for your throat because it dehydrates you but I get really low-energy backstage, so I need something to give me a kick before I perform. But then I drink apple juice afterwards because that's supposed to be healthy and good for your throat. Also, it's good to just relax and not think about stuff too much.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I see myself living in Europe, Italy maybe or France, working for an opera company. 

In the spirit of New Year's, do you have any resolutions?

I have the same one every year and I was always fail - to stop drinking Diet Coke. I think the longest I've lasted is a week.

But I have this ongoing thing. It's like a Post-It note on my dresser in my room, and it reminds me everyday to say positive things because it's so easy to just be negative. 

Additional Life Lessons: Be more spontaneous and play the Goldfish penny slot machines.

Want to keep up with the latest from Brian Myer? Follow along on his website, Twitter, and Facebook! 

http://brianjamesmyer.com/Brian_James_Myer/Home.html https://twitter.com/brianjamesmyer https://www.facebook.com/brianjamesmyer

Name: Gabrielle Israelievitch Age: 58 Current Hometown: Toronto, Canada Location at the time: Chautauqua, New York Beverage: None

And now we begin our walk through the Chautauqua Institution ...

Note: I apologize ahead of the time for the photos I took. They were definitely taken at various times on different days. My idea of giving you a snippet of my walk came to me long after this interview had happened.

                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gabrielle Israelievitch has ventured in to a variety of things. In college, she majored in Classics, later moving to London for a couple of years to join an arts commune working in street theatre, in addition to taking music therapy courses, dance classes, teaching blind people how to dance, volunteering at a kids' hospital with mothers and children, and much more. Cup 43 then returned to the States and became a substitute teacher for a good while before deciding that she would go to grad school to study "thinking without language", ultimately becoming a teacher of deaf kids.

"It was while working with deaf children and getting involved with their families that I realized that I should get some background in social work so I'd know what I was talking about," said Gabrielle. So she went back to school to be educated in social work while still teaching. All of this before the family life.

Once the family life started to roll along, she attended grad school again and received her PhD in Psychology, but did not practice for many years.

"It was mostly because the kids were small, and also we changed countries (moved to Canada) ... I began to make art and work in arts organizations."

As her youngest son made his way through high school, Gabrielle began to contemplate the future. Realizing she was going to be without children needing her much, she volunteered at a public children's mental health clinic doing clinical work, was made honorary staff, and ultimately did a two year post-doc fellowship there, thus staying within that clinic for four years.

"Which I adored," Cup 43 added. "I did eventually open my own practice, specializing in 'shuffled kids', i.e. children who didn't necessarily live where they began, due to divorce, foster care, adoption, or some other challenging circumstance."

Gabrielle is the author of Where's Home?, a children's storybook about foster care placement told through the eyes of a kitten named Littleprints. Yes, this book is available for purchase online. Just click on the following Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Home-Gabrielle-Israelievitch/dp/0937404721

I asked her what her career as a psychologist has taught her (This was before I found out she dabbled in multiple areas.), and she simply said, "I'm just living my life not making a career. I usually do things that involve working with children, language, and solving puzzles, whether it be learning an ancient language, unraveling the mystery of the unorganized mind, making collage art ... I'm more of a project-based person."

How did you meet Jacques, your husband?

I love choral music. I was a choir groupee with the St. Louis Symphony. His (Jacques) green room, because he was concertmaster, was right across the hallway from the choral director's where I hung out, and one evening we wound up at the same party and started talking. And the rest is history. Of course, there's more to the story, but more or less, it was instantaneous from that moment on. This was about 30 years ago.

Chautauqua Lake

Can you tell me what the most interesting case you've had so far is?

I don't think of what I do as 'having cases.' I work with children who are struggling with something. Every single child I've met has fascinated me from one perspective or another -- it's never boring work. Like, sometimes kids don't know how to play and entering into that kind of activity becomes a goal itself ... Issues that arise out of adoption are interesting, in general, and specific because they are about questions of personal identity.

My mission is to speak for children who can't speak for themselves - aiming to help them be comfortable with and proud of their own voices - and help others hear them. 

It's amazing that people are willing to trust you. It's an honor that people are inviting you into their life. It's also a responsibility. 

It's important for most of us to have a sense of where we come from. Some children adopted from abroad are happy enough to think of their lives as starting at their arrival into their new family. Others feel desperate to discover their roots. (And this is true of plenty of us who weren't adopted.) Every year, an international community of adopted-away Chinese girls get together and find community with each other by comparing and sharing notes and thoughts about their past, even if they never locate their birth families. 

                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parenting a hurt/abandoned, betrayed/traumatized child is the hardest thing ever. Suddenly having a family is not a solution to the challenges; it is the beginning of wrestling with them. It requires a toughness of self, a community of supporters, and keeping in mind that it's all about the relationship with the child - not you, the parent.

Being a good parent is hard; it doesn't always come naturally. For example, what 'comes naturally' might be to 'rescue' a child who MIGHT be getting herself or himself into a mess. But kids need to learn that they will survive their messes and develop resources for coping with mistakes.

'The brown house by the lake.' (I'm not really sure why this particular home always stuck out to me. I saw it as a landmark even if it wasn't anything special.)

What consistently surprises, amazes, and/or appalls you the most? 

What surprises me ... actually what continuously amazes and delights me is how what's going on inside a child's mind can appear so clearly in her play or drawing. I guess I keep being amazed at the unconscious mind.

It's also amazing how kids who are betrayed can be willing to love again. The saddest thing is when hope dies, and I hold out hope for both the parents and children. When there's no hope, there's no motivation to move forward.

What traits do you value most in a person?

Humility, humor, playfulness - that's a big one - intelligence - which is odd because I do quite like it, actually, but not always - authenticity, and kindness.

There's a great motto I try to live by and that is, 'Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.' That was said by the Dalai Lama. I try to convey this to the parents who are so mean to each other.

The one and only classic Athenaeum Hotel.

What do you hope to accomplish sometime in the next couple of years? Or this year, even?

I don't know! I do feel another creative burst bubbling up to the surface. It could be another book, another art show ... it's OK not to know, but I feel like my next project has been percolating for awhile.

                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was busking the other day in Bestor Plaza (Below, though I was actually busking by the Amphitheater, which is just beyond the library you see on the other end of the Plaza.), and

there was this mom and daughter watching me play Moses Variations by Paganini, and I made eye contact with and silly smiles at this curious-looking little girl several times while performing. So finally I finished, and they were all like, 'Yayyy!', and then I turned to the girl and said,

'Hmm...what should I play for you?' 

I thought for a moment, and then started playing Twinkle, Twinkle, and her face lit up! Then she squatted, thrusting her hands down into the pockets of her dress, and beamed up at me. The cutest grin ever.

I've never experienced anything quite so satisfying from making such a simple gesture, especially because I don't feel I'm all that great with children.

See, you just discovered the value of recognition! You were connecting with her. She knew what that song was, and then it was just contagious delight from there. I think ... building self-esteem in children is about having somebody enjoy them, the mirroring of good feelings, to be understood ... we are in the 'Good Job Era' right now, but that's not the way to build someone's self-esteem. Good self-feeling gets experienced, not told, e.g. when someone enjoys you or your accomplishment. People who hear 'Good job' or 'You're so smart' all the time often think to themselves, 'Man, they have no idea ....' Mirroring of delight in one is something you can feel. It's real. 

The Hall of Philosophy

If you could switch places with anyone for a week, and this person can be famous/not famous, dead/alive, fictional/real, young/old, who would you choose?

A well-loved 3-year-old. I have this one patient, she's the cutest thing ever. Very young but very articulate. But she's stuck in between two fighting parents, and so when she came into my office, I saw that if her mom or dad told her to do something, she wouldn't listen. If they gave her something, she would throw it across the room. You get the idea. But then she discovered play among the possibilities in my office, which is the point of 'therapy' -- the discovery. Opportunities are available and the child creates. It was an activity where she was taking care of her stuffed animals and toys, kissing their boo-boo's ... just showing them a lot of love, and then could you see this relationship between her hurting and being comforted. 

Or I'd like to be a puppy. No age required.

I think the point of both these choices is the idea of playing un-self consciously, in complete freedom of the moment. I still love dancing in the kitchen ...

The Amphitheater

What was your childhood like? 

From the outside, it looked perfect. But it was personally difficult and involved lots of sorting through things. But I'm pleased that I came through to the other side.

Where are you originally from?

I grew up in northern Florida, but was born in California. My family is very much Californian.

San Francisco?

Yes.

I had a feeling so.

A Doll's House

Vanity Fair (You can just barely make out the blue letters.)

McKnight Recital Hall

What's your favorite book?

Depends on the minute.

How about now?

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. It's about a family who takes their kids to Africa, acting as missionaries. Her writing is very reflective.

-Tangent that I'm not really sure how we reached-

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

When I was 16, I rode shirtless once on a horse. It was the most liberating feeling. I don't know what it is, but there is real liberation in being clothesless. 

Your most amazing experiences.

My most amazing experiences: Sitting in the corner of the room where the Hungarian String Quartet was practicing for two weeks one summer. They just let me be there.

Having a baby; breastfeeding; feeling safe, independent, and free in a city for the first time (I was in Tokyo.); getting up on a two-wheel bike and realizing I was riding on my own ... fun to reflect about these things.

Favorite movie?

The one I just finished watching, which happened to be Witness for the Prosecution. I also like Rivers and Tides, a documentary by Andy Goldsworthy. It's very zen ... it's kind of where my head is. 

Favorite music?

Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8 in C minor. String quartets, I just LOVE them! I was just listening to an amazing quartet of musicians playing Brahms G minor Piano Quartet. OMG!

Favorite food?

Food that is prepared with love, whether it is food that I made or is served to me. Generally, plants. But I do love sushi. And love. Love tastes good.

What are your hobbies?

Visiting artists' studios, no matter their art form. Celebrating creativity. You could call it a hobby, but it's also a lifestyle. I don't separate the two. 

You asked me earlier what astonishes me - I'd like to add to it. What also astonishes me are the marvels of human invention. It could be a dish, a pot, a painting, home design, the way they dress, when they tell a story.

I use art a lot in my practice. Beads, clay, paper, drawing, old magazines, I practically use anything to tell a story. It's all about the stories for me.

Any hidden talents or odd party tricks?

I can curl my tongue! No, that's genetic. And left-handed! Also, not an answer. 

I don't really have any ... I guess what surprises people sometimes is that I can be shy at first, but then be suddenly social. I'm a very open person. I don't have a lot of defenses.

Please describe yourself in 6 words.

Open to experience, full of joy.

What was the most pivotal moment in your life? It could be career-wise, emotionally, spiritually, etc.

The realization/revelation that one's children may be one's most significant teachers.

I also think of the enormous pride in observing one of our sons becoming an adoring and capable parent, another of the sons coming into his own musically, and one of them bringing wisdom home -- and all of them getting up on two-wheelers and feeling their pride and exhilaration. 

What motto(s) do you tend to exercise most in your day-to-day life?

'No problems, only situations.' (It's a Jamaican expression.)

&

Be kind.

Don't judge.

Let go.

What has your career taught you?

Everything is always in a state of change.

What did having a child teach you?

It teaches you love and humility, and at best, letting go so they can fly. 

Name: Damon Gupton

Age: 40

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Location at time of interview: Los Angeles, CA

Drink: No beverage today. "I don't drink coffee unless I absolutely need to for work."

How did you manage to be so well-versed in both music and drama? How did you get yourself into these fields?

"I started acting in high school, and even when I went to the University of Michigan for undergrad in music, I always managed to keep doing plays and exercise different parts of my mind, body, and spirit."

Mr. Gupton double majored in Music Education and Trombone Performance at UoM, and had planned on going to grad school for further study in Conducting. 

DG: I couldn't get into grad school for conducting though.

HK: Why's that? 

DG: Because I was dumb and only applied to one school.

HK: Can I ask what school it was?

DG: Michigan. I wanted to study with Gustav Meier, who is a phenomenal conducting teacher, but he also knew that I had other stuff going on. So I took a year off, took some more music classes and played trombone. Emotionally, it was also a very hard time for me.

He entered the Drama Division at the Juilliard School the following year, and 4 years later received his diploma.

DG: It was ridiculous how long we had to be there. It was the longest program for drama at a school with as high of an acclaim as Juilliard. You couldn't get an MFA at the time, that program was implemented much later. Now you can get an MFA in usually 2 or 3 years. My girlfriend is actually doing a program right now in San Diego.

HK: Do you think it would've been better if the program had been less than 4 years?

DG: Well, I did learn a lot and I'm grateful for the connections I made during my time there.

What was the transition from 4 years of heavily studying music to 4 years of concentrating on drama like?

"In music school, you always had time to practice. In drama school, you're constantly around people. Drama would take as much as 11 hours out of my day.

There's a different sense of ensemble as opposed to an ensemble like orchestra or chamber music. They [actors/actresses] feed off of each other interestingly. Hands-down, it's the busiest division in Juilliard, but dancers have it pretty hard too - they're using their bodies all the time."

Courtesy of Flickr

What do you appreciate the most about music and drama?

"Music, there's a sense of focus. I appreciate communicating without words. People putting in hour of practice, the sheer art and passion behind what music is universally, while drama I esteem, music there's nothing like it. There's a sense of focus and togetherness which is just not achievable in theater. Music can be so penetrating.

Drama, you vocalize more and present more of the human experience on a tangible level. You present heightened circumstances. There's an immediacy to making people feel things with acting. Music is a little more removed. You could be playing a Mahler Symphony but one may not necessarily know how a performer feels about the music at its deepest core. It is hard for actors to restrain or hide emotions."

What would you say were the most pivotal points in your career as a musician and actor?

"2002. I had been out of music for 9 years. I went to the Aspen Music Festival because my girlfriend at the time was going there but I hadn't applied for any of their programs. But looking around, I liked what I saw so I applied and went back to Aspen the next summer and this set me on the path of a conductor. It felt great to be back in music again.

In drama, I'd have to say these last couple of years, the last couple of TV shows that I've been in. I'm so grateful to be meeting the people that I'm meeting and to be working with the people that I'm working with. Let me put it like this: If you're lucky enough, you can see it. If you're really lucky, you get paid."

NBC's Prime Suspect (2011) Courtesy of IMDb

Who or what influences you the most as an actor, musician, and person?

"Actor: Robert DeNiro. The power that he has, being a successful entrepreneur ... wow. He was in Raging Bull, and I think that's one of the most extraordinary films in the world.

Musically, [Leonard] 'Lenny' Bernstein. He was his own person and he owned that. Training and growing up, we learn that we have to hide things, that we have to fit. Duke Ellington, people like that make me think a lot about saying who you are. Yo-Yo Ma is arguably the single living embodiment of what classical music is all about, his giving of music, technical wizardry ... one time when I was Assistant Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, we were rehearsing with Yo-Yo Ma, and at one point, he took me aside and told me, 'Damon, you need to carve out who you are. You need to create a skill set for yourself.'

As a person, to be determined. I have a lot of influences from family, my mom, honorary sisters, but I've been hungry for other mentors, as well."

Courtesy of Broadway.com

What's the most important thing you've learned from being a musician?

"Daily routine and ritual of practice. I'm not as good at it as I want to be but music teaches that discipline."

What's the most important thing you've learned from being an actor?

"Releasing inhibitions. It's very rare to find actors who do that, making it in front of strangers, really. People like Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, Robert DeNiro, and Daniel Day Lewis."

From the time you were in school to this very day, have you noticed any similarities or differences in the people entering the performing arts, as far as quality of work, attitude, and personality?

"I think we all recognize differences from generation to generation. It's marginally different now from when I was growing up. I think we are freer as a society and in social media.

I get a kick out of young folks. Sometimes I'm envious because there's a sense of freedom, a hunger and thirst that the younger generation has.

The state of artistic institutions, no one knows what's going to happen. The climate is always changing. I think we're more vocal, vulgar, judgmental. Everything is bombarding us in the media. There's cross-race, cross-gender ... Dialogues are happening but we haven't done anything yet. 

Nothing is valued about our craft lately. We want results quicker and it's always 'me, me, me!' When some young people, or even older ones, become famous, they often let it get to their head and their head just gets huge, but once that fame disappears - and especially for actors, it disappears quickly - you start thinking, 'Oh my God. What am I doing with my life?!'

Clybourne Park (2012)

Courtesy of AP/The O+M Co., Nathan Johnson Photography

Please describe yourself in 6 words.

"Complicated, sensitive, unsatisfied, hungry, loving, passionate. I'm also angry and restless. I want answers to questions."

What's your biggest pet peeve? 

"Physical proximity. I'm talking like, not respecting that someone else is in your space. It's rude. Proximity. Actually, an example of this happened right before your interview.

I was walking down the street and this man was walking his dog and he just took up the whole sidewalk, didn't bother to move just a little bit to the side to make room for another person. And just as I was about to pass him, he bumped me! I said, 'EXCUSE me.' I was so angry at him. Kept walking ... then a few minutes later, I hear quick footsteps behind me and it's the man again, and he comes up to me and asks if I'm OK, and I said, 'No!' Then he just walked away. No apology. I'm telling you, some people are just plain rude.

I also don't like smoke. I have friends who are smokers but I abhor the smell."

Courtesy of Chamber Music Today

Hobbies: "I love playing Madden on XBox. I love watching football, hiking, meditating from time to time, and eating healthy. I've lost a lot of weight since Prime Suspect. Prime Suspect was the biggest I had been in awhile."

Favorite Movie: "Raging Bull. Coming in close 2nd is the original Superman."

Favorite Book: Siddhartha

Favorite Composer(s): "Tchaikovsky is near to my soul, John Williams - absolutely - Duke Ellington, and Mahler." 

If you could have dinner with one person, who would you choose and why?

"Martin Luther King, Jr. Why? Because I'm so fascinated by him. I've been dying to portray him. He was 39 years old when he died, but had the heart of a 60 year old. This was a darker time in his life and you just have to wonder what it must've been like to have so much weight on his shoulders. Like, who are you for real? 

And President Obama, too."

Any other life lessons?

"I always say, 'Do what you want to do.' Diversify your portfolio. It's going to be hard but it's worth it. Do YOU. Really do you. Don't do anyone else."

Courtesy of playbillvault.com

Name: Winnie Jeng

Age: 23

Location at the time: Brooklyn, NY

Hometown: Novi, MI

Drink: Water

It's coincidence that Cup 41 also knows Cup 40; they both attended the University of Michigan. Winnie thinks she was a sophomore when she met Gina for the first time at SHEI magazine, which was at the time UoM's student-run fashion/style magazine.

Though she works as a full-time photographer now, she graduated with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. She started experimenting with a camera while she was in college. When not working in the lab, one would often find her doing fashion shoots for student groups.

"Working in a lab is really dull to me. I personally can't wait for an experiment for 5 years. I have no interest in writing or going to classes, and that's basically your whole life as a science major."

Studying and working enough to get by with a good grade, she along with her college degree moved out to New York in early 2011 with her high school sweetheart, who have been happily married for nearly a year now.  

What is it about photography that you like so much?

"It's a form of expression that I'm comfortable with, capturing a slice in time, a moment that goes by really fast. I do commercial photography, which I'm good at and enjoy, and is as good of a reason as why."

What's your definition of a good photo?

"Something that has a purpose and achieves it. The aesthetics should make you want to buy something, for example. That's kind of a vague question."

Who or what would you really like to get a snapshot of?

"Anybody who's interesting. I don't really have a dream to capture a certain person or object. I could go out west to the national parks, but that's kind of a stereotypical photographer thing.

[In regards to HONY (Humans of New York)], I think it's a really neat idea. Sometimes I think it's more about the stories than the pictures. He's very prolific. 

Chicago's a great city, too, but it's more of a business city. It has a great food scene though. Jason, my husband, is a foodie, and works in food. In terms of creativity, fashion, and photography, it's a pretty small community compared to New York."

Is being a photographer what you thought about doing in the future as a young child? 

"My parents wanted me to be a doctor but I didn’t want to do all the schooling. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I figured out pretty quickly that that wasn't going to be it. Am I going to get a business degree? Probably not. I don't really like school. The whole academic field is just not for me."

If you could go to any place in the world, where would you go?

"One place I'd like to visit is Iceland. Then again, I've never visited Europe, 90% of Asia, and South America, so I have a lot of places I'd like to go."

If you could switch places with anyone for a day, who would it be? Famous/not famous, real/fictitious, dead/alive, young/old.

"I don't know, I'm pretty happy where I am. It would be interesting to trade places with anyone, as long as it's just for a day.

Actually, I think it'd be interesting to live a day as Doctor Who. He always has adventures and comes out on top (more or less). It always seemed like a ton of fun, which I guess is the whole point of the series.”

If you could meet and have a long conversation with someone over tea/coffee, who would you choose?

“Margaret Cho. She’s a comedian who does stand-up and a lot of activism. She was on 30 Rock somewhat recently. I like that she's not afraid of to be controversial, and yet funny too."

Please describe yourself in 6 words for me.

"Creative, driven, curious, playful, thoughtful, practical."

What's your favorite book?

"I have a hard time picking favorites. Anything by Neil Gaiman - great storyteller. He takes stuff from folklore and uses it respectfully. You should read The Sandman (comic book series) if you don't have time to read a book."

Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction

Favorite TV show: "I'm binging on Fringe right now. I also like Avatar, and I watch my fair share of K-drama and T-drama."

Favorite music: "I'd like to say I have unique music tastes but I don't. Just things like Top 40 - poppy, catchy stuff."

What song would you say is the soundtrack to your life?

"I have no idea..."

Any hidden talents or weird party tricks?

“I think people are more surprised that I don't have any hidden talents or party tricks. Most people have at least one or two, but I really can't do anything interesting like that.”

If you could have any ability or talent, what would it be?

"I've totally always wanted to fly. But if we're discussing reasonable abilities, to be amazingly artistically gifted.

To be the top of the top, it's all about who you know. New York, people think that all you have to do is come here and work hard and then you rise to the top, but it doesn't usually work like that. It would be really nice to just have that handed to you."

Life lessons?

"This got me through college:

Worry about what you want to be happy, instead of living up to other people’s expectations. In order to be happy though, you have to make a minimal amount of money. I went into photography. This is a skill I have and a field that I want to be in. It’s my best niche. There’s no need to make it a big thing, or aim to be the best. It took me a good couple of years to carve out a comfortable lifestyle, and now I'm happy with where I am. Be practical, but aim for what you want."

----

Check out some of her fabulous work @ http://winniejeng.viewbook.com/!

Name: Gina Chen

Age: 22

Hometown: Troy, MI

Location of Interview: Starbucks in Atlanta, Georgia (Part Skype, part cell phone session)

Drink: Triple Venti Caramel Latte

(Gina was kind enough to send me some interesting photos of the inside of her workplace - they are spread throughout the article. Enjoy!)

  So you had the opportunity to intern at Cartoon Network last summer, and now you officially work there. How did this come about? What was your reasoning for applying here?

"I needed a job, and I saw this internship posting last year in college. So I applied and they wanted me! I was very lucky."

What were your responsibilities as an intern?

"Be available for slave labor! Heh Just kidding. :D

I worked on the Techwood campus, which is the main seat of Turner's Entertainment networks and groups: Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, TCM, truTV, Turner Studios and Turner Sports.

There were 3 of us interns, and we were all pushed into a tiny room with 3 desks and 3 phones. Our office was dubbed "The Cave." But we made the place our own. We drew things on the walls, which were blackboard and white board walls, wrote our names in chalk, things like that."

And what do you do now?

"I'm what they call a T3, a Turner Team Trainee. I do a lot of note-taking and am learning all the ins and outs of how to market TV shows. Basically, we're boiling a show down to what's great about it, and what, where, and when people watch a TV show. I help people keep track of deadlines and making sure that all information is passed along. Just making sure that everybody knows what's going on." 

Out of curiosity, what did you major in at the University of Michigan?

"I majored in Communications and minored in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies. I was thinking about going to law school, but that idea got scrapped really quickly. 

Education doesn't stop. I can always go back and get a degree in something but for now, I'm going to enjoy my 20's as I learn by working."

Do you think you would like to continue working in this part of the media industry, or some other area?

"I think I'm going to stick with TV for now. The landscape of the industry is changing like crazy. I'm also a TV addict, so I figured I can keep watching TV if I do what I do. The content [of CN] is phenomenal. Really smart and different.

The media industry is hard to break into, some parts are easier than others. But I'm thrilled with the company and people I work with. I can't ask for more. And my parents are happy that I actually have a job."

What's your favorite show at the moment?

"Oh, I have so many!! I really like Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Regular Show."

What shows did you like as a kid?

"Batman Beyond, Sailor Moon, Johnny Bravo, Dexter's Lab."

Yep, I definitely watched and liked all of those as a kid. Maybe not Johnny Bravo so much, but all of the other ones, absolutely. What's the environment like at Cartoon Network?

"The environment is very vibrant and upbeat. Colorful office and everyone is off the wall."

You said that you have a minor in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies. Why is Asian American culture so important to you, and what do you plan to do with it as far as efforts go?

"I'm not sure yet explicitly what I'll do with it, but I know I can be an activist, just by having a consciousness everyday and being able to point out racism and oppression. That somewhat goes into portrayal of people of color. TV can and does form people's opinions of one another. For instance, if you're white and live in a primarily white community with very few colored people, TV may be the only way of forming a perspective on minorities. Research has shown that Asian American children are the most bullied in the U.S., partly because TV portrays that they won't fight back.

Many Asian American roles are built around stereotypes and lame jokes. If we can get away from that and have more diverse characters - not just interesting white people - and if we can get away from all of those assumptions in cartoons, anything can happen. Especially in animation, where characters are not bound by physical limits, production budgets or the cost of CGI effects!

I was one of 2 Co-chairs at Michigan's United Asian American Organizations (UAAO), an umbrella group similar to MSU's APASO (Asian Pacific American Student Organizations), and we tried to keep people aware of violence against Asians and racist acts. This last year, there was a fraternity on campus that used Vietnamese paddy hats as part of their pledge process, so we stepped in. And of course, it's very disrespectful to say things like 'ching chong' and 'ling long', so it's always about calling people out for their actions.

Do you see yourself creating a TV program sometime in the future?

"Maybe 20 or 30 years from now. Some people actually have a talent for storytelling but sadly, I don't think I'm one of them. I'm always so fascinated by what other people come up with. I like my role as a marketer. Always looking for the best aspects of whatever is out there, the best movie, etc. Or like, 'Hey! This book came out 300 years ago, but it's still awesome!'

Maybe this is too broad of a question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. What's your take on the general quality of television and movies now?

"I think I view TV and movies now from a different perspective from when I was younger. I've watched many times more TV than when I was 8, 9, or 10. I'm not much of a movie watcher; I don't think movies have changed very much. But TV, definitely yes, especially within the past 10 years, has changed dramatically. More and more people have access to cable and satellite. More things to watch and society as a whole is more open to the things you see on TV. There's lots of things to learn through social media. Everyone talks about everything online. People geek out more and it's OK. I think it's going to keep on getting better."

What's the food like down south?

"Ohmygod, the food is amazing! And no, the people down here don't just eat fried chicken. :-p

The food is kind of hipster-ish, in a way. Basically, it's any take you can imagine on traditional American food. Their BBQ is ridiculous, by the way. I'm not really a breakfast person but I do like to go out early for breakfast here. My favorite food here so far is fried green tomatoes.

There's a lot more to ask for from the sushi down here, though. And trying to find good Chinese take-out has been really hard - you have to go to the suburbs to get it.

What is it about their take-out that you don't like?

"They like to add more soy sauce and salt than I'm used to."

Please describe yourself in 6 words.

"Curious, consuming (of food, knowledge, and goods), caffeinated (I'm trying to kick coffee and cola.), dynamic (I try work to improve myself in better ways.), crafty (I really want to buy a saw to make furniture, but that's a long way off.), and homebody (I like to curl up and snuggle up.).

What do you feel is your greatest goal accomplished to this day?

"If I can take credit for this, having been able to meet so many extraordinary people and being helped, from being given advice on life to activism to the concept on different ways of thinking critically. Being surrounded with people who will always challenge my perspective of the world, that is my greatest accomplishment."

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

"Can this person be fictional?"

(Thinking to myself, 'She's read my blog before.') Hahaha Yes. :)

"I would trade places with Fiona from Adventure Time. She's this butt-kicking maiden who does what she wants and saves the world and doesn't need nor have a boyfriend. I'd switch places with her because she has a pretty awesome mind. And a pretty awesome cat, named Cake. And some pretty rad friends ... Prince Gumball (Neil Patrick Harris) and Marshall Lee, the Vampire King (Donald Glover)."

If you could meet any one person from history, who would it be and why?

"Theodore Roosevelt. He seems like a fun, hilarious guy to hang out with. He got shot in the middle of one of his speeches but he still kept talking. He was a force of nature to be reckoned with. It would be so cool to sit down with him and learn how to emulate how he changed the world, then go and change the world for the better."

If you could have any special talent or ability, what would you choose?

"Teleportation! If it's raining outside, all I'd have to do is squeeze my eyes shut and then I'd be home."

What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you?

"It was my third day as an intern at Cartoon Network. I was asked to make a delivery to a different floor, and when I got there I saw an old man with a red tricycle, cycling around the cubicles and shouting. I found out two days later that that guy was the President of Cartoon Network."

If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

"Once I figure this out, I'd go to the deep underbellies of the ocean. Hang out with the narwhals and squid, see if the Kraken really exists."

Favorite color? "Green. Emerald, to be exact."

Favorite movie: "2046. It's a weird Hong Kong movie..."

Favorite book: "The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye. The 1980 version is extraordinary! But the republished edition is horrible and has an ugly cover and illustrations."

What kind of music do you listen to? 

"Lot of Imagine Dragons lately. My favorite classical music piece is Ravel's Le Tombeau. I've played viola here and there for weddings and The Michigan Pops Orchestra."

Favorite food as a child: "Tomatoes and eggs."

Favorite food now: "Mac and Cheese. Say Mac and Cheese and I'm, like, there."

What have you come away with from working at CN?

"We're always working to blow people's minds, give them something they couldn't fathom on their own. Watching our shows and coming to our events shows how creative and intriguing we are."

What kind of events?

"There's things like San Diego Comic Con … we do a partnership with Six Flags all across the U.S., and recently launched our partnership with LEGOLAND in Florida. It'll also be our third year at Atlantis in the Bahamas, where we've got all sorts of characters and parades and crazy things to excite kids.

What did taking part in UAAO teach you?

"That it's hard to change people's minds. It sucks sometimes. But I also learned that young people can do extraordinary things. Everybody ought to have the opportunity to find or have mentors, and to find a safe footing in the history of Asian-Americans before them. Being exposed to that information is something I didn't have before college."

If you could have any one thing in this world, what would it be and why?

"Realistically, a cat. But I'd really like a domesticated black bear that I can hang out with and know for sure it won't maul people, or would maul people for me and we'd not get in trouble for that. A polar bear would be awesome, too, as a vehicle to go to and from work in.

World peace. More conceptual, the Utopia where there is no oppression, honor, or privilege arbitrarily meted out by circumstance."

Anything else you'd like to add, Gina?

(Speaks first sentence in a sing-song voice) "Never stop learning. Or better, always be curious about any and every part of your life. Create a log of interesting things, people, and experiences you come across."