#hyca

1. If it’s 1am and you’re still awake and wanting to talk to someone, who do you call and what do you talk about?

The great thing about being eight hours behind home is that if its 1am where I am, that means someone is up. Usually Gemma is my first call but if I know she’s going to tease me about whatever is on my mind, I’ll call my mum ‘cause she’s the best person to talk to. But if it’s something related to my project, Raina, one of the other PhD students in my lab, always seems to know the best way to clear up anything that’s causing me trouble.

2. Are you the big spoon or the little spoon?

Despite the fact that I don’t typically experience a desire to fit into the ‘dominant’ or ‘protector’ role in my relationships that often coincide with it, I do enjoy being the big spoon. 

3. If you could only listen to one band/artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?

Oh, um, that’s a tough one. I can’t imagine I’d ever get tired of the Cure though, so maybe them. Or, like, the Arctic Monkeys? I quite like them too. Or Adele, maybe.

4. What kind of drunk are you?

I don’t really like getting drunk, if I’m completely honest. I’ve been told that I get more affectionate when I drink and that I turn into a bit of a cuddler. I remember the first time I got drunk, it was over at Mare’s house when her parents were away for the weekend. We ended up curled up together in her bed and even though it was completely innocent, it was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life when her parents burst in on us the next morning. Her dad made jokes about it for weeks after.

5. Are you a team player or do you prefer to go solo?

I’m happy with either, really. Lab work can be sort of solitary which I sometimes like because it’s nice to be in your own space for a bit. But labs can also turn into a sort of surrogate family because you spend so much time together and its nice having people to lean on. And the great thing about psychology research is that you’re always interacting with new people and I really love that too. 

6. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer, 100%. Made it through two years of pre-law and everything before I realized it just wasn’t right for me. It was a big change switching degrees, but living your authentic self is key to living a happy and fulfilling life. Oh shoot, there I go talking about my research again, I really need to stop doing that.

7. What’s your ultimate feel good/pick me up TV show or film?

I didn’t really think I had one but when I was going through a rough spot in college, I found myself watching old episodes of Full House. It sort of reminded me of home, I guess.

8. What is one scent that reminds you of home? Why?

Jasmine scented candles because they were my mum’s favourite. I burn a couple in my apartment when I’m feeling particularly homesick.

9. If you were given a blank piece of paper and a pen, what would happen?

What an interesting question. You know, the things you write down without full conscious awareness are often very indicative of what kind of person you are. Even something as simple as drawing lines versus drawing circles can give a lot of insight into your style of work, your level of self-esteem and insecurity, your extroversion or introversion. I read this really interesting paper once about how the shape of the petals you draw on a flower can show how you form personal attachments with strangers and new people in your life and – oh, um, I think I got off track. What was the question again?

10. What are your top three most used emojis?

1. If it’s 1am and you’re still awake and wanting to talk to someone, who do you call and what do you talk about?

I’d probably call my mum to be honest. I don’t really have friends in London (actually I don’t really have friends in general, wow I’m a huge loser). But then again, my mum sort of is my best friend and I tell her everything so she’d be my first call in a heart beat.

2. Are you the big spoon or the little spoon?

The only boyfriend I had long enough to get into the ‘spooning’ territory didn’t like to be touched when he slept so… none. But I like the idea of being a ‘little’ something, so maybe it’ll happen someday.

3. If you could only listen to one band/artist for the rest of your life, who would it be?

I grew up on ABBA and know every single song off by heart so I think I could stand to listen to only them for the rest of my life.

4. What kind of drunk are you?

Oh god, not pretty. I’m okay with a few drinks in me but I’ve got that limit I hit where my face gets all red and flushed and I start to feel all weepy and I mostly just talk to whoever’s closest about how my one true love never saw me like that and wake up the next morning with the worst hangover and a million regrets.

5. Are you a team player or do you prefer to go solo?

I am just fine on my own, thank you very much. 

6. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I’ve been in love with books since I first learned how to read (and probably before that actually) and as I got older, my desire to be the one creating books only grew, as did my creativity.

7. What’s your ultimate feel good/pick me up TV show or film?

Full House, 100%. There’s nothing to cure a little bit of the blues like Uncle Jesse.

8. What is one scent that reminds you of home? Why?

I guess my mum’s perfume is one scent that reminds me of home. Sometimes I’ll smell someone else wearing it, or something similar, and it instantly reminds me of her.

That, or tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches because mum always used to make those when H-- um, when someone came over to play.

9. If you were given a blank piece of paper and a pen, what would happen?

Story ideas. I’m always getting them at the weirdest times so it would probably be useful to have a paper and pen to jot them down. But I always seem to get my moments of inspiration when I can’t write things down (mostly in the shower, tbh)

10. What are your top three most used emojis?