Today I've been tagged by the lovely Ms.
BlairsHeadband to answer 11 of her most burning questions. (It's as if she knew that I had no idea what to write about today.) Here are my answers!
1.
1. If you were forced to spend the rest of your life in a library, a museum, or a zoo, which would you choose and why?
I would have to say library, since it would provide
the most intellectual stimulation and I'd probably have a tough time getting through all the books over the course of the rest of my entire life.
HOWEVER.
If the zoo were some sort of elephants-only zoo, the choice would be much more difficult.
I. LOVE. ELEPHANTS. Since the Smithsonian Zoo is free, sometimes I just head over on weekends to visit the elephants. I can never tear myself away.
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| This one was taken on the Barnum and Bailey Circus Parade - perhaps my favorite day of the year. |
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My dream in life is to meet an elephant. One time at the zoo I discovered their exercise trail (behind the flamingo house) and have a DC bucket list goal to wake up early and meet them on their daily walk.
And in case you missed it the last time I posted it,
here is a baby elephant running and farting at the same time. You're welcome.
2. What is the best piece of advice you've received from a parent/your parents?
My parents were always very big on "just do your best." Growing up, that was the number one piece of advice that I got from them, whether it was a recital, school, what have you.
But one day when I went to college I had a bad day and I wasn't feeling particularly energetic, positive, or feeling like trying my best, or even my fair-to-middling. So when I spoke to my mom on the phone that night, I confessed, "I didn't do my best today."
She replied, "Well, you're only human. You can't do your best every day."
I think that's the best advice they've ever given me -- you should always strive to do your best, but if you can't one day, that's okay too. After all, it may be tough to remember sometimes, but we aren't robots:we're all only human.
3. If you could get a guest role on any TV show (NOT reality show), what would it be?
Since I'm on
my Homeland kick I am tempted to suggest that I could play a really bad-ass spy. However, I think that I probably couldn't convey the serious nature of dealing with international terrorism, so I chose Parks and Recreation instead so I could hang out with my girl crushes, Amy Poehler and Retta.
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| Small-town bureaucracy? Idealistic government employees? Jokes about Food & Stuff? IN. |
I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face, but I'd have a hell of a fun time trying.
4. What are the three things you would grab from your home during an emergency (fire, tornado, other tragic event)?
a.
I wear a tiny Star of David Necklace every day that my grandparents gave to my mother when she was a baby. It obviously has a lot of sentimental value to both my mother and me.
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| Real-Time Photo! |
b.Old photos of my grandparents - we found a bunch of original photos when my grandmother died and seeing that piece of her life was incredible for me.
c.Mementos, cards, travel items and love notes -- I keep a shoebox in my closet with important cards, sentimental letters, notes from SK, and mementos of travels. I've got postcards from my time studying abroad, rocks from Israel, the first birthday card SK ever gave me, and a collection of Valentines from my dad.
* This has no emotional importance, but can I say my glasses? Because I'm imagining myself trying to piece my life back together after this vague disaster and not being able to see, and it's pretty disconcerting.*
5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
No question.
6. Would you rather get a facial or a massage at a spa?
I've only ever gotten one facial in my life and my skin reacted terribly to it. On top of that, it wasn't the most relaxing experience overall. Meanwhile every single massage I've ever had has been like a little slice of heaven.
7. What is the #1 item on your holiday wish list this year?
I'm currently torn between
this Lo and Sons bag (I go from the gym to class to Steve's house with what feels like a million bags every day):
And this stamped initial necklace (with a 'b', naturally.)
8. Imagine you have your own fashion line - which supermodel would you pick to represent your brand?
I don't think we have anything in common fashion-wise, but I'd have to go with Heidi Klum, so I could hear her
Project Runway-inspired criticisms.
9. If you could afford and purchase one famous piece of art, what would it be?
Picasso's Woman in Blue
I saw this in the Picasso Museum in Barcelona while I was studying abroad and it's always stayed with me. I love how much emotion it conveys from just a simple sketch.
10. If you could choose any name for yourself other than yours, what would it be?
Fun fact: I've never liked my given name. Truthfully told, it wasn't supposed to be my name at all. When my parents were debating baby names, my dad really pushed to name me after his grandmother Libby (so I would have been an Elizabeth.) However, Judaism frowns upon naming babies after still-living relatives (
further explanation here, if you're interested) so they ultimately decided to name me after my dad's grandfather Ben instead. However I've always loved the name Elizabeth and how classic it is.
11. If you could be on the cover of any magazine, which publication would it be and why?
I figure if I make it onto the cover of People Magazine, given my lack of celebrity status, I'm probably either a national hero (landing a plane on the Hudson, saving a baby from a burning building, etc.) or I am somehow connected to the Sexiest Man Alive. Neither is a terrible option.
Let me know your answers in the comments - I'd love to hear your responses to BHB's questions!
xoxo,
b
