Interview

Dixie offered to interview me, and I took her up on it. Here are my answers to her questions:

1. You're talented at learning languages. What do you think it is about you that gives you that talent?

I think the reason I'm good at learning languages is just because I want to learn languages. They fascinate me. The way I learn (through reading and writing rather than speaking and listening) used to drive my teachers up the wall and goes against all the rules and conventions for language learning, but hey... it worked for me. My mother always said I could do anything if only I'd put my mind to it!

I've wanted to learn foreign languages ever since I can remember. I used to beg my mother to let me take lessons. When I was six, we had a Spanish-speaking family move onto our block. Their daughter was my age, but she didn't speak any English. I wanted to tell her about my dog, but I didn't really know how, so I asked my mom. "Draw a picture of your dog," my mom said. And I replied, "But Mommy, what if dogs look different in English than they do in Spanish?" (Yeah, I know, I was a strange child.)

Now that I think about it, I wonder if my desire to learn a foreign language had anything to do with the fact that I couldn't understand my great-aunts and -uncles on my dad's side of the family... they always spoke in French.

2. This is the second time you've come to Europe to study. Is there a difference between your time in France and your time in Switzerland?

I was a lot more prepared for coming to Switzerland... I already knew what to expect in terms of culture shock, dietary shock, cigarette smoke, things being closed on Sundays, etc. The differences that really stand out are that Geneva is much cleaner than France (despite all the cigarette smoke), that Genevans seem more tolerant of foreigners and immigrants than the French (although I don't know what the situation is like in the rest of Switzerland), and that it is a lot easier to accomplish administrative tasks in Switzerland than in France (with the government and with school).

Oh, and also the fact that everybody here is so well-to-do. I feel a lot poorer in Switzerland than I did in France.

3. What would it take to get your to cut your hair in a pixie style?

Hmmm... that's a hard one! A Switzerland-based in-house translation job, the opportunity to bring my Spanish up to par and learn German, and the ability to travel wherever I want. With lots of cheddar cheese and other yummy American foods on the side.

4. Would you consider living in Europe permanently? Where would you like to live?

I'm actually hoping to be able to stay in or near Geneva permanently. The problem is that even with a translation degree, nobody will get me a permit and hire me without experience. And I can't get experience without a permit. If anybody knows any nice, handsome, single Swiss boys, please let me know...

5. What's a coping skill you use when you are feeling overwhelmed?

When I'm overwhelmed, I usually get really cranky. So I lock myself in my room so nobody else will have to put up with my crankiness, curl up in a wad in bed, hold my teddy bear and cry my eyes out. Once I'm done crying, I listen to happy, upbeat music, and then I'm ready to deal with the world again. (Chocolate helps, too.)

Now it's your turn to play if you wish:

Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will respond by asking you five questions in the comments here on this post so check back here. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.