<p>Proust didn&#39;t invent this questionnaire - it was a <a href="http://www.chick.net/proust/question.html">popular parlor game</a> back in his day. Nowadays, only the <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/archives/features/proust">rich and famous</a> do it. I wanted to do it too. </p><p>So I did. </p><p>.....</p><p><em><strong>What is your idea of perfect happiness?</strong></em></p><p>Depends on my mood: If I’m feeling social, a cocktail party. If I’m not, a stay at a fancy hotel on somebody else’s dime.</p><p><em><strong>What is your greatest fear?</strong></em></p><p>Driving in downtown Boston.</p><p><em><strong>What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?</strong></em></p><p>My incredible ability to procrastinate. I even procrastinate the things I want to do. It doesn’t make sense. I have to work on that.</p><p><em><strong>What is the trait you most deplore in others?</strong></em></p><p>I have no patience for bullies of any age.</p><p><em><strong>Which living person do you most admire?</strong></em></p><p>My mom.</p><p><em><strong>What is your greatest extravagance?</strong></em></p><p>Organic food and cashmere.</p><p><em><strong>What is your current state of mind?</strong></em></p><p>Dreamy.</p><p><em><strong>What do you consider the most overrated virtue?</strong></em></p><p>The ability to multitask. I’d much rather have the ability to truly live in the moment.</p><p><em><strong>On what occasion do you lie?</strong></em></p><p>Rarely. Lying is hard work. But I am very diplomatic.</p><p><em><strong>What do you most dislike about your appearance?</strong></em></p><p>My stretch marks. I know they’re supposed to be my battle scars and I should wear them bravely, but if I could erase them, I would.</p><p><em><strong>Which living person do you most despise?</strong></em></p><p>Anyone who knowingly hurts the vulnerable - unfortunately that’s a lot of people. </p><p><em><strong>What is the quality you most like in a man?</strong></em></p><p>Kindness.</p><p><em><strong>What is the quality you most like in a woman?</strong></em></p><p>The same - kindness.</p><p><em><strong>Which words or phrases do you most overuse?</strong></em></p><p>“On the other hand...“</p><p><em><strong>What or who is the greatest love of your life?</strong></em></p><p>My husband.</p><p><em><strong>When and where were you happiest?</strong></em></p><p>The first euphoric hours after giving birth to my kids. I try to recall that feeling whenever I need to remember how happiness feels.</p><p><em><strong>Which talent would you most like to have?</strong></em></p><p>I wish I was a ballet dancer. They do incredibly difficult things in the name of beauty, and make it look so easy.</p><p><em><strong>If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?</strong></em></p><p>There are many things I wish I could change. I’m always working on something.</p><p><em><strong>What do you consider your greatest achievement?</strong></em></p><p>My education. I’m not afraid to try anything, because I know I can learn how.</p><p><em><strong>If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?</strong></em></p><p>Myself, but wiser.</p><p><em><strong>Where would you most like to live?</strong></em></p><p>Rome.</p><p><em><strong>What is your most treasured possession?</strong></em></p><p>My laptop. It holds everything. I should back it up.</p><p><em><strong>What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?</strong></em></p><p>Jealousy.</p><p><em><strong>What is your favorite occupation?</strong></em></p><p>Writing about frivolous things.</p><p><em><strong>What is your most marked characteristic?</strong></em></p><p>I’m terrible at returning emails and phone calls.</p><p><em><strong>What do you most value in your friends?</strong></em></p><p>Patience.</p><p><em><strong>Who are your favorite writers?</strong></em></p><p>Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Jeffrey Eugenides.</p><p><em><strong>Who is your hero of fiction?</strong></em></p><p>J. Alfred Prufrock.</p><p><em><strong>Which historical figure do you most identify with?</strong></em></p><p>I’d like to identify with Coco Chanel. I love her fierce independence.</p><p><em><strong>Who are your heroes in real life?</strong></em></p><p>Parents. </p><p><em><strong>What are your favorite names?</strong></em></p><p>Easy: Lucas, Sebastian and Benjamin.</p><p><em><strong>What is it that you most dislike?</strong></em></p><p>Folding and putting away laundry. Ironing. Grocery shopping. But I like pretty clothes and I like cooking and eating, so they must be done.</p><p><em><strong>What is your greatest regret?</strong></em></p><p>I once had two job offers and I took the boring job instead of the one I really wanted because I thought it would be ”good for me.“ That was stupid and I will never make that mistake again. </p><p><em><strong>How would you like to die?</strong></em></p><p>At peace with my life.</p><p><em><strong>What is your motto?</strong></em></p><p>”In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” (Thank you, Coco Chanel!)</p>
