Seven Things List

Break from paper-writing. Passed on from Nathaniel:

7 Things to do before I die:
- Leave behind some lasting legacy that will be talked about for decades to come. I don't care what it is: a book, piece of academic criticism, speech, artwork. As long as it is genius and divisive enough to spark debate and scholarly interest.
- Travel to all the continents. I am woefully sheltered and need to see the world as it is, not as it is channeled through the media and other people's perceptions of it. I have lived in the Middle East and been to Africa, but I need to do Europe/Australia/Far East in entirety, and I would love to live in India for a couple of years (it is my major after all).
- Adopt a child. I mean this, I really do. And this is not because Angelina Jolie made it popular. I've always wanted to do this, and I aim to do so, no matter what, whether I have a partner or not. As long as I am stable enough though (I do not want to bring up a child if I am screwed up or can't give it the attention/love he or she deserves).
- Become good at debating. I have lots of "views", but I turn to jelly when someone who is argumentative starts throwing information at me. I can't really articulate myself well under pressure, which is why I like writing so much. But still, I'd like to be spontaneous and winsome in this regard.
- Get into shape. And get a six-pack. I've lost the weight, now it's the toning part that's the bitch of it all. I like cardio because I can turn off my brain and let music distract me. With weight-lifting, you have to count constantly and keep switching movements/stations/machines, etc.
- Have something to do with film. Whether it's criticism or acting or doing work behind the camera (like documentary), I love cinema too much to simply be an observer.
- Become less material. Right now, films and DVDs take up a lot of my time and money. I'd like to become more spiritual and introspective rather than focus on things I can buy and enjoy for myself.

7 Things I cannot do:
- Sing. Can't do it at all. I hate my voice - it's nasal and monotone.
- Dance. No rhythm at all. The exception is Prom Night, where I made an effort to get on the dance floor with my friends. But it will never happen again.
- Live without my DVDs. I seriously think I would die without them. I would take my collection with me everywhere if I could.
- Be consistent with correspondence. My friends and family get very angry with me for not replying to their phone calls and emails on time. Sometimes it's just forgetfulness and other times it's avoidance.
- Give up Diet Coke. I've tried and tried, but it's like a drug. And it's so bad for you, with the aspartame and all. This is one bad habit I simply can't kick. Ditto for caffeine.
- Stop biting my nails. It's ventured into OCD territory now.
- Make friends easily. In my third year of university, and I don't have any good chums. All my friends are the ones I made in high school, and since they're at different schools, it's so hard to keep in touch.

7 Things that attract me to people:
- Good looks (obviously).
- Self-confidence.
- Smarts.
- A talent with humour.
- Passion (for whatever - art, sports, politics, anything).
- A sexy laugh.
- Good teeth.

7 Things I say most often:
"Riiiiight" (in the Dr. Evil way)
"Um..."
"Shut. Up."
"You're kidding"
... I can't really think of anymore. I do A LOT of quotes for "The Simpsons", but only two of my friends really get them and the rest of them give me strange looks: "When I say Mr. Thompson and stamp on your foot, you smile and nod, got it?" or "Mmm... sacrilicious".

7 Non Movie Star Related Crushes of the Fictional or Celebrity Variety:
- Dickie Greenleaf as played by Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
- Lizzie Bennet as played by the luminous, ridiculously talented Jennifer Ehle in the Pride and Prejudice mini-series. I'm subconsciously holding out on seeing the new version, because I feel there's no way Keira Knightley will come close. Also Lizzie Bennet in the Austen novel; the ultimate romantic heroine.
- Shakespeare as played by Joe Fiennes in Shakespeare in Love. But even historical Shakespeare, because you deserve to be worshipped when you are that brilliant.
- Oprah. I know she's manipulative, condescending and judgmental at times, but she has taken control of my soul. I watched practically everyday during the summer. There's just something addictive about her. I'm obsessed. I also read my mum's "O" magazines. Someone help me.
- Ariel from The Little Mermaid. She's not the brightest bulb in the closet (what can you expect from Disney's take on women), but I was in love for years. In fact, I met the animator Mark Henn when I was six or so, and the drawing he etched for me still hangs over my bed to this day.
- Mira Nair. I admire this woman a lot. Her genius in both documentary and narrative genres inspires me. She merges my two interests - film and South Asian Studies - with such ease. Just witness how she captures New Delhi in Monsoon Wedding - despite the story being set within an upper-class Punjabi family, she never loses sight of the servants, the workers, the streets, the chaotic world that exists outside of the main characters' privileged lives. I find this woman's work endlessly fascinating (even her Vanity Fair was brilliant in my eyes, despite the overwhelming indifference that greeted it).
- Mrs. Ramsay from Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. Such a fascinating creation, a glorious matriarch, but nonetheless limited in her view of the world... and when she is killed off in the middle of the novel, I never fail to be devastated.