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Cass House Questionnaire

Inspired by the Proust questionnaire from the late 1800s
What is your idea of happiness?
Letting go of expectations and celebrating what is, what and who you love.
What is your favorite four letter word?
What is your all-time favorite vacation location?
There was this place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we used to vacation growing up. The lake was crystal clear and freezing, but I was a kid and impervious to the cold. There was a distinct and refreshing smell of cedar and pine, wild berries grew far off the path so every berry eaten was an adventure. It was pretty magical. I would love to go back some day.
If you could live anywhere but where you do now, where would that be?
I met my husband in Australia, and New Zealand is basically Middle Earth, so I’d be happy living (and exploring) in either beautiful country.
What natural talent would you like to be gifted with?
I would LOVE to be freakishly gifted at playing any instrument or picking up languages (fluently) after only hearing them spoken once. I think if a genie popped out of a bottle tomorrow and said that I MUST spend two of my wishes on myself, those would be the two I’d pick.
What is your favorite food?
Cookies. No wait, pie. Chocolate. Definitely cake. I have a hard time choosing just one – or I really just need to practice my self-control….
What is your favorite drink?
Water, coffee, bourbon, wine – in that order (again with the choosing/self-control issues). My favorite cocktail is called a “What She’s Having,” and it contains honey bourbon, fresh mint, blood oranges, and ginger ale.
What is your all-time favorite restaurant and why?
As a kid, the Kahiki (a restaurant shaped like a Polynesian fighting boat that was 40 feet tall with giant flaming Moai Heads outside the entrance!) was the most exciting place to eat. The Kahiki was this amazing tiki-themed restaurant in Columbus, Ohio (where I grew up) that was torn down in the late 90’s. In its hay-day, one could enjoy fun colored beverages that would bubble over like a volcano (thanks to the dry ice) and were garnished with a large kabob of tropical fruits – some drinks were even served in pineapples. One side of the restaurant felt like you were sitting in a tropical rainforest (complete with a thunder and lightning show occurring at least twice during your meal) – the other made you feel like The Little Mermaid because of all the saltwater fish tanks surrounding you while you were most likely chowing down on flounder.
I don’t remember much about the food… but I was a kid so my meal probably consisted of fish sticks and the Polynesian version of mac and cheese.
What is your favorite food memory?
Making waffles from scratch with my dad and then getting “creative” with the toppings… which really meant my dad let me drench them in strawberries and ice cream.
What is your greatest fear?
My first greatest fear is too scary to even type… so you get my second greatest fear: birds. Terrified of birds. This excludes cute little songbirds that stay away from humans, birds of prey that stay away from humans, hummingbirds, and penguins. If you ever walk with me down a pier, beware! I will use your body to shield myself from any and all seagulls, pigeons, pelicans, or other pesky, frightening birds.
What do you appreciate most in your friends?
Laughter. Loyalty. Love.
Who are your real life heroes or heroines?
In my life: Mom and Dad
People I have never met but move me with their heroism: war veterans, kids with cancer (and the parents of kids with cancer), and Lynsey Addario.
Who are your fictional heroes or heroines?
Top 5: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Samwise Gamgee, Severus Snape, and Arya Stark.
What 4 words describe your personality?
Considerate. Imaginative. Optimistic. Passionate.
What is your motto?
I believe in grace and choice. Seek to be worth knowing rather than to be well known. Whatever makes you weird is probably your greatest asset. Insecurity kills dreams more than failure ever will. Love is love. Be kind.