1. What is most memorable about your high school years?
My best friends Vicki and Nicki. Some of my best memories were those spent at their homes, eating pierogis after-school, making up dances to songs, dressing up like crazy ladies and having photo-shoots, long late night phone conversations, movie nights, parties in the woods with bonfires and makeshift shacks, holding each-others hair back when puking, coming to one another with our fears, having nurse-moms lay out diagrams to explain our reproductive systems, having a 2nd and 3rd family to always turn to, summertime in New Hampshire with tubing and summer flings, stupid nicknames and nonsensical noises, trips up to Jones beach, Summer concerts, waitressing at Phillips diner, hikes up to the water tower, and always knowing they will have a sacred space in my heart no matter what the distance.
2. If you have a tattoo(s) describe their meaning. If you don't have one, describe what you might get as a tattoo and why.
My tattoo is the Aum symbol encircled by a lotus flower. I designed the tattoo my freshmen year of college and put the design aside for three years. I made a deal with myself that if the design still held sacred meaning in 3 years I would get the tattoo. Aum embodies the essence of the entire universe. However, on a personal level, this symbol reminds me to breathe. I placed the tattoo on the inside of my right wrist, so that it would constantly be available to me in trying moments. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a second, breathe, and simply be grateful for those breaths.
3. What is one of the most daring acts you've done?
Spending a summer in Florence, Italy without knowing the language, area, or anyone that I would be living with. I studied art for the summer and came to realize that with every act of risk there is usually a benefit outweighing the fear coinciding with it.
4. Where have you lived in the past?
Connecticut, NYC, Ohio, Italy, and Colorado.
5.What were you like when you were a kid?
I wanted to embrace the world, as shown in many pictures of me as a child standing with my arms held outwards.
6. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
As a child I was obsessed with anatomy. I would study anatomy books and charts for fun, memorizing different areas of the body. For a long time I wanted to work in a Biohazard Level 4 unit as a scientist or doctor (I was a bit obsessed with the movie Outbreak). To this very day I read books on virology and still find myself intrigued by the detailed delicacy of the human body.
7. Why did you choose art therapy as your profession?
It is the synthesis of two halves of my spirit – art and helping others. I majored in studio art and minored in psychology. It is the perfect melding of these two disciplines. Also, when I was hospitalized for an eating disorder during my high-school years, it was an art therapist who saved my life. A body tracing project I did with her led to a personal epiphany that my self-perception was deluded, and that if I didn’t make changes quickly that I would literally be risking my life.
8. If you could live in any time period (other than the present), when would it be and why?
Most definitely the 1960’s. Feminist literature and art have consistently inspired and pushed me towards modes of nontraditional thought and action. Modern women owe activists of the second-wave feminist movement gratitude for many rights that we tend to take for granted – equality in family, sexuality, workplace, and reproductive rights (among many others). Their bravery, courage, and stamina underlie the foundation of our continuing personal and political equalities.
9. What blogs inspire you?
http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/
http://beckyshander.com/blog/
http://cathycullis.blogspot.com/
http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/
http://almastoller.typepad.com/almastoller/
10. What artists inspire you?
Currently I am most inspired by artists that I discover through blogs, or those I find in magazines like Somerset or Cloth, Paper, Scissors. Aside from these sources I have been unfailingly motivated by Frida Kahlo, Caravaggio, Gustav Klimt, Kiki Smith, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Betye Saar, Ana Mendieta, and Barbara Kruger
11. What cartoon character describes you best?
Scrat from the Ice Age series. Scrat epitomizes a character that sets his mind on something and does anything to achieve success. His obsession with acorns leads him to put his life in danger and take enormous risks. Like Scrat, I tend to be amazingly stubborn in my pursuit of the simplest of things. I grew up with a father who hammered work ethic into me (thank you Dad!), a trait I carry with me (especially in the academic sphere). But above and beyond all of this, I personify Scrat’s energy and quirks (those of you that know me require no further explanation).
12. Tell me about a recent favorite event.
My cousin Jenna’s wedding was held in Ohio last month. It stimulated a new level of love and devotion in my own marriage, as well as forgotten memories of family and summers in Ohio.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Calabria, where the Italian side of my family immigrated from. I would love to discover the roots of my heritage in a personal way, as well as honor the memory of my Nonno, who passed away several years ago. Italians have much to teach me – how to enjoy every aspect of life to its fullest – food, love, art, friendships, and moments of utter nothingness.
14. If you had to give a speech at a high school, what would it be about?
Body image and eating disorders. According to NEDA, “In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia." I believe that prevention and education before the onset of eating disorders could help decrease the alarmingly increasing rise of eating disorders among young women and men. If I was to give a speech I would include my personal story, including the effects of my eating disorder on my mind, body, and soul (including reproductive issues, digestive disorders, cognitive deficits, depression, OCD compulsions, etc.)
15. What is something you are looking forward to?
Graduating from my graduate program in Art Therapy (namely, getting the hell out of Naropa).
16. Name one thing you miss about being a kid.
Living in the moment. If I had to write a letter to myself as a child I would tell her to not grow up too fast, to revel in every moment of pleasure, discovery, and curiosity.
17. What was your worst (but in a funny way) dating experiences?
I can’t disclose this information online. Sorry!
18. What were three happiest moments in your life - so far?
1. Marrying my best friend and love of my life – Adam.
2. Bringing home Maya as a puppy.
3. My surprise 21st birthday party and trip to a casino organized by Adam and his amazing friends.
19. What are some of the pets that you've had and their names?
Chanel – My first kitty. We had to send Chanel to my family in Ohio because my Dad was extremely allergic to her.
Coco – The sweetest Japanese Chin. She was all black with a white diamond on her forehead.
Gizmo – A quirky little mutt with an extreme type – A personality.
Blackie – My mom adopted a black-lab “stud/show dog” when he went into “retirement”.
Bella – An English mastiff. Most of the pictures of us as children in my Connecticut home are now replaced with images of Bella.
Maya – Our baby girl. We don’t know what she is. We’ve been told she looks like a mini Irish Wolfhound, Tramp from “Lady and the Tramp”, and the dog from “Winn-Dixie”.
Maya and I
20. What is something quirky you do?
I make very odd noises at often inappropriate times, create nonsensical nicknames for people, have a ridiculous obsession with candy, mispronounce any words starting with an H – followed by a U, give names to all things in my life (my car is Percy – GPS is Lola – sewing machine is Layla), sing songs instead of speaking (Donica, I share this one with you), will not eat any candy that is green, orange, or yellow, and must stop and pet any dog that passes me by – no matter what (even if it means chasing them down). If you have any other quirks I have not named please let me know!
21. Name three adjetives about each of the bloggers participating in Perspectives.
Instead of using adjectives I’m going to do an exercise in synthesia for each of the bloggers in this Perspectives Project
Phoenix Peacock: Color – red like fire, Smell– freshly cut grass and dried autumn leaves, Sound – a whisk clanking against the rim of a metal bowl.
Chelsea: Color – teal blue, Smell – sun-dried salt water on skin, Sound – the rhythmic crashing of waves against shells on a clear blue beach.
Donica:Color – watermelon green and pink, Smell – freshly split coconuts and pineapple, Sound – the beats and pace of a city - feet slapping pavement, the brakes of a train, honks, laughter, the shouts of vendors, etc.
Jessica: Color – deep purple, Smell – baby powder and paint, Sound – the rolling laughter of people on a roller-coaster.
Happy birthday USA! This morning Adam and I celebrated in our own special way, with freshly brewed coffee, steamed soy and chai, fresh organic raspberries, granulated sugar, yogurt, and cream. All the freshness of summer rolled across our palettes. 
