With the launch of the new JLB website, we also unveiled our new and improved bios. In addition to a brief synopsis of our lives, personalities and jobs, our bios now include a section of “just for fun” questions. One of questions “What’s your favorite novel/movie?” really stumped me. I don’t know how to answer the question “what is your favorite novel?” because the answer depends on the day, the genre and my mood.
It reminds me of when I returned from my semester abroad. Because I studied in a lot of different countries in Western Europe, everyone asked me what my favorite place was and what place I would return to. I hate this question because it has no answer. Returning to a place depends on what I would be doing there…going to school (Oxford), backpacking with friends (Spain) or whisked there by a gorgeous guy (Venice). And “favorite”, well that depends on what defines favorite…the food, museums, churches, natural beauty or memories, what classifies favorite?
My experiences are deeply intertwined with places. My best and most literal “once in a lifetime experience” was going to my friend’s godfather’s chateau/ in Beaune, France. We went to celebrate with his harvesters the day they finished picking grapes in his vineyards. My favorite food overall was in Italy, favorite meal however is more difficult…ordering beef carpaccio at a restaurant in Rome or a meal prepared by “Papa” when our group occupied every room in his family-run hotel. The surprise of loving Germany was thrilling, making friends at the Hofbräuhaus and a German lady practice her English and helping us order from the very foreign menu. Of course, studying at Oxford was surreal and I loved how the town was ours for a fleeting moment…there are uncountable memories there and it will always be one of my favorites.
So no, I don’t have a favorite novel or movie or a favorite place in Europe. To choose one favorite would be impossible. But in my “just for fun” questions, you won’t be surprised to see that my #1 “thing to do when not at work” is to travel.