We aren’t just researchers here at the Idaho Policy Institute. Get to know the team with a 25 Questions series.
Q: What’s keeping you busy these days?
A: When I’m not doing school or IPI related work, I enjoy gardening. This year I had tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, onions, asparagus, kale, spinach, snap peas, grapes, peppers, and potatoes.
Q: Three things you could talk about for 30 minutes straight?
A: I can always talk about my cat, self-care, and music.
Q: What advice do you wish you had 10 years ago?
A: I wish I knew how much life’s constants are actually always changing, I would have enjoyed a few people, places, and things a little more if I had known I wouldn’t always have them.
Q: Were you named after anyone?
A: My middle name is Ann, after my grandma Anna.
Q: Favorite place to be?
A: My favorite place to be is in the forest, preferably on a mountain with a river and hot springs nearby.
Q: Oddest job?
A: I worked in childcare for years, and I am always grateful for the ridiculous stories and memories it produced.
Q: What is your favorite quote and why?
A: My current favorite mantra is “Embrace Insecurity,” because it’s never led me astray yet.
Q: In elementary school, what activities did you get excited about and what were you best at?
A: I always liked arts and crafts but was only ever good at the crafts part.
Q: What would you name your autobiography?
A: Return of the Mack
Q: What kind of problems do you best solve?
A: I’m best at solving problems that don’t have one right answer.
Q: What was the scariest thing to you as a kid?
A: Spiders have always scared me, and only a little less now than when I was a kid.
Q: What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
A: I got my undergraduate degree in Social Work with a Spanish Minor.
Q: Something you can’t do?
A: I can’t parallel park.
Q: What sport are you best at?
A: I am not particularly good at any sports, but I like playing for fun. If I had to pick one it would be biking which I don’t ever do competitively.
Q: What is your favorite snack?
A: Right now my favorite snack is hummus and pita.
Q: What are your parents’ occupations?
A: My mom is a teacher among other things, and my dad is a Social Worker.
Q: Do you have any pets? How many? What kind?
A: I have 1 pet, my cat Minnie. I’ve had her since she was a kitten, and she is now 14.
Q: What do you get lost at work in?
A: I usually get lost at work at things that are task based. I like the organization of crossing something off my list.
Q: Favorite cereal?
A: Unpopular opinion – Grape Nuts.
Q: In a team environment, what role do you usually take on?
A: I usually play an organization/project management role.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat?
A: My back patio is my favorite place to eat.
Q: Your favorite invention?
A: The telephone, because of how many times it’s allowed me to talk to my people even when they aren’t with me.
Q: What do you worry about?
A: Most things, and it’s usually not worth it.
Q: Do you play an instrument?
A: Someday I will know how to play the piano and guitar.
Q: What is your favorite sport to watch?
A: Anything live, and football on T.V.