... with Apologies to Vanity Fair and Marcel Proust
In fall 2014 the College of Humanities welcomed six new faculty members in Central American Studies, English, and Linguistics/TESL. As their first year at CSUN drew to a close, we asked them to respond to a brief, modified Proust questionnaire, so named for Marcel Proust, who answered a similarly probing set of personal questions twice during his lifetime.
Many thanks to our faculty members, who so willingly shared with us their time, thought, wit, and honesty. Each answered only the questions to which they wished to respond.
Linda Alvarez Assistant Professor, Central American Studies Program
Dr. Alvarez earned her Ph.D. in political science at Claremont Graduate University. Her latest research focuses on political knowledge and transnational political engagement among underrepresented groups in Central America and the U.S.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I believe happiness is a state of mind. (I know that is such a textbook answer, but it’s true!) Once I realized that there was no real perfect anything, it became much easier to find happiness in everything.
Photo courtesy of Linda Alvarez
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is limiting myself because of fear.
Which living person do you most admire?
I admire my parents. They have overcome so many things and are still happy, awesome people who love to live and laugh.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Fine, I confess, I am a functional procrastinator.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Arrogance.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I spent $12 on toothpaste once…but in my defense, it was vegan, organic, fair trade, chocolate-flavored toothpaste.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting a Ph.D. was pretty great for me. My high school counselor was sure I was going to end up a statistic, but, alas, I conquered!
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Well, if I died, I would come back as myself just to give a good, hearty scare to all my friends and family. Of course, the overarching goal of my return would be to inform everyone of what it’s like on the “other side.” I would walk around everyday wearing a shirt that said “Spoiler Alert” on it.
What is your most treasured possession?
Animals are not a possession, per se, but as their guardians we are considered their “owners,” so, in that sense, I would have to say my animal companions. I treasure them immensely.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
My lowest depth of misery was studying for the qualifying exams. What a horrible thing to do to students….
What is it that you most dislike?
I really dislike when people come over to my house unannounced. We all know those people who say, “Oh I was just in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d drop by and say hello!” No. Don’t do that. Call me first. I might be really engulfed in an episode of The Walking Dead and then people “drop by” and everything is altered, forever.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would most like to be able to sing like Etta James and play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix. (I know that technically that is two talents, but they kind of go hand in hand, so I think we can let this one slide.)
What is your motto?
Make It Happen.