Interview

A few weeks ago Antonia answered some interview questions asked by Laurathecrazymamma, and I took her up on the offer to interview me. I enjoyed doing this, and would be happy to “interview” you if you are interested.

Instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me".
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions.)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

So, here are the 5 questions Antonia asked with my answers...

1. Who is your confirmation Saint & why did you choose her (him)? If you didn’t choose a confirmation Saint, whom would you choose?
My confirmation Saint is Thomas Aquinas. He is dear to me for many reasons, but I initially chose him as my confirmation saint for two reasons. He is the Angelic Doctor. Where I lived during high school, there is a lot of Wiccan and new age spirituality. Thomas’ writings helped me to understand angels from a Catholic perspective. Secondly, he was called the Dumb Ox in school. At the time I was quiet and felt misunderstood by my peers; Thomas was an inspiration that it was okay to not answer every question in class. And he’s a Dominican!

2. From your blog I have got the impression that you teach some sort of science (chemistry? pharmacology?), but I was wondering what subject you actually do?
I have been teaching part of the general chemistry lecture course this semester. (Final exams were this week, and I’m done grading already.) In previous years I have taught laboratory courses in general and inorganic chemistry. Laboratory sessions with undergrads are never dull. My research background is in radiopharmaceutical chemistry, developing novel agents for imaging cancer and cardiovascular disease.
I also teach the third grade Catechism class at a neighboring parish on Sunday mornings. The children are delightful.


3. What is the nicest location you have you ever visited?
I haven’t had the opportunity to travel extensively but enough that I must pick from a few strong contenders. Italy is easily my favorite place. But choosing the nicest place from there is difficult. I love the canals in Venezia, walking along them or traveling down them; stumbling upon small churches tucked away in small “streets” that still contain some of the most striking religious art; simply sitting in a piazza and watching the locals and the tourists pass by; San Michele which captured my imagination as a child and has never let go. Saint Anthony’s Basilica in Padova is simply amazing. I have spent large portions of days in the church and its courtyards. The rich history of the University evident as you walk around, and the botanic garden is breathtaking. The treasures of Roma are varied and marvelous. The ancient Roman ruins, the Churches, and the art intertwining over a long and rich history. And the Città del Vaticano, although small, is a Catholic treasure-trove between the museum and St. Peter's Basilica.

4. What is your favourite dessert food & why?
I like to bake, but I am not overly fond of most desserts. My favorites are seasonal. In summer I love my mother’s No Dough Blueberry Peach Cobbler. It’s tasty, simple and perfect for warm summer days. In winter I prefer pumpkin pie made without a piecrust, just the filling. The warm custard-y filling with spices evokes cozy fireside images.

5. Tell us a little about something you are particularly interested in (anything at all: churchy/religious/hobby/general interest).
I have a postcard collection. It started when I was young, and my grandparents traveled frequently. My grandmother sent post cards to my mother on which she only wrote “Love, Mom.” I loved the pictures of interesting people and places and the postmarks and stamps from around the world. So I would often squirreled them away. Eventually, I actually started to catalogue them and ask people to send me postcards when they traveled. Some even have stories attached to them. The one of Denver International Airport is not particularly attractive, but my grandmother stood in line at the airport post office to mail it on the day that the new airport opened. When some colleagues went to a meeting in Aachen two years ago, I asked that one of them send me a post card with a Pope Benedict XVI stamp.