Interview conducted via Facebook on 2/7/10

Jessica: Give me some general information about yourself- kind of like a Myspace biography. What would you say to someone who didn’t know you?

Alex: My name is Alex, I'm a student at RPI majoring in Chemical Engineering. I am very girly (I love the color pink, wearing makeup and dressing up cute, shopping, etc.). I really enjoy eating- taco bell and pasta mostly. I am very involved in my sorority Alpha Phi. I'm so happy I became a sister. I'm social chair in my sorority, which means I organize mixers with fraternities and formals for my house. I have a pet bird that I adore. I have a brother and sister and I'm very close with my sister. I'm very determined and try to work hard.

Jess: We've been friends for awhile, and it all started because of bad romances. What have you learned from your dating experiences?

Alex: I've learned that I want to be with a guy that is similar to me in his beliefs on relationships. For example, my ultimate goal is having a family and I needed to be with someone who has that same ultimate goal. Relationships never work if you have different ideas about them.

Jess: Do you think 'true love' exists, and if it does, what do you believe it consists of?

Alex: I do think true love exists. It just takes a lot of work and dedication.

Jess: We met through talking about guys, but this all happened at our high school. How has going to Catholic school affected your religious beliefs?

Alex: Catholic school turned me away from going to church and practicing my religion. I still believe in God and believe in all of the Greek Orthodox teachings (at least those that I know of.) My mom really spent a lot of time taking us to church and educating me, my brother and sister about the religion and that dedication is why I believe in God and the teachings. Definitely not because of Catholic School. They taught it all wrong because they made you feel like a bad person if you didn't agree with them.

Jess: Throughout high school, you were always the studious one and graduated second in our class... smarty pants. Is college the same for you?

Alex: College is not the same. I have to work harder and you have to apply a lot of different concepts to solve problems. I think its harder because I also am able to do more than just study. In high school, I wasn't allowed to go out whenever I wanted- in college, I can do whatever I want.

Jess: What is your major like and what do you hope to do with your degree after your finished with schooling?

Alex: I love what my major can offer- countless opportunities to work in countless industries. Ideally, I want to work at a makeup company. A chemical engineer would focus on creating the process that creates large amounts of chemicals and materials as efficiently as possible, so if I were to work in the makeup industry, I would be creating large quantities of makeup. I hope to go to law school also and become a patent lawyer for chemical engineering patents. If I could get a law degree and work at a makeup company, that would be the best.

Jess: Ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Alex: In ten years, I see myself married and hopefully a housewife. I want to retire and spend my time baking pies and decorating my house and taking care of my children.

Jess: And ten years ago, what were things like for you? Any memories that stick out?

Alex: Ten years ago, when I was 9, my family had celebrated its one year anniversary of living in North Andover, MA. All I remember around that time was move-in day when I was 8 and my 3rd grade year when I was 9. I hated 3rd grade- I always got in trouble for flirting with boys.

Jess: Everyone has something in their past that they aren't proud of. What have you learned from the negative experiences that you've had?

Alex: I've learned that you've got to take care of yourself. There is a certain point when you've got to do what is best for yourself even when you want something else to work out. I used to try to fix things that I couldn't fix. I've learned to let things go.

Jess: This is a broad question, but answer whatever comes to mind. What inspires you?

Alex: The prospect of a nice family and nice home is what inspires me to do well and to not give up.

Jess: Do you have a motto that you live by?

Alex: I don't have a motto- I just try to do what's best for me and what will help me achieve my goals.

Jess: How about a song? I know you're a Beatles fan like me. Are there any songs that really mean something significant to you? If so, why do they mean so much?

Alex: I like the song "Brighter than Sunshine" by Aqualung. I've always wanted to be with someone that makes me feel like the lyrics in the song describe. I actually don't listen to music that much anymore, but when I was in high school my favorite George Harrison songs were "All Things Must Pass" and "Isn't it a Pity?"

Jess: Lastly, how's that damn bird of yours? You must miss him while you're in NY.

Alex: I love my bird! He's doing well but he has gotten so moody and angry and bites me a lot. I still think he's adorable though.