Get to Know Me Better Through 25 Questions
A random assortment of information about me that flew right onto the page
The White Cape is a newsletter that shares the interests, evolution, and changing perspective of my little white Cape Cod-style home, and the people (mostly me) inside it.
Recently I was delighted to read ’s 73 questions inspired by the Vogue video series. We all know this one, especially T Swift’s tour of her (stunning, cute, charming) Beverly Hills home during her 1989 all-press-all-the-time era. The camel pea coat draped over her shoulders as she steps outside is so classic 2015 I couldn’t love it more. The VMA she uses as a coffee stirrer. Her desire for chicken tenders that are manifested into real life 7 years later. The arc is beautiful, and I am here for it.
With a few new readers here (hello, welcome, thank you for being here!) I decided to follow Madeline’s lead and give a glimpse into who I am at this moment in time. I am interested to look back on my answers in a few years, as life and its challenges continue to shape me, and see how I’ve evolved.
Special note: This one is pretty long, so I encourage you to read it in your web browser or in the Substack App.
Without further ado, here’s a deeper look at my life through 25 questions:
What is your biggest strength?
I like to think that it is my dedication. I am so incredibly persistent when I have a goal, and I will refocus myself toward reaching it to an * almost * unhealthy degree. This has been useful for moving my life forward while feeling in control of my destiny.
What is your biggest weakness?
Maintaining my composure when I am, in fact, not in control of my destiny. I am feeling this ever so strongly these days, as I am awaiting very large life milestones that I have no ability to influence. Normally in these situations I completely spiral. As someone who has struggled with a diagnosed anxiety disorder for most of my life, I am triggered by an inability to do anything about getting the thing that I want. I have hinted at seriously struggling throughout my first year postpartum last year, after experiencing a significant change to my life, family health issues, death, and an overwhelming hormonal imbalance.
After reaching rock-bottom, I have made a conscious effort to control my thoughts, reactions, and emotions. When I can’t control what’s happening outside of me, I focus on what I can control inside. Historically this would spiral into disordered eating. I would be lying if I said that I haven’t revisited old ED patterns these past few months, but I have not completely lost myself in them, which is something.
Each day, when I feel a fire start to build deep in my stomach, I take a breath and say out loud: “The way you feel in your body will not impact what happens in the real world.” And so, I have tried to Let It Unfold. The progress and growth I’ve made in this area of my life is so profound, I cannot help but feel immense pride in myself for the composure I’ve held during this uncertain time.
Say it with me now:
“The way you feel in your body will not impact what happens in the real world.”
Do you believe in astrology?
Not to the point where I talk about it and stuff, but I do google “Gemini horoscope” pretty regularly to get a glimpse of what’s to come. I do this more often when I am in moments of seeking control (like right now). It helps me find a glimmer of reassurance while I otherwise feel like I am flying through the wind.
For those wondering, I am a Gemini Sun Cancer Rising. I do not know what this means.
Do you prefer the window or aisle seat on a plane?
Window so I can lean my head against the side of the plane and feel supported, but honestly I’m an anxious mess throughout the whole flight experience so where I sit doesn’t really matter.
What is your favorite sport to play?
I suppose running since that’s what I do all the time but I also like casually shooting hoops, and I played tennis twice last year. I’m actually really athletic but don’t have the time to pursue an organized sport with any regularity, so I stick to my running, biking, swimming, lifting, and yoga.
What is your favorite sport to watch?
Basketball (go Huskies!) and hockey (go Caps!). Unfortunately, I end up watching college football the most because my husband is a big Penn State fan. After watching the Beckham documentary this summer, I decided that I’d like to become a fútbol fan, but I have not taken any action on that yet.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Passionate, kind, sleepy.
What did you want to do with your life at age ten?
I wanted to be a lawyer for a long time. This changed during my second year of college after taking a communication theory class and fell in love. Joke’s on me for switching from pre-law to a major that is generally made fun of, but joke’s on everyone else because I have made a nice, cushy career for myself.
Do you wear glasses/contacts?
Yes, glasses. I used to only need readers, but after becoming pregnant I developed astigmatism, and now I have quite bad vision at all times. I use my glasses for reading close up and also viewing things at a distance, but I usually only wear them when watching TV, reading, or working.
What is a cause that is important to you?
Gosh, this one is tough. I feel deeply in my soul that we need to address gun violence first and foremost in this country. Followed by deep-seeded systemic biases toward race, sexuality and gender. Misinformation and lack of critical thinking has also been a shocking disappointment since 2016.
Women’s health and a general lack of research or interest in women’s bodies is a whole other source of stress for me. Based on my search history from last night, you can tell I am thinking about how, as always says, women never stood a chance.
P.S. most of the results for this query referenced the book Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. I read this a few years ago, enjoyed it, and think it can even be expanded upon.
Sweet or savory?
Savory for most of the day (I love crackers and chips) but every single night I must have dark chocolate chips.
Who were your celebrity crushes growing up?
Like Madeline, I too loved Jesse McCartney and Zac Efron, and I too loved the show Summerland. I’m dying to see this resurrect on a streaming service one of these days.
List three things you can’t live without:
Real answer: my daughter, my husband, my dog.
More fun answer: dark chocolate chips, running, sunshine.
What book did you most recently finish?
The Wedding People by Alison Espach. Required reading for everyone. Read my reaction here.
What are you currently reading?
The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore. I saw this absolutely everywhere this summer and didn’t want to be left out. So far I’m enjoying it although I am not sucked in yet. I bet that will change soon.
What specific thing do you love the most about your home state?
I am from a small beach town in Southeastern Connecticut. When I was growing up, I was convinced that there was nothing appealing about Connecticut. The people were terrible, the landscape was boring, the history was lacking. The career opportunities and places to visit and outdoor spaces were entirely absent. After being removed for almost a decade, and building my life for myself literally brick by brick, I look back at my home state with new perspective and appreciation. Of course, there are the large and glaring issues that are still present, but my home town is so special that I consider moving back about two times a year.
I will not be moving back, mostly because there’s no possibility of a career for myself or my husband. But the beach, the proximity to both New York and Boston, the relative ease of life (in comparison to the hustle-bustle D.C. culture I am so absorbed in) is really quite appealing.
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Hustle HARD in college so I could graduate a year early and then move to D.C. When I moved away, I knew no one and was freshly 21. I leaned into my independence, built a life for myself, and established a community that I still cannot part myself from. This was the greatest, most adventurous thing I’ve ever done for myself.
What music have you had on repeat?
I recently bought a new car that comes with a Sirius XM subscription so I’ve been loving the Alt Nation and Coffee House stations.
What is your favorite way to workout?
Running! I got very, very into running in college and ran three marathons in my early 20s including Boston. Running has brought so much value to my life, including my best friends, my husband, and my peace of mind.
What is the first thing you do every morning?
Stretch my shoulders then go to the bathroom.
What is the last thing you do every night?
Read :)
What was your best subject in school?
AP English and AP U.S. Government. I got three awards in these subjects including some presidential distinction that was signed by Barack Obama himself (it was most likely a digital copy of his signature).
What was your worst subject in school?
Chemistry oof.
Late nights or early mornings?
Early mornings! I originally named this Substack “Morning Person” but then quickly realized the newsletter is a very established and special place here so we quickly changed the name and concept. Thank you for all you do!
But yes, I wake up at 5:00am each day including weekends for my “quiet time.” All parents understand what I mean.
What is a quote that always inspires you?
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” - Dr. Seuss
Bonus Question:
What are you loving on Substack right now?
Some new favorites that I haven’t mentioned yet! , , , , , , , plus so many more.
I feel like we are getting to know more about each other each week, and I have enjoyed spending time sharing bits of my life and my home here. Thanks again to for inspiring this post, keep doing what you’re doing.
As always, thank you for being here.
Kelly
Kelly, I loved this vulnerable and revealing peek into your world! And reading it definitely confirmed that I’ll be reading The Wedding People next.
(Thanks so much for the kind mention, too. It means the world to me that you’ve been enjoying my own writing!)
Thank you for the love and mention!