20 Questions

A longggg timeĀ ago, Ashley over at A Lady Goes West posted a 20-question “Get To Know Me Better” survey. I thought it sounded like fun, but figured I’d reserve my actual post for later, when I was super swamped, so here it is now! (I frequently blog into the future, har har. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do…)

20questions

If you’ve been following me for ages, you probably have picked up on at least a couple of these things, but sometimes, it’s nice to have it all in one place!?

1. Whatā€™s your whole name?

I know it seems dumb since I blog about my entire life here, but hard as it may be to believe, I’m a fairly private person. Let’s just leave it at Farrah. :O

2. Are you named after anyone?

Yep! I was named after Farrah Fawcett. I know, I know. You can totally see the resemblance. :O

3. Do you have any siblings?

I have one older brother! (We are 13 months apart, and he’s one of my best friends! :)

samffseesaw

4. Where did you grow up?

San Francisco Bay Area!Ā Since graduating from college (UC Davis represent!), I’ve lived for a year in New Jersey, 2 years in West Virginia, and 1 year in Kentucky, and over this past year, I’ve pretty much been all over the country. I’m goingĀ back to New JerseyĀ for my residency in Family Medicine, so I’ll beĀ staying there for the next 3 years!

5. What activities did you do in high school?

  • Piano!
  • Art classesĀ (here’s a hummingbird that I drew wayyy back when–complete with a recipe for Hummingbird Cupcakes!)!
  • Gymnastics team!
  • Copy editor/photographer/staff writer for the school newspaper!
  • Layout editor for the school district newspaper!

I also tutored elementary school kids, taught piano, and volunteered as a science camp counselor.

Gymnast

In my senior year, I found out I needed a fine arts to graduate, so I auditioned for and got into the treble ensemble group on campus + was a chorus member in my high school’s production of Annie Get Your Gun!*

MSJ Annie Get Your Gun cast

Good luck finding me. :O

*If I hadn’t made it into the musical, I would’ve tried out for track and field because yay for sprinting! :O

…Reallyyyy didn’t look like I was gonna go for med school with that sort of background, huh? :O

6. Where did you go to college?

I went to UC Davis for 4 years! Twas a very well-spent 4 years–I really miss college. :P

Blue Polo Day 2010 @ UCD

Here’s a bunch of my friends from music chillin’ outside the music building for Blue Polo Day! :]

7. What activities did you do in college?

Oh hell. Aside from the 110 classes (here are some of my favorites!) I took?Ā Um…let’s just limit it to the things I did regularly, shall we?

  • Future-Career-Related
    • Volunteered in the Therapeutic Recreation/Child Life department at Shriners Children’s Hospital! <3
    • Volunteered as a patient advocate/medical interpreter at Paul Hom Asian Clinic (free primary care clinic staffed entirely by volunteers)
    • Volunteered as an ER receptionist at Sutter Davis Hospital (+ also in Medical Records)
Dames & Fellas A Capella

Dames & Fellas A Capella!

  • Artsy-Fartsy
    • Dancer/Club Secretary for Na Keiki ‘O Hawai’i, a social + cultural dance group at UCD
    • Started up a no-audition a capella group with a couple friends called Dames & Fellas A Capella! (The “DAMES + F” comprised all our first initials. :P )
    • UCD Music Department’s unofficial emergency accompanist (aka when my friends’ hired accompanists randomly crapped out on them or broke their fingers the day before their recital, I was their go-to person because I’d always find a way to learn their music on time)

VitaminWater would often donate cases of drinks to us. :D

  • Employment
    • Music librarian! (My boss loved me because she was fairly selective about the people she liked, and really appreciated that I’d deal with everyone for her)
    • Piano teacher (I had two super-cute kids! Their family was super nice and had I had more time, I would’ve been their babysitter as well. I graduated them to my own piano teacher after I could no longer be in Davis to teach them!)
    • Accompanist/Pianist
    • Research subject

8. What did you study in college?

I started college as a Biological Sciences major, but found out on the first day of my classes that if I took the three co-requisites for music, I would be considered a music major, which translated to free instrument lessons! (Oh hells yes!) Ever the avid deal-finder, I decided to go for it (also because I didn’t want to give up on music as a part of my life).

Whilst reading a course catalog for fun (don’t judge me), I wasn’t too thrilled with the courses I’d have to take as a general Biology major, but pretty much every required/elective course in Exercise Biology looked all sorts of interesting, so I officially switched my major and declared my double major in my junior year!

exb

<3

The deans of both my colleges decided to forgo my unit cap and let me take whatever/however many classes I wanted, so long as I promised to graduate in 4 years.

Long story long, I ended up graduating with two degrees: Exercise Biology and Music Performance (Piano). :D!

9. What was your first job out of college?

Not sure I canĀ answer this because although I’m out of college, I’m…still in school. I taught piano and was an accompanist though, so I’d play for events/banquets and for people’s auditions/performances and such!

10. What kind of music do you like?

I’d be somewhat of a failure of a music major if I didn’t mention classical, so I do adore classical (particularly the Romantic period–yay for Chopin and Liszt!), but it makes me sleepy. I also love symphonic metal, instrumentals, video game music, piano rock, and anything with awesome guitar and/or piano solos.

I think my musical taste is fairly diverse. The only genres I forserious cannot stand are rap and country.

11. Whatā€™s oneĀ hobby that youā€™d like to take up?

I’m gonna assume this means something I haven’t tried/done before (because that list is endless–see #19). I’m gonna go with fire hooping!

12. What did you think you wantedĀ to be when you grew up?

I was torn between wanting to be a vet or a doctor, but I don’t think I could ever bring myself to put down anyone’s pet, and then I started volunteering at a free clinic as a patient advocate/medical interpreter, so I had to do some soul-searching.

Ethel & Farrah

My compromise = becoming a people-doctor so I can have the funds to donate to no-kill shelters. :]

13. Whatā€™s the biggest project on your to-do list right now?

For the longest time, it was getting into and graduating from medical school. Now that that’s happened(!!!), I guess it’s to do super well in my residency so that I’ll be an amazing family physician!

14. Do you have any irrational fears?

…I really am not a fan of porcelain dolls. I’m also slightly apprehensive whenever anyone’s holding an umbrella near me, because I’ve almost had my eyes stabbed out at least several times by unobservant people.

15. Have you ever traveled outside the country? If so, where and when?

My mom loves to travel, so luck is with me in that for most of my life, I got to go with her! I’ve been to Mexico, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Thailand, Taiwan, Greece, Turkey, Italy, England, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Malta, Egypt, Costa Rica, Columbia, Dominican Republic

dominican republic

16. Whenā€™s your next vacation and where are you going?

What are these vacations you speak of? (I’d really love to go to Hawai’i though!)

17. Do you speak any other languages?

Kindasorta? I’m fluent in Cantonese, but that’s considered to be a dialect and not an actual language (haters), and I was fairly competent in Mandarin at one point, but it is now reserved for life-or-death-type situations. I need to learn Spanish, because knowing multiple languages is pretty darn usefulĀ in the medical field.

18. Whatā€™s one talent that you wish you had?

Singing/Dancing. I can sing, but I lack the ability to project (or just never learned), so people can’t hear me unless the microphone sensitivity’s turned all the way up. With dancing…it’d just be nice to be good at it. :O

19. Whatā€™s something that you wish you did more of?

Spending time with loved ones, dancing (pole, hula, Tahitian, salsa, aerial silks), singing, volunteering, reading, cooking, sleeping, working out, having a life…

pole silks class

Pole Silks class!

20. If you werenā€™t in your current job, what would you want to be doing?

I just started myĀ first year of residency in Family Medicine, but if I couldn’t do that (:[!), I’d probably be a nurse practitioner!


  • What’s a talent you wish you had?
  • What’s a hobby you’d like to take up?
  • (Or just answer one of the 20 questions up there, in the comments…or in another post? :O Let me know!)

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28 comments

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  1. I also wish I was more musical – I have no musical skills at all and I pretty much don’t have any interest in music period (gasp!) This is kind of surprising considering I was in band and an all-state clarinet player for more than 10 years of my life.

    I also wish I was more into movies/films so I could be in on all the random movie quotes people throw around. It’s surprisingly hard to have a conversation with people sometimes because it always reverts back to movies… “You know, it’s like that movie when…” “Ummm, no I don’t. I haven’t seen it.” “WHAT?!?! HOW HAVE YOU NOT SEEN IT?!?!”

    1. hahaha, that’s pretty darn impressive to get that far whilst not having any interest in music!

      Sigh, me too! Most of the movies I know and quote aren’t all that recent, and there are so, so many “classics” that I’ve never seen. (I get that same reaction from people too. ._.)
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  2. What a great survey! You’re accomplishments are so varied and interesting! I wish I was musically talented.
    I actually minored in Dance (ballet focused) for the same reason– I got to take “free” dance classes!!!
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Fashion Friday – Purple Kimono Sleeve DressMy Profile

    1. That’s so awesome!! :D Yay for gettin’ your money’s worth too! ;P
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  3. WHOA hold up…. you were named after Farrah Fawcett? That is amazing. Better start looking for a wig and bell bottoms :D
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Hot Wet Race Weekend and Big 10k Giveaway!My Profile

    1. hahaha, can you imagine me with blonde hair!?
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  4. I’m named after Reba McEntire!
    I wish I was really good and drawing/sketching :/ But I have to stick with stick people ;)
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…DIY All-Purpose Seasoning + Pantry Supplies Storage HacksMy Profile

    1. hahaha, I’m all about stick figure art too! :P Whatever gets the message across?!
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  5. Yay Bay Area! Hope your residency is off to a good start! We’re just starting our journey over here. My husbands starting his first year of med school!

    1. Yay! That’s so exciting! :D I hope you’re enjoying it over there! I miss home, but I love the program I’m in! :]
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  6. That so cool that you’re named after Farrah Fawcett! One talent I wish I had is singing or the ability to swim :)
    Edye recently posted…Spice up your summer with #CaseApp + GIVEAWAYMy Profile

    1. Are you near any places that offer swimming lessons? :D?

      I like to jam out in my car when I know I’ll be driving for a while, haha.
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  7. Fun! I enjoyed reading that. I always wished I could sing and dance. Can’t do either! lol! In fact, when I was younger I thought I’d grow up and be a pastor’s wife?!? But all the pastor’s wives I knew sang and played the piano, and I could do neither! lol! Anyway I married a lawyer instead. Hmmmm……but I do feel that my work is my ministry as I coach women in faith and fitness and am a licensed counselor.
    Marsha recently posted…Christmas In July: Sharing Some of My Favorite ThingsMy Profile

    1. I’d love to be able to sing too! You’d think I would’ve discovered how to project by now, but alas…

      haha, aww, I don’t think those are necessary characteristics to being a pastor’s wife! It definitely sounds like you found an awesome way to incorporate your ministry into your life and work, so it sounds like God had other plans in mind for ya! :P
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  8. So fun, loved learning more.
    Farrah Fawcett huh, that’s awesome! Yup, totally see the resemblance, LOL
    You totally need to get your besties together one halloween and do a Charlies Angels costume trio, LOL

    1. hahaha, right?! :P I think my dad’s rationale behind it was that he wanted me to be pretty and well-liked and badass (I may be adding in that last part but I’m stickin’ with it).

      That would be super fun! :P We are unfortunately rarely ever all in the same time zone, but…someday!

  9. I loveee surveys like this! How lucky are you to have traveled to so many awesome places?!

    One hobby I’d like to take up… hmm! Probably rock climbing! I wish there was somewhere I could do it closer to home as I used to love it as a kid!
    Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Baked ZoatsMy Profile

    1. Forreals! I’m so glad my mom loves traveling and is so gifted in finding amazing deals! *-*

      That sounds like fun! There’s a rock climbing wall at the gym near my apartment but it’s closed for the summer since all the college kids are gone!
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  10. loveee get to know you type posts! thanks for sharing :)
    dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Instant Iced LatteMy Profile

    1. Thanks for stopping by! :D
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  11. Woah, you’ve been to sooo many places! I want to travel more, that’s my biggest goal. I don’t care much about things (aside from people and relationships), it’s the experiences I want in life. I always wish I had learned to play the cello. I love the sound of the cello!
    Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating recently posted…JalapeƱo Lemonade Sweetened with Coconut SugarMy Profile

    1. Same here! I think experiences are so much more valuable. <3! That's kinda why I never know what to tell people I want for my birthday/Christmas, haha. I'd much rather just have time to spend with them.

      I definitely have a weakness for string instruments! <3
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  12. I loved learning more about you Farrah!! That picture of you and your brother is priceless! LOL!! And believe it not, porcelain dolls really creep me out too :)
    Sonali- The Foodie Physician recently posted…Dining with the Doc: Mixed Berry Coconut Shortcakes with Vanilla Greek Yogurt CreamMy Profile

    1. hehehe, that picture was from 12(?!) years ago! :P

      They’re so terrifying! :'(
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  13. :) okay porcelain dolls creep the CRAP outta me, too!! Glad I’m not alone :P
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Kale Salad With Creamy Thai Peanut DressingMy Profile

    1. hahaha, you’re definitely not alone! I had a super terrifying dream where one levitated over to me and I was paralyzed and couldn’t get away! :'(
      Farrah recently posted…Stuffed AvocadoMy Profile

  14. I wish I could sing, that would be a fun talent:o)
    Mandi Korn recently posted…Cruise In Car Show in Bethania, N.C.My Profile

  15. Love this post, and I can relate to your dilemma of being a private person and a blogger, but sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and share a little. Glad you did! How else would I have learned that you like video game music – is that even a thing? ?
    A talent I wish I had is to be able to clean up easily. I have been working so hard to declutter our house, but i feel it’s still a mess.
    A hobby???? I’m a Mom! But hey, you asked… so I’d like to take up “sitting at Starbucks and blogging”, and everything else (laundry, groceries, cleaning, my office job) is being taken care of by somebody else… How about that!
    Tamara recently posted…Photographer’s ChoiceMy Profile

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