Vivid Questionnaire
Tara Anderson
Social life in Bucharest has never quite been the same since the arrival of Tara Anderson in 2000. Originally from California, Tara launched her own swimwear brand in 2007. She talks about her life in the Vivid Questionnaire
Posted: 24/01/2008
"I was an expat for part of my schooling, a spring-board diver, participated in many sports, on the dean's list for academics a few times, took drama class, a cheerleader for years, a homecoming queen."
- Tara Anderson
So, how's life?
Very interesting, thank you. How's life for you?
On a scale of 1-10, oooow about 7. Do you, or have you, ever had a nickname, and if so, what?
Tara Belle. My grandmother gave me the name, after herself, (she's a southern belle from Savannah, Georgia). The rest of my family and friends picked up on it.
What is your earliest memory?
My father getting me to fall back asleep when I was a little girl of 2 or 3 years old.
What were you like at school?
I was an expat for part of my schooling, a spring-board diver, participated in many sports, on the dean's list for academics a few times, took drama class, a cheerleader for years, a homecoming queen.
A cheerleader? Then you must be a good dancer?
I like to think I can hold my own.
What is the last good book you read?
Marley and me by John Grogan. I laughed, I cried! Anyone who's ever loved or owned an animal, will love this book.
If you went on 'Mastermind,' what would your special subject be?
I guess 'the entire series of Friends' or, if it were a subject, 'family history'.
Do you collect anything?
Handkerchiefs. I have around 15 or 20.
That's scary. Would you sunbathe naked?
No, I'm too shy. But I would partake in skinny dipping.
Would you bungee-jump?
Only if my brothers were there to witness it!
Would you ever consider getting a tattoo?
No, I prefer tattoos on men, not women.
Where did you spend your most recent holiday?
The last great holiday I had was with my family in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
If you could holiday anywhere, where would it be?
I've never been to Africa. A dear friend lives in Cape Town. It would be great to have a chance to visit.
If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
In a place with a lot of fresh air and land around me, with a body of water close by, and a fruit, vegetable and flower garden in the back yard. It would have to have a large fireplace and lots of love.
What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?
Grits. The texture is so odd. My grandmother is from the south (Georgia) where it's a common dish.
Grits are weird. Describe an enjoyable meal.
Fresh healthy food; great friends and family around; candles, music and a beautiful sunset.
What is your favourite kitchen implement?
Honestly, I like the old school methods of mixing and chopping. A good knife, pot, fork and a wooden spatula can accomplish many tasks.
Describe the best party you ever went to.
My brother Scott and I share the same birthday month. Since we were kids, each time we've had a party together, it's always been the best.
What is your most recent extravagance?
A new pair of winter boots, bought at the Hush Puppies store on Calea Mosilor.
When was the last time you cried?
Last week.
What is your favourite musical instrument?
My brother Troy's voice. I also enjoy the guitar, saxophone and piano.
What would you personally like to achieve in the future?
Happiness and harmony.
What five words best describe you?
Loyal, creative, benevolent, down-to-earth, stubborn.
What do you like least about yourself?
My procrastination, although I work best under pressure.
What do you like least about yourself physically?
My freckles.
What qualities do you most admire in a man?
Humour, gentleness, conservatism, feeling, nurturing, talent, passion, defensiveness, contemplativeness.
What qualities do you most admire in a woman?
Empathy, grace, humour, accountability, femininity, perseverance, stability, prosperity, dependability.
Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?
Its half-full and there's plenty to go around.
If you were not doing your current job, what might you do?
Take the day off.
Who is your favourite character in Sex and the City?
The whole cast is incredible. I see a lot of myself in Carrie; Samantha does things with gumption to push envelopes for women.
Where were you on 31st December, 1999?
Laguna Beach, California. My cousin (and best friend), Kelli, and I threw a black-tie millennium party at her parents house which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, complete with caterers, waiters and fireworks. Every one of our friends pitched in for the extravaganza (after all we were still students). It was so much fun!
Where were you on 22nd December, 1989?
Getting ready to move to New Zealand with my parents and siblings.
What do you do passionately?
Down-time. It's hard to elaborate: I'm a Taurus, I love my down-time.
What is your most prized possession?
The second world war journals and photographs of Lloyd George "Andy" Anderson, my grandfather, who was one of the first Navy Seals and fought in the South Pacific.
What is your worst addiction?
Talking on the telephone. It's a bit embarrassing to admit that I talk for hours upon hours with my close friends and family.
What might you be reincarnated as?
A better version of myself (minus the freckles and procrastination).
What is the most you have ever paid a hairdresser?
I had to get hair extensions for a project I was working on; I'm embarrassed to give you the exact price, let's just say it was extravagant.
What was your first car?
A white Mazda Miata with a tan convertible top.
What do you do in hotel rooms?
Dream of being back in my own bed.
What is your all-time favourite television show?
Friends.
What is your all-time favourite work of art?
My cousin, Ed Massey is a famous artist and humanitarian; I like his newest work Garden in Transit very much.
Who is your favourite James Bond?
Sean Connery is the iconic 007.
With which biblical figure do you most identify?
Mary Magdalene. I think she's misunderstood and inaccurately portrayed.
Have you had any interesting jobs before this?
Yes: lifeguard, flower-shop girl, actress, model, waitress, marketing specialist.
Have you got any pets?
Yes, a larger-than-life grey Persian cat named Oscar Davis.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A dolphin; in love all day long and playing in the surf with my mates.
How much money have you got on you now?
Well I just received an invoice from my attorney, so probably a bit less than if you asked me ten minutes ago.
What is your favourite website?
My cousin Ed Massey's site www.edmassey.com; and his Garden in Transit website www.portraitsofhope.org
Is the art of letter-writing dead?
I enjoy writing and receiving letters by post very much.
Can you recite a line of poetry?
"How much wood, would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"
Have you ever been refused credit?
I was working for a few weeks on the film As Good As It Gets, but my acting scenes were edited out of the final cut and with it, my film credit.
Are you happy with your passport photograph?
No. I just had to get a new passport and the regulations now won't allow you to smile and hair must be tucked behind your ears. That must be what taking a mug shot feels like.
Who is the sexiest person in the world?
My boyfriend.
Who is the sexiest person you know?
My boyfriend.
Describe your most recent dream.
I dreamt I was going to miss a flight, couldn't get to the airport, it was a matter of life and death, I was desperate and in this strange city at dusk which was a collage of buildings, waterways and infrastructure of all the cities I've ever traveled to, my siblings were there and then I woke up.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
For Bucharest: Remove all vehicle horns; eliminate harmful chemicals from farming practices
For the States: Increase in opportunities for alternative medicinal practices for the masses.
For the globe: Healthy drinking and irrigation water for everyone.
If a film was made of your life, which actor would best play you?
Kate Hudson or Cameron Diaz.
What is best about living in Romania?
Living in a country where my family originates; more so, seeing all the growth and opportunities for the people (and parent's of those) who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much, to get to this place, and who will carry it further in the future to the best interest of Romania and her citizens.
Which social cause is the most urgent?
Two actually: Universal child education, and I am pleased to have been involved in the Halloween Charity Ball for Ovidiu Rom right from the very beginning; also clean drinking and irrigation water is, in my opinion, a right not a privilege.
What Romanian would you most like to meet?
It's not possible because he passed away before I was born. But I would like to have met my grandfather.
What question would you most like to answer?
So what's happening next in your life?
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