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Romania through international eyes

Vivid Questionnaire - An Interview with Diana Metiu

May 2005

Diana Metiu has gone from strength to strength since her first encounter with the Vivid Questionnaire, in September 1999. Then the editor-in-chief of Unica, the popular women’s magazine, Diana has since branched out and established dmi, a PR firm specialising in events, launches and casting.

Vivid: Ce faci?

Bine, multumesc! It could always be better, and it could always be a lot worse.

What is your earliest memory?

Walking in a forest, with my grandparents, eating wild strawberries. I could barely walk, I couldn’t have been more than two and a half.

What is your second earliest memory?

Walking for about three kilometres, then a storm came, and I tried to hide in a ridge formed by tractor tyres. First came thunder, then rain, then sunshine. It was such a special light. My soul was full, over-full with feeling. It was the first time I grasped the power of nature.

What were you like at school?

I was a bit of a dreamer, only interested in my own world.

What is the last CD you bought?

I don’t buy CDs any more - my daughter, Ana, makes MP3s for me.
If you went on ‘Mastermind,’ what would your special subject be?
I’ve never really completely mastered anything. Does anyone?

Do you collect anything?

No, nothing. I’m not material at all. I like life simple. Collecting can become obsessive.

Would you sunbathe naked?

Yes, I did, at the Vama Veche in my youth.

Would you bungee-jump?

I’d be too scared now. But I was really a courageous girl until I married, at 19.

But now that you are divorced, would you bungee-jump?

I have to recover my courage!

Have you got any scars?

A small one on my right leg, from when I fell off a fairground ride, aged 8. The shock was such that I didn’t feel anything for more than an hour.

Would you ever consider getting a tattoo?

Never. I just don’t think people need them. I wouldn’t do anything that was irreversible.

Where did you spend your most recent holiday?

Last summer I visited all the monasteries in northeastern Romania, on foot. It was wonderful, and took about a month.

If you could holiday anywhere, where would it be?

Really, I value peace and quiet so much that I could go anywhere to find it. I’ve heard so much about Africa though and would love to go there.

If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

I cannot reconcile to myself exactly why, but I would live in Romania.

What is your greatest personal sporting achievement?

That I’m still doing sport: aikido, twice a week.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I’m very conservative on food. And because I’m lazy, I eat simply. I do like sushi, though!

Describe an enjoyable meal.

When I did the Questionnaire last time my answer was, “A comfortable armchair and a first class lipstick on my lips.” Now it would be a comfortable armchair and charming company.

Describe the best party you ever went to.

Those I’ve organised myself – and there have been some really good ones.

What is your most recent extravagance?
I’m not extravagant. I don’t know one kind of car from another. I’m not into expensive clothes or shoes. I don’t care about jewellery, or technological gimmicks.

What is your favourite musical instrument?

The drums. I’d love to be able to play them.

What are you best at doing?

I’m a very good organiser, and administrator. I’m capable.

What five words best describe you?

Organised, ordered, dedicated, genuine, intuitive.

What do you like least about yourself?

Sometimes I let others interfere in my moods. I react, when I should have ignored them, or reacted differently.

What do you like least about yourself physically?

Beauty is so in the mind. I used to be more self-conscious, but not any more.

If you were not doing your current job, what might you do?

I might be a speliologist, or a sculptor perhaps. I love rocks and metals. Cristian Lascu is one of my heroes.

Where were you on 22nd December, 1989?

I was with my ten-week-old baby. Even if I wanted to go out, I couldn’t have. It was like a theatre. I didn’t believe it was really happening.

What do you do passionately?

Almost everything. If something isn’t done passionately, it’s probably not worth doing at all.

What is your most prized possession?

My child, my family and my friends.

Can I see what’s in your handbag?

Sure. There are two mobile phones, a hanky, a packet of tissues, two pens, a packet of tictacs, an ID card, a wallet containing DM’s business cards, eight other business cards, a perfume (Escada Rockin’ Rio eau de toilette), chewing gum, cigarette lighter, company fiscal info, notepaper, a comb, money, and some keys.

What might you be reincarnated as?

I’m not sure about reincarnation.

What is the most you have ever paid a hairdresser?

I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for many years so the price isn’t too exorbitant.

What was your first car?

A second-hand, shark-shaped, cherry red BMW, bought soon after the Revolution.

What do you do in hotel rooms?

Try to enjoy them.

What is your all-time favourite television show?

The ones I’m invited on (that’s a joke). Seriously, television is so bad these days I can only think of a few channels I can bear to watch, such as the Discovery Channel.

What is your all-time favourite work of art?

It so depends on my mood at the time. I like Klimt’s women, especially their faces; I like El Greco’s angels and Van Gogh’s cloudy skies over rooftops. I like the stained glass windows of gothic cathedrals.

Have you had any interesting jobs before this?

All of them were interesting, but I recall with particular pleasure the time I worked at the Village Museum, and the time I wrote for the magazine, Contemporanul.

How much money have you got on you now?

100 euros, and about the same in lei.

What is your favourite website?

I like photo sites. I like to watch.

Is the art of letter-writing dead?

The last time I wrote a real letter was to someone in the army, when I was 18. But it was a very nice letter.

Have you ever written a letter to a newspaper or magazine?

No, I’ve worked in many of them though, so if I’ve wanted to ask a colleague a question about something in the paper, I’ve just leant over and asked.

Can you recite a line of poetry?

Yes: “ Hei Doamne! Cand ploua ce faci?
Te plimbi sub umbrela, sau stai sub copaci?
Te uiti pe fereastra? La noi te gandesti?
Poate – ai vrea sa cobori si, cu noi, sa petreci”
“Hey God! When it rains, what do you do?
Do you walk under an umbrella, stay under a tree?
Look through the window? Do you think about us?
Maybe you want to come down, and spend
some time with us?”

A friend, Florin Anton, recently gave me these lines.

Have you ever been refused credit?

No, because I never asked for it.

Are you happy with your passport photograph?
Fortunately I’ll be getting another passport soon, but I’m sure the photo won’t be any better (after spending four hours in a queue at the police station to get my picture taken!)

Who is the sexiest person in the world?

Kim Basinger, but Liv Tyler is gaining on her.

Who is the sexiest person you know?

I have a database of more than a thousand sexy people.

Describe your most recent dream.

I dream feelings, and sensations, not stories.

When did you last have too much to drink?

About fifteen years ago. I remember it was an orange liquor. I went to get up and couldn’t; I lay down and everything was spinning.

What is the best rock concert you were ever at?

I don’t go, but if Aerosmith came to Romania, I would.

If you had three wishes, what would they be?

I care about everyone, and want everyone to be happy and satisfied. I hope that my daughter has a happy and healthy life, and I hope the same for myself!

If a film was made of your life, which actor would best play you?

Milla Jojovici, or maybe Michele Pfeiffer, or maybe Isabelle Adjani.

What is best about living in Romania?

It’s nature: the natural springs, mountains and trees. The respect and care Romanians have for each other. The simple faith people have in God, in everyday life.

What Romanian would you most like to meet?

I would like to meet my soul mate.

What question would you most like to answer?

“Did you lose weight?”