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Romania through international eyes

Vivid Questionnaire - Laura Teoroc

September 2005

How better to skewer the reputation of lawyers as dull and colourless than to introduce Laura Teoroc, a legal advisor at AVAS, the Authority for Valuation of State Assets, who counsels on bankruptcy and liquidation.

Vivid: Ce faci?

I’m just fine – actually I’m feeling wonderful, because life’s so beautiful.

Do you, or have you, ever had a nickname, and if so, what?

‘Wawa’ because that was how I’d pronounce my own name when I was little, and my father still calls me it. And ‘Kangaroo’ because I was always jumping around at school, full of energy.

What is your earliest memory?

I was two or three, at my grandmother’s, with an earache, and she held me in her arms and did her best to comfort me. Another: I was in our apartment on the ninth floor, looking out over the skyline, thinking I could reach out, grasp the moon and play with it.

What were you like at school?

A reasonably good student. English was my favourite subject, and I was good at literature.

Are you a good dancer?

People say I am. I danced yesterday with my friends, to Directia 5’s Si Ce Daca? Do you know it? It goes: ‘I don’t have any fortune but my love, I don’t have any ambition but my happiness, I got you and all the world is mine.’

What is the last good book you read?

I wake up and read for an hour each day before I go to work. I’ve just finished reading four novels by P.G. Wodehouse, which were great. Now I’m reading Dead Poet’s Society and I really like it.

What was the last CD you bought?

A very relaxing Feng Shui one.

Do you collect anything?

Small bells (not church bells!)

So you are not married. Have you ever had a near death experience?

At this huge fair, in Prater, outside Vienna. I got on a ride, which started off as fun, but I was very happy to get off it. I almost fainted with terror.

Would you sunbathe naked?

I have done when I’ve been in my garden, alone.

Have you got any scars?

Yeap – on my knees, after falling over all the time when I was young, and a few on my ankles, from my dogs.

Would you ever consider getting a tattoo?

I’ve always wanted one, but never known what form it should take and where it should go.

You went to Paris recently. What did you do there?

I walked a lot, and visited the museums – the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Pompidou Center, Versailles. I ate and drank a lot. I cruised on a boat down the Seine.

If you could holiday anywhere, where would it be?

Somewhere warm and sunny with amazing landscapes. Maybe the Seychelles or the Canary Islands.

What is your greatest personal sporting achievement?

Getting through any tae-bo session at Class, in Floreasca. I’m very proud of myself after completing these classes.

Describe an enjoyable meal.

Good company, lively conversation, laughter, soft soothing music, and vegetables, pastas, salads, red wine, and orange juice. I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 11 years, so obviously it would not include any meat.

Why did you become a vegetarian?

Because I love animals very much, and I can’t justify five minutes of pleasure in return for the death of any animal.

Describe the best party you ever went to.

My birthday party two years ago, in my garden, with 40 or so friends. A lot of fun and dancing, music, with people jumping into the swimming pool fully clothed.

What is your most recent extravagance?

In a boutique in Montmartre – Le diable et moi – I bought a wonderful hat, and paid a fortune for it.

When was the last time you cried?

On 14 July, at the funeral of one of my best friends, Lili.

What is your favourite musical instrument?

The saxophone – its so sexy, it can crawl into your soul.

What are you best at doing?

Driving. People trust me when I’m driving. Until I start singing and dancing.

What are you second best at doing?

Teaching. I taught English for seven years.

What would you personally like to achieve in the future?

I’d like to be fluent in more languages, to swim extraordinarily well, to become more of a specialist at work, and have more time to read.

What five words best describe you?

Optimistic, dynamic, accommodating, friendly, and compassionate.

What do you like least about yourself?

My shyness. And I’m also very stubborn. It’s a dangerous combination.

What do you like least about yourself physically?

Almost everything.

You mean your horrible hair, eyes, ears, nose, lips, head, face, figure, right?

If I could I would change almost everything.

Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?

It’s half-full, so can you get me another mojito, please?

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

I’d be a vet, or I’d teach English and French.

Who is your favourite Sex and the City character?

Defintely Carrie – the writer – because she’s crazy and tough and loves her friends, shopping and reading.

Where were you on 22nd December, 1989?

On the streets near the television station, trying to push out Ceausescu.

What do you do passionately?

I’m passionate about animal welfare. And I love riding and mountain climbing.

What is your most prized possession?

My cats, Tasha, and Sushy and my dog Fitza, my apartment and my car, a guacamole green Fiat Panda.

What possessions to you always carry with you?

My wallet, some cosmetics, a perfume or two, and my car CD player.

Can I see what is in your handbag?

Sure. (There is a car CD case, an Oral B dental floss, a business card holder, a brochure for a dental surgery, two phones: a Sony Ericsson K 700 i and a Panasonic GD 55, a phone manual, a phone charger, Orange card for the Paris Metro, a condom (Durex, Ultrathin), Oriflame Milk and Honey Body Cream, Avon On Duty 24 Roll On deoderant, Avon Skin So Soft Hand Cream, Avon Foot Works Foot Spray, Touch Hand Wash, Wallet, one red blouse, an umbrella, cigarette lighter, jewellery bag, key ring, coin bag and pill box).

What perfume have you got on now? It's really nice.

Glam Woman by Versace. Perfume is such a mood thing.

What might you be reincarnated as?

A wild animal – a wolf or perhaps any kind of feline.

What was the most you have ever paid for a hairdresser?

1.6 million lei, about two years ago, but it was worth it. It was done by Costel, the best hairdresser in Bucharest, who made me a redhead and then some years later a blonde.

What was your first car?

A 1990 model, cream-coloured Oltcit, a gift from my parents.

What do you do in hotel rooms?

Open the windows, put on some music and have a shower.

What is your favorite all-time work of art?

The Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. But I hate you for making me choose only the one.

How much money have you got on you now?

53 RON, and my credit card.

What is your favourite website?

Probably 121.ro, and yahoo.

Is the art of letter writing dead?

Almost, unfortunately, even though it is so nice and romantic.

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

No, but I’ve written some articles for 121.ro

When was the last time you were in a fight?

When I was a child, with some boys from my grandma’s village. I always fight with boys.

What Romanian would you most like to meet?

There’s no one particular person whom I’d like to meet.

Who is the sexiest person in the world?

Angelina Jolie. She looks amazing. She has everything.

Who is the sexiest person you know?

My friend Roxana. She’s very sexy, tall with long straight blonde hair. Long, slim legs. Beautiful lips, big eyes. But, all my friends are beautiful and sexy and smart.

When did you last have too much to drink?

At my birthday party, several weeks ago. I was drinking red wine.

What was the best rock concert you were at?

Vama Veche, at Sala Palatului, in May.

If you had three wishes, what would they be?

To visit everywhere on the planet, to find the love of my life (and of course to be loved by him) and to have a great job.

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

Jennifer Aniston.

What is the best thing about living in Romania?

I’m at home – with all my family and friends.