Please give a warm welcome to this week’s Member of the Week:

Hufflepuff
Mikaela
aka Mikaela


Mikaela is posted in purple and as usual, Kris is in green

Hello
Hey
Congrats on alien being a boy!
Thanks. lol
You're welcome. lol I have a few minutes if you'd like to begin...?
Sure thing.
Great!

First of all, thanks for agreeing to be interrogated.
N-no problem *gulp*
For the record: what is your username, usergroup, and what would you like me to call you?
Mikaela, which is fine for the interview (Mike for short) and what is a usergroup; as I am entirely computer non-savvy? lol
I think you are Hufflepuff... I should have asked what house *smacks head*
That's ok; and yes, I am a Huffie. *beams*

Well, to kick off this interview, why don't you tell us a little about yourself: age, location, interests...
Well, I am a 19-year-old Canadian and I'm studying in linguistics and psychology right now.
ooo... where in Canada (if you don't mind me asking)?
Er, in the east. lol (I'm a little reluctant to be more specific... may i be mysterious? )
Mysterious is good.
hehe

How did you come up with linguistics and psychology? Is there something in particular which drew you to those fields?
Oh I've wanted to be everything from a circus performer to a surgeon ( no joke!)... In the last few months of secondary school I was going to become a librarian or something to do with literature and then, I took a careers test and I heard of speech-language pathology. And well, I've been passionate about it ever since. So now I became one of those people who just know what they want to do… ...and I haven't looked back.
That's awesome.

So, when you aren't learning about speech-language pathology, what do you do in your spare time?
I read... and read, and read. lol I also like fencing, but I haven't really done any in nearly two years... I miss it. I just need to find a good club. I've got my eye on one right now... And then there's knitting, which is the only "lady-like" thing I actually enjoy. lol

Oh- and I love working at this tiny bookstore because everyone loves talking about books there, of course.

Hmm I have to get ready for class - can we continue later?


A little while later….

Hi; sorry about ending so abruptly last time - I hadn't realized it was so close to my bus leaving.
That's ok.
Actually, it was your interrogation technique. lol I was just too intimidated; it must be tough to be so feared.
teehee

Well, I just reviewed where we left off and you were telling me how you like to read and read and read and that you were interested in fencing but, haven't been able to do it in two years... does that sound about right?
Ah yes, I was trying to hide the fact that I've had Hermione syndrome ever since I began university and I don't have time for much else. heh
oooo... Hermione syndrome- now that's a real HP fan description. LOL
lol Isn't it, though?

So, you used to fence?
For a couple of years... Now I think I'll take it up again because the other option is to go crazy. There's something about the sport that makes it an art... It's not about how hard you hit, it's about finesse and skill... hmm just pulled another Hermione there. Lol
No, that makes sense. Fencing almost looks more like dance than fighting, or like dance while fighting or something like that. LOL It seems like it would be a good stress relief. I took one fencing lesson because I showed up early for a tap class once… it was interesting.
I've tried all sorts of things, including about 4 different kinds of dance (I danced from age 5 to about 13), but nothing ever gripped me from the start. The boring, repetitive stuff that's supposed to be basic and just something you put behind you were fascinating. Either you get it or you don't I guess…. The boring stuff for fencing, I mean... oops lol
Are you any good? LOL
At the fencing...? hmm, well I only competed once and my team came in 8th... out of 8. You be the judge, heh

Well, my coach said that individually I had a lot of "potential."
What kind did you do? (epee, saber, foil, um... are there others? I can't remember fencing too well?)
Ooh, I'm impressed! Those three are it, actually. I never got to saber... I started with foil, of course, then my coach started me on individual lessons for épée. He said that I was pretty strong at épée. I was the only girl being trained individually, so I had to fight boys and men... argh. Women tended to not - how shall I put this? - try to drive the point right through me lol (This interview is making me very anxious to take up fencing again LOL)
*inspires*
hee hee *bows*
Well, maybe I should move on before you start drooling, then...
LOL good idea

You also mentioned that you like to read... three times, actually. What kind of books (aside from HP, of course) do you like to read?
hmm... before Ms. Rowling there was Lloyd Alexander. Impeccable writer, amazing characters, a little repetitive when it comes to plots. Aside from that, it's a wide-open field. I love French and Brit classics. I remember being obsessed about Anne of Green Gables for a couple of years, too lol
Oh dear, Anne of Green Gables. LOL I'm not a huge fan- my friends almost tied me to a couch to make me watch the film and wouldn't let me get up to use the bathroom for fear I'd run out the front door. LOL
Oh, well, the film wasn't quite the same, but… hee hee

But, enough about me and Anne of Green Gables... Let's talk about your HP obsession.
Yes, let's!
How did you first fall in love?
It all started with my younger brother's boxed set... I smuggled it away from him and loved the books. I've followed them since then. It was a very unexciting debut, actually. I just picked them up like any other book, but the style was just so... perfect. I had to keep reading!

Did you read the books before seeing the films?
Oh yes. I read the first 3 books in Grade... 9, I think, so I was about 13 or 14. I think the 3rd film got me back into the spirit of things... I realized that there really were a lot - a LOT - of other people excited and passionate about HP.
Yes, there are quite a few of us, aren't there? LOL

Who is your favorite character?
SNAPE!! *ahem*
Interesting.... LOL Can you tell us why the magnificent potions master is your favorite character?
Well, I used to have to defend myself to those who loved the trio better than anything, but I really didn't know why. I think I just like the fact that the more we find out about him, the more the plot gets interesting. And of course, he obviously knows a lot. Sometimes I want to shake the book and shout "WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?!?" at him. Lol He's my favouritest one. I have others I like a lot, like the twins and Tonks, and of course dear Remus (thanks to David Thewlis, mostly).
Yes, but I think we'd all agree that Snape is the best. *cough*
Of course *chuckles nervously*

So, what about a least favorite character?
Uh-oh I have to take off. ack! I will answer that later, is that ok? I'm so sorry!
Sure thing, no prob, have fun!


And a little while later again….

Hello
Hello
I'm not on my own computer (I have a French keyboard) so I apologize for typos in advance.
No problem; I edit these anyway.

I think you were asking me about my least favourite character, right?
Yup
Hmm. Well the only time I don't like a character is if they're poorly written. I mean, we all love to hate Umbridge and Voldemort is like Iago in Othello; he's a match for Harry. I guess the people I really don't like are annoying girls like Cho or Fleur. lol
lol Why do you find them so annoying?
I don't know, honestly. I'm re-reading GoF for the second, maybe third, time, and I really don't like Fleur's attitude. Hehe I guess Cho is OK - I think the way she stands up for her friends, like Harry, should be admired. But I guess I just think our little Harry deserves someone else. lol
Interesting... Care to divulge who you think Harry should be with?
I don't think he'll end up with anyone, honestly. To me it's obvious Hermione and Ron have some chemistry, and Luna is a very close & valuable friend. But I think Harry, the lonely hero, will end up alone, which is kind of sad.
Yeah, I can see that. *pets Harry* But, if you could chose who he would be with, who would you pick for him?
Hmm. I guess if I was really hard-pressed, it would be Ginny. Although he is good friends with Hermione. Harumph - this is a tough question lol. I think Ginny - it just seems to work.

I take it you aren't a shipper, then?
lol no - I'm much too indecisive, as you can see. I think friendship is important, and Ms. Rowling does an amazing job of developing them among the characters. I'm just along for the ride; to see who she decides will be with whom. lol
I like that. I don't care for shipping, either.

Is there a character you look up to?
Several. I like Remus because he's so kind, quiet and patient - I come off as patient but only because I have a terrible time controlling my temper (I answer snappishly and then I feel bad). I like Professor McGonnagall because she's both strict and caring. I'd love to have her as a teacher. And Tonks, because I resemble her most physically and personality-wise. She's too big to be little and too little to be big, but she's OK with that because she knows who she is and she won't compromise that.
Well answered.
*Takes a breath* Thanks

So what brought you to SS (aside from your HP obsession)?
Oh that's a good story *rubs hands*
I love good stories. *sits patiently to listen*
LOL. It was just before the 3rd movie was going to come out and I was starting to get very interested in HP stuff again, after having read the books and putting them aside, and seeing the first 2 films. I decided to try to find a Snape pic to put as my MSN icon (I was finally going to be frank about my Snape-liking)... Well, despite a strict safe-search mode on Google and Alta Vista, very er - distasteful pictures of Snape and Harry popped up and I closed the browser in horror and indignation. That prompted me to look for HP sites aimed at all ages. I looked at Mugglenet, but that didn't suit me. I ended up at SS, where the staff were friendly, the rules fair, and if I felt like it, there was a 15+ section. The irony is that I am now one of the people unable to download pictures from the SS Gallery. LOL
Awww... we're working on getting those problems fixed. I hope it's soon.

So, aside from that bug, how do you like SS?
LOVE it! The games are fun, the people are nice... it's saved my sanity because despite my course load I've been able to channel my creativity into writing fanfic and making avvies. Vote SS people!!! *cheers*
Yes, and not just on HPANA, we need to get people voting at Ranklists, too. *shameless plug*
Hee hee! Good thinking! And I always make sure to vote on both... The rating on the Ranklists are pretty dismal compared to HPANA.
Yeah.

So, what could we do to make SS even better?
*Blank stare*
lol
I really can't think of anything... lol
You're no fun. LOL

Are you active in the School RP at all?
*sighs dramatically* I've heard that before... I started to participate in the School RP and it was really fun, but it turns out I have enough with my "real" school. LOL
Well, I suppose I can understand that.

Alright, time to start wrapping things up.
Alrighty *pouts* I think having best friends in biochem made this more fun than you meant it to be.

Ok, I just need to ask you one thing before I get to last week's MotW's question: Are you JK Rowling?
LOL I remember his question. It was: Do you think Harry will live or die? And I think he will end up far away, whether it's physically or metaphysically... I like to think he'll end up with his parents and Sirius. But again, that's another thing I like to leave up to Ms. Rowling. lol Maybe he'll end up like Frodo or Arthur, like that article that was up this week in the Prophet.
I think our previous MotW would be content with that answer.
*grins*

Now, of course, you need to come up with your own question for the next MotW...
Ah yes... *ahem* "If you could be related to any person in the Harry Potter universe, who would it be and what would their relation be to you?"
Oh, I like it.
Thanks!
That's a really fun question.
(I had all week to think on it, mind lol)
lol

Well, since you follow these interviews, you can probably guess what the last question is and why I ask it...
Refreshing Yellow Watermelon Sorbet
Yummy; sounds really good because I'm thirsty.
I dunno if it exists, but I'd like to try it… Oh dear! *Hands a bowl of Sorbet*
Thank you *takes the sorbet* and thanks for allowing me to interview you.
No, thank you for interrog - I mean, thanks for interviewing me.



Thanks again, Mikaela, for that lovely interview.

Tune in next week for another amazing adventure into the lives of our SS members.