Campus Profile Claire Leong

SPU junior, Claire Leong may seem quiet at first, but upon talking to her you will soon learn she has a quick, wicked sense of humor and is extremely intelligent. She has a personal blog (www.clairetakesseattle.blogspot.com) and has a sarcastic yet very real writing style. She recently got her teaching certificate and will be a student teacher next fall. She is passionate and driven, yet fun loving and completely hilarious. I sat her down and asked some random questions about her life, interests and favorite things.

Name: Claire Leong

Age: 20

Year: Junior

Major:  Education

What is one life lesson your students have taught you: You can solve a lot of problems if you’re willing to say “I’m sorry” and admit you’re wrong

Hobbies: Running, hiking, brunch, reading (novels & British magazines), good music, drinking too much coffee, and organizing my planner

Relationship Status: In a committed relationship with my day planner

Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA

Favorite thing about Seattle: “Neat-ure. Patagonia. Seahawks. Coffee” I love the freedom. There’s so much to do and I rarely get bored. And the city is so big I don’t have to worry about running into weird kids I went to high school with at the grocery store.

What are three words that describe you: “funnier than you” just kidding. Kinda. Search @clairemackenzie on Instagram and judge for yourself.

Favorite quote: ““And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about.” –John Steinbeck

Favorite book: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

What is one thing you hate doing?: dealing with idiots

Guilty pleasure: Staying at hotels by myself. I’m not kidding. Everyone should do it at least once.

What is your ideal day?: Depends. A lazy day would be sleeping in, eggs benedict brunch with good coffee, reading a good book and finding a new hip backdrop for a back-to-the camera Instagram pic. Which everyone hates on but is actually jealous of. 

Fun Fact: I have gone both skydiving and scuba diving.