As a way of celebrating the first day of spring we decided to sit down with the pinkest, cheeriest, sunniest of them all—our very own HCB writer—Liliana Jimenez (AKA #BlackVelvet #DJWickedFesta). This trilingual (English, Spanish and French) senior politics major from Chicago was just ending a phone call to home with a huge smile on her face and tears streaming down her cheeks.
Why, you ask? This señorita had just been informed that she’d received a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Turkey after graduation. Sitting down with Lily, we learned that she is not only sharply smart and successful, but also refreshingly down-to-earth and relatably silly.
What are three words that describe you?
“1. Sarcastic 2. Open-minded 3. Beyoncé.”
McDonald’s or Guacamole?
After a lot of thought about the above question that ‘hurt her soul’ to answer. Lily chose guac. Why?
“If I didn’t choose guac, I don’t know what my life would be.”
Ryan Gosling or Bradley Cooper?
“Bradley Cooper.”
Jennifer Lawrence or Gigi Hadid?
“Jennifer Lawrence.”
You’ve seen Lily’s writing about cuties around campus (shout out to Will Levangie and Josh Zimmer), so we wanted to find out what attracted her to this opportunity.
Why did you decide to start writing for HCB?
“I saw that my good friend Becca was editor-in-chief. I was like ‘I have pretty important sh*t to say’ and I feel like when I saw the Campus Cutie articles that I know a lot of cute guys that could definitely get a good plug in there, and I feel like I have enough of a satirical twist to make [the cuties] sound really good.”
Lily’s satirical edge became obvious in the conversation that followed. But along with her sharp wit, we saw a responsible, caring, creative young woman who has a soft spot for felines and the ability to infuse any room with laughter.
If someone gave you a thousand dollars right now what would you do with it?
“I think I’m honestly really bad at saving money and would want to go on a shopping spree, but given where I am in life, I probably should save it and put it in a bank account. But otherwise, I would give it to my sister to spend during her semester abroad.”
What three things would you need if you were stranded on a deserted island?
“1. McDonald’s (classic club sandwich and fries) 2. Bradley Cooper 3. The Great Gatsby [the book].”
What is your guilty pleasure?
“Watching tra$hy shows like Real Housewives, I Love New York, Keeping Up With The Kardashians. I see how dysfunctional people are and I know as long as my life doesn’t get to that point I’m doing something right.
We know you’re a huge fan of cats, can you tell us a little about your love for the animal, and how you foresee them being incorporated into your retirement lifestyle?
“I would just like to clarify I am always going to be a cat lady at heart and I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. I think cats are really underrated and really underappreciated in American society. When I do get to retirement age, cats will be a really important part of my life along with other things but yes, they will have that important value. They will enjoy the luxuries that I’m hoping to provide to them.”
What traits do you look for in the ideal man?
“Three things: sense of humor, intelligence, honesty. Physical qualities are not my top qualities.” (Authors’ note: But she ain’t opposed to a man-bun and a little stubble, boys.)
Do you have your eye on anyone?
“Yes.”
If you could be any celeb who would you be?
“I’d be Jennifer Lawrence because she has a very carefree spirit. I wish to emulate that because when I get really stressed out I take life a little too seriously.”
Nearing the end of our interview, it became clear why Lily describes herself as ‘Beyoncé — like Queen B, she’s fierce, confident and compassionate.
What’s your lifestyle motto?
“The best things in life are free, the second best are really expensive.” – Coco Chanel
If you could give any advice to your freshmen self what would it be?
“1. Drink two glasses of water before you go to bed. 2. Don’t be afraid to say hi to people!”
Watch out for this globetrotting powerhouse whose passionate determination is bound to change the world, starting in Turkey next year. Rawr.
Istanbul, Turkey (Photo Credit)