Anyone who knows Gael Arnold knows that they are exceptionally quirky in all the best ways possible, a fantastic artist, a passionate nerd, and a great friend. However that is just the opinion of the interviewer. Did you know that Gael has a job in the Engineering building? Or that Gael always carries Sharpies? To find out more about what makes Gael one of the most unique people on Rowan’s campus, keep reading!
Name:
Gael Arnold
Pronouns:
They/Them/Their typically, though it can change depending on whether I feel more feminine or masculine that day. I can usually be seen sporting a button with the pronouns of the day on them though! And I am always happy when people ask.
Year:
Sophomore
Major:
Arts in general, probably Fine Arts, though I’m not completely decided yet. For those interested I love working with white charcoals, pen, and am slowly working myself into paints. I intend to write a graphic novel, so stay tuned for that!
What are you involved in on campus?
True Colors, and being a secretary’s secretary in the Engineering building. I don’t get involved with much long term, and typically tend to sign up to help groups with big events, like last year I was involved in most of the previous GSA’s (Now Prism) related events.
Do you have any hobbies?
Serenading strangers outside of my window while playing ukulele, complaining about art, but constantly making art anyway, coming up with new ways to wear articles of clothing that AREN’T the intended use, and pretending that I’m funny while being sarcastically rude to my friends. That last one is usually ruined by my tendency to smile wand laugh while I do it, or to follow it up with an “I love you!” and cuddling.
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The lake behind the Engineering building is really cool to sit around, but Westby is where I feel at home. Whenever I’m bored it’s really fun to just pop into the student lounge and jump into stranger’s conversations. I make a lot of friends that way, but probably also annoy a lot of people.
Is there anything you miss most about being home?
My pets, for sure. My dog Luna has this habit of just lying next to you when you work, or watch TV/movies, and it’s an extremely comforting thing that I tend to take for granted. I also miss being around people who get all my references! Because my family is pretty close, we watch/read a lot of the same things, so a lot of our conversations are half quotes, and half puns.
Describe your perfect date:
It would probably be something pretty low key. Maybe involving music. Like someone playing guitar for me to sing to, there’s TOTALLY vegan food involved, and a ridiculous amount of cuddling, with a pillow fort somewhere in that.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever tried?
I don’t have a lot of weird foods? But recently I had kohlrabi for the first time. It’s not so weird, but the name is a lot of fun to say!
Something not a lot of people know about you:
Besides that I’m really a giant dork? Oh wait, everyone knows that. I’m really bad at this question because I’m really loud and open about all the things I like for the most part. I’m really slow when it comes to learning about new technology? Like, I’ll be 20 in a month, and JUST got my first iPhone today. It is in my hands. I am so lost it’s ridiculous. I can’t even do digital art because the programs confuse me. I’m like a grandparent who calls up their kids to come fix their computer because they forgot to add the capital letter to the beginning of their password. Which I forget to do a lot.
What’s your favorite Rowan memory?
There are an awful lot, and they’re all pretty lame. There were some really fun late night Walmart trips made with friends, and Rocky Horror was just an experience in itself for me. I had never met so many cool people all at once like that! Recently there was a little thing that was nice for me, involving a friend and I making a one o’clock Wawa run because she was a craving chocolate milkshake. We laughed and joked the whole way there and back, and then stood in the kitchen talking about the themed bachelorette party I’d hold for my friend one day that involved a video game themed male stripper and a plaid thong. Enough said. I’m pretty sure we laughed hard enough that we might have woke up the neighbors.
What’s in your bag on a typical day?
EVERYTHING. Aw man, I pack so many things all the time it’s so ridiculous. And I switch bags pretty much every day, even on my masculine days I’ll switch to a messenger bag. There are some things that are random, but typically I’ll carry gum, randomly colored pens, a few highlighters, a sketchbook, my Kindle Fire, my cell phone, my sailor moon compact, a chap-stick, keys, wallet, a pick for my hair, my utility knife (amusingly named Mick Dagger), a notebook, a pencil, and SHARPIES. I like having Sharpies around so I can draw on myself, or other people.