Caught on Campus: Belly dancer and self-proclaimed nerd would use superpowers to help others
Utah Statesman: Why did you come to USU?
Swenson: It was the only school really that I could afford, and my family lives here. I only have to walk a couple blocks to school.
US: What is your favorite thing about life here at USU?
Swenson: The diversity ofathe clubs that are on campus. There is something for everyone. From all the multicultural clubs to the sports to dancing and other random ones.
US: Are you a member of any of those?
Swenson: Yes, actually I was involved with multicultural student services for several years. I am also a member of the belly dancing club and the German club, of course.
US: What got you interested in belly dancing?
Swenson: I’ve always thought it was something cool. Then, when I actually saw a flyer on campus, I got really excited. I love to perform. I really like dancing.
US: What is your least favorite thing about campus?
Swenson: The inversion. Winter.
US: What five words would you use to describe yourself?
Swenson: Artistic, insane, lovable, beer-drinker
US: What makes you insane?
Swenson: Well, if you could see the world inside my head, you’d understand.
US: What did you want to be when you were a little kid?
Swenson: When I was a little kid, I wanted to be an actress, but that has changed. Now I just really want to write and to make and direct films. That would be my dream job. My ideal realistic dream is to be a German professor somewhere.
US: If you were a character in a movie, what would you be?
Swenson: I’d be Jules from “Pulp Fiction.” Samuel L. Jackson’s character. He’s sensible and reasonable. He’s cool under pressure.
US: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Swenson: I would be one of those superheroes that looks like everyone else, but would know just exactly what to do at the right time to make some random person to feel better about their day or about themselves. Just do the random things that everyone needs to make their day go better.
US: What would you do with an unlimited supply of monkeys?
Swenson: I would train them and take them on the road to Europe and watch all these Europeans gawk at me as I run around with my monkeys. I would train them to follow me like I didn’t know that they were there and then have them attack me and see if anyone would help me.
US: If you were to build your dream house, what would be a special feature or room you would add?
Swenson: I’d probably like to have a little swimming pool in the living room. Make it really deep so you could jump off furniture and not hurt yourself.
US: Do you have any pet peeves?
Swenson: I’ve got plenty of those. Of course, when you get thinking about it, life’s really not that bad. Probably just overly judgmental people in general.
US: Who in your life do you admire most?
Swenson: I’d have to say my little cousin. She was born with spina bifida. She’s just a little girl. She has all sorts of health problems. Seems like every month she’s got to go to the doctor for something. But still, she’s just the sweetest little thing. I really admire her ability to cope with this excessive burden of problems that she’s been given at such a young age.
US: What are your plans for after college?
Swenson: After a little time chilling out and just dancing, I want to go to graduate school in Austin.
US: What is on the top of your wish list right now?
Swenson: I don’t know if they’re real or not, but one of those global plane tickets. Where you pay a lot of money and can use it anywhere within three months. So I can say ‘Where do I want to go today? Doesn’t matter, I can go anywhere.’
US: What would you say is unique about yourself?
Swenson: I’m unique, but I just don’t know why . . . I’m a nerd and a belly dancer who works at the library. Need I say more?
US: What was your favorite piece of clothing you had as a child?
Swenson: I remember in first grade I had this pink sweatshirt with white kittens all over it. They were doing all sort of funny things like doing each other’s hair and prancing around. I just loved it, it was so comfortable and I thought it was so cute.
US: If you could have an exotic animal for a pet, what would it be??Swenson: If it wouldn’t kill me, I would love to have a really big Siberian tiger. It would scare everyone to death, but it would love me
US: If you could go anywhere and do anything for a day, what would you do?
Swenson: I would want to go somewhere really far away, really exotic with really different people – and somewhere with a beach. I would hang out with the people and explore.