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Humans of USU: Erica Cooper to run marathon Saturday

The Utah Statesman interviewed Erica Cooper, a senior majoring in English teaching from Sandy, Utah.

Utah Statesman: What is your favorite hobby?
Erica Cooper: I like to run, currently. But I kind of dabble.

US: What’s the longest distance you ever ran?
EC: I’m running a marathon on Saturday, so it will be 26.2 (miles).

US: What is the hardest part about training for a marathon?
EC: I think the last three weeks, I just got sick of running. It’s not the running so much, it’s just the repetition of it all. It’s like, “OK, this is is enough. I never want to run again.”

US: What’s the best song to run to?
EC: I like, I think it’s Macklemore, “Can’t Hold Us” or something. That one is my favorites right now. I feel like I’m going to have a 30-minute playlist of that one for the last couple of miles.

US: Do you have any exciting summer plans?
EC: I’m going to stay up here and work at the library and do anything else, I guess. Nothing too exciting.

US: If you could live in any location in the world, where would you go?
EC: I would probably go backpack Europe my whole life. I think that would be awesome. I went to Spain last summer, so I really liked it there. I think I’d go there. It’s nice and warm; maybe some island somewhere.

US: How do you feel about online dating?
EC: I feel like it’s more acceptable now than it ever was, and I feel like that’s kind of the direction things are going to go. I don’t personally like it. I feel like it’s kind of impersonal, but I understand the need or the popularity, I guess.

US: What’s your favorite article of clothing?
EC: I love scarves, so wintertime is fun for me. I love scarves and boots. I either like boots or sandals, so I hate sneakers and in-between shoes. I don’t know why. I either want to wear flip-flops or I want to have huge boots with wool socks on.

US: Why did you decide to come to USU?
EC: Kind of just convenience. It’s far enough away that I’m away from home, but close enough if I want to go back. And it’s super-cheap – well, relatively cheap.

US: What do you predict will be the hardest part of being a teacher?
EC: I think just dealing with different students’ learning abilities and desire to learn, because you’ll have some kids who are like, “I want to be here, and I want to do this,” and then others that are like, “This is pointless. I’m never going to use this in my life.” I think trying to appeal to different types of students and different types of learners.

US: Do you have any secret talents?
EC: I like to crochet. … I made fingerless gloves once, which didn’t take that much time, but I thought it was cool. I’ve done a hat before. I did a blanket for my dad’s birthday, so that was nice.

US: What’s the best thing about working in the library?
EC: I get to do my homework while I work, so it’s my favorite. The people are great, too. It’s really just a relaxed, chill environment. It’s the best job I ever had. It’s probably the best job on campus.

US: What’s your dream job?
EC: Sometimes I think that if I could dance, I’d like to dance, or paint or something. Just something super artsy, but I’m so bad at every art-related thing that it just wouldn’t work out.

US: What’s your favorite summer activity?
EC: I kind of like swimming. I feel like I like swimming the first time because it’s like, “Oh, I haven’t swam in months.” And then it’s just kind of like, “OK, chlorine, and gross.” I like being outside at night during the summer because it’s still warm. It’s not too hot, not too warm, not too cold. I like bonfires. Summer bonfires are fun. Barbecues. Being barefoot and wearing flip-flops.

US: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
EC: I hate when people don’t use their blinker when they’re driving.

US: What are you most looking forward to with school being out?
EC: That I won’t have to do when I’m in school? Probably homework because I hate going to class and then coming home, and I feel guilty if I don’t do homework, but I have to get it done, but I really don’t want to because I’ve been in class all day.

US: What advice would you like to give to a large group of people?
EC: Just be nice to each other.