First Person Survey for: Rosemarie Corador

Name Given at Birth: Rosemarie Milena Corador

Nicknames: Rose, Marie

Hometown or where you were born:  Smolensk, Russia

Current Residence: The vardo

Age:  16

Class: gypsy, for we are a class of our own

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am a gypsy, and I love to dance, so that is just what I do.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I do know how to swim, and after all is it not easier to get clean when there are no clothings? Yes, so I've been a time or two.

Do you make fun of people: well, not much I must say, for I am pretty low in class, and getting myself in trouble really isn't worth it... though sometimes, I must admit, I do slip up.

Favorite Color: My favorite color is blue, because it reminds me of the beautiful sky back home.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: The depends on whose views you see my actions by. For I see the law as more just guidelines, I prefer to live by my own laws and rules. But I suppose committed, yes, convicted no.

Closest friends/How did you meet: My closest friends are my gypsy sisters. We did meet through many travels, joining to dance together.

One Pillow or two: neither for I have the ground, quite comfy I rather think.

Pets: I have no pets, and animals are friends not pets anyway. however pets are not allowed in the vardo.

Favorite Type of Music: Drum beats, for all my life I have loved dance.

Hobbies/Pastimes: Dancing, collecting shiny things, and playing games with the other gypsies.

Personal Hygiene: well you see I do like to keep as clean as possible, but I must say what with being gypsy and all you just get used to the dirt. after all the reverancing there's just no choice in the matter.

Favorite Food: My favorite foods are strawberries, I love the sweet sugary taste.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: I am sorry to say that my parents died when I was only at the age of 9.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: It saddens me to say that my parents are dead. For they died of a horrible fever I was blessed enough not to catch.

Favorite place to relax: My favorite place to relax is under the stars and moon, I feel it is the most inspiring time for thought and dance.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: The Harvest festival is my favorite. There is always more than enough food to go around, everyone is cheery and happy, and there's much dancing to be done. It is a festival after all!

Favorite Drink: I would have to say my favorite drink is a vary warm mug of apple cider, it's quite sweet, and great to warm the body in the cold.

What's your bedtime: Dark, for I can no longer see to dance or work.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: My gypsy boots of course...though I must say there tends to be quite a bit of dirt too.

Are you married or single: I'm single, you see when I was younger the people of Smolensk thought me too mad to marry, too obsessed with dancing and roses and fun to be a good bride. Now I don't think much about it, I am much too busy dancing with my gypsy sisters.

Do you have a family / who are they: My family are my gypsy sisters, and my dear cousin.

Favorite Entertainment: Why dancing of course! Or teaching others to dance!

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Fetching the water, I got to get away and dance freely or let my mind wander.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Cooking...I was never too good at that...

Favorite Sport: My favorite sport is my most favorite thing to do...Dance!

Most Humiliating Moment: We were dancing, and I tripped over my own feet and knocked over the entire troupe during a very important performance.

Proudest Moment: My cousin and I were left after my parents died, so we, being girls in love with the art of dance, decided to dance for a way to live. One day we were dancing and Goldie came to see us. She saw our performance and said we were good enough to join her and the rest of her gypsies.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Why me of course...or mayhaps Goldie.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Hmmm...well I look for a man who is kind, well off financially, well placed in society, funny, and daring.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" Goldie would be our overlord, though she doesn't like us to think it that way, she is also a friend.

Favorite Sport to watch:  Fencing

Do you remember your first kiss: Well yes I do, I had been dancing at a festival much like this of course, and I caught a lovely gentleman's eye.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: No, I did leave them behind in Smolensk. I would very much wish to go back and see them again someday. I now have my gypsy sisters as my friends, and the many people we meet along our journeys.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Everywhere is a vacation spot for me for we are never there long. Though I must say my favorite of all the places we've been must be Canterbury.

Have you ever been overseas: Well of course, what kind of gypsy would I be had I not been overseas? Our troupe dances through all the lands

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Dirt or grass, sometimes wood when I am in the vardo.

What is your bed made of: again it is made of dirt or grass, wood if the weather is bad, then I sleep in the vardo.

How many people sleep in your bed: me and the rest of the girls, and all other animals that wish to cuddle.

1. I love to dance.

2. I love roses.

3. I love the freedom of being a gypsy, and don't really wish to be married away.

4. My cousin joined my parents and I after her parents died in a fire.

5. I'm 16.

6. I love the sound of music, I think it is a great expression, and I love to dance to it.

7. I love to play games.

8. I love dancing in the rain. After all I do also get clean.

9. Though some would expect me to wish to be in higher class, I am quite happy where I am, you see otherwise I wouldn't get to dance as much.

10. Gypsies are more fun!