We at A Fresh Chapter developed this version of the Proust Questionnaire, a parlour game from the late 19^th century.  Popularized by the French essayist and novelist Marcel Proust, the questionnaire was designed to reveal your true nature.

 Melanie Vuynovich is a member of the A Fresh Chapter Board of Directors. A communications consultant based in San Francisco, she has been volunteering with AFC for the last four+ years.

What are your favorite qualities in a person? Integrity, authenticity, seeing the need—and the ability to make me laugh.

What is your dream job? I have so many! Travel writer, novelist, professional student, clothing designer, sensayer (an invented vocation from a great science fiction book I recently read)—and so many others.

What is your idea of happiness? A small dinner party with close friends that includes great food, wine and music, set in a balmy climate where we can sit outside and talk about things that matter until the wee hours of the morning.

What talent do you wish you had? The ability to sing and play the guitar.

If you could save one non-living thing from a fire, what would it be? Family photographs.

What is your motto, when traveling? Pretend you are retired and (try to) just go with the flow.

If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why? Either a bird, so I can feel what it is like to fly—or a fish of some kind so I can explore the underwater universe.

Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction or real life? Anyone who fights for the underdog.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less. Reader, writer, yogi, perfectionist, traveler.

What quality do your friends value most about you? Either my honesty or my loyalty.

How do you deal with adversity? Tears and hot baths—followed by phone calls to friends or family who can help me get through it.

What have you learned from your involvement with A Fresh Chapter? When I lost my mom to cancer I didn’t have the tools, skills or network to address the emotional fallout so I pushed it down. I did my best at the time but realize now how beneficial it would have been for me to have stronger support and some kind of tool kit to work through what I was feeling. Working with A Fresh Chapter over the last few years has taught me the importance of understanding and listening to our emotions.

If you could invite 5 people living or dead to a dinner party, who would you invite? Oscar Wilde, Jon Stewart, N. K. Jemison, Jane Austin, and my mom.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? I hope it hasn’t happened yet.

What is your most treasured possession? A string of pearls that were my mom’s.

Who has taught you the most about resiliency? My cousin. She immigrated to the U.S. as an adult and has faced a lot of adversity – but always manages to pull through. She’s one of the most positive people I know and always gives me wise counsel. If only I listened more!