Every week I write a column called BE YOU for one of the local papers (The Times of Acadiana) – Each week someone different answers the questionnaire – the paper often has to edit them,  so here are all the answers, unedited (the whole truth) :

Alicia LeBouef

Alicia is an account executive at Hulco Printers, a family owned company. I have watched her work and she obviously gets a lot of pleasure from treating her clients well. Alicia is one of those people who manages to be everywhere – The Chamber of Commerce, the 705, Social Media Breakfast – if there are people networking she will be there, smiling. She is a people person for sure, but one with a determined attitude and a big heart.

What was your first job?
Watching other people’s children, either by babysitting or lifeguarding

Describe a typical day in your life.
Up by about 5, run/walk with the pup, get ready for work, at office for about 7:15, work, visiting customers, meetings, learning new things, usually at the salon for clients about 5:30pm but lately going spend time with my dad, home for 8, dinner, bed then start the day over

What advice would you give the younger you?
Just have fun and don’t worry so much

What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
Losing my best friend at 19 and my divorce a few years ago

What values do you live by?
Honesty, compassion, faith, loyalty and a good work ethic

What do you most appreciate?
My friendships, family and my faith

What is your favorite journey?
Finding myself

Where is your favorite place to be alone?
On a run

What living figure most inspires you?
I would have to say my mom because of everything she had to overcome in her life. I love that woman, well most of the time!!!!

What was the best advice you were ever given?
Not to let anyone or anything dictate who I am.

What book would you tell everyone to read?
“Heaven Is for Real”

What is the best thing about where you live?
The people and the culture

How do you “let the good times roll” ?
Listening to live music and just being with great people

What did u want to be when you grew up?
A doctor but then I got to college and realized I had years left in school

What is your motto?
Live life everyday like it were your last

How would you like to be remembered?
As a great friend

What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
Say a prayer and move on because these are just journeys to the place you are meant to be

What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
Honesty
Loyalty
Faith

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Yes because apparently I can’t say no to people when they ask me to do something or join something.
Seriously
Really

What is your favorite word?
Not sure if I can say it here

What do you collect?
Frogs
Yes, I know that it is weird but my best friend gave me my first when I was young and we joked that if I kissed enough frogs then I would get my prince. After he passed away someone gave me something that made me love frogs more and it was the meaning they said of F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God)

What food could you live on for a month?
Vegetables either raw or cooked.

What would you change about yourself?
Not to worry so much about what other people think of me

What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Kermit the frog of course

Describe yourself in five words.
Strong
Independent
Determined
Considerate
Intriguing

What is your idea of happiness?
Loving what you do, who you are and the people you meet

What is your favorite movie?
Casablanca

What music defines who you are?
Rock Music

What do you most regret?
I don’t have regrets because I think they are all lessons learned and those have made me who I am today. One of my favorite quote helps me remember this as well “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I need to be”

What question do you wish I’d asked?
Where do you see yourself in the future?

What would the answer be?
Happy being me and loving life