My neurons are going haywire planning my new project: Maria Zulfiqar

TV anchor Maria Zulfiqar on women of strength, hating literature and having a good time in high school.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Purses.

What is your current state of mind?

My neurons are going haywire planning my new project.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Contentment.

On what occasion do you lie?

When it doesn’t involve hurting someone.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

Nothing.

Which living person do you most despise?

So many corrupt politicians – it’s a never-ending list.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

The ability to accept a woman with brains.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“See the thing is”.

When and where were you happiest?

When I was in high school.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

The fact that I don’t forget and forgive at all.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Coming from a field like medicine and being able to survive in this industry.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Me, minus the temper.

Where would you most like to live?

New York.

What is your most treasured possession?

My guardian angel, my best friend.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being physically dependent on others.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?

Go back to dentistry.

Who is your hero of fiction?

I hate fiction; I live in the real world.

Who are your heroes in real life?

There are so many, specially women of strength like Sherry Rehman.

What is your greatest regret?

Doubting my abilities at the most crucial moment of my life.

What’s your favourite quote?

“What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”

What kind of super powers would you like to have?

The ability to predict the future.

What scares you more: Lizards or cockroaches?

Neither.

If you had a time machine, where would you go?

To the time when I was 18.

What’s the one thing you wish someone would invent?

A time machine!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d take with you?

Chocolates.

If they made a movie on your life, who would you want to play your role?

Julia Roberts.

What would the movie be called?

‘Life is Unpredictable’.

What’s the last really good movie you watched?

The Kite Runner.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, April 3^rd, 2011.