JettyGirl: A one million
dollar check arrives in your mailbox with a
note that reads, "Half of this amount is
yours and the other half is to benefit the world
around you." How would you spend the money?
Grace Park: If
a one million dollar check just magically appeared,
I'd spend my half on getting myself and my parents
out of debt. After that, I would use it to take
some time off and travel to some of the places
I've wanted to see, with a board, a tent, a
sleeping bag, a journal, and a camera. With
the other half, I'd start a scholarship program
for college students who have a passion for
the outdoors.
JG: Describe the best surfboard
you've ever ridden and why it was special to
you.
Grace: To be honest,
I haven't ridden very many surfboards, but I
guess my daily board (a 9'2" longboard)
is the most special one. It might sound like
a boring answer, but it was the board I learned
to surf on, and the board that made me fall
in love with the ocean and riding waves. I've
gotten more boards since then, but I don't think
I could ever get rid of this board. It holds
too many memories for me and I'll probably use
it in the future with a family of my own.
JG: If you could travel
back to any time in history and hang with one
person while they go about their daily activities,
who would it be and why?
Grace: I would
say probably my mom at my age. I'd like to see
what kind of person she was ...sometimes it's
hard to relate to my mom because we come from
different generations and culture, but I think
seeing her as a young woman would be an eye-opening
experience.
JG: For thirty days you're
stuck on a desert island with one book, one
song, one surf movie and one snack food. Which
ones would you choose?
Grace: A new book
that I haven't read yet ...maybe Blood Meridian
by Cormac McCarthy or Surf is Where You
Find It by Gerry Lopez. It's a Beautiful
Morning by The Rascals. Second Thoughts,
haven't seen that one in a while. Spicy Nacho
Doritos with Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa,
yeaaaah!
JG: What is your best surf-related
memory of 2009?
Grace: Getting
back into surfing more after having been out
of touch with it during a low period for a lot
of 2008 and 2009. It saved my life
again and reminded me of what makes me happy—being
myself. :)
