Friday Feature: @Kimba
Woooohoooo! Friday is a smashing day, for it is Friday Feature day! And that, of course, means that we get up in the grill of another lovely Proser and find out all about them. This week it’s someone who you’ve probably come across and if you haven’t, you should have. It’s Proser @Kimba
P: What is your given name and your Proser username?
K: My given name is Kimberley. My Proser name is Kimba.
My mom was single when she was pregnant with me. She lived with her sister, brother in-law, and 3 nephews. Every morning before school, her nephews watched an anime cartoon called "Kimba the White Lion". They begged her to name me Kimba. She ended up naming me Kimberley, but my family still calls me Kimba.
P: Where do you live?
K: I'm a Jersey Girl, through and through. New Jersey often gets a bad rap. Many liken it NY or that damned Jersey Shore show. (FYI: most of us from Jersey hate that show or watch it to laugh) I mostly grew up in Asbury Park. I lived 2 blocks from the famous Stone Pony where Bruce Springsteen got his start. Even as a child, I knew who he was before most of the world did.
P: What is your occupation?
K: I was a teacher in the medical field, until my school recently closed. It was devastating. I loved being in the classroom and helping students. I wanted to put more caring, compassionate, loving people out into the medical community.
Now, I'm currently in the process of entering school, again. I am pursuing a career as a Respiratory Therapist. I love being in the medical field. I love helping patients and their families. It keeps me humble and grounded.
P: What is your relationship with writing and how has it evolved?
K: When I was a child, I had a very raspy voice. I used to get teased about it, quite a bit. Ink became my voice, and page allowed me to sound however I chose. I've been in love with words since discovering that magic.
P: What value does reading add to both your personal and professional life?
K: Well, as a teacher, reading was extremely important. It is important, from an educational standpoint. It's the foundation of all other learning.
On a personal level, it's a wonderful world full of possibilities. It can be enlightening, frightening, funny, sad, informative, adventurous....the possibilities are endless.
P: Can you describe your current literary ventures and what can we look forward to in future posts?
K: Current literary ventures? As of late, they've consisted of text books haha. Prior to that, I often indulged in classics. Shakespeare and Jane Austen are literary gods, in my opinion. They're writing is almost lyrical, if you listen closely. Shakespeare is wrought with tragedy, but there is a beauty that only sadness holds. Austen always has a deliriously happy ending. The most profound and beautiful writes are often born from excruciating pain or an abundance of happiness. Perhaps, that's why they are my two favorites. Yin and yang, if you will.
P: What do you love about Prose?
K: My initial attraction was the reunion of friends from a previous app that is now defunct. (Hi, Kumilia! You all know who you are ❤️) But I very quickly came to meet a whole new group of brilliant writers who amaze me every day. I am constantly awed and inspired by the talent on here. It's quite humbling. I often feel like graffiti in an art gallery. But, all the Prosers have been so supportive and generous with their praise. I'm so happy to be a part of the app and I'm completely honored to have been asked to participate in Friday Feature! Me? Seriously? You wanted me? Go figure!
P: Is there one book that you would recommend everybody should read before they die?
K: Memoirs of a Geisha. I know! It's not Shakespeare or Austen, but it's a fabulous book. It's so picturesque and the storyline just pulls you in. I've read it multiple times, and it gets more beautiful with each read. It's tragic and lovely and.....well, I don't want to be a spoiler.
P: Do you have an unsung hero who got you into reading and/or writing?
K: Yes! Miss Hulsart. She was my 5th and 6th grade teacher. She knew I got teased for my voice. She encouraged me to put my voice on paper. She's also one of the reasons I wanted to teach. I'm fortunate that she and I are now friends on social media.
P: Describe yourself in three words!
K: I AM FIERCE
(my Kumilia was probably expecting that haha)
P: Is there one quote, from a writer or otherwise, that sums you up?
K: There are two I hold dear to my heart. The ironic thing is, they were both originally intended as insults.
One is tattooed on my body, just under my clavicle. "Do you suppose she's a wildflower" it's from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Wildflowers can grow places other flowers can't. They overcome their surroundings to not only bloom, but to flourish.
The other is Shakespeare "and though she be but little, she is fierce" (I'm the little one in my family, but the feistiest)
I have both quotes on walls in my chick cave.
P: What is your favourite music, and do you write or read to it?
K: I love every genre. Truly, I do. But....well.....I have 3 tattoos that are Beatles references and one that is John Lennon. I have "We all shine on" in Lennon's handwriting with is self portrait, just below the quote. I have a blackbird with a broken wing on my inside wrist. I have "Jai guru deva om" from Across the Universe. And I have "Let it Be" on a cross.
P: You climb out of a time machine into a dystopian future with no books. What do you tell them?
K: I suppose I would start with "Once upon a time," as many good stories do haha. Then, I would go on to describe to them how people once created entire universes on a single piece of paper, and called it "poetry".
P: Do you have a favourite place to read and write?
K: Yes. I have my own little "chick cave". It's very girly and pretty. It's filled with items that are uniquely me. Many of the items it housed have a story behind them. Very little about me is arbitrary, whether it's my personality or items I surround myself with.
P: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you/your work/social media accounts?
K: There are some on here who have me on their Facebook and/or Instagram. As much as I "put myself out there" quite a bit in Prose, I'm actually a very private person. My writes aren't for everyone, so I don't expose them to all. And my family.....well, I'm even more protective of them than I am my writes. But, if they can find me, they can add me. (How enigmatic I sound haha).
Come on, now. You know what happens now. Get on it, get following Kimba - love, share, comment and do all that stuff that makes this place the awesome place it is!