SoGoPro Street Team Sunday Interview Series: Hanne!

Name: Hanne
Location: The Netherlands
SoGoPro.com member for 1 Year and 3 weeks
SGP Profile

Kaitlan Olivia interviews our dear Hanne for this weeks Sunday Interview!! As usual a great read- what else would you expect from such fab SoGoPro Street Team Members?

KO: Thank you so much Hanne for agreeing to be interviewed, at first I was a little nervous about this because I was going crazy about what types of questions I was going to ask. I think that had to have been the hardest part…haha. You’ve been part of SoGoPro longer than I have, how did you first find out about SoGoPro?

Hanne: Thank you for asking me! It’s lovely to be interviewed by my very own Secret Santa. And this is of course a very good question to start off with. I actually discovered it about the same way as you did, as well as many others by the way… At some point I was trying REALLY hard to avoid studying, as I had to study for my final exams. And I was just clicking and clicking on YouTube videos, and one thing led to another and I saw the famous video of Hilarie saying she was going to leave One Tree Hill. The good old Blogger site was only two clicks away. I didn’t really understand what it was at first, because it was so overwhelming at first – there was so much to see and read on the site. But I had the feeling that it was something very interesting and exciting. So I promised those in chat (I believe it were Ali and Astrid) to stick around and I did! I immediately had a lot of study avoiding material to read, which was very handy actually or maybe not. Anyways, that’s how I found out about SoGoPro.

KO: We got the privilege of collaborating for the SoGoPro song. How does is make you feel being a part of a group/company that allows its members to have so much influence and insight into what goes on?

That was fun! I remember us having trouble putting the song on the website, and then making a video of it. Oh what an experience! We should try something again.

I feel very blessed to be a part of a community like this. Cause it actually is a community. I never would’ve thought that I would be in a position like this. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many talented, kind, and thoughtful people all over the world - everyone with different languages, backgrounds and ideas. That really makes it a very interesting mix; a fun, thriving community. It’s truly inspiring to see all the artwork for example. You should see what Jaclyne Jaye is making (I believe she leaves the SoGoPro sign everywhere she goes), or what Alina is doing with her window (kick ass SoGoPro tree painted on it!) and her artistic skills. And I’ve also learned so much over the past year. It’s amazing that the HELLICK give us an insight like this with all of their ‘extra’s’ as Annie would say, and put their company in the hands of wild strangers – even though we don’t feel like strangers to one another. I’m very thankful towards them and the community. It has been an exciting journey so far!

Haha that was so much fun! I was so surprised that you video chatted me on Skype. Im so glad you did though. Putting that video together was absolutely crazy and took forever...haha. I would not have had it any other way. J

I totally agree with you, our community is filled with so many wonderful, talented, and kind people. At first we many have started out as wild strangers but we have grown to be so much more than that through this year and half. We have become our own family unit. Like you I feel very fortunate and thankful to be a part of such an amazing group of people. I have not seen all of the Art Work by Jaclyne Jaye or Alina, but I sure am going to check it out now.

KO: You recently helped plan the SoGoPro reunion in Paris, what was that experience like?

It was CHAOS! The idea came up about a year ago now. George and I thought of meeting up. So we came up with plans, and George was like – well I want to see The Netherlands anyway, so why don’t I come your way? And then I thought: how great would it be if we could meet up with a few others as well? So there the idea of Paris started – Loic and Annie lived near Paris, so Paris would be a brilliant city to meet up! (We didn’t even know back then that the graphic novel is based in Paris.) In no time Annie and I started organizing, and George was like: well you girls are handling this just fine. And while we started off then with a group around 12 people who wanted to meet up, only a few of us made it there. George wasn’t even one of them…! But even though there were only just a few, it was amazing to meet them. I hope there will be more (safe!) meet ups in the future I can take place in. P.s. I took loads of pictures – Dani gets you addicted. Beware.

That is so neat! Who knew that you would be planning something for SGP that would end you up in the city of one of their newest projects and you didn’t even know it. It must have been fate that brought you all there. Seriously going to have to check out those picture, and im glad that all you had such a great experience together!

KO: The book club is such a big part of the website, have you read any of the selections? If so which was your favorite one?

Oops, I’m afraid I’m gonna fail you on this question. *shame* I haven’t read one single book of the SoGoPro book club yet. Wait, that’s a lie. I’ve read a few pages of Music for Chameleons. And I read the back of Wise Blood. I bought it as a present for a friend of mine, so I felt bad reading it, haha! Anyways, I read SO slowly, that I really have to make myself sit down and read it. But I really enjoyed listening to and reading the recommendations. So when I was in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, I went to all these book stores and looked for a few selections. I couldn’t find Dandelion Wine, so I bought Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, because I was interested in the writer anyway. I also looked for The Film Club. But when I was in the store I forgot both the name of the writer and the name of the book. Very convenient if you want to explain to the salesman which book you’re looking for. So I made him go to the SoGoPro Book Club page to look it up. But I definitely do plan on reading recommendations in the future!

Haha it’s all good, I have to admit that I have only read one of the books from the book club, Twilight by William Gay.

I liked the random question aspect that Vicki added to our interview and Niamh to hers, so I thought I would do the same. J

KO: What is your favorite color?

I think I’d say purple. And as I’m saying this I realize I picked a purple font to write you back. So purple it is!

KO: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Yes I do. I’ve got 2 sisters: Annemieke (26) and Lisa (24), 2 half brothers in their thirties (Marc & Jaap), and also a brother (Joost) and sister (Eva) of like my babysitter’s family, also both in their thirties. But growing up, it was just Annemieke, Lisa + me.

Wow that is very cool, I love big families. I myself have 2 brothers, Nicholas (28) and Colton (16 but going to be 17 in August).

KO: What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

I find it extremely annoying when people make that noise with usually with their hands- they kind of fold their hands, then stretch and then you hear a few cracks coming from their hands. If only I knew the English term for that, and its even more creepy when they do it with their necks or other body parts- brrrr

Haha I totally know what you are talking about. I just had to keep your answer the exact way you wrote it to me. I could not help myself; I just thought it was adorable how you tried to explain cracking your knuckles. I think that is what you are trying to describe. I actually do it all the time; it’s a horrible habit that I am trying to stop.

KO: What is your favorite type of candy?

Big shocker here – chocolate! Yes, I believe it’s chocolate. Or pie. I’ve got a soft spot for those two.

Haha so true! I don’t think I have met any girl who doesn’t like chocolate, unless they were allergic of course. It’s like it engrained in our brain to love it or something, but I am so ok with that...haha

KO: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

USA! That’s probably such a cliché answer. But I’ve never been outside of Europe, and I really want to see what it’s really like.

Nice, I think that is the first time I have heard anyone say that if they could visit anywhere in the world they world, they would visit the USA. Not that there is anything wrong with living here I love my country. It’s just a little weird...haha. If you ever the opportunity you are more than welcome to stay with me. I always love company.

KO: I heard this asked during a recent interview that I watched and I really liked it, what are some of your favorite sounds?

In the winter – the sound of rain on my window while I’m curled up on the couch or in bed watching crappy movies and the sounds of crisping of the fire.

The sound of rain is such a calming, soothing sound. It can put you right to sleep.

In the summer - Waking up by the sound of real birds when I’m on vacation.

The sounds of the sea – you can hear it when you float.

Oh the ocean, another sound that can just Lull you to sleep.

That’s actually all I can come up with for now!

KO: One of the best things about SoGoPro I think is how diverse it is, what are some of your hobbies/interests?

Well I really enjoy plays and musicals. I’ve always performed in plays in my high school, and now that I’ve graduated I’m with a theatre group. We’re performing My Fair Lady in September (exciting!) – loved this musical growing up! I also take singing lessons, go to a singing class, make collages, do things with my student association and do a lot of committees. Apart from that, I also internet a lot or course, watch TV (and follow all the tv shows…), and listen to music. Full schedule right there!

That’s so amazing; I don’t think I would have the guts to go up on stage and act. I would have to be in the chorus to even set foot on the stage... haha. You are one brave girl in my eyes. My Fair Lady, sound like a very fun play to be working on. Good Luck on the production J

KO: Now the last and final question ….haha. What is your fondest memory of being a part of the SoGoPro team?

There are so many to choose from! But I think I’m going for the chat room around a year ago. I can remember it was a lovely summer, and I was giggling all the time because of all the funny discussions in the chat room. There would be so many people on and all typing really fast. It often went too fast for me, so I just looked and giggled. It might be a strange memory, but I loved it.

That sounds like such a wonderful memory and it doesn’t sound strange at all. It’s actually very touching to hear. It shows just how much the relationships that have been formed in the SoGoPro mean to all of us. That it’s really the simple things that we do, touch us the most. Thank you again for agreeing to let me pick apart your brain. Your answers we wonderful and everyone is going to love them.