LIFESTYLE
Laila Gunesekere-Martenstyn
In conversation with Ashwini Vethakan
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Born in
May
Alma mater
Bishop’s College
Family members
My amazing husband, our four great sons and two incredibly naughty puppies – and my brother, mother and in-laws (all of whom are super)
Wanted to be
A topnotch dancer
Is
An advertising professional
Drive
I never drive… I’m driven in a Mercedes-Benz
Plays
I do love to swim but it messes up my blow-dry!
Moments you would like to go back to
I have two memories – the first would be my fairytale wedding and second, my university days
Best advice received
If you want the rainbow, put up with the rain
Impressed by
People who treat others well and with kindness
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Happy place
Being with my happy person
Work out preference
Lifting one leg
Like to watch
A variety of Netflix offerings
One new thing you tried this year
Qualifying to be a counsellor
Saddened when
I lose a precious person or pet
Most unforgettable events
I have two unforgettable events – the first is the birth of my children and second is my husband Howard’s super-romantic proposal
Success to you is
Best achieved one rung at a time and with no helping hand
in life
To get closer to God and add joy in some way to the lives of others
Items on your bucket list for the next six months
To be able to fit into my old jeans, travel and get closer to God
Items on the bucket list following retirement
Spend tons of time with those I love, become a great counsellor and teach English
Pet peeves
Traffic jams, long queues and power cuts
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Mantra to unwind
Feet up, a glass of wine in hand and good chat with someone I love
Most hated chore
Cleaning saucepans
Hobbies
Cooking and trying new diets
Three must-haves
My hair colour, eyeliner and bronze lipstick
Unlikely food combination
Chilli ice cream
Challenged by
Technology that moves faster than I can blink
Desired quality in a friend
Being there for me no matter what – I have a few like that
Your perfect date
At my age, you’ll find dates in a packet in the fruit section
The most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you
As I said before, my husband’s impromptu proposal and him singing for me at our wedding– I’ll never forget those two moments
Likely retirement destination
I’d like to split my time between Sri Lanka and Canada – I have wonderful memories of Canada
FAVOURITES
Day of the week
Saturday – because I still have Sunday to chill
Colours
Pink and red
Drinks
Gin and tonic with a kochi miris in it; Bloody Mary with celery salt; and Captain Cook’s rum with ginger ale
Places to eat
Anywhere Japanese because I’m a sushi freak
Chill out spot
My super-comfy bed with heaps of pillows
TV show
This changes all the time
Actor
Robert Downey Jr.
Musician
I tend to have a new favourite every year
Songs
Both Sides Now (by Joni Mitchell) and Streets of London (by Ralph McTell)
Book
Way too many to mention but I read the Bible every night
Obsessed with
Making the most of every day – I wake up very early and go to sleep very late
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
The first thing you need after waking up is…
A hug, if possible
The first thing you notice when meeting someone is…
His or her eyes
Recently laughed out loud when…
I laugh out loud at least 10 times a day
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
A client calls at 6 o’clock in the morning
You find yourself challenged by…
The selfish and self-centred people I meet all the time
One thing you’d change about yourself…
My impatience
The best thing about advertising and communications is…
It’s a different challenge every day
Your day off…
Honestly, it’s as busy as my workday
A new technology that will transform the future is…
One that makes human beings more human
Children are…
Totally awesome
Last gift to someone…
A very personal video I made
Sri Lanka in a few words…
Spectacular, diverse and complex
PICK ONE
A language you’d like to master
I have zero interest in learning another language
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning, for sure
A leader or follower by nature
Leader at work but a follower at home
Cook or foodie
Cook
Quality or quantity
Quality
The glass is half full or half empty
Would anyone actually say ‘half empty’?
Work or play after retirement
A bit of both
The most delightful word you can think of
Love
If you were a colour, it would be…
Vibrant pink
Most used words or phrases
Shut up
Role models
My husband for his passion and Mother Teresa for her compassion
Yourself in a few words
Eclectic, colourful, loyal and pretty much off the wall
