LIFESTYLE

Vrai Raymond

In conversation with Nimanthi Bandaranayake

JOURNEY OF LIFE

Born in

1979

Alma mater

Bishop’s College

Family members

Mom and three siblings

Wanted to be

A pilot!

Is (but didn’t want to be)

A working single parent

What drives you?

Being the best that I can be every single day in every single way to set the right example for my kids

What fuels your creativity and passion?

The belief that every day presents a new opportunity to be and do better today than yesterday

A moment you would like to go back to

Too many to mention

Best advice received

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

INTIMATE AND INSPIRING

Likes to play

Uno

Likes to watch

Food, mystery, historical fiction and autobiographical documentaries

Most unforgettable event

Too many to select one!

Your life in a book title

A Woman of Substance (by Barbara Taylor Bradford)

Most unexpected source of inspiration

All around me every day!

Role model

My grandmother (RIP)

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

A daily practice

Giving thanks to the good Lord as I wake up

Most hated chore

Don’t really have one

Impressed by

Self-awareness and respectful authenticity

Happy place

In my bed with a book!

Pet peeves

I’m a tad obsessive-compulsive so there are lots including bad parking and inconsiderate people!

What you think about when you’re in the car

I try to be present in the moment so that I can fully experience it and give it my 100 percent

Most adventurous item on your bucket list

I’m fortunate to have ticked them all off!

Three items on the bucket list following retirement

Seeing cherry blossoms in Japan, travelling on the Orient Express and visiting Reykjavik

Describe the soundtrack of your life

A babbling brook in constant motion on the surface with deep, raging pools below!

Most transformative book you’ve read

Asian Saga (a series by James Clavell)

A little-known fact about you

I’m quite the introvert

FAVOURITES

Day of the week

I see every day as a blessing!

Colour

Turquoise

Chill out spot

Anywhere with lots of greenery and water

Work wear

Blue jeans and a white shirt

Leisure wear

Resort wear

Brands

Gucci, Burberry, Kate Spade and Mulberry for accessories; Limak by Kamil, Shri Nadika and Curves by Angie for apparel

Cuisines

French, Japanese and fusion

Drinks

Irish whisky, cava and Cabernet Sauvignon

Local holiday destination

Sri Lanka is so amazing that I don’t have a favourite – I’m in awe everywhere I go!

International holiday destinations

Europe and Singapore

Restaurants

Tsar (St. Petersburg), Le Jules Verne (Paris) and JAAN by Kirk Westaway (Singapore)

Actor

Edward Norton

Musician

Andrea Bocelli

Authors

Barbara Taylor Bradford, James Clavell, Haruki Murakami and Lang Leav

Most loved among the above

Lang Leav

Favourite quote

“Stop taking things personally.” – Gordon Ramsay

Favourite international sportsperson

Nadia Comăneci

Obsessed with

Did I mention that I’m a tad obsessive-compulsive? So straight lines, repeating patterns, colours and so on…

Likely retirement destination

Tuscany!

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

When you dance, you look…

Uncomfortable!

The first thing you notice when meeting someone

His or her grooming

You know it’s going to be a bad day when…

I don’t stop to appreciate the wonder of life

You’re challenged by

Teenage angst concurrently from three different personalities!

Recently laughed out loud when…

My son told me one of his daily dry jokes (he finds one every day!)

Saddened when

People are made to feel inferior or unappreciated

Love has the power to

Heal and hurt in infinite cycles

Happiness is when…

Your teenage son says: “Love you, Mum”

Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…

Societal norms give way to respectful authenticity

The world is…

Never the same from one moment to the next – so seize the moment!

Message of positivity in these trying times

Nothing is permanent – construct and conserve in the good times to stay strong in the bad

PICK ONE

Memory skills on a scale of 1-10

Nine

Most productive in the morning, noon or night

Definitely in the night!

Tea or coffee

Tea, please

Eating outside or cooking at home

Cooking at home – hands down

The most delightful word you can think of

Faith

One fictional character to have as your mentor

Arya Stark

A technology that you think will transform the future

AI – and it’s happening right now

Your most used word or phrase

I’m okay

Workout preferences

Vinyasa yoga or a swim

Yourself in a few words

A single mom to three young adults and two challenging dogs, strategic communications specialist, change maker by profession, amateur chef and pragmatic individual

What success means to you

I believe that success is being and doing the best you can in each moment and circumstance

Motto in life

Do your best and leave the rest to God