LIFE
Tanaz Pestonjee
In conversation with Lashani Ramanayake
Born in
Sri Lanka
Alma maters
Asian International School (AIS) and Monash University (Melbourne)
Family members
My husband, son and a furry baby
Favourite day of the week
Sunday – because I get to spend the whole day with my family
Worst day of the week
Manic Monday, of course!
Would like to drive
The Batmobile
Three must-haves
My phone, laptop and mascara
Three ‘would like to haves’
World peace, more time to spend by myself and an unlimited shopping voucher from IKEA!
When I dance, I look like
Beyoncé – I hope!
Mantra to unwind
When in doubt, wine it out!
Favourite colour
Changes according to my mood
Would never use a time travel machine to
Travel to the future!
Transformational technology of the future
Could someone invent teleportation, please?
Happy place
Home sweet home
Cook or foodie
Foodie
Favourite chill out
My parents’ kitchen
Favourite food
Definitely my mother-in-law’s crab curry!
Favourite drink
Sparkling Shiraz
Hobbies
Watching documentaries, reading crime novels and collecting pieces of art
Pet peeves
Crumpled sheets, hair in my food and mouldy spaces
Least liked chore
Washing the dishes
Likes to watch
Documentaries, real life crime stories and Antiques Roadshow
The glass is half full or half empty
Full
The most delightful word is…
Delightful!
Most unforgettable event
The birth of my son
Most forgettable event
I can’t remember!
First thing you notice in a first encounter with someone
His or her vibe
Favourite local destination
Kalpitiya – it is perfect for stargazing
Favourite overseas destinations
Jaipur and Florence
Ideal romantic date or outing
Staying at home, eating takeaway and watching a movie
Items on the bucket list for the next six months
Renewing my gym membership, taking piano lessons and making more time for myself
Items on the bucket list following retirement
I haven’t thought that far ahead at the moment
Quality or quantity
It depends on what the subject is
Leader or follower
Both
Work or play after retirement
Play
Likely retirement destination
Sri Lanka is the most likely
A fashion trend that does not make sense
Fur
Obsessed with
At the moment, it is healing crystals and Tres Leches from Butter Boutique
Purpose in life
To be a role model for my son and hopefully, to his kids as well
Success is
A journey and seeing your teammates grow with you along the way
Happiness in a few words
Christmas – when my whole family is together
Last post liked on social media
A post by Greta Thunberg – the 16-year-old climate change activist
Favourite song
Breathe (by Télépopmusik) – it helps me relax
Favourite movie
Mean Girls – because it teaches us all something about life
Best actor and actress
Jared Leto and Meryl Streep
Best singers
There are too many to name
Favourite authors
Sidney Sheldon, Nihal De Silva and Michael Ondaatje
Colombo in one word
Emerging
Sri Lanka in one word
Fearless
The world in one or two words
Damaged but hopeful
Impressed by
Enterprising Sri Lankan youth – some of whom are as young as 14 or 15 and run their own businesses using social media to test the water
Saddened by
War and global warming
Challenged by
Being a full-time working mum, I’m challenged every day – but I have great support systems both at home and in the office, all of which help me to get through the day
Role model
My grandmother Aban Pestonjee
Most used word or phrase
$#!+
Yourself in a few words
Fiercely loyal and unapologetic
Motto in life
Say what you mean and mean what you say
