West Side News Profile Questionnaire
Name: Mariya Taylor
Place of birth: Salem, OR
How long on in West Salem. Born and raised here in West Salem. Went to Western Oregon for college so I was able to continue working here in town and have just stuck around.
If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the area:
Profession: Store Manager for West Salem Ace Hardware
Other professions:
Favorites:
Movie/and or Musical: Walk the Line, Dinner in America, and as far as musicals, special shoutout to Rocky Horror Picture Show (RIP Tim Curry)
Actress and Actor: Zendaya
TV show: I’m always rewatching Bones.
Book: The Hunger Games trilogy
Type of music: I’m all over the place between classic rock, country and pop and folk but the best concert I’ve been to was Hozier.
Food: Thanksgiving. I took over cooking for my mom a few years back and my family tends to go all out with multiple turkeys.
Hobbies: Classic Oregonian things such as hikes and being by water. I also like to learn new things or work on DIY projects. I helped my dad remodel his house, I've built furniture, picture frames, done wood burning, etc. Just anything hands on, I guess. I also am obsessed with houseplants. I own around 65 at this point!
If offered a dream vacation, where would you go, and why: Any time I can go somewhere new is a blessing. My first dream vacation was Ireland/Scotland, and I did that for my 30th birthday. Now I’m looking into Greece, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland as far as where I would like to go before 40. I’m just a big fan of traveling. I feel like I can always earn my money back but there’s no time to waste making memories so travel while you’re young and able!
Best lesson learned as a child: The value of hard work and independence. My parents taught me how to be self-sufficient from a young age. Not just how to cook but how to change a flat, how to fix something if it’s broken. They showed me how to not let anything get in the way of what I think I’m capable of achieving.
Defining moment in your life or your greatest accomplishment: I think my defining moment has still yet to come.
A memorable dinner: My first time going to a Luau
A funny moment from your life that you can share: I fell off a Moped in Hawaii. This lovely elderly couple pulled over to make sure I was ok, but when he offered to drive the Moped for me and I could ride back with his wife, I died a little inside. I still get teased by my family for not being able to drive one.
If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why: My Nana and Grandpa. They have been gone a while now but to be able to see them again and ask them questions that no one can remember, or I wish I had learned back then would be really cool.
Describe yourself in one word: Passionate
When you're not reading The West Side News, what book/author/magazine/other do you read: I’m more of a podcast person. Psychology related, true crime or comedy podcasts are usually what I would be listening to.
If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be: That’s a tough one but I’m sure it would include the word “dramatic’ in it
Pet peeve: When you can hear someone scrape their fork against their teeth.
Bad habit you’d like to break: Procrastination
Famous person(s) you have met, and the circumstances: I think the only famous person I've met was Jon Heder inside of Walery’s Pizza.
Favorite quote: “What, like it's hard?” -Elle Woods
Favorite part of The West Side News: Learning more about the community and having a way to stay engaged in what is going on in West Salem