Charlotte H, Melek Z, Ms. Moi and Libby B taking a selfie on Oct. 18, 2023, in the middle school building. (Charlotte H./The Buchhof Bulletin)
By: Charlotte H. Libby B. and Melek Z., Grade 9
Welcome to ‘Aren’t You Curious’! This is Episode 1 of many, where we interview teachers to find out more about their life outside of school in terms of their favorite music, movies and books. For this episode we interviewed Ms. Moisala, a Grade 8 Learning Support teacher, also known as Ms. Moi.
Music
From rock and rap music all the way to folk and top 40’s hits, Ms. Moi has been taking a tour through all kinds of different genres in her lifetime. Growing up in the Bay Area, Moi’s taste has been influenced by Fall Out Boy, Eminem, Fleetwood Mac and many more where the artists she grew up with. Though now, she said she enjoys singing along to the German radio in her car since it’’s easy and fun.
“Waiting for pasta to boil is a great time to dance,” said Ms. Moi, after being asked when she listens to music most.
Though they are not touring anymore, Ms. Moi would love to have seen the band Fleet wood Mac live in concert. She said the experience of their concert would be “pure nostalgia.” But some of her concert dreams will come true as Ms. Moi has tickets to see Taylor Swift in the summer of 2024. She is a Swiftie and said she is very dedicated to listening to Taylor’s set list as if it were a whole other working job.
Movies
The series “Gilmore Girls” is a big part of Ms. Moi’s life—the small-town feel, the festivals, the food, and the drama all drew her in to the point she would spend an entire week in this world. She is also a Greta Gerwig fan, adoring all her work and most recently enjoyed the “Barbie” movie. Outside of “Barbie” and “Gilmore Girls” Ms. Moi also said she loves “Ted Lasso.”
She feels a connection and similarity to Monica from ‘Friends.’
“She likes a plan, likes things to be done a particular way, she’s got an obnoxious brother and marries a nerd,” Ms. Moi.
She is not a fan of the horror genre, but she cannot resist a Hollywood romantic comedy or “A Muppets Christmas Carol” which she rewatches every year even at times other than Christmas.
“I hate hate hate scary movies.,” Ms. Moi.
Books
Ms. Moi has a unique interest in books.,
She loves the book, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear which is about self-development.
“Making habits, breaking habits, and understanding yourself along with habits.,” Ms. Moi said.
Despite not being the biggest fan of fictional and fantasy stories – her most-liked genres are memoirs, nonfiction, and historical fiction – she enjoys the book, ‘Still Alice’ by Lisa Genova because it she said it was realistic. The book is a heavy story about a woman who gets Alzheimer’s disease.
Ms. Moi said she likes reading historical fiction as she finds joy in learning about new cultures and places along with how this genre can take us to a whole different era and time. Since Ms. Moi loves reading books, who is her favorite author to read from? Well, it is an author named Fredrik Backman and her most favored book from him is called, “Beartown.”
She said the finest atmosphere and setting for her to sit down and read a book with is snuggled up in her armchair and a window open to let the crisp air in as well as a hot beverage to keep her warm.
“The weather doesn’t matter for me to sit down and read a book, but I need my armchair and hot beverage,” Ms. Moi said.
Perhaps, one day when she writes the memoir she dreams about writing, she will be snuggled up in that very armchair.
Mark your calendars two weeks from now and get ready for Episode 2 starring Ms. Sinclair!