Somerville Single: Miranda Van Vliet

Miranda is the third of three Somerville singles who you won’t find in the latest edition of Somerville Scout. Keep checking back here for all the folks we interviewed.

Name: Miranda Van Vliet
Age: 24
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Occupation: Research Assistant at Beth Israel

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

Especially in the summer, I usually go to at least one concert at one of the local venues––probably hanging out with friends at my place for drinks and food, or out to the bars. Sunday is always Madmen night and Downtown Abbey night. During the day I bake my own bread and I make my own yogurt and I really like spending time in my Garden which is on my balcony.

What is the best thing about living in Somerville?

I think it’s really the community atmosphere. I really like how it’s a little community but there is still lots to do––always something interesting going on.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was 10 years old I wanted to be a marine biologist. I ended up being a biologist, just not a marine one!

Name three things you never want to live without.

That’s a really tough one! I’d have to say friendship, love, and books.

Do you have any bad habits?

I’m really lazy about doing my laundry.

What is the most challenging thing about you work? What is the most rewarding?

I think the most challenging part is trying to keep the bigger picture in perspective, like “What is the ultimate question that we’re trying to answer? Because sometimes you get so wrapped up in the daily grind of it all, that you lose focus on “Right, we’re doing research to answer this specific question about human health.” The most rewarding part, in example, I was recently running a pilot project and we’re started doing the tests, and the results were coming in, and we’re inundated with data but suddenly it starts to make a picture and you realize “Yes. I have answered this question to a certain extent.” That’s the most rewarding part, when it starts to come together, and you can see the answer to your question.

Who or what inspires you?

Other than my favorite authors like Jane Austen, I know it sounds trite, but it’s actually my mother. You know she had my older siblings when she was sixteen and seventeen, and she got her GED, went to nursing school––she was a nurse and single mom. She’s independent––really did that all on her own.

What are you most proud of?

I’m one of the first in my family to go to college. Also, when I was thirteen I decided I loved Boston and I wanted to go to college in Boston so I worked really hard and made it to Boston. No one really expected that.

A movie is made about your life. What is the title and genre?

It would be called 52 Weeks… an indie dramedy in the line of Wes Anderson, about the whole year of my life since leaving college.

Do you believe in the idea of one true love?

No. I believe there is a person you can love for your whole life, but I believe there are multiple all over the world––you’ll just probably only end up loving one of them.