5 minutes with… Ayesha Sumar
Our ‘5 minutes with…’ feature takes a glimpse into the views and opinions of our colleagues with a series of probing interview questions we’ve always wanted to ask. Read on!
Most awe-inspiring building in the world, and why.
The Colosseum in Rome. I have been lucky enough to visit there twice and both times I absolutely loved it. There is a symmetry and repetition to the design which is so appealing to the eye and lit up at night it is even more amazing than during the day. It has stood the test of time and is known all over the world! The first time I visited, I was so inspired I didn’t want to leave when it was time to go. I even had an image of the colosseum on my childhood bedroom wall years before I got the opportunity to visit. It is so iconic and definitely awe-inspiring!
Best piece of advice you’ve been given (either in your career, or personally).
If a task takes less than a couple of minutes to do – do it right away. I feel like this is good general advice. You can be putting off a task for a really long time that you don’t want to do but in most cases you can get it done and over with and you won’t feel a sense of dread for the rest of the day thinking that you have a lot of things to do! It definitely helps stop procrastination and you feel good that you have completed a task even if it is a small one. It provides you with a sense you have accomplished something in two minutes which is no time at all!
What’s your all-time favourite city, and why.
I have spent a lot of time in London over the years with friends and family, and I also lived and went to school in London as a child. I always feel so comfortable every time I am there and if there’s anything you want to do, see or eat – you can find it in London. The city is so diverse and vibrant with a unique mix of people and also a fantastic mix of the old and the new buildings and cultures too. There is a reason that people from all over the world want to visit the nation’s capital!
Any hidden talents you want to share?
My hidden talent is not used often but definitely useful when needed! Imagine, you are going on holiday and have a suitcase that can only weigh a certain amount. Now imagine you don’t have any scales to weigh your suitcase. This is where my hidden talent comes in. I can pretty accurately guess if a suitcase is overweight or underweight and what the weight of it is just by lifting it. It has been a useful talent that has come in handy many times in the past.
Describe your perfect Saturday.
I would be on holiday abroad somewhere in a city with warm but not hot weather. First thing in the morning I would attend an exercise class like barre. After the class, I would go out for brunch and get pancakes with a lot of maple syrup. This would lead to some exploring and sightseeing, taking a lot of photos along the way of anything that I find interesting. I would then try and relax a little by spending a couple of hours reading in the afternoon with an iced blueberry matcha by my side. In the evening I would go to the theatre to watch a musical and I would end the night with a cool evening walk with a stop along the way to grab a very necessary dark chocolate based dessert.
Quick-fire round:
What makes you smile.
A (bad) pun based joke.
Fish and chips or Sunday roast.
Sunday roast. There are so many more options with a roast – the possibilities are endless!
What would be your superpower preference.
Teleportation – I could snap my fingers and be anywhere in an instant!
Favourite pastime.
Audiobooks, paper or e-readers – anything. Controversially, I think e-readers are the superior format. (I can sense the shocked faces!)
Bucket list holiday location.
Tokyo, Japan. I have always been fascinated by Japan and especially Tokyo and would love to visit there someday.
Best holiday of all time – where and why?
New York. I had the most fun with an amazing group and the city was exactly as I imagined it would be in the best way.
