Children, kayaking and Greece

Photo: Kayla Collins

Alicia Gogan

POLAND — Living in Poland for most of her life, Alicia Gogan, 32, says one of her desires is to travel the world, but when she is not dreaming of some tropical island, you can find her on the couch reading her Kindle or in her kayak on the lake. She recently took time out of her life to tell us about herself.

Q:Where were you born and where were you brought up?

A: I was born in Bangor, Maine in 1980. I lived in Bangor-Brewer until I was about eight, moved to Eddington and lived there until I was 12, and have been living in Poland since 1993.

Q: Do you any siblings?

A: I have a sister who is nine years younger than me. She is actually my half-sister. We have the same mom, but different dads. 

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I work at the Margaret Murphy Center for Children and have done so for nine-and-a-half years. I also have been waitressing at Mario's in New Gloucester for 16 years.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: I love that I make a difference in the lives of children. It is such an amazing feeling to see the joy in a child when they have learned something new, especially if it is something they have struggled with.    

Q: Do you have any childhood memories?

A: Going to Paris, France when I was 15 for a school trip. What an experience that was! Amazing views, beautiful art and wonderful cuisine. The one thing that surprised me was how dirty Paris is and how anywhere outside is used as a restroom. 

Q: Have you traveled anywhere else?

A: I've backpacked the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The view alone was spectacular, but being able to actually go down in the canyon was an amazing experience. It's an entirely different view than from up above. I have also been to Florida a couple times and experienced all the different theme parks. My favorite of them is Universal Studios, probably because of my love for movies.  

Q: If you could travel anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

A: Everywhere. There are so many places I want to go, and so many beautiful things to see – Greece, Ireland, waterfalls in Hawaii.

Q: Where did you go to school?

A: I graduated from Edward Little High School in 1998. I also graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I have recently gone back for my Masters in Abilities and Disabilities.  

Q: Has anyone ever said you look like someone famous?

A: Yes, my mom and a friend have said I look like Jennifer Aniston – but I don't see it.

Q: Who is the most influential person in your life?

A: My mom. She taught me that hard work will get me the things I really want out of life. She also taught me to be respectful and treat others the way I want to be treated. And most importantly, she taught me to forgive others and not hold grudges because life is too short and it only hurts myself.

Q: What are your interests?

A: Anything outdoors, but mostly kayaking, hiking and fishing. I also enjoy scrapbooking, a good book, a good movie or show, and dancing.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: I just finished reading the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. It gave me a new outlook on life. I can't wait to read it from Christian Grey's point-of-view.

Q: Is there anything you would like to do you haven't done?

A: Skydive or go white water rafting.

Q: Do you like sports?

A: Yes, I like the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Celtics and the Bruins. I am huge Boston fan, even though Red Sox got rid of my favorite player, Kevin Youkilis.

Q: Did you play sports growing up?

A: I did gymnastics when I was really young, played soccer in eighth grade and did Track and Field in high school.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote you live by?

A: Yes – "Everything happens for a reason," and "If it's meant to be, it will be." I also love the saying, "Live, Laugh, Love."