June 16, 2014 5:59 pm Meet Jasbeena! Managing Director, World Traveler, Emerging Markets Expert
What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?
I have one daughter and she is an active six year old, with a curious mind. Fortunately she has been bitten by the travel bug at an early age and we love to travel to exciting places globally. Due to business, I travel primarily to developing markets and it always fascinates me how quickly she adapts to the local environment. More importantly, nothing brings a brighter smile to anyone’s face, anywhere in the world, than a child who wants to find out more about the world around her, no matter what race, language or culture it is.
My greatest wish for her is to constantly learn and to love learning about the world around her; to find something that she is passionate about and devote herself fully to it and to surround herself with individuals who are as positive, as curious and as passionate as she is.
When and where are you the happiest?
I am happiest when I am surrounded by my family, a book in one hand, a drink in another and looking out over an ocean somewhere.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Bali, Indonesia. The sunsets, temples, artisans, the warmth of the people and the food, no other place like it in the world.
Who has had the biggest influence upon you? And what quality do you most admire in a mother?
The two most influential people in my life are my mother and my daughter. My mother has worn many hats in her life and has always done what is best for her family. She has been a teacher, a stay at home mother and an active part of her community. She still gets a kick out of meeting people and discovering new places and is always ready to try something different. My daughter has made me a better global citizen. I am more patient, less selfish and more concerned about the world we live in than before she was born. I am so grateful for them both.
The most admirable thing I find in a mother is the ability to teach her children right from wrong, to stand up for themselves and others in the face of injustice and having the courage to let them make their own mistakes. I am hoping I am doing this with my child, although I have not been tested yet.
What do you like to do for fun?
I read and love trying recipes from different cuisines.
What is one of your favorite books? Movies?
‘Atlas Shrugged’ by Ayn Rand was an instrumental book in my teen years. In recent years, I have found a number of very good writers/authors of Young Adult fiction and my favorites are Philip Pullman (‘His Dark Materials’), Garth Nix (‘Old Kingdom’ Trilogy) and Brandon Sanderson (‘Mistborn’ Series).
My favorite movie is from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy – ‘The Two Towers’ but two others rank pretty high as well – ‘A Good Year’ and ‘Scent of a Woman’. Any movie with Christopher Guest or John Cleese is a definite must-see.
What do you feel is one of your strongest qualities?
I think commitment is my strongest quality. Once I commit; to someone and/or something, I stay the course.
What is your favorite type of food and what do you love to cook?
Just by virtue of being raised in Southeast Asia, I love Singaporean food, it is spicy and a blend of all the regional cuisines. I love cooking any type of food that uses lots of Asian spices, including Moroccan and Armenian.
What is your favorite time of the day and why?
I love dusk, when everyone has come home, the sun is setting and we are just sitting around, catching up with each other.
Where is your favorite place to Party with Moms and what’s your favorite drink?
My favorite place would have to be Barcelona in Stamford, I love the wines and the vibrant atmosphere.