This or That? Travel Edition

I'll go first.

1. Nature
2. Airbnb
3. Train
4. History
5. Adventure
6. Beach
7. Alone
8. Plan it
9. Suitcase
10. Resort
11. Sightseeing
12. Party trip
13. Hidden gems

Okay, your turn!

Be You, Be Beautiful

"But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow"
                                                      -Cyndi Lauper


"You've changed." 
Oh, my, how I've heard these words recently! This statement has ranged in meaning from my views to my depression and almost everything in between the two. It's been spoken like it's an accusation. It's been said with irritation. These words have even been spoken as a reason that I'm harder to love or as something that makes it too difficult to keep me as a friend. 

But, you know what? This is who I am. I have depression. I will not apologize for that. It's part of me. My views? Yes, they've evolved. I've become more informed. I don't want to stay the same, anyway. I find that quite undesirable. I do not want to be stagnant. I choose to be a lifelong learner. Plus, in many ways I'm still the same:
kind, loving, compassionate, giving, bookish, feisty, wine-drinking, Netflix-watching, writer. If people would spend some time with me, they would see this; however, it's not my problem if they choose not to do so. I'm content with the people who are currently in my life and with the friends that I believe I will make in the future.

The older I get, the more comfortable I am with me. I love who I am. I want to surround myself with people who also love me for me. I won't simply be "tolerated." I expect to be loved, appreciated, and celebrated. It's taken me a long time to arrive at this place, and I won't allow anyone to take it away from me. It's an especially hard-won battle for someone with depression, but I've earned this victory and have the scars to prove it.

I feel beautiful in my own skin. I will continue to be true to who I am. For the ones who truly love me, I love you, too, and you all are wonderful examples of being real. To everyone, never be afraid to show your true colors. Your real life - and your real friends - are out there waiting!

Five Fun Fridays: Week Five (My Secrets)

It's hard to believe we've reached the final Friday of this series, yet here we are! I hope you've had as much fun as I have. This week I promised to dish out some of my secrets. So, without further hesitation, here we go.

1 What time did you get up this morning? I woke up around 7:30 this morning.

2. What is your favorite wine? White - Pinot Grigio; Red - Cabernet Sauvignon

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Guardians of the Galaxy 2

4. What is your favorite TV show? The Walking Dead, The Office, Forensic Files, Once Upon A Time, Impractical Jokers

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Washington State

6. What did you have for breakfast today? Smoothie (ketogenic and vegan)

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican

8. What foods do you dislike? Beets

9. Favorite Place to Eat? Local favorites, not the standard chain restaurants

10. Favorite salad dressing? Homemade dairy free ranch

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Dodge Caravan (And, yes, I rock that minivan!)

12. What are your favorite clothes? Yoga pants

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Ireland

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 empty

15. Where would you want to retire? Washington State

16. Favorite time of day? Mid-morning

17. Where were you born? Jackson, MS

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football.

22. Bird watcher? Yes. Watching birds is peaceful and calming for me.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither. I don't like waking up too early, and I don't enjoy staying up too late. I like mid-mornings, so I suppose you could call me a mid-morning person.

24. Do you have any pets? Yes, one dog.

25. Do you have any children? Yes, four.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A singer. (Sadly, my voice had other plans.)

27. What is your best childhood memory? Playing with my younger sister, Christmas, church

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog, but cats are cool, too.

29. Are you married? Yes. This December will make 20 years. ❤️

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes.

31. Secret talent? Yes. I can recite the alphabet backwards.

32. Any pet peeves? Arrogance, racism, sexism, basically people who think they're better than other people, unsolicited advice, platitudes

33. Favorite Pizza Topping? spinach, mushrooms, black olives

34. Favorite Flower? Roses, because I always hope to get some on Valentine's Day.

35. Favorite song? "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen

36. Favorite movie? Grease

37. Celebrity Crush? Jason Momoa, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Henry Cavill, Adam Levine

38. From whom did you get your last email? Etsy

39. Which store would you choose to max out your card? Ulta

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Yes, every day. I'm keeping some secrets, though, so I'm not answering this one any further.

41. Like your job? Usually.

42. Broccoli? Yes, especially sauteed in coconut oil and seasoned with garlic, pink sea salt, and pepper.

43. What was your favorite vacation? Hawaii

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? My family.

45. What are you listening to right now? The Twilight Movie Soundtrack

46. What is your favorite color? Green

47. How many tattoos do you have? Five

48. How many piercings? Three: both ears, daith

49. Favorite book? To Kill A Mockingbird

50. Coffee drinker? Decaf

So, there you have it! Those are some of my hidden secrets. Is there anything else you'd like to know? Just ask in the comments. I'd also love to see your answers to these questions. Let me know if you decide to do a "Top Secret" post on your blog. Now, on to the final week of the giveaway. It will end one week from today - on Friday, August 4. Want to see what's included in this giveaway? Head on over to the other posts in this series and check out all the wonderful items that are included. For your chance to win, do one or any combination of the following:

Comment on this blog post = One entry
Share this post on Twitter = One entry (Leave a comment to let me know if you do this.)
Pin this post to Pinterest = One entry (Leave a comment to let me know if you do this.)
Share this post on Facebook = (Leave a comment to let me know if you do this.)