So on to my delayed post that I've meant to write for at least a week.
When I first saw that on one of my long-time favorite blogs, Amazing in Motion, posted her answers to a TMI survey she'd read somewhere, I thought I'd play along as well at some point, especially since sometimes when I feel uninspired to write, I love doing those surveys.
And then I saw that another newer-to-me favorite blog, Running Around the Bend, was nominated for a "Very Inspiring Blogger" award and in response to the award, posted his answers to the TMI survey Aimee had answered, so I was extra-inspired to answer them myself.
THEN one of my newest favorite blogs, Spiritual Creaminess, was nominated for the same award and in turn, passed the nomination on to me. And then Mike at Running Around the Bend did as well! Thank you both. You guys both have fabulously interesting blogs about running and beyond, and I wasn't joking when I suggested we all run Steamtown 2015 and get some other marathoning bloggers that we like to join us.
So, the basics for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award are as follows:
- Thank the person who nominated you.
- Add the Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
- Share seven things about yourself.
- Nominate a list of bloggers that inspire you and comment on their post to let them know.
- Post on their blog about it.
But when we get to step 4, it's the obvious problem: several of the blogs I read have already been nominated by Mike or Running Bear (Megan, Jennifer, etc.). So I'm going with some on my reader that haven't been nominated as far as I've seen.
I nominate:
Bella at Bella on the Beach.
Amy at 26.2.
Grace at Grace Dishes.
Sara at 100% Runner Girl.
Kim at Healthy Living in the City.
Anna at On Anna's Plate.
TMI Survey
Here’s a little TMI about me:
1. What are you wearing?
Brown slacks, and a striped button blouse -- not normal stripes, a-frame kind of stripes, blue and brown on white. And brown wedges. Accessorized with my work watch, sapphire earrings, and a necklace from my husband (see answer to 28 below).
2. Ever been in love?
Yes.
3. Ever had a terrible breakup?
A couple, but by far the worst was while dating my husband. I remember it well because it hurt so much, though it's funny because he totally denies it even happened if I bring it up now. Less than three months after we'd started dating, he decided basically that things were going too fast. He hadn't been divorced very long and he thought he felt too strongly about me, so he wanted to take a break. That conversation happened over lunch and I went back to the office in a haze. That night, I left work to meet two girlfriends for a previously scheduled run at the lake, and within a mile, I was walking with one of them and crying endlessly. This may sound appalling, but I basically decided to kill myself -- the following week. I had plans the next day to fly to Chicago to meet up with my folks in the airport, then we were all flying together to NY state, where my one of my brothers was playing ball at the time. His now wife and now mother-in-law were going to meet us there. We were all going to spend the long Labor Day weekend watching his games and enjoying the time together, visiting Syracuse and nearby towns. In the back of my mind, I think I knew full well that as long as I held on for a few days, the pain and distress wouldn't be so bad and I wouldn't actually kill myself. But in reality, I don't think I've ever been so unhappy and wanting it to end as an adult as I was then (there was of course plenty of teenage angst in my life, but I don't think I ever would have been characterized as suicidal, though I definitely told my parents I wanted to die more than once, usually immediately after being grounded, forbidden from going to a tanning bed, told I couldn't go on an unsupervised spring break trip as a senior, given an "unreasonable" curfew, being prohibited from getting another ear piercing, etc.). I felt so thoroughly rejected. I felt like I'd put my entire honest self out there for the only guy as an adult that really felt like the right match for me, and if he didn't want me, then what hope was there? But like I said, in reality, I think I knew time (and in particular time with my momma) would help the process start to heal the wounds. I woke up the next day with a puffy face and feeling nearly as miserable, I parked at the airport and boarded my flight to Chicago. My flight landed, and as I was in the jetbridge deplaning, wondering if my flight had beat my parents', my phone rang. Lo and behold, it was him, saying he had no idea what he'd been thinking, that it had all been a mistake, that there was no reason we should both be miserable just because we happened to find each other quickly, that I was all he wanted in life, and wondering if we could just pretend the entire prior day had never happened. Oh, the relief! It changed our relationship of course, and I think I was more conscious of not rushing things, but essentially, it was nearly back to before -- talking, texting or emailing pretty much daily, seeing each other several times per week, and starting to have vague discussions about possible future plans -- though I know I was more reserved and more waiting for him to make the moves, him to call, him to make plans than maybe I was before. The downside to getting back together when we did, however, is that I was a fairly rotten daughter and sister for part of the weekend -- constantly on the phone talking or texting with him. I didn't tell my folks what had happened, and I remember my mom snipping at me that if this guy was so special I didn't even see 3 of my brother's 89 pitches or whatever that I should have either brought him with me or I shouldn't have bothered coming. Ahh, momma, but even that didn't make me stop smiling (though it did help me put the phone down).
4. How tall are you?
5’5″
5. How much do you weigh?
I have weighed between 100 and 200 for my entire adult life, though the actual numbers fluctuate daily.
6. Any tattoos?
No, my parents would never let me and while I sometimes consider it now, I've never done it. I like to joke with my husband about getting one and he vehemently opposes the idea (he has one he got int the military on his upper arm that he's considering having removed). But in June, thanks to a particular post I read by Running Bear, I entered the exciting world of temporary tattoos. I am contemplating never having an uninked day again. I promise I am going to do a regular post about this soon. It's probably going down as one of the most significant developments of 2014 in my world.
7. Any piercings?
I have two piercings in my each ear. I totally wanted more in high school and wasn't allowed, and funnily enough, I totally wish I didn't even have the second holes now. I wear earrings in the original piercing pretty much daily, but those second holes can still be seen.
8. Favorite song?
All time favorite is Angel, by Aerosmith.
9. Quality you look for in a partner?
Kindess (stealing Aimee's answer, but so true).
10. Favorite quote?
This one was actually the toughest for me to answer, so I'm going with a half-dozen or so.
"That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-Confucius (see also Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."; see also Thomas Edison, "I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.")
"I can do hard things"
-Janae (hungryrunnergirl)
11. Favorite actor?
I don’t really have one but if pressed today, I think I'll go with Denzel Washington.
12. Loud music or soft?
I'm not super musical, but when I do listen in my car, loud; when on a treadmill, loud; when at home during dinner, soft.
13. Where do you go when you’re sad?
Either to bed or for a run. One of the saddest days in recent memory was last April when I learned my grandpa had had a stroke. I remember running and seeing a cardinal, which either doesn't happen often or I'm usually oblivious. My grandpa loves birds (except blue jays) and I think cardinals are his favorites.
14. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Out of bed to out the door for work takes me about 4 to 4.5 hours. That includes a run or a work-out (sometimes both), breakfast, getting dressed, packing lunches if necessary, etc. Actual time from alarm to out the door to workout is about 15-18 minutes, including grabbing what I'm going to eat in the car. In terms of getting ready for work, I'm pretty low maintenance. It takes me a while (15 minutes?) to dry and do my hair (a couple times per month, if I'm doing a second run in the evening, I'll just leave it in a ponytail, but I usually wash it on Mon-Thurs at a minimum). As for make-up, all I wear to work/court is eyeliner, lipliner, and lipstick (about 2 minutes). If I'm going to a wedding or something, I'll sometimes do powder, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, but that happens less than 6 times per year on average I'd guess. Showering and deciding what to wear are usually tied for what takes the longest -- shower is usually about 15-20 minutes (try to stay in long enough that I'm not sweating anymore). If I manage to decide on outfits in advance by choosing them on a Sunday or if I'm traveling and don't have choices, then getting dressed and "accessorizing" takes minutes. On some random day when I'm not working out, know what to wear, and don't have to worry about breakfast or lunch, I'd say wake-up, contacts, shower, teeth, hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, shoes takes me about 40 minutes. On a weekend day, it's wake-up, contacts, teeth, hair, clothes, maybe jewelry, and it's all done within 15 minutes.
15. Ever been in a physical fight?
No (assuming fights with my brothers as kids don't count).
16. Turn on?
Kindness (generally sweet disposition), strong arms, bilingual, well-traveled, smiley.
17. Turn off?
Smoking, shorter than me, shouting, obesity, not married to me.
18. Fears?
My husband dying, financial ruin, dogs not on leashes, serious injury prohibiting me from running and/or traveling, my parents or siblings dying, drug addiction (since I went through the gate by attempting to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam in October 2013, it's only a matter of time before I am hooked on all drugs of all kinds), being left by my husband (I've said it before, he's a better person than I am and I wonder how he puts up with me when I'm particularly unsufferable), and gaining a lot of weight.
19. Last thing that made you cry?
I think it's good I don't really have any idea. I know I got pretty teary a few weeks ago when we had a friend visiting and we had a big conversation at dinner about some tough issues she's dealing with, but those were tears for her sadness and not my own. The last time I clearly remember crying my own sad tears was at Christmas when I saw my grandpa. It's hard to see him in a wheelchair, so small and frail and in need of assistance -- and most of all, so sad.
20. Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning at about 4:00.
21. Meaning behind your YouTube name?
Not applicable.
22. The relationship between you and the last person you texted?
This one's hard to answer because as I've been finishing up this post this morning, I've been going back and forth in two text conversations, one with my husband and one with my running buddy CW. Right now, the technical answer is "he is my running buddy."
23. Favorite food?
Probably cheese. Or olives. Or peas. Or grapes. Or baked goods. But probably cheese.
24. Place you want to visit?
Right now, the top new-to-me destinations that come to mind are the Taj Mahal (going in October!), the pyramids, Fiji/Bora Bora/etc., Israel, Dubai (going in October!), and South Africa. And the permanent "I'd love to go back any day, any time" list at the moment is Calabria (Italy), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Greece, Istanbul, and anywhere else in Italy.
25. Do you have a crush?
Yes! I'm sure he knows, but I should make a point of telling him today anyway. I hope it's mutual.
26. Last time you kissed someone?
This morning at about 4:00 when my husband left the house to go for a run, a shower/change at the gym, then to work. I kind of can go either way on Tuesday morning kisses. I love getting a kiss before he leaves, but I hate being woken up 45 minutes before my alarm if it is a random day when I can't fall back to sleep. The best is when he can kiss me goodbye and it doesn't totally wake me up, but I woke up this morning and we chatted for a few before he left. And I managed to go back to sleep! I'm counting on more kisses at about 7:00 tonight.
27. Last time you were insulted?
Nothing recent in particular comes to mind, but one of the most stinging insults ever came my freshman year of college from some pre-law type class professor. I went to talk to him about a C I'd gotten on an early exam in the class. He told me I had a placid mind. I don't give him any credit for where my life took me, but I will say that his comment spurred me to pull case synopses for class from Westlaw to review, and caused me to study harder for that class (and eventually earn an A in the class, despite the initial C). And I do think having a good grade in that class encouraged me to continue with the pre-law plan I'd had in mind since high school, and you know, eventually got me to a top 10 law school and to one of the best firms in the country (I believe).
28. Favorite piece of jewelry?
Very tough call. I've got a group of favorites (and hmm, seems like I've posted about all of them at one point or another): my engagement ring (a sapphire solitaire, which I almost lost), a diamond necklace from my husband (um, yeah, which I also almost lost), diamond earrings from my husband, a special Boston necklace from my mom, pearl earrings and a necklace from my husband's family in Italy (given to me to wear for our wedding), pearl bracelet and necklace (from our amazing friends in Shanghai), TWO charm bracelets (both with a lifetime collection of charms, the very first given to me by my grandma the day I was born). But I'd have to go with probably the traditional answer: my wedding ring (3 interlocking bands of white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold). Hubby and I have identical rings, which was important to me, but the inside of his is engraved (mine was too small to engrave). The only time I take it off is during a Bikram yoga class (when I set it on my towel, next to my water) or occasionally if my nieces want to play with it (but no one gets up until I've put it back on, nearly losing other favorite pieces of jewelry has taught me lessons). Honestly, just looking at the ring makes me feel warm, happy, loved, safe, and mushy.
A picture from the web (if the image doesn't work, I just searched "Cartier interlocking ring"):
1. What are you wearing?
Brown slacks, and a striped button blouse -- not normal stripes, a-frame kind of stripes, blue and brown on white. And brown wedges. Accessorized with my work watch, sapphire earrings, and a necklace from my husband (see answer to 28 below).
2. Ever been in love?
Yes.
3. Ever had a terrible breakup?
A couple, but by far the worst was while dating my husband. I remember it well because it hurt so much, though it's funny because he totally denies it even happened if I bring it up now. Less than three months after we'd started dating, he decided basically that things were going too fast. He hadn't been divorced very long and he thought he felt too strongly about me, so he wanted to take a break. That conversation happened over lunch and I went back to the office in a haze. That night, I left work to meet two girlfriends for a previously scheduled run at the lake, and within a mile, I was walking with one of them and crying endlessly. This may sound appalling, but I basically decided to kill myself -- the following week. I had plans the next day to fly to Chicago to meet up with my folks in the airport, then we were all flying together to NY state, where my one of my brothers was playing ball at the time. His now wife and now mother-in-law were going to meet us there. We were all going to spend the long Labor Day weekend watching his games and enjoying the time together, visiting Syracuse and nearby towns. In the back of my mind, I think I knew full well that as long as I held on for a few days, the pain and distress wouldn't be so bad and I wouldn't actually kill myself. But in reality, I don't think I've ever been so unhappy and wanting it to end as an adult as I was then (there was of course plenty of teenage angst in my life, but I don't think I ever would have been characterized as suicidal, though I definitely told my parents I wanted to die more than once, usually immediately after being grounded, forbidden from going to a tanning bed, told I couldn't go on an unsupervised spring break trip as a senior, given an "unreasonable" curfew, being prohibited from getting another ear piercing, etc.). I felt so thoroughly rejected. I felt like I'd put my entire honest self out there for the only guy as an adult that really felt like the right match for me, and if he didn't want me, then what hope was there? But like I said, in reality, I think I knew time (and in particular time with my momma) would help the process start to heal the wounds. I woke up the next day with a puffy face and feeling nearly as miserable, I parked at the airport and boarded my flight to Chicago. My flight landed, and as I was in the jetbridge deplaning, wondering if my flight had beat my parents', my phone rang. Lo and behold, it was him, saying he had no idea what he'd been thinking, that it had all been a mistake, that there was no reason we should both be miserable just because we happened to find each other quickly, that I was all he wanted in life, and wondering if we could just pretend the entire prior day had never happened. Oh, the relief! It changed our relationship of course, and I think I was more conscious of not rushing things, but essentially, it was nearly back to before -- talking, texting or emailing pretty much daily, seeing each other several times per week, and starting to have vague discussions about possible future plans -- though I know I was more reserved and more waiting for him to make the moves, him to call, him to make plans than maybe I was before. The downside to getting back together when we did, however, is that I was a fairly rotten daughter and sister for part of the weekend -- constantly on the phone talking or texting with him. I didn't tell my folks what had happened, and I remember my mom snipping at me that if this guy was so special I didn't even see 3 of my brother's 89 pitches or whatever that I should have either brought him with me or I shouldn't have bothered coming. Ahh, momma, but even that didn't make me stop smiling (though it did help me put the phone down).
4. How tall are you?
5’5″
5. How much do you weigh?
I have weighed between 100 and 200 for my entire adult life, though the actual numbers fluctuate daily.
6. Any tattoos?
No, my parents would never let me and while I sometimes consider it now, I've never done it. I like to joke with my husband about getting one and he vehemently opposes the idea (he has one he got int the military on his upper arm that he's considering having removed). But in June, thanks to a particular post I read by Running Bear, I entered the exciting world of temporary tattoos. I am contemplating never having an uninked day again. I promise I am going to do a regular post about this soon. It's probably going down as one of the most significant developments of 2014 in my world.
7. Any piercings?
I have two piercings in my each ear. I totally wanted more in high school and wasn't allowed, and funnily enough, I totally wish I didn't even have the second holes now. I wear earrings in the original piercing pretty much daily, but those second holes can still be seen.
8. Favorite song?
All time favorite is Angel, by Aerosmith.
9. Quality you look for in a partner?
Kindess (stealing Aimee's answer, but so true).
10. Favorite quote?
This one was actually the toughest for me to answer, so I'm going with a half-dozen or so.
"That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-Confucius (see also Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."; see also Thomas Edison, "I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.")
"I can do hard things"
-Janae (hungryrunnergirl)
11. Favorite actor?
I don’t really have one but if pressed today, I think I'll go with Denzel Washington.
12. Loud music or soft?
I'm not super musical, but when I do listen in my car, loud; when on a treadmill, loud; when at home during dinner, soft.
13. Where do you go when you’re sad?
Either to bed or for a run. One of the saddest days in recent memory was last April when I learned my grandpa had had a stroke. I remember running and seeing a cardinal, which either doesn't happen often or I'm usually oblivious. My grandpa loves birds (except blue jays) and I think cardinals are his favorites.
14. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Out of bed to out the door for work takes me about 4 to 4.5 hours. That includes a run or a work-out (sometimes both), breakfast, getting dressed, packing lunches if necessary, etc. Actual time from alarm to out the door to workout is about 15-18 minutes, including grabbing what I'm going to eat in the car. In terms of getting ready for work, I'm pretty low maintenance. It takes me a while (15 minutes?) to dry and do my hair (a couple times per month, if I'm doing a second run in the evening, I'll just leave it in a ponytail, but I usually wash it on Mon-Thurs at a minimum). As for make-up, all I wear to work/court is eyeliner, lipliner, and lipstick (about 2 minutes). If I'm going to a wedding or something, I'll sometimes do powder, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, but that happens less than 6 times per year on average I'd guess. Showering and deciding what to wear are usually tied for what takes the longest -- shower is usually about 15-20 minutes (try to stay in long enough that I'm not sweating anymore). If I manage to decide on outfits in advance by choosing them on a Sunday or if I'm traveling and don't have choices, then getting dressed and "accessorizing" takes minutes. On some random day when I'm not working out, know what to wear, and don't have to worry about breakfast or lunch, I'd say wake-up, contacts, shower, teeth, hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, shoes takes me about 40 minutes. On a weekend day, it's wake-up, contacts, teeth, hair, clothes, maybe jewelry, and it's all done within 15 minutes.
15. Ever been in a physical fight?
No (assuming fights with my brothers as kids don't count).
16. Turn on?
Kindness (generally sweet disposition), strong arms, bilingual, well-traveled, smiley.
17. Turn off?
Smoking, shorter than me, shouting, obesity, not married to me.
18. Fears?
My husband dying, financial ruin, dogs not on leashes, serious injury prohibiting me from running and/or traveling, my parents or siblings dying, drug addiction (since I went through the gate by attempting to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam in October 2013, it's only a matter of time before I am hooked on all drugs of all kinds), being left by my husband (I've said it before, he's a better person than I am and I wonder how he puts up with me when I'm particularly unsufferable), and gaining a lot of weight.
19. Last thing that made you cry?
I think it's good I don't really have any idea. I know I got pretty teary a few weeks ago when we had a friend visiting and we had a big conversation at dinner about some tough issues she's dealing with, but those were tears for her sadness and not my own. The last time I clearly remember crying my own sad tears was at Christmas when I saw my grandpa. It's hard to see him in a wheelchair, so small and frail and in need of assistance -- and most of all, so sad.
20. Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning at about 4:00.
21. Meaning behind your YouTube name?
Not applicable.
22. The relationship between you and the last person you texted?
This one's hard to answer because as I've been finishing up this post this morning, I've been going back and forth in two text conversations, one with my husband and one with my running buddy CW. Right now, the technical answer is "he is my running buddy."
23. Favorite food?
Probably cheese. Or olives. Or peas. Or grapes. Or baked goods. But probably cheese.
24. Place you want to visit?
Right now, the top new-to-me destinations that come to mind are the Taj Mahal (going in October!), the pyramids, Fiji/Bora Bora/etc., Israel, Dubai (going in October!), and South Africa. And the permanent "I'd love to go back any day, any time" list at the moment is Calabria (Italy), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Greece, Istanbul, and anywhere else in Italy.
25. Do you have a crush?
Yes! I'm sure he knows, but I should make a point of telling him today anyway. I hope it's mutual.
26. Last time you kissed someone?
This morning at about 4:00 when my husband left the house to go for a run, a shower/change at the gym, then to work. I kind of can go either way on Tuesday morning kisses. I love getting a kiss before he leaves, but I hate being woken up 45 minutes before my alarm if it is a random day when I can't fall back to sleep. The best is when he can kiss me goodbye and it doesn't totally wake me up, but I woke up this morning and we chatted for a few before he left. And I managed to go back to sleep! I'm counting on more kisses at about 7:00 tonight.
27. Last time you were insulted?
Nothing recent in particular comes to mind, but one of the most stinging insults ever came my freshman year of college from some pre-law type class professor. I went to talk to him about a C I'd gotten on an early exam in the class. He told me I had a placid mind. I don't give him any credit for where my life took me, but I will say that his comment spurred me to pull case synopses for class from Westlaw to review, and caused me to study harder for that class (and eventually earn an A in the class, despite the initial C). And I do think having a good grade in that class encouraged me to continue with the pre-law plan I'd had in mind since high school, and you know, eventually got me to a top 10 law school and to one of the best firms in the country (I believe).
28. Favorite piece of jewelry?
Very tough call. I've got a group of favorites (and hmm, seems like I've posted about all of them at one point or another): my engagement ring (a sapphire solitaire, which I almost lost), a diamond necklace from my husband (um, yeah, which I also almost lost), diamond earrings from my husband, a special Boston necklace from my mom, pearl earrings and a necklace from my husband's family in Italy (given to me to wear for our wedding), pearl bracelet and necklace (from our amazing friends in Shanghai), TWO charm bracelets (both with a lifetime collection of charms, the very first given to me by my grandma the day I was born). But I'd have to go with probably the traditional answer: my wedding ring (3 interlocking bands of white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold). Hubby and I have identical rings, which was important to me, but the inside of his is engraved (mine was too small to engrave). The only time I take it off is during a Bikram yoga class (when I set it on my towel, next to my water) or occasionally if my nieces want to play with it (but no one gets up until I've put it back on, nearly losing other favorite pieces of jewelry has taught me lessons). Honestly, just looking at the ring makes me feel warm, happy, loved, safe, and mushy.
A picture from the web (if the image doesn't work, I just searched "Cartier interlocking ring"):
LOVE this ... thanks so much for the over-sharing! haha
ReplyDeleteI love this one "Turn Off: not married to me". So true - I don't claim to be some mega-stud, but I am confident, sociable, easy-going and chatty ... and very often oblivious to signals that someone is hitting on me! I remember last year being in a conversation at the hotel I was staying at in Kentucky where I was suddenly way too much talking about my family and WIFE ... and realized that a defense mechanism had kicked in without me realizing ... yeah, NOT a turn on!
Loved your TMI! #3 is a crazy story...and hilarious that he doesn't remember it! I am intrigued by #6 and can't wait to hear more about it. #28--I am the same way about jewelry. When I travel, my souvenir is usually a piece of jewelry from a local artist. I feel the same way about my engagement ring and wedding band-just looking at them makes me happy. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI doubt he honestly doesn't remember, I think it's more that he totally wants to deny it in hopes that I'll forget all about it.
DeleteThank you so much for the nomination! I know I wasn’t one of your first picks as those had all already been nominated by the ones that nominated you, but I really appreciate it anyway!
ReplyDeleteCome on Sara, you know I read your blog regularly which means of course it was going to be nominated!
DeleteMy husband pulled a similar stunt early on in our relationship. I was devastated and now I can't even remember how we got back together. It didn't take too long though.
ReplyDeleteFiji!!! You have to go to Fiji. It was amazing, even more amazing than Australia. I only spent 24 hours there, but I would go back in a heartbeat. The people were so incredibly friendly and the beaches are gorgeous. Fiji is a place where you can go and relax, but there are a number of things to do as well. I would have love to take a nice long run at sunset. It was gorgeous!
South Africa is an incredibly interesting and diverse country to visit, but I vote for Mozambique!! Of course you could always see both if you're in S. Africa. Also if you've never been to Swaziland I recommend it as part of your southern African vacation!
CANNOT WAIT to read about it! I shall certainly keep Mozambique and Swaziland in mind when we head that direction.
Delete