Bonjour, everybody! I am happy to announce that today I have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award! I love the sunshine–it brings us life!
I would like to extend a special thank you to Meher Gandhi from The Scribblings for the nomination! Meher’s tagline is “Reveries of a Vehement Spirit.” We could use more vehement spirits in the world. Definitely check out her poetry, reviews, and other musings!
RULES:
- Thank the blogger who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
- Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
- Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
- List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post/on your blog.
MY ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS Meher Gandhi HAS ASKED:
1) How old is your blog?
Sunny Spicy Love Fest just turned two–and had a giant birthday party with a piñata!
2) In the near future, are you planning to change anything about your blog?
I am not planning any changes at the moment. The blog has evolved from an aimless set of rants and ramblings to an account of an expat American’s life in the Mexican tropics. My pieces lately have dealt with this comprehensive life change.
This blog is now one of two that I have going. In my professional life–and you could say life in general–I have evolved into a new role as a spiritual coach and writer. The blog for this is called Change Without Limits.
3) Do you have a favourite post of yours? If yes, then share the link to it!
Here is one that really captures a life in transition: Sacrificios Humanos
4) Do you read books/watch movies? Any favourite(s)?
I read books–lots of books. My all-time favorite novel has to be One Hundred Years of Solitude. This is the paperback that I have read so often it is beginning to fall apart.
I love a good movie, though I don’t watch them as often as I used to. I am, have always been, and always will be a Star Wars fan. I was six when the original movie came out (and I am a Jedi, so there you go!)
5) If you got a chance to visit a place for free, where would you go?
In a former job I hosted groups and trips for a worldwide travel club, and actually got paid to visit places such as Costa Rica, Aruba, and the Bahamas. No kidding. That said, if you want to send me to Greece for free, all expenses paid, then please reach out and let me know! I’ll cook, I’ll write beautiful blog posts. It could be fun!
6) If you could transform into any animal, which would it be?
I would turn into a jaguar. I just have a connection. In the Mayan world (I live in Yucatán) jaguars go through to other realms and come back with messages and teachings for those in this world. They are guides.
7) What’s your favourite thing from the room/place you’re at while answering this question?
There is an old vinyl turntable on the bookcase right behind me and a vintage stash of records. Pretty cool.
Oh yeah, and I’m in Mérida, where it’s mellow and it’s warm.
8. Seas or mountains?
The ocean, always.
It’s funny: I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, hundreds of miles from the sea and surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. I grew up spending large chunks of time in the mountains, but once I came to live near the sea, I realized right away that mountains, however spectacular, cannot compare.
9. What do you prefer for your first draft–computer or notebook?
Computer. I may take some notes or scribble a rough outline in a notebook, but these days I even do that on the machine.
10. What advice would you give to your younger self?
To my 1989 self, aged 17 and still in high school, on an exchange program in Spain: Stay where you are! Don’t go back to the US; finish school here and live in Europe. Trust me, just do it!
11. What advice would you give to your older self?
Pour me another shot of mezcal, would ya?
MY NOMINEES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
3) bexcapades
10) Molly Y Rees
MY QUESTIONS FOR THE ELEVEN NOMINEES:
Congratulations! Because your blogs have themes at least in part related to travel, wanderlust, and discovery, let us talk about your discoveries–inner and outer! The eleven questions are below:
1) What is your most favorite place in your current hometown? Why?
2) What is the most amazing place you have ever visited?
3) How do you hope to transform your readers and the world at large through your writing?
4) How do you hope to transform yourself through your writing?
5) Who is your all-time favorite author?
6) Travelers often speak of certain experiences that rocked them to the core and caused a giant shift of perspective in their lives. What has been your biggest, most transformative experience while traveling? If your most transformative experience occurred when you weren’t traveling, what was that?
7) How many languages do you speak? Which ones?
8) If you could learn another language fluently, which would you choose and why?
9) Approximately how many hours a day do you spend writing–or wish you could spend writing?
10) If you could pick up and move to another country right now, where would you go and why?
11) Please link to your blog post that you feel best encapsulates who you are as a person and the change you would like to make in the world.
Congratulations again to all my nominees, and thanks to Meher Gandhi for nominating me and for your questions! I hope you all have fun with this–I’m looking forward to your responses!
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Thank you/ Muchas gracias/ Merci beaucoup,
Tomás