I had the honor of being nominated for this fun challenge by Jordyn, from “The Chronically Unimaginable” Blog. The challenge is a Vogue Magazine parody that is currently trending in the blogger-sphere right now (I haven’t heard of it until this nomination). I googled it and listened to a few famous people YouTube their responses. So much amusement listening to Anna Wintour of Vogue Magazine! Linking in my bio on Instagram, as a fun way to get to know me. Thank you so much Jordyn! I am so honored that you thought of me for this challenge. I am also really glad that we are both fighting to end the stigma of mental illness in this world. (The rules are found below my answers.)
THE CHALLENGE BEGINS:
1. What is your usual Starbucks order? The stars have aligned with this questions. In abundance, does that answer your question? Haha, oh yeah. Health conscious me orders an Iced Coffee with 2 honeys, two add shots and half and half. :) If I’m going all out? I love a Salted Carmel or Peppermint Mochas, especially in those Fall Cups with all the feels of Fall.
2. What does your work station look like right now? It’s SUMMER! I’m outta there! My home workstation is my desk, which currently is full of book edit revision notes, masks that need to be decorated and mailed out, my water canteen (minus the lid - don’t know where I misplaced it today- LOL), a half empty Wintergreen Ice Breaker case, a “Choose Happy” flexible cupcake bookmark, two sets of inspirational note packs, my happy spider plant from my classroom , notes from my last podcast with Anne Moss Rogers, which incidentally is all over my Editorial Letter. OOPS. Thank God I have a digital copy. (whew) I’ve been working here all day but trying to get out and rejuvenate with a hike.
3. All-time favorite food? Thai, I love any kind of Curry, especially Chicken Yellow Curry and Roti Canai. Red Chili or Top Thai and my two favorite restaurants. Second favorite, any kind of Grilled Chicken Salad.
4. Favorite Author? Wow, such a difficult question. Prior to becoming an author and entering into that community, I would have said Patricia Cornwell for the forensic science investigations. I picked up the love of murder mystery stories from my mother. My most favorite author growing up was Laura Ingalls Wilder, many said I reminded them of her too. The books that I enjoyed reading with my kids, - the Harry Potter series of course. Now that I’m an author myself, I have several Indie authors that I quite adore. Check out my feed there.
5. What do you think of open relationships? Like Bethany and Jordyn, I wouldn’t want that for me, I haven’t had a relationship since 1999, seriously. On the other-hand, the way I live my life isn’t a basis for everyone, to each his own.
6. What is your favorite video game? While I was growing up, my brother and I played The Legend of Zelda, you know when the screens moved along the TV screen? LOL, we loved playing this game all summer. Along those lines, I also love Kingdom Hearts, my kids used to also play this all summer. Challenging bosses and storylines, that’s what I loved about both games.
7. Guilty Pleasure treat? Oohhh, well… I love DARK chocolate! The Darker the better. Sticky Gooey Chocolate Ice Cream is also a favorite.
8. Favorite Movie? A question that has a different answer, depending on the time in my life you ask it; lol. Star Wars, Star Trek, Harry Potter - Ugh, so many choices.
9. Favorite book? Narnia, Harry Potter, Laura Ingall’s, Of Mice & Men, Jane Austen Books, Beloved, The Color Purple, The Shack , Dear America & many more
10. Twitter or Instagram? I use both, actually I began using Twitter first when I tweeted about my football fan days, then I published my book and turned to Instagram. My Twitter revisit only just happened a few months ago. I love both for different reasons.
11. Desktop or laptop? Currently I’m typing on my Mac Desktop 24 inch screen, which I love! I do have a laptop for work, which works fine for teacher work. I use my phone, iPad, laptop and Desktop for so many things, I guess I’m versatile like that. :)
12. Best advice you’ve ever received? My mother and I didn’t see eye-to-eye on many things, but she did tell me to ‘always look for the bright light in everything, because it’s always there.’ Silver-lining ideas before it became cliche.
13. What project are you working on right now? I’m working on a few projects, one that just launched, “Ditch the Mask” Campaign, in which people wear a mask I purchased and decorated and we film them taking it off. Our dialogue will be powerful and all filmed guests will be part of a documentary on YouTube. I’m also working on a Virtual Museum of Mental illnesses for education. Lastly I’m creating a teaching module to provide training to teachers in support of students.
14. Favorite color? GREEN, Green and GREEN!
15. Did you get good grades at school? Living in my mother’s house, A’s and B’s were the only grade you’d better bring home, so I got those. My college GPA was 3.97. However, I FAILED one class 5 times over, and it hit me hard. Binary Language, who needs that?
16. Dream job? Speaking on and advocating in the area of mental health, raising kids, teaching others about mindfulness, breathing and living better. If I could make more money than teaching, I’d open my own podcast studio, build a museum of mental illnesses, modeled after my virtual one and humanEYES mental illness. My compassion is who I am, it’s my purpose now.
17. Played any sports? In high school I played Tennis, Badminton and Basketball. I was a Flag Twirler and marched in the band at our football games. I love to watch professional football, but that’s about it for my sports. Hiking is a favorite sport now.
18. Do you have a degree? I graduated high school in 3 1/2 years, and was accepted into Stanford with a full-ride scholarship. Family issues resulted in me becoming homeless and life on the streets took over. My traumatic childhood wouldn’t haunt me until this time and long after. Finally I returned to college and completed my Bachelor of Science, Teaching Credential and Master’s of Science in Education, all while I raised my four kids and worked a full-time job. I also was a single mother at the time.
19. Nationality? I’m from Sacramento, California, parents from South Dakota, North Carolina, Conneticut and Virginia. Family traced back to England, Ireland, Germany and Poland.
20. What is your favorite kind of blog post to do? My blog is mostly about my mental health advocacy, so most are surrounding those ideas. I’ve blogged about how to practice mindfulness with kids, hiking and the latest research connected to mental health and advocacy. My life-story is also partially on my blog, especially after this post of 73 questions. :) Guest blogging is fun!
21. What do you like to collect? Mugs, coffee, mugs, wine, wine glasses and books. I love to read, drink coffee and wine occasionally.
22. Describe yourself in three words? Passionate, Independent and Love-able
23. If you were a rapper what would your rapper name be? Haha, I am so eclectic, Eminem, Tupac, Will Smith, Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, Queen Latifah, all are faves of mine. So…. I would have to go with DeeBee Trippin, which was going to be my license plate “DBTripn” years ago. Haha… okay, seriously though it was. The name generator came up with: “Da Real Dawnette” sangin’ - “I is Eclectic (And Don't You Forget It)” [too much fun with this one]
24. Who was the last person you DM’d? One of my podcast guests, regarding her audio file. Lynn Nanos on FB Messenger.
25. What is on the top of your wish list right now? Wishing I could see my youngest daughter in Hawaii!!! She’s in the Navy and will be there three years.
26. Sorting house? Definitely Hogwarts or Ravenclaw.
27. How many tattoos do you have? As fearless as I am, I’m been afraid to get one. My youngest daughter has about seven, so I’ve contemplated this more recently. My favorite quote was just discovered two weeks ago. “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.”
―Hafiz of Shiraz
28. What are you most grateful for this year? This year, I am grateful for my fourth grandson, my podcast and projects and most especially, my four children and grandchildren.
29. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this month? Really being recognized for the passion I have to do the work in the realm of mental health advocacy, it’s truly been rewarding. My blogs, twitter support, podcast, speaking and projects.
30. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you today? Being nominated to write this blog post. I woke up at 6:00 am
31. What’s the best thing ever? Realizing the humanity in people, realizing the possibility that change is possible and compassion. Being compassionate is cathartic for the soul.
32. Favorite season? Fall leaves, I love how they crunch under my feet. Scarves are wonderful to wear in the fall and I love the smell of the air when the wind blows.
33. Favorite fictional animal? I love Gombi’s they’re so cute and fluffy, just like a dog.
34. What fictional character do you relate to the most? Joyce from “Stranger Things,” played by Winona Ryder. She’s all in when it comes to helping her kids and getting others to move on her behalf. Haha, I find myself agreeing to many things she does. Although she’s a little more Laissez-Faire than I when it comes to some things, I love her ‘take no for an answer,’ mentality, when it comes to her kids.
35. Do you like surprises? It depends. Being surprised in the dark tends to freak me out, but surprise vacations or visits from family is okay.
36. What’s the biggest surprise you’ve ever had? A negative one is when I came home from work, after I graduated high school in 3 1/2 years, working full-time to save for Stanford enrollment in the Fall and my mother told me to leave her house. Big SURPRISE. This impacted my mental health and my life.
37. What’s the surprise that made you cry? The one above. Again, not a great surprise, I definitely cried over this one for many years.
38. What’s the best surprise you’ve ever given someone? I’m not sure, but I bought my third child a car after she completed a year of college. I told my kids that I would have purchased one for all of them, but the older two didn’t finish their first year. They though college was over-rated and one is now working in tech, another photography and the third is now in the Navy. My youngest is living at home.
39. Do you like muffins? Chocolate, chocolate muffins, slightly warmed are amazing.
40. Do you cook often? I’m not a practicing ‘chef’ like my other siblings, but I can cook well if I have a recipe.
41. What’s your favorite dessert? Mostly anything dark chocolate, but I love raspberry jello pretzel salad.
42. Is there a dessert you don’t like? Fruit cake was my mothers’ favorite type of cake, or figs; but I despise both.
43. Cake or pie? Both, but double thick dark chocolate cake or key lime pie.
44. What’s your least favorite food? (Jordyn, what’s up? I love Pickles and mayo) Okay, probably chicken livers. My mother used to want them every day. Yuck, yuck and gross.
45. What’s your favorite condiment? Honey mustard or anything with garlic.
46. It’s 4 A.M. on a Saturday night, what would you eat? Uh, probably my smoothie, I get up at 5 am anyway! Frozen mixed berries, Green Grass Food Powder, Chia seeds, Spirulina, honey, Greek Yogurt or Fage’ Yogurt and Emergen-C packet, blended well in 1 cup of water.
47. If you could teach a college class what would it be called? Computer Technology, Math, Science or a Writing Class. (I actually taught college for Kids)
48. Best animated film? I have two; First, “Inside Out,” as it tried to provide children and adults with alternative emotions and to describe them using animated characters. Brilliant! Secondly,”Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse,” finally we have an animated film where anyone can be the hero and our hero is both black and hispanic. I love this, because it’s breaking down walls for people from diverse cultures, while also giving them hope that they too can be a hero.
49. What has a guy (or girl) done or said to impress you? A friend of mine cheered me up today actually, she sent me uplifting messages and poems. “You are loved. You are a fragmented price of God. You are the God within. All this will continue to shape you, refine you, into an even shinier diamond that you’ve always been, Dawnette. You must train your mind.” Then, “We will always be disturbed if we outsource our peace to outside things (people and their opinions, situations, outcomes) they always change. And something we don’t like is always around the corner.” It’s nice to be reminded. :)
50. The best thing to do on a date? Enjoy the day and be yourself.
51. The worst thing to do on a date? Focus on other things and people.
52. What is the funniest pick-up line a guy/girl could use on a girl/guy? “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” Yes, really.
53. Best comic book character? Wonder Woman, who else?
54. What are three things that are always in your purse? Mints, DL and Lipgloss/moisture/tint
55. Favorite drink? Water, Coffee and Wine.
56. If you could play a historical character who would it be? I love Jordyn’s answer, I cannot tell you how many times I remember watching this movie in my classes. I loved her for this and it really hit home when we read “Beloved,” in college. (Harriet Tubman, because of her role in the underground railroad. Can you imagine making it to freedom and then going back into the danger zone?)
57. Kittens or puppies? All little animals are cute, even Bambi.
58. Favorite sushi roll? Sushi what? I love fish, but don’t eat Sushi.
59. What kind of lipstick do you use? Usually red or neutral tones.
60. What kind of foundation do you use? Light, clean and with suncreen - light to fair and a light powder, but sometimes I wear nothing but hyaluronic acid.
61. Blow dry or air dry? I usually blow dry my hair, but my eldest learned in her cosmetology school to blow from the top down to avoid damaging the hair follicles.
62. Who is your fashion icon? I have a subscription to “Stitch Fix,” and so I learned to style that way. I love jeans, neutral colors and greens.
63. Favorite Disney character? I love the Little Mermaid, she’s so kind and sings well.
64. What are you doing tomorrow? Tomorrow I’m packing and cleaning, getting ready for a surprise.
65. Movie you laughed the hardest through? Several years ago I watched “Silver Streak,” and laughed out loud. I also loved the new Jumanji remake - I laughed hysterically at that move too. The Rock is always funny and to add Kevin Hart?
66. A movie that made you cry? A Dog’s Purpose always makes me cry. I typically cry at anything though. Mostly romantic and sappy movies, as well as dramatic ones with a message? Get’s me every time.
67. If you could sing a duet with someone who would it be? I love the story of Elton John’s life. I had no clue and I’d love to have #EltonJohn on my #podcast to share his story. That would be an amazing treat. #mywish #singwitheltonjohn #podcastwitheltonjohn
68. If your life were a song what would the title be? “Keep Holding On,” by Avril Lavigne. Love it.
69. Favorite animal? I love butterflies, although they aren’t technically an animal. Chimpanzees are so kind and intelligent. My mother used to study them when I was younger, while she completed her Psychology Degree.
70. Favorite illustrator? I love my illustrator Agnes Agnieszka from Poland I believe.
71. The person you want to have coffee with? I’d love to talk with Oprah about her up and coming show with Apple. I hear it’s on mental health and I’m curious.
72. What’s the country you wish to visit? London, Italy and Greece!
73. Best ways to decompress? Hiking, reading, chatting with a friend or meditating. I love massages and getting a mani and pedi.
The Rules:
For this challenge, you must answer the same questions that I did. You also need to nominate 12 people to complete the challenge as well. Make sure you notify your nominees. Please note that there is no rush to complete this. I know that many of you are dealing with health challenges, so please take as much time as you need!
My Nominees: (in no particular order)
Katherine – ButterFlyTearsAndKisses
John – TheRoadToMentalWellness
JodyB - JodyB2016
Ginger Blogger – GingerBloggers
Sassy - ThinkingOutloud
Robbie – MondaysWithUs
Jackie – JackieOfAllTrades
Kajsa - MentalHealthNaps
Dawn - Manxiouslife
Polly – PollysPad
Essie - SincerelyEssie
MyborderlineJourney
Thank you so much for reading this fun post today! What did you think of my answers? Were there any you were surprised by? Please subscribe and let me know. Shining lights, to brighten tomorrows.