You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Mountains or ocean?
I love both for different reasons, but I’m a water baby at heart. I’ll take the ocean — ideally warm, tropical oceans with gentle, rolling waves and clear teal blue waters…I feel at home by the sea.
- In my opinion, if you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
- Persistent and unafraid to make a complete fool out of yourself (sometimes)
- Willing to set aside your ego
- Willing to try new things and let go of the past
- I think it also helps to be likable, since it usually takes a lot of people up in the mix to be successful at something…unless you live by cutthroat rules, but in my experience, people like to hire/work with people who can not only get the job done, but are also polite, friendly people who would be fun to hang out with.
- Places where you feel safe?
- In my bed at home
- The living room at my parents’ house in Union City
- In quiet, air-conditioned libraries with big windows (no idea why)
- What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
If you’re into it, why the heck not? I went through a phase in the ‘90s when I desperately wanted to be Gwen Stefani and wore them all the time, even to class, LOL!Granted, I probably looked ridiculous, but who cares? I had fun. 🙂
- Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
I have not, but I’d like to someday. It sounds very interesting!
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. Mountains or ocean?
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
3. Places where you feel safe?
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
Good morning, sweet girl (or boy)! I hope you slept well. It’s a quiet, still morning here in Novato…one of those mornings that you know is going to be an epically, scorchingly hot day, haha!
We’re in the midst of a record-setting heatwave here in the Bay Area with temps around 100 degrees, and when your place doesn’t have air conditioning, well…you gotta get as much work done as possible by about 2 p.m., because after that, the heat is unbearable.
Yesterday El Hub and I took refuge at the mall. We hit up the Chipotle in San Rafael (“Guacamole is extra.”), and then watched that new Jason Bateman thriller called The Gift.
Oh, my gosh — SO good. And so many plot twists. I may or may not have screamed, “AHHHHHHHHHH!” at the top of my lungs during one of the startling scenes (El Hub yelled, “OH, SH*T!”). Yes, we are those people, LOL!
Enjoy the rest of your Monday, and have a peaceful week. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I totally remember buying cheap rhinestones to put on my face in the 90s! Right at the outer corner of my eyes or on the tops of my cheekbones! Usually accompanied by glitter in the same general area! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!
You’re welcome Danielle! 🙂 Were you into the baby blue ones? I always liked wearing either baby blue rhinestones or clear ones. I used lash glue to apply them. lol
Yes! Baby blue and purple were my colours of choice! Oh and extra points if the glitter had little stars in it too 😀
I did glitter a few times but kept it mostly to the clubs, LOL! Ahh, the ’90s. Can you believe all the styles are back again? I watched a video recently called Famous by Charli XCX where the main character wears an outfit that I totally rocked back in the day — a-line, fuzzy baby tee sweater, and a black choker necklace. I kinda wish I kept all my clothes from that era.
Ha! I am learning the Tarot cards, I’d love to do a reading for you to practice – but it would not be that exciting, I think, since I’m not great at it yet! I’ve had good feedback from folks, but I need more practice for sure. I’ve always been drawn to Tarot, so I’m excited to learn more and do readings for others sometime soon.
1. Ocean for sure – I grew up next to the Pacific and something about water is SO soothing.
2. Ha no clue.
3. Ha no clue.
4. Not really interested, even though I LOVE glitter.
5. Yep – by internet and playing around with my cards. There’s always so much to think about after a reading.
Stephanie! Let’s make that Tarot reading happen! I’d love for you to practice on me. I did that once with a student who was learning astrology charts and thought it was interesting.
Okay, can do! Send me an email @ the address I’ve given here with a general life question and I can work with you on a spread for it and email an answer.
1. Mountains or ocean? Ocean!
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________. Willing to accept constructive criticism!
3. Places where you feel safe? My bed at home, my host mom’s house in France.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? I haven’t, but I can’t say I never would, especially for a trapeze performance or something!
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No, I don’t believe in horoscopes or tarot.
That’s great advice for success, Chelsea. 🙂
Where did you stay when you were in France?
Brest, in Brittany. There’s a poem about it we read in undergrad that starts out “Il pleut sans cesse sur Brest,” it rains non stop in Brest. Pretty accurate, but great for gingers!
I just googled it and spent a good while checking out pics of the area. What a beautiful spot! I hope that you had at least a few warm days while you were there so you could go enjoy the water.
Definitely! My host mom also used to say that the weather is beautiful in Brittany, sometimes several times a day.
Well now there’s another spot for my travel bucket list. 🙂
When’s the best time to go?
1. Mountains or ocean? Mountains!
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be prepared to do whatever it takes.
3. Places where you feel safe? Anywhere as long as my fiancé is there.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? If you’re over the age of 10, don’t.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No, but I once bought some from a magic shop, just for shits and giggles.
When are you guys getting married, Melissa?
Saturday!
1. Mountains or ocean?
Ocean! Although I love the mountains too!
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________.
Persistent. I know my persistence has paid off. And sometimes you just have to be patient and wait for things to fall in to place. You have to balance it with taking chances too! And sometimes being successful can just involve a bit of sheer luck too.
3. Places where you feel safe?
At home or anywhere with my dog.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
I’m sure there are some people out there that can pull it off…but not me. Lol.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
Yes! My friend did some readings for me. He is really good at it. And without me telling him certain things were going on in my life, he was able to tie his readings to different situations and happenings. He is pretty good at it!
I like your answer to the second question, Elena! I agree that patience and a little bit of luck come into play too. 🙂
I hope that you have a wonderful week!
1. Mountains or ocean?
I love both! If I had to choose though, ocean forever!
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________.
Tenacious! There is a lot that goes into it though!
3. Places where you feel safe?
Home! I also felt pretty safe everywhere I went in Germany.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
NOPE!
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
No, I have not!
Have a great week!
1. Mountains or ocean?
Ocean. The ocean has such a calming, soothing effect. I like the mountains too but there’s something liberating about the ocean.
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
Hard-working. All the rest that you said Karen is true too!
3. Places where you feel safe?
My couch. My bed.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
Never have, and never will. I guess it’s either something you get into in your youth or never embrace.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
Yes! I don’t actually believe in that kind of thing but it was fun.
Hope your Monday is going well! We’re finally having a cooler day here, after baking for almost a week. I stayed up till 4 last night to finish a good book, so I’m a little slow today :p
It’s so hot here right now! Yesterday it hit 100 and it’s been quite a challenge without air conditioning. But we got through it. 🙂
What book did you read last night?
We don’t have AC either and yesterday afternoon, it was 86 in the house according to the meat thermometer, lol!
The book I read was a thriller in French, the name of the author is Bernard Minier, I’m not sure he’s been translated in English!
The novel is actually available in English: http://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Dead-Novel-Bernard-Minier/dp/1250045533/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439843167&sr=8-1&keywords=bernard+minier
Thank you for the rec! Next time I go to the bookstore I’m going to thumb through a few pages to see if I like the writing. 🙂
I recently finished listening to a young adult book called Cinder:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder
It’s one of three from a series called The Lunar Chronicles. Now I’m about a quarter way through the second book. So far so good!
1. Mountains or ocean? I really feel at home at both places. The hubs likes the mountains.
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________. Fearless and egoless! Not everyone will like you, stay strong.
3. Places where you feel safe? At home, my parents’ house in the country, and in small towns.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? Go for it! Why not?
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No, but I would.
Yes, definitely fearless! It helps. 🙂
Have a good week, Stephanie.
1. Mountains or ocean?Uhm, neither? Farm, ranch, stable. But if I had to choose it would be mountains. I’m terrified of water deeper than my knees.
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________.
Talented? I’m not sure I know the answer to this one. The only thing I’ve been semi-successful at is parenting my child. And that was a lot of improvisation.
3. Places where you feel safe? Most any place when my DH (dear husband) is by my side. He really makes me feel secure.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
No way!
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
No, but I once had my palm read by a gypsy in Boston. I was with my girlfriend and I would venture to say, she was pretty spot on. Unfortunately, she said I’d never be rich. Comfortable, but not rich. More to life than money.
I really want to see “The Gift” and whole bunch of other movies, too. Especially if the theater is air conditioned so I can escape this heat. They say it’s going to finally rain this winter, whenever winter gets to NorCal.
1. Mountains or ocean?
Can I do both? I live pretty close to the beach, like 20 minutes away, but I love the mountains too. I’m also very afraid of sharks, which takes away from that ocean feeling. So I’ll say mountains.
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be _________.
patient and determined.
3. Places where you feel safe?
My house, my grandparents house in Arizona, and this one will be odd, but cities where I don’t know anyone. When I visit New York, I am absolutely at ease.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
If that’s your thing, go for it! We used to wear stickers on our faces, right below our right outer eye corner. I look back at that, like “what the heck were we thinking?!”
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
No, but I would love to! It seems very cool. 🙂
1. Mountains or ocean? Oceans all the way!
2. If you want to be success at something, you have to be __________. Ready to try new things and if it doesn’t work, try something else. Don’t give up, you have to be persistent.
3. Places where you feel safe? At home and anywhere that cats are present. They make me feel all Zen-like.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? Not interested but they may work if you wear them to a party/event.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? Yes. It is always an interesting experience!
1. Mountains or ocean? Ocean. I really like the mountains, too, but the ocean is my favorite. I live only a couple of hours away from both, so that’s pretty nice.
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________. Hard-working, persistent, and open-minded.
3. Places where you feel safe? My house
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? It’s fun! I think they’re really pretty around the eyes.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No. I don’t believe in fortune-telling, and I’m not interested in paying for it for entertainment.
1. Mountains or ocean? Ocean. I do love mountains but I get mountain sickness and I hate the headaches 🙁
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________. Focused.
3. Places where you feel safe? My boxing gym and yoga studio and anywhere with my dad or husband – they’ve got my back 100%.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? I’m South Asian so bindis with small rhinestones aren’t anything new to me and I still wear them on occasion. Now I like to use sticky rhinestones as accent marks when I’m wrapping a gift or adding a little extra to a card.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No, though I think it might be fun.
1. Mountains or ocean? Ocean, no question about it. I’m happiest in the water or on the water or sitting right next to it.
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be hardworking, committed, creative, positive, organized and disciplined.
3. Places where you feel safe? my house, the yoga mat, the woods
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face? I’m way too freakin’ old, one might fall into a wrinkle and that would be totes embarrassing. But if you’re young with smooth, unlined skin, I say go for it.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read? No, I’m afraid to.
I keep hearing about that Gift movie and I love Jason Bateman so I guess I’ll have to go see it since you liked it. P.s. what in the world is his sister Justine up to????
We are having a crazy heat wave in Maine too. I’m loving it. Although we’re spoiled because it cools down quickly here. Once 6 p.m. hits, the temperature drops dramatically. It was 90 today but it’s 65 tonight. Does it stay hot at night when you have a heatwave in Novato?
1. Mountains or ocean? Hmm… I grow up by the mountains, but the ocean sound relaxes me! So looking forward to go on a holiday in an island :).
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be PERSISTENT. Keep improving yourself, keep going, and enjoy the process!
3. Places where you feel safe?
– My parents’ dining room
– Park in the city
– Next to my loved ones
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
If you can rock it, why not? I might do it for elaborate parties.
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
Not that I remember of…
1. Mountains or ocean?
I’m such a Libra, I love both! But if I had to choose one forever, mountains. 🙂
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
Able to conquer the excuses.
3. Places where you feel safe?
I’m with you – at home in bed, in my parents’ kitchen, on my BF’s sofa.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
It works well when you’re on stage…
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
No, but I’d be open to it!
1. Mountains or ocean?
I love both, but I´d choose mountains if I had to.
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
Persistent, disciplined and enthusiastic.
3. Places where you feel safe?
Around my husband.
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
Depends on the occasion, but if you want to, go for it!
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
I learned reading them myself when I was 16 and still own a set, although I stopped reading them for and by myself ten years ago, so I have gotten out of practice.
I just wanted to let you know that my parents cat had surgery on her leg (it was broken), but is healing very well and in a good mood. Thank you so much for your lovely words last week, we were all very upset.