A: More than anything, I love to be outdoors. I moved to Chicago this past February, so I'm still adjusting to the seasons here, but I take advantage of good (and mediocre) weather as much as I can. This doesn't tend to be strictly structured. Instead, I like to walk, run, swim, sunbathe, play volleyball, hike, and volunteer in my local parks. I'll take my indoor hobbies outside when I can, which can look like reading, painting, etc. in a park. I've really enjoyed getting to know Chicago as a city, so I've spent a lot of time riding on transit, walking around different neighborhoods, and exploring local businesses. The Art Institute is a personal favorite; I have a membership there, so I love to pop in for an hour or two and explore all of the exhibits. When I'm home, I spend time with my cats, read, pole dance (when my pole is working - it's currently out of commission), watch TV, and hang out with my friends.
A: 1 - my cats! I have two, and they're my babies. 2 - my library card. I read a lot; my goal this year is 50 books, and I'm well on my way to hitting that goal. When I moved to Chicago, one of the first things I did was get a library card. 3 - my weighted blanket. If you have one, you get it. 4 - my rice cooker. Seriously, I wasn't joking about being able to eat rice and beans every day. I rarely eat out but I also don't love to cook, so it's an absolute lifesaver. 5 - my bathtub. Not sure if this counts, since I don't technically own it, but a bathtub is absolutely make-or-break on apartments for me. What's the point of having a shower if I can't sit down for a long soak in the winter?
A: I love to travel! I traveled quite a lot when I was in college and then slowed down a bit once I started working full-time. When I was studying, I spent about nine months outside of the U.S., predominantly in Latin America and East Africa. English is my only native language, but I speak three others conversationally (at minimum): Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili. I've also visited over half of the United States. I've done multiple cross-country road trips and have spent a lot of time in the Southeast, Midwest, and West. Despite all of this, I've somehow never managed to make it to California. It's my biggest travel oversight in the U.S., and it's one that I hope to rectify soon.
A: I focus on making choices that are healthy and sustainable. My approach to diet centers on eating food that is tasty, nutritious, and makes me feel good. I don't follow any formal dietary plans; instead, I focus on making sure that I eat whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables every day. I tend to be more plant-based, simply because brown rice and beans is one of my favorite meals of all time. I could eat it every day and be happy. Similarly, I don't have a gym membership or follow a strict fitness routine. This usually surprises my partners, because my body is strong and flexible. That's because I live an active lifestyle and get exercise outside of the gym. I enjoy walking, running, swimming, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and bodyweight workouts. These are activities that I incorporate into my life as part of a healthy routine. I never want to use exercise as a punishment for my body; instead, I focus on finding joy in motion and self-improvement.
A: I love how flexible I am, both physically and emotionally. I appreciate the variety that life has to offer, and I keep an open mind when surrounded by people, experiences, or situations that are unfamiliar to me. When plans go sideways, I'm able to go with the flow and laugh it off. Every day is a new adventure and I rarely lose sight of that.
This ties into the physical flexibility as well! Yoga and other forms of movement meditation have been instrumental in strengthening my core and helping me find an emotional center. It's so rewarding to have progressed from not being able to touch my toes to being able to drop into a side split. I find so much joy in building a relationship with my body that allows me to really appreciate all that I have to offer.
Something that sets me apart from other people is the amount of delight I'm able to take in my body. Transitioning helped me realize how much I love using my body to stretch, run, walk, dance, and, of course, have sex. I find that this enjoyment is contagious and affects the people around me as well. I love using my personal flexibility to help others unwind and unbend.