Guest Post: Welcome Kyria!!

I hope other people find these posts as fun to read as I do to organize. One of the interesting – yet crazy – parts about blogging is how intimately we get to know our internet friends. Something about the barrier of space (without the barrier of time) allows us to share a lot of day-to-day quirks that those around us in “real life” might not get to observe.

Today I’m thrilled to host Kyria. Most of the time I throw my hands up when trying to recall when I first made my way to someone’s site, but my introduction to Kyria was 100% via Lisa. They have met in real life – a number of times – and once I started reading about Kyria’s travel adventures, I was hooked! She loves to explore, hike, organize, cook/eat, and pursues a frugal lifestyle. Um…check, check, check, check, and check.

When you’re finished reading Kyria’s “interview” feel free to head over to her blog where I’m guest posting later today. I think I’m an open book, but my answer to her first question is something I haven’t shared before (I had to scratch my head for a while to come up with something I thought no one would know about me).

Settle back, enjoy, and join me in welcoming Kyria.

Q. What aspect of your current life/career would most surprise 20-year-old Kyria?

20 year old me would probably be surprised that current me rarely drinks or stays out late. When I was 20, I used to work in retail and my shift was 1 pm – 10 pm and then I would go out after that and get drinks with friends! Now I am in bed most nights by 9 pm. [Y’all – she gets up most mornings by 3:45. AM!!! I can’t even…]

Q. Do you have a go-to reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?

If I could get motivated, I would go for a run or a hike, as I really get a boost from fresh air and exercise. If I was not as motivated, I would probably watch a YouTube video about travel, as they often give me ideas for what my next adventure will be.

Q. If you could add (or subtract) one habitual behaviour in your life, what would it be?

I would like to get better at adding some sort of strength training to my life. I have been a runner for so long, but don’t really prioritize other exercise that much.

Q. What’s one piece of advice you wish you had heard (or understood) at an earlier age?

I actually don’t have a lot of regrets, and I do think that everything we do is part of us learning and goes into who we are, but I do wish I would have just listened to the wisdom of older people more. I definitely thought I knew things that now I look back and realize that I had no clue. But maybe certain things are better when we learn them ourselves. [Yup. And maybe sometimes we can’t learn the lessons without experiencing the situation/consequences first?]

Q. What was your favourite purchase (under $200) in 2023?

I actually did not buy a lot of “things” in 2023, so I guess I would have to say that my favorite things I bought were experiences. I went with my family to a VR space exploration, went and saw Book of Mormon and Les Mis, went out to dinner with friends and had a fun weekend on the coast with my friend and her kiddos. All were money well spent! [I would LOVE to see a professional production of Les Misérables. The music is spectacular and I find myself humming Master of the House regularly.]

Q. If you could eat only one meal on repeat for a week, what would you choose?

I would love to eat carnitas burritos every day if I (a) wasn’t bothered by wheat (boooo!!) and (b) wouldn’t gain weight. So I guess I will say a kind of carnitas plate instead? I do love me some crispy, salty, porky goodness.

Q. What song is most likely to put a smile on your face?

This is a hard question. I can think of several. The Turtles “So Happy Together,” because it is peppy and you can sing along with it. Sir Mix A Lot “Baby Got Back,” because it is funny and I know all the words. Alice In Chains “Got Me Wrong” because AIC was a huge part of my formidable years. There are hundreds more and they all make me smile for different reasons!

Q. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

I think you’re going to need a bigger blog post! I have a lot of peeves, but probably my biggest is people who are late, especially without any notice. I find it very disrespectful and feel like they don’t value my or anyone else’s time when they do this.

Q. What international destination – that you’ve never visited – do you most want to see?

Another one that I have hundreds of answers for, but one for sure is the Balkans; I have heard that there are some beautiful places. For example, Google Mostar! It is stunning.

Q. If you could snap your fingers and have all the capabilities necessary to excel in any career or hobby (e.g. if your wish was to be a famous rockstar, you’d magically have the necessary vocal/instrumental skills), what would you choose and why?

I would love to be able to sing. I love to sing but my voice sounds like two cats fighting. [Across all the guest posts, singing consistently comes out as the top answer, followed by dancing!]

Q. List five things that would happen as part of your idealized “perfect day”.

Can this be fantasy? If so, I would have Scotty beam me to Mostar (or various other places!), where I would eat some sort of food that I had never tried before, have a nice glass of wine and then take a hike in the mountains and end the day reading my book and getting a massage at the same time.

Q. Share a weird/random/true fact – any odd skills or unusual experiences?

I was hiking to Everest Base camp with a friend and he slipped on a wet rock and fell off a rock ledge off the mountain. I thought he was dead but luckily he landed on a ledge below. However, he had hit his head and was bleeding everywhere and I had to figure out how to get down to the ledge, wrap up his head and get him down the mountain, which proved to be difficult as it was snowing and there was no communication or transportation for miles. We ended up walking in the dark (in the snow!) for hours and hours and finally getting to a teahouse that had two volunteer medics from Scotland who were both named Sara who cleaned and sewed him up. Silver lining: the next day we got a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu, which had a great view of the mountains! [Yikes! That is all so scary and thank goodness you were there to rescue your friend. I’m sure that is a story that has been shared many times! Does your friend still like to hike?]

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

I have quilts made by both of my grandmothers and one made by my aunt.

Q. If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, which colour would you choose?

Black. No contest. [You’ve met Lisa before, right? Haha.]

Q. If you were on a desert island and could only bring three items, which three items would you bring?

Kindle, endless supply of carnitas, water (unless it had water, then I would bring either a knife or a flint).

Q. Did you have any pets as a child?

I had a lot of cats, and a lovely black lab who was a great friend to me.

Q. If you were doing it for fun – and money was no object/didn’t factor into your decision – what would your dream job be?

Travel or nature photographer.

Q. What words would your friends use to describe you/your personality?

My trail name is prepper and I was once called “regimented” so I guess that they think I am organized (sometimes too much?)

Q. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Ha! I answered this before but like I said then, my Dad always used to say that I do not suffer fools, so I guess that would be my label.

Thanks for visiting here today, Kyria. It’s always so fun to get a behind-the-scenes look into other bloggers lives and adventures (and we know you LOVE a good adventure).

Your turn. Any questions for Kyria? Have you ever been in a helicopter? Do you tend toward order or chaos (no judgement either way)? Do you arrive early, on time, or late to most things? Anyone fortunate enough to have visited Mostar before? Do you have an all-time favourite song from a musical?