Are you flat?

If anyone ever asked me to drink a glass of sparking water a few months ago, I would have spit a mouthful of fizzy liquid in their face.

While that is a large exaggeration, it was an indisputable truth that I didn't enjoy the stuff very much.

Lately, I feel that small changes in my tastes, interests and views surprise me. There are things that I never thought I would like or want to do and yet I find them flooding my mind with new possibilities. It makes me wonder about all of the things that I've previously dismissed and how many of them did I give a fair chance?

People are so quick to say, "I would never be the type of person who..."

However, I find it's always the people who say, "I would never do that job" or "I would never spend all of my time with a significant other" or "I would never get hair extensions" that end up finding themselves in a situation that causes them to re-evaluate or change their stance.

So sparkling water, yes, I've been guzzling it even though I used to despise it. Suddenly, there is nothing more refreshing than a glass of non-alcoholic bubbly. 

And really though, nothing is worse than being called flat (not in the chest way) but in the generic, boring, same old kind of way. It's about trying something new, even if you think you wouldn't necessarily like it, or be good at it. I drew the above photo with this design app and realized that I can draw silly things even though I'm not a design expert or know how to use special software. 

I'd much rather try and find the sparkling in my flat life. Wouldn't you?

Happy 1 Year Not A Model!!!!!

365 days ago, I started something.

I can't believe Not A Model was launched exactly one year ago today! It all started with an idea that despite looks, height and bone structure we can be whoever we want. My first post titled, "Greetings Non-Models" still encapsulates the direction I wanted this blog to go in.

I still believe that, "If you are healthy, driven and confident you can do just about anything."

A year ago I couldn't imagine how far blogging would take me. I remember being afraid to share my writing. I thought, "Who the heck would want to read about what goes on inside my head?"

While this blog hasn't reached the pinnacles of other blogs, I am extremely happy with the results. I've learned a lot about myself and my readers along the way. It has provided me with an entire new community of people who I look forward to interacting with.

I want to thank each and every one of my readers (new and old) who read religiously, or just stop by here and there. All of your eyeballs, comments and page hits (we've hit over 22,000!!!) are appreciated.

I asked my sister to bake a little something for the occasion. I wanted to get her back into baking, since she hasn't made anything for months. Our kitchen has been held hostage under renovations, but she's also been going through a tough time. I was delighted when she told me she had this whole idea beyond a cupcake. If you read Not A Model often, you know how talented my sister is when it comes to baking and home design, but she is also the sweetest, greatest person who deserves nothing but happiness in this life.

*Drumroll* please, this is what she created:

Amazing right?

Thanks again to all my readers, you keep me writing!

Remember: Not A Model is a state of mind, live it, embrace it, be yourself!