"Just Be Yourself" -- What A Stupid Phrase

There are few phrases that make me cringe more than the overused and useless, "just be yourself." It's not that I lack the ability to understand the meaning; the problem is that I disagree with the advice. People dish this gem out before job interviews, dates, the first day of school, when meeting up with a new group of people, and so on; and yet they never consider what they're really saying.

Here's my problem with the phrase. You can be whoever you want to be, and if that personality is different today than it is tomorrow, it's fine. There is no spoon. Some days I'm quiet, some days I'm loud. My personality changes monthly, weekly, daily. If you're trying to be the same person you've always been then you're not adapting and growing along with the rest of your life.

People get stuck thinking that previous life choices should dictate future ones. Don't be afraid to admit that your previous self may have sucked and possibly blew a couple big decisions. Move on, reevaluate and be ready to adapt. Let go of your one identity and start living like a schizophrenic.

Down Under & To The Right #9 - Australia - Billy Goats & Tim-Tam Straws

"Tim-Tam Straws" - After a night out on the town in Airlie Beach at the Koala Club (a local backpacker hot spot) and seeing "Inception", Nathan and I head up a nearby mountain to see if we can get a view of the landscape. We also test to see if Tim-Tam's can really be used as straws for your tea.

Down Under & To The Right #8 - Australia's Crazy Surf!

"Australia's Vicious Flowers" - Nathan gets attacked by a poisonous animal, we go Surfing, try out yoga for the first time, and I pull a bit of a prank on Nathan.

Down Under & To The Right #7 - GDay Mate!

"Gday Mate" - We say goodbye to New Zealand and Sarah and GDay to Australia and Simone. After a small scare in the airport (I was stopped at the gate and assumed my travel visa had been denied by the Aussies) we arrive in Brisbane, Australia and are picked up by Simone. We then head to Pamona where her daughter Sahara is waiting for us.

Down Under & To The Right #6 - New Zealand

"Beat The New Zealand Grandmas" - This is the second half of our fourth day in New Zealand. We "hike" through a redwood forest, Nathan takes a shot at driving on the left hand side of the road, and we discuss different accents.

Down Under & To The Right #5 - New Zealand

"Welcome to New Zealand, you won't die" - This is the first half of our 4th day in New Zealand. We visit Lake Taupo, geysers and mud flats at Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland (http://www.waiotapu.co.nz) and stick our feet in a warm river.