Sunshine Blogger Award

A kind thanks to Aathira Jim for nominating my blog for the Sunshine Blogger Award on July 13th. (More about her below.)

According to one blogger, "The Sunshine Blogger Award is a way for bloggers to get to know each other and also get other bloggers to link to their website (very good for SEO!)" (That's 'search engine optimization' by the way.)

See the award rules below.

1. When did you join the blogging world? Did any incident/ person inspire you to do so?

In July 2010: Oh WOW! I forgot to celebrate my fifth blog anniversary! I was inspired to start my blog as I was attempting to initiate a children's co-creative choir. I thought if people google my name, they won't find me! So I thought I would share a bit about me and my choir-to-be (a bit) so people would get a sense of me.

2. What is the best lesson that Life has taught you, till now?

So many of course as I am still learning and re-learning. However, I would say to like, accept, and love myself. This after not one - I needed to really get the lesson! - but two almost "near-death" experiences at the hands of ex-boyfriends. Read a bit about the story here: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/part-3-suicide-prevention-week.html and the lesson here: http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2014/09/part-2-suicide-prevention-week.html.

3. What is the role that blogging plays in your life?

Blogging is an outlet for me. Self-/expression is extremely important to me and creativity. Blogging allows me to do both. It also is a vehicle to write about anything and everything and not be censored; thus, I love this medium. I can write about issues that are dear to my heart or local community or worldwide events as I have on occasion.

4. What would you do if you have all the money in the world?

Sing, dance, play, read, write (three books: children's story, poetry, and part of my life story (to empower others), organic farming for three months at least...

5. Which is your all time favorite book that you can never get tired of reading?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon.

It is a short read, but brilliantly written about an autistic boy's perspective ...don't wish to give it away now do I?!

6. Name a dream city or location that you want to visit someday and why.

There are several but I would say Alaska first and foremost. I would love to experience the pristine wilderness and see the phenomenol Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis)

Photo from Pixabay

7. Share a hilarious incident of your life.

My two sisters, one brother (at the time), and I used to walk to the bookmobile. No libraries back then I guess! It was close to Christmas time and I was carrying a lot/heavy books. I was struggling to hold them at the same time that I kept rubbing against one side of my pants with my arm to keep my pants up: the waistband was loose. It fell just before I stepped into the bookmobile and Christmas tree vendors noticed and I felt so embarrassed. I was about eight or 10 at the time. It wasn't funny then of course, but now, yes of course! ;)

8. What are your thoughts about my blog?

Aathira writes on her blog titled, Bewitched by words: A place where I dream and let my fingers do the talking (http://awanderingmindofabookaholic.blogspot.ae/2015/07/sunshine-blogger-award.html).

I love your blog's title first of all Aathira. I love your play on words and the word "bewitched" with "witch" in it too! ;) I love the pictures you have on top as I see/collect heart-shaped objects, love chocolate, and books...and is that a reading nook to the far left? ;) I love how your blog is organized in categories on top and easy-to-read font - thank you! - and your profile under the "About Me" tab. And of course, your writings whether fiction or poetry.

Award Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Nominate some other bloggers for this award.
3. Write the same amount of questions for the bloggers you have nominated.
4. Notify the bloggers you have nominated.

I'm nominating the bloggers below for this award (in alphabetical order):

1. Eloquent Mind
2. Parul Kashyap Thakur
3. Rajlakshmi H Boruah

Questions to nominees: no new questions. Just the ones that are mentioned above.

The Versatile Blogger's Award!

A kind thanks to dear Usha Menon for nominating my blog for the Versatile Blogger's Award - oops! on July 1st! (I am definitely running behind, my apologies.)

Versatile means "to adapt" or "able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities" according to a google search. I hope that describes me and my blog! ;)

If you are as curious as I am to know what it is about, here are some facts about this award (copying from Usha'a post as she was recently awarded):

"The Versatile Blogger's Award is given in recognition for great commitment, diverse talents, and generosity shown by bloggers. It is a great motivation and celebration of their work in the blogosphere."

The award comes with rules as follows:

1. Display the award on your blog.
2. Thank the person who has nominated you.
3. Share seven facts about yourself.
4. Nominate up to 15 bloggers.
5. Link your nominees' blogs and let them know.

Ok, here then are seven facts about me. I decided to do some silly ones 'cause after all it's summer and we are supposed to have fun, at least then, right? ;) And besides, since I have been nominated for several awards already, I would likely repeat myself having done this exercise prior.

1. When given a choice between two things, I will usually choose both!
2. I sit on a ball at work and currently on a heart-shaped cushion on top of four big fat phone books (ouch!) at home in front of my (current) desktop computer!
3. I often push elevator buttons with my pinkie, open doors with a scarf or sweater or bottom of my hand, or the side of my hand in a closed fist for other things (and I didn't think I was a germophobic!)
4. I love to do lip trills! It's a fun exercise, especially when tired/bored/frustrated/angry or the like or when waiting in line or at the bus stop, and sometimes just for fun! ;) (It is a great vocal warm-up, especially for choir.)
5. I like to invent words, sometimes with a definition and sometimes not! ;)
6. When I remember I do my body anchor and/or happy dance when really excited about something! The equivalent of "Cowabunga" perhaps?!
7. I used to doodle like crazy when on the phone and/or bored - often - in past. Now, I um, don't have anything exciting to do whilst bored and such. Anyone have any ideas, especially one where I can burn some calories easily? ;)

Ok, now your turn to those whom I nominate (in no particular order, and only five as it could get out of hand being forwarded!):

* Carol Graham whose blog http://batteredhope.blogspot.ca/ provides hope and inspiration to those who are survivors of tragedy
* Parul Kashyap Thakur whose posts seem to advocate for social issues and justice, in particular for women https://happinessandfood.wordpress.com/
* Sanch Vee who blogs at http://www.livingmyimperfectlife.com/ who, at times, questions ethical and moral principles
* Nabanita Dhar who questions life's dilemmas at http://www.nabanitadhar.in/
* Debbie D. Doglady blogs in her amusing tone on dogs, travels, and music http://thedogladysden.com/