Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

 

I was recently nominated for the prestigious ‘Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award’. I was nominated by the effervescent Mackenzie Glanville of Reflections from Me.This is a blogger nominated award and is a friendly and fun way of getting to know each other through answering a series of questions.I’d like to thank Mackenzie for considering me for this. 
  

Here are my responses to the questions MG has put to me…

What has been your biggest pleasant surprise about starting your blogging career?
The feedback I have received from my friends and family. I was so frightened, I am not used to allowing myself to feel vulnerable in such an extreme way. It took a long time to get to the point of publishing. The feedback I received gave me courage to keep going. I have kept all of the early feedback, I have it compiled and I refer to it to make sure my essence stays true to where I started from, because that has had the most profound effect.  
 
If you could sit down with one person alive or not, who has influenced your writing who would it be and why?
I have no fricking idea, and I am just not a ‘one person’ kind of girl (unless your talking about me and my husband, he’s my ‘one’ in life). What interests me is the story behind the person. So the process they use to write, how they do it, how they get to the end result. I have a bit of a girl crush on Lena Dunham. I am also pretty impressed with Seth MacFarlane and the writers-producers of shows such as Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Mad Men. I love their ability to create rich characters, artful suspense and captivating storylines.
I also have to say, that in preparation for writing a blog I did sit down (technologically speaking) with a friend of mine who is a renowned Journalist back home. Her offer to read some of my writing to give me honest, constructive feedback was such a gift and I was shit scared when I sent it through. In fact the first lot I sent was such crap I asked for it back. The words of advice I received have helped me shape my style and I refer to her words every time I write a post.
 
Describe your fashion style or lack there of.
Classic, comfortable and low maintenance (some would say – no style). I have quite a few life philosophies, one for almost every occasion but my go-to is ‘as long as you have fabulous hair you will be okay’. So I just make sure my hair is kept in decent shape. I can dress for the occasion though, if required.
 
Pearls, Gold or Silver?
Pearls. They represent femininity, strength, courage and dependability.
 
Favourite children’s author past or present?
OK, not technically a children’s author, but Cleveland Amory for his book ‘The Cat Who Came For Christmas’. It was one in a series, and it was aimed at the younger audience. I found this book just before Christmas when I was about eleven. My mum said I could have it, but as a Christmas gift. As soon as I opened it I started to read, and I could not put it down. I have read it so many times over the years, and I just love it. I love cats and this story about a man, a cat and their relationship is truly memorable and moving. Such was their bond, they are buried together.

Oh and Dr. Suess. I love the interaction I can have with the children when we read one of his masterpieces. Currently we are reading ‘Did I ever tell you how lucky you are’. The kids are obsessed with the pants eating plant.
 
Five foods or dishes you can never say ‘no’ to?
1. My SB’s wood-fire oven pizzas
2. Hot toast and melted butter with vegemite
3. Pasta (risotto)
4. Custard
5. Rice pudding
 
The album or singer you are embarrassed to admit you love?
I am not embarrassed, I own my choices. It’s Air Supply. In fact I have been known to have the CD in my car so when I’m alone I can sing at the top of my lungs.
 
One of the things I enjoy here in Manila is 96.3FM. Over here they are all about the big power ballads and this radio station is on in most taxis and I get to hear Air Supply, The Carpenters and any other band who is known for their rock ballads. It is not unusual to hear the same song repeated a few times over the hours. It is a secret singers dream come true. I have nearly broken out in song with the odd taxi driver here, sadly my children scream when I sing…for me to stop….
 
Are you a party girl or a homebody? And you have to pick one over the other here ladies.
Homebody. However to me being a homebody means having people over to my home where I can feed them, nurture them and we can entertain and be entertained.
 
What inspires you to keep blogging? 
I blog for me. I have wanted to write for years and now I have the opportunity. 
 
If you published your dream novel, what style would it be? Fiction, non fiction, romance, murder mystery, self help, advice, horror, or other?
Funny you should ask this question. When I started cleaning out my house for this move, in a box, in the attic I found an old notebook of mine. It was one I used when I was quite a bit younger for my self-coaching. In this book was a letter from my future self and it is quite poignant. I have achieved most of what was in that letter, but I spoke of a book I hoped to write. This is what I wrote:
“You are putting together a book, it’s a big book about life, happiness, setting goals, entertainment tips and recipes all at the same time”.
I think a lot of this is already ‘done’ so I’d need to redefine my niche but who knows what the future will bring.

The Rules

1. Link to the person who nominated you.
2. Add the award logo.
3. Answer the questions your nominator has asked.
4. Nominate 7 other blogs and let them know via comments.
5. Ask your nominees 10 questions.

My Nominees

I have only chosen 5. I have selected blogs that I have personally got something out of. I don’t have a lot of time to read blogs, so I am very selective about what I do cast my eye over. These five are the ones who come to mind and who MG didn’t nominate!  

1. Wendy Flack – Travelling on Trains
2. Joy Page Manual – Catharsis
3. Muriel Jacques – French Yummy Mummy
4. Sheran Dempster – Constructitchick
5. Vidya Suri – Vidyasury

My 10 Questions Are:

1. What has been your biggest pleasant surprise about starting your blogging career? (taken from MG’s questions)
2. What is your favourite room in your home, why?
3. What is your favourite sensation?
4. What is your favourite scent?
5. What is your favourite flavour?
6. List five things that make you smile?
7. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  
8. Introvert or Extrovert?
9. If you had a super power, what would it be?
10. What is the last book you read? What did you think?