Celebrating Our Blogging Community

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inAwards, Beautiful Blogger Award, Prolific Blogger Award, Tell Me About Yourself AwardTags:, , ,

“I think tolerance and acceptance and love is something that feeds every community.”

Lady Gaga

We are a community, scattered throughout the interconnected global world that is fast paced and ever-changing.  We are a community that celebrates diversity – customs, culture, languages, art and food. We are a community that shares our voices through poetry, music, dance, humour, art, and photography.  We are a community that is strong, courageous and tolerant. We are a community that wants to be a positive force for transformation – together.

Blogger awards are a way to affirm our community spirit and purpose.     It is also a means by which we can build our blogger connections. Whenever I read an “award” post, I know that I will be meeting a whole new group of bloggers.

When I first pressed the publish button, the first two bloggers who welcomed me to the blogosphere were Cristi at Simple.Interesting and Maarit-Johanna at Literature and Culture.  Over the months, their encouragement and commitment to excellence has been a guiding light.  Cristi and Maarit-Johanna create remarkable blogs that inspire, challenge and have a driving energy that draws others into their sphere.  I have travelled the planet several times over via Simple.Interesting.  With Literature and Culture I have become a time traveller to the ancient world and a student of philosophy.

Cristi and Maarit-Johanna have nominated me for blogger awards.  I am honoured to accept these awards. The best part about being nominated, in my opinion, is the opportunity to nominate other bloggers who have inspired my journey.

Each award nomination asked that I provide some facts about me.  I’m a baby boomer who lives in Vancouver, Canada. My decision to start blogging was to fulfill my father’s last request that I write, which was something far different from my chosen vocation.  On October 25, 2011, the day that my father passed away, I closed the door on my career and headed out into the unknown.  I researched my options and spoke to several social media academics/experts before choosing blogging as the venue to write.  I now know that reading posts of fellow bloggers is critical to realizing the full extent of the social media experience.  In a short time I learned:  The opportunity for knowledge and information exchange crosses geographic/demographic/generational borders and has unlimited potential for growth. Our community is packed with talented and highly motivated, professional bloggers.  I appreciate their efforts and recognize the hard work that goes into creating amazing spaces where people can dialogue.

Beautiful Blogger Award:

Cristi and Maarit-Johanna nominated me for the Beautiful Blogger Award, which has the following rules:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you. Simple.Interesting and Literature and Culture

2. Post the award image to your page

3. Tell 7 facts about yourself (see above)

4. Nominate bloggers and let them know about the nomination

Anarya Andir’s Blog:  A delightful and generous blogger who captures our imagination with her scribbles, thoughts, and a few forgotten memories…

Angies Grapevine: Angie shares what she thinks is fun and interesting stuff.  Her 4 totally awesome kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a degu rat, 10 fish, and totally amusing partner make for humorous and joyous posts.

Belle Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast   This B&B, the birthplace of James Madison, is on my bucket list.  Once you visit – it will be on yours, too!!

Brett Batten Brett is an author, advocate and educator.  He shares his remarkable journey to help others understand the complexities of living through difficult times.

Back Road Journal  A dynamic and fascinating blog that celebrates new beginnings, discoveries and the “back roads of life.”

Emmy Cooks  Seattle is famous for many things and one of those “things” is this amazing blog. The photos are enough to make my mouth water…

Lauren Olivia & Company Passport  Lauren and Kathleen are designers who search the world for products that celebrate diversity.  They are inspired by the words of Gandhi – “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

Hearing With The Eye: Daughter of a wildlife photographer, Sumithra says that books, music, travel define her life.  What more can there be…

Tell Me About Yourself Award:

Cristi and Maarit-Johanna nominated me for the Tell Me About Yourself Award, which has the following rules:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you: A huge thank you to  Simple.Interesting and Literature and Culture
  2. Tell Seven things about yourself that you haven’s shared yet: (refer above, however I really think you should know that I cannot resist Chai Tea, that I walk with walking poles, try to sing opera, talk to dogs and cats, and am thinking about learning the Celtic harp.)
  3. Nominate 7 bloggers.

Hoof Beats and Foot Prints: A compassionate blogger and adventure freelance photojournalist, who explores the world both on foot and by horseback.

Indifferent: A wonderful Romanian Blogger who has profound insights on the differences within our lives and suggests that we do what our heart dictates.

Orofiorentino: A feast for the senses: music, poetry and photography.  I always come away refreshed.

PJBrez Photogrphy: Patrick, a professor of English Studies, residing in Korea, has dedicated his site to exploring the world “through cheap lenses and any film he can get his hands on.”  No digital photos!!!

Mix&MatchMeme: Meme’s blog is called Mix-and-Match because there is not a single theme she wants to write about.  That means there is always a surprise waiting for you when you visit her blog.

AnElephantCant: I was intrigued by the tagline – “Random thoughts and images, some serious, some humorous, some pointless” – and signed up immediately.  So will you.

Cindy Knoke: Whenever someone writes – “I Blog therefore I am” – you know that you are in for an adventure.  Book reviews, travel ideas and customized recipes are presented with an international flair.

Prolific Blogger Award:

Cristi at Simple.Interesting nominated me for the Prolific Blogger Award, which is defined as “a prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive…keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content.”  This is indeed an honour coming from someone who has, as of today, close to 180,000 hits.  The rules are very simple:

  1. Every winner of the prolific blogger award pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers (and link to them; and notify them about their nomination at their blogs).
  2. Every prolific blogger please link back to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

The Why About This: Penny generously shares her love and joy of life through the lens of creativity.

Vicky Nanjappa: Vicky’s tag line: Journalism for Vertebrates lives up to its promise. His posts are thought-provoking and informative.

Russel Ray Photos:  I met Russel Ray when he “camped out” on my blog!  And I have been following his lively blog ever since.  His wit and wisdom are addictive!!!

The London Flower Lover:  A blog of wisdom and beauty.  Every time I visit, I am welcomed as a long-time friend and kindred spirit.  Pure joy!!

Henning Home Every post is filled with great music, beautiful ideas and thoughtful dialogue.  Get your translators as this blog is in German – a great way to learn a new language!!!

Phil Lanoue Photography:  A sports photographer who found a greater calling in nature.  Be prepared to experience undiscovered worlds.

A Frank Angle: I can always count on exciting and refreshing dialogue every time I visit this blog which is quite often.

My thanks to my blogging community – the best is yet to come…

And remember that “under cherry blossoms there are no strangers.” (Issa, Japan)

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

179 thoughts on “Celebrating Our Blogging Community”

    2. Congratulations on these well-deserved awards. You are a caring and passionate blogger and I am so excited to dig into the treasure trove of blogs that inspire you:)

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  3. Thank you so much! I look forward to making my way through this list and discovering some new gems. (I’m actually visiting and enjoying your hometown right now, it’s so beautiful!)

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  4. You deserve all the awards in the world, trust me when i say this…Thank you for your kind words and please let me tell you that is a daily joy to read your posts.

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  7. Congratulations on all the awards!!! You deserve them completely! And I’m very honoured you nominated me for an award :). Looking forward to more lovely posts from you! 🙂

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    1. My dear friend, I marvel at the amount of work that you put into your blog. You are my daily source for global news and the place where our environment and all creatures that walk this earth are embraced with compassion and respect. We have many miles of adventures ahead of us…

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  10. Congrats, Rebecca! You deserve many many awards. Thank you for being so supportive. I will continue to learn from you. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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    1. I am the one learning from you! You are taking the blogging world by storm. And I am following and applauding you from the sidelines. I look forward to every post…

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  11. You have a way of saying things that many of us try to say but it just doesn’t come out. So thank you for remembering me in your nominations and putting my very thoughts into words.

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    1. I have tried to be a poet – a long time ago. And then I found that it was more enjoyable to read poetry. You have a way of turning poetry into music – now I can sing along with you!!

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  12. Many thanks for the honor because receiving awards from wonderful people as yourself always gives me a special feeling. Meanwhile, I look forward to visiting your other nominees.

    BTW, I love your paragraph about yourself and how blogs offer learning opportunities!

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    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. When I started to blog, I had no idea that the blogosphere would be such a dynamic and fertile ground for life-long learning. I have really enjoyed following your blog because you “give back” to our community. You encourage, you make us laugh and make us think. And that is what keeps us curious and our lives interesting.

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      1. Thanks for so much your kind words. The blogosphere is a great source … well, as long as we just through the stuff that isn’t so great. I must say that blogs actually inspired one of my own personal learning journeys. The short version being that several posts (of others) served as the starting point for me diving into the interchange between science and religion. Believe me, the books, articles, etc that I’ve read are many. … but it all started with blogs. On that topic, you will notice that I have posted many! Thanks again!

        PS: I visit many of your awardees this morning … more to go. 🙂

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      2. I agree – I sort through stuff, too!! I do like your research project – Science and Religion!!! It is controversial, but it is a conversation that we need to have, especially with ourselves. So much to read and learn that it will keep you going for years to come. One of my favourite Charles Darwin quotes is: “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.”

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      3. Great quote … Meanwhile, I’m not so sure that the religion and science interchange is so controversial for two reasons: many people know very little about it, and I see it more as a fight between religions within Christianity.

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      4. Interesting point – I am looking forward to your thoughts. I agree – the controversy was probably more apparent in the early part of the 20th century. Maybe we are growing up….the debate has turned into a discussion!!!

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  14. Congratulations for your well deserved awards. I appreciate your kind words about my blog and the nomination. I see I’m in very good company. Thank you so much!

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    1. I admire your way of looking at the world – with arms stretched open to embrace all the goodness, challenges, adventures that life holds in store. You live in present, with joyful enthusiasm, and I love to tag along.

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  15. You absolutely deserve each of these blogging awards. Your wonderful posts are insightful and thought provoking. Thank you for creating conversation, for supporting the blogging community and for reading and so often leaving a gracious comment on my blog. I look forward to reading through the blogs you have nominated above and am so blessed to have connected with you.

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    1. I am so very glad that we connected and am looking forward to our ongoing dialogue. Every one of your posts is filled with a heart-warming story and great ideas for family celebrations. I always come away refreshed!!

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  17. Clanmother, I look forward to exploring many of the blogs you have introduced! The Lady Gaga quote is perfect for the blogosphere — I have so enjoyed my travels here so far, because of the wonderful diversity of content and personalities and experiences. Congrats on your well-deserved awards! ~ Kat

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging comments and warm congratulations. By the way, I found you through an “award post” and have enjoyed our travels together ever since. I agree – Lady Gaga has a way with words!!!

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      2. I always wanted to by part of the sisterhood. Thank you so much for your nomination. But an even bigger thanks for your friendship. What a remarkable journey we are on…

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    1. The world needs us (plural)! We are a dynamic force simply because all of us, using our unique talents, have decided to speak. I have enjoyed are ongoing dialogue for the past months and look forward to many more to come.

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  19. Congratulations on your many awards. Your post reminds me I need to go and pass on some awards of my own, which should have been done ages ago. Congrats again!

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    1. How wonderful to receive your congratulations, my friend. It is so much fun to pass along the awards. The depth and breadth of knowledge/talent in our community is extraordinary. My favourite daily routine is to have coffee with my iPad and all my blogger buddies.

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  20. Dear Rebecca, congratulations for your deserved awards.
    I have a lot to learn from you and thank you for this … Thank You !
    I appreciate your kind words about my blog and the nomination.
    Thank you so much for you friendship!

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    1. And thank you for creating an amazing blog that continues to inspire my thoughts. One of my favourite quotes about friendship comes from Harriet Beecher Stowe – “Friendship are discovered rather than made.” Looking forward to our ongoing discussion…

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      1. I agree with you and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Friendship is something very important for human nature: deep soul substance !

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    1. My dear friend – So happy you stopped by with your “heart” train. You liven my day with your humour, jubilant enthusiasm and profound insights. I have always loved trains, but yours is special because it takes me to Tinkytown where there is always a celebration.

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  22. Pingback: onorata de premii ! « Indiferent

      2. Thank you so much!!! I am truly honoured (Stay tuned for a blog post). Thank you for creating a remarkable blog that has humour and inspiration in every post!!!

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  25. First Rebecca – congratulations! Definitely deserved by you. For all the reasons given and because you are “way cool” also! Second – without sounding too silly I feel as if most probably you can hear my thoughts as I write this down. Hmmm…thank you for the honor of including me among an outstanding group of bloggers…I am a newbie with a mere 5 months of actual blogging under my belt. The year and a half before that I wrote a total of 3 posts! viewed by less than 10 people at that time. So all of this is most certainly overwhelming to me. Again the most sincerest of thanks, will do my best to live up to this one! Penny

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    1. How very interesting – we are very much alike in our journey!!! I started blogging in the summer of 2011, but never went public because I was trying to figure everything out. I’m glad we found each other in the early stages of our blogging experience. It should be an interesting voyage…. Thank you so much for accepting my nomination!!!

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  26. I love this post particularly because I learned more about you. I already know what an interesting person you are, but this fills in a little of the blanks. Thank my friend for the nom. Look forward to many more exchanges in the blogsphere! Cheers to you & gratitude for meeting you in cyberland!

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    1. I have found that following a blog is like following a mystery…the clues come just at the right time, for the right reason! Thank you so much for accepting my nomination and for creating an extraordinary place to visit.

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    1. And I appreciate that you bring the beauty, humour and drama of our environment to me every day. We live in a beatuiful world. My favourite quote about the environment is: “Don’t blow it – good planets are hard to find.” Quoted in Time

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    1. And I do love tea so very much!!! As C.S. Lewis once said, “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” Thank you so much for you kind words!!!

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  29. How wonderful 🙂 & congratulations. What a fitting post to celebrate a decision made to activate your father’s last request to write and to share your writing/yourself. That was a very touching part of this post for me. I agree the open borders of blogging are great for adventure, entertainment and information. I hope there’s mucho more years of blogging for you. Take care.

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    1. Thank you so much for joining the dialogue – I love when you stop by. You have brought up an excellent point – blogging into the future. Let’s stick around to find out what happens…

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  30. Congratulations on your awards you really deserve these. You always have kind words for everybody in our community. Thanks for the support and inspiration that you give to your fellow bloggers. I’m happy to follow your blogs!
    Have a nice day
    Anto

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    1. You say the nicest things!!! I so very much appreciate following your blog. My Italian is improving daily – now all I need to do is improve my cooking skills. Over the years, I had a career that left me very little time in the kitchen. In fact, I grew frightened of kitchens, in general. While other women seemed to be ballet dancers as they moved from the stove to the fridge, I confess that I seemed to trip on the chairs and table. Stepping into your blog has given me a little more confidence. I am getting out my ballet slippers….

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      2. My pleasure – no rush on the post!! I just wanted you to know that you have been an inspiration along my blogging journey. I have yet to begin my journey of “taking the kitchen.” You have given some great ideas…

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    1. I am delighted that you joined the dialogue!! You comments are heartening and very, very appreciated. I love your blog – great ideas and luvFAB content! Looking forward to the journey ahead…

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  34. Congratulations on your well-deserved awards Rebecca, and thank you for sending me a little message on petrel141’s blog… How lovely to know that I’m not forgotten!
    I’m quietly keeping up with my favourite bloggers … that’s why I’m here!

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    1. My dear Valerie!! You have no idea how much I miss you!! Take good care of your husband and thanks for letting me know that you are there. You have been in my thoughts and prayers….

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      1. What I also meant to say was – how wonderful that your father jogged you into writing. You are such an accomplished, articulate and thoughtful writer that I thought you’d been writing all your life. Lovely to hear from you…

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      2. Isn’t it interesting the twists and turns of fate. One conversation, one person, one moment can make the difference. I am glad that you and I met on the road less traveled. Thank you again, for keeping in touch. It means a great deal to me.

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  35. Tank you dear…Congratulations on all the awards!!! You deserve them completely! And I’m very honoured you nominated me for an award. I am very happy for you, onored for me.
    Tank you so very very much 🙂 🙂 🙂

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  36. Pingback: GRAZIE « orofiorentino

    1. Thank you!!! The best part about the awards is building my blogger community. There is an extraordinary amount of talent and knowledge exchange possibility. I love hearing the voices – each distinct and creating their way of interacting in this complex, ever changing global world.

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      1. You are a positive and inspiring blogger. Always one to get involved and comment or encourage. Adding your voice makes me feel as though someone is listening. I can see I’m not alone.

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      2. Thank you!!! To me, the very best part of the blogging experience is connecting. I love listening to the voices – we are a vibrant and inspiring community.

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    1. Bemerkenswert war ich von Geschicklichkeit und Mut der Fahrer erstaunt. Die Lastwagen waren mächtig – Ich war mir sicher, dass einige würden nie den Hügel. Vielen Dank für die Zusendung etwas anderes!

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    1. My dear friend! Thank you for your kindness and thoughtful support! I am honoured that you considered my blog for this prestigious award. I am looking forward to our ongoing journey. What an adventure we are on…

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      4. My dear friend, it is you who has a way with words. You have a great talent for poetry. I am glad that you are sharing the gift with the blogger community.

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    1. How wonderful that you stopped by for a visit!! Thank you so much for you comments – they made my day!!! I agree WordPress has given us a venue to explore and share. We are on a remarkable journey…together…

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  45. My father passed away in Jan 2010, and he is the reason that I am writing now, and also shape my vision in my photography, and many things in life. I watched a drama about magic, there is a conversation I like (something like this): that some special gifts are passed to the son when his father passed away. I think the gift is the wisdom of growing, and to make a decision to start a journey to find our soul.

    kc

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    1. How wonderful!!! You are a living tribute to your father’s honour and wisdom. We are on an amazing and profound journey – so glad that we connected along the way.

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  46. Congratulations on these well-deserved awards.! You’re a great blogger, long time but I’m reading your blog for this opportunity I would mention your poor lovely thought that is who told me in the comments, “My dear friend! Congratulations on a well deserved award and congratulations to all the bloggers remarkable Those who received your nomination ! I am honored to be Considered as a member of this esteemed group! this is a truly a celebration of our community! with much thanks – I look forward to our ongoing journey! What an adventure we are all on together … “it actually tells – a lot about – the width of your view and depth of your soul. – Congratulations to all those who are mentioned in this your post. because these are my thoughts in words and deeds deserve. – I read a lot of nice comments from you on the blog, they talk a lot about people – who are from different parts of the world come with you – to give gifts and recognized world-bljepoti who lives in your heart –
    Once again my sincere congratulations – you are great – I wish to all of you nice weekend and all the best
    With Love maxima

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    1. I am honoured by your words! We are meant to participate, to give back to our community, whether local or global. One of my favourite quotes is by Swami Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) “Stand up, be bold, be strong. Take the whole responsibility on your own shoulders, and know that you are the creator of your own destiny. All the strength and succour you want is within you. Therefore, make your own future.” With every post and every comment we become open to shared opportunities. We are defining our destiny. And that is the greatest gift of all..

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  47. Congratulations!!!! You definitely deserve all of these with all of the effort you put into your blogs! I am very impressed! I’ve missed having time to see all of your posts!

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    1. You are so kind!! I’m glad that we connected over the blogger miles! We are on an amazing adventure; sharing the journey with kindred spirits is pure sunshine…

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    1. Grazie mille! Sei notte è il mio giorno. Non è meraviglioso che possiamo condividere il mondo su Internet. Ho letto il tuo buona notte al mattino. Rende la mia giornata va molto meglio.

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    1. What a wonderful message to receive first thing in the morning. I am truly honoured and delighted to receive your nomination. (Stay turn for a post in the future). Thank you so much for creating an remarkable blog where you share your thoughts and concerns about health. Discovering that you have cancer in your thirties when you have children to raise is devastating. I was immediately drawn to your ability to live in the present, and to articulate your thoughts in a way that inspired courage in others. I especially liked the phase: “This is the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful of my cancer diagnosis and everything that has followed. This is my story…” I am so very glad that we have connected over the “blogger miles.”

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  50. My husband said to me the other day, what if someone writes something nasty in the comments.. oh no-one ever does, i told him, blog people are not like that.. it is true too.. lovely page !! c

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    1. When I first started out, I really didn’t know what to expect. Like your husband, I wondered what I would do if someone made an inappropriate comment. Over the last months, I have come to the same conclusion as you did: “blog people are not like that.” Every blog that I have visited is there for a reason: to make a difference, to add to the dialogue, to encourage positive thinking and to participate within our perilously divided world. Thank you so much for connecting and joining the conversation. I really appreciate your visit!!!

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  51. chère Rebecca,je vous remercie beaucoup pour votre visite sur mon blog “zorro42” et j’apprécie autant vos commentaire qui sont très encourageant.vous êtes une perle rare comme blogger;et toutes mes félicitations pour vos bourses.
    A+ j’espère!

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    1. Je profite de notre conversation! Nous sommes sur une excellente aventure où nous pouvons apprendre beaucoup les uns des autres. J’espère que vous avez un merveilleux week-end.

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  52. The lady who got me super-interested in blogging seems to have dropped off the radar. I used to enjoy reading about and seeing photos of her “food travels” around Cape Town South Africa. How do I (we) inspire her again? Well, I thought of asking some inspirational bloggers for help – bloggers who are active and inspire me.
    This message is being only sent to a handful of you – so if you get it and it’s on one of your comment pages; then you know that your site is one of my real favourites for food travel or photography.
    If you get a moment, please pop in and visit Amy’s blog “Miss Jones and the Elusive Food Orgasm”: if you see something you like then kindly let Amy know.
    You might want to perhaps start with: http://missjonesandtheelusivefoodorgasm.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/tables-at-nitida-the-best-burger-ive-had-in-a-while/ .
    Thank you in advance.

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    1. Hi Andrew – have signed up for Miss Jones! What a wonderful blog! It seems that the last post was October 14th! She is definitely courageous – she spent some time in Harare, Zimbabwe! Thank you for the suggestion! So glad that we connected…

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      1. I have taken a brief hiatus, but want to wish you a wonderful holiday. I also want to thank you, if I haven’t, for your nomination for blog of the year. I tried following the link and it didn’t work.

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      3. A few weeks or month back, you nominated my blog for blog of the year. I was harried at the time and tried to follow the link, but was unsuccessful. I can’t find it now., Is there a time limit or is it hidden somewhere ?

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  58. Pingback: Versatile Blogger Award! | rarasaur
  61. Pingback: #200 « The Sophomore Slump

    1. Thank you so much for your visit!!! I am enjoying the writing experience and connecting within the blogging community. I look forward to our ongoing discussion…

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  63. Ich teile deine Ansicht über unsere Gespräche über Landesgrenzen und Kontinente hinweg. Awards interessieren mich nicht so, mich freut es, wenn ich viele interessante Kommentare auf Grund eines Blog lesen und beantworten kann. Der Gedanken-Austausch, den wir miteinander beim bloggen machen, ist für mich umso wichtiger.
    Viele Grüsse an dich, Rebecca und alles Gute. ♥-lich Ernst

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    1. Vielen Dank fürs Vorbeischauen. Ihre Besuche und Präsenz sind wirklich zu schätzen. Wir schreiben zunächst die Kommunikation mit uns. Das ist das schwierigste Gespräch. Wir können nicht ignorieren unsere Gefühle, Bedürfnisse oder Wünsche – aber es ein Leben lang dauern, um zu verstehen, wer wir sind. Vielen Dank für die Aufnahme in den Dialog.

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