Saturday Snaps and a Sunshine Award

Firstly My Saturday Snap- Today is Lizzie's 18th Birthday and so I thought I would honour her Birthday with a snap.

She's the nearest thing I have to having a daughter of my own, and technically being the daughter of my twin- she and I share almost identical DNA! Well her mother's half anyway:)

18 years ago, not long after she was born, I wheeled her up the hallway of the hospital, from the operating Theatre (Caesarean!) to the Nursery.

I'd given her a little red plush hippo, who we called Hester, which was at the bottom of the cot, and I sang '5 little men in a flying Saucer' to her, all the way up the corridor.

So tonight, when she is all glammed up and out on the town celebrating her new adult status, It's nice to know that Hester is still there, on a shelf in her Bedroom and that the flying saucer song will always be 'Ours'.

 Happy 18th Birthday Lizzie!


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Now onto my second lot of good news- I was very pleased and honoured to have been awarded a Sunshine award for my blog, presented to me by Amy at Lovemademyhome.

Sunshine Awards are presented to Bloggers who bring a little sunshine to our lives and inspire others. It's nice to think that I have done that- as I know that there are many that inspire me. Have a click on her link above to see who else she has nominated- It will take you to lots of lovely, individual and sunshine award worthy inspiration.
 

 There are a few simple rules:-

1) Include the award logo in your blog post.

2) Link to the person who nominated you.

3) Answer 10 questions about yourself.

4) Nominate other bloggers.

Amy had 10 questions for her nominees- Mostly on a blogging theme- So here are my thoughts on blogging and a bit more information about me.

 

How long have you been blogging? and Why did you start?

I started blogging in February this year, Chinese New Year to be exact. It was a very short post and of course it had one of my obligatory photos- If you missed it, you can have a look here. I'd missed our own New Year by a few weeks, but still felt that my new blog should start with something special to write about. There had been a dragon and lion dance parading through the streets earlier, so I decided to write about that. I didn't really know what my blog would entail, what the general themes would be or even how it would turn out, but I went ahead and started writing anyway. I started the blog primarily so that I could join in with some of the photo challenges I had seen in Blogland. I loved taking photos, had a fair few to share and wanted the challenge of looking for other things to do. Once I started blogging however, I realised that not only do I enjoy it-putting thoughts on paper and sharing photos- but that it's a great way to keep in touch with old friends and new ones I've made along the way.  

 

What's the best thing about blogging?

Meeting, albeit, in blogland, other bloggers and finding really great blogs to follow, read, digest and share ideas with. On a more personal level-I find that by blogging and posting photos, at least some friends and family can catch a glimpse of what I'm up to- and as I'm a terrible friend and never manage to email or facebook people as often as I like, then this hopefully gives then something to go on!

 

What's the worst thing about blogging?

Technology!- There are still things I want to do with my blog and don't know how to- technology is not my strong point! AND, a definite AND, the intermittent internet service we seem to encounter here in KK- Just when you think everything is ok, the connection becomes too slow or you lose it all together!- I'm learning to be patient!

 

Do you make New Year Resolutions and why?

I half heartedly make them- but then never stick to them- Then again as a teacher, New Year starts in September too and so I tend to make them then as well- and still break them! It's a bit of a pointless exercise with me really. I do tell myself the same things over and over (just like I imagine many people do each year- get fitter, eat less etc etc) but actually I tend to stick to things that have come about, outside of New Year. My big resolution, that came about when I first moved over here, was- 'try not to turn down new opportunities or say no'- whether it was dinner out, a new place to visit or a untried activity-I've always tried to say yes- and for me it worked- It is what making the most of life here in KK is all about.

 

What is your favourite blog?

That's a hard one- as I tend to flit back and forward between many- I love following a whole host of different blogs- some are lifestyle and photo based, some are more crafty based, just whichever takes my fancy. I do have a tendency to stick to less known blogs though- It's nice to read other's blogs that only have a few followers rather than some that have hundreds- if people take the time to write a blog then I'd rather be one of a few that read it, rather than one of many, who follow the more popular blogs. I hope that makes sense. Saying that I love foxlane-Which has nearly 2000 followers- The posts are so eloquent and the photography is fantastic-I love Kate's sense of composition and style. So wish I had even a fraction of it:)

 

If you could have a guest poster on your blog who would you choose?

Wow, another hard one, seriously I wouldn't know- maybe we should all guest blog each other's blogs for a change? :)

 

Your favourite movie star?

I would love to be one of those people who say classic stars such as Audrey Hepburn or Jimmy Stewart- Both of which are worthy in their own right- But I'm much more of a popular culture type of gal

I loved Harrison Ford when he played Indie- The all time action hero, but as things stand I have many favourite actors- I love Rom coms,(Sad but true!) so as actresses go, Sandra Bullock, Katherine Heigl, Reese Witherspoon etc will always draw me to watch a movie- Actors- well- Any man who stars in Rom Coms earns Brownie points in my book! Mathew McConaughey, Patrick Dempsey, Hugh Grant, Ryan Reynolds- all get the go ahead, probably just as eye candy rather than acting skills- but hey, call me fickle! Saying that Heath Ledger, Bless him, had a lot going for him and Morgan Freeman rarely makes a bad movie.

Sorry that was a really long answer for a very short question!!

 

Your favourite music?

Oh dear, another short question, Long answer! I'm not some one who listens to music a whole lot - I definitely go through phrases of what I listen to and how often- I like a whole eclectic mix of music- all depends on what I'm doing or where I am.

When I lived in North Carolina, the only music that seemed to be around was the country music scene- so I listened to and loved a lot of the new country stuff- Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw- Don't get me started on how fit he looks in Cowboy boots and a Stetson! But recently I just listen to anything that the local radio has going on- and that means anything from regular pop, to K pop and a lot of Asian stuff. I have discovered, a few years later than most people, the great world of Mash ups and so for someone like me who can't make her mind up of what she likes- Norweigan Recycling- means I don't have to- it's all there in the same song!

I do love any score by John Williams though- they are uplifting, calming and moving all at the same time-The score to Jurassic Park gets to me every time!

 

Your favourite book?

Where do I start?...For years I would say Captain Correlli's Mandolin, but not really sure why. I had to read a lot of classics at Uni and would like to say that a classic would be a book of choice- but again I'm more fickle-I tend to like authors rather than single books, and read almost anything. There are many, many books I have loved- and often go through a phase of reading everything by one author. Thrillers/ Crime novels are often interspersed with chic lit- so just about anything goes. Some stand out though as favourite rereadables though- anything by Lee Child, Kathy Reichs, James Patterson (Although some are just silly) on the crime front, any chic lit (Again, sorry, it's readable tripe!) and throw into the mix a little Diana Gabledon, RJ Ellory and JK Rowling!

I do however still have a soft spot for a bit of Shakespeare and whether its the playscript or a modern retelling for kids, I often go back to my favourites of 'Twelfth Night', 'Midsummer's" and the "Scottish Play'!

 

There you go a not so concise set of answers- You know I can talk for England at the best of times!

 

Echoing Amy's comment about being nominated for awards- I fully understand if this is not your thing and don't want to carry on and participate further. I would hate anyone to feel pressured to take part, but if you want to give a little more insight into your life- then that would be great- I'd still love your blog anyway:)

If you do accept, then here are a few little totally random things I'd like to find out- Cos I'm nosy that way:)

 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

What was your favourite pastime as a child?

If you didn't live where you are now- where would you like to live?

What would your ideal evening in be?

What's your favourite food?

Where was your best holiday?

If you could learn a new skill what would it be?

If you could travel anywhere in the world, without any restrictions on money, time or responsibilities, where would you go?

If you could live in one era of history, when would that be?

If you have one piece of advice that was given to you and that could be passed onto others- what would it be.

 

Hope they are not too hard?

 

Here are my Nominees: In no particular order:

 

Lizzy at handmade-homemade-lizzy

Greenthumb at Madewithlove

Paula at paulashomemadelife

Louise at Ramblings of a Roachling

Julie at homejules

Rose at Ferns on the Balcony

Kathy at postcardsfromthepp

Gillian at Tales from a happy house

Patricia at aplacefor-everything

Marianne at ladybirddiaries

 

 

I apologise for all those I haven't nominated, not that I think your not worthy of an award, far from it-but I have to stick to ten! So I've deliberately chosen blogs that have fewer followers than others, to spread the word -so to speak. I hope you understand.Why not pop over and have a look.

 Happy Reading.

Amanda x