Sunshine Blogger Award #2 from Baldy Blog

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

J.M. Barrie

Alright, Toto! Let’s head towards the horizon!

After hanging out in the time traveling fog, the sun has come out again! Whip out your shades because I’m going to be answering roughly 60 questions from the WP community for Sunshine Blogger Awards for the next few days. Thank you! It’s always an honor and an encouragement to receive such an award. I’m learning a lot from this blogging journey and looking forward to the new year.

First up, I’ve been nominated by Sean at Baldy.Blog. Thank you Sean! I’ve enjoyed the poetry that he has shared from some classic poets such as Robert Frost, Stevenson, and Tennyson. He also shares fun facts, trivia, scattered quotes, and some wonderful photos.

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award?
“The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive, and inspiring, while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.”

Once nominated, if you choose to accept, write a post where you:

• Thank the person who nominated you for the Sunshine Award and link back to their blog
• Answer the questions set by the person who nominated you
• Nominate other blogs and give them questions to answer
• Notify your nominees through social media or commenting on their blog
• List the “rules” and display a Sunshine Award logo in your post

If you had to choose to be on a reality show, which one would it be?

Though I’m aware that reality shows aren’t reality, I enjoy watching a variety of reality shows from time to time! I enjoy watching The Voice, Master Chef, Survivor, The Mole, and Disruptive Pitch. However, there’s a handful that I’d think I personally would enjoy being on and realistically see myself on. If level of skills didn’t matter, there’s four shows that come to mind:

The Amazing Race

Photo credit https://www.ibtimes.com
CBS: “The Amazing Race is a multi-Emmy Award-winning reality series hosted by Emmy Award-nominated host Phil Keoghan. This season, 11 teams will embark on a trek around the world. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of challenges, some mental and some physical, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams who are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning The Amazing Race and the $1 million prize. “

Ellen’s Design Challenge: “From Trash to Treasure”

HGTV: “The designers are given one hour to race through a salvage yard to find items to make their furniture. Back at the shop, some of the designers discover that the material they have collected is not up to par, while one of the designers carpenter teams is not on the same page. At judging, everything is on the line as the final three discover which two will go on to the finale. ”

Slow TV: National Knitting Evening

Photo Credit-Netflix: “Knitting enthusiasts in Norway discuss the pastime and try to break the speed record for shearing, spinning and knitting wool into a men’s sweater.”

Project Runway

Photo Credit: Pinterest “Heidi Klum hosts a reality series where aspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of a judges’ panel”

If you could change your name, what would it be?

I really like my name: Sa! It’s short, simple, and sweet! Hm…I’ve always wondered what it’ll be like if I was named Magnolia like the flower. My nickname would be Maggie like Baby Maggie from the Simpsons. 🙂 My aunts were all named after flowers. My sister is named after a flower. Maybe I just want to join the flower garden!

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Also, I have contemplated what it’ll be like if I was named Star after I read this fun young adult novel called “Stargirl“. It’s about a free-spirited girl celebrating non-conformity.

How long have you been blogging?

Roughly 6 months and a few days! I’m still in the early stages of organizing my content and format, but I enjoy it immensely.

How frequently do you blog?

Depends on the season, but generally once or twice a week. I spend the rest of the time checking out your posts and reading your thoughts. I write in my journals everyday though!

Share the link to a favourite post of yours, why is this your favourite?

#Poetic Short Story- Grand Performance

I loved the lovely image that Helene @ Willow Poetry picked out for her weekly prompt “What do you see?”. It combined a variety of my interests: the beauty of nature, drama, love, poetry. This poem makes me feel alive and grateful for simple pleasures like a sunrise and a breeze.

Do you check your stats for the countries that have ‘visited’ your blog?

Yes, it’s just fascinating to me that what I write is seen from others from different locations around the globe! I’m amazed by these bloggers who inspire me and am curious to see what regions they live and experience life.

Which countries are you missing from your WordPress globe and would really like to see filled in on your map?

So what’s generally missing from my WP globe map are countries from South America, Africa, Russia, Asia. I think it’ll be helpful if I can add a plugin to translate my page into their language of choice. If I keep blogging, I can update to the premium version to do that!

Are you a ‘crafty’ person? (Knit, sew, paint, macrame … ?)

YES! I’ve done all of the above ever since I was a young girl. (This is why I would be on the knitting reality show!) A childhood friend taught me how to knit one afternoon while watching Sailor Moon. My mom was a seamstress and taught me how to sew. Learned how to paint and macrame at school! Crafty activities make me feel really happy. I lose track of time because it’s so fun for me.

There’s a lot of health benefits to these sort of activities as well. Repetitive needlework can induce a relaxed state like the association with meditation or yoga. For some, it redirects their focus and reduces the awareness of pain or rumination on problems. It replaces anxiety and stress with the satisfaction of creating something tangible.

Assuming that you celebrate, do you shop in advance for Christmas or do you leave everything to the last minute?

I shop in advance and online when possible. I also try hard to hit the clearance sales throughout the year. There are many times that I hand-make items. I like to make origami crafts 🙂

Photo Credit: Etsy

Do you participate in sports?

I enjoy many sports recreationally not competitively: martial arts, basketball, soccer, tennis, baseball. I enjoy playing with friends in the courts at the schools and parks. I join in some athletic camps from time to time. I have a lot of fun stories from all the sports I’ve played.

Are you a sweet or savoury person?

Split between the two! I love both!

Sweet
Photo Credit: Pixabay – Macaroons!

Savory
Photo Credit: My Kitchen Snippets

Nominees

• iPreciously
• Alphe’s Corner
• Sultana Khan @ My Poems
• Defining Yellow
• Roxana Barson Blog
• Insta Viewpoint
• If any of my readers would like to casually engage in my questions, I love comments! 🙂

Questions to Nominees

• What are some of your goals for 2019? (blog/personal/career/spiritual…)
• If you invited me to a party, what can I expect? (food/decorations/theme/music/games…)
• What kind of gift would you bring to a friend’s house-warming party?
• What has been an inspiring book that you have read lately?
• What is your go-to comfort food?
• What is an accessory or outfit you wear that makes you happy?
• What is a place you visit that brings you joy?
• What fantasy or fictional world would you like to be a part of?