Category: Awards

It’s always such a lovely treat when I receive one of these blogging awards. I feel very humbled that someone takes time out of their day to recognise the work that I do.

Nilla from Image Earth Travel nominated me for this award back in December. Time flies and I have only just got round to responding, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for the nomination!

Rules

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their blog so everyone can visit.
• Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions.
• Notify the nominees by commenting on their blog post.
• List the rules and display the Award logo on your blog post.

Nilla’s questions

For how long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging for almost 6 years. I started Talkingthailand because I wanted to share all of my travel tales up until then and a blog is a good place to digitise all your life experiences, whatever they may be. Since then, it has evolved into a place where I record all the things I’ve done, seen, thought, ate and drank in the places where I have lived and the countries I have visited. It’s a work in progress!

What do you do if/when you suffer from Writer’s Block?

First, I get annoyed and wonder what is going on because I love writing! Second, I feel guily because I am not writing/posting as much as I’d like. Third, I realise we all have off days and I leave what I am (trying) to do and go for a run which always clears my head enough to come back and start afresh.

What goals have you set for your blog in 2019?

None! I started 2019 with plans of starting a new blog dedicated to travel planning. I have the website already and have been adding content to it, but it’s kind of fallen by the wayside. I have made big changes in my life this year and I am getting used to them, so everything has been put on hold while I attempt to get some sort of plan about what to do and where to go next. I am a long way along with this plan, but everything else will just have to wait until I am more settled and know exactly what I am doing.

Where do you see your blog 2 years from now?

See my previous answer. Until I know what I am doing, job wise, life wise etc., I am not really concentrating on where my blog will be in 2 years. I am still going to continue with my blog, but, for now, it’s not a priority.

What do you love most about writing?

I love the physical act of writing, the feeling of the keys under my fingers and thoughts and ideas being written out. I also love developing as a writer and I think that my writing has improved over the years and that has come from practice.

Do you prefer to travel solo or with someone?

Definitely solo! Most of the travelling I’ve done has been alone and I prefer it because I can do what I want, go where I want and see what I want. I don’t have any one else to worry about and I do things that I wouldn’t necessarily do if I was with someone else. Having said that, in my early days of travel, it would have been nice to share the views and/or memorable sites etc. with someone, so when, for example, I reached the summit of a mountain, I could have turned to my travel buddy and said “Wow it’s so beautiful isn’t it?”, but I’ve learned to do that to myself! I just say it aloud anyway 😉 and I can really enjoy the moment alone!

Do you think Ghost blogging is unethical?

There could be many reasons why someone wants to enlist a writer as a ghost writer – not enough time, not enough skills/knowledge etc., so I don’t think that it’s unethical from that point of view. Why not get the help of someone if you need them? I’ve done ghost writing in the past and, from a writer’s perspective, I think it’s a good way to practise your writing and to get feedback, so you are developing your collaboration skills etc. Plus, as long as you are happy for the person you are ghost writing for to get the credit for what you have written (It’s still yours!) 😉 then I don’t see any problem with it.

How do you create and cultivate relationships for your blog?

Respond to people who have taken the time to comment on your work. Read and comment on other blogs, and don’t stop! By doing this, I have made some wonderful friends and, although I have never met them in person, it feels like I have and have known them for a long time. I hope to meet them in the, not too distant, future!

Is your blog self-hosted or on the free WP platform and why did you go this way?

When I started my blog back in 2013, I used the free WP platform for a while, but then I wanted to try and make money from my blog and I thought the self-hosted option, with …co.uk, looked more professional for my objectives. Plus, there are more options with a self-hosted blog such as themes etc. However, now I have gone away from wanting to make money and am just happy with blogging as a hobby, either would have been sufficient, particularly as I’m not bothered about all the extra features you get.

What social media platform gives you the most exposure for your blog?

I don’t really look at my blog analytics, but I have the most followers on Twitter!

Any travel plans for 2019?

I have just returned from a week in Portugal where I attended my friend’s wedding. I am planning on having a break away with my sister and/or friends later in the year to Ibiza or somewhere else – no firm plans as yet.

My Nominees

3CStyle – Dominque’s wonderful world of fashion and classic, contemporary and chic style

Lismore Paper – Enjoy Lisa’s fabulous art creations with a vintage look

The Wall Gallery Blog – Another very talented artist, Kirt’s creativity shows no bounds

Secret Art Expedition – Sarah shares her passions through her art

Roth Poetry – Beautiful words written by Dwight Roth

Inesemjphotography – Making life memories with Inese

Seen Along the Trail – Perfect walks and bird and wildlife spotting along the way

The Arty Plantsman – A wonderful insight into Darren’s world with plenty of art, a love of plants, and lots of humour

Utesmile – A daily dose of motivational words

Life at No.22 – Tales from New Zealand and ponderings about life

Kmihran – Travel, inspiring tunes, and motivation

My Questions for Nominees

1. Why did you start your blog?
2. What do you like most about blogging?
3. What is your favourite time of year and why?
4. What are your plans for the next year?
5. What would be your dream job?
6. What is your favourite childhood memory?
7. What would you do if money was no object?
8. What is the best place you have ever been too? Why?
9. What do you think about when you are alone?
10. Are you scared of anything?
11. What makes you happy?

Thanks again to you, Nilla, for nominating me, your questions gave me food for thought!

For my nominees, feel free to respond, but absolutely no pressure 🙂

Gill x

It’s always an honour and a lovely surprise when I receive an award like this, and this time is no exception when I received The Liebster Award from Nilla at Image Earth Travel. Image Earth Travel is a wonderful blog full of Nilla’s adventures in the many countries she visits. I always look forward to reading about where she has been to, and I know you will too! Thank you so much Nilla for this, it’s very much appreciated! 🙂

The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers and it was first awarded way back in 2011. Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

Questions from Image Earth Travel:

What are your blogging objectives for 2018?

My blogging objectives for 2018 are just to continue writing about the things I love to write about. My experiences that come from living abroad, especially in Bangkok, my home for the past three and a half years, there are always plenty of things to see and report back on. Not only in Bangkok, but I have many stories yet to tell from travels to other countries, in the past, and in the future.

How often to you post a blog and why (daily, weekly, monthly)?

I go through phases of posting once a week, to twice a day, then nothing for a few weeks. It really depends on what other personal projects I’m busy with and what my work schedule is like. At the moment, I am working almost full-time hours, so it’s difficult to find the time to write or do anything else for that matter.

What inspires you to write?

Pretty much anything! When I go out exploring, I usually have an idea in mind and that’s my inspiration for writing about it. But, sometimes, an idea will just pop into my head and I think it would be good to write a post about it. For example, I have been going through old photos and, instead of just posting them, I find inspiration to write about where I was, when I took the photos, and what I was doing.

Have you set any definite travel destinations for 2018 or is this an earning year?

It’s both! I am going to Rome in April for my birthday celebrations with my parents and I am planning to go to Chiang Rai, in Thailand, in June. Those trips are paid for, apart from spending money, and afterwards I am saving to travel to Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Europe at the end of the year.

Where is your most desired travel destination?

I have wanted to go to Italy for years because I just love the history and architecture there, so my dream will be fulfilled next month when I go to Rome. I want to see other places in Italy too, but there are so many other places on my list that I want to see; India, Spain, Morocco, Croatia, Pakistan, South America, Turkey.

Do you get any exposure from award nominations?

Only from the beautiful people who follow my blog, who leave lovely comments and congratulations messages. It’s such a nice feeling when I read some of the things people say.

Have you considered advertising on your site? If so, does advertising help to give your blog site more exposure?

I have in the past, but I have never gotten round to doing anything about it, other than a couple of affiliates that I have on my site. To be honest, it’s not about getting exposure for me, I just love writing and blogging about my life.

My nominations for The Liebster Award are:

1. Life With an Illness: Mackenzie’s blog which lives and breathes positivity and love, despite daily battles with illness.
2. 100 Cobbled Roads: Punita’s travel stories about cities, everyday life, and natural wonders around the world.
3. Seen Along The Trail: Join Carolyn as she ventures on walks in the great outdoors and captures images of the wonderful creatures she comes across.
4. Chaotic Shapes: The talented Brandon’s art is amazing as he creates beautiful work via a series of colourful shapes.
5. Ute Smile: A wonderfully positive blog as Ute spreads happiness and makes people smile with her uplifting quotes.
6. Global Housesitters x 2: Join Suz and the Squire as they travel the world on their housesitting adventures.

My questions for you, if you wish to accept this nomination.

1. Where is your favourite place on earth? Why do you love it?
2. If you had £1m, what would you do with it?
3. Do you prefer “roughing it” or do you want some level of comfort when you go anywhere?
4. Which season do you like the most? Why?
5. What is your favourite colour and why?
6. Who are your heros in life?
7. What’s the fondest memory you have from the past 10 years?

Award Rules

1. Answer the questions that were left for you.
2. Nominate your favourite new bloggers (not more than 15!)
3. Write 7 questions for them to answer.
4. Add all the rules and be honest with your answers!

Thank you so much to Imageearthtravel for this award. I feel very honoured that Nilla took the time to do this. It is an inspiration and gives me the motivation to continue with my own blogging venture.

My nominees are:

www.kmihran.wordpress.com A blog with wonderful words and music

www.ceesshowcase.com Stunning photography

www.thewallgalleryblog.wordpress.com A creative art and photography blog

www.skip22037.com Wonderful walks which make you feel like you are there

www.clare-n-dean.com Thoughts and creativity from Australia

www.latitudesandattitudes.net Travel, photography and life from South East Asia

www.jdubqca.com Wonderful words in the form of poetry

www.aaronjoelsantos.wordpress.com Awesome photography

www.paintdigi.com Artistic creations and ideas

www.enchantedforests.wordpress.com Discovering the magic of forests

www.aquileana.wordpress.com Lessons from mythology

www.utesmile.wordpress.com Inspirational thoughts and positive thinking

www.theinsatiabletraveler.com Adventure, photography and inspiration

www.secretartexpedition.wordpress.com A personal exhibition of an artist

www.spardhak.wordpress.com Health, fitness, quotations and random life

7 Facts About Me:

1. I won a bronze medal at tap-dancing when I was a child.
2. At 17, I was a model and one of my jobs was to promote fireworks. I got my photographs in the Daily Express and Torquay Times.
3. I came second in a body-building competition (when I used to have abs!)
4. My favourite food is Indian and pizza. I could eat it every day.
5. I love all things to do with nature and the natural world. One of my heroes is David Attenborough.
6. I love wine, but I hate hangovers.
7. I exercise most days. I love to run, swim, and work out in the gym.

🙂

 

 

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I am always honoured when I receive one of these awards. It means so much to me that someone acknowledges the work I do with my blog. So I thank 4yearoldadult for the nomination for “Creative Blogger Award.”

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Display the logo of the award on your blog

2. Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify them about it

3.Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog in your post

4. Share five random facts about yourself

5. Pass on these rules to the nominees

Random facts about me:

1) I won bronze medal at tap-dancing when I was a child.

2) I came second in a body-building competition (when I used to have abs!)

3) I studied Mythology in the Greek and Roman Worlds as part of my degree.

4) I am currently writing a book.

5) I have rediscovered boxing as part of my exercise routine.

I nominate the following bloggers for this award:

1) http://travelmoments.net/

2) http://doncharisma.org/

3) http://janalinesworldjourney.com/

4) https://amaltaas.wordpress.com/

5) https://kmihran.wordpress.com/

6) http://melodysweddingphotography.com/

7) http://windagainstcurrent.com/

8) https://myoutlookinlife.wordpress.com/

9) http://johnpoetflanagan.com/

10) http://inesemjphotography.com/

11) http://ceenphotography.com/

12) http://latitudesandattitudes.net/

13) http://clare-n-dean.com/

14) http://theinsatiabletraveler.com/

15) https://jmlysun.wordpress.com/

Looking forward to the responses of the nominees.

🙂 🙂

I have been nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award by http://darlynnrosh.wordpress.com/. Thank you so much, I feel so blessed that you have taken the time to nominate me. It is very encouraging 🙂

Some facts about me:

1. My favourite food is pizza and Indian.

2. I have to exercise almost every day, otherwise I get annoyed.

3. Christmas and New Year is being spent in Adelaide with part of my family.

4. Since September I have been living in Bangkok.

5. One of my passions is photography.

6. I love that when I see my friends again, we just pick up where we left off, like I saw them only yesterday.

7. I love learning new stuff.

8. I still love wine very much.

9. But I hate hangovers.

10. I am content with the simple pleasures in life.

My nominees for this award are:

http://oobattoobad.com/

http://janalinesworldjourney.com/

http://goodtobelost.wordpress.com/

http://tahira007.wordpress.com/

http://processingthelife.com/

http://ceenphotography.com/

 

The rules are much the same as the other awards:

Tell some facts about yourself

Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their site

Nominate some more people for the award.

🙂 🙂

 

I was kindly nominated for the Black Wolf Award by http://inesemjphotography.com/. It is always so encouraging when I receive these type of nominations. I just feel so damn happy, so thank you so much, I truly appreciate your nomination.

My nominees for the Black Wolf Award are:

http://latitudesandattitudes.net/

http://oobattoobad.com/

http://janalinesworldjourney.com/

http://thoughtsfromtheroad.com/

http://goodtobelost.wordpress.com/

http://theworldandhistuktuk.wordpress.com/

http://tahira007.wordpress.com/

http://processingthelife.com/

http://doncharisma.org/

http://ceenphotography.com/

 

Here are the Award Rules, which are the same for all the awards:

1) The nominee shall display the respective logo on her/his blog.

2) The nominee shall nominate ten (10)  bloggers she/he admires, by linking to their blogs and informing them about it.

😉

I have been awarded Sunshine award by http://processingthelife.wordpress.com/ and http://doncharisma.org/. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. So thank you to you both and to everyone else that takes time out to support my blog. It is this support that encourages me to continue my passion that I have acquired of writing about my experiences.  I am truly honoured and I accept my awards with relish.

Rules for the award are:
1. Use the Sunshine Award logo in the post.
2. Link to whoever nominated you.
3. Write ten pieces of information about yourself.
4. Nominate ten fellow bloggers, “who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere”.
5. Leave a comment on the nominees’ blogs to tell them of the award

10 pieces of information:

1. I am finally departing the UK on 27th January 2014 for 2 sunny weeks in the shores of Sri Lanka, before finally landing home again in Thailand on 10th February to start a new chapter in my life.

2. My favourite food to eat is Indian and pizza.

3. I have a secret passion for Bollywood.

4. One of my heroes is David Attenborough.

5. I love running to keep fit.

6. I wish I didn’t love wine so much.

7. I just graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) 2.1 degree.

8. I love all things nature.

9. The older I get the more I want to learn about the world.

10. My parents are the most wonderful people I know.

The only “rule” for the inner peace award is that you write a short piece on why you are accepting it. I would suggest that you forward on to other bloggers who you think would like it, 3-10 up to you:)

Why I am accepting the Inner Peace Award:

The reason I accepting this award is because http://doncharisma.org/ offered this to me and I am so very thankful. I have only recently begun to share my life with others through the medium of writing, and gestures like this award make me feel confident and eager to carry on. I have had awards in the past through things I have done in my working life but this type of award makes it all the more special because it relates to my own personal endeavours and passions.

I hope that by sharing my own life and experiences that I might give some positivity and inspiration to others to do the same. Thank you to everyone for the support you have given me thus far.

My 10 nominations for the Sunshine and Inner Peace awards are:

http://thebohemianlifestyle.com/

http://liberatedtraveler.com/

http://amarnaik.wordpress.com/

http://myoutlookinlife.wordpress.com/

http://kingofpictures.wordpress.com/

http://momentsinyourlife.wordpress.com/

http://stevemcp2002.wordpress.com/

http://flaneurabroad.wordpress.com/

http://theeagertraveller.com/

http://theworldandhistuktuk.wordpress.com/

You all positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.

I hope everyone accepts the award 🙂