The Liebster Award

 

First, I want to thank God, the Academy and my cousin Abree who tagged me for the Liebster Award on her blog er4schen  -- an inspiring blog about exploration, investigation and inquiry.

What pray tell is the the Liebster Award? My sentiments exactly until I read Abree’s post about the cyber award given to bloggers by other bloggers.  My first thought was chain letter but, as I researched it a bit more, I realize that it is more about bloggers empowering other bloggers – primarily newbies – to help endorse and promote their blogs. So, unless you are a famous blogger with a successful brand, who wouldn’t want a little help from their friends in the blogger sphere?

To start, the rules of accepting the Liebster Award are as follows:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog

1. Cut and paste the Liebster Award badge on your blog
2. Post 11 interesting tidbits about yourself
3. Answer questions your nominator has presented
4. Create a list of questions (5-11) for your own nominee
5. Nominate other bloggers who are fairly new to keep the process going

 So thank you Abree for nominating me as I was touched and super honored by the nod.

Part I – Share 11 interesting facts about yourself:

1. I met my now husband on the first day I arrived in Los Angeles and we have been together for 22 years and married for 18 years.
2. I am a vampire lore aficionado and have been one since I was a kid – a long, long time before the “Twilight” series.
3. I went to school for Journalism and actually worked as a reporter and editor for the first 10 years that I lived in Los Angeles.
4. I drove cross country – from NJ to NM to CA – in my VW Cabriolet with my cat Heather.
5. I ran my first and only full marathon – 26.3 miles – in 4 hours and 45 minutes.  (I think Oprah had a better time than me, but at least I finished.)
6. I eat oatmeal with fruit for breakfast almost every day.
7. I was a Club MTV dancer.
8. I started competing in sprint Triathlons when I was 44 years old and never actually swam (for reals) in the open ocean before my first race.
9. I lived and worked in NYC while in my early 20s.
10. I am an avid reader and read close to 100 books a year.
11. I was a Howard Stern intern.

Part II – Answer questions from the blogger who nominated you:

If you could be any animal, what would you be? I would be a hummingbird.  I’ve always had a curiosity of what it would be like to be able to fly.  Also, hummingbirds are known for their vibrant colors and keen intelligence.  Also, who wouldn’t want to spend their whole life drinking nectar from flowers or sugar water from bird feeders?

What’s the one food you can’t live without? (Coffee doesn’t count!) Avocados; I eat one almost every day, mostly with my lunch or dinner, but I have been known to eat green eggs – well eggs with green avocados – for breakfast.

What has been your greatest adventure so far? My move across country from New Jersey to California because living on the West Coast is completely different than the East Coast.  It was almost like moving to a foreign country.  It wasn’t easy in the beginning to find the “right” place to live, a good job (to afford the “right place to live), and meet new friends.  However, I met my husband right away and we have been together for more than two decades and live happily ever after with our 11 year old son. 

Has there been a book, painting, piece of music, or other work of art that has changed your life? When I was a tween, I found Margaret Mitchell’s novel “Gone with the Wind” on a book shelf in my Nana’s house.  I spent the whole summer reading the 1,037 page historical tome about the Civil War.  It was the first time I read a book that didn’t sugar coat life and I found myself completely infatuated with the character Scarlett O’Hara, the protagonist and spoiled daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner, who uses every means to fight her way out of poverty caused by Civil War.  After reading the book, I watched the movie and, to this day, it is also my favorite film of all time.

When was the last time you were wrong about something? Why just this morning.  I had planned to bake a quiche, but didn’t take the dough out of the freezer early enough and I had an appointment, so I was trying to get it room temperature fast. I ended up putting it on top of the oven but the consistency was not right so I had to start all over again.  But I am happy to report said quiche was finally made and delish!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Every morning, as soon as I open my eyes, I ask myself what my intentions are for the day.  Sometimes they are grandiose and sometimes it is just about getting through the day.

Where do you do your best thinking? I do my best thinking while running.  I have planned out many packing lists for trips to coming up with ideas for our holiday cards to preparing my mother-in-law’s eulogy all while pounding the pavement.

What’s your favorite mode of transportation? Believe it or not, the car because I enjoy watching landscapes change and observe how others live and thrive. I like the flexibility of being able to stop and experience a restaurant or sight.   Also, I am a big listener of books on CD and podcasts, so travel time always seems to pass quickly.

 

Part III – Create questions for your nominees:

Would you rather have super strength or super intelligence?

What is your favorite TV show of all time?

Coke or Pepsi?

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?

What would you do if you had a million dollars??

What is the scariest movie you ever watched?

What historical figure would you most like to have a discussion with?

What was your favorite game as a child?

Part IV – Nominate Other Bloggers:

And the Liebster Award goes to...

folliclesandFashion:  A blog filled with the luv of all things fashion, beauty and overall wellness with the goal of encouraging and empowering women in the network.

Put a Bow on it: A blog by fashion designer Adrienne who posts about her love of designing and creating looks with bows, ruffles and polka dots.