The perfect ending to a wonderful experience. I have been nominated by Bali Info, Simply Marquessa and Kwoted by KE Garland for the Liebster award. Say what? The Liebster award is an award without a prize, a tag post to support beginning bloggers with keeping on writing.Obviously, three independent nominations can’t be ignored and I am truly humbled by the compliment. So here it goes!

My selection of tag questions

With 33 questions to answer, I selected 11:

1. Why did you start your blog?

I’ve started many journals and I’ve started many blogs before. I guess I have an obsession for writing. Combine that with my spot light crazy personality and there you have it. Call it therapy.

Of course, if any press would ask my answer would be that I like sharing my experiences with raising a fit and healthy family as a counterweight for the picture perfect life that is weighing us down.

2. What has been your greatest accomplishment in life?

Running the half marathon. It is something I never thought I could do. I even didn’t consider myself running 3 miles, let alone 13.1! Whenever I am at a task that feels impossible, I take myself back to those 13.1 miles. If I can do that, this next thing is a walk in the park. Or doable at least.

3. If you could be the main character of a book or a movie, who would you be?

Name any warrior princess. Mulan. Princess Khutulun. Pocahontas. Arya Stark. Igritte. Lagertha. I think that when I was young, I looked much like Arya Stark. Today, I identify myself most with Lagertha from Vikings. A mother, a true lover, a badass warrior going for her own future (Earl Ingstad!)

4. Book before movie or movie before book?

Duh. Book before movie, of course. You’ve got to keep room for your own imaginations to run wild.

5. Writing on a device or writing by hand?

Before writing 101, I would say ‘writing on a device’. My mom had my learn how to blind type when I was 10, so my fingers can keep up with my thinking when I type. But since I’ve discovered the lost art of writing, I have to say writing by hand.

6. Healthy lifestyle or who cares?

I’m full of healthy lifestyle ambitions, but I’m blessed with good genes that allow me to eat almost anything without getting bloated or fat. So if I’m honest: given the choice between ‘my body is my temple’ and ‘treat yoself’ I always go for the latter. Which remind me. There are carrot cake left overs in the fridge.

7. If you could choose anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live and why?

Vancouver, Canada. We went on holiday to West Canada 2 years ago and I was amazed by the majestic landscape. The outdoor lifestyle is only an hour away from the city. The city itself feels cozy and cosmopolitan at the same time. Learning the language wouldn’t be a problem. Yup, that sounds pretty good. That time difference though. Maybe Sweden would be a good European option too. Can’t be too far from my family you know.

8. What career would you choose if your had a free choice?

Dancer/Spoken word artist/Author/Journalist. I just have too many ambitions.

9. Limited choice or complete freedom?

Limited choice. Which is weird because I’m a freedom freak. There’s just no such thing as complete freedom. Myself, I’m bound by my commitment to my family. Which I consider an honor. But thinking of my husbands or my son’s sake, there are choices that have to wait.

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

With one kid in college and the other in high school, that leaves options for my husband and me. I like to see myself as a independent professional, maybe focusing more on my sports stuff like running and yoga. We might even live abroad.

11. What is the greatest tip you have learned from another blogger?

Eleanor from Eleanor’s Ramblings made me realize we writers are all looking to learn. So as a fellow writer, you know how happy another writer will be with your constructive but honest feedback. Liking a post or only saying ‘nice post’ isn’t helpful enough. I’ve commited myself to keep giving feedback on other people’s blog, in the hope they’ll return the favor…

Tag your it!

They may have been nominated before, they may have more than 200 followers, but I want to give a shout out to my blogging friends I made through Writing 101 and who inspired me with their posts. Of course, there are still many more, you know who you are!

1. Eleanor’s Ramblings
2. Red Hot Chili Mother
3. Mama Librarian
4. Only 100 words
5. Andy Townend
6. Portia Placino
7. Luisa4florez
8. Beyond Beirut
9. Paleo on the Road
10. Temasek Garden
11. Crazy Grad Mama

Now answer me this

And these are my 11 questions for them (feel free to skip them if you already received the award). Answer them as directly as possible, then explain.

1. Blogging or writing?
2. Writing or typing?
3. What is your best blogging or writing tip you want to share?
4. Looking good or feeling good?
5. What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you?
6. What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?
7. How do you incorporate play in your life?
8. When was the last time you had to laugh so hard you’d cried and why was that?
9. What is the happiest place in the world, according to you?
10. How would you describe your (future/pretended) parenting style?
11. What do you think is the most important lesson we need to instill on boys?

The rules

If you’re up for this tag award, please add a link to this post in yours. Answer my questions, nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and think up 11 questions for them.

Share the love, it’s fun! But most of all, keep on blogging.

Xoxo – Irene.