Tag: award

Outstanding Blogger Award #2!!

Published on by Susi Bocks42 Comments
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Thank you so much to Lisa Tomey of The Prolific Pulse for nominating me! I appreciate you thinking of me. 🙂 One additional question – chocolate or vanilla? 😉 Mean people drive me mad too! We have a plaque in our kitchen which reads “Because nice matters.”

I nominate everyone! Please feel free to make a post on your blog or just answer the questions in the comments. It’s wonderful to get know you all a little better. If you do decide to participate, here are the…

Award Rules

  1. Provide the link to the creator’s original award post
  2. Answer the questions provided.
  3. Create 7 unique questions.
  4. Nominate 10 bloggers. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination. Neither the award’s creator, nor the blogger that nominated you can be nominated.

My Answers

  1. What is the most important thing you do each day? Wake up.
  2. What motivates you to get up in the morning? The goals I have for the day.
  3. If you could change just one thing in the world, what would it be and why? Every human would be born with critical thinking skills because it would enhance our world.
  4. What do you believe is the reason for poetry? For me, writing it is primarily to express who I am and what I understand. The reason I read it is to be transported into the mind of another.
  5. Who is your favorite musical artist and why? I have too many favorites for so many reasons but I think I will always love Pink and LP.
  6. Who is your favorite artist and why? My best friend, Terry Susi, because she is an amazing artist!
  7. Who is you favorite poet and why? Like music, I have so many. I enjoy all styles, from all generations. Rod McKuen and Henry David Thoreau were some of the first poets I read in my youth.
  8. What is the one thing you would like your child to know about you and if you have no child, what is the one thing you would like those closest to you to know about you? My best wasn’t always good enough but I always loved you both.
  9. Why do you share your work on a blog? I share hoping people get to know who I am and because it’s self-discovery for me.
  10. What beverage is you favorite and why? Water because it quenches my thirst like nothing else.

My Questions

  1. What is the hardest thing about facing your fears?
  2. What do you hope you are remembered for?
  3. Name three of your favorite achievements.
  4. Who encourages you the most?
  5. If you could travel anywhere and money were no object, where would you go and for how long?
  6. If you knew the date of your death, what two things would you make sure to do before you died?
  7. What is your favorite ethnic food?

Outstanding Blogger Award!

Published on by Susi Bocks28 Comments

Thank you so much for thinking of me Sadje of Keep it Alive! I appreciate it very much! And I enjoyed your answers. More and more I see that we are definitely kindred spirits! 😉

I nominate everyone! Please feel free to make a post on your blog or just answer the questions in the comments. It’s wonderful to get know you all a little better. If you do decide to participate, here are the…

Rules

  1. Provide the link to the creator’s original award post. (very important: see why in step 5)
  2. Answer the questions provided.
  3. Create 7 unique questions.
  4. Nominate 10 bloggers. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination. Neither the award’s creator, nor the blogger that nominated you, can be nominated.
  5. At the end of 2020, every blog that ping-backs the creator’s original post will be entered to win the 2020 Outstanding Blogger Award!

My Answers

1. How did the Covid-19 affect your life?

How didn’t it affect me would be the easier question! I guess I’m just glad myself and my family are still safe and well.

2. What one special thing would you like to do for the world?

Contribute my uniqueness in a way that it positively impacts it.

3. It’s almost the end of the year, what one thing do you want to accomplish before saying goodbye to 2020?

I think I’d just like to manage to get through the holidays. It’s not the best time of the year for me for a variety of reasons.

4. What do you look most forward to in 2021?

Maybe getting back to some form of “normalcy”, whether that be in regards to the Covid-19 situation as well as our politics.

5. What is your favorite song of all time?

I actually don’t have a favorite song of all time as there are just too many that I like! I can’t choose only one. And my musical interests span all different types from hard rock to disco.

6. What one book would you recommend to everyone?

Any book that educates. I would hope that all people always try to learn something new.

7. What one question would you like to ask me?

What is it about writing that makes your day?

The Questions

  1. Name one life event that changed your life, positively or negatively.
  2. If you had unlimited amount of money, what would you do with it?
  3. What was the best and the worst thing about your last job?
  4. What do you think is the biggest contributor to apathy?
  5. Name three things you think are most important to maintain long lasting relationships?
  6. Who would you identify as an influential figure in your life and why?
  7. I like Sadje’s continuation of the last question, so I’ll ask it too! What one question would you like to ask me?

Liebster Award #3

Published on by Susi Bocks17 Comments

Thank you, Nathan Cocker – Poetry 365 for this nomination. While I appreciate being nominated and answering the questions you asked of me, I won’t be selecting any blogs. I think most, if not all, writers I subscribe to deserve a nomination. Please take a little time to get to know me a little better. Thanks again for the opportunity to share my world, Nathan! I hope everyone takes a moment to read your work!

Nathan’s Questions For Me

  • Are you a cat, dog, mouse, or fish person? (Explain why…)

I love all animals so I won’t choose one. If I was of the frame of mind to have a pet, it would probably be a miniature pig.

  • What was your first music album / CD? (What was your last? Damn you, Spotify!!)

No idea as it was over 40 years ago now. I can tell you my first concert was Styx – the Babe, I love you Tour. I was sixteen at the time.

  • Which is your favourite Beatle and why?

Ringo Starr because I love drummers.

  • If you could be any character from fiction or movie, who and why?

I would want to be any noble character who is always willing to stand on the right side of history.

  • What was your most disastrous date night? Tell all the gory details!

I can’t say that I ever really had one.

  • No regrets. But, what is your biggest regret? (No politics)

Marrying my first love. Although, I would never have had my first son. He was worth going through the ending of it.

  • What was your scariest weather moment?

Tornado that the funnel was starting to rotate above our home in 2001. It did touch down but when it did, it was about 1/2 mile away from us.

  • What is your favourite city? Explain why?

Boston, Massachusetts will forever be my favorite city. There is such a rich history there and the city is beautiful architecturally. The people are wonderful too!

  • What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A singer, then I wanted to be in the Air Force, not married and never having children. I never became a singer or get into the Armed Forces but I did get married (2X) and had two children.

  • If you could make a mixtape (OK! or, a spotify playlist), which are the first 5 tracks?

LP – Lost on You
Pink – Raise your Glass
AC/DC – Back in Black
One Republic – Counting Stars
Shawn Mendes – There’s Nothing Holding Me Back

  • You have the luxury of writing your own epitaph. Please tell us all? (and make us cry…)

I won’t be writing an epitaph as I’m not getting buried. My body and my brain are getting donated to science. But I will tell you that I’ve asked my children to make sure the Obiturary starts like this…

Fucking Dead as of (whatever that date may be) 🙂

1st Vincent Ehindaro Award!

Published on by Susi Bocks28 Comments

Thank you Dragon Warrior for nominating me for this award! I’ve recently become aware of this blog and am looking forward to reading more. 🙂

As always, it’s wonderful to receive this recognition and I appreciate the opportunity to get to know my readers a little better.

At the beginning of the year, I decided to be an award-free blog due to my goals and schedule this year, but I will answer all of Dragon Warrior’s questions.

My Answers

Would you consider yourself a creative person? If so, how?

Absolutely! When I started writing I actually felt even more creative, and not just because of the writing. It felt like I became more imaginative and creative with art too.

What type of characters do you like to read about?

I like any characters possessing good or bad characteristics that are well-written and well-developed.

How would you describe the quarantine in a few words?

Overwhelming at times.

How would you describe your aesthetics?

If you are referring to my physical appearance – blonde hair, blue eyes, tall, long legs.

When the quarantine ends, what would you do first?

Hug my children!!

Thanks again Dragon Warrior for the nomination and also the praise and support you’ve given my writing. I appreciate it very much! 

Sunshine Blogger Award #5

Published on by Susi Bocks21 Comments

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I was nominated by Smitha V at Pennings…One Woman’s Journey!  As always, it’s wonderful to receive this recognition and I appreciate the opportunity to get to know my readers a little better. Thank you, Smitha, I appreciate it! Please take a moment and check out her blog. There are quotes, travelogue, creative writing, parenting, book reviews, poetry art, and other topics. A little bit for everyone’s tastes!

Recently I decided to be an award-free blog due to my goals and schedule this year, but I will answer all of Smitha’s questions. I’ve said it before on many occasions that this is a great way for us to all get to know each other a little better.

Smitha’s Questions for me

1. What is the most extreme “sport” you’ve done (if any)? 

One thing I’ve done which was anxiety-producing for me was diving off the highboard at our local swimming pool. I believe it was 7 1/2 meter board. The other was zip-lining above the Mexican treeline in Cancun.

2. Do you have a favorite travel destination? If so, where?

Any beach with white or pink sand, crystal clear blue water and palm trees. 🙂

3. What is your favorite blog topic? 

I am partial to feelings, relationships, and questions about life.

4. Do you have a preferred time of day to blog? When?

No, although I primarily write in the mornings, inspiration can come at any time.

5. Do you drink coffee while you blog?

Frequently, but I also drink tea.

6. Do you have pets?

I don’t have any but I do like the pets of others.

7. If you were trying to fix a broken shovel handle and a 500-pound gorilla came up to you with a roll of tape, what would you do?

LOL I would probably say thank you in sign language imagining that Dr. Jane Goodall had something to do with it!

8. Do you prefer to swim in a pool or a natural body of water? 

Oh, definitely in the ocean or lake! However, if there were a salt-water pool available, I would prefer that over a chlorinated pool.

9. It’s Thanksgiving- turkey, some other type of meat, or no meat?

Not a fan of turkey unless it’s the dark meat. I do eat other meats too. Although, given a good tasting alternative, I’d prefer to eat a meat substitute.

10. Given the choice, would you prefer a spider or a snake in your home? 

I’ll take a snake any day! 🙂

11. What type of music do you listen to? 

Oh, gosh, all kinds! I grew up on the 40s – 70s and pretty much like all types. Although, not a great big fan of opera, country music, punk rock, or rap. Having said that though, I will always give a recommendation a listen and I do have some songs or bands in those styles which I like.

Thanks again, Smitha! 🙂

 

Honored with another Liebster Award!

Published on by Susi Bocks7 Comments

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Pritam Bora

Thank you so much for the nod, Pritam! Again my apologies that it took me so long to respond. My November adventures pushed me way behind on my reading! I’m still trying to catch up! LOL

And I apologize also that I won’t be participating but I will answer your questions.

Response to Pritam’s Questions

1. What motivates you to write?

Deep emotions, words that just seem to need out of my head and into a post, anger, injustice, beauty, love, relationships, nature, politics…
And so many more things. Bottom-line, the need to express because speaking these things doesn’t necessarily always come out the way I want them to.

2. What do you think about the inequalities in the world?

I think it’s a shame that as conscious beings some of us don’t seem to value a mentality beyond “I’ve got mine, screw you.” There should be no inequality but it seems that hurting others intentionally is all around us. It’s sad and sickening.

3. What kind of movies do you watch?

All kinds! But I think I mostly tend to drift towards action and comedies. Occasionally I like a well-done drama or one that really makes me think.

4. What do you think about the education system in your country?

Desperately needs improvement!! And my guess, total restructuring as we find that education is so different for everyone.

5. What do you think about social media?

Total time-suck but I like being able to stay in touch with my friends around the globe. 🙂

6. What do you think about democracy?

It needs an update.

7. What do you want to do in life?

I want to touch people’s lives positively and be in a position where I can deflect harm the best.

8. What do you think about climate change and the role of developed countries?

My opinion is that climate change will continue to ravage our world as it has always done. The only difference in our current climate is that it is an ‘unnatural occurrence’ which is affecting us now. Man and the progress (and I say that with caution) brought about changes that have escalated a chain reaction of destruction. Of course, that is what nature does – destroy, resurrect, death, life, and so on…

The shame of this progress and understanding how it was impacting our world, especially in developed countries, is maddening. They know how much it would have been helpful to ‘get the big picture’ and instead seem to ignore it. IMO, they should have been the leaders to help reverse or at the very least, work on solutions to heal our planet.

9. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? How does it help you?

I think that I’m mostly an introvert but can be an ambivert at times and even more seldom, actually enjoy being extroverted.

10. What is your evaluation of your government?

Throw them all out and start again! Well, not all but most. I want true representatives of the people to speak for me. And by that, I don’t mean those who ‘are like me’ but rather those who work for the best interest of all they represent.

11. What are the five best songs according to you?

I can’t do that because there are just too many that move me. 🙂 But I will tell you of the current musical artist that I adore and have for about a year now – LP. Here’s my favorite song by her.

 

Thanks again, Pritam!!

Sunshine Blogger Award #4

Published on by Susi Bocks9 Comments

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This nomination came from Kritika of Undressed Thoughts. Thank you so much for the nomination, Kritika! This was so kind of you to think of me. I appreciate it! Readers of IWH, please go visit her lovely blog.

These nominations are thrilling to get but sometimes very difficult to put into my schedule. This is one of those times so I won’t participate fully but I will answer all of Kritika’s questions. I’ve said it before on many occasions that this is a great way for us to all get to know each other a little better. 🙂

Kritika’s Questions for me

1. Do you search for difficult words in your writing? like I do. I have to search for meaning.

Search, no. They actually find me! I have an app that sends me a Word of the Day. If it’s one I don’t know and it’s interesting, I will try to use it in my writing.

2. What do you prefer tea or coffee? any specific flavor, please mention the same.

Both! But usually more tea and that’s daily. I prefer White Tea.

3. Most of the time, I am found writing while walking to and fro in my room, on my phones notepad. Do you like writing on phones or tablets or laptops?

I prefer writing on my desktop or laptop but I will use my phone if I’m out and about when a thought strikes me for a potential post. Then when I get home I elaborate more and evaluate if it would be a good piece to post.

4. Where would you like to live, if not the current country?

Any country which has a beautiful white sand beach with palm trees and crystal clear blue water.

5. How many books do you have in your own library?

Currently, 127 but my guess is there have probably been close to 500 at one time. These are just the absolute favorites. I’ve probably read into the thousands! LOL

6. Have you participated in any protests for any social cause? Which one and why?

Demonstrated in protests – Women’s rights & LGBT equality – but I support a variety of other causes. Whatever is unjust must be called out, and I do that frequently. 🙂

7. A motivating line of your own, if this was an award given to you on stage.

Sometimes life is just putting one foot in front of the other and going in the direction of a good day. 🙂

8. What genre do you prefer in movies?

Comedies are my favorite but I can get into a good drama with raw emotions.

9. Are you a bathroom singer?

Nope, more like a car singer.

10. How do you spend your Sunday?

First, it’s completely necessary to languish in bed for a bit, then usually writing and reading. And laundry.

11. Do you like watching TV? What do you prefer watching?

Yes, but usually just as side noise. I frequently read blogs when I have the TV on. I adore Survivor, Mom and Madame Secretary. Found another one recently called The Masked Singer. Very entertaining.

Thanks, Kritika! 🙂

Liebster Award!

Published on by Susi Bocks24 Comments

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I was nominated by Sadje of Keep It Alive. Thank you, dear Sadje, for thinking of me as one of your nominees. How very thoughtful! Please, everyone, take a moment to visit her blog. She is a prolific and talented writer!

I wish I had the time to follow through on the whole idea behind these types of awards but these next three weeks are crunch time for me on several different fronts. I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for this award by Sadje though and will definitely answer the questions! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the people in our WP community with these awards and appreciate the opportunity to share a little bit of me as well.

Sadje’s Questions

Are you a serious blogger or just having fun here?

Serious as a heart attack!

What was the reason that made you start a blog?

Initially, it was to signal a change away from the previous two blogs I’d started, promote my book and have it become like an “author page” but the more I wrote, the more invested I became in expressing my thoughts. In a relatively short period of time, I wanted this to become my main repository of writing.

Take a while to think and let us know: what object that is in your reach right now, influences you? ( eg a tv)

My computer definitely because it is the conduit to so many things which touch me – the news, reading other’s thoughts, communicating directly with my friends and even getting to know new people.

How do you relax?

Good friends, good food, good beverages, and my loves.

Are you superstitious?

Nope

Loyalty to the one you love, or one who is right?

Hmmm. Loyalty to the ones I’ve committed to; they happen to be people I love and are right for me. But maybe that’s not what you were asking? In the case where the one I love is wrong about something, they still have my loyalty. I don’t think that’s being loyal to one is right, it just means I’m loyal to the truth.

How can we improve the environment of our planet? Do you take any practical steps towards it?

Improving starts with caring about the environment. I try to be practical by not wasting water, walking instead of driving as much as I can, recycle plastic bags when they are given to me, utilize reusable cloth bags when shopping, eat less meat and anything else I can do that will impact the environment less.

What is one habit you have that you or your family think is childish?

Being German, I’m loud and expressive. Well, at least that’s my excuse! 😉 My husband, although German as well, thinks that is childish since he apparently has outgrown some of his traditional behavior. LOL My children will probably tell you I dance in public too much. I’m an embarrassment to them. 🙂

 

Sunshine Blogger Award #3

Published on by Susi Bocks32 Comments

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I was nominated by Jeshea Lim – blogger at Critically Royal for this latest Sunshine Blogger Award! Please check out her website where she has learned to “immortalize her inner self into being.” Thank you, Jeshea! You do it very well. 🙂

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.

The Sunshine Blogger Award Rules

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
  2. List the Rules and display an award logo on your blog post.
  3. Answer the 11 Questions the Blogger has asked you.
  4. Nominate 11 New Blogs to receive the award and notify them by a comment on any of their posts.
  5. Ask the Nominees 11 New Questions.

Jeshea’s Questions for Me

  1. Why did you start blogging? After being inspired by a gentleman younger than myself, I decided I had a voice that needed to be heard. That began back at the end of 2010. Two blogs followed – Susi’s Soap Box and PhiloSusi – then came the idea for the first book, Feeling Human. My next blog – I Write Her – was a way to introduce myself to the WordPress community but it became so much more! It’s my happy place now. 🙂 A year after the first book, came the second – Every Day I Pause. So long story short, I needed to write and this became the perfect platform for me!
  2. What’s is your best experience in life so far? I would say it’s the privilege of being alive. There just isn’t a single best experience as every good one feels good for its own reasons.
  3. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why? Right now, The Isle of Tiree in Britain. Something is drawing me there, probably the peace and quiet as well as the landscape.
  4. What’s your comfort food and why? Anything that doesn’t upset my stomach. 🙂
  5. What is your greatest fear? That after trying to live a decent and honorable life, I would be rewarded a slow, painful death. That would suck and be indecent.
  6. What inspires you? People who know how to love, express themselves well and think critically. All those attributes in one person, well that’s a triple threat!
  7. Who is your role model? See answer #6
  8. If you could choose an imaginary place to live, where would it be and why? It would most certainly have to have two landscapes – a forest on one side and a beach on the other. A Yin Yang look and feel, one being open and the other a closed environment. This clearly demonstrates what life is – opposites but for me, it would be what I need in my life. There are times I’m very open and wish to feel small in an awesome, expansive world and other times when I just want to be hidden, secluded and hugged by my surroundings. Ideally, it would be invisible and floating around in Earth’s atmosphere where I could also continue to observe the inhabitants below me. Naturally, all my favorite people would be welcome to join me if they need an escape from the rat race.
  9. What are you favorite books? The ones which have meant something to me beyond the words on the page are: Far From The Tree – Andrew Solomon, Arrow Smith – Sinclair Lewis, Looking Backward: 2000-1887 & Equality– Edward Bellamy, The Hours – Michael Cunningham
  10. If you could have dinner with someone who is dead, who would it be and why? My grandfathers. I never got to meet either of them and would like to know more about them as well as our screwy family from their perspective.
  11. How do you spend your past time? Curled up with a good book, thinking, going out with my friends and family, walking.

Questions for my nominees

  1. What style of writing do you prefer?
  2. When you were a child, were your dreams encouraged?
  3. What event has had the most influence on you?
  4. Stick shift or automatic?
  5. What genre of movies do you watch the most and why?
  6. Do you keep up with climate change events?  
  7. Do you know who Greta Thunberg is?
  8. Chocolate or Vanilla?
  9. What is your favorite B Movie actor and why?
  10. What is the most pleasing season of the year?
  11. What is your favorite part of the house?

I nominate the following people for the award

Kitty’s Verses
Hearing The Mermaids Sing
Cat Nap Revue
Pennings… One Woman’s Journey
lightsleeperbutheavydreamer
The Free Spirit Soul
Sharing Thoughts
Mat Aru Poetry
Esme’s Cloud
The Bag Lady
Saudade

I’m looking forward to your responses! This is such a great way to connect with the WordPress community. 🙂

Sunshine Blogger Award #2

Published on by Susi Bocks28 Comments

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Such a wonderful honor to be thought of and appreciated! In addition, it’s awesome to get to know the nominators a bit better. Thank you, Crystal Grasso (Ward) of Maybe Crazy Help fame for the nomination! As she mentions in her header, Crystal’s blog does a great job of helping others understand mental health in a unique way. Go check it out!

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award

The Sunshine Blogger Award is an award passed down from blogger to blogger as a way to show appreciation. The blogs that create inspirational content, shows great creativity, and positivity is selected by a previous nominee. It’s a pretty neat award system!

This helps newer blogs get discovered, grows your network, and can also help you make beautiful friendships with like-minded people. While you are encouraged to participate, you don’t have to. It’s okay if you decide not to, blogging is hard work but the nominees definitely deserve the shoutout.

 

My answers to Crystal’s questions

What do you enjoy doing outside of blogging?

For purely selfish reasons, reading. I love the quality alone time and the fantasy world in books is a bonus! But the tie for that would be spending quality time with friends. My dearest, truest friends give me balance when I’m over-worked or grappling with life in some ugly fashion.

Where is your favorite place to go with friends and family?

Literally, anywhere! It’s about being with them, not where we are together. Now, vacationing is another story. Any white beach which has great weather, clear water, and palm trees is THE place to go!

What is your favorite way to relax after a long day?

Good food, good drink, and a mattress.

Do you prefer video games on a console, games on a phone, or board games?

Definitely not on a console, and I don’t play a whole lot of board games anymore but they were fun when I was younger. Now, I only play games on my phone and then only because I’m in a situation where I’m bored, like on a plane.

Do you like theme parks or nature parks?

Definitely nature parks! Theme parks are hectic and to be in nature is calming for me.

What is your favorite show or movie you can watch over and over again and never get tired of?

I have many – Dirty Dancing, Torch Song Trilogy, In America, Finding Nemo

Do you have any pets?

Not at this time.

What place would you like to visit?

Every place I’ve not been to yet! At the top of my bucket list is Greece but I’ve been thinking a lot about Scotland and the Isle of Tiree lately.

What is your favorite meal?

Any meal which tastes yummy and doesn’t mess with my stomach.

How do you feel about littering?

I think it’s wrong! Put trash where it belongs!

Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

Hot weather, for sure, but not too hot! I prefer comfortably warm.

~~~

The nominees I’ve selected are fairly new to the blogging world but something about them caught my eye. I would like to use this award to highlight their thoughts. Obviously, what everyone enjoys is subjective, we don’t all like the same things but this is a way to “pay it forward”, so to speak, and to showcase what these writers feel they need to share. I hope you decide to take a look!

I Nominate:

Face Depression
Positivity Monger
A Prolific Potpourri
The Bookish Recovering Know-It-All
Spill It Out
Techospi
Stories of Ecstasy
Jayblogs
Pegiblog
Scarlett’s Blog
Maybe

My 11 questions for the nominees

  1. Who is the most influential person in your life and why?
  2. If you were forbidden to ever write again, what would you be doing instead?
  3. What is your favorite color?
  4. Who is the musical artist which gives you the chills?
  5. Is a taco a sandwich?
  6. Do you prefer small intimate gatherings or large loud parties?
  7. What was a milestone in your life you are particularly proud of?
  8. Do you like where you live or would you rather be somewhere else?
  9. Do you prefer chocolate or potato chips as a snack?
  10. What issue in today’s world gets you riled up the most?
  11. Besides writing, any other form of art you are attracted to?

Rules:

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you
  2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you
  3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive this award
  4. Write 11 new questions for the nominated bloggers
  5. List the rules and display them on your post
  6. Notify the nominees about the nomination by commenting on one of their posts