Beautiful Blogger Awards

Justine, author of  Adventures in Bandland nominated me for an award, thank-you Justine! We had surgery within a week of each other and I enjoy reading her blog.

Now, this is going to be a long post so you've been forewarned.

Here are the  instructions:
• Thank the person who nominated you for this award
• Copy the award and post it in your blog
• Link to the blog of the person who nominated you
• Tell seven interesting things about yourself
• Nominate seven bloggers
• Post links to the blogs of your nominees

Seven things about me

1) About 8 years ago I took a six week leave of absence from work and spent it living with a local family in Guatemala.  I attended Spanish School in the morning and did volunteer work in the afternoon. It was a great experience. By the time I left, my Spanish was pretty good, but I haven’t had the opportunity to use it much and although I still understand it, I have a hard time speaking it.

2) My degree is in Political Science with a focus on International Development which is part of the reason I wanted to learn Spanish. At some point in my life I intend to do longer term volunteer work in a developing country. I especially like the micro loans that many women have been able to receive. They’re doing amazing things all around the globe.

3) I love to travel. Last year M and I spent 3 weeks in Italy. Two days before we were to leave, the airline we had booked with declared bankruptcy and grounded all flights. It was a frantic 48 hours trying to make alternative arrangements, we ended up leaving a day later and coming back a day earlier. I think we enjoyed the trip even more as it almost didn’t happen.

4) In my late teens/early 20’s I had an eyebrow piercing. That was a decade ago and it was not at all common. I wasn’t prepared for the reaction many people had; lots of stares and comments. It made me feel very conspicuous which wasn’t my intention; I did it simply because I liked it. I eventually had to remove it as it started to keloid and I now have scar. To this day my mother laments the fact that I’ve “ruined” my face (the scar is very small). I also had my tongue pierced soon after the brow piercing and removed it during the interviews for my current job. I forgot to put it back in and that ended my affair with piercings.

5) My blog is the first time I’ve shared my real weight with anyone outside of my family physician. Even when I weighed 127 pounds I didn't feel thin and would fudge the numbers. If only I knew then what I know now. *sigh*

6) I love, love, love to read. I cannot resist buying books and my taste runs the gamut. I have a special love for the classics with Thomas Hardy as one of my forever favourites. While in the UK a few years ago, M and I spent a week in the town of Dorchester in Dorset (even lovelier than I had imagined) which Hardy refers to as Wessex in “The Mayor of Casterbridge”. That book was my introduction at 12 and I’ve read everything of his since.

7) I’m an intensely private person. Creating a blog was a big step for me and I’m glad that I did, I really enjoy being part of this community. Only M knows about my surgery, I may eventually let my immediate family and close friends know, but I’m nowhere near ready.

Now for seven blogs in no particular order:
Cara: She always provides encouragement and is a wonderful cheerleader for all of us and she's getting really close to goal.
Catherine: Was the first blog I found via LBT and I love reading about her shopping/dining/dating experiences.
Amy W: I think Amy's was the second blog I found. She's a ray of sunshine and has done an amazing job in just over a year.
Tully: Again, one of the first blogs I found (sensing a theme here?) and I love how open and honest she is. She's also done really well with the band and recently got her driver's license.
Nicole: Works the band and looks amazing.
Ashley: One of my first followers and was recently banded.
Tessie: Still awaiting a surgery date. She's remained positive while dealing with her insurance company but I'm frustrated for her. Give her a date already!

A BIG thank-you to all of the other bloggers out there. This journey is made easier travelling with all of you.

Have a great weekend!