Granted, I don't really know the roots for this award...I did enough research to know that others, before me, had done enough research to know that the roots have been impossible to find. BUT...with a name like Liebster--literally translated to 'Dear', with 'lieb' at its root, meaning 'love')--I have to admit, I think I might be a wee bit more excited than the average nominee for this award. No offense out there, fellow Liebster award nominees. In no way do I mean to imply that your honor and excitement and similar feelings of joy falter in comparison to mine. Simply attempting to express how really meaningful this award is to me!
Any quality acceptance speech comes with an array of thank-yous at the beginning, right? Thus, I must first thank the generous Multilingual Mama, of the blog with the same name. She's the one who so lovingly nominated me this week, after being nominated herself for the same award. If I could, I'd nominate her in return--she's hilarious, writes with style, and seems to be on my same page--but that's against the rules (see below), so I'll leave it at a HUGE thanks!
I'd also like to thank whoever came up with this awesome award--German or otherwise. I think it's ingenious, similar in nature to the Blogging Carnival on Bilingualism--a way to spread the love and community in the blogging world. As small as this world can sometimes feel, esp. with the advent of technology, it can feel all too large and lonely when things get hard. Blogging, at least for me, has been a way to feel more connected to and supported by those who care.
And, of course, a huge thank you to Kaya, for providing so much fodder for thought and frustration; to Geoff, for all those late nights when I swore I'd be in bed in 5 minutes; to the other Statons, for allowing me multiple moments, hours, and even days to be human, and have time to write; and to the rest of my family, and fellow bloggers and readers, for being so supportive in all the ways you have. Seriously--without you, I'd have given up LONG ago.
So, without further ado ('cuz I've created enough already!)...on to the meat of this lovely Liebster Blog Award.
THE RULES:
- When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself.
- Answer 11 questions from the person who nominated you.
- Pass the award on to 11 other blogs, making sure you tell them you nominated them and
- Ask them 11 questions.
- You are not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated you!
- Make sure the blogs you chose have 200 or FEWER followers
- Share your posting with the blogger who nominated you so that they, too, can learn all this cool stuff about you!
So, here we go with 11 Random Facts:
1. I think coming up with 11 Random Facts is really hard. I'm scanning my office as I sit here, to come up with ideas, and none of them seem random enough. Sometimes, my perfectionism gets the best of me...
2. I LOVE the smell of wet pavement. You'd think that, as much of as sustainability freak as I am, I'd hate pavement, wet or dry. Maybe that's the real reason that I live in Oregon...
3. I also love eggnog. It's thick and yummy, just like store-bought chocolate milk. The idea of it is kinda gross, though. Drinking. Eggs.
4. I sucked my thumb until I was 12. And used to 'pick fuzzies' off my blankets to the point where they'd all have light spots if you held them up to the light. I'd then hold the fuzzy in the crook of my pointer finger, and rub it on the bridge of my nose.
5. If it were up to me, I'd give a lot of thought to making computers and other such electronics obsolete. The idea of going back to life the way they lived it on Little House on the Prairie is pretty inviting to me.
6. I have this habit of making a cup of tea and then not drinking it. Fortunately, Good Earth tea is my favorite, and seems to be the only tea I drink lately--it tastes just as good cold as it does hot.
7. Most of the boys I liked while growing up had names that started with J: Jeff (my first official boyfriend), Josh, Jared, and Justin. To stick with the theme, but to mix it up a bit, I married Geoff.
8. I don't like gold jewelry. I think silver looks a lot more classy and down to earth.
9. I think Citizens Climate Lobby has successfully educated me and changed my opinion on politics in America--a pretty big feat from someone who initially didn't understand the voting system in her own country (embarrassingly enough, esp. as a teacher!).
10. I've finally accepted the fact that it might be many years before I ultimately settle on how many children I really want...
11. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but I was surprised how I immediately thought of ham as I was petting the nose of a pig from the Deck Family Farm where we get our meat...And for the 11 questions posed to me...
1. What are you reading now?
I have this crazy habit of starting a book and not finishing it before I start another. Thus, my list is long. Here are the ones that I'm most excited about now--those that often make it into my bag as I'm leaving for the day:
-Radical Acceptance
-Parenting Without Power Struggles
-Portland: An Urban Eco Guide
-Eat, Pray, Love
-Slow Parenting
-The Spiritual Dimensions of the Enneagram
-Enneagram for the Spirit
2. Where would you live and why?
The first place that comes to mind is Colorado, though the crazy thing is, I've never even been there. From the photos I've seen, however, and the reports that I've heard from Coloradans (wow, that's a word?!), it seems like a place I've love to be: mountains, rivers, snow, sun, and a multitude of communities that appreciate that outdoor life as much as we do.
I also dream of living in Bend, Oregon, and if our family could be closer, I'd consider moving there tomorrow--as it is, it may have to wait until retirement. Big sky, high desert, sage, juniper, sun, snow, and once again, a love of the outdoors.
I also have to give a rip-roarin' woot to Portland, where we now live. About 14 years ago, I was trying to pick between settling in one of 3 places: Portland (Oregon), Madison (Wisconsin), and Munich (Germany). Having lived in all three, and loving them all, it was a toss up.
Madison lost because of the bugs in the summer and the length of the winter.
Munich lost because, try as I might, I never quite felt at home there.
And Portland won, and continues to win, because it's green, and beautiful, and full of a culture that not only appreciates nature but the lifestyle that goes along with it. The mountain is close, the ocean as well, and the Columbia Gorge has just as much beauty as I've seen across the world in faraway places.
3. What is one piece of advice you would give your teenage self if you could?
"Dad is doing his best with the tools he currently has. He only wants the best for you, even if it doesn't ever seem like it. When he says things that seem mean, he only wants the best for you, and is really just afraid of f^!#ing up. Love him, show him love, and things may go much more smoothly. Oh, and check out Landmark Education--could be helpful, too."
4. Pirate or Ninja?
Ninja. Black is cool. So is being stealthy and quick.
5. What gives you goosebumps?
Feeling connection with others.
And being in the Unitarian church while 700+ people hold lit candles on Christmas Eve.
6. What are you most proud of?
The fact that I'm answering this question without worrying excessively about how it will make me look if I talk about myself to others about something that I've done well. And that said, I'm still not really sure that I even answered the question. Thus, to push myself further through my hesitation, I'm proud (and relieved) that I'm finally slowing down, that 'doing' is becoming less important to me than 'being'. At the same time, I'm proud of all that I can accomplish when I'm committed.
7. What is the most beautiful song you've ever heard?
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
8. What makes your hackles rise?
Feeling helpless and misunderstood.
9. What is the thing you wish you could have said but didn't?
I forgive you, Mom. I know you did your best with what you had. And I felt your love, through it all.
10. Who do you admire most?
My mom. Through all the pain and suffering she experienced, between anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and IBS, only to be topped off with 9 years of non-hodgkins lymphoma with no treatment, she never faltered to give us the best she could--and then some. She and Ghandi are both up there, as far as I'm concerned.
11. If you could be reincarnated and choose any talent or career, what would it be?
Innate forgiveness and unconditional love for all beings.
Thank you, once again, Multilingual Mama, for this nomination, as well as those thought-provoking questions. I enjoyed the process of answering them, and hope they might do their part to deepen community and connection.
And now it is officially time to pass this award along to other deserving nominees!
Thank you, once again, Multilingual Mama, for this nomination, as well as those thought-provoking questions. I enjoyed the process of answering them, and hope they might do their part to deepen community and connection.
And now it is officially time to pass this award along to other deserving nominees!
THE 11 BLOGGERS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER), I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE AND TO INVITE TO TAKE PART IN THIS AWARD ARE:
Nicola was a huge support during many moments where I wanted to give up. Hers is the closest thing to a sister-blog that I can imagine--and not just because of the name!
Like Nicola, Kate has 'been there', in comment after comment, seemingly enjoying our process from afar, and sharing similar experiences with her son.
Sarah was perhaps the first blog that I found in my search for others out there doing the same thing. Her blog is a WEALTH of information, with more resources and blog lists than you can ever imagine!
One of those blogs that leaves me nearly doubled over in laughter. A Canuck raising her kids bilingually in Spain.
As someone with a pretty decent puke anxiety, I can actually say that I wanted to keep reading her post about the nasty bug that her kids caught--impressive writing style and intriguing topics (well, mostly!). =)
Who wouldn't nominate a blog of this name? Not only beautiful photos of her life in Switzerland, but content that has me want to keep reading and exploring...
"French-American living in Lille,raising a Franco-American family, cooking and fighting against excessive dog excrement." 'Nuff said.
An all-German blog by a woman in Germany, raising her son bilingually in her non-native language of English. I've enjoyed connecting with her from afar, and getting language support from time to time, too.
Once called Gato and Canard, this blog, too, is German in nature, with a splash of other cultures and languages. I love her layout, and her dry sense of humor!
Just recently stumbled upon this blog from Sarah's bloglist, but I really appreciate his passion for language, and his description of the nuances that he observes as his little guy becomes fluent in both Spanish and English.
And last, but certainly not least, a blog having nothing to do with language acquisition whatsoever. A fellow Integral Coach with a blog and business that leave me aspiring. Thank you, Chela, for your support, as I begin this Integral process.
From my Liebster Blog Award Recipients, I'd love to know:
1. What are you most afraid of?
2. What promise do you see for the world?
3. What excites you about life?
4. What are you experiencing in your body, right now?
5. When was the last time you felt overwhelming love for someone or something?
6. If you could sit next to anyone on a plane for 10 hours, who would it be?
7. If you were to make one change in your life tomorrow, what would it be?
8. What would your life look like if you had no regrets?
9. Would you live your life differently if you were your own best friend?
10. Dress or jeans?
11. What's the best gift you've ever received?
And there we have it: possibly the 1st Liebster Blog Award acceptance and nomination process for 2013!
Congratulations, to all recipients, past and future!
I look forward to reading your 'acceptance speeches'!
xo
Tamara
2. What promise do you see for the world?
3. What excites you about life?
4. What are you experiencing in your body, right now?
5. When was the last time you felt overwhelming love for someone or something?
6. If you could sit next to anyone on a plane for 10 hours, who would it be?
7. If you were to make one change in your life tomorrow, what would it be?
8. What would your life look like if you had no regrets?
9. Would you live your life differently if you were your own best friend?
10. Dress or jeans?
11. What's the best gift you've ever received?
And there we have it: possibly the 1st Liebster Blog Award acceptance and nomination process for 2013!
Congratulations, to all recipients, past and future!
I look forward to reading your 'acceptance speeches'!
xo
Tamara
