You

 

 

It’s that time of the year again when I take stock of my doings and undoings and mis-doings.

 

 

I have two lists specifically that I work on at this time. I call those lists ‘Diamond’ and ‘Coal’.

 

 

Coal is about the ‘bad’ things that were lumped my way this year. But those things are never bad entirely, because coal can turn into diamond. So one way or another, I’m wiser.  

 

 

Diamond is about all the precious things that were heaped upon me this year. Some rough, some sparkly, some well-cut, some odd shaped, but all of extremely high value.

 

 

The Coal list gets done with pretty quickly, so I get that out of the way first. And then I savour prancing around like Richie Rich with his diamond studded toys.  

 

 

Among the many things I am thankful for this year is

 

 

YOU!

 

Yes, YOU reading this right now.

 

(Bestie Boy burning up the floor with one of his classic moves.)

 

 

YOU have given me the all important impetus to keep this blog going since I began 13 months ago. If my Stats chart was white all the time, I would have given up writing here a while back. But I get white columns twice a month or so.

 

 

I’m happy with blue columns that reach for the top margin, I’m happy with blue columns that hover around the bottom margin and I’m happy when I get white columns*as well. Those white columns give me a fresh lease on my rather relaxed approach towards my blog.

 

 

*Non-Wordpress bloggers, blue columns correspond to the number of visitors to the blog i.e. y-axis on a particular day i.e. x-axis. The white column is really a blank column on the Stats chart; an indication of no visitors to the blog that particular day.  

 

 

This image is from http://en.blog.wordpress.com/

 

The Stats chart in WordPress.

 

 

I am also very grateful that YOU allow me to maintain privacy with those ugly strips across the eyes. Avoiding the kind of attention I dislike is something I fight in real life. I’ve discovered I now have a reflexive aversion to most kinds of attention that come my way, until I feel safe or comfortable with the source. Here’s some more light on this matter.

 

 

This is an excerpt from my e-mail last year to a friend. 

 

 

I find it degrading that I garner attention primarily because of my matchstick body when I have so much more to offer as a person. Oh, I am very grateful that I get attention, even after so many spins around the sun. I’ve been blessed to never not get attention my entire life, so I don’t know what harmful measures I’d resort to if I were to crave attention. Still, I am human and it saddens me that people [guys especially   ] do not see the non-physical side of me right away or even after a while.  

 

 

In some strange manner, covering my(/our) eyes makes me feel less noticed. For putting up with the (wholly inartistically) defaced photographs I (dare to) share, a special ‘Thank you’, dear readers.

 

 

So. Why all this gratitude towards YOU?

 

 

Because YOU – lovely peeps I do not know (personally) at all – make this blog happen.

 

 

Well, yes; I do all the writing. But how boring would my words be if I did not jazz up my somnolent soliloquy with a picture here or a quote there from YOU?

 

 

How would I have been thrilled had 13 among YOU not chosen to Follow my blog posts or subscribe to them?

 

 

How would I have felt that sudden, tiny surge of triumph and pride had YOU not Liked my posts?

 

 

How would I have been delighted to yammer away in response to practically every line had YOU not Commented?

 

 

I began this blog to merely share what I’ve learnt from and what I’ve laughed at in my own life. I wanted to share these in the hope that, just like I did via blogs of strangers I had read and stories I had heard in person; YOU, too, could learn without having to endure the uncomfortable side-effects of certain experiences, or to relish the fun of my lighter moments.

 

 

I have stayed on track with my blog

and

I could focus primarily on what I love i.e. writing

and

I did not have to fret about making my posts more visually appealing

because

YOU graciously permitted me to share material from your sites

and

YOU thrilled me when YOU

Followed

RSSed

Liked

and

Commented

on my posts.

Oh, even when YOU visited and read silently. My Stats don’t lie, yo.  

 

 

For giving me the opportunity to bask in all those lovely feelings and for letting me enjoy the main reasons I began this blog, thank you, YOU.

 

 

But I’m not done.

 

 

You know how I like to brag, right? I also like the share the lurv. 

 

 

So here’s the Who’s Who behind making this blog one of my many bright spots this year.  There are four ‘categories’. They are

 

 

I. The Large Hearts

II. The Brave Hearts

III. The Make-Me-Chatter-Away-My-Heart(s)

IV. The Warm-My-Heart(s)

 

 

I will list every one of YOU in the following manner:

 

 

Your Website Name

Your Tag Line and/or Organisation

Your Website Address  

 

(A few names are repeated across ‘categories’.)

 

 

 

I. The Large Hearts AKA The Generous Lenders

I have been very lucky every time I’ve sought permission to “borrow” an image (primarily), a website or a quote. I have never been turned down by anyone. Had a few requests not answered at all, yes; kicked to the curb, no.

 

 

One thing that surprised me many a time, was how surprised people were that I made the effort to ask for permission to use some of their material when I could just, um, help myself. The blogosphere is a pretty big place, after all. But if I did do that, I’d be forgetting one of the many little lessons Daddy (and Mummy) taught me:

 

 

“Do not take someone else’s things without asking them first.” 

 

 

So, these are the lovely people who were generous with their material that I used in my posts since I began in November 2011.

 

 

This image is from http://muslimmatters.org/

 

 

 

Andrea Pascale

Owner
Word Decor ‘n More
www.WordDecor-n-More.com

I got my Gravatar image from Andrea. Daddy’s Girl is still lovin’ it!

 

 

Jean Browman

Cheerful Monk

http://cheerfulmonk.com


http://stresstopower.com/

 

 

Colin Gibson

Dunedin Methodist Parish

http://www.dunedinmethodist.org.nz/

 

 

Van Wijnen

http://www.malaysiasite.nl/

 

 

Sidney Snoeck

This is a photo blog about the Philippines.

http://my_sarisari_store.typepad.com/

 

 

Heidi McDonald
Creator and Website Manager
Unique Teaching Resources
“Engage Your Students in Learning!”

http://www.uniqueteachingresources.com

 

 

Elaine 

English Department of China.org.cn

China.org.cn.

 

 

Margo and Alan

DIY STRESS RELIEF everyday . living . better

 
http://www.diy-stress-relief.com/

 

 

Rocco

Rocco’s Pop Revolution: Seen through the eyes of someone living it

http://roccosrevolution.com/

 

 

Susan, John and Erin

Happy Life U

http://www.happylifeu.com/

 

 

Bahar, Hadhoud, Rasha and Ahmed

Chapter Q8

http://www.chapterq8.com/

 

 

Bill Hitchcock

http://www.billhitchcock.org/

 

 

 

II. The Brave Hearts AKA The Followers

I am a little possessive about my e-mail space and I do what I can to avoid waking up to a bulging Inbox every day. Not everyone has my phobia, it seems, because these people, by Following me, have chosen to let me invade that space with my posts that are hot off the press!

 

 

This group, Brave Hearts, also includes those of YOU who have RSSed my blog or Bookmarked me in some way.

 

 

This image is from http://veemoze.wordpress.com/

 

 

Cheerful Monk

http://cheerfulmonk.com


http://stresstopower.com/

 

 

mj monaghan

A steeping cup of infotainment.

http://www.mjmonaghan.com

 

 

365 Veterans

Project 365/ honoring a Veteran a day, for a year.

http://365vets.wordpress.com/

 

 

Believe Anyway

Finding Ways to Be Optimistic Even During Trying Times

http://BelieveAnyway.wordpress.com

 

 

orples

How Orples Came To Be, and other interesting stuff

http://orples.wordpress.com

 

 

misslisted

Every single story has a beginning at its end.

http://misslisteddotcom.wordpress.com

 

 

Parashar’s Tales

Woman – Vulnerable, Strong, lover, hater

http://parasharstales.wordpress.com/
  

 

 

FLOWERSBLOOMS by “Elvie”

MY WORLD IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR! Paintings of my life’s journey, experiences, cherished memories, emotions, thought, ideas and other interesting stuffs.

http://flowersblooms-elvierose.blogspot.in/
  

 

 

Girl Meets Bulgaria

http://girlmeetsbulgaria.wordpress.com

 

 

domestic diva, M.D.   

my mother raised the perfect housewife…then I went to med school

http://domesticdivamd.wordpress.com

 

 

Official Website of Alberto Monnar

Composer, Saxophonist, Pianist, Vocalist

http://albertomonnar.wordpress.com

 

 

JUMP FOR JOY! Photo Project

Showcasing the beauty of the human spirit — in mid-air — around the world

http://jumpforjoyphotoproject.wordpress.com

 

 

Sufey

I am love. I am divine. I am grateful. I am bliss. I am here. I am Sufey.

http://sufey.org/

 

 

 

III. The Make-Me-Chatter-Away-My-Heart(s) AKA The Commenters

Aww, you lot! YOU get me to do exactly what I was born to do love doing – blab blab blabbedy blab!

 

 

This image is from http://www.123tagged.com/

 

 

I sincerely appreciate the time YOU take to think things over and type out those comments. It’s something I don’t do often on most of the blogs I read, but that’s a choice I make for a handful of reasons; the main one (which, I know full well, is also the most stupid one) being – EVERYONE will see me! (*rolling my eyes* … for you. ) So although I have things to say almost every time, I have to warm up to someone(‘s words) and THEN! Just ask the unfortunate ones below.

 

 

orples

How Orples Came To Be, and other interesting stuff

http://orples.wordpress.com

 

 

mj monaghan

A steeping cup of infotainment.

http://www.mjmonaghan.com
  

 

 

You’ve Been Hooked!   

Observations from the trenches….

http://youvebeenhooked.wordpress.com/

The Hook’s got a book! It’s called ‘The Bellman Chronicles’. Deets on his blog.

 

 

Cheerful Monk 

http://cheerfulmonk.com


http://stresstopower.com/

 

 

FLOWERSBLOOMS by “Elvie”

MY WORLD IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF COLOR! Paintings of my life’s journey, experiences, cherished memories, emotions, thought, ideas and other interesting stuffs.

http://flowersblooms-elvierose.blogspot.in/

 

 

Parashar’s Tales

Woman – Vulnerable, Strong, lover, hater

http://parasharstales.wordpress.com/
  

 

 

 

IV. The Warm-My-Heart(s) AKA The Like-rs

I like! I really, really like! I get royally chuffed when I see that YOU have Liked my post. It’s the simplest way to high five me.  

 

 

This image is from http://www.123rf.com/

 

 

But do I do that when I know I want to press a Like button on someone else’s post? Haven’t you been paying attention to my mewling? People will see me, um, People.

 

 

vikram roy’s blog

Free Thinking, Motivation, Poems, Art, Literature, Music, Love, & Oxygen: A Complete Blog

http://vikramroyblog.wordpress.com/

 

 

You’ve Been Hooked!   

Observations from the trenches….

http://youvebeenhooked.wordpress.com/

Haff you checked out ‘The Bellman Chronicles’? Best place to start? Hook’s blog.

 

 

maze a day

FIND YOUR WAY! MAZE A DAY

http://mazeaday.wordpress.com/

 

 

PhotosBotos.com

Welcome to the #1 Featured Photographer Blog on the web!

http://www.photobotos.com/

 

 

mj monaghan

A steeping cup of infotainment.

http://www.mjmonaghan.com

 

 

orples

How Orples Came To Be, and other interesting stuff

http://orples.wordpress.com

 

 

Bucket List Publications

Indulge – Travel, Adventure, & New Experiences

http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/

 

 

badpuppet PRODUCTIONS

http://badpuppetproductionz.com/

 

 

LOOKING FOR PEMBERLY 

A forum for creative and analytic discussion of the text that surrounds us

http://www.lookingforpemberley.com/
 

 

 

Rantings of an Amateur Chef

Food…cooking…eating….tools – What works, and what doesn’t!

http://rantingchef.com/

 

 

“Ka-byahe ~ The Island of Your Imagination”

Robi assures you that through this blog, he will get you far than you imagined!

http://kabyahe.wordpress.com/

 

 

ellisnelson

http://ellisnelson.com/

 

 

my zen city

http://myzencity.com/

 

 

misslisted

Every single story has a beginning at its end.

http://misslisteddotcom.wordpress.com

 

 

URBAN WALL ART & MURALS

Unique Art by RAY FERRER – Business or Residential

http://urbanwallart.wordpress.com/

 

 

THE VIBE 101

DAILY DISCUSSIONS. DAILY EXPERIENCES. DAILY LIFE.

http://thevibe101.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

And that’s the end of one section of my ‘Diamond’ list for 2012. 

 

 

 

If you celebrate Christmas,

from

My Family

To Yours,

Have a very merry one!

  

 

If you don’t celebrate Christmas,

May this time leading to end of the year

Be a cheery one!

 

 

 Cheer is a freebie!

 

 

And on that sparkling, frosted note,

My dear blings

(YOU’re on the ‘Diamond’ list, remember?),

‘Thank You’ very much

for

Your support and encouragement

in 2012.

 

See YOU All in the new year!

 

 

::   ::  ::   ::   ::  ::  ::  ::  ::     A SPECIAL HUG   ::  ::  ::  ::  ::  ::   ::   ::   ::   ::

I miss you, Marcy*. Every so often, I think of you, Magi, Oscar and Olivia, and everyone else I got acquainted with through your delightful narrations. I hope all of you are well. Please come back soon. Oh, and Dora** sends you the pip-pest of her squeaks.

*Marcy is The Orples’ – Olivia and Oscar – brain mama, as I call her. Because this lively pair of orange (the fruit)-people siblings were “born” in her mind. (
http://orples.wordpress.com
)

**Dora is my “pet” dormouse. Like me, Marcy is fond of animals and remembered my dormouse after I referred to her[(?) Dora] on Marcy’s blog a while earlier. Needless to say, I was chuffed that Marcy remembered me little, um, rodent.

 

 

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Thank you, Sufey, for signing up to follow my posts.

Thank you, The Book of Terrible, for commenting on my last post.

Thank you, Urban Wall Art & Murals, The Vibe 101 and The Book of Terrible  for liking my last post.

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P.S.: Cheerful Monk adds a footnote to every post acknowledging those who comment on her previous post. She also links the commenters’ names back to their own blogs.

 I like both these practices of acknowledging the time and effort made to comment, and the free advertising! So I’m doing what I do well – being a copycat! 

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