I have been awarded a blog award: The Kreativ Award.
Blog awards are fun! It’s a way that bloggers recognize others and give credit to the pages and authors that they enjoy, like, appreciate, and so on.
Recently two of my most favourite British running bloggers (okay, maybe the only two British running bloggers that I happen to know and follow, hehe) – both were kind enough to present me with some “awards.”
YAY!
In this post I’ll feature how my pal Happy Runner gave me the Kreativ Award, and then tomorrow I’ll publish a separate one for Mike’s “Pass The Tag Along” Award that he bestowed upon me (so more on that tomorrow – and let me tell you, it’s a fun one. Come back and read it tomorrow, will ya?).
The Kreativ Award
Check out my pal The Happy Runner over at “Inspiring and Healthy Running in London.” In her post “Awards,” she donned the Kreativ Award upon me, the happy hippie!
Not only does she write a fun, witty, resourceful, and interesting blog about both running and travels (and the awesomeness of being genuinely happy) – she’s a fundraiser for Team In Training – the racing group that raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a Lymphoma survivor (and former Team member), I so love love love and appreciate that.
i totally stole this pic from her post on the london bupa 10,000 (one of her recent races).
The Award Itself – As Taken From Her Post
The rules for the Kreativ Award are:
- Write 7 things about yourself that no one knows.
- Nominate 7 creative bloggers for this award.
So here we go…
Seven Things About Myself No One Knows:
(Now this is rather hard, I’m pretty much an open book. I’m not so stealthy or secretive, but I’ll try to post seven things that I’ve hopefully never before disclosed on my blog – and therefore the happy hippie rose audience doesn’t yet know.)
1. I pick my nose.
Yeah, I said it. I’ve been diagnosed with the OCD – and while I refuse to acknowledge that diagnosis (even though two different docs and a handful of casual observers have flung it my way)… I have a hard time letting things be. So if a boogie is tickling my nose, I can’t stand it. I’ll pick it and then go wash my hands, or I’ll use a tissue. I mean, I’m not an animal.
busted! so gross, huh?
Likewise, it’s nearly impossible for me to ignore scabs, blemishes, and so on. I pick.
That’s so foul isn’t it? I’m gross. Oh, just leave me now. I understand.
2. I worry that I don’t do enough; I could do so much more.
This is in regards to everything: art, blogging, working, fitness, activism. I try to do stuff – but I worry that I’m actually lazy or not pulling my weight. I feel so aware of so many social issues – but what am I personally doing to fight injustice? Enough? Hardly. I feel like my time could be better spent.
On a run, I could go harder. On my blog, I could post more often and with a higher quality of content. I feel like there’s always more to be done – and there’s always more I could and should be doing.
I guess you could say – I fear inadequacy.
And oh please, do not barrage me with reassurances that I’m a great person and I do plenty – this isn’t an issue or dilemma that keeps me up at night, etc. I’m just trying to think about things about myself that I don’t often disclose, and this is just one of them. I know I’m good – but I feel like with a little more elbow grease, I could be great.
3. I’m actually a good singer
At least, I truthfully believe this. I just don’t think I’ve ever been “discovered” or heard in the right context. Or maybe I need some training or something.
My whole life I’ve been told I’m essentially tone deaf (even though I’m so not – I have great aural pitch and I have a pretty good ear for music) and most significantly, that I’m a terrible singer. I fear karaoke more than death; I know I’ll mortify myself because all I’ve ever been told is how dreadful my singing voice is.
But in those alone moments: belting out a tune in the car, singing when no one is home and really going at it – really putting my lungs into it. I think I’m good. I think I can really sing, actually. I have a powerful, hear-me-in-the-rafters kinda voice. I should probably be a popstar. I mean, I have the moves, too.
4. I’m perfectly at peace with my “conflicting” morals
To some, my morals, views, beliefs (whatever you wanna call them) may seem a bit hard to follow – perhaps a bit unorthodox or all over the place, even. I won’t go into details or call myself out right here. If you know me, or if you’ve read my blog long enough you’ve probably scratched your head a time or two when coming across something I believe in, or a notion I condone.
I am 100% at peace with it all though and I literally see no conflict in the beliefs I hold. To me, my moral compass makes perfect sense and the beliefs I hold mesh.
5. I way prefer TV shows to movies.
Something about the pacing of shorter episodes? I’m not sure. I’d rather watch an entire season of a show in one sitting than one movie, and I blame it on my attention span. Even though the former requires hours and hours of steady watching – I find the episode to episode sequence easier to handle than just. one. movie.
[this is hard, I feel like people know everything about me… I’m kinda scraping the bottom of the barrel here. These are such lame revelations].
6. I’m a Genius
I usually don’t brag about such things, and normally I’d find this kind of self promotion to be super tacky. But I’m running out of ideas here – I already tell too much about myself to have seven whole secrets! (So much for being creative as this award suggests, huh?).
So I’ll be honest: I’m a genius.
me and ole albert here kinda have the same ‘do. image source from pc mag
Like, a legit Mensa-caliber, top 0.001th percentile I.Q., wicked smart genius. I never disclose my actual IQ. For a variety reasons – it’s weird, it’s actually really tacky, and despite having a big ole brain and a high number on that one test, I know plenty of folks much much smarter than me, people who work harder, so forth and so on.
Just because you have a super IQ doesn’t meant you’re qualified for anything necessarily. It does mean that I did great in school, in the gifted classes (where I was mercilessly picked on by kids not in the gifted program for being a loser geek). When I was younger I did carry some arrogance about my God-given smarts; I’ve long since learned humility (the hard, slow, painful way) and I try not to be cocky, judge others or be elitist in any way shape or form. I try to see the good in everyone and I know that being academically smart is only one kind of intelligence and that there are gifts galore that people possess and it really does take all kinds to make the world go ’round.
It does mean that I put tons of pressure on myself for greatness though. So we’ll see. Hopefully I’ll do something world-changing and bring good and happiness to millions. I so pray and wish I somehow am able to do just that.
7. I consume more garbage than the city dump
Candy, pizza, ice pops, candy, soda, reality TV… I consume garbage at an alarming rate. And sometimes I go through phases of wholesome dedication to a healthier lifestyle. And then at other times I just binge, without guilt, and go nuts.
i’ve had a long long love affair with pop.sicle brand ice pops – but lately, i can’t get enough. it’s incredible how many a day i consume. it’s embarrassing, actually.
I know that this here is a lifestyle blog in which I try to encourage others to get into a healthy way of living and eat good, whole food. And please, I wholeheartedly 100% support the real food movement.
I just still love my Cokes and candies and crap.
I always promise to cut down, and I know what’s best for me. But I have this ratio of pleasure to productivity. And while living a long, healthy life is of paramount importance to me – so is the sweet divine happiness that comes from consuming ice cream and soda. So I try my best to balance, and often I end up on the losing sugar-laden end.
…
Whew.
That was painful, honestly. Thinking of SEVEN whole things about myself was damn hard. Try to go easy on me dear readers, will ya?!?! Now. Onto the fun part- THE LINKS!
…
Seven Creative Bloggers I’m Nominating:
Picking just seven bloggers is tough. This isn’t a reflection of picking my favorites and playing sides – so if you don’t see your name and link here, please don’t take it personally. I hate having to choose when it comes to stuff like this.
So, I’m actually going to try and name seven bloggers I’m not sure I’ve ever linked to before in an attempt to get some new shout outs going on. I also tried to mix it up and not just stick with one genre. So hopefully out of these seven, you’ll have found a new blog or two to follow!
And remember, tomorrow is another award post in which I’ll be “tagging” more blogs for you to go and check out too. Lots of love being slung around these parts =)
Go check out these blogs, and enjoy!
A Filipina, moved to Holland – married and with a young daughter, who loves to cook, sightsee, take photos and travel throughout Europe. Her blog is a mixture of food, family, travelogue and just awesomeness. Go check her out for her beautiful recipes and then stay to browse the gorgeous photos.
gorgeous family, living in a gorgeous place
Oh, and you just may pick up some wonderful tidbits on Dutch philosophy about life and happiness.
It may surprise Aurathena to see I’ve named her here – we don’t always see eye to eye. But I do read her blog regularly, and I’ve come to respect her, learn from her, and find humanity and love in her posts; which I think is important to do when you don’t always mesh 100% with someone – in fact, I think it’s more important in those circumstances at some times (world peace, y’all!).
(Aurathena is a pseudonym, and she doesn’t post any pics of herself – hence none here)
Aurathena is single, Christian, newly graduated from University and figuring out life. She’s our neighbor to the north (Canadian) and she blogs from the heart – about her personal life, struggles, achievements and writings.
3. ooamerica
This is incredible. It’s a couple guys, in a crazy cross-country road trip, taking photos and video everywhere they go, accumulating stories, and just documenting what the good ole US of A is like right now. It’s wacky, it’s fun, it’s awesome.
the original road trip – they’re on a different route now, hitting more/different states
The point of the blog is to track their progress and they’re creating a documentary about America and the point of view they’ve been able to glean while whirling around the states, couch surfing and sleeping in “the mosquito” (their car). They just went through Florida, and I loved reading their take on THE wackiest state in the union.
Their photos, the video, the whole project is truly awesome and creative! Seriously, go browse the photo albums – it’s amazing work, y’all. LOVE.
Meet Mort, an adorable and lovable wiener dog (a Dachshund). Mortimer’s Mom – Emily – is a funny, awesome, adorable blogger who writes about her life with Mort, the crazy antics he gets into, travels she and her husband take around Europe, and she posts the sweetest, most aww-inducing photos of dear sweet Mort and other readers’ doggies too.
oh mort, you’re too cute!
Emily makes me laugh on the regular and it’s all the feel-good happy fun times you need for a digital pick-me-up as often as you need one.
5. My Body The City: The Secret Life of A Call Girl
Stella Marr is incredible. The text of her blog may not always be safe reading for work, but it’s significant, important, and something that everyone should read. Human trafficking is real, it is now, it happening all around the world. Countless people are forced into sex work, coerced with violence, kidnapped and put into slavery, destitue from drug addiction or poverty and then unable to escape.
a hero of mine
The issue is NOT going away. We aren’t doing enough to help.
Read Stella’s words. It will hurt. It will tear at your heart and soul to do so… but we, as a society and as kind, good people cannot pretend it doesn’t go on any longer. Or that the girls in it are all there because they want to be. Very few of them are, in fact.
Stella is an excellent writer – having finished her degree after escaping the ten years she was bound as a call girl in New York City. She tells her story, she networks with other survivors, and she teaches us what we need to know to better fight this on-going atrocity.
What’s more creative than art? Gabriel posts interviews, features, and articles about art and artists. Sometimes he even spoils us and features his own work (which is good, and he should do so more often – hint, hint).
gabriel
Want to learn about new artists? Want to discover beautiful works and be inspired? Follow The Artful Desperado and you will not be disappointed.
Last, but most certainly not least – is Tamara. If you want a blog about family, faith, Jesus, writing, life, and how to be an awesome person, go read Tamara’s blog. She’s amazing. I don’t know how she does it all and does it while being so cool. She’s one of those people who can do a million things at once, fabulously, and make it look effortless.
tamara, pretty lady
But we know it’s not effortless. She’s a hard worker. She writes about that too – she’s been working really hard to get a book published, one that is amazing and will change lives. In her own words (on this page about the book) she says, “The book of essays will explore ways in which women are caused to disbelieve their own worth and offer affirmation of their true, God-made worth.”
How awesome is that?
Tamara, you rock. You inspire me, I look up to you and I wish I commented more frequently than I do because the community on your page is awesome as well.
*All photos were stolen from the respective blogs (without permission – rebel, rebel).
…
So there you have it!
I’ve been deemed creative – which as a sorta-wannabe-artist and an actual writer – is a lovely compliment indeed. Thank you Happy Runner, I’m much appreciative. And to all who read my humble blog here – THANK YOU SO MUCH!
I hope you enjoyed learning some super weird things about me and I really really hope you’ve clicked on over to check out seven awesome new blogs. Report back to me about what you’ve found, what you like and so forth and so on.
Back tomorrow with more links and more revealing stories about the one and only, happy hippie rose.
As ALWAYS, thanks for reading!! xoxo, hhr
PS – just in case you needed some more of my moves:
Happy Hippie Rose 