Quintet of Radiance Award

Unbelievable!! There I was, responding to comments on my blog and re-read Vishal Bheeroo's comment stating that he nominated me for an award on May 9th, 2014. Convinced I had misinterpreted his reply, I hopped over to Vishal Bheeroo's blog @ http://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com to scan his post again.

My muse reminded me that I had left a congratulatory comment on his post. I read the post again and was surprised to see that he had in fact, nominated me for the Quintet of Radiance Award! It appears I had overlooked my name ( #2) on the list of nominees in my happiness to congratulate Bheeroo. Who can blame me as I wasn't expecting it to be on the list either. This is my second award since May 1st 2014, so I'm feeling overwhelmed right now, but humbled with gratitude. What have I done to deserve them?That is the question that puzzles me.

Vishal Bheeroo is a blogger whom I admire very much with his bright upbeat personality, and interesting blog posts. I believe that the AtoZ April Challenge made me more aware of how talented bloggers like Vishal really are. I saw more of their work on a daily basis, thus making me appreciate what they wrote, as their personalities shone even more from the words.

The award was given to Vishal Bheeroo by Ananya Kiran @ http://www.ananyatales.com. Thank you too Anya for making this happen.

The Rules for the Quintet of Radiance Award:

1.   Display the badge in a post.

2.   Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back - Vishal.

3.   Using the alphabet, describe yourself in a word or phase.

4.   Nominate a few bloggers.

The AtoZ About Me:

Adventurous
Baker

Creative

Doting Mom

Enjoys solitude

Fun loving

Gardener

Hates uninvited visitors
Impulsive

Jovial

Kind

Like coffee and sweets

Make a mean rum cake

Not a quitter, but a twitter

Optimist

Patient

Quiet

Reserved 

Stubborn

Tale teller, not tattle teller

Unyielding to peer pressure

Voracious reader

Willing to try new things

Xmas lover

You want a romance story, don't check me! I get writers block with this genre.

Zippy person

This part is difficult with so many wonderful bloggers. I've been poking my brain deciding which bloggers to select. The decision is even harder than the first nomination I received.

My Nominees are as follows: 

Teagan Tearney              
http://www.writingmynovelnoworkingtitleyet.blogspot.com/

Morgen Bailey                
http:/www./morgenbailey.wordpress.com/

Debi Oneille
http:/www./debioneille.blogspot.com/

Chris Graham  
http://www.thestoryreadingapeblog.com/            

Christine Campbell  
http://www.cicampbellblog.wordpress.com/

These bloggers that I have chosen have been significant influences in my life. Their writing advice have helped me to improve my writing skills, and other areas pertaining to writing. Thank you!

Please feel free to comment.

Liebster Nominations

I was pleasantly surprised when I woke this morning and discovered that Gwynn Rogers @  http://www.gwynnsgritandgrin.com nominated me for the Liebster Award. May sure started off with a bang for me, as the buzz of the AtoZ April Challenge hasn't worn off.

The award was given to Gwynn Rogers, and she in turn selected me. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by other bloggers, and I am thrilled to be a part of this tradition. Thank you Gwynn Rogers!

The Rules

1.   Link back and thank the blogger who nominated you in your post.
2.   List 11 facts about yourself.
3.   Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
4.   Pick 5 - 10 new bloggers (must have less than 300 followers) to nominate.
5.   Ask them 11 new questions. Do not re-nominate the blogger who nominated you.      
6.   Go to each blogger's site and inform them of their nomination.

11 Random Things about Myself

1.    I am a shy person.

2.   Don't talk to me unless I've had my morning coffee.

3.   Cooking and baking are 2 of my favourite things to do.

4.   I placed 2nd in the parish finals of the Jamaica National Reading Competition.

5.   A Taurean with a very stubborn streak.

6.   I love to write stories, mainly mysteries. Romance is difficult to write, but will happily
      kill a character.

7.   Listening to music relaxes me - reggae, calypso, soca, hip hop. Most music genres.

8.   I started writing when I was about 6 or 7 years old.

9.   Actively involved at my son's school as a class parent.

10.  I am a Die Hard, James Bond, Indiana Jones fan. Big Time!

11. I am a HOGAHOLIC! Ham. bacon, chops...as long as it's pork. Is there a Hogaholic
      Support Group?

Questions Asked:

1.   Name three secrets you never told anyone.

      If it's a secret, why should I tell it? I can't think of anything secretive anyway :)

2.   If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?

      Have a drink, give my father and siblings money, and travel.

3.   Looking over the last ten years, what is one goal you have achieved, and goal
      you have not achieved?      
      
     Writing full time and having my own blog are goals I achieved. I wanted to be a writer
     years ago, but illness prevented that. Better late than never.

4.   What are your plans for retirement? And will you travel? If so, where and why.

       I intend to blog away when I'm too old to write :). I want to tour the U.K.
     
5.   Favourite drink on a Friday night.

      An iced cold bottle of Smirnoff Ice (red cap). I also like a glass of red wine.

6.   What do you think the secret is to a good marriage or relationship with
       a significant other is?

      There has to be strong communication between couples. Spending quality time
      together is vital, even a lunch or dinner date without the kids (if any) helps.

 7.   Name three words that describe your personality.

       Caring, humorous, stubborn.

8.    Home cooked meal or take-out?

       I love to eat and try new foods at restaurants, usually on weekends.
     
9.    When was the last time you blogged and what was it about?

       Ha! My last blog post was yesterday, when I posted my Z story for the AtoZ April
       Challenge. I am proud to say I survived it. Love this question.

10.  What do you think is the key to happiness?

        Loving family, good friends and a positive attitude. Negativity kills happiness.

11.   Who is your favourite poet and why?

         Difficult question. I like Helen Steiner Rice, but there are too many to choose from.

 My Liebster Nominations:

I have decided to nominate the following blogs:

1.      Sara C. Snider                    http://www.saracsnider.com

2.      Tony Payson                       http://welcome2thewritersbloc.blogspot.com        

3.      Tanya Miranda                    http://www.tanyamiranda.com

4.      Tom MacInnes                   http://www.cobourgcobbie.com

5.      Marci Koski                       http://www.fuzzyundertones.com

6.      Cybele Moon                     http://www.cybeleshineblog.wordpress.com

7.      Beloo Mehra                      http://www.letbeautybeyourconstantideal.blogspot.com

8.      Pheno Menon                     http://www.throodalookingglass.com

9.      Preethi Venugopal              http://www.tulipsandme.blogspot.com

10.    Eli Z                                    http://www.expatliv.blogspot.com