04/05/2015

A to Z 2015 - my reflections

What was I thinking? Had I gone mad? Really, Eli, another AtoZ? Had I forgotten the long nights, early mornings, the heat and craziness of last year's AtoZ? When I was traveling around the world: 26 Dream Destinations in 26 days. Puh! And now I didn't even have a blog?!

But I had to do it. I just knew that. I wanted to do it. So badly. I felt a smile spreading as I was thinking of April last year. Above all, I had loved taking part in the challenge. And after many months with no inspiration whatsoever, I now felt an overwhelming urge to write. After a tough time personally, some month in a bubble of fear, sadness and anger, I was ready. So ready. And my theme appeared before me more brighter than the Christmas star: happiness. It had to be happiness.

I created my new space, my new blog, and kicked it off with jumping on that AtoZ train once again. Personal therapy through writing, reconnecting with old blogger friends, finding new ones, discovering new wonderful blogs and writers. Oh Yeah! Oh Happiness!

The 5 most popular posts of my theme were:

I for Idlis

P for People

D for Dancing

K for Karma

Q for Quotes

I managed to write a bit in advance, but most was written on the go. Combined with some hectic work-travels, work and private life issues, I definitely felt the heat also this year. And I do still have some catching up to do. But fun, oh how fun! And I have the same "empty" feeling now when it is all over, that I had last year. Mixed emotions for sure, but all in all: great fun, positive vibes - it simply makes me happy to think about. Happy I did it! Happy:-)

Well done all my fellow contestants, my wonderful blogger friends. Yay! We did it!

A BIG THANK YOU -
- to all who have followed my AtoZ journey this year. Your kind and encouraging words has meant more to me than you will ever know.  


1-30 April 2015 I participated in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is a reflection post - of that challenge. My theme for the challenge was Happiness.  

27 comments:

  1. Congratulations on completing the challenge!

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  2. Way to go Eli! You did it, you survived, and you thrived, i.e., finished it! ;) Congrats! :) And I enjoyed reading your posts on being happy, though I didn't think I realized the theme. ;) <3

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    1. Thanks Elly - your encouraging and kind words meant a lot:-)

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  3. Congrats Eli. That was superb and keep rocking:)

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    1. Thanks for your constant support and kind words Vishal:-)

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  4. Oh yes! April has never been this much fun. Enjoyed reading your posts. Glad to have come across you. :)

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    1. Thanks a lot for your kind feedback. So happy to have connected with you:-)

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  5. Congratulations and I know that "what was I thinking feeling" far too well. Love the new blog.

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    1. Thanks a lot Rhonda - so happy to connect with you:-)

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  6. Challenging to start up a new blog and tackle the A to Z at the same time! But you did it magnificently; it was good to meet you again.
    Anabel's Travel Blog
    Adventures of a retired librarian

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    1. So good to reconnect dear Anabel. Thanks for following:-)

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  7. I loved all your posts that I read during the challenge. The idlis post was my favorite one though. Congratulations on yet another successful completion of A-Z!

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    1. Thank you so much dear Vinodini for your kind support. It meant a lot.

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  8. Congrats!! I so enjoyed all your posts. Glad to have met you Eli :)

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    1. So happy to have met you also Parul. Thank you for all your kind words:-)

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  9. Congrats on completing the challenge! I'm already thinking about next year but I know I will not really do it until next April :)

    http://scotsue-familyhistoryfun.blogspot.com

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  10. Well met, weary traveler, and congratulations. Next year start early! ;-)

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  11. Great posts Eli ! congrats to you for having accomplished the task of completing the challenge, it was nice to connect with you this year... thanks for all the affirmations I received from you..

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  12. Congratulations.. I feel so much connected.. fun and hectic.. mixed emotions was what April was all about.. very nicely summed up Eli..

    Cheers

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  13. It is therapy, isn't it? All the craziness, the love of the community, the feeling of being part of something bigger than you...

    This was my first experience, and I'm already looking for ward to the next year, though I'll try to come better prepared next time.

    Had great fun connecting with you... hope we'll keep in touch. Happy blogging!

    http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com/2015/05/a-to-z-reflections-2015.html

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  14. Dearest Eli,
    You did very well! I might have missed a few as I live(d) through some very hectic weeks. Cleaning the entire home and preparing for the arrival of a dear friend from The Netherlands. I've done it but could not visit many blogs... I had scheduled several posts, not the greatest subjects but at least something was showing up. After Sunday I will be back to normal more or less.
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  15. You did great, this April, Eli! Enjoyed reading your short, crisp, interesting and inspiring posts from A to Z! Congratulations and well done! ♥

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  16. So happy for you, dear Eli! Yayyyyy! Well done and keep blogging - you are inspiring! Off to read some of your posts now!! :)

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  17. HAPPINESS IS.....Rediscovering your blogging Mojo! ☺ Yes, writing is so therapeutic and I'm glad you've joined the fray once again, Eli. Excellent posts too and I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to read more of them. Congratulations on completing the challenge!

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  18. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle

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  19. Congrats. Just keep the momentum going. Sign up for the road trip, keep writing.
    Sandy at Bridge and Beyond

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