Sunday, May 3, 2015

REFLECTIONS A2Z BLOGGING CHALLENGE


This was my first year I did the A2Z Blogging Challenge. At first, I was confused because in some areas I saw that it had to be themed and in other areas I got the impression that it didn't have to be. 

I knew I wanted to do the challenge but frightened. I wasn't sure if it had to be themed or not. I didn't know if I could think of a topic for every letter of the alphabet.  I had started a few challenges before but did not finish. I was disappointed in myself.

However, I started it. I kept going. Some letters were easier than others. At first, I was still concerned it being themed. BUT Letter E I realized, my challenge was themed!! I was the theme. The food, the places and activites was related to me. 

I am happy and proud to say I finished the challenge. I proudly display my Survivor badge on the sidebar. I have also bought a T-shirt.

It was definitely a challenge. The rules were to write the letter of the day post, visit at least 5 bloggers per day and respond to the comments on your blog. 

Although I think it was fair rules I felt overwhelmed. I did read 5 blogs somedays but most of the days, it was 2-3 blogs. I did keep up with the challenge posts and all the comments made on my blog.

For the bloggers who visited my blog, I subscribed to them via email and then put them all in a folder for me to read later and I will get to it..

I absolutely loved finding new interesting blogs. I also enjoyed the comments. I made new blogger friends.

The hosts were amazing and helpful. I admire their hard work and dedication. 

I definitely plan to take on the challenge next year.

Until next time…

25 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful post. I'm so glad you took part in the challenge, didn't give up and found the whole experience rewarding. Just think if you hadn't takn part, no one who commented on your blog would even know it existed, Good job.

    One thing I've learned is to be dedicated and to never give up on anything you find worthwhile. Next year you'll know not to be afraid as you embark on the challenge. And to set things straight, you DON"T have to have a theme, just be yourself and take the letters one at a time.

    I agree it's hard to think of topics for each letter, but that's half the fun. It can be a learning experience.

    I always answer people who commented on my blog too and I go and visit theirs. Then I tried to visit at least five more as time permitted. Somtimes I did this activity late at night so I was able to visit twenty people in one day. Of course, this wasn't always the case. Attempting to do your best is all you can do.

    I hope to visit your blog often in the coming days and months, so keep writing and telling us all about your cajun life. And share pictures with us when you can to go along with your posts. People love pictures.

    Sunni
    http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you for the clarification about the theme, all of your helpful suggestions and support. It means a lot! I'll be visiting yours too.

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  2. Hi,
    Congratulations on completing the challenge. This was my first one, and it was a challenge, but I made it.

    Rasheed
    http://AtoZTexasTowns.com

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    1. Thank you Rasheed! Congratulations to you also. Thanks for dropping by!

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  3. You did well in your first Challenge. I think we recommended using a theme, but sorry that part confused you a little. I do like how you naturally fell into a theme though and a good theme it was. Glad you're thinking about next year. I've found that each year gets just a bit easier.

    Thanks for letting us know your thoughts about A to Z.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host

    Tossing It Out


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    1. Thank you Arlee! I'm now clear with the rules and looking forward to next year! As far as confusion, I get that often LOL..

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  4. This was my first year for the challenge and I signed up at the last minute. So, I was a bit overwhelmed at times. Congrats to both of us for finishing. It really is an accomplishment.

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    1. Yes, indeed. it was an accomplishment. Congrats to you! Glad you joined!

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  5. That is a great story about discovering your theme. So glad you enjoyed the challenge, finished and intend to return. Believe me, the first year is the hardest. Next year you'll be a veteran.

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  6. Hello there.
    Well done for completing your first challenge!
    This was my second year taking part. What I took away from last year was to plan ahead, which I did by having my posts already written and then scheduled to post automatically for each day. If I didn't do that, then I don't think I would have made it to the end! I had a theme, which was things around my home, but others did not. I don't think it really mattered if one had a theme or not just as long as the post corresponded to the letter of the day. I started out visiting blogs beginning with the ones immediately below me in the signup list as per the instructions and of course, I visited everyone who made an effort to comment at my blog. This is a very time consuming event and I really don't know if I will take part again next year. I wait and see how I feel after my extended blog hiatus! (lol) I hope you will visit me sometime. :-)

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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    1. Congratulations to you as well! I decided to do the challenge on a whim so I had none prepare. But as I went along I had a few drafts or ideas for the next 2-3 letters. But next year I will be planning ahead! Yes, I visited the same way you did but for their other posts I just subscribed to them if I liked their topic and have them in a folder I will eventually read. I will certainly visit you!

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  7. I didn't find you during the challenge, but through your reflection. Congratulation on finishing, having a good time, making a new friend like me.

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    1. Hi Stepheny! I am thankful that you did find me, regardless when you did :). I am happy to have found a new friend like you as well

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  8. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year!

    Mary @ Jingle Jangle Jungle

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  9. I'm glad you had fun with the challenge! Congratulations on finishing! I enjoyed your posts :) Themes are optional, I didn't have one in my first year, and later years I found that it made it easier to plan, and also made more people return regularly. But they are not a must :)
    I hope to see you again in the challenge next year!

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

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    1. Thank you for the clarification. Congratulations to you too. I do think if I have it planned next year, it will be a lot easier. I will be following your blog!

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  10. Congratulations on making it all the way through. You did an excellent job . The first time I joined the challenge I was so overwhelmed and I was also confused about the theme issue. I am eager to read more of your post now that the challenge is over . I ran out of time every single day in April. That's because I made the mistake of not writing my post a month or so in advance as I had in the past. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm from Louisiana and am looking forward to reading more of your Cajun blog

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    1. It's a small world. Glad you found my blog. Thanks for sharing your first time experience because it is exactly how I felt. I don't feel so crazy now lol.

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  11. I am glad you did the challenge. Congratulations on making it to the end. I am on the Road Trip now trying to visit those I didn't get to during the challenge. I see that you are an LPN. I am an RN. I'm looking forward to learning more about a Cajun!

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    1. Thank you Paula! congrats to you as well. Yes I was a LPN. Thank you for dropping by!

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  12. Thanks Paula! We have something in common although I don't nurse anymore. Congratulations on finishing yours. I'm on the road trip as well. Glad you dropped in!

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  13. I didn't have a theme as I like to write about whatever I fancy on the day. Debating one for next year though!
    Popping by on the A to Z Road Trip
    Debbie
    www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com

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    1. Congrats on completing the challenge. I think I will try to have a theme next year. But who knows. As I tell my Hubby, us women have a right to change our minds LOL.

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