Very Inspiring Blogger Award

I’ve only been blogging regularly for the last couple of months, so I was surprised and delighted to open my emails this morning and find that I’ve been nominated for an Inspirational Blog Award.

My nomination comes from ‘How to Cross an Ocean’ (http://howtocrossanocean.wordpress.com/about/) – a brilliant blog which is charting day-by-day progress of four British women who are planning to row across the Pacific Ocean to raise awareness of ‘Oceans Project Georgia.’ They have taken on an amazing challenge and I wish them all the best. I’ll be following their progress.

The rules for accepting this Award are as follows:

– Display the award logo on your blog page.

– Link back to the person who nominated you.

– State 7 facts about yourself.

– Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

– Notify those bloggers of their nomination and the award’s requirements.

 So here are seven facts about me:

1. I was born in Edinburgh, in Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavillion (is that not just the coolest name for a hospital?)
2. I sat my University Entrance exams after I’d left school. The only place I could do the evening classes, was a boys school, so ever since I’ve been able to confuse education administrators by writing – quite truthfully – on forms that I attended Westlake Boys High School.
3. I’d be a vegetarian if I didn’t love eating duck.
4. My Stage I politics tutor at University went on to become New Zealand’s first elected woman Prime Minister – Helen Clark. I don’t claim any credit for her political success.
5. I love movies and wrote my thesis on feminist film-making in New Zealand; among my favourite movies are ‘Mr Wrong’, ‘Casablanca’, ‘Brief Encounter’, ‘The Full Monty’, ‘The Lady Vanishes’, ‘Diva’ and ‘Moonrise Kingdom.’ Actually, as soon as I start to write I favourites list; my head wants to explode with all the films that should be on it.
6. The best holiday I ever had was in Corsica, though Tahiti would be a pretty close second.
7. My favourite piece of music is probably a very rough recording of my son’s band playing The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army. My son – the bass player – was about 10 at the time.

I’d like to nominate the following blogs for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award

1. A Stitch in Time.  I  enjoy family history blogs, and this is one that I really like.
2. Lynnie57. I particularly enjoy Lynn’s blog because we often seem to be on the same wavelength. Our ancestory is similar, our stories have parallels and her words inspire me time and time again.
3. Stitching Yesteryear. Helen’s blog, which combines family history and her love of fibre craft, is a thought-provoking and enjoyable read.
4. Lil Miss Fox. Visually one of the most appealing blogs I follow, and always lively.
5. Genealogy in France. Romain’s is a blog I read with much pleasure – not least because it is about France, a country I love visiting.
6. Notsofancynancy. This is the first blog I ever followed and I enjoy the mix of Nancy’s photos and her recounting of her father’s war experiences.
7. Genealogy Lady. Like Nancy, Deborah writes about her family’s war stories, as well as her family history. A great read.
8. Family History Across the Seas. A blogger who post often and widely, and has so many fascinating stories to tell.
9. Judy’s Family History (Yes, I know there is a theme here – I love family history blogs, ok). Well written and a really good layout.
10. This Man’s Journey. Great stories, beautifully told.
11. Leanne Cole Photography. A beautiful photography blog where I learn so much. And she photographs Melbourne –  a city I’d happily call home.
12. Photography Journal Blog. Great photography, well-written.
13. Sethsnap. Once again, beautiful photographs. I love the fact that while Seth has been photographing winter in Cincinnati, I’ve been watching my garden wilt in a drought. His photos have reminded me how beautiful winter is.
14. The Belle Jar. One I’ve recently strarted following.  Life, motherhood, what the hell am I doing? This blog really touches a chord with me.
15. The Savvy Signorita. Like The Belle Jar, I just enjoy reading this one.