Photo by Pappajack
I can not believe I let my first year anniversary pass me by. Life has been crazy, to say the least, and for some reason I thought my first blogging birthday was sometime in February. It turns out it was in January.
So now a little history and some thank you's--
Last year, or no it was about a month before so that would be December of 2007, I was spending a lot of time reading blogs, commenting on blogs and just learning. During this time I was becoming more and more frustrated that I couldn't just post my own comments online like everyone else. I had no idea where or how to start. Then I was invited to participate in a home schooling forum through some friends at Time4Learning. My, then Kindergartner, had been using the programs daily to learn her letters, numbers, and to play some online games that were appropriate for her age.
Time4Learning was an excellent way to prepare her for "real school" and she loved and still loves the interactive programs. She is now in 1st grade and doing wonderfully. We still use the program, just not as often because she does have homework and other activities keeping her busy, however, we have moved her from the 1st grade module to the 2nd grade module which she is passing with flying colors. Check out their getting started page for more information.
The forum was created so that other users could discuss the many ways that T4L was helping their child's education. From full time home schools to those of us who used the program during the summer and as a way to enhance or improve upon what they learn at school. It was a great learning experience for me and gave me a chance to begin writing for others to read.
Through John at Time4Writing I learned about a new Blogging course they would be launching that following year (2008) so I jumped at the chance to be trained but a professional. In early January I joined a group called Black Belt Bloggers which was an online class with an instructor available to us via email or a group chat online. It was the best thing I ever did to enhance my blogging goals. In the class we didn't just get the technical side of the blogs, you know, setting up a blog, adding advertisement, creating a look (still working on my look by the way) and creating a presence on the world wide web, but also general writing tips that really helped me launch my blogs (I have two now the other is Early Morning Peace) and made it possible for me to write and connect with others around the world, I mean literally around the world.
I am still learning and sometimes I struggle about what to write mostly because I get lost in trying to please the world instead of just writing from the heart. But for the most part I find this to be very therapeutic and fun. Although there are times (or things) that force me to take a break for the PC and from blogging, I am always thinking of things I want to write about and most times I either start a post and save it for later or I write notes to myself on a notepad I keep handy. Believe it or not, the other day I sent myself a voice message about a situation I experienced and want to share (but later).
Right now I just want to say thank you to John from Time4Learning for the invitiation, to the Black Belt Mama for being such a cool teacher, and some of my first readers too: John from Black Belt at 50, Topsy Techy, Zandria, MizFit, Renovation Girl.... there are so many others out there who keep on coming back for more and keep reading my crazy, yet sometimes, informative posts. Thank You all for helping to keep my blog alive an entire year. Woo hoo!!
Sincerely,
Hi Spin Diva,
Congratulation on your one year!! (a little late...hey that's okay!)
I completely agree on how blogging can be very therapeutic - and the connections that are made - literally all over the world - are amazing! Here's to many more ahead for you!
Posted by: Lance | February 12, 2009 at 11:25
Throwing the confetti and blowing the horns over here!! Super congrats on your one year mark! Glad I was able to head back by and celebrate with someone who I got started with in this whole blogging thing. I'm getting ready to lead the next course of Blogging 101...hope we have even half as fun a crew as ours was! CONGRATS!!!
Posted by: Topsy-Techie | February 13, 2009 at 16:54
@Lance and Topsy - thank you for celebrating and well wishes.
Posted by: SpinDiva | February 14, 2009 at 22:52
Happy Anniversary! Can you believe it's been a year-wow!!! The blog is looking great!!
Posted by: Renovation Girl | February 15, 2009 at 20:22
Congrats on your one year blogiversary!
Posted by: Black Belt Mama | February 15, 2009 at 23:24
Hi, I was interested in your comments about the blogging 101 course. I've just started the course (1hr ago) and one of our first tasks is to peruse some existing blogs - your's was on the list and I'm very impressed! I'll give you a good report. Really, it looks great, I hope mine might look as good in a year's time!
Posted by: Sue C Wharton | February 16, 2009 at 10:38
Congrats on your one year!!! I just hit 1/2 year! It completely different then i imagined it but only better. Never thought blogging about fitness could change so much.
Posted by: Fitness Surfer | February 16, 2009 at 17:05
Congrats on your anniversary, it's definatley a learning process, keep it up.
Jacqueline
Baby Bump Fitness
Posted by: jacqueline | February 17, 2009 at 19:06
@ Everyone--thank you so much for helping me celebrate my first blogiversary as BBM stated.
@Sue - you'll do great in the class- it was fun for me.
@FS - it does make a difference when you are accountable to anyone who reads your blog.
Posted by: SpinDiva | February 18, 2009 at 07:43
Hi SpinDiva!
Happy, happy, happy anniversary and all the best for the new year! May the world of blogging take you in many more new directions and exciting ventures!!!
Posted by: Evita | February 22, 2009 at 17:07