Interesting Blogs Given Award

I've been away from the blogosphere for a fair few days but glad that people have still found my blog interesting enough to visit! I've not been well, suffering from tiredness and headaches, not helped by my restless daughter waking up every night disturbing our sleep. I have the problem of when I wake up during the night, I find it extremely difficult to get back to sleep again. And once sleep is lost . . .

During this last week I received a "Stylish Blogger Award" from Carolyne, who writes a very nice column about New York City here:      NYC blog     Take a few moments to go and check it out.

Thanks Carolyne, for the recognition. I forget how I first came across her blog, but it's one of the few blogs that I regularly return to and enjoy reading, so she must be doing something right!

This is actually the first time I've come across a blog "award" and I was a little apprehensive about it so I asked the question in a google forum. I received a host of answers from a few different people telling me opposing points of view on the matter. One said how dangerous these "awards" can be as you never know what scammers have joined this "link farm" as they put it. Your blog may be at risk of deletion if it is in any way connected to a scammer blog during the history of this certain "award" being handed down.

Another told me how there is no real danger as blogs contain a vast number of links to all sorts of sites one may have an interest in, and simply linking to a few of your favourite blogs doesn't make yours a scamming one.

One thing in common was the fact that the "rules" of receiving and passing on this "award" are not concrete things you have to follow to the letter, but it would be a good idea to at least do something similar. And it would obviously be a good idea to only award blogs which you know are not fishy and you are familiar with.

So it goes something like this: Thank the person who gave you this award. Check. Share their blog link. Check. Write seven things about yourself. Below. Select 15* other blogs you wish to award. Below.
(* 15 being the subjective number here)

With all of that out the way, I have taken some time and come up with seven blogs which I follow and read often, whom I'd like to recognise with the "Stylish Blogger Award".

But first, seven facts about me which you may not have known before:

1. I have spent 21 years of my life in England, where I'm from, and seven years in various parts of Malaysia and Singapore.
2. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not brainwashed and I won't make it my agenda to bombard you with my faith.
3. I like re-arranging the furniture in my house. We do it at least three times a year. It certainly keeps my tuition students on their toes!
4. I am passionate about photography, writing, football, Roger Federer and acquiring knowledge.
5. I have been writing the first draft of a novel for the past four years.
6. I hate losing at anything. It just makes me want to win all the more, next time.
7. If I start doing anything, it has to be done perfectly. I believe in completing a task to the best of your ability.

Now for seven blogs you should pay a visit to:

http://www.rachelcphotography.blogspot.com : My sister's blog showcases her photography in Leicester, England and Utah, U.S.A. She is a freelance photographer in Leicester, England, waiting for you to give her a call if you're in the area.

http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com : One of the best food blogs I've come across with a plethora of great pictures, recipes and stories.

http://www.travelinghawk.blogspot.com : An intriguing account of this person's travels, currently focusing on India. The pictures are revealing and the writing makes you feel as though you are truly there.

http://www.rosalindadam.blogspot.com : This woman is an avid writer who lives in my hometown of Leicester, England. She brings up some important issues and writes informative posts.

http://www.graphis-artwork.blogspot.com : There are so many photo blogs around but I keep returning to this one because of the high quality photos which give a lovely view of Romania.

http://www.fortheloveofteaching.net : I am a teacher and this is an extremely useful site I came across, sharing many great ideas to help improve your teaching skills.

http://www.lassephotoblogg.blogspot.com : This Swede has a great photo blog with some stunning scenes of nature and wildlife. Judging by the volume of comments, he's very popular!