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 |   A blog to house my musings, curiosities, and fascinations. |
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When it came time for me to start blogging again, I found myself paralyzed. I was trapped by the belief that my blog had to be unique, that it had to have a defined theme, and that it had to be appealing to everyone. After some time scouring Google for advice, I realized that if all I did was worry and plan, I would spend forever worrying and planning and never get to writing. From that realization, I've decided to display my blog writing guidelines here for everyone to see, but especially for me to see when I come here to write. ~1~ Blog about what is appealing to YOU. Don't worry about anyone else. ~2~ Allow yourself to WRITE! Don't restrain yourself to one voice, one writing style, one genre, or one topic area. ~3~ Throw out the fear of maintaining a consistent theme. Blog about your passions, interests, fancies, inspirations, opinions, musings, curiosities, ramblings, and loves. ~4~ Explore, experiment, and have fun! So, this is my solution. A blog about anything and everything that sparks my interest.  The title is inspired by the quote at the bottom of this introduction. Everything you love, even for a short time, becomes part of you. Our experiences and perception of the world is colored by those things we love and have loved, whether those things are  or not. This blog will be a place to house those passions and curiosities. Please enjoy! "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -Anonymous ![Merit Badge in Aloha
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Only the most selfless, dedicated person would come up with an idea like an Aloha MB. But then, from all those things you do on WDC and we know you're doing out in the world, it's what we should have known you'd do. You've always been working to make things better and help people, animals, and places. Maybe the badge should have your picture so everyone knows a real example of Aloha.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/group-Aloha-2171989_14.gif) Cover image by Jessica Woulfe
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Yesterday was February 29th - Leap Day! The reason we have this monthly extension of our shortest month is to synchronize the Gregorian calendar with the solar year – without it we would lose six hours every year.  In your entry today, write about the phenomenon of leap years and any facts you want to share. Here’s mine: People born on Leap Day are called Leaplings.  Do you know any Leaplings? How did you spend the bonus hours of 2020? Did you make the most of them?"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS"  Happy March, all! It really felt like February flew by! Or maybe it leaped by  I can't believe it's already been a month since we were in Hawaii, chilling on the beach. Since I got home, it's been go go go at work and stressful at home too with dog illnesses and everything else. I haven't had a relaxing weekend since we got back because I've been using my weekend time to catch up on work stuff that's been nagging at me. I really don't want to work on weekends, but here's the thing: I like being productive, and it seems weekends are the only times I can be really productive and get shit done. While in the office during the week, I'm constantly interrupted by my boss or email pings or loud conversations from the conference room, it's all very distracting. I feel like I'm treading water during the week trying to keep myself from falling even more behind and then actually doing the hard work on the weekend when I'm able to focus. So, you can probably get the hint - yesterday, during the extra hours of leap day, I spent it working.I took my headphones and plunked myself in a corner desk in the library facing a wall and tuned the whole world out for 5 hours. And I did get a lot done! I'm almost done with this grant I'm writing, but it's all feeling a little fruitless because I'm not even sure we'll qualify for it. I was somehow looped into writing it on behalf of 5 or 6 of our partners, but the deadline is March 11th, and so much needs to happen before then, that I'm not sure we'll get it done. So I fear the work I put in will all be in vain. All that extra stress I put on myself to follow through and keep in everyone's good graces even though I think we don't have a chance to get the funding. It's more about not failing than actually succeeding. Anyway, I still have the deliverables and budget spreadsheet to do today, so I'll put at least a few more hours into it and then be able to pass it off on Monday. Get it off my plate. In summary, my leap day was spent facing a blank wall for 5 hours getting ahead on work tasks that I think won't amount to anything. At least the day doesn't count, right? ~ ~ ~ Now, let's talk successes and goals. In February, I managed to write a few things:
It took me a long time to be able to write that second one, but I think I did a lot of healing while in Hawaii that was helpful to let that pain go. In March, I will: Read: For "CLOSED!The Monthly Reading Challenge" , "Little Mouse Loves to Read" and "Angel Product Reviews"  "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" "The Glass Castle: A Memoir" "The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World" Enter Contests: "Lucky Limerick Contest" for "The Contest Challenge" "Verdant Poetry Contest" Continue Regular Commitments: Normal review crediting for "WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group" and "Anniversary Reviews" Prompting and judging for "30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Take care! -Emily  |
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