Category: You Asked

Sunshine Blogger Award- Twice nominated

Jennifer from PaperKutzs had nominated me for this award a while ago.

I was also very kindly nominated by Sangeetha of Mindfills for this award as well.

I want to that both, Jennifer and Sangeetha for this honor to my blog. Please drop in on their blogs to check out their posts.

So here is a combination post!

Here are the Sunshine blogger award rules.

RULES: Thank the person who nominated you, add the link to their blog, answer the eleven questions given to you, nominate 11 other bloggers, ask your nominees 11 other questions and notify your nominees after you upload your post.

Jennifer’s 11 Questions;

• Do you have a niche blog or do you have different types of posts?

I don’t have a niche. I love doing a variety of posts and follow a lot of prompts.

• If you have a niche blog what is your niche?

See the above answer.

• How long have you been blogging?

My blog just turned 2 years old on 6th September.

• Is your blogging still a passion or has it become a chore?

My blogging is still my passion. It is a wonderful way to use my spare time and to interact with my friends in the blogging community.

• When choosing to let another blogger know you are interested in their blog do you just hit like or do you leave a comment?

It depends on the type of post I am reading. If it is the sort where a discussion is going on, I like leaving my views. If it’s a poem or story that I liked I would like that post.

• How often do you post and respond to other blogs?

I post daily, 3-4 times, and visit the blogs I follow daily too. Sometimes I cannot visit all the blogs I follow but I do try.

• What is your usual blogging routine?

Whenever I get time. It’s usually early in the morning and then before bedtime.

• If you live outside the United States, are you having the same riots that are occurring in the US?

I was living in Seattle till recently, when I moved back to my own country, Pakistan. There were a lot of riots in Seattle concerning the “Black lives matter” movement. In my country, we do have social injustice too but of a different nature. As yet thankfully things aren’t that bad and no protests are going on.

• Where is your favorite place to work on your blog?

Anywhere! Provided I have peace and quiet to think and write.

• If you still have younger children when do you find blogging time?

No young children, all are grown up with kids of their own. Though my grandkids sometimes want to play with grandma and then I postpone my writing to give them time.

• Has you ever had the feeling that blogging was becoming overwhelming and considered ending your blogging?

Sometimes, when I have other commitments and cannot give blogging my usual attention, I feel a bit stressed. But never overwhelmed enough to consider giving it up. It’s a form of entertainment for me and a stress buster.

Sangeetha’s 11 questions;

1. What’s love got to do with it ? Tina Turner

Everything revolves around love. Without love, life is not living, be it the love of a person or our passion for things and ideas in life.

2. What if we said goodbye to safe and sound? Troye Sivan

Why not? Take the highway to adventure and live dangerously.

3. Who’s zoomin who ? Aretha Franklin 😉

Everyone is Zooming everyone else. Especially school kids and their teachers!

4. How do you sleep? Sam smith

Soundly some days and not much on others. It’s directly related to my level of tiredness and the amount of coffee I’ve had.

5. How do you want to be remembered – Magic

With joy and smiles.

6. What if God was one of us? Joan Osbourne

God is in all of us.

7. Where did all the good people go? Jack Johnson

They are still among us, otherwise, this place would’ve become hell.

8. Are you listening? Paramore

I do try. I am training myself to talk less and listen more.

9. Do you practice what you preach? Black eyed peas

I do try. And when I don’t, my family calls me out on it! Very often.

10. What are you waiting for? Nickelback

I am waiting to complete this post and pre-schedule it so I can go sit with my daughter and grandson.

11. Why worry? Dire straits

Why indeed! Worry never solved anything in anyone’s life ever. Live in the moment and don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow.

I am digressing from the rules here. I am a bit pushed for time to think of new questions and as for nominating 11 bloggers, that usually doesn’t works that well.

So if you, The reader would like, consider yourself nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award, answer any 11 of the questions that I have answered or all 22.

My sincere thanks to both Jennifer and Sangeetha for this wonderful award!

#Keepitalive

#Awardsandnominations

#Sunshinebloggeraward

The Friday Four- 2.1

A new challenge by Rory, The Friday Four
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The Friday Four

Ah questions, questions, questions – what is it about you and questions Rory?

Simple, l just like asking questions.

Some relatively simple ones today for this Friday however…

1. What three senses could you NOT live without? Discuss why…

If it’s alright with you, I would like to keep all of my senses! But if there is a dire necessity, I may be able to live without smell and touch. Seeing, hearing and the ability to talk are the ones that make life, life! If you know what I mean.

2 . What is your favourite of these two and why? Pen or Pencil.

Pencil!

Because the pencil is so versatile. It can be any color, it can be any shade of black and the best part is that it is erasable. Made a mistake, no problem. Erase it and write again. With a pen, you either will have to make a mess or start again.

3 . What are your top 3 colours and why are they your favourites?

Yellow, blue and purple.

I like them and though I cannot wear most shades of yellow, I still like to dress up in these colors.

4 . Are you able to list 10 basic smells and if so what are they?

• Ah so lovely

• What is this? I must have it

• Food!!!!!

• Nice

• Not nice

• Ewww

• Yikes

• Oh my….. What is THAT

• Did something die in here?

• I cannot stand it

#Keepitalive

#FridayFour

Fandango Provocative Question # 86

Fandango is the host of Fandango Provocative Question

FPQWelcome once again to Fandango’s Provocative Question.

This past Sunday, in my Who, Won the Week post, I referenced a recent survey that pointed out that two-thirds of those who participated in the survey said the pandemic quarantine has made them a better person.Given that so many people have been bellyaching about having to be subjected to these stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus and how inconvenient, burdensome, and aggravating it’s been for them over the past six months (and possibly for a while into the future), I was surprised at this survey result.

So, I am wondering how you, my fellow bloggers, would respond to such a question. So here goes.

Having been subjected to stay at home restrictions (to one degree or another) over the past six months, would you say that the quarantine has made you a better person? If so, in what ways? If not, why not?

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The short answer is;

I lost weight and got my type II diabetes under control.

The longer version goes like this;

I was in Seattle, the heart of pandemic when the lockdown was enforced. I am in that age and health bracket where getting Covid might mean serious problems. So my daughter asked me to not go anywhere, even with proper precautions! As I had a lot of time on my hands, I started to walk more.

I lost around 20 pounds and my daily level of blood glucose became better.

So for myself, it became a blessing. I am not the sort of person who needs to go out daily or meet with friends on a regular basis. So being in lockdown and told to stay away from close contact did not affect me in an adverse manner. I saved money as I didn’t go anywhere to shop. I also realized that I spend money needlessly on frivolous things.

I also observed that due to lockdown, there was way less pollution in the air and the sky looked bluer!

Did it make me a better person?

It made me healthier and more aware of the environment. I also have come to the conclusion that we can subsist on way fewer things than what we think.

There are blessings hidden in every difficulty!

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#Keepitalive

#FPQ

Blogging Insights- Value of Comments

Dr. Tanya is the host of Blogging Insights

She says;

The comments feature is one of my favourite aspects of blogging. I love interacting with readers and writers. Being only human, I have at times left comments like “Good one”, “Great Post,” or “Loved This”. It is the longer, “meaningful: comments that are the subject of today’s discussion. 

TODAY’S QUESTION

Do you think that comments add value to a blog post? If so, how?

There are some bloggers who have turned off the comments option permanently on their blogs. When I visit their blogs, I wonder why don’t they want others to interact with them and give feedback about their posts/ poems, etc?

I value the comment section on my blog a lot. For me, it is the best part of writing a blog.

There are many ways how comments on our posts add value to the whole blogging experience;

• Instant feedback is given when someone reads your posts and lets you know what they think of it.

• Some people helpfully point out the errors in my posts so that I can correct my blunders and omissions.

• Building great community relationships with other bloggers; It creates a sense of camaraderie and friendship when we interact with our fellow bloggers in the comments section of our own and their blogs.

• Dissenting opinions and discussions about some topics help to broaden our point of view.

• It’s a sure sign that the one commenting has read the post. Even simple one word comments can boost up morale.

• We can touch base with those bloggers who are not being active in the blogosphere. Ask about their health or other issues they may be facing.

These are the ways, in my opinion, that adds value to blogging. Thanks to Tanya for continuing this discussion.

#Keepitalive

#BloggingInsights

Share Your World 14 September’20

Melanie and Roger are co-hosting SYW

Share Your World Meets Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

(Book/Film Six – there is one more to go!)

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions:

1. You have just been gifted a magic wand that specializes in completing household chores. You can request the completion of only two household chores. Which chores would you assign your wand to complete?

That is easy, I would use it to iron and fold up the laundry. I enjoy other chores but folding up the laundry, especially those fitted sheets is a nightmare.

2. At the local Wizards-R-Us store there was a sale on handshake shockers, instant darkness pellets, and levitation pills. Which of these ‘party thrillers’ are you more likely to purchase?

Levitation pills seem to be a good choice. Just to rise up and look over everyone’s shoulders to check what is going on!

3. In the alley behind Wizards-R-Us, there was a tradesman selling a Love Potion. The sales pitch was too much for you and you yielded and purchased one vial. What do you do with it?

Hmmm, this is tough. If by ingesting the love potion the person can fall in love with new ideas, I’d give it to my hubby. He is quite reluctant to embrace new thoughts.

4. You are the Great Clearinghouse Winner of a new ‘good luck’ potion – Felix Felicis. It has to be used within the next thirty days or its potency becomes diminished. Do you use it? Do you give it to a friend in need?

A good luck potion is needed by almost everyone facing tough life situations these days. I think I will add it to the community water supply so that we all can benefit from good luck.

Melanie’s Mundane Muggle Questions:

1. If everyone spoke their mind, would this world be a better or worse place? Why?

I think it would be a bad idea. All the hidden resentment and gripes would come to the surface which ordinarily we keep to ourselves and forget about in time. This will sour up the relationships within a family and with friends. Let us keep it in our hearts so that we can ignore or forget about them.

2. Can achieving nothing make a person happy?

Let’s qualify this;

Achieving nothing like in terms of worldly success may not mean that that person hasn’t achieved anything at all. They may have made someone happy, helped a person in need, be a good friend or family member or they could have been kind to their pets and other animals. In my book, that means achieving a lot, which cannot be measured in worldly scales.

3. How do you know if you love someone enough to marry them?

If you have feelings of love and friendship with the other person and feel that your life would be better with them as opposed to without them. But these feelings may change as people grow older. So there is no rule that a person one has felt to be the perfect life partner will continue to be that as the couple goes through life.

GRATITUDE SECTION;

My elder daughter has been granted a doctorate degree in electrical engineering. This is a proud moment for all of us!

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Share Your World 7 September’20

Melanie and Roger are our hosts for SYW this week.

Book/Film Five – there are two more to go!)

https://rogershipp.wordpress.com

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions

• What happened to cause you to discover ‘bullies” were real?

Fortunately, I was never bullied in school. It was when my kids were bullied that this problem came into my focus. As a parent, I did all I could, including taking to the school admin, and their teachers. But they needed their own courage to face the bullies which the managed to do so.

• Eavesdropping- When given the chance, how often do you eavesdrop?   (this may be a similar question to what some folks said they’d do with an invisibility cloak)

As a kid, we thought it was great fun to “listen in” on grown-up’s conversations. But I soon realized that eavesdropping came with a price tag. As an adult, I try to avoid it completely.

• Escalators, at one time, were the ‘next big thing’. When was the last time you rode an escalator?

Just the other day when I visited a mall. It’s a very common thing in my city and most bigger malls have them. I usually don’t have the patience to just stand so I am either moving up or down at my pace.

• Have you ever ‘let’ someone win in a sports competition or a board game? How did it turn out?    

My kids, when they were learning to play different games. And my grandson when I was teaching him chess. It boosts their morale and it’s more likely that it would keep their interest alive in learning that game.

Melanie’s Muggle Questions

I’m very short on time today (Sunday) so I’m borrowing from Rory and Sandmanjazz to fill the questions today:

• Do our fears start with our DNA?  (Credit to Rory)

Some fears are genetic like phobias. Others are learned. Sometimes the parents teach their children to fear things which they carry all through their lives.

• If you could have your hair any colour for 24 hours, what colour would you choose?  (Credit to Sandmanjazz)

Bright red or maybe magenta. And I wouldn’t mind having them for a few weeks. I love experimenting with my hair color!

• When do you think a person gets old?  (Credit to Rory)

When they think they are old. There are younger people who think themselves old and older ones who think they are young. It’s all in the mind you see.

GRATITUDE SECTION  (as always this is optional)

Please feel free to write about an uplifting moment in your life this week!

Had a good week weather-wise. The temps are cooling down and the rainy season is almost at its end. Met a few friends this week too after more than six months!

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Blogging Insights- Ambiance

Dr. Tanya is the host of this series.

She says;

Some people can write anytime and anywhere. Others require certain pre-requisites such as the appropriate setting before they can get their creativity going. In today’s Blogging Insights we discuss the necessity or otherwise of the right ambiance for blogging.

TODAY’S QUESTIONS:

What, in your opinion, is the perfect ambiance for blogging/writing?

I just need free time and a free mind. Distractions like talking to someone, a conversation going on among others in the room, or a loud tv hinders my thought process. I prefer early morning or late at night when I am by myself for blogging.

Are you able to work in this setting on a daily basis?

Yes, I can and I do. Right now I am in the car being driven so taking this opportunity, I am writing this post. One thing that I cannot do is think while others expect me to pay attention to them.

Do you feel that the ambiance has any particular effect on the quality or quantity of your output?

I don’t think that ambiance plays a vital role in my writing. Peaceful settings, whenever and wherever provided, make it easy for me to write.

What influences my writing is my frame of mind. When I am relaxed, I find ideas and words come easily to my mind. If stressed out or hassled, I need to calm myself before I can write.

Thanks again to Dr. Tanya for these insightful questions.

#Keepitalive

#BloggingInsights

12 Bloggerz – September 2020

Rory is the host of 12 Bloggerz

1.What really lights you up?

Seeing my family happy and healthy. On a more personalnote, a good book, a favorite meal, or just couple of hours doing nothing but blogging. In pre-Covid days, I loved to catch my favorite movie in the theater.

2. When do you think we become old?

When we think we are old. A person can be young at 80 or old at 30. It’s how you look at life. The zest for living has nothing to do with how many years ago you were born.


3. What’s in your fridge right now?

Lots of leftovers, milk, eggs, butter, different types of dressings, lots of vegetables, apples, peaches, and bread. There are a few chocolates too!


4. Never mind three wishes give me one good fantasy which would be … ?

Never having to worry about my own or my family‘s health and well-being again. That we all are living happy, fulfilling and healthy lives.

5. How do you think your readers see you as the writer of your blog as a person away from your blog?

I have absolutely no idea how they see me as a person away from the blog. As a blogger, I am a happy, positive, and optimistic person. I hope that they know that I am the same person in real life as well.

6. How do you wish to be seen and interpreted as a person away from your blog by the readers of your blog?

See the above answer.

7.Do our fears start with our DNA?

Some mental conditions travel through genes ( DNA). These include phobias too. The rest of the fears are a result of life experiences conditioning. If we teach a child to fear things, it will grow up fearful.


8. What is the truest quality of life in your opinion?

I think kindness and honesty are the truest qualities of life.

9. What do you think the secret is to you letting yourself go?

Letting go as in letting go of inhibitions would be a result of not giving a fig about the opinions of others.

Letting go as in stop caring for oneself is when we start to lose hope and don’t bother how we look or feel.


10. What stops you from being the truer version of you or are you already the truer version of you?

Nothing!

I am the truest version of myself.


11. What are 7 things you have learned about blogging since you started your blog that would be beneficial to other bloggers right now?

• Be yourself

• Try new things

• Don’t restrict yourself

• Interact with the community

• Leave thoughtful comments

• Learn to pre-schedule posts and always have a few completed posts in drafts

• Enjoy blogging

12. Should we care what other people think about us?

We should to some extent. If we don’t fear society, we can go off the railscompletely. But don’t Life in fear of people.

Thank you Rory for such thought-provoking questions.

#Keepitalive

#12Bloggerz

Fandango’s Provocative Question #85

Fandango is the host of Fandango Provocative Question

FPQWelcome once again to Fandango’s Provocative Question.

Imagine that you’re standing at a crossroads and you have to choose a path. Most of us have found ourselves faced with some momentous decision, and sometimes that decision was truly life changing. I know I’ve had a few instances where I had to make such a decision and I occasionally wonder what would have happened had a made a different decision at the time.

So, my provocative questions this week are about those “woulda, shoulda, coulda” moments in our lives.

Have you ever had to make what turned out to be a life-changing decision? If so, do you ever wish that you could go back in time and make a different decision? What decision was that and how do you think your life would have changed if you’d made a different one?

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My life-changing decision was getting married during my med school. I had one year to go and still I decided to go ahead.

The result was that I never completed my degree and never became a doctor. If I had not gotten married at that time, I would have been a doctor and a surgeon. I was pretty good at studies and surgery was my favorite subject. In our country, there were very few female surgeons at that time and it was my desire to be one and help humanity.

Do I regret my decision;

Well surprisingly, I don’t. The reason is two-fold;

• I am a firm believer in destiny. Whatever decisions we take, our lives follow a path that is destined. I know there will be a lot of people who will disagree with this but it’s how I think. So with a multitude of happenings in my early life, I reached that point in my life when I decided to get married before completing my education. And from that point onwards, my life took another path where studying had to take a back seat and motherhood became my primary concern.

• I have a wonderful marriage and three great and successful children. I have been compensated more than enough by my family for a lack of career.

So know what I know now, I will never go back and change my decision!

#Keepitalive

#FPQ

Answering Di’s Questions

Recently Di was awarded Liebster Award and she asked her readers 11 questions;

She said;

I’ll skip the nominees but invite anyone to answer my questions should they wish to do so:

1. How old were you when you had your first flight?

I don’t really remember for sure but I think I was 10 or 11 when we first took a flight to go to the port city of Karachi.


2. What is your favourite colour?

I love all bright colors but my favorite is all shades of purple.


3. Housework: do you prefer to hoover or dust?

Vacuuming is a better option than dusting. With my careless and clumsy technique, I break a lot of things while dusting.


4. Do you have a garden?

Yes, we do. A small front patch.


5. What is your favourite vegetable?

Is potato a vegetable? Just kidding.

I love all veggies provided that they are cooked right. My favorite way is to toss them with garlic and olive oil and over roast them.


6. What is your taste in music?

Eclectic! If I like it I listen to it till I am bored with that particular song. Then I move on to the next one.


7. Do you play an instrument?

Nopes! Never tried to learn. I guess I’m not musically inclined.


8. Are you an only child?

I’m the only girl and have three brothers.


9. Are you in touch with any of your school friends?

Oh yes, lots of them through zoom meetings and a few are even closer and we catch up whenever we get a chance.


10. How did you meet your partner?

At a tea! He was with his parents and I was with my father.


11. Do you celebrate anniversaries?

Yes, we do, birthdays and wedding anniversaries. We exchange gifts and cards too. Pretty old fashioned I guess.

Thank you, Di for these interesting questions. If you are interested in answering them, head over to Di’s blog.

#Keepitalive