The Liebster Blog Award to expatliv:-)

Yey! My blog got awarded! Thank you dear blogger friend Pallavi - Diary of an Indian Girl in Singapore - for making me the recipient of The Liebster Blog Award!  Unknown to me until now, - but hey - my blog is only 1 year old, so with enthusiastic childish joy we embrace and celebrate anything new and exciting!

I still felt the need to find out some more. So, I did a bit of research and discovered that the award exists only on internet, and is passed on from blogger to blogger. No physical award, no judges, no absolute rules, no website and no big ceremony (with standing ovations and the world press present). This is a reward you receive from a fellow blogger who in this way shows you that your blog is appreciated and loved, because leibster (German) means exactly that: beloved, dear, kind, sweet, lovely, endearing etc. Originally, it seems to be an award given to new bloggers - as an encouragement and to welcome them to the blogosphere. So, I feel the award says something like: Hey fellow blogger friend. I love what you are doing, and I really think more people should discover your blog! 

So, you can accept the award, thank the person who nominated you and then pay it forward to your favorite bloggers. I think it is a good opportunity to give someone a pat on the shoulder - to show them that you love and appreciate what they do, and also an opportunity to connect with more bloggers, and a chance to discover other blogs.

The rules for receiving the Liebster Blog Award are:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given to you by the tagger plus create 10 questions for the people you have tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 more bloggers and pass the award to them.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No Tag backs.

Here are the questions I was given by Pallavi, and my answers (in blue):

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging:
- The joy of writing just for fun. And the people (and stories) I meet through my blog

2. If you were granted 3 wishes, what would they be:
- World peace, food and school for all kids:-) 

3. What is your favorite memory
- The moments when my children had just been born

4. What is your dream travel destination
- I can travel anywhere, in the right company:-) Right now: Maldives  

5. If you could turn back time, what is the first thing you would do
- To place Hitler on a remote island   

6. What is the song that makes you feel happy every time you listen to it
- Vaya con Dios' "Nah Neh Nah"

7. When you close your eyes, what is the first thought in your mind
- Right now: my sister

8. Who was your first crush
- Had a biiig crush on George Michael in Wham! Bummer...

9. Your favorite season
- Summer (so Mumbai climate suits me perfect) 

10. Where is that one place that you go when you want a moment of peace

- The balcony:-) 

Yes, I want to show some of my fellow bloggers that I really enjoy what they do, and I want to encourage their blogging by passing on the award to them. So, dear fellow bloggers, I am paying it forward - Watch out! The Liebster Blog Award is coming your way: 

1. Cindi - http://cindi-keller.com/
2. Alexandra - http://madh-mama.blogspot.in/
3. Jay - http://www.fromtheretoheretheblog.com/
4. Megha - http://meinblogland.blogspot.in/
5. Prasad -  http://desitraveler.com/
6. Asmita - http://www.compulsivefoodie.com/
7. Amar - http://amarnaik.com/
8. Magda - http://magdax.blogspot.com/
9. Smitha -http://smithakalluraya.blogspot.in/ 
10. Ms Mulberry - http://mulberrypomegranate.blogspot.in/-
11. Jeena - http://navy-blue-jeans.blogspot.in/  

I have to admit: I did not do tons of research as to whether you have received the award before, or on how long you have been blogging. I just simply love your blog:-) So, if you are in on the fun, here are my questions for you: 

1. What do you want your blog-readers to get from reading your blog?
2. Have you learned anything as a blogger that surprised you? If yes, what?
3. What time of the day and where do you usually write?
4. What is your favorite food? 
5. What are your top 3 favorite travel destinations? 
6. Describe one happy memory from your childhood.
7. Describe an achievement you are proud of. 
8. What is the best thing about you?
9. What makes you laugh out loud?
10. If you were the main character in a movie, which actor/actress would you like to play your role?

Thank you again Pallavi! It felt lovely to receive your token of appreciation, and I had fun participating. For me that is the best award possible: having fun, enjoying the moment and having readers who like what they read on my blog. I am very grateful. Thank you to each and one of you:-) 

PS. And I am learning:  I just now added the Google Friend Connect gadget- follow us there:-)

All the best - from a very happy now-Liebster-awarded 1 year old! So long, dear reader!