Happy New Year 2014. Sigh, it's the first day of school for C. After sending her to school, I was glad I could have my mornings to myself again after 6-7 weeks of school holidays. I hadn't blogged since November 13 and I thought since it's the new year, I'd change the template design of this blog. Little did I know that by changing it, all the photos in this blog from 2009 onwards are gone. And I didn't backup the old template! Stupid me :(
A check with Blogger Help indicates that I might have inadvertently deleted them via Google+ while I was deleting some albums in my android phone (which definitely is linked to Google....). I'm not that tech savvy and didn't realise that those photos in the blog album were not merely duplicates...but I'm still puzzled why Google does not provide any warning on such intended actions to the user when choosing to delete......big, big, big sigh. I shouldn't have used Google+ simply because someone asked me to for work reasons, for ease of sharing files. Five years' worth of photos in this blog are gone....what a way to start the new year in this blog, which I have renamed, incidentally.
Pictures and photos are so important in illustrating words and feelings. How now, brown cow?
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Monday, April 18, 2011
Four years of blogging
This blog was created on 20 March 2007, my first baby in the blogosphere. It sure looks like I'm about one month late in commemorating my fourth year of blogging here. I had set up a few other blogs along the way, but I have been most active with this one.
Blogging has become part and parcel of my life and I quite enjoy it, especially when I have the time to ramble about anything that comes to mind.
Happy 4th Birthday, Stories of ACE!
Blogging has become part and parcel of my life and I quite enjoy it, especially when I have the time to ramble about anything that comes to mind.
Happy 4th Birthday, Stories of ACE!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Neglect
My blogs have been neglected quite a bit lately. Somehow my time and thoughts have been distracted and taken up by other things, mainly those concerning C. It started in mid October with her school exams, then her birthday party, then other school activities like Children's Day and Speech Day and last Friday, her drum exam. In between there were the routine things like household chores, errands, writing assignments, sending her to various classes and playing catch-up with her Yamaha JXC homework/practice (this seems never ending, not until March next year at least when she sits for the Grade 9 exam).
Since blogging is of low priority, my blogs have been on the backburner. So too has my Cooking Thurdays adventures. In fact my daily cooking of meals have also reduced significantly the past month. Dashing in and out of the house leaves me little time to plan and cook meals. So most times, it's been a mish mash of cooking one or two dishes myself and buying the rest from outside to make up complete meals.
The school hols have just started and this means less personal time again to blog.
Coming up will be a short trip to Hong Kong for ACE. The decision was a spontaneous one. I had saved up over a few years and decided that it'd be a 'now or never' deal if I didn't use whatever little that's been accumulated for a holiday. Being the year-end and school holidays to boot, the flight times and dates were limited but nevertheless, we managed to get dates, times and accommodation that are acceptable.
So the rest of this week will see ACE tying up some loose ends before going on holiday.
I wonder when Cooking Thursdays can resume. The year is coming to an end. Next year, C will be in Year 3 at school (yikes!).
Since blogging is of low priority, my blogs have been on the backburner. So too has my Cooking Thurdays adventures. In fact my daily cooking of meals have also reduced significantly the past month. Dashing in and out of the house leaves me little time to plan and cook meals. So most times, it's been a mish mash of cooking one or two dishes myself and buying the rest from outside to make up complete meals.
The school hols have just started and this means less personal time again to blog.
Coming up will be a short trip to Hong Kong for ACE. The decision was a spontaneous one. I had saved up over a few years and decided that it'd be a 'now or never' deal if I didn't use whatever little that's been accumulated for a holiday. Being the year-end and school holidays to boot, the flight times and dates were limited but nevertheless, we managed to get dates, times and accommodation that are acceptable.
So the rest of this week will see ACE tying up some loose ends before going on holiday.
I wonder when Cooking Thursdays can resume. The year is coming to an end. Next year, C will be in Year 3 at school (yikes!).
Friday, June 11, 2010
New Template
I just discovered that Blogger has revamped their blog templates with more choices for users. There are new templates with lots of background, layout and colour options to choose from. I've just experimented with it and am now using this new template. I'll most probably experiment and change it to something else tomorrow!
Friday, March 26, 2010
One, two and three years ago
One year ago, here's what I wrote:
Post-move update (click to read)
We've moved on a bit I must say since then. Although there are still some boxes and tools lying around the house, at least the oven has been put to reasonably good use (for a non-oven owner and user like me prior to this). As for the stove, it's been very much used on a daily basis to feed the three, and sometimes more, tummies in this house.
As for C's toys and books, and A and E's books and magazines, a lot, a lot more have been added on to the now untidy and haphazardly arranged book shelves. C's bookshelves cannot hold all her books now....and it's time to tune the piano again....
Two years ago, here's what I wrote:
Watch what you eat (click to read)
The skin allergy never re-surfaced since. I've always been conscious of what we eat. However, I must say that it's hard to be disciplined in eating healthily. Much of the tastiest foods usually come with some level of unhealthiness, especially when you eat out. Being a food lover and somewhat adventurous in trying out new dishes and eateries, it's hard to avoid temptation. If I want to eat 100 per cent healthily, I'd have to really work hard at eating at home and preparing our own food all the time.
A and E recently went for a health checkup. E has to exercise, watch his diet to avoid the risk of obesity and high blood sugar (genetic predisposition) while I have to exercise and cut down on cholesterol-laden food. So the main thing is EXERCISE which we both have problems committing to. While E gets some workout playing futsal with colleagues after work twice a week, it's still not enough. I walk up and down a steep hill getting C from school every afternoon and upstairs and downstairs doing stuff around the house, it's also not enough. We wonder if getting a treadmill would help....
And three years ago, my blog was created on 20 March 2007:
A new adventure (click to read)
This blog has come quite a long way since then. I had strayed a little from its original purpose along the way as my eyes were opened to the then new, exciting world of blogging and its potential for exposure and money-making possibilities. I dabbled in it but never went far enough as I somehow lacked the drive to figure out the technicalities of it.
This year, I'm back to making Stories of ACE purely a journal, recounting events, activities and my personal thoughts. I've not posted many pictures of late compared to the earlier days when I was more gung-ho in 'beautifying' my blog. One reason is that I'm using my notebook more these days. All my photos are in our desktop and I'm just too lazy to transfer them over to the notebook.
The frequency of my posts have also reduced, averaging one a week compared to 2-3 a day during those 'exciting' blogging days. I recorded the most number of posts in 2008 with 289 posts. In 2007 and 2009, I wrote, coincidentally, the same number of 137 posts. This year, it's 25 posts to date. If I keep at this rate, I estimate about 100 posts this year.
How good or popular a blog is, is however, not dependent on the number of posts you write. It's all about who your audience is, the content and effort you put into it, to make it popular. This does not apply to my blog. As mentioned earlier and in my maiden post, this blog is for myself, some family members and friends. Even if nobody reads it, it does not matter. It's just an open journal.
Post-move update (click to read)
We've moved on a bit I must say since then. Although there are still some boxes and tools lying around the house, at least the oven has been put to reasonably good use (for a non-oven owner and user like me prior to this). As for the stove, it's been very much used on a daily basis to feed the three, and sometimes more, tummies in this house.
As for C's toys and books, and A and E's books and magazines, a lot, a lot more have been added on to the now untidy and haphazardly arranged book shelves. C's bookshelves cannot hold all her books now....and it's time to tune the piano again....
Two years ago, here's what I wrote:
Watch what you eat (click to read)
The skin allergy never re-surfaced since. I've always been conscious of what we eat. However, I must say that it's hard to be disciplined in eating healthily. Much of the tastiest foods usually come with some level of unhealthiness, especially when you eat out. Being a food lover and somewhat adventurous in trying out new dishes and eateries, it's hard to avoid temptation. If I want to eat 100 per cent healthily, I'd have to really work hard at eating at home and preparing our own food all the time.
A and E recently went for a health checkup. E has to exercise, watch his diet to avoid the risk of obesity and high blood sugar (genetic predisposition) while I have to exercise and cut down on cholesterol-laden food. So the main thing is EXERCISE which we both have problems committing to. While E gets some workout playing futsal with colleagues after work twice a week, it's still not enough. I walk up and down a steep hill getting C from school every afternoon and upstairs and downstairs doing stuff around the house, it's also not enough. We wonder if getting a treadmill would help....
And three years ago, my blog was created on 20 March 2007:
A new adventure (click to read)
This blog has come quite a long way since then. I had strayed a little from its original purpose along the way as my eyes were opened to the then new, exciting world of blogging and its potential for exposure and money-making possibilities. I dabbled in it but never went far enough as I somehow lacked the drive to figure out the technicalities of it.
This year, I'm back to making Stories of ACE purely a journal, recounting events, activities and my personal thoughts. I've not posted many pictures of late compared to the earlier days when I was more gung-ho in 'beautifying' my blog. One reason is that I'm using my notebook more these days. All my photos are in our desktop and I'm just too lazy to transfer them over to the notebook.
The frequency of my posts have also reduced, averaging one a week compared to 2-3 a day during those 'exciting' blogging days. I recorded the most number of posts in 2008 with 289 posts. In 2007 and 2009, I wrote, coincidentally, the same number of 137 posts. This year, it's 25 posts to date. If I keep at this rate, I estimate about 100 posts this year.
How good or popular a blog is, is however, not dependent on the number of posts you write. It's all about who your audience is, the content and effort you put into it, to make it popular. This does not apply to my blog. As mentioned earlier and in my maiden post, this blog is for myself, some family members and friends. Even if nobody reads it, it does not matter. It's just an open journal.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Mandarin comments
Once in a while, I get comments about my posts in this blog that are written in Mandarin. Thanks to those readers who drop by my blog and share their comments. However, I am rather Mandarin-illiterate and can only manage to speak basic Mandarin, write my name and my ability to read/write Mandarin is rather limited.
I am therefore unable to read and understand the long Mandarin comments. I have managed to make out some which appear to be spam or those with the intention to 'advertise' their own links, while others remain undetermined. Today, I received one which directed me to what is obviously a website with adult content. The pictures clearly suggest so with young Asian women flaunting their cleavage in seductive poses!
As such, I have chosen not to publish any Mandarin, or other foreign language comments unless the English translation is provided. And even if the comments are in English, I reserve the right to accept or reject based on the validity, relevance and decency of the comments offered.
I am therefore unable to read and understand the long Mandarin comments. I have managed to make out some which appear to be spam or those with the intention to 'advertise' their own links, while others remain undetermined. Today, I received one which directed me to what is obviously a website with adult content. The pictures clearly suggest so with young Asian women flaunting their cleavage in seductive poses!
As such, I have chosen not to publish any Mandarin, or other foreign language comments unless the English translation is provided. And even if the comments are in English, I reserve the right to accept or reject based on the validity, relevance and decency of the comments offered.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Stories of ACER?
Now that we've an addition to our family, it suddenly crossed my mind if I should include Rusty's initial in my blog title and change 'ACE' to 'ACER'. After a quick consideration, I decided not to because ACE sounds nicer and what if we have more dogs or pets in future?
And since Caitlin's five goldfish by the name of Mickey, Minnie, Flippy and... I forget the other two (shows how long Caitlin has ignored them and stopped feeding and talking to them!) have not been included, I shall stick with ACE. Ha ha!
And since Caitlin's five goldfish by the name of Mickey, Minnie, Flippy and... I forget the other two (shows how long Caitlin has ignored them and stopped feeding and talking to them!) have not been included, I shall stick with ACE. Ha ha!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
How about a holiday home in Panama?
Latin American music puts a spring in my step most times when I listen to it. Panama is one such country that comes to mind with its famous Panama hats, canal and of course lately, if you're a fan of Prison Break, that's where the heat was turned on by Michael Scofield in Season 2.
The sunny country tucked in the narrow isthmus connecting North and South America brings to mind bright yellow bananas and their tasty empanadas (that's about the only food I know of and think I've tasted once!). A holiday home in Panama sounds just right if you're one who loves to travel and spend months getting to know a place, or if you're lookng for a place to retire at.
In the Casco Antiguo region of Panama, Hotel Casco Antiguo appears to encapsulate what I have just pictured about the country, with its bright yellow shades over its sunny balcony.
Register for an eBrochure Here
Prior to the global financial crisis, Panama was experiencing a property boom, with many Americans especially, looking to purchase second homes, holiday or retirement homes as it's a great place with many tourist attractions, hot weather, beaches and mountains.
Casco Antiguo is located in Panama City and should be a nice investment if you have the extra cash. It boasts of five-star amenities with rooftop terrace, bar and pool. There are 34 units of the condo hotel for sale.
The sunny country tucked in the narrow isthmus connecting North and South America brings to mind bright yellow bananas and their tasty empanadas (that's about the only food I know of and think I've tasted once!). A holiday home in Panama sounds just right if you're one who loves to travel and spend months getting to know a place, or if you're lookng for a place to retire at.
In the Casco Antiguo region of Panama, Hotel Casco Antiguo appears to encapsulate what I have just pictured about the country, with its bright yellow shades over its sunny balcony.
Register for an eBrochure Here
Prior to the global financial crisis, Panama was experiencing a property boom, with many Americans especially, looking to purchase second homes, holiday or retirement homes as it's a great place with many tourist attractions, hot weather, beaches and mountains.
Casco Antiguo is located in Panama City and should be a nice investment if you have the extra cash. It boasts of five-star amenities with rooftop terrace, bar and pool. There are 34 units of the condo hotel for sale.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Do you read blogs?
I read blogs of my blogosphere friends, my 'normal' friends who blog and sometimes other interesting blogs that I happen to come across while reading or surfing the Net.
I get an idea of my blog traffic through Sitemeter on a weekly basis via an automated email report. I'm also able to see where my readers come from, at what time of day and keywords used in searches that point to my blog via MyBlogLog and Nuffnang.
It's interesting to note bloggers are of course the main bulk of blog readers. Then there are those who are very much into a particular topic (for e.g. political commentary) or a fan of a particular blogger (could be a celeb, a specialist).
On the other side of the fence are people who are not aware that there is such a thing called a "blog". There are also those who don't really care for blogs, be it an intelectually-stimulating, entertaining, educational or informational one, or one that simply belongs to a close friend sharing his daily thoughts and life.
People read blogs for many reasons, depending on the blog's content. If you want to generate high traffic for your blog be it for fame, money or ego or whatever, you should write about what people want to read. Get a target audience. It is easier to write about something you are interested in or passionate about. Armed with knowledge and putting your 'heart' or emotion into writing makes it easier for you to write. The words flow much easier and you'd seldom encounter writer's block.
That's my two cents' worth about blogs, blog readers, non-blog readers and blogging. As for my blog, it's my avenue for psychotherapy and an open journal. When people ask me what's been happening in my life, I tell them "Read my blog". If they are not blog readers and still really want to know, I'm inclined to say "How about a drink one day?". I'd know then if they really want to know what's been happening! Hee hee.
I get an idea of my blog traffic through Sitemeter on a weekly basis via an automated email report. I'm also able to see where my readers come from, at what time of day and keywords used in searches that point to my blog via MyBlogLog and Nuffnang.
It's interesting to note bloggers are of course the main bulk of blog readers. Then there are those who are very much into a particular topic (for e.g. political commentary) or a fan of a particular blogger (could be a celeb, a specialist).
On the other side of the fence are people who are not aware that there is such a thing called a "blog". There are also those who don't really care for blogs, be it an intelectually-stimulating, entertaining, educational or informational one, or one that simply belongs to a close friend sharing his daily thoughts and life.
People read blogs for many reasons, depending on the blog's content. If you want to generate high traffic for your blog be it for fame, money or ego or whatever, you should write about what people want to read. Get a target audience. It is easier to write about something you are interested in or passionate about. Armed with knowledge and putting your 'heart' or emotion into writing makes it easier for you to write. The words flow much easier and you'd seldom encounter writer's block.
That's my two cents' worth about blogs, blog readers, non-blog readers and blogging. As for my blog, it's my avenue for psychotherapy and an open journal. When people ask me what's been happening in my life, I tell them "Read my blog". If they are not blog readers and still really want to know, I'm inclined to say "How about a drink one day?". I'd know then if they really want to know what's been happening! Hee hee.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Kenny Sia
picture from Borneo Post Online
It was an 'un-kenny' moment when I caught sight of the front cover of one pullout of the Sunday edition of Borneo Post, Sunday Post, while 'stranded' for two hours in Kuching Airport. It featured 26-year-old Malaysian celebrity blogger Kenny Sia. He hails from Kuching, started his blog as a personal diary and now it's garnering extremely high traffic and $$$.
I'm aware of his existence but somehow have never really visited or read his blog so when he was highlighted in the papers, it kinda piqued my interest a little.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
SocialSpark
My blogging journey the past year has been one of much fun, frustration, impatience, trial and error and interesting discoveries. I have been toying around with various sites and visiting other blogs to see how some people actually make a substantial amount of earnings online through blogging, internet marketing and the like.
I have joined several online communities related to blogging as well as a few blog advertising sites which offer opportunities for sponsored posts. Recently, I joined SocialSpark and I have found this site one of the most interactive, providing not just paid post opportunities but avenues to make friends with people all over the world. This allows me to view more sites and open my eyes to their creativity, as well as support each other by reviewing each other’s blogs, giving ‘thumbs up’ support, dropping comments and sending each other messages.
SocialSpark has opportunities for bloggers to take up sponsored posts (get paid to write about something), blog sponsorships (get paid to allow your blog to advertise for something) and Sparks (blog about other blogs and get blogged about in return). Apart from this, you can also be an advertiser yourself by offering sponsored post, blog sponsorship and Spark opportunities to the SocialSpark community.
SocialSpark abides by this code of ethics:
-100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure
-100% Transparency
-100% Real Opinions
-100% Search Engine Friendly
Registration is free and you have complete freedom to create your own blogger and advertiser profiles to allow others to learn more about you and your blog(s) and opportunities you offer. SocialSpark can help you increase traffic, build community and monetize your blog.
I have joined several online communities related to blogging as well as a few blog advertising sites which offer opportunities for sponsored posts. Recently, I joined SocialSpark and I have found this site one of the most interactive, providing not just paid post opportunities but avenues to make friends with people all over the world. This allows me to view more sites and open my eyes to their creativity, as well as support each other by reviewing each other’s blogs, giving ‘thumbs up’ support, dropping comments and sending each other messages.
SocialSpark has opportunities for bloggers to take up sponsored posts (get paid to write about something), blog sponsorships (get paid to allow your blog to advertise for something) and Sparks (blog about other blogs and get blogged about in return). Apart from this, you can also be an advertiser yourself by offering sponsored post, blog sponsorship and Spark opportunities to the SocialSpark community.
SocialSpark abides by this code of ethics:
-100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure
-100% Transparency
-100% Real Opinions
-100% Search Engine Friendly
Registration is free and you have complete freedom to create your own blogger and advertiser profiles to allow others to learn more about you and your blog(s) and opportunities you offer. SocialSpark can help you increase traffic, build community and monetize your blog.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A blogging father
Many mothers have taken to blogging for various reasons. Some blog to earn a living from home, to keep friends and family updated about their family and life, or they just simply love to write and establish an online presence. What about fathers?
In my one year's exposure to the blogging world, I have come across fewer men compared to women who blog in much detail about their kids and family. I think it's generally a 'male' thing. Men prefer to talk about work, men's stuff like cars, DIY projects, golf, football or politics. So when I do come across a site by a guy who writes about stuff like what infant formula his newborn prefers, and shows beautiful pictures of his kids and what they are doing, I stop in my tracks for a moment.
Eaglehawk is one such guy. In his 'about' section, he says by day, he fights spammers and by night he is Eaglehawk! He is 27, married with two beautiful girls. He currently lives in Cypress, Texas and has a site that shares interesting trivia, stories about his life as a daddy, his family and kids.
Most of his posts are easy to read, just short enough for a quick read while providing you with some info to get you interested to find out more. Take for example one of his posts titled 'I Do Not Feel This Old', which lets you find out what generation you belong in. He provides the link to a short five-question survey.
I think it's great for men to share their take about parenting, stories about their little kids and daily things in their lives as fathers. Looking at things from the male's perspective could be quite refreshing at times.
In my one year's exposure to the blogging world, I have come across fewer men compared to women who blog in much detail about their kids and family. I think it's generally a 'male' thing. Men prefer to talk about work, men's stuff like cars, DIY projects, golf, football or politics. So when I do come across a site by a guy who writes about stuff like what infant formula his newborn prefers, and shows beautiful pictures of his kids and what they are doing, I stop in my tracks for a moment.
Eaglehawk is one such guy. In his 'about' section, he says by day, he fights spammers and by night he is Eaglehawk! He is 27, married with two beautiful girls. He currently lives in Cypress, Texas and has a site that shares interesting trivia, stories about his life as a daddy, his family and kids.
Most of his posts are easy to read, just short enough for a quick read while providing you with some info to get you interested to find out more. Take for example one of his posts titled 'I Do Not Feel This Old', which lets you find out what generation you belong in. He provides the link to a short five-question survey.
I think it's great for men to share their take about parenting, stories about their little kids and daily things in their lives as fathers. Looking at things from the male's perspective could be quite refreshing at times.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A place for busy mums
Since joining SocialSpark recently, I've had the opportunity to meet quite a number of mummy bloggers. Their blogs are all so unique, funny, insightful, and helpful. It's a comfort to read them because it reminds me that there are other mums all over the world like me who have to contend with the ups and downs of life as a mum, first and foremost, and as everything else that comes with that title, such as chef, chauffeur, cleaner, tutor, doctor, storyteller, etc.
Busy Mommy shares this sentiment and its tagline "Surviving Motherhood One Mess At A Time" just says it all. This is a website geared towards busy stay-at-home, work-at-home, and working mothers.
It provides useful information and resources, and shares personal experiences of life as a mummy. So if you're not too busy screaming at your kid who is scrawling on your wall while breastfeeding and trying to cook dinner at the same time, maybe some 'therapy' can be found by visiting Busy Mommy!
Busy Mommy shares this sentiment and its tagline "Surviving Motherhood One Mess At A Time" just says it all. This is a website geared towards busy stay-at-home, work-at-home, and working mothers.
It provides useful information and resources, and shares personal experiences of life as a mummy. So if you're not too busy screaming at your kid who is scrawling on your wall while breastfeeding and trying to cook dinner at the same time, maybe some 'therapy' can be found by visiting Busy Mommy!
Friday, April 18, 2008
A mummy blogger
I made a new friend today in the blogosphere. She is a stay-at-home mum of two kids and author of six blogs and websites! I take my hat off to her for her achievement. One of her blogs, Parenting Times has many useful suggestions and links for kids activities, kids sites and kids crafts.
This is one site I would certainly add to my list of favourite blogs.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Drive traffic
Buzzfuse.com is a site that provides viral marketing to help you drive traffic to your blog. Besides blogs, you can also market your photos, songs or anything you would like more viewers of.
The process is very simple. Simply go to the site and register for free. I tried it out and within five minutes of providing simple information, you get an account. What's good about Buzzfuse is that it also gives you good opportunity to make money by inviting your contacts to review your items. The more people you have as trusted reviewers, the more feedback you get. As a result, the viral marketing of your content will also increase. The people you invite will all get a free account and can unsubscribe at any time.
Buzzfuse is currently offering a chance to win their premium account valued at $180 if you have more than 30 people in your 'circle' and when you have registered more than two posts.
This is a sponsored post.
The process is very simple. Simply go to the site and register for free. I tried it out and within five minutes of providing simple information, you get an account. What's good about Buzzfuse is that it also gives you good opportunity to make money by inviting your contacts to review your items. The more people you have as trusted reviewers, the more feedback you get. As a result, the viral marketing of your content will also increase. The people you invite will all get a free account and can unsubscribe at any time.
Buzzfuse is currently offering a chance to win their premium account valued at $180 if you have more than 30 people in your 'circle' and when you have registered more than two posts.
This is a sponsored post.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Blogging
It's interesting to look at what bloggers write about. Some make blogging a business so they write about anything that they are interested in (or maybe not) as long as they pay. Others write about things that happen in their lives, their feelings, their thoughts, passion and interests in certain niches. Some don't write much but turn it into a photoblog filled with beautiful photographs. Some make theirs a videoblog. Some turn it into a forum or discussion board.
But what's more interesting for me is why bloggers blog. This month marks the first anniversary of this blog. I set up Stories of ACE and posted my first entry on March 20, 2007.
It all started when a few of my friends and I shared a blog to update each other and keep in touch. It was kept within our small circle and slowly fizzled out because only a few of us were actively updating the blog then. The short experience ignited my interest and I decided to create my own blog to record the little things (even the mundane ones) that take place in our lives. This way, I didn't have to repeat my stories to different groups of people. Subsequently, two of my friends from the initial blogging group have started their own blogs too to fulfill their own needs.
Why do you blog? I came across this site with a group of bloggers sharing "one word to describe why you blog". It's fun and interesting to learn in just one word why bloggers from around the world blog.
But what's more interesting for me is why bloggers blog. This month marks the first anniversary of this blog. I set up Stories of ACE and posted my first entry on March 20, 2007.
It all started when a few of my friends and I shared a blog to update each other and keep in touch. It was kept within our small circle and slowly fizzled out because only a few of us were actively updating the blog then. The short experience ignited my interest and I decided to create my own blog to record the little things (even the mundane ones) that take place in our lives. This way, I didn't have to repeat my stories to different groups of people. Subsequently, two of my friends from the initial blogging group have started their own blogs too to fulfill their own needs.
Why do you blog? I came across this site with a group of bloggers sharing "one word to describe why you blog". It's fun and interesting to learn in just one word why bloggers from around the world blog.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I Don't Want To Nap
That's the title of a new blog which I just created two minutes ago. I hope you (and your kids) will join me on this roller coaster ride to "Nonap Land"....
We'll see where this ride will take me!
We'll see where this ride will take me!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Another blog?
I am contemplating starting another blog which is topic-specific. This is in order to produce content that people want to read and subscribe to, and hopefully generate enough traffic to enable it to create more value for readers and myself. Hmmm, I've really got to get the creative juices flowing to strike the iron while it's hot.
I've got a second blog already which contains private content, more for storage purposes until I figure out what to do with the content later on.
I've also embarked on putting my 'creative' thoughts on paper, or rather, on Microsoft Word. What I will do with them is still up in the air.
I've got a second blog already which contains private content, more for storage purposes until I figure out what to do with the content later on.
I've also embarked on putting my 'creative' thoughts on paper, or rather, on Microsoft Word. What I will do with them is still up in the air.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Get paid for blogging
I had mentioned before in one of my earlier posts that since I'm actively blogging, I might as well look into opportunities to make some money out of it. I have been continuously looking out for blog advertising sites.
A couple of days ago, I did a search and came across Smorty. Smorty links advertisers with bloggers. Many companies now advertise on blogs and they will pay bloggers to write opinions about their products and services with links back to the advertiser's website.
Usually, the blogger will have to meet some simple requirements such as including certain keywords, links or pictures related to the advertiser, as well as a minimum number of words in the post. Smorty requires a mimimum of 150 words and not more than 400 words.
The sites that I've come across so far pay in US dollars via PayPal. When in search of blog advertising sites, one has to be careful as there are some which are scams. Like any business, especially e-commerce businesses, there are legitimate/legal ones and there are those which are out to make a fast buck or cheat customers.
I checked some other bloggers which have joined Smorty and the reviews seem to come back positive (i.e. no complaints about their ethics and payments) so I guess it should be a safe place to do business.
If you have a blog and want to make some money, Smorty and other blog advertising sites could be one way. Smorty takes about two to three days to approve your blog. When you sign up, you just have to make sure your blog meets their requirements, some of which are: indexed in Google and Yahoo!, must be at least three months old, must not contain violent, hate or adult content, and must be active and contain two new posts per week.
A couple of days ago, I did a search and came across Smorty. Smorty links advertisers with bloggers. Many companies now advertise on blogs and they will pay bloggers to write opinions about their products and services with links back to the advertiser's website.
Usually, the blogger will have to meet some simple requirements such as including certain keywords, links or pictures related to the advertiser, as well as a minimum number of words in the post. Smorty requires a mimimum of 150 words and not more than 400 words.
The sites that I've come across so far pay in US dollars via PayPal. When in search of blog advertising sites, one has to be careful as there are some which are scams. Like any business, especially e-commerce businesses, there are legitimate/legal ones and there are those which are out to make a fast buck or cheat customers.
I checked some other bloggers which have joined Smorty and the reviews seem to come back positive (i.e. no complaints about their ethics and payments) so I guess it should be a safe place to do business.
If you have a blog and want to make some money, Smorty and other blog advertising sites could be one way. Smorty takes about two to three days to approve your blog. When you sign up, you just have to make sure your blog meets their requirements, some of which are: indexed in Google and Yahoo!, must be at least three months old, must not contain violent, hate or adult content, and must be active and contain two new posts per week.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Most posts this month
I just went through my archives and realised that this month, I actually broke my record number of posts ever since I started blogging. As at today I have hit 27 posts this month compared to 20 last month and less in the months before....Having Caitlin at home this school holidays must be stressing me out more for me to escape here!
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