Hiya fellow bloggers:
This is my first assignment on the online course Blogging 101. It is wonderful to be on a public forum such as The Commons, sharing what we’ve all come together for, mainly to learn and expand our knowledge of blogging.
My name is Loretta, I started Safariofthemind about 8 months ago. At the time I had just returned from a trip to Brazil and thought I’d start writing about my adventures there, add some gorgeous photos, and thus my journey began. My blog mainly focuses on cooking these days, but I also blog on gardening and travel. It has been quite a stimulating ride thus far. In the past, I’ve written short reports and journals on some of my travel adventures, but always kept them to myself, or perhaps circulated it among family members. Since then, I’ve felt a need to go public, meet like-minded folks and expand my horizons in this field. I have learned so much in these past 8 months, I feel more confident, my photography skills have improved and I am meeting folks from around the world. One tends to forge special relationships via this medium, and I’ve really come to appreciate that immensely. My greatest thrill on WordPress is watching my blog grow, analyzing my Stats each week, and feeling remarkably intrigued when I see the world map showing the countries that are reaching my blog.
I’m hoping to learn more from this course, I’d like to improve the general look of my blog, meet some of you and discuss ways where we can help each other along the way. Please feel free to comment, whether positive or negative on how I can improve. Much obliged!
When I first started blogging, I was terrified of commenting on others posts 😀 I think you have been amazing with your posts as well as your encouraging comments Loretta! Looking at the world map in Stats is my favorite part too!
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Aww, thank you Naina, that’s awful sweet of you to say. I thought by joining Blogging 101, I could improve my own blog and learn from others. Your posts are always so vibrant and colorful, love your photography and your recipes too. I don’t just pay compliments for the heck of it, so consider that genuine :)).
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Thank you xx
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Good luck in school Loretta! I know you will be the star student!
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Aww, you’re so sweet Julie, thanks! It’s mind-boggling and overwhelming to see literally 100’s of folks from around the world taking part. I’m sure I’ll come away with a wealth of information. 🙂
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That and many new friends!
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Are you still in contact with these friends? I am trying to invite a few to FF, I mean that’s the only way folks can get traffic on their blogs. I had no idea what linky parties meant in the beginning 🙂
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I am still in contact with some of them. When I went through I couldn’t find food bloggers! I don’t know how I found FF. I am still in contact with some people because they are just wonderful people.
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What a joy meeting you, Loretta. Love your post and your photos are awesome! It’s good to connect. Thanks for reaching out to me. Cheers for an awesome class time and friendship beyond! 🙂
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Thanks Pam, that’s so kind of you. I tried to add you, but I don’t see a follow button?
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Hey Loretta…sorry in delay of reply…I just learned how to find comments and respond back. Hehehehe. To follow me, I think you just need to click on my name, it should take you to my site, and then click follow up at the top of your WordPress border. At least, that’s how I do it on mine. 🙂
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When we were chatting on the Commons chat, everybody had a reply, like and follow button, but for some reason yours didn’t…. that’s what I meant 🙂
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Ah…silly me…go figure…Well, anywho…we’ll learn how to get the hang of this…I hope! Hehehe. Have a good night!
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No, it wasn’t your fault, I think WP had those up, in The Commons, but like I said, I couldn’t find any for you, so I’m not sure what went amiss there.
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Glad that Brazil inspired you in some way to begin share what you like and what you think. Thanks for these amazing recipes! I’ll cook that chocoflan ASAP! 😀
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Yes Brasil was definitely amazing! Thanks for following me. You’ll have to try the chocoflan, it is like pudim. I remember enjoying different types of flan when we were in Brasil.
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Hi Loretta…Moving your Blogging 101 badge is simple. Just go to your dashboard and choose “customize” then “widgets” then choose the position where you placed your text box for your badge, you can click and drag to any location on your page. Hope this helps.
BE
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Thanks so much BE, it worked a treat. I didn’t realize you could drag the widgets around 🙂
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Awesome!!! So glad to help.
BE
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Loretta!! What a great title and Tagline, they work so well for your blog content. Very cool, see you soon in 101!
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Thanks Delsey, that’s encouraging to hear, I think I’ll leave it be for now :). Hey we visited Brisbane when we were in Australia, great city!
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Great to read about your blogging expr:-) I too like seeing world map
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Thank you, I am doing the Blogging 101 course, and that was the first assignment that you read 🙂
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I love your title!!!!!! And the “cover” image that displays it! I am doing the Blogging 101 Course as well… that’s how I stumbled upon your little spot in cyberspace!
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Aww, thanks so much Countryhearbeat :)… and your real name is???? So far I think I’ve really learned a lot in 2 short days and stumbled on so many wonderful folks. How about you?
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My real name is Jess 🙂 I was surprised that I gained like 5 followers in one day (for a blog that only had a few to begin with after months and months, that was a huge deal for me!!) I haven’t “learned” much per-say, I’m fairly familiar with the blogging stuff… but it is giving me the motivation and focus that I need and “assignments” to complete. Towards the end of last year I had kind of gone astray and I really want to focus on building my audience this year! I even pass out business cards with my blog address on them! I’m hoping this course introduces me to cool new blogs to follow as well as introduces ME to people who may be interested in my stories! 🙂 Good luck to you!!!
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OK, so here’s your 6th follower Jess :)). I had no idea what a tagline was or even where to find it, today I gave my blog a tagline and I’m quite chuffed!! :). You need to find some linky parties, that’s how you attract folks to your blog. I had never heard of them prior to blogging. I wonder how you could find country music linky parties though 🙂
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I’ve never even heard of a linky party? I guess I will have to google that! Thank you for sharing!! Love learning new things!!
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Loretta, you are a joy! Only eight months? I feel I know you for longer than that. We all started blogging with all kinds of thoughts, and progressed to something else… and then, with better understanding and courage of how it all works, we go back to implement what originally we had in mind.
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Oh you’re lovely Fae, thanks so much. I too feel we’ve known each other for a very long time – perhaps it tells how warm and receptive you are to new bloggers :). Yes, I’m pretty up to my eyeballs with this course, but it has taught me a lot already. I do enjoy getting to know folks from near and far via this platform, and that definitely includes YOU! 🙂
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