September 03, 2009

One Year Old.

I have a reason to be slightly contemplative on this day, as a year ago exactly today I sat down to write my very first post.

In March 2008, I was searching the web for information about a painting that has managed to entice me and captivate me, like no other artwork. Called "The Meeting On Turret Stairs", it was painted by Sir Fredrick William Burton in 1864. The search brought me to a wonderful blog, written by the lovely Blog Princess G. Upon her encouragement and suggestion, I took a decision to write my first post some months later.

The experience to write a daily blog has turned out quiet differently from what I though it would be. I did not expect much, in fact, I expected nothing. Just a year ago I knew what a blog was, however I thought it would take a professional to write such a journal online. The few blogs I have read by then were either written by freelance journalists or novelists or other kind of professionals with a schooling in writing. I was neither. The idea or a notion of me writing down my ideas, my private thoughts and personal opinions and then sharing them with complete strangers appeared completely absurd to me then.

But I have been enjoying it incredibly.

A whole new world has emerged in front of my eyes, filled with talented people, from all across the world. Every day, they allow me the privilege to have an insight into their every day lives, sharing moments of happiness and sadness, trouble and joy.
At all times, the far corners of the globe lie at my finger tips and a few key strokes have taken me to places I could never have visited physically. It is an incredible experience to read about the reality of people, who live ordinary lives, yet make them seem so very extraordinary at all times, with eloquence of words and beauty of pictures.

I would very much like to thank ALL of you, too many to mention, who have found it worth your while to pay me your visits; whether it is once or regularly; they are all appreciated. Even if writing in itself is an absolute pleasure for me, no matter if my words are read by others or not, it makes it so much more rewarding having someone to take notice of the little things I have to say. I find incredible satisfaction in the feeling of having strung a chord with something that I have written or with the pictures that I have posted. Simply finding a kindred spirit once in while in opinions and in taste can make my day. If only one post has spoken to someone out there, even if for just a moment in time, then this year of writing has not been in vain.

Finally, I have decided to alter slightly the name of my blog. When I started, I had no idea what it would turn out to be. I gave it title without much contemplation and feel that now perhaps it is time for a change.

I write mainly about my life, and the way I see, perceive and experience it and have in the past, with all its magic, natural splendor and the beauty of simple pleasures.
I feel "Life Through Reflections" is a title better suited for this blog and what it has become over the year.

Welcome to another year with my "Life Through Reflections".

32 comments:

Bhushavali said...

Hey Protege,
Congrats dear... Wishing ur blog a happy birthday... :)
My Travelogue

Unknown said...

I know what you are saying Protege. Meeting a great bunch of people and seeing all of their different talents, feelings, sharing lives. It has been great! I have always really enjoyed visiting your place......

Gal Friday said...

I marvel that you have only been doing this for a year--it seems as if you were "born to blog" and have been doing it for much longer!
Even though I have been away from the internet for a few days, I usually DO love to stop by daily to read your entries here, and even though I haven't even been reading your blog for a year, it seems as if I sitting down with an old friend whenever I do visit here.
Love the new blog name and the page design, BTW.

steviewren said...

Happy Blogoversary to you! I'm glad you decided to write that first post as I've been one of the lucky ones to find your blog. I enjoy reading about your life in Denmark and your childhood memories. The new look to your blog is really nice. I love to reinvent my blog. It's like rearranging the furniture in your living room. It freshens up the place and is a 'reflection' of you in the moment.

Betsy Brock said...

Well, happy one year to you! I enjoy your blog very much. I can completely relate to your 'journey' to start blogging with the hesitations and then happy surprise of how wonderful it is!
Blog Princess was one of the first blogs I visited, too, and I know the painting you are referring to that she has framed in her home.

Nice renovations taking place over here! An anniversary is the perfect time to do that! :)

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Oh congratulations! This is an exciting day!
I love the new name, the new look and so enjoy being a frequent visitor here. I often marvel at the lovely people that I have "met" via the blogosphere and how they enrich my life by allowing me to stop by with my coffee!
Thank you for allowing me to share in your life's reflections dear one!

Keith said...

Congrats on your first year. That's great news. I loved it when I hit the first year with my blog. The blogosphere does open up a whole new world. You do get a chance to meet so many interesting people. I'm glad I came across your blog recently.

Donna said...

Congratulations on a whole year of blogging! Your new title is perfect and I like the changes you've made. Your blog is a wonderful place to visit!

Hugs,
Donna

Michelle H. said...

Happy blog birthday! Congratulations on making this blog a wonderful place to visit!

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Congratulations dear Protege on your first year blog birthday! I think your new look and title is spot on!

Thank you for the wonderful insights into your life, and your always encouraging and appreciative comments.

Jeanne x

Claus said...

Congratulations on your year of writing! Though it is us who should be thanking your for such a wise decision! You have a wonderful way of sharing all sorts of thing, from your experiences, to your tastes, thoughts and passions. So thank you, and here's to many more blog years!

Great new layout and title!

BLOGitse said...

Happy blog birthday!

Julie Hibbard said...

Love it love it love it!
Love YOU and the blogs and your thoughts and photos and reflections and pleasures!
Looking forward to the next year...and many many more!

j. said...

Happy Blog Bday! :-) I think blogs that are written in a more personal manner are the most endearing.. just like yours. :-)

I love the name change and I think it does suit your blog very well.. Looking forward to more posts!

xx

Hilary said...

Oh happy one year, Z! I'm so happy you started to write.. and visit.. and communicate. I'm very lucky to have found such a sweet and fun friend as you. Congrats... and many, MANY more. :)

Love the blog name too. ;)

Diane said...

Happy Anniversary, dear friend! I can't believe we've known each other that long! You confused me terribly, as this new blog showed up in my reader and I couldn't figure out how!! But I love the new title and the new look. And I can't wait to read all of year 2 posts!!! xoxo

United Studies said...

I for one am glad you decided to start blogging! But seriously, I thought you had been doing this a lot longer than a year.

I wish you many more wonderful years blogging!

Blogaire said...

Comhghairdeachas PROTEGE. Wishing you a Happy 1st Blog Birthday and many, many years of happy blogging. Your blog is alway interesting and inspiring and I enjoy dropping in. The name change is great - very appropriate, keep up the good work!

Mahmud Yussop said...

Congratulations and a Happy 1st Anniversary to your Blog.It seems to me that your new blog title is very apt as over the year I've extremely enjoyed my visits to your blog especially about the changes in seasons in Scandanavia,reflections of your life about little things that mean so much, and a writing style that is uncommon for a scientist working in a lab. Your motto reminds me the other day when one of my course mates casually mentioned " one good answer, not 99 problems". I love the new look , very down-to-earth colours and very expressive of you. Your personal branding is excellent. Carry on with the good life!

Maria said...

I think that what draws me back to your blog again and again, is the attitude which you have to life. You have a wonderful sense of curiousity and eyes to see beyond the obvious. You are not a person who idly squanders God's great gift of life, but you drink the glass to the full. That quality comes through in your writing and makes visitinig your blog such an invigorating experience. Happy Anniversary to your blog and many more to come.

Anonymous said...

hello Lovely!

Congrats! Your blog looks beautiful, your new profile picture looks so gorgeous!
you have such good literary skills, (I can never match up to it) you express yourself with such intelligence, your posts are so thoughtful, they give me someting to think about...

I can bet, the best thing I ever did was finding your blog.

Happy Anniversary to your blog and many more to come. x

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zuzana said...

This morning when I read all your comments, they did touch me to tears and reminded me of how much I love to come back here, over and over again; not just to write, but also to visit all of your beautiful places as well.

They also reinforced the fact that people are amazing beings, ultimately looking for beauty and the good and solid things in life.

Thank you EVERYONE, old friends and new, for all your kind words and compliments, way too good for me.;)

Mitr, Doreen, Tina, Stevie, Betsy, Jill, Keith, Donna, Michelle, Jeanne, Claudia, BLOGitse, Julie, Valentine, Hilary, Diane, Jacki, Blogaire, Mahmud, gaelikaa, MelRoXx - thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the kind things you wrote here. They mean more than I can express.

xoxo

Keera Ann Fox said...

Happy blog anniversary! Nice renaming. (I renamed my blog, too, after I saw it was taking a different direction than originally intended.) And nice new look! I'm looking forward to the next year!

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

A very happy blogaversary to you! I have enjoyed so much getting to know you; you have such interesting things to say. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

sallymandy said...

Congratulations, dear, and thank you for continuing to give us more of your lovely blog. Like Gal Friday said, it seems you were born to blog. Keep up the good work! Your new name and photo are very nice. ♥

Zuzana said...

=Keera, Rosezilla and sallymandy,
thank you so much; your words mean the world to me.;))
xoxo

Beverlydru said...

I'm delighted you decided to blog! You write so well and take beautiful photos and feel like a wonderful friend across the pond. : )

Barbro Andersen said...

Happy birthday to your beautiful blog! I am loving the new layout too! You are so sweet to me! Thank you very much!

Zuzana said...

=Beverlydru and Barbro,
thank you both for those kind comments, I enjoy visiting both your places as well.;)

Baron's Life said...

My very best wishes and congrats on your first year.
Well done

Melanie Gillispie said...

Happy Anniversary Z! It's been my pleasure reading your posts. I've learned so much from you!

Zuzana said...

=Baron's Life and Mel,
thank you both so very much, your words means so much.;)) xo