I have recently been honored by Gigi, author of one of my favorite blogs The Late Bloomer's Book Blog, with a Leibster award nomination. This award is given to new "up and coming" bloggers with less than 200 followers. (I think I might have 5 - ha ha.)
I really want to thank Gigi for giving me a boost of confidence. She has a great blog so please check it out here. She shares awesome book recommendations and also talks about her family. I've learned a lot from her and I know you will, too.
Rules for participating in this blog award are as follows:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me.
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
6. Contact your nominees by commenting on their blog or sending them an email to communicate the nomination.
Gigi, here are my answers to your thought-provoking questions:
1. What are some of your hobbies?
Clearly I can't start without mentioning reading. I read...a lot. Twitter has also become quite a hobby - a very useful one! I enjoy working out and running as well and completed my first half marathon last summer. I don't collect anything - unless you count books =)
2. Use 3 words to describe yourself.
My three words would be: sensitive, committed, thoughtful
3. If you could meet one person, who would it be and why?
There are so many people that I consider heroes, for various reasons. It's hard to pick just one. If I seriously had to choose, I'd probably choose Betty White. I think she is the funniest lady ever and our naton's last remaining "Golden Girl".
4. What is one of your pet peeves?
Great question, especially for a person who has a ton of pet peeves. My number one pet peeve is anyone who doesn't recycle. I think recycling should be required by law. Having to pay for recycling makes no sense to me. People should have to pay for how much trash they put on the curb each week.
5. What is the hardest thing about your job?
I think teaching is a hard job, but what a wonderful one it is. I can't imagine doing anything else. Of all the aspects of the job, I find grading to be the most difficult. Being an ELA teacher requires a significant amount of grading and I often find myself playing "catch-up" the entire year.
6. What is the greatest thing about your job?
The time I spend reading aloud to my class is the greatest thing about my job.
7. Do you have a favorite book or series?
Currently my favorite series is the Lunch Lady graphic novel series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. My all-time favorite series is probably the Shadow Children series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. My all-time favorite book is Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.
8. Why did you start blogging?
I originally started blogging several years ago as a place where students could log on and comment on articles I posted. I found other means of doing that and last summer (after joining Twitter), I began to talk more about my reading on my blog.
9. If you could travel to anywhere, where would go?
My mom and I have always talked about visiting London together. It is the one place in Europe she would like to go and hopefully one day we can.
10. In the next year, I hope to...
Professionally, I have three main goals (among many other new changes): I'd like to begin using Evernote, do my first Skype with an author, and want to share/use my blog with my students more. Personally, I would like to move to a bigger city. My dream is to live in New York City someday.
11. What are you reading right now?
I just began reading Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles, who is one of my favorite authors. I requested it on Net Galley and was pleasantly surprised when I was approved. If you haven't read See You at Harry's yet - run to the nearest library and pick it up!
11 Random Facts About Me
1. I used to be a child model.
2. My middle name is spelled Mychal.
3. I met Jeff Kinney after an appearance he did on The Today Show. He signed a receipt that I had in my wallet for my students.
4. I grew up in one of three Depression-era planned villages, created by FDR's administration. (Greenhills, Ohio)
5. I served for two years as a Scholastic Book Clubs Teacher Advisor, helping make book club flyers more appealing and useful to teachers across the country. I received three trips to NYC and other wonderful swag for that role.
6. I read Post Secret every Sunday morning.
7. Hearing birds chirp in the morning is one of my favorite sounds.
8. I hate hot weather and wish it was fall/spring all year long.
9. I don't cry...or haven't in a looooong time.
10. I am an only child and enjoy(ed) it immensely.
11. My cat's name is Dallas.
Here are the 11 questions for my nominees:
1. What is one blog you never miss reading?
2. What kind of music are you into?
3. What is a book you would recommend that may be new to be many readers?
4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
5. What's the first thing you notice about others?
6. If someone were to make a movie about your life, who would you envision playing you?
7. What kinds of vacations do you like?
8. Favorite candy and why.
9. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
10. Where's a place you'd like to visit, but haven't yet?
11. Do you believe in Zodiac signs/horoscopes?
I'm pleased to nominate the following bloggers for a Leibster Award. Next to their name is a link to their blog. Please check them out - they're awesome =)
1. Kristin at Buzz from Becker
2. Renee at Thoughtful Corners
3. Suzanne at Suzanne Classroom
4. Eric at Your Kids Teacher
5. Holly at Reading, Teaching, Learning
It will be great to get to know these bloggers more!
Great post Ryan!! It was nice learning more about you. I too hope to start to use Evernote and do my first Skype this year. Your blog is great, keep it up!
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