familiar feelings we had in school
#MyFriendAlexa
#BlogaberryReads
Initially, I had only heard about Blogchatter’s A to Z challenge, which I wasn’t sure I could do. We had to write one blog every single day for a month. It was a good challenge but I was too afraid to even think about submitting 26 posts in 30 days. Then, when I got to know about this #MyFriendAlexa challenge, I registered without thinking twice.
Now, by the end of the month and the challenge, I remembered the days at school, the feelings I had during an exam and how I would pray hard because the future was unpredictable. Result times were scary and some of us landed in the hospital with pressure too. Though I wasn’t stressed out this time, I was quite amused with the way I was blogging and how the month flew by. Here are my honest feelings of why I felt that #MyFriendAlexa brought back familiar feelings we had in school:
PRAYED HARD – I normally say my prayers every night, but like I would pray hard before an examination or test in school, I prayed hard at the end of September because I had no clue what to write for the challenge. Neither did I have anything lined up for October. And, I had to submit 8 blog posts during the month. Though having a theme wasn’t a compulsion, I thought it would be a great idea to theme my blogs. Finally, after omitting food, motherhood, fashion and make up, etc., I settled to write about our ‘inner feelings’.
PREPARING FOR CLASS TESTS – As mentioned above, writing 2 blog posts every week, along with designing creatives for each of them, wasn’t easy at all. It was like a weekly test I had to prepare for every weekend. It reminded me so much of how I would spend my weekends back in high school. Thinking, creating, preparing, finalizing, submitting and so on.
PRESSURE DURING EXAMS – I used to be a bookworm back in school. I could read 2 Sidney Sheldon novels in a day. But since, the past 15 years, I have totally neglected reading anything, though I still treasure my books and let no one mishandle or discard them. During this month, I made up for all those 15 years of abandoned reading. We had to complete the paper (Reading Lists) on time, otherwise, we would be thrown out of the hall (challenge). Of course, it isn’t wise to leave all the work (reading) for the last minute because anything could happen. Remember during the last exam hour, how our ink pens would get empty, pencils would break, sharpeners would not work, Mother Nature would be calling, etc?
EXCITEMENT OF MEETING FRIENDS – Just like how we would love going to school to meet our friends, I was excited to roll new bloggers and read what they wrote about. Some of them were really good and some of them had written awesome poems. Some had written inspiring short stories while others had written about heartfelt realities. While reading various blogs of various genres, so many memories and feelings came rushing back to me.
SATISFACTION WITH RESULTS – After the exams, remember how most of us felt when the results were out? Satisfied! Relaxed! Happy to have achieved something! Itching to go out and celebrate! Well, that’s exactly how I felt when I saw my World Wide Alexa rank drop from 3,14,037 to 1,35,064. My Country (India) Alexa Rank dropped from 25,709 to 8,814. You can also check your Alexa Ranking below!
BOOST OF MEMORY POWER – In this challenge, we could share any of the posts from the blogger profiles given to us, not only the ones they submitted on Blogchatter’s Blogrolls. During the reading, commenting and sharing with hashtags #MyFriendAlexa and #BlogaberryReads on Twitter, I felt my brain working hard trying to remember whose blogs I had already commented on and shared from other groups. I was simultaneously a part of 2 challenges and 3 reading groups for the month of October with a few common bloggers. So, my memory is definitely improving just like it used to back in school!
Besides being a challenge, Blogchatter has several prizes at the end of the month, too. I tried to keep myself from reading the list of rewards that they would cover, because I was unsure about completing the main challenge itself. So, let’s see who the winners are at the end of the month (October).
For now, this is my last and 8th submission for the #MyFriendAlexa challenge for the month of October! Yipeee! Thank you, God!
Can any of you relate to what I felt during this challenge? If you haven’t taken part in any Blogchatter challenges as yet, follow their page on Facebook and try registering for the next challenge in order to improve your writing, reading and memory altogether. You will thank me for it very soon! All the best and Cheers!
Cindy D'Silva, besides being a mother of two angels, is a belly dancer, writer and photographer. She loves partying, bowling and eating sushi. There is a detailed biography about her on the ABOUT ME page in case you would like to know more. :)
You can like and follow her Facebook page to get all updates on the latest blogs and more: https://www.facebook.com/blogaberry/
Well said Cindy! I felt all of these emotions and more. I was at so much pressure at the start because it was my first time but felt so good as time went by…
Love the way you have compared & connected your feelings of participating in My Friend Alexa with the feelings you had in school. For me, participating in these challenges is never easy but I absolutely love the adrenaline rush I get. I can also say it’s almost similar to the feelings from school time.
It was my first time and I was so nervous but later found out that many friendly bloggers I knew were a part of it. Found it okay at the start but as the month came to an end, I had to rush and write as I spent the whole month only with kids.
Cindy, you have shared the experience so well. Yes we all were much more disciplined and can understand the pressure on every weekend. Congratulations for the completing the challenge.
Now that I think of it, it was indeed like school. The excitement of getting feedback and the pressure of meeting deadlines was so much fun. This was an interesting analogy.
Writing a blog post is never easy (Guess why I named my blog as When The Muse Strikes!). Your determination to remain focused with #MyFriendAlexa goals shows that you’re in for the long run.
What an analogy Cindy. I completely agree with you. For a first timer like me participating in #MyFriendAlexa was a great challenge and yet it definitely felt like back to school or college. In this post you have actually jotted the feelings so accurately. Heading to read other posts in this #innerfeelings series!
I can relate you u Cindy. The 1st night I cldnt sleep coz I was restless to write fast n be done with it soon…. n due to sme reason my wititng got delayed and in the last one week I wrote 4 blogs n was so so nervous n tensed to finish it on time.
I loved the flashback and comparison with school feelings. Alexa actually gets the adrenalin pumping and A to Z is a wild rollercoaster ride that doesn’t stop for 30 days! Even I feel as if I am sitting for an exam and will be rapped if I dont complete . Pat yourself on the back for completing in glory 🙂 Congrtaulations on the Alexa rank as well.
At my age I thought I wud finish a poor last the first time I participated but I actually was in the top 10.
Writing is indeed not a easy task ! If you’re also have another job , you’re doing a great job I love you’re writing . I my self write 2 blogs a month only . But I make sure it is a boom .
Congratulations Cindy on the successful completion of MFA, enjoyed reading your posts on ‘Inner Feelings’. Brilliant comparison of Alexa Challenge with academic examinations, the feeling was indeed the same here too.
Yes yes I also had same feeling. Though this was my third participation but still I was so nervous and wishing it to complete. Many congratulations to you for completing your participation. Loved the post, Indeed same pinch .
First of all congratulations for completing My Friend Alexa and for the drop in your rank. I am pretty sure that you are ready for the annual exam (A2Z) after My Friend Alexa. Blogchatter challenges are very engaging and satisfying. I would highly resend you to participate in A2Z next year.
I like your analogy with school life here Cindy, but it’s also clear to me that you have never participated in the real blogging examination- the A to Z Challenge, because the Alexa campaign is like a Unit Test compared to that one!! Hahaha. Congratulations on the dramatic drop of your ranking and the successful completion of the challenge!
Indeed! Totally agree you on this writing two blogs every week with creatives for each of them, wasn’t easy at all, its quite difficult. But you manage very well more power to you.
It was a fun read. I was nodding my head as I had similar feeling, confusion, hard time with reading and deadline pressure. With a newborn, my day vanished in blink of the eye. To adjust daily reading and writing was a challenge for me. And I accept I am late in reading, and I still have to write two pending posts. Still trying my best 😊
41 Comments
Well said Cindy! I felt all of these emotions and more. I was at so much pressure at the start because it was my first time but felt so good as time went by…
I could hardly write 1 blog post a week. I can sure imagine writing and designing graphics for it. 👍🏼👍🏼
#MyFriendAlexa was a wonderful experience for me too as being my 1st time I was super exited and could think of nothing but blogging the whole month.
That’s really interesting! You have compared it so well. Congratulations!
That’s really interesting. Congratulations! Keep up the good work Cindy.
I can totally relate with you and the praying hard feeling !
This was absolutely an engaging post that made me go back in flashback, loved your narrative style
I can so feel you here Cindy, that’s really an amazing feeling being able to finsih a challenge and dropped
Alexa ranks too
Love the way you have compared & connected your feelings of participating in My Friend Alexa with the feelings you had in school. For me, participating in these challenges is never easy but I absolutely love the adrenaline rush I get. I can also say it’s almost similar to the feelings from school time.
It was my first time and I was so nervous but later found out that many friendly bloggers I knew were a part of it. Found it okay at the start but as the month came to an end, I had to rush and write as I spent the whole month only with kids.
Wow. That was exactly how I felt too. Only didn’t know how to Express it. Thanks Cindy for bringing back my beautiful school days.
Wow i so can relate to that feeling never thought if this could be expressed in words and you did it so beautifully ❤️
Cindy, you have shared the experience so well. Yes we all were much more disciplined and can understand the pressure on every weekend. Congratulations for the completing the challenge.
Thank you dears! Congratulations to you too!
Now that I think of it, it was indeed like school. The excitement of getting feedback and the pressure of meeting deadlines was so much fun. This was an interesting analogy.
Writing a blog post is never easy (Guess why I named my blog as When The Muse Strikes!). Your determination to remain focused with #MyFriendAlexa goals shows that you’re in for the long run.
The challenge seems interesting but difficult too. And amazing how you connected with your school life and feels we had in those days
I love your analogy! I have never taken part in any blogchatter challenge but would love to. Congratulations for the great rank!
Thank you dear!
The post looks so interesting and joyful to read. By taking up the challenge, one gets the opportunity to write their hearts out
What an analogy Cindy. I completely agree with you. For a first timer like me participating in #MyFriendAlexa was a great challenge and yet it definitely felt like back to school or college. In this post you have actually jotted the feelings so accurately. Heading to read other posts in this #innerfeelings series!
Thanks dear.
That is so cute, yes it did bring back a lot of memories of my first time participating in MFA.
I can relate you u Cindy. The 1st night I cldnt sleep coz I was restless to write fast n be done with it soon…. n due to sme reason my wititng got delayed and in the last one week I wrote 4 blogs n was so so nervous n tensed to finish it on time.
Hats off to you for completing it on time despite your emergencies!
Yeah it was a great experience just like school feeling.
Fun reading & writing entire month.
I loved the flashback and comparison with school feelings. Alexa actually gets the adrenalin pumping and A to Z is a wild rollercoaster ride that doesn’t stop for 30 days! Even I feel as if I am sitting for an exam and will be rapped if I dont complete . Pat yourself on the back for completing in glory 🙂 Congrtaulations on the Alexa rank as well.
At my age I thought I wud finish a poor last the first time I participated but I actually was in the top 10.
Wow! That’s great! Let’s see how I fare!
Writing is indeed not a easy task ! If you’re also have another job , you’re doing a great job I love you’re writing . I my self write 2 blogs a month only . But I make sure it is a boom .
Congratulations Cindy on the successful completion of MFA, enjoyed reading your posts on ‘Inner Feelings’. Brilliant comparison of Alexa Challenge with academic examinations, the feeling was indeed the same here too.
Thanks Archana!
Yes yes I also had same feeling. Though this was my third participation but still I was so nervous and wishing it to complete. Many congratulations to you for completing your participation. Loved the post, Indeed same pinch .
Congratulations to you too! You seemed so comfortable with the themes that you were putting out for new bloggers! Loved it!
First of all congratulations for completing My Friend Alexa and for the drop in your rank. I am pretty sure that you are ready for the annual exam (A2Z) after My Friend Alexa. Blogchatter challenges are very engaging and satisfying. I would highly resend you to participate in A2Z next year.
Planning to. Let’s see what my situation is at the time! Thanks for the encouragement.
I like your analogy with school life here Cindy, but it’s also clear to me that you have never participated in the real blogging examination- the A to Z Challenge, because the Alexa campaign is like a Unit Test compared to that one!! Hahaha. Congratulations on the dramatic drop of your ranking and the successful completion of the challenge!
that A to Z needs a whole new load of gutts from my side… perhaps i would compare that to the 10th boards hahahha
Indeed! Totally agree you on this writing two blogs every week with creatives for each of them, wasn’t easy at all, its quite difficult. But you manage very well more power to you.
Thanks Sundeep!
It was a fun read. I was nodding my head as I had similar feeling, confusion, hard time with reading and deadline pressure. With a newborn, my day vanished in blink of the eye. To adjust daily reading and writing was a challenge for me. And I accept I am late in reading, and I still have to write two pending posts. Still trying my best 😊
You will definitely do it!!! All the best!