Monday, May 7, 2012

Reflections - A to Z challenge

It was a challenging April, I survived the Challenge! I do not have a problem of posting every day, that part was an easy one. The challenging part was my theme - ancient Egypt fascinates me but it was challenging to find words, names or places for every letter of the alphabet. Regardless of difficulty, I DID IT!!! And I loved my journey (I'm not so sure my readers enjoyed it as much as I did), I'd discover things I didn't know or forgot about... And I met new friends and some great authors. I enjoyed visiting other blogs and read little stories. I even bought 4 books written by participants. If not the challenge I would never know about them. First was Stephen Tremp and his 2 books (got both but didn't read them yet), after that I've met Whitney Boyd (and of course had to buy her book also) and while browsing other authors blogs I came across Susan Kaye Quinn website and found her book 'Open Minds' very intriguing. It's a first book in Mindjack Trilogy). Of course I bough it and I'm halfway through already.  Another author, Jeremy Bates, left me a comment asking did I read 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. I didn't, but I found the book in my local library - I read it and I liked it. While turning pages I went on another journey, deep into my soul... I found my forgotten dream (or 'legend', as he calls it)...

The bottom line - I'm glad I joined the challenge and I will do it again next year!

So long my friends,
Evalina
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72 comments:

  1. Susan OloierMay 7, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    I am absolutely intrigued by ancient Egypt, so I'm going back to read your A to Z posts. See, the event was so huge this year, I missed great writers and bloggers like you.

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  2. Julie GoucherMay 7, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Thanks for stopping by Anglers Rest. I had not come across you on the A-Z blog hop, and Ancient Egypt sounds fascinating. I am about to follow and then head back and read your posts.

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  3. SuzeMay 7, 2012 at 11:26 AM

    Congratulations on finishing!

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  4. SueHMay 7, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    Well done on completing and surviving the challenge! Sorry I didn't find my way here until it was over!

    I'm off to explore your cross-stitching - I was a keen stitcher myself for many years, then turned back to knitting....but I inherited boxes full of embroidery threads from my husband's grandmother and there will more stitching in the future. Maybe a tour of your blogs will inspire me...! ;-)

    Thanks for the follow on my blog, btw - I'm very happy to return the favour! :-)


    SueH I refuse to go quietly!
    Twitter - @Librarymaid

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  5. AnonymousMay 7, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    Hi Evalina, so nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier today. :)

    Congrats on completing the A –Z challenge! I’ll need to look through your posts too. I don’t know a lot about Egypt, so I’m going to take advantage of your research. ;)

    Looking forward to your future posts. (Following you now!)

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  6. Whole Foods LivingMay 7, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    Congrats on completing the challenge! This was my first year, so it was interesting to see how the whole thing worked. Very fun and informative! Thanks for stopping by my blog! ~ Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

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  7. SueHMay 7, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    Greatly enjoyed your HAED Stitch A Long! It's now on my blog-roll at my craft blog:

    The Knitting Assassin!

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  8. UnknownMay 7, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    The challenge is a great way to educate yourself and have fun at the same time. Congrats on making it all the way through :)

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  9. UnknownMay 7, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I too had a lot of fun doing the challenge...nice to meet you.

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  10. bettyMay 7, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog and your comment! I have to say how neat you were born and raised in Poland (I'm 100% Polish, second generation American on my mom's side; first generation American on my dad's side, he emigrated to the States after WW2). I don't speak a word of Polish though.

    WTG on finishing the A/Z challenge; what an interesting theme you did too with it! I'll have to go back and read some of your posts from it later when I have a bit more time.

    It was a fun challenge indeed! Enjoy the rest of your day!

    betty

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  11. Susan Flett SwiderskiMay 7, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog, and for signing on as a follower. I do appreciate it, and am happy to return the favor. Sorry our paths didn't cross during the challenge, but I'm pleased to meet you now. Congrats on making it all the way through the A-Z. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself.

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  12. D.G. HudsonMay 7, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Sounds like you gathered a few connections and some new reading material. It's the flexibility of this A to Z Blog challenge that I liked.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog, I'm following yours now.

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  13. JenMay 7, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    Well done on finishing your challenge, I too am sorry that our paths didn't cross during the challenge your subject sounds fascinating to me!

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  14. mdgtjulieMay 7, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Awesome Evalina. Grats on managing to find something for every letter. I'd bet it was difficult.

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  15. Veronica SicoeMay 7, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    It was a great month indeed. Congratulations for finishing it, and making new friends. I think that's the most important aspect of the A to Z challenge. :)

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  16. Jeremy BatesMay 8, 2012 at 1:43 AM

    I'm glad you enjoyed reading "The Alchemist" actually this is Cuelho's best known book but he has other reads. His latest is "Aleph." Thanks for the mention as well.

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  17. RobinMay 8, 2012 at 3:48 AM

    It was a great month and a great challenge to finish. Well done.

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  18. Margaret AlmonMay 8, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    Thank you for coming by my blog! You have had some epic journeys in addition to finishing A to Z. I am originally from Edmonton, AB, but now live in Pennsylvania. I love your "Let's Sew"--like an awesome stitched wordle.

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  19. Tamara NarayanMay 8, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    Thanks for visiting my site. The Alchemist is a great recommedation. As for the A to Z challenge, yes! I'll jump in again next year.

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  20. Andrew LeonMay 8, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Here to check yours out.

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  21. michelleMay 8, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Thanks for the visit and the follow.
    I'm sorry that I didn't stumble upon your blog during the challenge. I'll have to go back and "stalk" your A to Z posts, when I have some time.
    Egypt is a part of my wonderful continent. I'm at the opposite end... South Africa to be precise.
    Nice to meet you. *waves* Your newest follower.

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  22. mooderinoMay 8, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    Congrats on finishing the challenge. Nice to meet you.

    Now following,
    mood
    Moody Writing

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  23. DinoMay 8, 2012 at 1:48 PM

    Thanks for stopping by and well done on finishing the challenge.

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  24. AnonymousMay 8, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Congratulations on surviving the challenge, Evalina and thanks for visiting my blog too. Looking forward to doing it all again next year.

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  25. Mina LoboMay 8, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    Kudos for completing the Challenge! It's been a journey of discovery for me as well. :-)

    Some Dark Romantic

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  26. Arlee BirdMay 8, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    I'm glad you enjoyed the Challenge. It's nice that you bought some of the participants books. I've read both of Stephen Tremp's books and reviewed them on my site--I'm a big fan and so happy that he's been an A to Z co-host for the past 2 years.
    Thanks for your Reflections post and for being part of the 2012 A to Z.


    Lee
    A Faraway View
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  27. ElizabethMay 8, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    It's been nice to meet you through the Challenge. Look forward to reading more from you.

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  28. Philip Verghese 'Ariel'May 8, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    Hi Eva,
    Nice to be here.
    Thanks for dropping in.
    Good that you successfully finished your challenge.
    Sorry to say that i left half way due to some emergenc.

    Hope you read my Reflection post.
    Nice to know that you enjoyed the challenge fully and procured many new friend and books :-)
    Keep going
    Keep writing
    Keep inform
    Best Regards
    Philip

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  29. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)May 8, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    Wasn't it great? I didn't end up picking up any books though. That's great you found some during the month :) I did find some new music groups to listen to though! Congrats on finishing the challenge :)

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  30. MTeacressMay 9, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    Yep, that was fun. I read The Alchemist several years ago - time to read it again. :)

    Have a lovely week.

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  31. Patricia JLMay 9, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    Congrats on finishing the challenge and finding new books. =) I found a few new blogs and will have to check your posts out. I love ancient Egypt.

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  32. JackieMay 9, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    What a great reflection post! I started reading The Alchemist too but since I put it down I haven't picked it up again. I was impressed with Jeremy Bates and his new book 'White Lies'.

    Thanks for your comment but I don't know if I will participate next year yet ...we'll have to see .

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  33. JoMay 10, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Congrats on finishing too, Egypt was an interesting topic to choose.

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  34. Robyn CampbellMay 10, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    Great post. I am sorry I missed your blog during the challenge. We have The Alchemist. It is required reading in our homeschool.

    I appreciate your visit, comment, and follow over at my place. *waving* Following you back. Your theme was awesome. I am kicking myself for missing it. *sigh* It is truly lovely to meet you. :-)

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  35. Nancy ThompsonMay 10, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    It was fun, and I loved meeting all the new folks. It's nice to meet you, too. Thanks for dropping by, commenting, and following. I've returned the favor, with pleasure.

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  36. Stacy S. JensenMay 10, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    Congrats on surviving. Sounds like an interesting topic. I'll have to look back at some posts. As I mentioned, hanging head, in my reflection post, I struggled to keep up with the commenting. Followed you here.

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  37. Nate WilsonMay 10, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    Wow, I think even more impressive than finishing the A to Z was you finishing it and getting some reading done in the process (all whilst supporting other bloggers, too!). Well done.

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  38. ~Sia McKye~May 10, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    I'm with Nate. I'm impressed you had time to also read. Steve's book is good haven't read the second but I love the cover. I like sci-fi and Donna Galanti and Alex Cavanaugh have some good ones I have read.

    I fall into the supporter and unofficial poster during the A-Z. My blog is not set up for A-Z but when I can I do. Some of the authors I feature think it's fun to come up with a title to fit.

    Egypt is a fascinating subject.

    Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

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  39. UnknownMay 10, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. It was a fun challenge and I can't wait for next April, though I will enjoy the break for a little while. Happy blogging! :)

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  40. My Arabic JourneyMay 10, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Hi Eva! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your theme on ancient Egypt is very interesting and I must find your A-Z Challenge posts to read them. I love reading Paolo Coelho and The Alchemist is definitely a favorite.

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  41. JinkyMay 10, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Congratulations on finishing! Wow, you're going to visit all the reflections ..that would take me a year! My kiddos are too little to neglect. ;) --Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the follow. I'm following you right back.

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  42. Jolie du PreMay 10, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    Jeremy Bates has visited my blog a couple of times, too. He's pretty awesome.

    Precious Monsters

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  43. kjmckendryMay 11, 2012 at 4:14 AM

    Great! I'm glad you enjoyed the challenge. This was my second year doing it. I love meeting all the new people!

    Nice to meet you. :)

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  44. Mina BurrowsMay 11, 2012 at 7:15 AM

    Hi! I want to let you know I came by another time to say hi and I didn't know which blog to post a comment. I know that's pathetic, but its true. I finally found you though! Woot. New follower now. Nice to meet you! :)

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  45. Rosalind AdamMay 11, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Hi thanks for the visit. I can't believe you did the A to Z on Ancient Egypt and I never got to visit. I shall return and read some of those posts.

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  46. AnonymousMay 11, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Congratulations on finshing the challenge! I need to go catch up on your past posts now.
    (Used to cross stitch ... but my eyes don't like it so well anymore, so now I stick to other fiber projects)

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  47. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Congratulations on making through the challenge! I hope to do the challenge again next year, as well. In fact, I can't wait!

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  48. Deniz BevanMay 11, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    Congratulations! And how wonderful that you discovered more fellow writers :-)

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  49. Elaine L. BridgeMay 11, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Evalina, it's so nice to meet you, even after the Challenge! Thanks for visiting my blog (and following!), and I am ever so excited about finding yours! I will absolutely have to introduce you to my sister (www.musingsfromdot.blogspot.com)who lives and breathes cross-stitching, as you do, and also has a great fondness for feline stitching partners! She will be so interested in your stitching blog hop! Keep up the good work on the cross-stitching AND blogging, and talk to you again soon!
    Elaine

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  50. Elaine L. BridgeMay 11, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    P.S. For the record, I left my heart in San Francisco, too!

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  51. J.L. CampbellMay 11, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    I didn't come by during the challenge. I would have remembered this wallpaper if I did. I like it. I'll have to scroll through because I like all things to do with Egypt and found a few blogs during the Challenged that talked about Egypt and her gods.

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  52. AnonymousMay 11, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Glad to hear of yet another satisfied customer and I'm already looking forward to next year!

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  53. AnonymousMay 11, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    That is a tough theme. Congrats on finishing. :)

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  54. Denise Covey May 12, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    I must come back and read more. Congratulations on finishing!

    Denise

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  55. Denise Covey May 12, 2012 at 3:56 AM

    I must come back and read more. Congratulations on finishing!

    Denise

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  56. Jo who can't think of a clever nicknameMay 12, 2012 at 6:03 AM

    I enjoyed the daily postings although I didn't comment much. I'm having a catch-up today, there were nearly 300 posts in my reader!
    Lokking forward to seeing the Eygptian Sampler progress pics.

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  57. Annalisa CrawfordMay 12, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Meeting new people was definitely a highlight of the challenge for me. And, look, it's still happening - nice to meet you!

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  58. Jemi FraserMay 12, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    With your love of things Egyptian, I wonder if you've met fellow blog buddy Stephanie Thornton - I think you'd like her!

    I loved Susan and Stephen's books - haven't met Whitney yet!

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  59. Michelle aka Naila MoonMay 13, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    You made it! Thanks for coming by my page and leaving your nice comment. I am your newest follower.

    I like what you have to say here: "While turning pages I went on another journey, deep into my soul... I found my forgotten dream (or 'legend', as he calls it)..."

    Peace...Naila Moon

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  60. AnonymousMay 13, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    Thanks for stopping by. yes, it's a great feeling to accomplish what we did. I'll be checking out your work.

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  61. a.eyeMay 13, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    Isn't it great the different writers and participants that were in the Challenge?! Glad you were able to find new books. I will have to do the same!

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  62. Claire HennessyMay 13, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Well done for completing the challenge and in such a challenging way too. I love Paulo Coelho and The Alchemist is one of his best. Lovely to meet you on this journey.

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  63. Miriam DroriMay 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Well done for finishing and what a fascinating subject! I must find time to look through your posts properly.

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  64. Lynn ProctorMay 13, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    sorry to have missed your post during the challenge--i am planning to come back and catch up with you--thanks!!

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  65. nutschellMay 14, 2012 at 9:43 AM

    thanks for visiting my blog and congratulations on winning the challenge! you certainly did well with the A-Z. I'm sure you'll be a pro by next year.
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  66. AnonymousMay 14, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    I wished I'd seen your blog during the Challenge - Egypt certainly was a Challenge! I'm looking forward to visiting often and hearing about life in the Yukon. Thanks for visiting me and best wishes.

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  67. DJMay 15, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    Thanks for visiting my blog :)

    I am totally floored by the amount of work you have put into your A to Z posts. The posts are beautifully written and supplemented by interesting photos and at the same time tell a lot about Egypt in a fun way. Looks like these posts are on the way to become a must read for all interested in Egypt!

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  68. Isabella AmarisMay 18, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    Thank you for popping by my blog:) It's given me a chance to discover yours, and I'm loving it so far!:)

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  69. Laura ClipsonMay 22, 2012 at 4:50 AM

    Your theme was ancient Egypt?! I'm off to look through all of your A to Z posts right now, because I love learning about ancient Egypt, great idea! And thanks for stopping by my blog and following :)

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  70. KirstyMay 22, 2012 at 4:59 AM

    Hi. Well done for completing the challenge with a challenging topic too. I'm wondering of you saw my mate Jay's challenge posts. A number of them were on her visit to Egypt. You can find it at jaysinsight.wordpress.com.

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  71. Kelly BarnesMay 22, 2012 at 5:38 AM

    I'm glad I found your blog on the first day. I learned more about Egyptian mythology this month than I already knew. Great job!

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  72. AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks for dropping by my blog. I am glad to visit yours. You had a wonderful journey, and your photos are fabulous.

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