blogging and writing – Life, the Universe, and Lani

I’ve been nominated for my blogging performance.

It’s award season again and I’ve been nominated for my blogging performance. *snaps open fan*

✍🏼 Behind the scenes: a blogging + writing life

For the first time since I’ve started Life, the Universe and Lani, this blog feels like an inadequate outlet. I wouldn’t go so far to say, I’ve outgrown it, but I need to make some changes.

14/0314/03

Its award season and I have nothing to wear.

The blogging award season occurs between now and later and takes place around the world, where the majority of important blog awards reside. The origins of such socialist awards are relatively unknown, but we do know that a German or a German lover was involved (see Liebster), as well as versatility, inspiration and sisterhood.

13/0213/02

Things I’m liking (sharing the love) #3

I don’t know why I don’t do these posts more often. I need to do these types of posts more often. I’m going to do these posts more often.

03/0223/12

✍🏼 How can I be a better writer?

It seems like everyone wants to be a writer these days, but that isn’t going to stop me from writing. When I started to pitch my first book to agents, let me tell you I got mightily discouraged from the lack of interest. I went through phases of wondering if I should even bother –…

16/0123/12

✍🏼 Why I like blogging

Blogging is like becoming an expat, you get to meet folks from all around the world, but you don’t have to go anywhere! It’s brilliant. Of course, just like traveling, you meet some great and not-so-great folks on the road. Sometimes the connection last only the strength of the holiday and other times something more…

04/1227/01

Things I’m liking (sharing the love) #2

I have to admit. I’m not in the best form. And what I mean by this is I’m overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done.

16/1120/11

Celebrating 5 years of blogging (and livin’) overseas

Woohoo! Hot diggity damn. Has it been five years already? Now, I might have mistakenly said it’s been four years in August, but as everyone knows, I can’t do math – and yes, it’s embarrassing.

11/1104/12

Things I’m liking (sharing the love)

1) Ever since we moved to Chiang Rai, I was concerned about the lack of access to English books, as there are not as many expats here as there is in Chiang Mai. So, I decided to buy a Kindle. They are more expensive in Thailand, so I had a friend who was visiting the…

06/1027/02

Downtown Chiang Rai (in pics)

I remember the first time I was turned on by poetry. I was in high school Freshman or Sophomore English, and the poem was Carl Sandburg’s Chicago. Generally speaking, I was greatly turned on by the poetry we were reading, but Sandburg’s Chicago was different, gritty, and decidedly real. It wasn’t about love, or love…

13/09

Liebster Award #2

Jenny from And Three To Go nominated me for my second Liebster Award. How sweet! She’s a travel/expat/mommy blogger exploring Phuket, Thailand (and many other places), with her husband and little girl. I really like Jenny’s point of view and even though I do not have children, I find her relateable. Thanks Jenny!

31/0824/09

What is inspiration?

When Kiersten from She is Fierce started exploring this idea, I became inspired to write about it. I began to think about what it is and what it means to me. What do you think? To me, being inspired is about paying attention. Looking up from your phone. Taking in the surroundings. Noticing a spider…

12/0825/09

[the Writing Process tour]

It’s like the magical mystery tour, but different. The writing process tour involves answering questions about your writing style and practice, and then choosing three other bloggers to participate. Marielle from This Flooded Sky invited me because: a) she has good taste, b) she’s cool like that, and c) she loves my writing. Woo-hoo!

28/0619/11

My favorite WordPress.com feature

Update: as of today, 19th of November, 2014, Random Post is no longer an option. My favorite WordPress feature is the Random Post option. It’s the equivalent of flipping through a book and landing your finger on a page to find a quote you like or today’s meaning of life.

19/1222/10

My favorite posts from 2013

Looking for something to read during your holiday travels and time off? Look no further! Yeah, put down that Kindle, it’s so bourgeois. Instead reach for your favorite proletariat bloggers.

30/1104/02

How to deal with Internet bullies (and trolls, and real bullies too).

I’ve been bullied – online and in person. In high school, a boy, let’s call him R, decided to start off class by giving us a speech. His theme, how flat I was. His insults rolled off like a rap sheet, how I had a flat face, flat nose, flat chest, flat ass, flat everything…

18/1027/02

Why I Love Lists

Not too long ago I wrote Why I Fear List Posts, and now I’m going to guitar strum a different tune, just for the sake of being difficult. Nah, actually, I’m starting a great jam session, thanks to Sandra, and Rhyan Scorpio-Rhys for his link to An Evening with Ray Bradbury.

07/0823/10

Tell-Thai Heart is moving here!

Hello everybody. I have a big announcement. I’m letting go of my other blog, Tell-Thai Heart and integrating here at Life, the Universe and Lani.

16/0728/06

Big 7 Blogging Mistakes (and how to avoid them!)

12/0727/02

Why I Fear List Posts

After we watched an episode of The Twilight Zone, my friend turned to me and said, “Television used to be quite smart. What happened?”

07/0727/02

Who do you write for? (an audience or you?)

I recently read a post called, What Baking Taught Me about Writing and the analogy was quite sweet and satisfying until I got to the last bite: Learn to Please Your Audience. What?

18/0627/02

Liebster Award (pay it forward)

Apparently, the Liebster Award is of mysterious origins but here is what My Crazy, New York, Post-Grad Life had to say about it:

24/1114/07

Why do (expat) bloggers blog?

Expat bloggers: self indulgent or service-oriented people? It has come to my attention recently that some folks see writing as an act of self-indulgence. I am feeding myself chocolate. Yes. I am now rubbing the chocolate all over my body and it is melting because of my body heat. Yes. I am recording myself and…