I was asked by one of my fairly new readers, how I started blogging and I think it’s a great way to introduce myself to other new readers that might happen to come across my blog through NaBloPoMo.
I am aware that people start blogging for the most random reasons. I also know that some people find it strange to write so openly about one’s personal life on the Internet. For me, it all started when I began my internship with the U.S. Geological Survey in CA in January of 2004. I had been reading other people’s blogs on the Internet for quite a few months at that point and enjoyed the opportunity to share their daily lives. It was then that I decided that it would be a wonderful way to start my own blog in order to stay in touch with family and friends while I was away from home.
Naturally this first blog was in German. I enjoyed the fact that I could share my experiences abroad with my family and friends without repeating myself over and over again in personal emails. Those were reserved for -as the name suggests – more personal stuff.
It didn’t take long until I started a second blog – this one here – in English. I felt that I was excluding my international friends from sharing my life with me by exclusively writing in German. I also felt that moving on to a broader audience would be fun! I might not be the best of writers – especially because it’s not my native language – but I enjoy writing and getting feedback.
Now that I think about it, I find that blogging was bound to happen with me. I’ve been writing letters with people since 3rd grade and communicating in writing was -and still is- my preferred and the most personal form of communication that I can think of. A blog can’t replace real letters, but it’s a way to reach out to people.
Yeah, I think that’s it.
Caty
November 3, 2007 at 11:37 amyou´ve reached out to me! I still love reading your blog (I think it was one of the first blogs I ever read!) and I come here everyday and check for an update even though I don´t comment that much!*big hug coming your way*
Maribeth
November 3, 2007 at 1:49 pmYou write amazingly well! It is hard to even remember that English isn’t your first language! I am so pleased to have found you and your blog and to share your world with you!
Jeff
November 3, 2007 at 5:04 pmBased on your participation in NaBloPoMo and the kind words from readers in the comments, I’m going to keep looking here for fun and interesting stuff.
I echo the sentiment about your writing. I write for a living and had to dig around in your post to realize that your second tongue is English. Great work. If you’re still trying to improve, I’ve got a writing site – https://www.jeffcutler.com – that has regular writing assignments on it. They’re easy and we’re only up to lesson 10 so far. No pressure.
Otherwise, feel free to swing by Bowl of Cheese.
Found you on Sarah’s Pink Shoe Diaries link list.
Jeff
Susi
November 3, 2007 at 6:18 pmHave fun tonight hon! And I LOVE reading your blog, always have.
san
November 3, 2007 at 10:14 pmCaty… I had no idea. How sweet of you.
Maribeth… thanks for the compliment. I am very glad to have found you, too :)
Jeff… thanks a lot! I appreciate your comment and will definitely swing by your blog!
Susi… thanks hon :)
Manja
November 4, 2007 at 4:22 amThank you for this posting. I like reading your blog since I found it, like the stories, like your pictures. I only started reading blogs a few months ago, since I live in another country as well. It’s like: there are others out there and the thought comforts me.
Keep on going and btw I think you are a good writer ;)
Charlotte
November 4, 2007 at 1:49 pmHi there! I spend a lot of my time editing texts written in English by German native speakers, and I want to echo everyone else: your written English is superb.
Glad to have found you via the Nablo “German Bloggers” group!
kerrianne
November 4, 2007 at 4:58 pmI love that you started blogging. It’s crazy sometimes to think about the people we never would have * met * if we never hit “publish.” : )