As of this morning, we have 30 participants for NaBloPoMo. Hooray! NaBloPoMo and this community thrive because of every single one of you and I am so thrilled that you’re here! As I clicked through our official participant list yesterday, I was excited to find a few new-to-me faces this year. I am excited people found this page and decided to participate this year and I look forward to connecting with you!
I’d love it if all of you briefly introduced yourselves. I go first. Many of you know me already, but in case we haven’t met: Welcome! I am San, your NaBloPoMo host.
I am a 40-something wife, daughter, (twin) sister, proud aunt, and loyal friend. I grew up in Germany, but have lived in the U.S. for more than two decades now. I met my husband Jon during an exchange semester here in California and what was supposed to be a 6-months stay turned into a long-term relocation to a different country. I wrote a little bit about the decision to come to California here. It was the last thing I expected, but here I am.
I live in California’s beautiful state capitol Sacramento and we just recently (two weeks ago) moved to a new home. I work as a geographer for a government agency and I am a bit of a nerd. I am very detail-oriented and love to crunch numbers.
In my free time, I run a lot (currently training for my first marathon) and have a slight obsession with Peloton. I love books, knitting, travel, Friends reruns, and good food. I bake my own sourdough bread and I love to cook. My favorite color is purple.
I’ve had this blog for 20 years, have participated in NaBloPoMo since 2006, and host an annual Secret SANta Swap (stay tuned for that). I also love exchanging Christmas cards.
This was just a brief introduction but if you have more questions for me, I decided to open up my Ask San anything! Google form again, or you can leave questions in the comments.
In the meantime, tell me a little bit about yourself and why you decided to join us this year!
I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2024
Links to the Participants List and NaBloPoMo2024 Blog Post Ideas
J
November 2, 2024 at 1:07 pm30 blogs! Whew! That’s going to be a lot some days, but we’ll all do our best. Congratulations. I was excited to see that Karen from At A Time is participating, I know her blog from long ago, and it’s fun to see she’s diving back in. Thanks again for hosting!
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:26 pmI was surprised how fast the list was growing… so excited to have some new people too. And don’t sweat it, read and comment when you can. No pressure.
Suzanne
November 2, 2024 at 1:47 pmYay! Thirty participants! Woo hoo! I think I am sitting this year out but look forward to reading more posts from some of my fave bloggers and from new-to-me bloggers as well! Thanks so much for hosting, San. This is always such a fun month!
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:26 pmThanks, Suzanne. We love having you as a cheerleader :)
Jenny
November 2, 2024 at 2:51 pmWow, 30!!! Is that a record? There were a lot last year- I’ll have to check that list.
I knew most of these things but I’m not sure I knew your favorite color is purple.
I remember I decided to jump into NaBloPoMo four years ago- I had no idea what I was doing. I’m SO GLAD I did!!! I met all my favorite bloggers through NaBloPoMo. I can’t wait to read some new blogs.
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:27 pmYup, that’s a new record… I think we had 27 participants last year. I am so thrilled people are interested in doing it again :)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
November 2, 2024 at 3:03 pmHey San! You know me. Remember the time when we were the sole participants of NabloPoMo? I have posts to prove where your are the only commenter. It is so fun what this turned into. Gold stars to you.
I am also delighted to see some new to me people on the participants list.
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:28 pmOMG, Tobia, I absolutely remember when the two of us did NaBloPoMo by ourselves …. and look where we’re now. I love that you’ve stuck with me!
Tina
November 2, 2024 at 3:37 pmHi San. Last year was my first year joining you and I don’t regret it at all. I’ve found so many wonderful blogs that I have tried to keep up with all year, my blog got a bit rejuvenated this year because of NaBloPoMo last year, and I’m hoping to keep up with it this year again and hopefully check out new blogs. I didn’t get a chance to post November 1st, so I’ve already failed, but I’ll keep up the rest of the month…I hope.
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:29 pmTina, I am so glad you’re jumping back in… don’t worry about missing a day, I am just happy you’re here :)
ernie
November 2, 2024 at 4:27 pmHi San! Great intro. I forgot that you started here as a student for 6 months . . . wow. Your job fascinates me. I’m very bad with geography. I did an intro on my blog yesterday, but I’m a mom to kids who are getting older and more independent and I miss them when they’re at college. I run an in-home daycare (10th year) and I babysit for teachers, so I have summers off. Summer is my fav, obviously. I woke up on Nov 1st last year and decided at the last minute to join the NBPM thing. I loved finding new blog friends, and I decided to give it another try this year. Thanks for hosting and organizing all of us.
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:30 pmHooray, Ernie, I am glad you decided last minute to join again… I always love reading your stories and you definitely have a lot to share! So glad we connected last year!
NGS
November 2, 2024 at 5:52 pmAn AMA!! I love these so much.
Thirty participants! Aren’t you super glad you single-handedly kept NaBloPoMo going through the lean years?!
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:32 pm30 is a new record! I can’t believe we were able to revive NaBloPoMo after the “lean years” ;)
AMAs are always so much fun :)
Stephany
November 2, 2024 at 8:24 pmThat’s amazing that there are 30 NaBloPoMo participants! It’s all thanks to YOU and your enthusiasm for this blogging challenge. <3
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:32 pmThank you Stephany – this challenge only works because of all of YOU :)
Kyria @ Travel Spot
November 2, 2024 at 9:04 pmThirty is a lot! Also I knew a lot of those things about you already but I don’t think I knew that your favorite color was purple! I met a lady this year who was cycling around on a purple bike that she called Purplicious! You would love it. Actually it is here if you want to check it out.
San
November 2, 2024 at 11:36 pmThirty is a new record…. and it might be because you decided to join :) Oh my, that purple bike is amazing. Thanks for sharing the link!
Meike
November 3, 2024 at 12:42 amIt’s my 3rd year and each time I hope it will keep me writing throughout the year (managed 30 days, how hard can it be?). I do have two teenagers now and my family, my work and my hobbies keep me busy so I guess that’s my excuse right there. Looking forward to meet all the newcomers online.
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:54 pmSo happy you’re joining again, Meike… and I think going forward you’ll just have to treat your blog as a hobby, then maybe you’ll keep writing throughout the year? :)
Birchie
November 3, 2024 at 4:18 amIt’s nice to “meet” you for another year of NaBloPo! I would add that you are a Blogger Super Connector. Every time that I’ve met a blogger IRL, the conclusion that we’ve reached is that the reason that we “know” each other is because of you!
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:54 pmAww, you’re so sweet, Birchie. I am flattered to hear that <3
Daria
November 3, 2024 at 7:06 amHi San! Thanks for organizing yet another year of NaBloPoMo! I jumped it very last minute. Happy I did!
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:54 pmSo happy you’re here, Daria!
Hanna
November 3, 2024 at 9:38 amHi San! I’m Hanna, and I too like books, knitting, travel, Friends, friends, and eating good bread (although not a great baker). :-) I live in Sweden but write in English and have been blogging for 20 years as well!
I also do art journaling, mixed media, sewing, book binding, crochet, photography and hmm… most other crafts too I guess. And that’s what my blog is about: creativity.
Thanks for adding me to the list and having me here, it’s fun!
PS: Oh my, I added all 18 (?) that was there on the last of October to my Feedly blog reader – and now I’m not sure who I’ve added and not and where I’ve commented or not… gah. I’d like to request a list of people in order of added, so it’s easier to know who’s new(est) for another time maybe, if at all possible. Oh look at me, already thinking I’ll participate next year too (with only three NaBloPoMo posts down). :-)
Auf wiedersehen!
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:56 pmHi Hanna, nice to meet you – seems like we have quite a bit in common. I am happy to hear you’re participating in Sweden! We’re so international :)
I think I can work out the order of who signed up when… I’ll email you a list, if that’s helpful?
Alexandra
November 3, 2024 at 12:02 pmOh no, I didn’t realise I should write an introductory post. Which given this is my first year doing NaBloPoMo seems obvious, as no one knows me from Eve! :) I’ll squeeze something in this week. Better late than never.
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:56 pmAn introduction post is always welcome :)
Melissa
November 3, 2024 at 5:25 pmThis is exciting—30 participants, but daunting. NaBloPoMo got me blogging more regularly again a few years ago so I have you to thank for that. I also didn’t know purple was your favourite colour.
San
November 3, 2024 at 10:57 pmDon’t let the number of participants stress you out, Melissa. Write, read and comment when you can – this should be fun, first and foremost!
Michelle G.
November 4, 2024 at 1:27 amWow! 30 bloggers is amazing! I’m loving the introduction posts. I’m delighted to follow along, read all the posts, and meet new bloggers.
Elisabeth
November 4, 2024 at 12:01 pmAs you know I’ve set more “boundaries” for myself this year. Less commenting and taking Sunday’s off…but I’m excited. And wow. Look at what you’ve fostered San. This just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Big hugs for all your hard work and for encouraging everyone and making it downright fun <3
Kristen | kristenwoolsey.com
November 4, 2024 at 1:07 pmBlogging for 20 years is AMAZING! What a commitment. Love that.
And, I had no idea you were a twin!
Tammy
November 6, 2024 at 10:00 amSan, thank you for facilitating this challenge! I’m Tammy and I have been blogging at Daisy Yellow since 2008 — not long after I started doing art. My blog is about creativity & sticking with your creative practice and my background is in data analysis. I am into art journaling, collage, painting, drawing, photography… and various combinations thereof. I appreciate your work in facilitating this challenge and bringing people together. I found you & NaBloPoMo thru Hanna (see above) — we met in the early years of blogging and have been friends ever since!
Anne
November 11, 2024 at 4:03 pmPurple? Really? I knew most of this – or, remembered reading it before, for some things. But I did not know your favorite color! :) Twenty years. Wow. You are such a connector, my friend. <3