Lightening Online

One of the things I really enjoy about personal blogs is the wide variety of topics that can be covered. You never really know from one day to the next what subject the blogger might choose to talk about. As they say, “variety is the spice of life” and personal blogs often reflect that well.

Guera has lots of interesting things to talk about. Being an Australian living in another country at the moment, it’s really interesting to get a glimpse of what it’s like to live in another culture. I found it particularly interesting to read her posts on Christmas in Mexico:

Christmas Lights - absolutely spectacular!

Navidad - Christmas Mexican Style

A Mexican Epiphany

To help us get to know the “blogger behind the blog”, I asked Guera to answer a few questions for me. Here are her responses:

1. How did you first hear about the concept of blogging (and how long ago if you can remember)?

I think I first heard about blogging about 5 or so years ago (just from general web surfing from memory), but at the time I thought it was just for IT people (and I thought it was a bit geeky ). I don’t think there was a lot of commenting and interaction in those days so I couldn’t really see much point in it, it was just like an electronic diary and there was no discussion – that’s what I get the most enjoyment from with blogging, so without that it’s a bit pointless for me. But that’s just me, everyone gets different things out of it.

2. When did you first start blogging?

I started my blog in August 2007, but we have had a family and friends static (traditional) website for about 8 years (ever since we left home in early 2000) to keep in touch with everyone. I recently turned it into a blog because it is much easier to update than a website.

3. What is your favourite blog post you’ve ever written?

Probably My Bebita – Giving Birth in Mexico because it was something I really wanted to record for myself and share with other people. There’s lots of people out there having babies in foreign countries and trying to have the best experience, but their expectations are often quite different to the customs of their adopted country. I had my eldest daughter when we were living in Saudi Arabia, so I’ve had pretty varied birth experiences (no kids born in Australia so I don’t even have a proper frame of reference!)

The other one I really like is Glamour Girls (about setting good body image examples for kids) because its something I feel really strongly about, and I worry about for my 2 girls.

4. Do you have a favourite blog post that you’ve read on another blog?

It’s so hard to choose one (and to remember all the ones I have read). The ones that make the most impression on me are the really personal ones, where people share very private things, which I think is very brave – like your post the other day about depression – I really admire that people can open up like that. It’s not something I do easily, but I think I am getting better at it as I’ve been blogging more.

I read 2 posts the other day on Tiff’s site about her babies – William’s story and also Noah and Ivy’s Birth. They made me cry and feel amazed that she can keep going with a smile on her face and also SO grateful for 2 uncomplicated pregnancies and 2 healthy children.

5. Can you describe how you feel about blogging?

Excited, inspired, challenged, like I’ve remembered I have a brain again! I love having something that is purely mine and is about me – you don’t get that much when you have kids, do you? I love the conversation and social element of it. I think being a Mum can be quite isolating at times so its always nice to connect with people who have similar experiences or opinions.

6. Has blogging (either writing a blog or reading other blogs) changed you in any way or changed your outlook on life/view of the world?

Definitely! As I said above, I think I am becoming a bit more open. I tend to be quite private (at least to start with) and that’s changing. I am also learning heaps about different kinds of people and their lives and the things they go through. I think that is always a good thing – to be aware of different walks of life.

I also think I was a bit stuck in that “what am I beyond wife and mother?” track and blogging has given me a bit of an identity back (I think this is one reason there are so many mummybloggers out there)

Well, I think I’ve rambled on enough – see this is why I love blogging, because I never shut up!!

If you would like to know a little more about Guera, please visit the About Page on her blog.

Guera, I hope you have enjoyed my little “Pay it Forward” gift to you.

For those who don’t know where to find Guera, you can find her at A Roaming Aussie Mum.