28.12.09

My first blogoversary.

A year ago, I started blogging. My theme was (sort of) “I moved to New Zealand, and it’s been a challenging journey.”

I chose to use my real name. And I told my parents and my friends about my blog.

I wrote about trying to fit in in New Zealand, parenting a child who is allergic to everything, and my marriage. And I spent a lot of time on my soapbox, pontificating about, you know, stuff.

In 2009, I was trying to find myself. Like, what does it mean to be an expat? If I have lived in New Zealand for eight years, am I still an American? Or am I a Kiwi now? What am I going to do next year, when the child starts school? What’s it like to be a wife, and do I even want to be a wife?

And I was trying figure out who I am on social media. What kind of blogger am I? Here are my favourite posts from 2009:

One of the best and most surprising parts of this blogging journey has been my readers.(Especially those of you who have been brave enough to come out and follow me publicly.) As always, I’d like to thank you for reading and for your comments. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2010.

15 comments:

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Love the links to previous posts. It was nice to read some of your best ones.

injaynesworld said...

Great minds think alike once again. I was thinking about doing an end-of-the-year post with a few of my favorites, as well. I'm glad you've shared these little gems with us. You've made NZ come alive for me.

Happy New Year, Juli...

injaynesworld said...

Whoops! And most importantly, Happy Blogoversary!!!

Aliceson said...

Congrats and Happy Blogoversary!

harmzie said...

Happy Blogoversary! I almost always assume that everyone I "cross paths with" (especially early on) has been at it for *years* longer than I! You just make it seem so natural :-)

Sweet Jane said...

Happy Blogoversary Juli! Fancy pants. I loved re-reading the posts and seeing a few new ones (for me that is). I esp enjoyed the photo essay with a tour of your purty face.

Please keep 'em comin, I love the vicarious NZ life you loan back to us in the states!

Happy New Year!

Kori said...

Interesting post honey! You've certainly shared a lot...love that! Thanks for visiting and commenting on my Kat Von D post. I love to see your comments! Hope you and your family have a fantastic New Year! Kori xoxo

Jacqui said...

Happy Blogoversary! I really enjoy reading your blog for another ex-pat perspective. We all have such different experiences (me being Canadian and being here for 16 years) but lots of commonalities!

I feel a bit stateless (no pun intended!) after all these years - I don't class myself as a Kiwi and they certainly don't see me as one, but I don't feel particularly Canadian when I go back because being here has changed me so much. I make sure I have both my passports though, and with any luck I won't have to ever choose between them!

Lisa Page Rosenberg said...

Happiest Blogoversary and Happy New Year. Both excellent reasons to celebrate!

From AA to NZ said...

Happy Blogoversary, Merry New Year. Love your blog - and you!

Ann Imig said...

Happy blogoversary. It's a huge milestone.

It's like 27,000 in dog years.

Thanks for reading me blog, too.

Anonymous said...

I've been looking all over for this!

Thanks.

Avalon said...

Happy Blogoversary (where the hell did you find a word like that???)

And happy new year :)

And there is always room for a few negative comments - I get them anyway :)

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Chris Mancini said...

Happy anniversary. Oz is still kinda in Australia, isn't it?