So this week has been a very mixed bag for me. On a personal level its been a bit stressful (they say moving house is one of the most stressful things one can do!) and I’ve been feeling a bit anxious.

But on a positive note, in the space of 2 days, I was nominated for both a Liebster Award and a Sunshine Blogger Award, which was a lovely little boost.

The Liebster Award

The Liebster award only exists on the internet; it is awarded to bloggers by bloggers.

Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

I’d like to thank Emma Rollason for the surprise nomination for the Liebster Award.

The Award Rules

• Thank the blogger who nominated you, link them in your blog. (Thank you so much Emma!)
• Display the award on your blog
• Write a small post about what makes you passionate about blogging
• Answer the questions the nominating blogger asked you
• Nominate 5-11 new blogs
• List the rules in your post
• Inform the people/blogs that you have nominated

Passion For Blogging

My passion for blogging started back in 2013 before I disappeared on my first Working Holiday to Canada. I wanted to digitally document my trip and year away, partly to get back into writing (I studied Creative Writing at Uni and miss it!) And partly so that friends and family could keep a little in the loop about my life. So I started a little blogger site called Raider Rachel. I quickly learned how time consuming blogging can be, and to be honest it just fell to the wayside as I had an incredible year away.

Upon returning from Canada we spent some time back in the UK, and I got it into my head that I wanted to have another go. This time, I wanted to do it properly and figured a financial incentive would make me get my ass in gear.

So I put my money where my mouth is and bought the domain and went self hosted! And then promptly disappeared to New Zealand and hardly touched the blog all year. (Again!)

Upon returning to the UK (…again!) I finally got into writing mode, and started getting serious about my blog!

I think its going well, I’m really enjoying reliving the wonderful trips I’ve been lucky enough to experience. And I find writing and getting inspired hugely enjoyable. I like having goals and a purpose. I’m in the midst of planning lots of new trips away, so new material to come! I’d love to share my enthusiasm for exploring and maybe inspire people to travel more, and check out a few more unusual destinations.

My Answers to Emma’s questions:

1/ When People Come To You For Help, What Do They Usually Want Help With?

Friends sometimes come to me for relationship advice (not very often though I must admit!) I think that as I’ve been in a steady relationship for 8 years people think I know what I’m doing! I’m also starting to get asked travel questions, which is nice!

2/ What Skill Would You Like To Master?

I’d love to master a new language as I can only speak English – at school I didn’t put in enough effort in to learning a foreign language and I regret that now. A few years ago I attempted/dabbled with Russian, but found it too difficult to teach myself, so I’m looking into French. As I did learn a little at school, I have a very basic foundation to work with.

3/ What Are You Interested In That Most People Haven’t Heard Of?

Drag racing?

I know its not entirely unheard of but its slightly unusual. My family and I love drag racing, I’ve been going to Santa Pod Raceway as a spectator since I was 15 years old. And I still love it more than 10 years later. It’s a bit of an adrenaline rush and something I can share with the boys. (I’m a bit of a tomboy to be honest!)

4/ What Is Something You Think Everyone Should Do At Least Once In Their Lives?

I think everyone should try travel solo once. Just to see.

I wasn’t sure if I would like it initially, but I really wanted to at least try and see how I felt. It gave me a sense of courage and independence. I felt braver than ever before.

5/ Who Are You Favourite Bloggers and Why?

I actually quite like vloggers at the moment – I quite like Cailin O’Neil and Drew Binsky for their travel videos, I find them both very inspiring. (I’m going to Cologne because of Drew!)

I haven’t yet been tempted to vlog myself yet though – I hate the sound of my own voice!

In terms of writing I’ve been following Hecktic Travels for a long time – I love their style and honesty.

6/ What Is Your Favourite Part Of Creating A Blog Post?

The initial lightning bolt moment when a new idea springs into your head, I find really exciting. I love developing new ideas and being creative with it, and end up hurriedly scrawling ideas all over the place (notepads/post its/draft emails/on my phones, etc)

I find the act of writing hard to get to – I procrastinate, and find it difficult pulling all my sporadic ideas together, but once I force myself to sit and write, I actually really enjoy that too.

7/ How Did You Come Up With Your Blog Name?

I used to have a blog called Raider Rachel (which I used because I wanted to sound adventurous, and I”d just done an abseil down Battersea power station, and felt like a badass!)

When I came back from Canada I felt like going for something a bit more… professional I guess. I intentionally spelled On in English and not French because I don’t really have a huge connection with France (and I didn’t think people would really mind to much!)

8/ Where Would You Most Love To Live, and Why?

EVERYWHERE!

I love to travel (duh!) So far I’ve lived in 3 continents, I’d like to add Asia and maybe Africa to that list as well. My partner and I would like to do a TEFL course and go teach English as a foreign language at some point – we like the look of Vietnam!

9/ What Has Been Your Biggest Struggle With Your Blog?

Hands down, motivation and procrastination. I have stopped and started so much with this blog, but I finally feel like I’m getting into a good place with it.

10/ If You Could Go Anywhere In The World, Where Would You Go?

My top place to visit at the moment is Svalbard. I would love to get to extreme places – and more unusual destinations so they’re not awash with tourists everywhere. I would like to add Antarctica and Madagascar to the list.

11/ What Are Your Goals For 2018?

Short term, getting moved out, and into a new place.

After that it’ll be mostly saving up, while cramming in as many trips as possible. In terms of my blog I have a lot of back catalogue in terms of trips to write about, so ‘d like to get caught up on some of my destinations as well.

My Liebster Award Nominations are as follows:

(Please note guys you are under NO obligation to post a Liebster Award yourself – I’m just singing your praises because I think you’re awesome/I enjoy your work!)

Paul Mcginley’s Life and Experiences

Lena Dee xo

Kat Got Your Tongue

ecobackpacking.net

Forever Roaming the World

Stephanie’s RV Travel

Questions for my nominees to answer! (if so inclined!)

1. What motivates you to work/blog?
2. If you could improve one of your senses, what would it be and why?
3. Are you a spender or a saver?
4. If you were at a party and meeting someone for the first time, what would be your best ‘breaking the ice’ question?
5. If you could be famous, what would you like to be known for?
6. What one food could you NOT give up (or wouldn’t give up without a fight!)
7. What three words would you use to describe yourself?
8. If you had to pick between a high stress/high wage job, and a low stress/low paid job, which would you pick?
9. If you could change something (anything!) about the world, right now, what would you do?
10. Cats or dogs??? (You will be judged :P)
11. What do you think is your best quality?

So there you have it! Check out the lovely bloggers listed above, and (if they feel like it!) how they answer my questions.

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