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Sunday Salon: My Blogoversary!


Life and Family:
A friend of mine is starting up a non-profit and has asked me to participate on the Board and be the Vice President. I've said yes and am excited and a bit nervous. We're calling the group Turn the Page Uganda (get it? Turn the page like a book and turning a new page for the future...). We're not totally ready to go live yet (I am doing the blog/website), but our mission is to get books into the hands of students and teachers in Uganda. My friend is an elementary teacher and visited schools in Northern Uganda this past summer where she discovered that most schools have no books of any sort. So, we are mobilizing. Anyone have any experience in the non-profit world? Advice? Contacts in Uganda?

Work:
What a strange work week: I worked Monday and Tuesday, had my usual Wednesday off plus Thursday then worked Friday. And all day I thought it was Monday! It was definitely quiet at school on Friday; I think many students decided to make it a 4-day weekend. We had a nice thing happen: a mom called and said she has lots of points on Paperback Book Swap and wants to buy us some books for the library! I've chosen 6, but she said I can get more... any suggestions for "must have" YA books that you think might not be on my radar?

Reading and Books:
My biggest news of the week is that today, November 14, 2010 is my one year blogoversary! A whole year! Wow! Looking back over the past year, here's what I see in my blogging and reading:
  • This is post number 515
  • I've read and reviewed 166 books (O.M.G. I had no idea!)
  • My first review was of Nancy Horan's Loving Frank
  • I've participated in memes: It's Monday, What are you Reading?; Teaser Tuesday (stopped that one a while ago); Book Beginnings (just started up with this one); Sunday Salon (though I am an unofficial participant)
  • I participated in 16 challenges. I completed them all except I need a South American book for the Global Reading Challenge. Here are the challenges I participated in: Flashback; GLBT; Global Reading; Graphic Novel; Reading into the New Year; Middle East; POC; Movie/Book; Rainbow Connection; Social Justice; South Asian Author; Take Another Chance; To Be Read; Typically British; Women Unbound, and YA
But, much more important than the challenges, memes and how many books I've read, I am honored to be a part of the book blogging world. I feel like I have "met" such caring, fun, and interesting people, been introduced to books I never would have read, and have really enjoyed myself! Here's to another great year!

7 comments

Bonnie Jacobs said...

I started reading your blog on or before November 6, 2009. Okay, it was your school blog, but that means I've been reading THIS blog from the beginning. That, my dear, is exciting!

CONGRATULATIONS and happy one year celebration to you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on completing your first blogging year!! I hope that you enjoy your second year as much as this one :-)

Amused said...

Congrats on your 1 year - here's to another great year!

MissA said...

CONGRATS!!!! I am so so happy that I found your blog, yours is one of my absolute favorites that I try and read at least every other day. You always introduce me to new books and I love the personal touches you add to the blog.

And may I just say that I'm envious of you having completed almost all your challenges??

christa @ mental foodie said...

Happy 1 year!

I had no idea about running a non-profit, but sounds very interesting. Good luck! Would love to hear more when it's up and running!

Florinda said...

515 posts in a year? It's been a very productive one. Happy Blogiversary, and many more!

I've worked in non-profit accounting for most of my career, but haven't been involved in a startup. I'd be glad to help if I can, though - let me know!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Bonnie--I am so excited that you've been with me from the beginning! I did start my school blog about a week earlier and realized that I didn't want personal stuff on a school blog so I'd better get going on another one!

Farm Lane and Amused--Thank you for the good wishes; I hope the second year is just as wonderful too

Miss Attitude--Thank you so much (I am an equal fan of your blog!). Good to hear the personal touches aren't too much. I am amazed that I completed nearly all my challenges; I think I'll do fewer in the next year

Christa--You'll all definitely hear more about the non-profit when we're up and running; I am excited about the possibilities

Florinda--I'll keep you in mind if we find we're totally confused about finances (which we may very well be). Thank you!