Hi, everyone. I’ve just been nominated for two Sunshine Blogger Awards. It’s my first time being nominated for this award. A huge thank you to Women Diaries07 and A Book World! Show them some love, Women Diaries07 writes fantastic posts celebrating women and, also, on global issues and current affairs. A Book World! shares amazing poetry, book reviews and all things books and word-related. Plus, they’re both very lovely which is the icing on the cake.

What is The Sunshine Blogger Award?

It’s an award given to bloggers who bring creativity, sunshine and positivity in the lives of readers.

The Rules:

1. First of all thank the blogger who has nominated you and link it’s blog in your post.
2. Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger.
3. Nominate 11 more blogs, who u think should be given this award.
4. List the rules and the logo of award on your post or in blog.

Questions from Women Diaries07

1. Name your ideal personality?

I like me. I think everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin. If I could be like anyone I would choose the Prophet (SAWS) because he was a good person and if there is one trait that another individual has that should inspire you, it should be kindness.

2. What are your hobbies?

Does hanging out with family and friends count as a hobby? I feel like I struck gold with my family, I don’t know if I even want to leave them and marry into another because I don’t know if they could be that fun.

If you’ve gone through my posts, you’ll of course know that I love to read. I’m currently reading The Odyssey by Homer. I love to write as well, and my sister tells me that my poetry is better. None of the newer ones that I have written are posted on my site, I think I want to keep those to myself.

And I love to watch American comedy shows! Even better, I love to watch American comedy shows with my family. You can see a list of my favourite comedy shows here.

I’m also the unofficial party planner in my family. I complain sometimes but to be honest, there’s an inner Monica in me that needs to do this.

3. What is your aim or goal of life?

My main goal is to have my stories and poetry published. I have one story that’s the most important to me, but I’ve stalled it for a long while because I don’t know how to end it, I’ve been stuck on whether I want to give the ending that readers would like or the one that’s more realistic. Now, that I’m talking about it… I feel that I should go down the realistic route.

My other main goal that is inextricably linked to the first goal is to help children in some way. If I can say I’ve done that, then I feel like I can rest a little.

4. Name your favourite writer?

At this point in time, I would have to say Gillian Flynn. She isn’t fixated on the idea of creating a basic ‘strong woman.’ Instead, she writes interesting, complicated and layered women. Women you may not agree with. Women who are fleshed out. Women who are alienated from society and deviate from convention. Women who make for gripping reads.

I will happily read anything she writes.

5. What inspired you to be a blogger?

I wanted to write my thoughts and feelings on things that I found interesting and books that I’ve read. Most other social media channels have a word-character restriction that doesn’t allow for depth, the opportunity to fully map out your thoughts or to just map out one single thought.

I think I heard/read about WordPress somewhere and I decided to give it a go. My first post was eerily quiet but I’m still happy about it because I remember feeling really passionate about what I was writing. I’m still learning the ropes, but I feel that now that I’ve become much more hands-on, it’s gotten a lot better.

6. Which place is your favourite holiday destination?

I haven’t been on a holiday since my creative writing residential in South Wales. South Wales, by the way, was wonderful and made even more wonderful by the company. I went during the time the London riots were occurring and I remember my poor little sister calling me and asking when I’m coming home.

I’ve been to Lille in France on a school trip and Bangladesh three times as a child for months on end. I can’t believe I’m saying this as a city resident but the best times I had on a holiday destination were in Bangladesh and Wales. There was just so much more to do!

7. Which habit of yours do you think is bad and a habit that is best?

My love of dessert. I’m finally doing better, thank God! I’ve been cutting down recently. Let’s not linger on this…

A good habit is that exercise has become entrenched into my weekly schedule and now I’ve started to challenge myself with higher reps and sets. My mind is now actively telling my body “just one more!”

8. What is your new year resolution?

My new year resolution is to read more historical fiction. After I finish reading The Odyssey, I will begin reading Habibi, my first graphic novel in a very long while which was gifted by my friend on my birthday last year. The art is absolutely beautiful, I cannot wait to read it. Then, I will read one historical fiction, a contemporary novel (been a while!), then historical and then a contemporary (and so on and so on).

9. Name any 3 favorite blogs

I feel really bad just picking three, but I’m sure the rest won’t mind.

• Women Diaries07, I’ve listed the reasons why I enjoy her blog in the first paragraph so scroll up!
• Lloydslensphotography: Lloyds photography is stupendously beautiful and surreal. I always feel inspired after reading his posts and leave with the feeling that my day has just gotten brighter.
• TheWebWeavers: let your freak flag fly! We’re pretty similar so it’s kind of like liking myself? There’s so much variety, you will feel like you are at a word buffet.

10. If given a chance what change would you bring in your respective countries?

I live in the UK and I think we need to do better in terms of education. Tuition fees are rising, and many graduates are leaving with degrees that do not guarantee them jobs. Programs like NCS – The Challenge, which is a government-funded program, really help young adults develop overall life skills so I would want young adults to do programs like this which will grant them some perspective. We are the most educated generation, but it’s often been counting for nothing.

11. What is your mother tongue?

My mother tongue is Bengali.

Questions From A Book World!

• What does blogging, or writing in general, mean to you?

It simply means to share my perspective or a range of other perspectives.

• ‎What do you aim at while blogging? (What’s your main purpose?)

To share something that I find interesting, inspiring or fun! To, also, share my opinions. I would love to write journalistic pieces in the future which would mean lengthy posts because it would engage my research skills which I feel have been untapped for a while.

• ‎Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you aspire to be?

A fully fledged and published author.

• What do you like and dislike in my blog? (Very important :v)

I love your poetry and I respect that you are completely unabashed in sharing your opinions. You don’t just keep your book reviews brief and vague, but you rip into them! I want to hear people’s opinions on themes and issues raised in the book. I want to discuss, debate and I want to learn. I don’t want to just read something and that just be the end of it otherwise it feels like a waste of a book AND time.

One dislike is that the comment box where you are supposed to write is white, so I feel like it’s telling me I can comment but as to where… well, go figure kid. To be honest, I think we have the same theme as well, so I can’t complain.

• What is your source(s) of inspiration when you write? And who is your number one idol?

I’m inspired by many things. We live in such a diverse and interesting world, it’s difficult not to be inspired by one thing or the other.

Idol is a strong word. A person that I admire (that I’ve met) is my grandmother. She was the kindest person that I’ve ever met.

• What’s your favourite book(s) ever? (I put an s ’cause I know the struggle.)

Gone With The Wind. This is a book that I’ve revisited many times in the past, but I do not wish to anymore because I feel like I’ll be dredging up overwhelming feelings of unwelcome nostalgia. As Scarlett says: “Tomorrow is another day!” Let’s focus on tomorrow.

• If you could ever order a manual about anything in life, what would it be entitled? (Be specific. e.g. How to Be a Better Lover? Or: How to Make Killer Spaghetti?)

I wrote a manual on How To Walk (in a consistently paced manner) (no.9). I have not followed it even though I told myself to focus in the manual. If you need help walking properly, check this lifesaver of a post out.

• What is the thing you want to improve in yourself as a person and as a blogger?

As a person, I want to eliminate feelings of burdening fear. I’m fearless in many things, I’m not afraid to be myself but at the same time there are other equally as important things where I need to focus this fearless attitude on. Also, I want to find a partner-in-crime for pranks. Where’s the Pam to my Jim?

As a blogger, I feel that I’ve sometimes been pressed for time. I want to write more lengthy pieces but sometimes I keep putting it off because something else seems easier. This is an area where I need to be much more productive.

• If there’s something you want to change in the whole world, what will this thing be? (If you have way too many as I’m sure you do, state the ones you really want changed.)

This life isn’t heaven, it’s not supposed to be but that shouldn’t prevent us from striving for a better present and tomorrow. Since, I can only pick one, I would like to kill the instinct that is in every human being to harm others. When it comes down to it, what we campaign for and against, the essence of it is to eliminate a specific harm.

• If you were ever granted a wish, what will this wish be? (Yes, only one.)

To go straight to heaven in the afterlife because everything in this world is temporary. In this world, happiness is what we are always seeking but in heaven happy is what you are.

• ‎Ask a question of your choice and answer it! (Surprise me! LOL.)

Q: Name a book on your TBR that you are excited to read.

A: The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. I read a quick preview and I was transfixed. I believe this was Mark Twain’s first attempt at historical fiction. After reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I will read anything Mark Twain writes (and Alexandre Dumas). With these authors, you become a participant in the adventure.

I Nominate:

Chizurue

LloydsLensPhotography

ArisJade

Aquibview

Bravingmentalillness

Dontgiveajam

KimberleyLane

P.S. Barbosa

The Write Direction

TheWebWeavers

Written In Ink

And My Questions Are:

1) What is something that excites you these days?

2) What is your spirit animal?

3) What is the best advice someone has given you?

4) What was your first blog post and would you change anything about it now?

5) What is your favourite post ever written?

6) Which philosopher just gets you?

7) Where are you from?

8) What inspired you to start blogging?

9) Who is your favourite person in the world and why?

10) How would the people closest to you describe you?

11) Invent your own question and answer it!

It’s completely up to you if you want to accept the nomination and there’s no rush with timing, if you do do it then link back to this post so I’ll know! 😀

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Happy blogging. Sophski out.