#AskAwayFriday is a
place for you to connect with other Bloggers by asking them questions to really
get to know them! Meeting other Bloggers
and making new friends is one of the best parts of this online world!
The rules are simple!
Most importantly, have FUN!
Penny from The Real Housewife of Caroline County
Amber from Bold Fab Mom
Tiffany from Mrs.TeeLoveLifeLaughter
Stacey from This Momma’s Ramblings
Sarah from Small Town Iowan
Christy from Uplifting Families
This week I am so happy to exchange questions with Ilene from The Fierce Diva Guide To Life. I mean come on, the name alone should announce how awesome Ilene is!
I have been looking forward to my chance to get to know her better since I was introduced to her Blog through her swap with Tamara from Tamara (Like) Camera. You should too, so after you check out my answers here be sure to head over to Ilene’s and check out her answers to my questions.
But First, take a look at the questions Ilene sent over to get to know ME…
1. The two of us are both Northeasterners who are now living in North Carolina (well, you had a stint in Hawaii in between…). Tell me one thing about southern living that surprised you, either for good or for not so good.
How slow everything is. The people, the entertainment, the stores, everything. In New York everyone is in a rush…going somewhere, a deadline to make or an appointment to keep.
Down here there is no rush for anything. It is as if everyone is thinking “I’ll get there when I get there”. At first this was annoying because I am a naturally fast walker and I always felt like I was in the midst of a human traffic jam (especially in the mall). Yet now, I enjoy it. I love not feeling that ‘get there’ pressure.
When I go back home now I always feel too rushed. I don’t think I would ever move back to New York permanently if I had a choice.
2. What do you miss most about the Northeast?
OMGoodness! The FOOD! I miss the true NY Style Pizza, the Chinese Food and the Jamaican Food.
If I order a ‘Regular Slice’ down here they look at me like I’m nuts BUT if I say a cheese slice they pile on extra cheese. Ugh!
3. How would your children describe you to me?
Whew! This is a hard one. I know my Kiddies love me but I tend to be the ‘no fun‘ one who sticks to the schedules, transports and disciplines.
I think they would describe me as I have heard all of them say at least once:
“The Best Momma in The World”
BUT they would also say:
“Momma likes to read” (6 year old)
“Momma doesn’t like messes” (5 year old)
“Momma doesn’t play as much as Daddy” (3 Year Old)
“My Mom expects a lot but she supports me too” (The Teenager)
4. I was surprised to hear that you have only been blogging for 6 months. You have a lot going on, lady! What kind of advice would you give to a brand new blogger?
Thanks! I’m trying my best. I would always tell a new Blogger to be themselves. A Blog is written to draw people in through your experiences and view on life. If you are not writing from your true self who are you drawing your Readers to? Also, how will you keep them?
Portraying yourself as something or someone you aren’t can take a lot of energy and sooner or later that will become overwhelming. So why even start that way? Just present YOU as only you can and I guarantee the Readers, Companies and such who are meant for you will come to you.
5. One of your prior careers was that of an obituary writer. I imagine this can be a difficult job in that you are dealing with grieving families – but also a rewarding one since you get to record the stories of their loved ones for the public. Do you recall the story behind one obituary you wrote over all of the others and if so, why?
Yes. Being an obituary writer had a lot of difficult and rewarding situations but you’d be surprised how many funny ones there were too! 😀
The story that comes to mind first is one of a woman who was trying to submit an Obituary for their Aunt and they wanted to list all of her pets and her next of kin. She had like 15 cats!
The issue came with the fact that the paper didn’t allow what they considered to be fake names. Well this woman hadn’t name her cats Steve or anything so I had to be the one to explain this to her relative and try to make them understand why I couldn’t write it the way they wanted.
It wasn’t fun but it was funny. Even the relative ended up laughing and saying they were only trying to respect her wishes even though they thought it was bit ‘out there’.
6. You’ve recently become a fashion blogger for PrettyInPynk. Tell me about your favorite piece of jewelry in your collection.
Yes! I am so excited! Right now my favorite piece (I have a few…lol) is a little beauty called the Sparkle Black Jeweled Bow Dust Plug. I wrote about it in this week’s ACCESSorize Your Inner Fashionista !
7. You’re a Starbucks Ambassador! I’m a little jealous of that one! What’s your favorite drink from them?
Well I WISH I was a full pledged Ambassador but as of right now I am a Starbucks Affiliate which is still like WHOA to me! 😀
Oh My…my favorite drink? That is so hard to pick since I love several at once. I’ll pick by my most frequently ordered drink! As of today, that would be the Caramel Machiatto (Venti Please!)
8. As far as working with brands is concerned, who would be your “dream brand” to work with?
Well besides actually becoming a Starbucks Ambassador 😉 I would love to work with Disney. My Kiddies are captivated by all things Disney and honestly so am I so working with them would be an amazing opportunity as well as my inner girl’s dream come true!
9. Tell me about your favorite blog post written by a fellow blogger.
Do I really have to pick just one? So tough. My most recent favorite is from Shauna over at MommaCandy. She recently went through a really crazy situation with her Site Domain and this was her reaction. I loved how honest and open she was. Shauna truly spoke what I think a lot of us feel or have felt at some point.
10. Tell me about your favorite blog post written by you.
Hmmm. I have a few that I love for different reasons and they tend to change from week to week. LOL I would say my favorite (today) is An Uneven Exchange – I wrote this a couple weeks ago and it is still with me. Ever since writing it I have noticed how daily I fall short of my end of the relationship with God but how He never fails me. I am so grateful to say I have a God who is there for me no matter how often I may forget or neglect to be there for Him.
Ilene had some really awesome and thought provoking questions for me this week and I am so happy we had this opportunity to get to know each other better. Wait! You still need head over to The Fierce Diva Guide To Life and get to know Ilene. Go on, Go!
Also, if you love #AskAwayFriday and would like to participate or Swap With Me in the future, feel free to drop me a message in the Comments, through my Contact Me or through any of the participating Bloggers and we’ll be sure to let you know how to get started and get connected.
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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18 thoughts on “#AskAwayFriday W/ Ilene From The Fierce Diva Guide To Life”
Great q & a, ladies! That is one of the things that I like best about the midwest…slow paced. It is too ingrained in me to be able to live anywhere fast paced. All of mine have said those very same things about me, too! LOL! Hmmm…obituary writer would definitely be an interesting job! Wishing you a great week, Tiffany!
My recent post Turn It Up Tuesdays 22!
Thanks! It was a lot of fun and so were Ilene\’s questions! So….you\’re one of the people I would be trying to walk around hey? 😀 Yes, when I say \”Obituary Writer\” i definitely get a second glance…LOL Hope your week is off to a great start!
Great reading your answers about brands! And I loved that very same post from Shauna at Momma Candy! So relatable to many bloggers, I'm sure!
Looking forward to swapping this week! 🙂
My recent post Crockpot Favorites
Thanks Beth! Shauna was so right there in my head (and I\’m sure many others)….i think we all have those moments. I love how she approached it and expressed it so honestly. Looking forward to Friday 😀
I'm still in shock you've only been blogging for 6 months. You are fantastic and I love your blog! I also love creeping you on instagram HAHA, I'm everywhere. 🙂
My recent post Valentines Day Party
Sometimes in shocked to LOL it is such a wonderful experience that at time I forget how long it\’s been. Thanks so much! Haha…it\’s okay I creep yours too 🙂
I really thought that you had been blogging for a very long time. I learn something new everyday. 🙂
My recent post #ASKAWAYFriday with Rabia at The Liebers
Just 6 months…it has been so much fun though. I am very grateful. 😀
I'm the "no fun" rules-enforcing kind of mom too. Although my daughter did declare me the "best mom ever" because I let them have popcorn for lunch yesterday!
My recent post #AskAwayFriday with Christy from Uplifting Families
Oooh! Yes you have to sneak a little bit of fun in their every once in a while to throw them off…LOL 😀
I didn't know you were an obit writer, Tiffany! I'm sure that must have been challenging but rewarding, as you mentioned, because you were able to minister to the families involved. Love that you were able to swap with Ilene. She's a very cool lady! Always a pleasure to read your #AAF posts, Tiffany!
My recent post The virus
Yes Ma\’am! I worked in Obits for nearly 2 years. It had is crazy moments and it\’s very touching ones. Definitely and experience I am glad I had.
She truly is very cool, so happy I got to swap with her.
ALWAYS great to have you stop by! xoxoxo
I had friends who moved from Texas to Maine and they said that even by touching down in Texas by plane, they felt their breathing speed up.
I'm SUCH a fast walker. I'm in the northeast but western MA is more on the sleepy side than my Jersey roots.
Obituary writing? FASCINATING. Has to be in the hands of the right person, I believe. It's often the last piece of writing about someone. I bet you did wonderfully.
My recent post Random Acts of Kind Ask Away Fridays.
Hahaha! That\’s funny but I truly relate. My Hubby and Kiddies can never keep up with me…especially if I have a set destination… LOL
Yes, Obits. Weird right? I mean I knew someone wrote them but when that someone became me and I had to list that as my job title….LOL It had some great moments, touching stories and even odd ones but it was definitely a great experience.
I miss the pizza too! More than anything! And this slower pace…well…Starbucks. Affiliate. Opps! Buy I"m guessing Ambassador is just a matter of time so I was basically predicting your future! Oh, and the cats and the obituary….Great time trading questions with you and getting to know you better Tiffany!
Oh yes! Predict Diva, Predict! 😀 Truly great fun…xoxo
Wow – I didn't realize that you had been blogging such a short time!! I figured you were one of those who had been doing this for years!
I’m flattered! Nope just 6 months but I hope to be in it for years 😀