Questions from Norah Colvin

A little while ago I was surprised to find out that Norah Colvin, of her self titled blog, had nominated me for a Liebster Blog award. Norah writes a blog about education and the process in which both adults and children learn, is particularly interested in philosophy for children, and has a knack for flash fiction! You can see her blog

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From what I understand and have since experienced, the Liebster Award is intended to promote communication between bloggers, to recommend blogs and to provide encouragement to blogs with a smaller following. With this purpose, I am rather chuffed to be an award recipient. The Nanny Shecando Blog was initially created to provide an outlet to share the #nannylife with my friends and family. It began with my two most loyal readers: my mother and my grandmother, and some days they are still my only readers. Then again I’m not the greatest pen pal so I can’t blame them for getting their communication however they can!

Over the past few months I have invested more time and effort into the Nanny Shecando blog. This is because I’ve come to enjoy the process and the interaction with you (my readers), but also as I continue to see potential for continued growth in the future. However, despite my grandiose plans, at the end of the day it is a hobby and something I greatly enjoy. If after sometime my mother and grandmother are still my only loyal readers then so be it, I shall continue to enjoy the process. And so I am thankful to be the recipient of this award by the lovely Norah Colvin ‘paying it forward’. It serves as a little pat on the back for recognition of effort. Speaking of hobbies, what I enjoy, and grandiose life plans, Norah has posed some great questions in something of a candid interview.

So here’s an insight into the world of Hope as part of Nanny Shecando and the #nannylife. I’m talking the meaning of life and the ‘big’ questions (I was stumped by these) mixed with the contents of my handbag. Because well, why not! If you would like to read more about Nanny Shecando and the purpose of this blog, please visit the About page. For more info on the kids and their funny stories that feature prominently within, visit The Family.

I value most in life // the chance I get everyday to make the most of it. That I can do whichever I chose to do, and do it knowing I have every possibility to succeed so long as I put my mind to it. On a more tangible level, I value the love and support I receive from my close friends and family. I know that it wouldn’t be the same beautiful existence if we couldn’t share it with one another.

The activities I most enjoy // is to cook and spend time in the kitchen. Although to be honest, I enjoy any activity that allows me to be creative. I find that by using my hands to mould and craft and create serves as the best method to manage a busy, yet fulfilling life.

I wish I had more time // to read more books. Not just to be able read a few pages at night in the vain hope that I’ll remember what I read the next day. But to devote hours lounging with a good page turner is an absolute dream and something that I look forward to working to achieve this year. In fact, the main goal I set for 2014 was to find the time (and mental capacity) to read more and to play the violin more.

A change to make in the world // I guess I’d really like to see more people holding themselves accountable for their actions. It’s so easy to get caught up in routine and to simply follow suit that we also don’t effectively consider the long overriding aftermath of our actions. To be able to stop and analyse our decisions before we make them, to critically think about cause and effect, would go a long way to help easing many of our mostly self-made problems within society.

Something to change about myself // is to practice a, you’re full of greatness so long as you tap into it and utilise it mentality. I’m working to change my tendency to ‘stress out a lot’ into the ability to have considered all potential avenues and to be prepared for every outcome.

The unexpected ‘goodness’ // in my life is that I am able to be so happy, comfortable, confident and secure in leading the life that I do. I feel it’s as simply put as that.

Pondering the big question // is similar to the ‘what’s your hopes and dreams’ question asked by your guidance counsellor in high school. The answer is supposedly going to define the rest of your life and in that very moment your mind has drawn a blank. However, tackling the big why questions with Miss6 recently, we did discuss the notion of life vs the state of dreaming. How can we really distinguish which is which? How do we know if what we perceive to be real is actually so? What’s to say we’ll wake up in 40 years time and all of this has been a dream. Would it be a problem if that was the case, was our ‘life’ lived whilst dreaming satisfying enough? I’m not sure of the answers so I guess I’m still pondering this at the moment.

Further Reading: Miss6 and her curiousness for ‘Why’ questions

I’m amused by // the daily conversations that I get to share with the kids. Their observations and perspectives towards experiences are truly enlightening, and at other times wholeheartedly amusing.

I like to collect // books and old sheet music. Garage sales, markets and op-shops are treasure troves I trawl regularly in search of the next addition to my growing bookshelf collection. It’s often an eclectic taste; from the classics to the light-hearted romance, to outstanding children’s tales, to the odd self-help meditative type read. In my dream home (in my dream life) there is a library full of books and a dusty piano in the corner.

If I could talk with anyone // I would reconnect with an old friend. In our teens we had this great friendship that came to an abrupt ending. We met by chance whilst both living in Europe and immediately formed a friendship. A few years later back in Australia, and after an oddball friendship we went our separate ways. If given the chance I’d love to be able to sit down over coffee together, if only to fill in the blanks.

I can’t do without // a notebook and pen. They’re packed into an already over flowing handbag amongst the array of baby dummies, spare nappies, yoghurt squeezies, half-eaten snickers bars, iPhone chargers, teddy bears, unused makeup, nail polish, spare clothes, colouring pencils and jewellery. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear this. A woman’s handbag is a mess at the best of times without adding a baby/6year old combo to the mix. I also can’t do without coffee. It helps me transfer the overflowing thoughts from my mind to the pen and paper in my bag. Funnily enough, I could do without my rushed, scattered handwriting as it then makes it challenging to organise my penned thoughts into something fit for audience consumption.

The ‘take-away’ on life // is a tricky one. I often think that perhaps I’m yet to learn the key to life. Or perhaps it’s simply too early to tell. I find that I can be really on a roll with ‘life’. I’ll be enjoying, succeeding, learning and making my mark and then suddenly a curve ball will come out of left field. It’ll bowl me over and leave me wondering what on earth I’m doing and how I honestly thought I was on to a good thing. It’s the moments after, and the steps we take to pick ourselves up and carry on that truly matter. I suppose that’s the key right there, in defining what happens next. I do try to remember, and implement daily, something a dear friend of mine told me: that you don’t get anything unless you ask for it. So in other words, put yourself out there!

Further Reading: The Only Way To Have A Friend Is To Be One & Putting Yourself ‘Out There’

There you have it, thank you Norah for the chance to indulge. As an aside, I’ve chosen not to continue with the thread of the Liebster award. But please do go along and visit some of the other great recipients. There’s some high quality tips, tricks, pictures, writing and philosophical thoughts contained within. You can visit Norah’s post here for more details on the recipients.

What big questions are you pondering? And what’s the contents of your handbag/nanny bag look like?