Teacher by trade, Mother by nature: Liebster Award

I am so happy and totally doing my happy dance right now because Ruth from Mummy and The Mexican tweeted that she received a Liebster Award (Yaye!) and she then nominated ME! (Double Yaye!). I am very honoured to be nominated for a Liebster Award. This is actually my second time I have recieved a Liebster, you can read about my first nomination here. Thank you so much Ruth - You are a STAR!

The Liebster Award is a way for bloggers to reach out and learn more about the blogs they enjoy. It also acknowledges bloggers, especially newbie bloggers and gives them the recognition they deserve. Accepting the award means answering 11 questions asked of you and adding in 11 facts about yourself. Then nominating your own 3-11 bloggers and asking them 11 questions of your own. (Please note: the 'rules' of the Liebster Award varies across the blogosphere - the ultimate goal is to Share the Blog Love)

Here are my questions from Mummy & The Mexican

1. How long have you been blogging?
I have been blogging since September 24th, 2014. However, Teacher by trade - Mother by nature started off as a Facebook page. You can read more about it here.

2. Where are you right now?
At home. (Home is New Zealand)

3. What's your day job?
Mother, cleaner, bank manager, social media addict, teacher, blogger, photographer, chef, nurse, chauffeur, playmate, babysitter all rolled into one - formally known as a "Stay-at-home Mum" and I LOVE IT! (oh and I teach a class of 7-8 year olds on Tuesdays)

4. What did you study/ have you studied/ are you studying?
I have a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and a Diploma in Te Ara Reo Māori (Maori Language)

5. What do you normally have for breakfast?
A cup of tea and toast (sometimes I will have weet-bix)

6. What song/piece of music would you choose as your theme song if they made a film of your life?
Ooh this is a hard one! aarrghh the pressure...um...pass (sorry)

7. What's your favourite object and why?
My Canon DSLR camera! Love it! It captures so many beautiful memories for me to cherish and share.

8. What would you like to study or learn how to do if you had the chance?
I would love to study photography. So many people have told me I should too! It's definitely on my to-do list :)

9. What do you struggle with the most in your everyday life?
Time management! (ha!) Usually I am pretty good - but there are times that procrastination takes over and I just end up getting overwhelmed!

10. Who are your heroes?
My Mum & Dad!

11. Name a work of art, a poem or a book that makes you feel something.
Motherhood is Rewarding

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME!
- I'm left handed
- I can move my ears without touching them
- I love to be organised, but I am sentimental hoarder
- I met my partner online
- I take photos everyday
- I don't like change
- My first job was doing the Paper Run (delivering newspapers)
- I have a Black tip in Tae Kwon Do (haven't done it since I was 12)
- My eye colour changes with the moon
- I am a Sagittarius
- I still have my favourite stuffed toy from when I was baby!

MY NOMINATIONS:
Congratulations to these lovely ladies!
Girl on a MissiOn
Happy Mum, Happy Child
Raising Queens
Mummy Do It
Nesting in the Country
A Kiwi Mumma
You Had Us At Hello
Gen-Y Mum
The Golden Spoons
Confessions of a Mommyholic
Blogitudes

YOUR QUESTIONS:
1. What motivated you to start your blog and how long have you been blogging?
2. What does your family think about you blogging?
3. What is your favourite quote?
4. What makes you laugh out loud?
5. What is your most prized possession?
6. What is the best feedback you have ever received on a blog post?
7. Who inspires you?
8. What is your favorite post that you’ve written? (Please provide link!)
9. What are three things you cannot live without?
10.What is your greatest joy in life?
11. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

This post was part of the new One Word Blog Linkup hosted by:

Lisa of The Golden Spoons, Janine of Confessions of a Mommyholic,

and Marcia of Blogitudes. This week, the word prompt choices were Time and Happy

Firstly, a massive Thank You to fellow Blogger - Lydia at Always Made With Love - for nominating me for the Liebster Award. I have been buzzing since reading her post this morning and I am absolutely honoured that my blog, Teacher by trade - Mother by nature has been nominated. You must check out her blog - she has some yummy recipes, shares aspects of her life as a mama and tid-bits of her blogging adventure.

From what I have read online - the Liebster Award is given to 'up and coming' bloggers who have anywhere between 200-1000 followers. Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. "Blogging is about building a community and it's a great way to connect with other bloggers and help spread the word about newer bloggers/blogs" I am loving my blogging journey and reading other people's blogs too. It is such an amazing community to be a part of.

My Questions from Lydia:

1. What is your #1 blogging tip / advice?

Be prepared! It is so important. There is so much to learn about blogging, however I have found that if I am not prepared, I go a little stir-crazy. Know what you are going to blog about before you even start! One of my goals is to be more organised and to plan ahead.

2. Why did you start blogging?

I actually created a Facebook page first for Teacher by trade, Mother by nature a couple of months after having my second baby. I wanted a place where I could share my thoughts, interests and things that I am passionate about, rather than sharing it all on my personal page, filling up my friend's and family's Newsfeed. When my son had his naps I found myself searching through the Facebook pages of Bloggers that I had been following for a few years and thought it would be cool to have my own...After a few months, I finally created my blog. It is the 5th wall in my home and I love it - who knew blogging could be so addictive!

3. Your pet peeve (doesn’t have to be blogging related)

When someone parks close to your car knowing very well that there is a carseat in the back! Grr

4. What is your MOST precious memory?

Hearing my Papa say "I love you" before he passed away.

5. Heels or Flats?

Flats - I pretty much live in jandals (flip flops) all year round.

6. If you could change ONE thing about your life, what would it be?

I am the person I am today because of the life that I have lived and the choices that I have made. However, one thing I wish I was better at - is saving money...I can be a bit of shop-a-holic at times (hearty op-shopper right here)

7. What do you do to unwind?

Blobbing in front of the telly with a nice cup of tea (preferably made by my partner) or getting lost in Facebook.

8. What is ONE thing you would tell your younger self?

You don't need to change your clothes 4-5 times A DAY! Your (future) daughter will do the exact SAME thing and you will end up with a massive washing pile! You have been warned! (lol)

9. Your favourite refreshment?

Coke

10. What is your #1 go to meal for your family?

Lasagne (Lasagna)- easy to make and oh-so delicious (we are actually having it for dinner tonight - YUM)

11. If you were to jump on a plane tomorrow for an all expenses paid trip, where would you be going? Why?

I would have to say England, London to see my best friend and visit my Mum's family (she was born in Leicester). It is my dream destination, and I hope one day my dream will come true.