Zhongguo Jumble has been in existence just over a year and a half now. Even though I recently published my 2012 Year in Review post, I’d like to take this opportunity to point out some of my favorite posts from the last quarter.
My own favorites? What to write next? Who knows?
I’d characterize last quarter as being the “quarter of comments.” I got lots and lots of great feedback from readers and in my opinion that feedback made the posts themselves better and more thought provoking. I also realized that people feel connected to me and my family and friends via the photos and stories that I publish. That has been a powerful learning and motivation as well.
Posts that generated a discussion through the comments last quarter were:
Sweet treats and Christmas wishes – this was a post where I noticed the globalization in my local bread store with Christmas specials of different types of bread.
TCKs – putting people into boxes – here I talked about TCKs (Third Culture Kids) and how difficult it can be to grow up in a different culture than your parents. This was a thought provoking post about slang and language and how it can change.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in Shanghai – my first ever Thanksgiving dinner (as hostess) was a resounding success and my readers enjoyed it as well.
In addition I participated in a couple of photo challenges, though fewer than the previous quarter. The post that was “liked” the most was a photo taken by a good friend during my first Chinese New Year in Shanghai about being foreign.
If you missed any of the above posts, I suggest that you check them out. Or if I missed one of your favorite posts, please leave me a comment about which post you enjoyed the most.
Over the last 18 months I have published over 230 posts. Sometimes I get questions from my family as to where I come up with ideas for my posts and whether I ever feel I will run out of ideas. Ideas come from all kinds of places – some are from blogs or topics posted by others, sometimes it is something crazy that happens at work, or something a colleague or friend says.
To answer the second question – “Yes! I often feel that I will run out of ideas.” The last quarter especially has been a tough one. I didn’t travel at all for work and it felt like my life was getting predictable. I can’t be sure where the next post will come from, but I do know at least that living in Shanghai isn’t boring as long as I keep my eyes (and ears and nose) open.
Keep tuned in for 2013 and beyond.
How do you keep your motivation on a long term project?
As an ART researcher…hours are spent looking, reading, taking notes, writing and then…more of the same. Tedious? Yes, mostly. A “lead” to an artist often brings more questions than answers…walking through a maze would be a good descriptor. To keep the goal fresh…I try to look at the project from a different vantage point…a newer question…a fresh view. Eliminating information is a huge part of finding the answers…naps are good, too!!
The naps sound lovely, but not so possible now. I’ll try to follow the other steps.
Yes it’s interesting how you can start following a blog because of some shared situation, however vague, and then become embroiled in reading about the life of someone you’ve never met and are not likely to.
Still enjoying the posts (and photos are good too).
I agree, the threads that connect us together. I have said for a long time that I “collect people”, meaning I treasure my friends and experiences with them. In a sense I also am now collecting blog friends.