Thank You, My Dear Readers

This past month, Expats Blog hosted an international contest to decide their picks for the gold, silver, and bronze recipients of the award for Top Blog of 2012.  Each country was honored with its own winners, all chosen based upon the quality of their content and the reviews left by readers.  Over the past few weeks, I have reached out to friends and readers, asking for feedback on my contest page.  Each review below means more to me than I can express.  I have removed all names so that the messages can speak for themselves, but I am aware of who (most of) you are and I thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words.  Thanks to you, I have been given the Gold Award as Expats Blog's Top Blog in Norway.  So much love and appreciation to each...

 

• I adore and admire C's ability to pour such a pure form of emotion and self realization into words. Admittedly this is my first time reading, and, I have to say this is truly an inspirational piece of work. I especially enjoyed the 100 things I want to have, own, see, become, and realize in my lifetime. She says/realizes so many things that I've never known how or had the courage to say. Very inspirational!
   
• Your comments are refreshingly insightful and thought provoking! Reading your posts are akin to a chat with a good friend.
  

   
• Loooove this blog.. It is so addictive, so good. It HAS to win!!
  

   
• C's sage words never fail to make me pause, smile or reflect, whatever she is in the mood for that day. While so many blogs and writers get stuck in the rut of what is comfortable or safe, C manages to live outside her comfort zone, whether that be in a whole new country and new language, which inspire so many of her stories, or just in new experiences. While she doesn't shun the comfort of the familiar, she encourages us to find the familiar in new places, new ways and new adventures. Despite being utterly different people, she speaks to me, and my challenges. ...and yes, now I want to move to a beautiful, northern, snow laden country, but upstate New York will have to suffice. Thank you for considering her work among the best. I know I already do.
  

   
• Humaine and direct. Both rare. 
  

   
• Being an avid consumer of internet reading material both for work and pleasure, I am a highly accomplished skimmer. I can glean hundreds of pages a day for those little tidbits I seek. C's blog is one of the rare pages that makes you want to SLOW DOWN and take a little time with it. A 20 year expat in Norway, I have learned plenty about this country from reading C's words. She has a voice and perspective that are worth hearing. And worthy of your award.
  

   
• Excellent. Best word I can use.
  

   
• great one!
  

   
• C is an amazing writer with so much wisdom to share and I am persistently inspired by her positive energy and her honesty. Her love for life and for Baby C never fails to brighten my day.
  

   
• WONDERFUL! I am very proud of C. It is incredible how she can translate into words her experiences. Her blog is a joy to read. Love it!!!
  

   
• In an ever more cynical world where dreams have become rare and ideals rarer, one can luckily find both in plentiful supply at C's well-written and thoughtful blog. Being an expat can be a trying and lonely ordeal. Sharing ones experiences can go a long way to lightening that heavy load. Well done, C!
  

   
• C writes with passion. She has the ability and talent to shape words into tangible expressions that can inspire. Love to read her stories. This blog is wonderful.
  

   
• Fantastic!!
  

   
• C inspires me to celebrate and ponder this human journey at this point in time. Her openness and honesty is such a breath of fresh air for the soul. Her written descriptions and expressions are so vivid; I can quickly become absorbed in whatever journey she is exploring. Thank you, C, your courage through out your journeys is so inspiring!
  

   
• I admire C's courage and openness in sharing her life's experiences and perspectives in this blog. An inspiration to all of us to keep moving forward and maintain a positive attitude regardless of the challenges life puts on our paths. A winner blog in my eyes!
  

   
• C has a beautiful soul which she shares with us while giving deep insights that resonate with all who live the expatriate experience.
  

   
• C is such an amazing writer with the ability to restore faith in the minds of those who rarely believe in anything but themselves. GREAT BLOG!!
 
• I thoroughly enjoyed C's latest blog 'A Proverb to live by'. It is refreshing to hear someone articulate what we all have believed at some point.
  

   
• C is a wonderful writer. She can organize words in a magic mode. I really like it. Thank you and hope to read more from your world.
  

   
• I am very proud of C, of her fearlessness, of her insight, and of her honesty. Each time I read her next blog, I learn something new about her, her surroundings and even about myself. She challenges me to think outside the box. She is an inspired writer with a gift and an amazing capacity for love.
  

   
• C has a way of describing her world that makes one want to shake their fist in the air and laugh at the same time. Her words capture your heart immediately and it's easy to remain transfixed long after the PC has been put away. Her experiences in Oslo are transcendent to anyone who has lived abroad but even if you haven't, it's a terrific way to absorb Scandinavia !
  

   
• I've been following this blog for about two years now. C writes with an honesty that you don't see in many blogs. She tells the truth, reveals herself, and is inspiring.
  

   
• C writes from her heart. Honesty, love, humor, insight, wisdom and entertainment - just a few of the feelings I get from reading her blog. I always know there will be a nugget for me in there. I look forward to reading her blog.
  

   
• You are an amazing writer/blogger. I really enjoy reading your page girl so keep up the great work!!! 
  

   
• I love to read C's writing and hear her perspective. She's unique, and has a way with words. I am inspired by her posts. I hope she wins!
  

   
• I love this blog. The variety, the wisdom, the wonderful style of writing, the pictures, and the love for this strange and difficult, yet wonderful, city we live in. I look forward to every new "chapter". Thank you, C!
  

   
• C has a natural talent as a writer that draws you in no matter what type of reader you are or interests you have!
  

   
• Wonderful blog to read.
  

   
• I love it since the first sight!
  

   
• C does a fabulous job of describing a world that I've not yet had a chance to experience. Oslo seems almost magical through her eyes. She makes my heart smile!
  

   
• I believe C has an old soul. A beautiful, charismatic, charming and adventurous old soul. I love her willingness to put her most inner thoughts and dreams out there for the hopeful to see. Her blog is eloquent, funny, heart-filled and I love it!!!
  

   
• Wonderful.. Just WONDERFUL!
  

   
• Always thought provoking and emotionally mature. Reading this blog has brought much joy and challenged me to be a better person.
  

   
• What can I say, C has such a wonderful way with words. She is a natural storyteller.
  

   
• This site deserves to win! its an inspiration to me