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Monday 26 October 2015

What's in a (Blog) Name?

You are probably not the first to wonder why I named my blog “My Little Orange Blob (of love, life and living).”

First of all, I did not mess up by saying “blob” instead of “blog.”  I’d say it’s a good play on words though – something a little out of the ordinary.

Secondly, it kind of just... created itself.   I expect most blog names were created because of random thoughts popping into a blogger’s head.  (I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.  It’s like those bathroom trips that become “Eureka!” moments.  Some of my best problem solving happens in the strangest places, as is likely the case for you as well…)

Third, I like the color orange.  It has been my favorite color since I was in grade six.  It also happens to be Lucas’s favorite color.  (A match made in heaven!)

Fourth, I say it is “little” because my life and ideas may seem insignificant to the world, and "my" because it's, well, mine!

Once I came up with “My Little Orange Blob,” the first image that came to my mind was a blob of orange Jell-o.  Hence, my choice of design based on some photos I took of orange Jell-o in a clear glass.

What's in a (Blog) Name?


Interpretation

The remaining words “of love, life and living” represent the topics of my blog.  Here is an outline of what you can expect to read about (in no particular order and in no way a complete list).  I looked up each of these words at Dictionary.com and chose the definitions that I thought suited each noun the best.

Love: {a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person} : {a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend} : {affectionate concern for the well-being of others} : {the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God}
  1. What brought me here to this earth, to my family, to my husband. 
  2. Why I want to have children.  
  3. Parallels of parenthood and godhood.
  4. How I interact with my friends.
  5. Fun date ideas for groups and couples.

Life: {the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual} :{a corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived as belonging to the soul} : {the course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence} : {a mode or manner of existence}
  1. Who I am as a person. 
  2. What makes me want to live. 
  3. What makes me want to die. 
  4. How to raise a family in righteousness. 
  5. What my time on earth is meant to be spent doing, becoming.

Living: {the act or condition of a person or thing that lives} : {the means of maintaining life; livelihood} : {a particular manner, state, or status of life} 
  1. How to organize different living spaces. 
  2. Our education and career choices.
  3. Tips and tricks that help our family “survive.”
  4. What I want to accomplish in my life.
  5. Family traditions and goals.
  6. Our dream home(s).


If you have a blog, how did you choose its name?  Does the name a blog is given decide whether you would like to read it?

Next week's topic: [Goal Setting: Good, Better, Best!]

Monday 19 October 2015

My First Ever Blog Post

Hello!  My name is Kristina Ogrins (OH-grihnz).  I am 23 years old, married to a wonderful husband named Lucas (27 years old), and mother to a 1-year-old daughter named Tevia (TEH-vee-uh).  We live in Southern Alberta, Canada.

Here are some recent family photos taken by my dad when we last visited my family in my hometown:

[photos taken by John Greep @ http://www.johngreep.com]
Lucas
Kristina


Tevia
Isn’t Tevia the cutest, most beautiful little girl you’ve ever seen?!

To say just a little bit about each of us:

Lucas and I have been married for just over two years now.  I finished my B.Sc. in General Mathematics just months after we got married.  We then moved so Lucas could finish his schooling (B.Sc. in Computer Science) and I got pregnant with Tevia right away.  Lucas is now working on a degree in Physics and I am a stay-at-home mom.  Tevia recently started walking and can say 30 or so words now.  You'll get to know us even more in future posts (soon to come!).


Why I Chose To Start Blogging

Until just a few months ago, I thought blogging was silly and pointless – an online journal, more or less.  For some, I know this is the intention: to share with family and friends the things happening in their lives, and so on.  Once I joined Pinterest, I came across many blog posts that were actually interesting and about things other than the day-to-day activities of some person I may or may not know.  I found posts that inspired me to share things I have learned in my life.  

This is a personal blog, not a diary, but I’d say it’ll be more random than most personal blogs.  I like to discuss ideas and plans that emerge just beyond the horizon of today’s cultural and habitual ways of living, loving, and learning.  I’m a well-rounded person, having been immersed in a diverse set of skills, talents, and interests throughout my life.  

Some things I hope to blog about are more relevant to my current lifestyle, such as organizing tips, family life with young children, and living with mental illnesses

Some things are from my recent past, like math tutoring insights, going to university, and falling in love

Some things are interests from my childhood that have been popping up again almost randomly later in my life, such as web and graphic design, sketching my friends, my dream home designs, writing stories and poems, and being a “Mormon” (Latter-day Saint, or “LDS”). 

And, of course, as time goes on, new things will become the focus, possibly things such as homeschooling or going back to school or moving across the country – who knows! 

I plan to add a new post every Monday (in the morning – if Tevia lets me), so do check back each week!
My Comment Policy
Feel free to comment on my blog posts.  I’d love to hear what you have to say about each topic, whether you agree with me or not – and especially if you have questions or concerns.  If you’d like to send a more personal note, please email me at kristina.greep@gmail.com.  I will try to respond to all comments and questions within the week I post each blog, and then periodically afterwards.  Any and all comments containing profanity or irrelevant material will be deleted without notice.

What would you like to read or learn about?  For those who know me personally, is there anything in my life that you are curious to know more about?

Next week’s post: [What's in a (Blog) Name?]