It was only a year ago that I reflected in disbelief that I had managed to write consistently, not only for Lost In Cheeseland but for BitchBuzz as well, because I never thought of myself as a serious writer. Reader and dedicated blog follower, yes, but a writer with a critical eye for her city- its movements, transformations, richness and shortcomings – at all times? I wasn’t convinced.
Now another year has passed and I’ve been reassured, motivated, and encouraged to keep writing. You’ve shown me that my words and suggestions have resonated with you and that I foolishly underestimated myself.
It has also been a year of change, opportunity and self-discovery. I had an article featured on Travel & Leisure and Matchbook Magazine, won a trip to Istanbul as a result of your support in the Kiwi Collection blogger competition, was named Best European Blog in the 2011 Bloggie awards and most recently ranked as one of the essential Paris bloggers to follow by Easy Jet. It is not, however, an impregnable self-confidence I have developed but rather a desire to keep improving, refining my writing, and learning about myself and this city. I’d be thrilled for you all to stay along for the ride.
As for the “Become Your Dream” image, which I shot in New York (that’s my mother-in-law’s leg making a cameo)… I don’t yet know what my ultimate dream looks like. I know it involves photography and playing with words but the specifics have yet to be seen. All I can hope for is that your support and enthusiasm for this site will continue.
A look back at a few of my favorite (and yours, from what Google tells me!) posts from the last year:
Good Things Come in Twos – celebrating 2 years of survival marriage to my Frenchman!
Colored by Paris – my interview with friend and inspiration, Nichole Robertson of Little Brown Pen
Paris Travel Tips – for your first, second or tenth visit to the city.
Perspective & Great Coffee at Le Bal Café – a must visit for any true coffee fan.
Pizza Chic: What’s in a Name? – I have Ann Mah to thank for getting me hooked on their pizza!
The Allure of Rue Montorgueil – my favorite street in Paris.
Goodbye to the Paris Café? – the decline of a French cultural icon
Visiting Paris? Follow These Rules – a few suggestions, that’s all *smirk*
Lessons from the Expat Book Club – negotiating feelings of expat guilt
Our Parisian Love Story – the circumstances under which I met my husband
A Suburban Getaway – oh wait, you mean there’s life outside of Paris?
Cheating on Paris – it has to happen from time to time….
NYC vs. Paris – a few palpable cultural differences
Oh right, and the giveaway! One of the friendships I’ve seen grow over the last year has been with a creative, talented, savvy businesswoman I admire greatly and she generously offered to participate in a contest in honor of my blog birthday. Nichole of Little Brown Pen will send one lucky reader a Paris in Yellow set of 9 prints (a $145 value). To enter, leave a comment below with your favorite post from Lost In Cheeseland this year and why you’d like to win the set! A winner will be selected at random and announced Monday, July 25th at the bottom of this post.
One last thing – it would be a great help to me if you could fill out this quick survey that will help me gauge who’s reading, why, and what they might like to see here in the coming months. (Thank you to those who have already done so!)
Thank you, friends. This little site means more to me than you can imagine, as do your visits. To another year of food, love, life and struggles in Paris!
[UPDATE: Congratulations to Risamay, winner of the Paris in Yellow set!]
