I generally don’t participate in widespread blog meme’s because I prefer to keep to my own course, and create my own rules. Perhaps that’s why I was called a nonconformist in high school? But given the sudden (but welcome) surge of new readers, I thought that the ongoing 7 Links Project initiated by TripBase was a worthy exercise and would introduce them to posts they may have missed. The goal of the project is to incite bloggers to unite and share their work, bringing older articles out of the archives that deserve fresh, new eyes.

I was flattered to be nominated by two fellow bloggers, My Mélange and Chez Loulou to bring out 7 of my former posts and I hope you are moved, amused, annoyed, and/or entertained by those I have selected for each category:

1| Most Beautiful
It’s uncomfortable for me to discuss my work in this way but judging by the reaction of my readers whenever I write about my relationship with my French husband, I think it’s fair to assume that Good Things Come In Twos can be considered my most beautiful post.

2| Most Popular 
Popular is a word I’ve never been fond of but when it comes down to it, Google Analytics and other stats don’t lie. Maybe it wasn’t your favorite post but I definitely had a ball writing it (and if you have an upcoming trip to Paris planned, I urge you to read it to prepare). That’s right, Visiting Paris? Follow These Rules has been one of the most popular posts chez moi.

3| Most Controversial 
A part of me was actually surprised by the drastically different reactions to this series and yet at the same time I anticipated a certain level of backlash. I launched this mini series before I insisted on a France/travel-only policy for my blog to foster consistency but I don’t regret sharing my feelings on an issue that really doesn’t merit controversy at all. It remains an incredibly personal topic that maybe I will address again should my opinions change in the future. Until then, my views on having children with Just Saying No to Children (Parts I-III).

4| Most Helpful
While I don’t have any intention of becoming an impersonal guide to living in France, I see the benefits of having occasional posts that serve as resources to those who are serious about living and working here at some point in the future. I also try to weave in my own experiences into these posts since I’ve been survived heaps of obstacles from the moment I began to pursue expat life. That said, my recent collaborative post Adapting to Paris-101 about getting settled in Paris appears to have (already) been the most helpful.

5| Most Surprising Success
Reconciling guilt has been a theme on and off since I created Lost In Cheeseland and while I can finally say I have accepted the implications of my choices, the issue reappears from time to time. Being part of a book club with a mixture of itinerant expats and ‘lifers’, as I call them, means the initial struggle with sacrifice occupies much of our conversations and I thought the discussion of one particular evening would be of particular interest to readers. I didn’t anticipate the floods of emails that eventually followed thanking me for the post and offering stories of similar feelings as an expat of another country. Lessons from the Expat Book Club was a pleasant surprise!

6| Not Enough Attention
I realize this is yet another example that breaks my self-imposed content rule and has nothing to do with France or even travel, but I still think it’s an interesting topic that could be revisited. I was hoping for a more in-depth debate from readers but maybe one year and five months later will do the trick! Give some attention to A Stride for Women… Or Was It? 

7| Most Proud Of
Living in Europe has afforded me the opportunity to see parts of the world I may not have been able to see otherwise, whether because of cost, time or cultural awareness. One of the most interesting and eye-opening cities I’ve visited of late is Istanbul and I really tried to capture its richness through words. I think fondly of that trip and feel proud of the travel recap I wrote upon my return: Three Days in Istanbul.

Any of my posts you would have ranked in place of those above? 

Nominations: 
I pass the torch to the following bloggers who I hope will agree to participate –

Susan of Fleurishing
Christine of C’est Christine
Anne of Prêt à Voyager

Thanks for reading!