Weekly Photo Challenge : Big

Posted on October 13 by Jennifer Avventura

“And this mess is so big
And so deep and so tall,
We cannot pick it up.
There is no way at all!”

-Dr. Seuss

My first (ever) BIG Italian pizza in Milan

Very big beers in Greece

Big caves in Athens, Greece

The big and beautiful Acropolis in Greece

Giants’ Tomb of Li Lolghi – Sardinia

My big feet in Vienna, Austria

Big is the Arena in Verona, Italy

Big Nuraghe in Sardinia

Big wooden shoes in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Big sweets in Santorini, Greece

This is my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Big

Top 5 Favourite Expat Blogs of the Day

Posted on October 8 by Jennifer Avventura

I’ve fallen in love with some new-to-me expat blogs and I can’t contain my excitement any longer. If there’s such a thing as a blog-stalker then I’m definitely one. I’ve been ~~stalking~~ reading these following 5 blogs for the last few days, over and over again. I come back to read hilarious expat tales or to witness stunning photography from across the globe.

In no particular order of importance … My Top 5 Favourite Expat Blogs of the Day.

If you click the header you will be swiftly taken to an awesome expat blog.

Mango Mornings is written by Liana an American expat in the Philippines. She’s a gifted story-teller who takes us on a journey around Asia and re-counts her expat tales in the Philippines. Check out an Office Field Trip she took with a cup of Jollibee’s take-a-way breakfast.

2Summers is written by American writer Heather Mason who has lived out her expat fantasies in quirky Johannesburg, South Africa for the last two years. Because Girls Kick Ass I thought you might like to read this post by Heather: Lily and Zulu Girl Kick Ass. This is part three in a series about professional female boxing. Awesome, right? I know!

A City Broad Abroad is written by an American expat living in Malta. She describes herself as eclectic and her favourite childhood celebrity was Carl Ripken Jr. When she’s not saving her pennies to buy a condo in the sky, you can find her writing about her expat (mis)adventures on the tiny island of Malta.

Greek Wanderings is written by a self-proclaimed nomad, pilgrim, vagabond and wanderer. She is now teaching English in Oman and she bides her time between Virginia and Greece. Her photos of stunning Fira, Santorini brought back many warm, wonderful memories for me. I hold Santorini close to my heart and it saddened me when I accidentally deleted 95% of my Greek photos!

Un’Americana a Roma is written by yet another expat American who has lived in Rome, Italy since 2001. Her blog is a hilarious take on everyday Italian life. Learn How to Take a Taxi in Rome and Not Get Ripped Off and Italianate which loosely translates into something being an ‘americanism’ and other Italian ailments.

What are some of your favourite expat blogs?

2012 Canadian Blog Awards | Nominate My Sardinian Life

Posted on August 19 by Jennifer Avventura

**UPDATE – This is just the nomination period. I wasn’t aware that you could only nominate once and that voting will take place at a different time. I’ll keep you updated as to when voting starts. Thank you all.

Nominate My Sardinian Life for the 2012 Canadian Blog Awards.

At the moment there are no travel or expat categories. I’ve been told that if there are enough nominations for a new category that they would make one.

My Sardinian Life’s categories for the 2012 Canadian Blog Awards: Best Travel Blog and Best Expat Blog.

What YOU can do:

1. Click the link provided for the 2012 Canadian Blog Awards.http://cdnba.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/nominations-for-the-2012-canadian-blog-awards

2. In the comment section, leave the nomination.

3. You must add my blog name, link and category.

4. Then click submit comment.

Example: My Sardinian Life, www.laavventura.wordpress.com, Best Expat Blog, Best Travel Blog.

TIP: You can copy & paste the example above into the comment section of the 2012 Canadian Blog Awards.

I missed last years awards and am keen on taking part this year.

Help My Sardinian Life win a 2012 Canadian Blog Award!

Your continued support means the world to me.

Thank you! Grazie.

Inspiring Blog Award

Posted on July 18 by Jennifer Avventura

The Inspiring Blog Award was awarded to My Sardinian Life!

A huge thanks to Aparna at aparnanairphotography for nominating me. I would have never thought that my words or pictures could inspire people, I am deeply humbled.

Continue reading →

When life gives you lemons …

Posted on July 11 by Jennifer Avventura

“As you go about your daily life, you will encounter many lemons. Sour expressions, sour attitudes, sour auras! The good thing is that if you don’t want to be a lemon, you don’t have to be! Just don’t let those lemons rub themselves all over you! And you don’t even have to save them! Let lemons be lemons! One of the most important things that I have ever learned, is that I don’t have to save people.”
― C. JoyBell C.

“When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye” – Cathy Guisewite

“When life gives you lemons, ask for a shot of tequila.” – Jennifer Avventura

“When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and let the world wonder how you did it” – Unknown

Do you have any funny “When life gives you lemons” quotes? Please share them below, I’m in need of a good laugh.

The Lovely Versatile & Illuminating Blog Award

Posted on June 26 by Jennifer Avventura

It’s been a whirl wind of activity in Sardinia in recent weeks and I haven’t had much time to write or give thanks to those who have thought about me and passed on these prestigious awards, now is the time.

It is with great pleasure that I accept the following four blogging awards from fellow bloggers.

Continue reading →

Cleaning House at My Sardinian Life

Posted on May 24 by Jennifer Avventura

Good Morning faithful followers! If you are reading this post then you will have noticed that I changed my theme! I was tired of the chunky feel of the Mystique theme and after careful thought decided to change my theme to the ever so popular Twenty Ten.

Please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of this theme. I was looking for a more simple and clean theme and Twenty Ten was the winner.

Do you like the changes? Did I make a HUGE mistake changing themes? Your opinion is important to me and I would love to hear your thoughts on this change.

Thank you and have a super day!

Jennifer Avventura

Kreativ Blogger Award | My Sardinian Life

Posted on May 16 by Jennifer Avventura

Doing It My Way – Kreativ Blogger Award

I always research the origins of blogging awards because I want to know the rules and I want to link back to the original creator. I was surprised to find that the Kreativ Blogger Award was created by Hulda in Norway in May 2008. Surprised because Hulda created this award the old-fashioned way, with paper and scissors. Now that’s being kreativ, go girl!

Continue reading →

A Letter of Thanks to You

Posted on May 4 by Jennifer Avventura

In the last few days I have received an enormous amount of support, congratulations and keep it ups, from strangers … all … over … the … world! I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of positive support.

I would like to thank each and every one of you; for your kind words and encouragement, now and though the last two years.

From the bottom of my heart – THANK YOU! GRAZIE!

This blog is an effort to show my writing skills. Skills for which no degree hangs, but this doesn’t stop me from doing what I love … writing. It’s been a silent dream of mine for eons and has only been visible to the outside world since the inception of My Sardinian Life.

I would have never guessed a place so forgotten, and lost in the world, could exist and offer so much joy and beauty.

Sardinia is land to be discovered, on your own time, by your own feet.

I share my daily life on this blog to share with others the ups and downs of an expat in this world. My life is not all umbrellas and sunshine, but it’s life and it’s mine. I created it, I own it.

My expat experiences have changed me, opened my eyes to human struggles around the world. Even if I reach one person with thoughts of inspiration and hope then my job is done. I’m complete.

My blog exists because of you. Your continued support has inspired me to carry on.

My kind and best regards to you all. Blessed be.

Jennifer Avventura

***Things will slow down at My Sardinian Life for the next few months. It’s job season and some fish are biting while the ecomony is falling, I must take the bait.

An interview with La Nuova Sardegna by Silvana Porcu

Posted on May 1 by Jennifer Avventura

This past March I was contacted by Silvana Porcu, an English-speaking Sardinian journalist from La Nuova Sardegna. She and her editors were looking for an article on Sardinia but from an outsiders point of view. Silvana found My Sardinian Life and she contacted me. We did the interview via Skype, she in Alghero and I in my adopted hometown in Sardinia.

I would like to thank Silvana for taking the time out to interview me on My Sardinian Life. And another huge thanks to La Nuova Sardegna for printing the article. This was a huge honour for me, thank you.

What joy and exposure! I’ve already been contacted by a woman who lives in Sardinia and she is Canadian! Imagine! I thought I was the only Canadian on the island. I’m looking forward to meeting these newfound friends.