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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Contests and blogfests and corn, oh my!

The family trip to the art college on Saturday was a huge success. Practically from the moment she walked in, Diva was sure this was where she wanted to be next year. Each new thing she learned about the studies involved only strengthened her resolve. She's already working on extra pieces for her portfolio to show her diversity. Fingers crossed that she's accepted. They accept 200 students a year and last year had 420 applicants so it isn't a foregone conclusion, but at least she knows what she's working towards. I wish we could say the same for poor Blue. The school she has set her heart on accepts about 20 students from the UK and have over 500 applicants. So far, we haven't found any other viable schools that offer the International Baccalaureate rather than A' levels, but we keep searching! Send us positive thoughts if you would :-)

I have some interesting things to tell you about today, so let's start with some contests:

Medeia Sharif is offering a book of your choice from the Book Depository. This is an international contest which closes on 31st December. Click here to enter.

Joanne at Whole Latte Life is offering a $20 ebook gift card for her lucky winner, but this one closes tomorrow so be sure to click here today to enter!

Here's a nice one. Heather at My Demon Spirits is holding a competition for the best short holiday story (it doesn't have to be Christmas related). The closing date for entries to be posted on your blog is 19th December and she's offering three prizes including a $25 Amazon gift card. Go here for all the details.

Now for some blogfests:

A nice easy one to start. Katie Mills at Creepy Query Girl is co-hosting the Deja Vu blogfest, along with Nicole Ducleroir, Lydia Kang and DL Hammons. Click on one of the links to sign up, and repost one of your old posts on 16th December. Easy, and a good chance to remind us of something you might be particularly proud of :-)

The Wrap It Up blogfest is being organised by David Powers King, J. A. Bennett and Leigh Covington. Sign up before 16th December, then write something in less than 300 words for somebody, (real or imaginary), and post it on your blog before the closing date. There are prizes for this one. Click on one of the links for full details.

Finally, if all this Christmas joy is just too much for you, here's a bloghop especially for you. Grumpy Bulldog is offering his very own Bah Humbug Blahg fest. Hit the link to sign up before 15th December then, on that day, simply answer the question: What are the 12 things I hate most about the holiday season?

Before I go, I promised you corn. Enjoy :-)


Posted by at 9:54 AM
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55 comments:

  1. Claudia MoserDecember 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Sending positive vibes :)

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  2. Sarah FlightDecember 13, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    I have eveything crossed for you x

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  3. CristinaDecember 13, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    oh good luck with everything, and thanks for sharing all those links, will check them out :)

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  4. JoannaDecember 13, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    My son would sympathise with Blue. He really wanted to do the IB but there was nowhere near where we live. It makes me a bit cross - here is a pretty geeky bloke saying that he doesn't want to be pigeonholed and would like to do something arty alongside his maths and sciences and the education system can't accommodate it.

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  5. JoanneDecember 13, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Good luck to your daughter, what an exciting time for her!

    And lots of fun blogging going on as the year comes to a close ... Thanks for the shout-out :)

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  6. Sarah WDecember 13, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    My fingers are crossed for your daughters, Sarah!

    And thank you for the adorably selfish porcupine vid. It's nice to start the day off with a smile!

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  7. Linda G.December 13, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Love that porcupine video -- so cute!

    Sending you loads of positive get-accepted-into-school-of-choice thoughts. :)

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  8. KristaDecember 13, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Ah school woes. I don't envy your kids. I am glad those days are over for me. (Unless I finally go completely mental and go back).

    As I was thinking that I was glad I don't have to be worried about being accepted to my dream school I was thinking about my novel submission. I guess we never grow out of waiting to be judged worthy of something. Wishing you and your family happy results :)

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  9. vic caswell December 13, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    wait! you have TWO daughters applying to college? are they twins?

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  10. E. ArroyoDecember 13, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Keeping fingers and toes crossed. Thanks for the update.

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  11. Leigh CovingtonDecember 13, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Bah hahaha! I love the "corn." And I am going to go check out all these awesome contests! Thanks for mentioning ours!

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  12. rebecca h jamisonDecember 13, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    I hope it goes well for your daughters. I can totally relate.

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  13. Emily R. KingDecember 13, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Thanks for the info. Best wishes to your daughters!

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  14. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderDecember 13, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Thanks for the heads up on all that is going around. I'll be sure to enter Heather's contest. I just gotta think of a story.

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  15. Johanna GarthDecember 13, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Fingers crossed for your girls! Thanks for the blogosphere summary.

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  16. PatsyDecember 13, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Thanks for the links - I'll go check them out.

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  17. Sarah AllenDecember 13, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Haha :) Best video ever!

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  18. THE SARCASM GODDESSDecember 13, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    Sending you lots of positive thoughts! Thanks for sharing all these contests and links!

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  19. UnknownDecember 13, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    That sounds fantastic for Diva! Not so fantastic for Blue... but it will be an awesome achievement if she's one of the 20 accepted!

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  20. Golden EagleDecember 13, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Sending positive thoughts! :)

    Thanks for all the links!

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  21. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Good luck to your daughter! How nice for her that she has such nice parents too. :)

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  22. J.L. CampbellDecember 14, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Sending you positive thoughts for your daughter.

    Lots happening in terms of blogfests. Thanks for the update.

    Who knew porcupines like corn that much.

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  23. NancyDecember 14, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    I hope they both get the schools they want. Thanks for the links.

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  24. s.e. rittelDecember 14, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    I'm just glad to be able to read your blog again! Best of luck to both your girls, definitely a trial but I hope they both get their top choices.

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  25. LD MastersonDecember 14, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Lots of great links, thanks. Sending some positive vibes. Hope they help.

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  26. David P. KingDecember 14, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Appreciate the "wrap It Up' Shout-out! Thank you! Now to check out the others. I have a great idea for Bulldog's, but it might be considered cheating if I went through with it. :)

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  27. SushDecember 14, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I feel for you! Our daughter applied to the department she wanted to get in (Interior Architecture and Design). You not only have to qualify for the admission to the University, but that department is a separate admission. They only take in 100 students or less each year. Admission is for the fall semester only.
    She was floating on air when she did get in! Six years later she's working as a designer for a Kitchen and Bath firm and loving it!
    It can be done! Hugs and Positive vibes!

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  28. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Cute porcupine with corn on cob. Wow what a lot of fests contests and giveaways. Excellent!
    Merry Christmas.

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  29. Dianne K. SalerniDecember 14, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Good luck on the college search -- and fingers crossed for both daughters. My eldest is in 9th grade, so we'll be starting the search sooner than I want to think about.

    I'll be at the Deja Vu blogfest -- so see you there.

    I'll be at the Deja Vu blogfest -- so see you there. (Ha, ha)

    Do porcupines really make noise, or was that fake ...?

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  30. Cherie ReichDecember 14, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Oh, I hope Diva gets into that college and Blue can find one with the International Baccalaureate.

    Thanks for all the contest and blogfest links!

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  31. Margo KellyDecember 14, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    My two oldest children are both in the application process for attending a university next year. Their first choice schools only accept about 60% of their applicants. So ... we are waiting to hear.

    and thanks for all of the great links! :)

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  32. Angela CothranDecember 14, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    I'll say a big prayer for your daughters :)

    The porcupine is hilarious!!!

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  33. Sarah AhiersDecember 14, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    man, there's just so much going on in the blogosphere right now!

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  34. Jennie BennettDecember 14, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    That video was too cute! Thanks for mentioning our blogfest :)

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  35. Jolene PerryDecember 14, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Wow, good luck with all the school craziness!!

    Also - way to be on top of what's up in the blogosphere!

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  36. Chantele SedgwickDecember 14, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Fingers crossed for you! And yay for all those fun blog contests! :D

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  37. HeatherDecember 14, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Congrats on the successful college trip! Thanks for all the great links. I wish I had more time before going to work to check them all out.

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  38. dolorahDecember 14, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    LOL; back away from the corn :) That was cool.

    Wishing your kids good luck with the school admissions. Great to see kids wanting to get past High School.

    Thanks for all the blogfest links.

    .......dhole

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  39. Melodie WrightDecember 15, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    OMG. I had no idea porcupines were so verbal! Teddy is adorable. I want a porcupine!!!

    Good luck with the kids' school choices. My son is an IB student at his high school so I know the program. Positive thoughts!

    And thanks for the blogfest updates. I was thinking I'd have time to do a hop this Christmas break.

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  40. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 3:04 AM

    I wish you all the best and I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

    Thanks for the shout-out.

    I'm also participating in the Deja Vu blogfest. Thanks for the other links.

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  41. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Great links... thanks for sharing... going to check them out now:)

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  42. Shell FlowerDecember 15, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    Good luck with the school thing. My son is just starting to look for a College. It's intense.

    I love the porcupine video and the links. Thanks!

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  43. LynNerdKelleyDecember 15, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Yay for Diva finding the perfect school! I hope she gets accepted. Poor Blue and the odds of acceptance into the school of her choice being so poor. Yes, I'll send positive thoughts and a few prayers as well. Thanks for the heads up on the blog hops. I can only handle one, and the Deja Vu one sounds fun and easy!

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  44. StinaDecember 15, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    That was adorable. I'm going to have to show this to my animal loving 7 year old.

    Thanks for all the links. :D

    Now to check out more cute porcupine videos.

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  45. Arlee BirdDecember 15, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Things are busy indeed at a busy time of year. I've got my Deja Vu post poised to go online.

    Lee
    A to Z stories starting 12/12 and the official A to Z Badge is now revealed
    Blogging from A to Z

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  46. Rick WatsonDecember 15, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Good luck to the daughter. I have a feeling she'll get in.
    Rick

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  47. Roland D. YeomansDecember 15, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I will be praying that Diva gets accepted, Sarah. Sigh. There was a time when I had the free moments to enter all those blogfests. Have a great weekend. Thanks for visiting and caring enough to stay to chat, Roland

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  48. MarkDecember 15, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Glad art school is looking up:)
    Also...intriguing porcupine;)

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  49. DeanaDecember 16, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Lots of awesome stuff going on in your neck of the woods! Sounds like fun:)

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  50. Julie MusilDecember 16, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    I hope, hope, hope they get accepted into the schools they want!

    And thanks for all the blogfest goodies. I'll have to check them out!

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  51. Sarah TokeleyDecember 16, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Claudia - Thank you :-)

    Sarahflight - Thanks. By the way, in answer to your question on your blog, I only ever played WoW, but I played it a LOT :-)

    Cristina - Thank you. Good luck if you enter any :-)

    Joanna - I read your comment to Blue. She said she sympathises with him, but she's glad there are other geeks like her :-)

    Joanne - Thank you, and you're very welcome :-)

    Sarah W - Isn't he lovely? :-)

    Linda G - Thanks Linda :-)

    Krista - Good point. There's always something, isn't there?

    Vic - Yes, I have twins :-) It's sixth form college though, University isn't for a couple of years, thank goodness :-)

    Elizabeth A - Thanks, and you're welcome :-)

    Leigh - You're very welcome, and that little dude is so cute, isn't he?

    Rebecca - Thank you so much.

    Emily - You're welcome, and thanks.

    Michael - me too.

    Johanna - Thank you, and you're so welcome.

    Patsy - Go, win something :-)

    Sarah A - I cannot disagree :-)

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  52. Sarah TokeleyDecember 16, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Sarcasm Goddess - Thank you, and you're very welcome.

    Rachel M - It will won't it? I'm trying not to think about it, but I can't help daydreaming :-)

    Golden Eagle - Thank you :-)

    Liz F - Aww, what a kind thing to say. Thank you.

    Joy - Thanks, and you should see him with pumpkin :-)

    Nancy - Thank you, and hope you're lucky :-)

    S.E. Rittel - Thank you. It's really good to see you again.

    LD Masterson - How could they not? :-)

    David - You're welcome, and I had a look at your entry :-)

    Sush - Thank you! I love success stories like this :-)

    Madeleine - Isn't he adorable?

    Dianne - It seems like two minutes ago mine were in year 9, and yes you made me smile :-)

    As for the porcupine, Techno was sure it was fake so I went on the site where the video comes from and, as far as I can tell, he really does sound like that :-)

    Cherie - Thank you, and good luck if you enter any of them :-)

    Margo - You know how I feel! Best of luck to your two.

    Angela - Thank you. Believe me, it's appreciated.

    Sarah (Falen) - Isn't there just! And just about the time we have one or two things to do in our 'other' lives :-)

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  53. Sarah TokeleyDecember 16, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Jen B - You're very welcome :-)

    Jolene - Thanks Jolene. I never seem to be organised enough to enter, but at least I can make sure everyone else can :-)

    Chantele - Thanks Chantele :-)

    Heather- Time. What I want most for Christmas :-)

    Donna H - If my kids have their way, they'll be in education until they're 21, and that's fine by me :-)

    Melodie - Oh, me too!

    How is your son coping with the workload? Was it a huge jump?

    Medeia - Thanks, and you're very welcome.

    Tania - You're welcome, and good luck :-)

    Shell - Best of luck to your son, too :-)

    LynnNerdKelley - Thank you for the kind thoughts. I agree, the Deja Vu blogfest turned out to be the one for me, too :-)

    Stina - I made my whole family watch it, and I giggled every time :-)

    Arlee - I'll look forward to reading it :-)

    Rick - Bless you Rick, and thank you.

    Roland - You can console yourself with the thought that your busyness comes from doing good things x

    Mark - Thank you, and yes :-)

    Deana - Indeed, hectic but fun :-)

    Julie - Thank you, me too. Good luck if you enter any of them.

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  54. Xandra JamesDecember 17, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    thanks for the links - some very interesting ones.

    And good luck in finding schools, am sending positive thoughts to you!

    x

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  55. Sarah TokeleyDecember 23, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Xandra - Thank you. Positive thoughts are much appreciated :-)

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