The 7 Link Challenge

7 Links

Darren Rowse over at Problogger has presented his readers with an interesting challenge – Establish 7 links to your blog to posts in the following categories:

• Your first post
• A post you enjoyed writing the most
• A post which had a great discussion
• A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written
• Your most helpful post
• A post with a title that you are proud of
• A post that you wish more people had read

A few of my favourite bloggers have already taken the challenge and I wanted to add my 2 euro cents to the mix.

My First Post

Although CheeseWeb began back in 2004 while we were living in Amsterdam for 3 months, my first post as a bonafied expat was the following year. We had packed up our cats and a couple of suitcases and headed out for parts unknown. Life – The New Chapter was written after we landed in Amsterdam and the reality of expat life was setting in. The post talks about our flight with four cats, our temporary flat and our first days in the city. As you can see, it was written like a letter to friends and family, which it was, as I had no clue at the time what CheeseWeb would eventually become.

The post I enjoyed writing the most

I enjoy writing all of my posts; otherwise I wouldn’t write them. One of the most fun to write, and to read the responses to was Top 20 Signs You’ve Been an Expat in Brussels Too Long. Expat life changes you over time – sometimes for the good, sometimes for the… Belgian.

A post which had a great discussion

The posts that inspire the most discussion on CheeseWeb are often the ones I write out of frustration or sadness. Honesty and emotion strike a chord with people and it’s nice to know many of my readers have gone through similar rough times. The Fear of Standing Still was a post I wrote a few months ago about my indecisiveness on the direction my expat life should take. It was my most commented on post yet and I was amazed and humbled by the outpouring of support.

A post on someone else’s blog that I wish I’d written

Only one? Yikes… One of the most beautiful things I’ve read in a long, long time was a post called Why I Travel by the fabulous Jeannie over at Nomadic Chick. Jeannie’s writing is always evocative, but this post was beyond emotional. It was a touching tribute to her mother that brought tears to my eyes. Go read it.

My most helpful post

I think YOU need to answer this question. Go tell me in the comments now, I’ll wait… Since I’m supposed to choose one as well, My recent Flashback post, Singing the Expat Blues seemed to really strike a chord with people, even years after I wrote it. I’m planning on continuing with the Flashback posts so do let me know if there are any particular topics that interest you.

A post with a title I’m proud of

I HATE writing titles. It was my least favourite task back in Journalism school and it still is. Mostly now I have boring SEO friendly titles so I don’t get too creative. I was quite pleased with myself for The Key(s) to a Successful Marriage (You have to read it to find out why). In fact I don’t have many titles I’m proud of but I think this one sounds rather intriguing: Andrew has a nemesis and her name is Milan. You totally want to go read that now, don’t you?

A post I wish more people had read

What I actually wish is that more people had commented on My Expat Music Playlist. I love discovering new music so I’d love to hear about the songs that resonate with you in your expat life. Go read it and then leave me your comments so I can work on a new updated list.

I’d love to see your own responses to the 7 link challenge. If you do it, be sure to leave a link to your post below.