So anyway, a few months ago, Alynda posted about her blog review. She had submitted her link to Review my Blog and then posted her results. I followed the link and read other reviews and then read about the panel of judges. They explained:
"We don't claim to be blogging experts, and we don't claim to know
everything there is to know about template design. We are not award-winning
writers, either. We're here because it's fun for us. We're a group of ladies
with a sarcastic sense of humor, and we love reading people's blogs!"
I thought why not, it would be nice to know what unbiased people think about my site, so in a moment of massochistic whimsy I shot them an e-mail and waited. And waited. Until the waiting consumed me, eating up my very being! Just kidding. :) But I will admit it was quite nerve-racking, especially when all the 4s and 5s and even 1s (blogs are rated on a scale of 1-10 based on first impresson, design, and content) were coming in droves. The header design my friend is working on wasn't going to be finished on time so I knew the plainness of my blog would cost me many points. You also have no control over who does the review, it could be a Randy, Paula or Simon if you're unlucky.
And then it was time. Review day was upon me and I swear it felt like course card day in college. Ok. Are you ready for it? I got a 9!! YAY! Can you believe it?! *doing the dance of joy* I honestly didn't expect that and I'm super thrilled! :)
My favorite part of the review was when Lexis said "It's like if the Travel Channel and The Food Network had a baby, lol." I loved that. Almost as much as I loved this: "Now some of the food made me want to hurl, but I'm sure she's seen some shit we eat over here that has made her want to do the same thing, lol." I'm pretty sure she was talking about the picture of the sinigang na lechon I posted because it was on the main page around that time the review was done. I can understand how it would elicit that kind of reaction from the uninitiated. Heehee.
So here is the review in it's entirety:
Blog Being Reviewed: Ramblings from a Gypsy Soul
Reviewed By: Lexis EldoradoAt First Glance: Ohh Someone from Another Culture, I'm intrigued.
Template/Design: Almost thought it was a wordpress template but it's not.
Plain, but I see heavy visuals in the content; so it might need to be plain
white. The sidebar is enthusiastic. She's about travel and food and her sidebar
reflects it. I'm intrigued.Content: Wow! I feel like I haven't been out of my backyard reading this
blog. It's like if the Travel Channel and The Food Network had a baby, lol.
There's one thing to scour the net looking for appropriate pictures to tell your
stories and actually taking them. Her photos are vibrant and colorful and you
almost feel like you can touch a leaf or the sand or run through the ocean. Now
some of the food made me want to hurl, but I'm sure she's seen some shit we eat
over here that has made her want to do the same thing, lol. In terms of the
writing. She tells the story without all that 'extra'.What is the first thing I would change about this blog? More pictures, lol I
love looking at these pictures. I would like to see a more vibrant template.
There's got to be some type of really cool travel template out there just
waiting for her.
What is the best feature of this blog? A great merger of visuals and
words.Rating: 9 Also here is her VT Page for those interested.
(The original post is here.)
Thanks again, Lexis, for the great review! And thank you to all of you who read my blog and encourage me with your words. A special thanks to the other bloggers out there who continue to amaze and inspire me. I'd also like to thank my mom and dad for.....
25 comments:
Hey that's a good one! At the end of the day though, it's blogging about what makes us personally happy that matters. =)
Great!! Congratulations, once more, for another deserving citation. Now if only someone from the networks would pick this up....hehehe :)
I would have given you an 11. I like the variety your blog offers and the pictures are magazine-worthy. I'm a big fan. Keep up the great work! :-)
Amen to that, wysgal. :)
Thanks, Cookie! Haha, slim chance of that happening but amusing thought anyway. :)
Ben, thank you! That means a lot to me. Variety is the spice of life, after all right? Besides, I don't travel enough or cook often enough to stick to just one topic or the other. :)
Congratulations Christine! indeed, well deserved! I love reading you!!! =)
Congratulations Nens!!! You deserve it! :) Your posts have people coming back for more...even when I've heard the kwentos personally, I still like reading them here :) Bravo!!! Let's celebrate ;)
WTG, Christine. I'm now excited about your new look. :-)
Jen, Joey, and P, thank you so much! :) P, am also excited for the new look. I hope it comes out nice.
Hats off to you Christine! :) Congrats!
Congrats Christine! Its your words and pictures that makes your blog very colorful. Looking forward to more :)
Haha...that was hella funny! Christine, of course you deserve whatever accolades that come your way, whether it be from a bunch of sarcastic gals or some swank corp that would beg to have adspace on your blog.
Keep up the travels and the eats. I'm always ready to pack my bags and take off whenever I read one of your adventures!
Have you visited Restaurant101?
allan
Congratulations Nens! After all, you really inspired me to take my blogging seriously. That is very cool!
How cool, Christine! And I have to say that your fun loving, warm personality comes through in all of your posts, and that, along with the fabulous combination of food and travel make me look forward to visiting often...not to mention the out of this world beautiful photos you share. :-) But then, you ARE a girl who rocks, after all...so this rating is well deserved. :-)
Di, Nina, and Rowena, thank you so much! You girls are great for the ego! ;)
Hi Allan, no I haven't. Is that in Manila? It's half past 2 am and I'm half asleep, so that may be why it isn't ringing a bell. Where is it?
Mieke, thanks! :) Glad I could do that for you, as you encourage me to keep on blogging.
Belinda, you are too sweet. Thank you so much! :) It's all this blogging business that's given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people such as yourself, and I'm grateful for that.
I'm not surprised at all that you got a good review. Even before I met you, I already enjoyed your blog. I've told you many times that the way you write about the places you visit makes me want to jump on the plane and GO! And your food posts never fail to activate my apetite. But what I like best is how your cheerful, life-loving personality always shines through every post you write. :-)
Speech speech! Congratulations Nena!
Allan, with a much clearer head this morning, I realized what you were talking about. That's in Enderun right? If it is then no I haven't. Have you? :)
Aww Katrina thank you! I'm really flattered and touched. You're too sweet. :)
Mila, Thanks! I tried to make a speech but they pulled the plug of the computer on me! Bastids! :)
nens, what an apt description! I couldn't have described it any better! personally, i would've given your blog a 10. 10 ba ang highest? if 20, eh di 20. of course you know by now that i'm more of the travel than the food reader. that's how domesticated i am! keep on blogging buddy! hey, where's the cebu post? i want to be updated!
Thanks, Katkat! :) This is why we've been friends since kindergarten, heehee. Just kidding. Cebu trip is this weekend still, so you can expect the post by next week. :)
Congrats Nens!!!!
Congrats Christine! I do love that line too about the Travel Channel and Food network!
Thank you, Gins and Veron! :)
galing!congratulations!!
Thanks, Anton! :)
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