And so, the day of the Great A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal BlogFest dawns bright, clear, and rather warm where I live.
On Feb 11, 2014 we announced the Theme Reveal BlogFest with a drum roll and a fabulous badge designed by my team mate Samantha Geary Jones aka WriterlySam and I am excited to see that 1413 (and counting) participants have signed up!
(I co-hosted the A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal with #TeamDamyanti mates Anna Tan, Csenge Zalka, Guilie Castillo Oriard and Samant
I am participating in the April A to Z Challenge 2014 with two blogs this time – this one – Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles and my health blog Your Medical Guide.
On Vidya Sury, (you are here!) my theme is … variety. *Ducks!* Before you judge me, consider this:
Motivated by all the discussions going on about themes and the advantages of having a theme, I wondered…to theme, or not to theme?
I thought about various ideas – yeah, I am cool like that. And came up with a year’s worth of ideas. I made lists.
Travel – all the places I’ve visited – I found I had covered more than one place for each alphabet!
Music – limitless choice – too much that I like and very hard to confine to 26 posts!
Folk tales – this was my son’s idea. He’s a big fan of folk tales and even gave me resources. Half way through the effort, my mind was so full of deeper ideas, I decided to make it a regular feature here – long term idea.
Hindu Gods – again, my son’s idea. I asked if he would help me do it. He rested his case.
Indian traditions – I come from a land of traditions, too many local languages and a rich cultural heritage and there is no dearth of topics to write about. Still, Um…er….after collecting loads of info and enriching my own knowledge…I decided not to go with it. Oh I will blog about it..not in April though.
Food – again, lots to write about, but in keeping with this blog’s overall theme, it is better as a fortnightly or monthly post.
And so, what have we here?
Stop wriggling in your seats.
Take that finger away from your touchpad/mouse/keyboard.
The theme for the April A to Z Challenge 2014 on Vidya Sury – Collecting Smiles will be … Collecting Smiles. (which translates to variety!)
Easy eh? It will be just the same as usual, except during April – the posts will conform to the alphabet for the day.
I will also have the privilege of hosting some awesome guests here, during April. Incredible people I love. And I don’t want to try and restrain them into a theme that I thought up!.
So a glimpse into what you can expect:
Guest posts
Book reviews, yes.
Feel-good posts – reflective musing
Inspiring stories
Parenting perspectives
Some humor, perhaps
Photo posts
Maybe some haiku
Health tips
That looks like quite a bit, right? It is. I hoped to finish writing and scheduling the posts, but life took over and I am taking it as it comes. Or goes, depending how you look at it!
Above all, my aim is to ensure that you enjoy visiting, just as you did last year and think about what you read, with a smile.
To learn what I will be writing about on my health blog, please visit Your Medical Guide
If this is your first time here and you’re wondering why the ‘eck you should care about the April A to Z Challenge, here are my reflections from last year.
And now, may I suggest you visit the April A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal BlogFest sign up list and check out what the others are up to?
Let’s party!
And don’t forget to MINGLE!
Nice one. Looking forward to your posts.
Thank you, Belinda! Looking forward to yours, too!
Wow Vidya! Two blogs, you go girl! Variety sounds like a good no-theme theme. Will keep things spicy and lively here. All the very best – writing and co-hosting.
😀 Yes, Beloo! Looking forward to it, too!
Don’t we all just love variety? 🙂 And since you are a star at collecting smiles I know we are in for a treat!
Such kind words, Aditi! Hugs and thanks and….looking forward to your treasure chest unraveling!
Variety is the spice of life isn’t it? Looking forward to your posts 🙂
It is, Naba! I am looking forward to yours!
Aww, collecting smiles. I think you win the award for cutest theme.
Thank you, Nicki! I am off to see yours now 😀
Sounds awesome, Vidya!! And you doing a challenge with two blogs, my awe quotient for you has increased manifolds! ♥♥
Don’t speak too soon, Shilpa! 😀 Ok..just kidding! I am looking forward to the fun!
Vidya, I should’ve guessed–diversity is our middle name, isn’t it? What a wonderful theme! Looking forward to reading every day!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter: The Mighty Theme Reveal
Indeed, Guilie 😀 I refuse to confine myself to a theme! Hugs! What fun it is!
I knew it! 😉 Looking forward to all your lovely posts and the madness that is A to Z, Vidya! ♥
We are cool like that, aren’t we? Looking forward, too! 😀
That’s part of the beauty of A to Z. Some are called to a theme, others are called to something different. It’s all good. Follow your heart!
Thanks to you and #teamdamyanti for co-hosting the #A2ZReveal. Y’ALL ROCK!
LuAnn Braley
AyJay’s Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
Thank you, LuAnn! Nothing is possible without support, and I thank you right back!
Hugs and looking forward to rocking the A to Z! Starting to count down to the day!
SMILES!! Yes, I love that idea. There is so much stress and depression in the world today. I love that you are using the a to z challenge to make the world a bit brighter one person at a time.
*~MAJK~*
A-to-Z Challenge 2014
Mighty Minion of Co-Host Nicole Ayers
@Safireblade on Twitter
It is my life goal, MAJK! I am so glad you are here!
I’m looking forward to your posts Vidya!
This sounds like a wonderful theme!
*waving & smiling*
Yeah, Michelle! Last year I made some great connections, and you are one of them. 😀 *waving, smiling and grabbing you in a hug~!*
How wonderful – reminds me of a variety show – quite a specific format with lots of different content. I like the overall theme of your blog too *smiles*
Reflex Reactions
🙂 Thank you Ida! I am looking forward to reading posts from your lovely theme too!
Ha, all that bluster and wind and I KNEW this would be your theme 😛
But, knowing you, you’ll make it fun, interesting, lively, engaging and loads of smiles will be guaranteed. So, yes. Looking forward to it very, very eagerly 🙂
I am so predictable, aren’t I? 😀 I am biting my nails off now, because I have high expectations to live up to!
😉 Hugs! Loved your “reveal” post! Now hurry up and get well soon!
I like the idea of your variety theme! And oh my another brave soul participating with 2 blogs. I look forward to having tea and reading each of your posts.
I wish you the best of luck with the challenge.
🙂 Thank you Doreen! I was feeling particularly brave about the two blogs when I signed up… now I am working overtime to make sure I do a good job!
Love to you!
And here I am wondering how I am gonna manage one blog! This should be awesome!
Danny, I enjoy stretching myself. Good luck to you! And looking forward to seeing you around!
Vidya 🙂 I had to smile, what a heartwarming theme, collecting smiles 🙂 One cant collect them without scattering them so its a win-win and variety from you will be good I,m sure.2 blogs? Kudos.
I like your “win-win” explanation, Sunila! 😀 Hehehe. Sometimes I am intimidated when I think of 2 blogs – but those moments are few and far between!
Looking forward to doing it together!
I LOVE it! Such an intriguing variety, too! Count me in:) We’ll share a cup of coffee every day in April!
to Z: WriterlySam
resident bartender for A to Z Theme Revea
I am looking forward to that coffee together, Sam! I can taste it already!
Hugs!
I am already smiling Vidya 🙂
I look forward to read your different flavored daily posts 🙂
Thank you Ananya! 🙂 I look forward to reading yours too and am glad we are in it together!
I think we can use plenty of themes that have the intention of making us smile. =D Oh look, you succeeded already. 😉
😀 Thank you Patricia! In fact, Collecting Smiles is my tagline and i thought, what better theme for April?
Glad you are here!
very clever Vidya… You already started collecting smiles from this post itself…I am a fan of your writing and look forward to all that you have to offer us
Thank you Shiva! 😀 And I, yours! Love!
I’m already a huge fan of your feel-good posts.. looking forward to those and many more Vidya.
Thank you, Tulika! i am so glad you are participating and I am eager to see your posts!
Feel good posts are like medicine to me. I can’t wait to read your daily. 😉
Thank you, Mary! 😀 I feel the same! i am off to see what you have in store as your theme!
Collecting smiles definitely sounds like the best theme of them all 🙂
Thank you Siva! 🙂 It is such fun to see everyone’s theme, isn’t it? I am off to see yours!
Bring on the smiles! I like your variety theme for April. It will be fun to see how you mix things up for all of the letters. Thanks for hosting the theme reveal and supporting such a huge turnout for the largest and best blog hop ever!
~Nicole Ayers
#atozchallenge Co-Host
http://www.madlabpost.com
Hiya Nicole! Mixing things up – is what I love doing best! And I also love movies, so looking forward to your posts!
So glad you stopped by!
Smiling is good! Smiling makes the world better! Smiling uses less energy than frowning! Smiles are contagious! I love how you presented this, and couldn’t help but be amused that your son gave up when he found out he had to help…LOL. That would be mine also…
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Hehe, Tina! 😀 Smiling is definitely good. And I did not let my son give up before I wangled two posts out of him. 😉 Looking forward to a wonderful April!
Looking forward to adding to your collection of smiles in April!
Yours is a Win-Win theme:
You write with a smile,
your readers smile as they read your posts,
you collect their smiles, so
everybody is smiling and happy!
Solid win-win there, eh? I try my best, Pro!
I love your theme very much. April is a month I look forward to!
Cheers and thanks!
Ha! You convinced me to go with a theme. Next year I’ll probably be more eclectic, assuming I survive this one! 😉 Variety is always interesting! Looking forward to your posts.
😀 Debbie! You had me laughing at that!
I love your theme of travel and culture. I admit I pondered over that…but variety won hands down!
Looking forward to staying connected!
If Vidya is around, smiles are not far away– very apt theme 🙂
It has been lovely to have your smiles lighting up the group throughout the months we’ve been working together– thank you for being part of my team, for hosting this amazing reveal, and for pushing the numbers on the list!
Thank you, Vidya, and all the best for the challenge!
Not without your lovely presence, Damyanti. It is a joy to be together as Team Damyanti! You, are too kind. Just get well soon! Love you!
Thank you, and love you!
I love smiling. I used to have a shirt that said “Smile it confuses people” did you know it takes more muscles to frown that it does to smile! This will be neat to follow good work, Teresa from the following sites Fangirl Next Door
Stormy’s Sidekicks Quackin Over Disney Geek On!
🙂 Hi Teresa! I have a big poster on one of my doors that says the same thing. Thank you! 🙂
Hi Vidya,
Collecting smiles. …..yes, that what life is all about. I was waiting to see your theme;) I am energised after reading your post.
Oh! Boy!! The amount of ideas in this one post are mind – boggling. Here I am always stuck without ideas and inspiration.
Kudos to you and may you keep writing so I keep reading and loving you for it.
Thanks a ton.
Inderpreet, thank you! 🙂 I love your topic for the A to Z Challenge – Women. It is a great idea.
Love you right back!
I think variety is a great theme; you can write whatever inspires you for that letter based on your mood, circumstances, experiences, etc. Should be interesting to read what you come up with! Good luck with the challenge and all your duties with it!
betty
Thank you, Betty! Variety does open up a wide range of topics! 😀
I am still getting over the fact that you had to delete your posts and withdraw from an earlier A to Z.
I am looking forward to walking with you and Koda!
Cheers!
Aha Vidya love how you collectively call it variety. Look forward to your collection of smiles.
Thank you Suzy! Looking forward to your posts, too!
Variety is the spice of life! Looking forward to your amazing posts!
Variety is the spice of life 🙂 You have chosen wisely, look forward to reading your posts.
Hi Vidya
What an ambitious undertaking. I have enough problem writing 4 posts a month! I have done a few things that have challenged me with writing but that was awhile ago. 10 articles for Ezine and many more other posts and Power Point presentations in one month. But that was all I did for the month and nothing on the home front got done! lol
Mary
You are a great inspiration Vidya. What can I say except, lovely theme and I am looking forward to reading each and every post 🙂
Variety IS a theme, isn’t it 🙂 Love you for that…. In fact, I would’ve been surprised if you had limited your posts to some specific theme. With you,we can always expect something new and new and always new everytime. So I personally love your variety in choosing the theme too 😀
Hugs… looking forward to the delicious posts you’re going to churn out 🙂
Great post, Vidya. You’re always so inspiring. I haven’t done much blogging for a while but you’re getting me fired up to get going on it again for the A-Z challenge. Now to think of my theme. I see I missed the March 21st deadline but hopefully I can slip in my post. If not, I’ll be there in April! Okay, now I’ve announced my commitment. GULP!
You wicked wicked woman, all these inspired souls picked up a theme 😀 and here you the conspirator goes theme-less. Is this what feels like et tu brute 😀
Anyways I always have fun reading you so for me it is only more posts the better 😀
This is a great idea Vidya! I’m looking forward to your variety along with all the other various bloggers I’ll be reading. And of course who couldn’t do with another smile everyday.
That will be a interesting mix bag. Looking forward to your posts Vidya.
Haha….well, variety is the spice of life! 🙂 Looking forward to your travel and food posts in particular Vidya! Good luck with the challenge. And hats off to you as well for joining in with 2 blogs!
Hi Vidya, I hope to learn and cherish a lot from this theme of yours! Looks promising and lovely. Hugs!!!
Looking forward to collecting smiles with you this year too Vidya 🙂
—CAN’T Wait for all of the surprises!
Luv you more than coffee w/ whip cream.
Vidya, can you tell me how I put up the “Like me on Facebook” thing you have on your page????????
Hugs, Kim! You know I love you too!
About the “Like me on Facebook” – I am sending you an email right now.
Mmuah!
heard u are a mentor to be more precise idol to most of the bloggers.i personally didn’t get an opportunity may be.but so very much looking forward to learn from you. put me on your list vidya ji.
yay-yay-yay! I am happy you are continuing to collect smiles during the month of April. I really enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing what you bring to AtoZ this year! 🙂
🙂 Thank you! I believe it is the encouragement from the community that really keeps me going, some days!
Now I have to go read your post – love the title! (IFTTT…) So glad you came by!
Here’s a smile for your collection, no a laugh, really, a guffaw, maybe: in headless chicken mode, collecting scraps of info here and there, I proudly posted my A2Z Reveal on 21 Mar, but didn’t realize until now, the 11th hour, that it was a separate blog hop with Linky and all… Ah well, I look forward to peeking in your treasure chest of smiles : )
Arrrgh! Sounds like something I might do, Miss Alister! 😀 Never mind. The linky was open for three days after March 21. Mmm.
Still, I look forward to connecting with you over the A to Z! 😀 Thanks for dropping by!
Hello..I found your blog through the A-Z Challenge, and I enjoyed reading some of your posts. Looking forward to read more during April!
Hi Madhu! Thank you for dropping by! Looking forward to connecting with you!