Blogging Tips

Cartoon by mumsthenerd.co.uk

One of the courses I took in  http://medialightasia.com/main/ was  blogging. The course was given by Joyce Burton, Ms Philippines Universe 1985, voice over artist and a blogger with millions of views http://adventuresofabeautyqueen.com/

She gave us the following blogging tips and I rate my blogging … well you don’t wane know that J

I hope it would be useful to somebody if I shared it. After this course, I even wondered whether I should stop blogging or do it right. Of course I choose to do it right J.

Anyhow, here are the tips for all the bloggers out there;

Blogging tips

1.  Blog about one topic

2.  Have an underlying purpose

3.  Blog on top of the news

4.  Use key words and key phrases (words people could type in Google).  If you know how to write with

      key words you can compete

5.  Link back to yourself and others

6.  Label it on your computer

7.  Tag everything (because it increases the chance of being goggled)

8.  Label all photos

9.  Be the first person to blog about it

10. Get your facts straight

11. Correct your mistakes

12. Respond to all comments

13. Visit similar blogs and comment

14. Brand

15. Promoting via FB & Twitter

16. Build your FB and Twitter network

17. Constantly blog—average 2-3 times a week

18. Check you analytics

19. Don’t be a slave to numbers

20. Share your Jesus story

Happy blogging :)

The Father

Some years back I was walking by this big house, with my mom and sister. We could hear loud music and saw a lot of people inside, it seemed like they were having a party. Wandering what is going on, we
stopped to take a look.  The father of the house, who happened to be behind us at that moment, invited us in. He was a man of great charisma. I have known the father since.

Recently, I learnt that he lost most of his young sons and daughters. The kids went out of the house and never returned for many years. People say that the man has been living in depression.  I heard that the father had enemy from a different tribe. He had some history with this tribe and they are the ones who took his kids. This tribe had tricked the kids to think that the kidnappers are good, loving people. But that is the opposite of this tribe, they have confused the hell out of the kids, they made them lose their dignity, they brainwashed them about their dad and brothers, they have just damaged them psychologically. People say even some of the kids have been killed.

Photo by Genaye Eshetu

The interesting part is the father has already paid the ransom. But the kids never returned home. It seems like they have no idea their ransom has been paid for, I even wonder if they know who their real father is now after all the brainwashing.

Anyways, I am writing this because I recently was walking by this family house.  I noticed the brothers who are lucky enough not to be kidnapped back then are having parties in their father’s house. Though it has been years since their brothers were kidnapped, I don’t understand how these brothers totally forgot about their younger brothers.

As I walk by the house, I noticed the father was sitting outside the house, so depressed. There were tears in his eyes. I can’t take his face out of my mind. The father has done whatever he could to get his children back. It seems there is nothing more to do for the father. 

However the kids need to know the ransom is already paid for them, that they have a father who love them and waiting for them. Their brothers who are the only people who can go, and tell their brothers the news and set them free are just keeping having parties. I believe somebody got to do something about this family.

I KNOW THIS STORY SOUNDS INSANE. BUT IT IS AS IT IS!

Though I wrote this as third person narrator (outsider) am adopted to be one of the sister's in the house, and I am equally to be blamed for my lost brothers and sisters!

Glimpse of life 2



Photo by Genaye Eshetu

I was at the Ethiopian airlines waiting in a long line to check in. I had back pain from standing for almost two hours. If there had been a better service and better structure, there wouldn't be long lines that give people back pain. At same time it is unpleasant opportunity to meet people. I got to meet different people on the line, but one of the girl's story strike me most.

I still wonder how they let that girl with heart case line up with us, pushing all her luggage. She told me that a wheelchair was arranged to her at an airport in Italy, where she came from.   We didn't ask each other’s name, so for this story let’s name her Meri.

Meri is a young girl from Addis, Kaliti area. Her choice of color gave her a very feminine look; purple jacket zipped up to her neck, purple tight, pink luggage of various sizes. She pony tailed her black hair with a tiara to hold it back. My new friend has a pretty face with big eyes that show of her young age and innocence.

Meri went to Italy, 5 years back. She was a 14 year old then, with severe heart pain. The doctors told her that she only has 3 days to live, unless she gets the proper treatment abroad. While following up her treatment at Zewditu hospital, Addis Ababa, a non-governmental organization, which  she doesn’t recall its name, arranged for her to go to Italy and get medical treatment. Meri, after having her surgery is still in a lot of medication to maintain her heart function properly. Having spent most of the past five years in hospital, Meri couldn’t continue her education. She was in 8^th grade while she was sent to Italy for the surgery. Meri lives under the care of an Italian woman who took her in as her daughter.

After five years, Meri didn’t come to Ethiopia just to visit her homeland but to marry her teenage years sweet heart and a friend during the difficult season of her life.  I felt she is too young to got married and again she will have to live continents away from her husband. I asked how they kept in touch in the past five years. She said,' letters and few times phone calls.' Her eyes sparkle when she talk of her husband.  He was an employee of the NGO that sent her to Italy for medication. After 5 years, she marries the guy, and she is moving back to Italy to follow up on her medication for an amount of time she doesn't know. 

Meri was afraid she cant communicate with people at the airport. 'I cant speck English, I cant speak Italy I am so afraid,' she kept saying. I tried to comfort her that she is going to be okay. Can you speak English?' she asked me. She was so surprised that I can! 'Five years in Italy, I cant speak their language,'she says.  'Comestarie Benne you will learn soon' I said. Her eyes lighten up 'you can speck Italy you can!!!!...' no no that is the only words I know' she didn't seem to believe me. She starts talking Italian, and I had no idea what she said.

We reached the check in point; we didn't even say a proper good bye. Well that is her story as she tells it in the few minutes we met on the line.  But I know I wouldn't forget her story. And to express all her innocence and beauty I like to use this butterfly's picture  with her story:)