— witsandnuts

Cheers to the winners!

As I mentioned initially, I was overwhelmed by the amount and quality of responses that got in. It was extra nice that it was during my birthday that I sorted through your account on how we have met, why you read this blog (thank you!), traced the links to your favorite posts, validated the topics that you want me to write about or the changes to this blog that you wish to happen, and honestly, I did not realize the “danger” of the fifth requirement when I wrote there: “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person until I read your responses. Haha.

I really appreciate that you willingly embrace my no niche approach [i.e. my babbling about (almost) anything under the sun], which is not by intention. If you might have noticed, while the topics are unboxed, they are generally a reflection of my interests. And I try to write with no hard and fast rules, as much as possible, except that I do observe a sense of accountability for the veracity of things that I share even if I am writing under a pseudonym.

I took note of all the suggestions and I think that these shall work to everyone’s advantage. I will try to address the following “requests” which I will categorize into two: the generally workable (to continue and increase my entries pertaining to UAE such as food/ restaurant reviews, must-visit places, more kitchen experiments with food local to the UAE, my travel experiences, daily inspirations, more book reviews, to venture on something fictional, and to share stories/caricatures about the varied people I meet, discreetly cloaked in pseudonyms) AND remotely workable as of the moment, but I will try to address in an indirect means (to become visible on this blog by sharing my photos and to write on a more personal level).

Based on the comments gathered, the following turned out to be the more popular posts:
(1) The 8 faces of adobo
(2) The things that we love (one of the more personal posts ever written here)
(3) Witsandnuts 2009 in a glance (I prepare a collage/mosaic before the end of the year to look back at the year that was about to conclude)
(4) Wolf with me friends, a very funny Twilight related post in 2008 – at my most addicted phase
(5) The Procession, a Holy week related entry
(6) The Killers concert in Abu Dhabi
(7) Kwentong Kayumanggi, Ayoko munang mag Ingles, I intended to blog in my mother tongue regularly but was not able to sustain it. I will try to revive it.
(8) What Leo Messi can do
(9) The milk toof book, I am still giddy with the fact that I am currently one of the very few who got a copy of this book
(10) My first creative swap haul
(11) Crochet slash (ala transformer) sewing box and other creative swap entries
(12) Kulinarya, A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine
(13) December 2008 Ultimate Kapampangan Tour
(14) Desert Safari camel ride
(15) Climbing the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa
(16) My favorite section in the supermarket
(17) Hongkong related posts
(18) Food related posts

The suntok sa buwan questions ranged from “Saan tayo kakain?” to personal ones. As promised (laid down on the giveaway mechanics), aside from the designated prizes, I will respond to the question of the three winners through a personal note. But to be fair, I will try to respond to some (*winks*) from the rest of the questions. With that, let us say “cheers to our winners!”:

♥ Toni of Wifelysteps – chosen by my sort of panel of judges as having the most valuable comment

(1) How we met virtually and/or in person (I think the second one’s rare)
Bloghopping!

(2) Why you read this blog
You’re a great writer and photographer. I feel like I’m talking to a friend, or rather, a friend is talking to me when I’m reading this blog. It makes for a down-to-earth and cozy stay.

(3) A link to your most favorite post from this site (and why)
I just had to do a search for this post: http://witsandnuts.com/2008/09/18/wolf-with-me-friends/
Why? TWILIGHT KINDRED SOUL!!! It took over our lives for awhile, didn’t it? Haha!

(4) Topics that you want me to write about/proposed changes to this blog
Write about a secret you’ve never shared with anyone but are opening up to the world now.

(5) “A suntok sa buwan possibility”, the first thing/question you are going to ask me if we ever get to meet in person.
“Saan tayo kakain?” That’s because we’ll bond over a good meal, my treat! Happy birthday Wits!!!

♥ KG of Ang Bahay ni Kumareng Grace – as all the comments were intentionally held invisible, KG happened to be the third to have left a comment
♥ Caryn of Sari-Saring Kulay – based on manual draw

I will send an email to the winners to confirm their mailing details.

Thanks to everyone. The participation was so enriching.