Thursday, August 7, 2014

9 YEARS OF PLEASURE & PAIN: AN ANTI HOLLYWOODESQUE ODE TO MY BLOG

Today, my blog celebrates its 9th year of existence. My oh my, I simply cannot believe I have been blogging for this long! Where have all those years gone? It feels like I just started blogging yesterday when in fact, I hesitantly hit the submit button for the very first time 3285 days ago.

I clearly remember that moment. My heart was racing and pounding in my chest, my body was shaking with excitement and as I was stepping into the unknown, a feeling of anticipation overwhelmed me. A new era was starting and nothing would be the same anymore.

Week after week, my passion grew. The more I created and partook in this collective craze, the more I became enraptured by the addictive realm of blogging and networking. It turned into an obsession. After only a few months of online frenesy, I knew I was seriously hooked and even if at moments this activity exhausted and challenged me to the highest point, I could not withdraw from it - to tell you the truth, I still can't pull back from it now.
I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask.
I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.

- Catullus 
My blog, my lover, my killer. I adore you, yet I hate you. You give me so much, but you are also incredibly demanding and ungrateful. Although you nurture me and help me bloom,  sometimes you are indubitably a curse and you suck me dry like thirsty a vampire, martyrize me and feed my insecurities. Life with you isn't always pink and glamorous, yet you continuously bring the best out of me, force me to overcome my fears and face my demons. I'm forever indebted to you...

Having said that, Rosa's Yummy Yums would never be what it is without its followers (old & new), and therefore I wish to thank all of my faithful readers, loyal friends and occasional visitors for following and encouraging me throughout my ups and downs, personal struggles, ego-boosting successes, exhalirating moments of pure genius and depressing periods of self-doubt.


Your limitless generosity, kind and encouraging words as well as heartwarming compliments are always welcome as they enlighten my life, cheer me up and give me the energy to stay the course and continue sharing with you my nerdy fascination for the culinary world, the art of photography and prose writing.

You are my muse - my source of artistic inspiration - and whenever I lose all my confidence and I am ready to weakly capitulate, you never fail to get me back on track, give me a reason to persist, fight even more fiercely than before and surpass myself. Similarly to a talented chief conductor, you know how to supportingly lead me in the right direction and towards harmony.

My blog's digital symphony would be a complete cacaphony if it were not minutely ochestrated by the soothing metronomic rhythm of your thoughtful comments arriving in my inbox, cheerful tip-tapping of your fingers on the keyboard and the gentle click of your mouse!

Please take note that Rosa's Yummy Yums is going on a summer hiatus and will be fully functionning again after the 17th of August...

59 comments:

  1. Happy 9th! That's an impressive amount of time to be blogging. I, too, have come to realize that as rewarding as blogging is, it's sometimes a pain too. Anyway, I'm glad you're doing what you're doing -- I always love coming here. Have a nice break -- see you when you return.

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  2. Congrats to your beautiful blog!

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  3. Congratulations Rosa! What an incredible journey...wow 9 years. What an awesome experience.

    I am so pleased to have discovered your site...your blog is inspiring and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your art with us. Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

    xo

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  4. Rosa...amazing the way you pour your heart out here. I'm with ya on so many of these emotions. I always enjoy visiting your space that you share with us. Happy 9th & keep it going strong girl! You got something really special here. xo

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  5. Happy 9th anniversary!
    Beautifully written post, a bloggers feelings- never better described.

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Rosa.. wow.. you really have so much energy to keep maintance your blog very well .. I never get bored to stop by here .. Always so inspiring and your always take a beautiful pictures .. again.. congratulations, more years to come.. Rosa..

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  7. Dear Rosa, You have captured what it is that I feel. The blogging world is a wonder that does move you forward to be more than you thought was possible. It gives you the chance to create and express. It gives you the opportunity to have the world opened up to you.
    I am very blessed to have met you in this blogging world.
    Congratulations on your ongoing journey. Catherine xo

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  8. Congratulations, dear Rosa! I remember your blog from way back when! It has continued to develop so very nicely. I wish you many more blogging years! :-)

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  9. Wow, nine years! Congrats on the blogoversary! I always enjoy your photography and writing, I hope you keep blogging! :)

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  10. Rosa, congratulations on nine years of blogging, I loved how you put your journey into words, so very inspiring.

    Blessings, Catherine

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  11. You write as poetically as you phtograph Rosa.
    I remember when I started..ny goodness ..some of your comments..just meant th world to me.
    I had no clue what I was doing and you were there.
    I am grateful to you.
    I don't even know if you remember:)
    Anyways it's a treat for me to see your blog..thank you so much!

    Happy Creative Anniversary.

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    1. Thank you dear! Yes, I do remember those times well...

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  12. Rosa, I am a serious admirer, as you probably know already, or guess, or suspect, or... I know you know ;-)

    Nine years... incredible milestone, and I can imagine the ups and downs associated with this journey. A journey I am thrilled to follow, for as long as you go on....

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  13. Happy, Happy Blogiversary, Rosa!! xoxo

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  14. Beautifully said Rosa. Have a nice time off and happy 9th anniversary.
    Sam

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  15. Congratulations on 9 years. I can definitely relate to your emotions about blogging. You phrased it so beautifully!

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  16. Congratulations Rosa! Have a wonderful summer time!
    Angie

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  17. Happy anniversary dear Rosa.I will have 8 years next month and I cant believe where go all these years.
    Many years with you Rosa and really your blog always amazing me well and your pictures are beautiful.
    Thanks to you Rosa.
    ♡♥♡♥

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  18. Congratulations Rosa. I also can relate with what you say. I hope that one day soon we will see some recipes againl.

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  19. wow, Rossa, congratulations!!!!
    i hope i'll reach your record for my blog later on, keep blogging and inspiring people....

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  20. Congratulations on this milestone, Rosa! Well done.

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  21. looking back, you will see a constantly growing building, filled of fine thoughts, beautiful photos and excellent dishes. Congratulations, dear Rosa ! Liebe Grüsse

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  22. Joyeux 9 ème anniversaire ma chère Rosa ! Je t'en souhaite encore tout plein d'autres afin que tu nous régales encore de tes si jolies photos et pourquoi pas d'autres recettes...
    Je t'embrasse
    Cath

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  23. Happy blogiversary, Rosa! May you always find enjoyment in what you do. Now you're about to go offline for a well deserved blogging hiatus. Have a great time.

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  24. congrats on all your accomplishments these nine years! have a great vacation. :)

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  25. Congratulations, Rosa! You've created such a beautiful and inspiring place for so many to visit. :-) Wishing you a fantastic break. XO

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  26. Congratulations! 9 years is an incredible achievement - looking forward to another nine!

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  27. happy Anniversary Rosa! I have yet to meet/know a supportive and encouraging blogger like yourself! Many years to come xx

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  28. Congratulations Rosa! I first came across your blog 5 years ago when I found your Xin Xim recipe. I returned to it maybe a year later and found what an amazing blogger you are (and how jealous I am of your beautiful surroundings). Keep up the good work, here's to another 9 years. And I love your "selfie" !!

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  29. Beautiful post Rosa! I not only read this twice but am bookmarking and sharing it. Your ode to your love hate relationship with blogging really spoke to me. OXOX

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  30. Congratulations to your wonderful 9 years of blogging :D

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  31. Rosa, 9 years is incredible. You have voiced so beautifully how so many bloggers (myself included) feel about blogging!

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  32. Happy Anniversary and congratulations on your amazing 9 years of blogging. Your photos are inspiring, poetic and simply beautiful and your words are encouraging to all of us...Thank you.

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  33. Rosa, I always see you comment on so many other bloggers..almost always as the very first person... and I am always wondering - doesn't she work?? Do you live from blogging?? Just curious. And - congratulations!
    Petra

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    1. Thank you dear Petra. Unfortunately, I am unemployed and I don't live from blogging...

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  34. Joyeux blogversaire Rosa, 9eme deja, je n'en reviens pas moi non plus. Mais continue de nous apporter ta vision de le beaute, si personnelle. En esperant que cela t'apporte plus de joies que de peines.

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  35. Nine years are indeed a lot, congratulations Rosa. I started following your blog this year, but occasionally I visit you 'in the past', and I enjoy it, it's so interesting to see someone's journey to growth.
    Your blog is an inspiration both visual & mental (is it correct to say that?), and I wish you many more years of such creativity.

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  36. Congratulations Rosa...nine years of sharing...you have always been very inspirational and supportive and I still remember when I just started blogging you were there all the time sending me a note...thank you!
    I look forward to many many years more :D

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  37. A big congratulations Rosa! Nine years is a huge achievement. Hehe a blog is like a baby isn't it? Joyful, rewarding but demanding :P

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  38. Wow, congratulations to you and I hope you enjoy your holiday!

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  39. Hope you had a wonderful time this summer. Just returned too from the beautiful sound of seaside. Wish you many years more for blogging.

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  40. Happy Birthday Rosa's Yummy Yums. I always have been a great fan and I will always feel inspired by your content. That you may mesmerize my senses for another 9 years, please (but without pressure)! Thank you Rosa =)

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  41. A huge congrats! nine years is a long time and quite the achievement. I hope you celebrate it in a big way -- with something delightful to eat and drink, of course. ;)

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  42. Wow! Isn't it amazing how time flies, yet we humans can't really comprehend its pace....even nine years feel like 'yesterday'. You have echoed beautifully the love-hate relationship that perhaps most bloggers feel towards their labor of love. What an amazing and wonderful journey of nine years Rosa!! Many Congratulations my dear and wishing you many more exciting and successful years of blogging.

    And also thanks a lot for being a supportive blogger to fellow bloggers like me :)

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  43. Congratulations! It's not always easy to blog but it's rewarding. Have a great week-end!

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  44. Congratulations on nine fabulous years! Looking forward to many more.

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  45. 9 ans !!! ça se fête !! Bravo !

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  46. Congratulations on a wonderful nine years and an extraordinary body of work!

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  47. Congratulations Rosa, I love your blog and your stunning photography!

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  48. Congratulations, Rosa! Your blog is always so beautiful and so inspiring! Hope you're having a wonderful summer :)

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  49. Woaw, ! 9 ans déjà !
    Que de chemin parcouru ...
    Bravo.
    verO

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  50. Rosa, I can certainly relate to that overwhelming feeling the first time I clicked the 'Submit' button.
    I remember it well, because I quickly proceeded to delete my first post. Poof. Never to be seen again.
    An entire year passed before my second attempt at blogging (but let's keep this under our hats,ok?).

    Thank goodness you persevered because the blogging world would've been quite a bit grayer without you.

    Congratulations on nine wonderful years. Best wishes for another 3285 days!

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  51. Nine years…that is incredible. I hope to enjoy you blog for many more years…especially with your beautiful photographs.

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  52. Happy 9th anniversary, Rosa! I highly admire of your hard work and you've created such an amazing space for us to enjoy your beautiful photography and recipes. Next year, 10th year!

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  53. I am so sorry I missed about sixandahalf years :-(
    Congratulations! Beautiful pictures, thoughtful texts and some wonderful recipes.
    Thank you Rosa!
    Liebe Grüsse aus Zürich,
    Andy

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  54. My friend, I've been traveling this August and am just now catching up on some blog reading. Congratulations on your blog anniversary. You're right; it's a passion, a blessing and a curse. You navigate all of those beautifully. xx

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  55. Wow! I'm soooo sorry that I missed these 9 years... congratulations, it's been a while ;)

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  56. i had been meaning to respond to this post but kept putting it off. Rosa, your blog is truly wonderful and I am so glad yo have met you through this thing we adore/hate called blogging! Cheers to many more :)

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  57. Wow! 9 years! You will celebrate 10th year anniversary next year, yoo-hoo!! Rosa, keep it up!

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