Taking up a course on #Blogging-101 has never crossed my mind when I started my blog 8 years ago. In fact, I never knew such a course existed until a dear friend of mine who told me that she enjoys my writing, Estelea, prompted me to give Blogging University a shot. She even shared her research and resources with me to encourage me to start getting my blog out there and gain myself some followers. Bless her!

There are people who like my writing? Really?! Having no followers to boast off, I had to laugh my ass off and almost started rolling on the floor. I thought she was either being too kind with her words or that, because she’s just being the good, supportive friend like she always is. I mean, apart from family and close friends who always want to know what we are up to (the reason why I started the blog in the first place), I never really thought that anyone would be bothered with my nonsensical ramblings and rants.  Besides, part of me did not really want to go “public” in the first place as I don’t think I am good enough to be “out there”.

A year ago, I moved from Blogger as a blogging platform to WordPress with my own domain. The problem was I did not know exactly where to start to get followers and here-in lies the fault: I did not spend time to connect with other bloggers because I just didn’t know how; and feeling too conscious that I’d make a fool out of myself.

But, that has changed. And that WILL change.

Today, I thought I’d start over. Today I’m on a new journey. Today I will start discovering with #Blogging-101 on the nitty-gritties of blogging and embarking on a new adventure to connect with more readers out there. Today I will be shameless.

I am starting over. I am re-introducing myself:

Hello! I am Ann, the sometimes-neurotic author behind Grubbs ‘n Critters. I am a Bangkok-based, self-confessed food enthusiast who finds baking/cooking and eating therapeutic. I tend to have a self-deprecating sense of humour and a knack for telling the truth like it is, as sugar-coating things is not quite my forte. I currently live life in an organised chaos as a working-expat-parent of two little toddlers who drive me up the wall from time-to-time. I am still learning the art of parenting – one day at a time.

This blog chronicles my life journey as seen from the lens of a woman who is  juggling career, motherhood and family life in a foreign country. But it’s not just that  – this is my version of life consisting of good food, home-made dishes, parenting anecdotes, now kid-friendly travels, entertainment, rants and my occasional indulgence in shoes!

And I’d love, love, love to connect with anyone from all walks of life, if only you’d have me. So…please grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or wine) and hop on over. I would appreciate feedback, any feedback at all so I can start-over proper this time. And yes, do subscribe to my mailing list if you do really enjoy what I write.

This is all about starting over, and I hope you can help figure things out with me by joining me on this journey. Hell! I’m even going to put up that Blogging University badge on my site – when I figure out how.

Here’s to #blogging 101 – please bear with me. I have assignments and I am kind of a little bit behind.