I got another email today that really got me floating a few inches off the ground (step back David Blaine).  She seriously touched a gratifying part of my heart and I choked back a tear while reading her email.

Not that I’m stroking my ego (but yes, maybe I am, a bit.  I’m pretty down this week so I need to feed on the gushing positive vibe from this), but I’m going to share with you folks her email and I surely hope she doesn’t mind. 

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Between Bites Email (betweenbites@gmail.com)

February 17, 2010

Hi Jane,

I’ve been an avid follower of your blog ever since I bumped into it when I was researching about Yaw-yan. I was mostly interested in knowing about women who go into kickboxing or mma here in the Philippines. I wanted to encourage women who feel helpless in tough situations especially one that needs self-defense to try out kickboxing. Sadly though I had to stop yaw-yan because of my schedule. I work in a contact center as a trainer and most of the time, my schedule changes. I could be in the morning shift this week and graveyard the next week.

I always enjoy reading your blog and recommend it to people who want to read interesting stuff online. They in turn have become your followers too. What I love most about your blog is that it’s very personal and you allow us to experience what you experience in a whole new level. Before your blog, I always log on to www.clickthecity.com for what’s in and out. The difference is that I feel so detached and I don’t feel the writer’s personality in articles. I still check out their site but I always check your blog first now.

I want to start a blog just like yours but injected with my own personality. I’m currently in Cebu and there are so many places and experiences that I want to try out here and in Bohol that I just want to share them. You are so creative, smart and witty Jane and I don’t think I can be at par. I would like to know how you started, what motivated you and what keeps you doing it. If you were to ask me, I’ve started several blogs but never had the heart to keep doing it cause I felt lost most of the time. Not knowing on what to write and how to write. I needed something to motivate me and your blog has done just that. If you can create and touch lives just by writing in your blog I am definite that I can do the same. You see Jane, when I feel down or I need something to cheer me up, I sometimes go to your blog. Makes me feel that I can still be hopeful and that there are so many things to celebrate in life.

I kinda hesitated to write this email cause you might not have the time to read it but then I read your post on “Dear John” so I am sure that you would take the time to read your readers email. Well, I’m just dropping you a note to say Hi and thanks a lot!

Nadine

 
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Between Bites’ Response

February 19, 2010 

Nadine, it’s the third paragraph that blew me away.  Thank you for sharing a part of you particularly the long lost love of writing.  It’s not always easy to write and most of the time, I feel that I’m short-changing my readers when I write about some mundane or insignificant stuff that only I can actually relate to or find significance in.  I actually think I was a better writer back in high school or college because there were less distractions and for some reason, I had better writing technique.  Now, it’s just writing on top of my head or drawing inspiration from elsewhere.  Most of the time, a strand of happy vibe can already keep the writing fluid flowing.  And yes, YOU can definitely touch lives as well –just put your heart in it.

Most definitely, there are many things to celebrate about Life.  One just has to have the appetite to find the good in life.

Thanks for your heartwarming email, Nadine. 

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Saying she reads Between Bites before Click the City has got to be the best feedback I’ve ever received (with love to CTC, of course!).  *Blush*  I also like the fact that she shared a lot about herself to me too.  I know it’s not always easy to put yourself out there. 

I have the urge to fly to Cebu and give you a TIGHT SQUEEZE! 😀

Your email really brought a ray of sunshine in my week –and emails I receive from readers like YOU inspire me to keep finding a bite of happiness from the food I eat, places I go to, weird scenarios I get into and people I meet. 

Big LOVE,

Jane

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