Princeton real estate blog, I can say without being overly dramatic, has changed my life quite a bit and quietly turned into a passion. What a difference a few months makes.

In August the country of Active Rain, with all its wonderful inhabitants, existed without me ever knowing about it. It was completely off my map, and was quite honestly found by chance. I can’t even think about what it would be like now without it.   

Back in August the word blogging was not something I could have provided a definition for, although I set up one on Blogger. It was my husband’s idea.  “ You have a lot of stories to tell. Write them, someone would be interested in reading” – he said. My husband is the quiet type and in our family I provide all the “talking”. He probably just wanted to channel my talking into another sphere.  He did not know what he unleashed and now every one else has to suffer. I have to admit, I do a lot of talking. Politics, books, religion, travel, and people – I love good conversation. Teachers in my elementary school would seat me in the front, thinking that it would make me talk less. Guess what?

As for the blog, I had no idea what my husband meant by "me telling the stories" – my Blogger blog remained pristine in its emptiness. With all my talking experience, I never talked to the Cyberspace vacuum.

Needless to say, the idea of the  Princeton real estate blog was also not on my mind. Who would that be for? I usually try not to bore people with shop talk unless asked. Plus, who would ever find this thing?

I now see that the need for blogging was always there, it just did not know how to come out to the surface. For the past five years, rain, snow, wind, cold, and heat notwithstanding, two friends and I have been walking 4-5 miles every morning. When we walk we talk about a lot of things on our minds. The walks always felt great because they kept off a few pounds and because of the “talking”. Who knew that it was my podcasting? I did not even know what the word meant, but the need for self expression and sharing with others was always there.

When people told me at various points in my life that I should write, I would laugh and ask  “About what?” Yet everywhere I went     there were conversations going on in my head: things I saw, thought about, ideas I came up with, questions needing answers, and things I wanted to share with others. BTW, these are not the kind of voices anyone needs to be concerned about. It was just my blog germinating in its gestation period.

I will skip all the great things my blog allowed me to accomplish, for it will make a very lengthy post (it's the one next after this one), and get right into the time tested tradition of Oscars, Nobel and other important awards and milestones. It is the time now for the blushing, acting surprised, and reading the prepared thank you speech. I am wearing a beautiful gown for the event which I ordered  especially for this post; ladies you have to agree it is beautiful; gentleman, I know, you don't care. I am sure the TV networks will be guessing the designer. Here is the speech.
.
On the occasion of my 100th post anniversary, I would like to sincerely thank all the following most important people and things that made it possible: 

• Active Rain – the geniuses that created it and who are hosting this event, quite literally.

• Active Rain - the community of people, who welcomed me, cared for and supported me. I can’t possibly read the whole list; I would be terrified to miss someone.

• Real estate – clients, would be clients, couldn’t be clients, bad markets, good markets – without you what would I write about?☺

• My friends – you stayed up late reading the Princeton real estate blog, you must really love me. ☺

• My kids – you first said: “Mommy is addicted, she is blogging”. Then you read the Princeton real estate blog and said it’s very cool. You are still reading it, so I have to be real careful here. Can you imagine any other kid reading mommy’s blog? All this love is for me? ☺

• My husband – who started it all by buying me my Mac and bought me the cool pink cover for this blogging anniversary. He is the man who patiently listens to the stories about the inhabitants of the AR land, and who made the ultimate sacrifice - allowed my Mac to stay in bed.  ☺

When I lived in Russia, for as little as we all had, there were celebrations going on all the time. Every little thing called for a celebration, it was called in loose translation “ to wash it”. That being Russia, I probably don’t need to mention what the liquid of choice was for this washing. Lets just say there was a lot of it, everyone fighting over how to say as many things as possible in one toast.

In the tradition of my old country I invite you all to celebrate with me. Goggle juice would probably be more appropriate for the professional forum, but at home…Well, I didn’t say anything…

I am entering the 2008 year with new plans and ideas. I am sure everyone has his or hers as well. I am curious to know what it will be like for the 500th post.
                                                           

I’ll finish with a Russian style toast: Here is to the success of everyone’s big plans, to the unending supply of creative inspiration, to the success of the Active Rain forum, to the new and old friendships, to the happiness and health, to our loving and supporting families, and to peace for everyone!