Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Privacy and GDPR Compliance

20 May 2018 42 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Compliance, GDPR, Privacy

I have borrowed Marje’s wonderful words to convey the information about GDPR on my blog, as I haven’t a clue otherwise!

The wording and compliance has been set as a page on my menu at the top of the blog.

This is a short post re: GDPR which comes into effect on May 25, 2018.

Any cookies on my website are used to ensure normal website functions. These cookies cannot be switched off because the website wouldn’t function properly without them. However, it is my understanding that these identifiers do not store any personal data.

When you leave a comment on this blog WordPress will automatically store your gravatar name, IP Address, comment, and email address. Therefore, leaving a comment is considered a definite intention, as defined by the GDPR giving me consent to store this information, and permission to contact you in the future.

But please rest assured that your personal information will not be sold or shared with any third parties under any circumstances. If you wish me to remove your data for any reason please get in touch.

If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog.

If necessary I might amend this policy in the future – I don’t currently have an email list – but I do intend to do this at some point. Therefore don’t forget to pop back and check this page from time to time to see any changes that might have occurred.

I am no longer an Amazon Affiliate but if I do decide to do this again I will clearly state so on this privacy page.

I will be adding helpful links re – GDPR below to assist people:

https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2018/05/gdpr-how-it-affects-authors-in-2018-with-free-privacy-policy-template/

http://nicholasrossis.me/2018/05/15/gdpr-and-authors-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.codeinwp.com/blog/complete-wordpress-gdpr-guide/

Thank you Lovely Marje! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 170 – Happiness in Learning😊

20 May 2018 39 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Learning, Quote, Serene, Smile, Spiderman, Spidey, Winning and Losing

“I never lose – either I win or I learn.“

Anon

Thanks, Spidey!

So, the Annual Bloggers Bash was yesterday, and I was all geared up for my talk, and the Panel Discussion. There was the small case of being nominated for the Best Overall Blogger to look forward to too, but I didn’t let that worry me.

The talk went well, the Panel Discussion passed in a flash, and then the final awards were called.

This time I was awarded Runner Up in the category I had been nominated in.

I was so pleased to be able to ‘pass my crown’ onto the next deserving winner, Linda, of Linda’s Book Bag.

Because, despite all the glory that came with the award last year, I also managed to put myself under immense pressure to be “The Best”.

And that wasn’t easy.

Instead, I have learned that being nominated is an honour, to be placed is a blessing, and to be part of the event is just sheer joy!

So, what do I take from this?

I shan’t pressure myself to be constantly ‘on’.

I will take a step back, breathe, enjoy life, not go AWOL, but not worry if I miss a challenge post, or if a week goes by and I haven’t posted something original. If I can’t reach you all on my reader, I know you’ll understand.

Superwoman needs a break too, sometimes!

And I know I’m still a winner in some eyes. ❤

Keep living and learning Peeps!

Happy Sunday!

#SoCS May 19/18 – Hollow/Empty

19 May 2018 38 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #StreamofConsciousnessSaturday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Empty/Hollow, Socs

Linda’s prompt for SoCS this week…

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “empty/hollow.” Use one, use both, entirely up to you. Enjoy!

It’s funny isn’t it.

As a parent, you crave that time to be together as a couple, without kids constantly bickering and calling out for your attention.

And when you get that time, you get that empty feeling within. It’s like nothing has any real meaning, because the kids aren’t around.

I’m feeling that at the moment, as I write it, the night before scheduling the post.

On Saturday, we are travelling up to London to the Annual Bloggers Bash, and as we have to leave a little early, we decided that rather than drag the kids up extra early on a Saturday, they can spend the Friday night with their grandparents, where they are staying Saturday night anyway.

So, we’ve dropped them.

And are back home, and it is QUIET!

It’s like the house has lost it’s soul, a hollow shell of a building, with no children in it.

Saturday will be different as we are away, and that is meant to be a treat for the two of us, but this Friday, home definitely doesn’t feel right.

Right, I’m off, can’t ramble today, need to pack!

Catch ya later Peeps!

Happy Saturday Peeps!

https://lindaghill.com/2018/05/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-19-18/

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I Love Ya, Tomorrow! #BloggersBash

18 May 2018 50 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #bloggers bash, #bloggersbash, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Excited

One more sleep to go!

“What for?”

Seriously? you didn’t know? It’s the BLOGGERS BASH tomorrow!

This is one date I anticipate with ants in my pants. It’s like I’m a child at Christmas, counting the days/sleeps until I get to see everyone again!

Last year was just amazing, with not only the chance to meet so many familiar blog faces, but to also connect and interact with new ones too!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

And it was a WINNER Of A Day for me, when I carried home the Best Overall Blogger award for 2017!

I’d baked like a dervish the night before, transporting baked goodies via the train to the venue, and got there in plenty of time, and well, what can I say, it was just amazing!

This year is no different. I have been baking, carrot cakes, and this time I have attempted flapjacks – hope they are okay!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ritu Bhathal ✍🏽📚💜 (@ritubhathalwrites)

But actually, this year is a little different.

Yes, I shall be sat at the edge of my seat when awards are announced, but I was also asked to be a guest speaker this year, talking about how to time manage my blog as a busy working parent.

I have written my ‘speech’. I don’t know how I’m going to do it, I hope I don’t stand there reading off a page! And I also hope I don’t go off at a nervous speed, and finish withing 3 minutes, thereby throwing the whole day off Schedule… I’ve been given half an hour for talk and questions…EEEK!

And my Hubby Dearest will be by my side, (or the bar!) to support me this year too, which I am delighted about. Blogging has become such a huge part of my life, I want him to see just how much it means to me, and others!

Oh, and before I forget, I got my special nails done too!