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>"While it takes the stars to align to crown a Miss Universe, It takes pen and passion to intertwine to produce a blogger."

Above, were my first two lines of introduction when I had my <a href="https://peakd.com/introduction/@callmesmile/new-bee-on-the-hive-an-introduction">Introblog</a> last May 27, 2022. How fast time flies by! It's been a year already! I could remember how I beamed with excitement when I finally found a platform where I could **express**, **connect**, and **share these small beautiful things** that is happening in this tiny part of the world where I came from.


![White And Blue Modern Vision Board Photo Collage.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/48JABFDqLhF2BQJv2SL63AVyFjErb95CLZisX1HVuckKHt8QMt2ewYVCMFinwaAXrU.png)


**Hive** has been my journal, my outlet for sharing my humble travel experiences and showcasing the slow and beautiful life of the countryside, my means for spreading some of the Public-School scenarios, my channel to show my simple DIYs, and most of all my instrument to connect wonderful people and learn from them and be part of a community and so many lovely things to mention. **Hive has been my newfound home, my colorful home for 1 year!**



![VVV.PNG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/23uRLAsfCX85BsCVDXeE2QJP2s67TyAoQWfCTWwvL3VGA6NaKHKw1kX4tRgzcDXsHfT9D.PNG)



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##### Building the foundation.

>A good foundation is the key to a good home.

In building mine, I started by asking unlimited questions to my onboarder @indayclara (hehe), reading guides on the Do's and Don'ts, reading blogging tips from the Hive Veterans (*char!*), and exploring Hive up until today, and still feel like a newbie in this time of writing. I actually still feel the same excitement as if it were day one. Nevertheless, I'm embracing the whole process and I'm loving it even though this requires me to balance my time being a first-time Mom and a Public School Teacher.😊

##### THE GIFTS - THIS HOME HAS BROUGHT TO ME.

**Communication Skills.**

Joining Hive was the best decision I've ever made last year. Surprising as it may sound (*because I am a Teacher*) but professionally, Hive has **improved my writing skills**:I was able to utilize the Vocabulary and the Diction  I have that I think were sleeping for a long time at the back of my mind and learned new intermediate Voca from excellent writers. And this directly impacted every Speaking Activities that I engaged in, especially in hosting. Writing blogs has raised my communication skills to the next level.😭 And I couldn't thank HIVE enough for this.🙏

**Discovering the wonders of the World and Making Connections.**

Hive provides the avenue to discover the beauties of the world, wonderful thoughts, and experiences of inspiring individuals, creativity, and talents of bloggers from different parts of the world, showing sympathy and support to others, and growing together. It's making connections and I have experienced all of these in my one-year journey.


![348384904_1224177651607054_183129878625276488_n.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/EpnDDNbiNFCgLhKj86LvoZFdcc2sd5gbhREvx1g1zE5F3wPXrXrCo19maaE3kVoA9od.jpg)


If not because of Hive, I won't be able to take a virtual tour on one of the luxurious yachts (*livinguk*), climb and camp on mountains together with the hikers and mountaineers (*ybanezkim and his friend's blogs, and other international climbers*), explore the beautiful lush mountains in Vietnam that is rich in fauna (*dodovietnam*), learned the season in another country (*I still chuckle when I commented on one blog and the reply goes like this: "Smile, it's not raining, it's the season here that's why it's gloomy* haha), discovered churches and remarkable Ruins, sailed on Venice river, saw magnificent rock formations (*sjarvie5*), learned striking Reflections (galenkp), witnessed amazing photographs and simple walks (*tattoodjay*) and too many wonderful things to mention!.

If not because of Hive I won't learn and hear these raw and genuine stories of other people.😍

**Friends turned to Families.**

Like a Home, in Hive I found friends that later turned out to be my family whom I am forever grateful. @indayclara, I am so blessed by your guidance and support in my Hive journey, There's no other way I'd like to do it again but be your onboardee. I keep your words, suggestions, and reminders as my light in this newfound home. I couldn't have done it better if not because of you. You made my #OCD #onboarding journey colorful and fruitful.😍 (*sounds like a Graduation speech but this is really what's inside my heart*). @misslerray who shared Hive with me, thank you that you see my "writer" side and trust.  Hugs and kisses guys! 


![2023_0506_21544100.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/23xATGv6syALazYo7gWV9XJhhybrdwnAMTzNsdWEF3i8Z7Ugg5gNnkuuhx8rdnb1pmcGN.jpg)

##### Sharing this "HOME - HIVE" with others!

I always say, "**Hive is too beautiful NOT to share." It's a blessing so it should be forwarded."** With this, I happily shared HIVE with my fellow teachers here in our school and invited them to join. Thankfully they are all here now, enjoying their HIVE adventure.

![hiveteachers.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/Ep5nfXbpTCcBpsZbvL4cYzsnTUzTXMA2abfRZZrUW9br3VzRTEmQyW4CEgaEBgCon8x.jpg)

Later on, I was given a chance to onboard others, thanks to @ybanezkim26, so now I have onboarded 10 users, some of them are teachers from other schools.


![350815541_243776804964879_2237608369502437166_n.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/EpNoNoA4RPqKhbgSkpHqU8meyLSC5H9FmCXQWYg5cCjCwAzWt5sUUcpPznCynkZf5SV.jpg)


##### GROWING MY HOME: GROWING HIVE!

##### Have I unlocked some goals?

One time, I was reading  Hive guides and tips, and I came across one blog of a Hiver that says **"You can't grow on Hive unless you will think long-term and set a Goal."** (*Sorry I forgot the source*). This a piece of advice that later on sank into my mind, and so without a doubt I set goals (Goals that are unachievable for a newbie like me), write them on a piece of paper, and pin them to my box (on my table) where I could see it every day. And so every time I look at it, I am reminded of my Hive Goals that I need to reach on my **First Hivesarry**. (*I think DepEd will get jealous of this*.)


![348382497_620365806475763_3402466086786776930_n.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/EptbuDmCwMEkpaSfYoSuPb3qfP6EgAujC2AoNKXDyVpCTdQv3R1G2C9u6DsMdijy4pZ.jpg)

**My goals were:**

- To reach **2,500 HP** on my 1st Hive Birthday, May 25, 2023.
- **3,000 HP** on or before December 31, 2023 -Year End.
- **70** Reputation on/before my 1st Hive Birthday.
- leave **5** comments a day on other blogs!
- Blog **2 to 3** times a week.
- Get that **weekly author** badge even just once!

**And here are the Goals that I unlocked!:**
- 2,500HP on my first Hive Birthday - ☑️
- 3,000HP for this Year-End - about to unlock.
- 70 Reputation - Unlocked last May 9. ☑️
- 5 comments a day - not consistent.
- Blog 2 to 3 times a week. - 9/10
- Weekly Author Badge - ❎

Another humble milestone I achieved was to surprisingly publish **116** posts including my Power-Up post and write **1592** comments,(*which I think I need to improve*). I also have 2,821HP and 554HBD Savings. I am happy and honored for my small wins considering I'm doing this part-time. 

![ssm.PNG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/callmesmile/EokiyU42VswhhZ5N5MyFPxPDpWWta6mjZ9R7Mzkv3XABwncsZWi6uAXi1sQsPF9crzr.PNG)

The small achievements I have wouldn't be possible without the support of the curators big and small. Your support through upvotes, comments, and reblogs means a lot to me, and I am always grateful for it. I am forever humbled by your support.🙏 Thank you so much. (*insert me teary-eyes*)

**Cheers to more Hive Years!**🥂

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That's it for my colorful first-year journey here on Hive! Thank you so much for reading, I consider it you celebrating with me. I wish you all safe and well always.

Don't forget to smile often!🤗



























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