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Pure bliss, poutine goodness, and maple sweetness

It has taken me a while to write my BlissDomCanada post because there is so much going on in my head it's hard to make sense of it all.

Also, the pressure to be a better writer and to suck less has been causing me major stress! Just kidding. Sort of. In all honesty, though, after hearing the fabulous talent speak at BlissDom Canada, I have come back wanting to be a better writer and I am also ready to take on the challenges that have been scaring me. I'm a tiny bit more brave now. Baby steps, right?

Warning—this post uses words like 'awesome', 'so much fun' and 'good times', so if that makes you roll your eyes... um... sorry? (And surely you're used to me by now?)

It didn't take me a long time to write about my experience at BlogHer, which tells me I enjoyed BlissDom more—that says a hell of a lot because I had the time of my life at BlogHer. Are you following me? I liked BlissDom more. It was awesome.

Coming home from conferences like these—BlogHer being my first—there is a lot to take in. I have been blogging for four years now. Blogging has taught me so much. I love it. I love it because I love to write, because I love to read, and because it's my way of being creative. I'm not artistic like my talented mother. This is my thing. My best friends don't get it. But I do.

Blogging has allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and to meet people I otherwise never would have considered being friends with. Blogging has opened my eyes to so much good. Blogging has made me a better person—more compassionate, more understanding, more caring.

I love the people I have met, the connections. the friendships. It is real. The people I know are talented, beautiful, smart and funny. The blogging community, it's great. Sometimes there is negativity, but most of the time, it's wonderful. It's weird, but people I have just met are people I feel I can trust more than certain people I've known my whole life.

BlissDom Canada was like an intimate weekend with close friends where after a day on the slopes, you gather in your ski lodge with the fire place on, sharing stories, laughter and a few too many drinks. It was a slumber party of good times, amazing discussions, and tears. (BlogHer was more like The Amazing Race!)

I am happy to have hung out with so many amazing womenmany whom I have met before, like Sam, and many whom I just met. Everyone was fabulous.


I loved meeting Bon, Tanis, Katie, Schmutzie, and Karen for the first time—these women are talented and incredibly nice in person.

I enjoyed the sessions I attended—about becoming a content creating 'ninja', about work/life balance, about monetizing your blog and about blogging for social action, community and empowerment. I loved listening to well-spoken friends.



Of course, the parties were incredibly fun, too. Mabel's threw one very blissful party where we enjoyed fabulous drinks mixed by the Cocktail Deeva herself, a photo shoot by my favourite photographer, Cherie-Lynn and a mini make-over. (Not to mention those awesome noodles! Yum!)


After the Roots party, Adam, Casey and I enjoyed some poutine, which was very filling, and then it was off to the Speakeasy party... a very cosy and intimate way to spend part of Thursday night.

The Friday night costume and karaoke party was even more fun that I expected—I think it's safe to say we ALL had a blast.



It was a perfect way to end the very first and very awesome Canadian BlissDom. It really was pure Bliss, from start to finish. I only wish I had taken more pictures!

There was also talk about us finding our 'one word' - I'm still struggling to find mine. Do you have your word? What is it?

Catherine, Allison, Barbara and Paula did a wonderful job organzing and putting together the first BlissDom Canada. Well done, ladies! We are all so thankful. I can't wait for next year.

Comments

It sounds amazing Loukia! I would have had a blast too!
Avitable said…
Wait, you were at Blissdom Canada?

Heh.
Liz Mays said…
I'm going to Blissdom here in the states this year. I hope it's as amazing as it was in Canada!
KelliDaisy said…
Such a great post Lou! I haven't written mine because I'm still trying to organize everything in my head, but you did a really great job talking about everything I loved from Blissdom! You're my people Lou - loved having you to drive home with!
Oh, hon, it sounds so awesome! I'm all of a sudden so excited about next year. :)
Lady Mama said…
Um. After reading that, I'm just a tiny little very small bit JEALOUS!!! I must come next year! It looked fabulous and very well organized and interesting. And, by the way, don't go changing yourself too much, one of the things I always enjoy about your blog is your personality - I feel like I know you already.
Unknown said…
I'm loving reading everyone Blissdom posts. I really should get writing mine.

It was great to meet you!
Unknown said…
Loved hosting you at Speakeasy!
Unknown said…
Wow- what a great opportunity- congratulations! I'm a little green with envy as is the nature of my post today!

Emily

tinfoilstiaras.blogspot.com
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! :)
Unknown said…
I'm so jealous! I have yet to attend a blogging conference and every time I read a post about one I just turn more green! But still happy for you and can't wait to hear more.
Marinka said…
Sounds so, so great! Glad you had a great time- love the photos!
xo
Scatteredmom said…
I loved meeting you too! I'm so glad Blissdom was my very first conference, it was a BLAST. I plan to go next year!
CaraBee said…
How fun! I saw all of the tweets and was very, very jealous! It really is wonderful the connections we forge with the people in the internet. How did we ever live without it?
Karen Bodkin said…
It was absolutely lovely to meet you, and totally awesome and fun to party with you. You are a gem, Loukia!
Wow, sounds like an amazing time! I hope i get to meet you at BlogHer next year!
Unknown said…
I like the way you described your experience and compared it to BlogHer. I have to say that I'm becoming more of a fan of the smaller and more intimate conferences. BlogHer seems to be just TOO big, you know?

Anyway, glad you had such a wonderful time with friends and I'm sure you'll figure out your one "word" soon. (this from someone who is still working on hers...) ;)
It seems like everyone who has attended the two conferences and makes a comparison always prefers Blissdom. I am lucky if I can swing just ONE blog conference per year...maybe I'll try Blissdom in '11.

I just got caught up on something like your last 10 posts. Love all the Days of Truth. Good writing prompts and just reading your posts makes me think about my own truths.

I also ejoyed reading your take on the GQ cover. In general, I agree with you. There is a small part of me that sees it as just feeding the fire of some of the sadder high school girl attitudes (being sexy is more important than being smart if I want guys to pay attention to me - very true, but also very sad). Ultimately though, a sexy cover of GQ is the last of our worries concerning messages sent to teens through the media. The very mainstream, household name appeal of this of made it an easy target.
Stephanie said…
Oh you did such an awesome job with this post;)
I still have not done mine, so much to reflect on and not enough time!
You are so right about it being like a great weekend with friends...I am suprised you liked it more then BlogHer b/c from our chats I know you LOVED BlogHer! Yeah Blissdom.
Oh and I owe you pictures...I will get them to you!
Sandra said…
Clearly your one word should be 'awesome!'
I loved this post. It made me wish I had the time and the money to attend a blog conference at some point sooner rather than later.
So you enjoyed BlissdomCanada better than BlogHer, hey? Wow...BlissdomCanada would be more do-able for me since I'm in Canada. I have to keep on the lookout for the next one then.
Great post!...did I already say that? Well it was!
Mom2Miles said…
That's awesome! You've made me glad I got up the nerve to register for Blissdom 2011 in Nashville in Jan. It will be my first away from home blog conference, and I don't know anyone. I'm nervous but excited, too. I also feel like blogging's my "thing" and this is the perfect way to learn more about it. Clearly from your party pics, though, I'm gonna need more clothes!