All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney
And what about the dreams you didn't even dare dreaming of, Walt?
Presenting at Steemfest 2017 is such a dream.
I still can't believe how lucky I am!
@surfermarly stoked to be part of the @steemfest line-up in Lisbon
A cardiac massage, please!
The best things in life usually happen when you least expect them.
With great enthusiasm I started following the first announcements regarding Steemfest2 in Lisbon.
Last year I didn't make it due to my work situation, and I definitely regretted. Everybody who had participated came back home with unforgettable memories. The Steem blockchain was full of colorful follow-up reports during months!
The fact that there are some Steemfest participants who are wearing last year's conference bracelet to this day, provides evidence of the wonderful insanity.
This time I knew that I wouldn't miss the party!
Yet I was far away from believing that @roelandp could come up with the idea of inviting me to speak in Lisbon.
But then he did.
And this was my initial reaction:
I was speechless.
My heart skipped a beat or two. When my breathing came back I started dancing (fortunately there is no video material available from that scene).
The hardest part was that I couldn't share the information with anybody until it was officially announced.
I mean this was such an amazing news! Obviously I wished for calling all my steemit friends to celebrate this incredible moment with them right away.
Usually I'm really good at keeping secrets, but not when it comes to great announcements. It's like on Christmas, when you know that you've got the perfect present for somebody. You NEED to tell them!
After today's official announcement I could finally spread the news - and started dancing again.
It still feels unreal.
A couple of minutes ago, Roeland published the latest Steemfest Update.
Reading my name on the official website steemfest.com among all these talented and famous personalities feels extraordinarily amazing.
I refreshed the page a couple of times, but it's still there.
Thank you Roeland and thank you Steemit! This means a world to me.
What did I say about dreams in the beginning of this article again?
Good things happen when you least expect them - and when the time is right.
Timing is everything.
It's a big challenge, but I feel that I'm ready to face it. Hopefully you'll be all there to witness it and help me to kill my stage fright.
What a wonderful thrill!
I joined steemit at the end of July 2016. Without any doubt presenting at Steemfest 2017 will be the most honorable task during my whole steemit journey.
There are almost two months left, but I'm already extremely excited.
The storyline of my presentation is another secret I'll have to keep for a while though. I'll somehow manage that.
Whatever it's going to be about, I bet we'll have a great time in Portugal!
Let's do some steemy magic though...
I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU ALL IN LISBON!!! 💗💗💗
Marly -
PS: If you still haven't bought your ticket to Steemfest2, make sure you'll do it as soon as possible. The whole information about the event on: steemfest.com. Also don't forget to upvote and resteem the last announcement and support the event like that. See you there!
Original content. Animated GIFs found on giphy.com and buzzfeed.com; quote found on: pinterest.com
This is a magnificent article @surfermarly!
Thanks a lot for sharing your abundant joy and enthusiasm for this event and how it came bout that you are ending up going this year. I am so happy for you and us all, as we will be reading more of the action surrounding your presence out there!
Keep your smile, thrive on and namaste :)
Aaaw, I love your comment! Thank you so much 😊
I'm very excited, and I think my overall happiness just flew into my keyboard and then into the blockchain.
Will you come to Steemfest? Would love to meet you there!
I sure would LOVE to be part of this second edition of SteemFest, but as you might have read, just moved to an new location where I don't have a job for the moment, other than Steeming, and I might need more cashola till something comes up. I only wish, deeply, as I know loads of great souls will be gathering and shake up the world, on top of planning more shaking for the coming future!
Enjoy, keep on thriving and namaste :)
Ok I fully got the point. When I moved from one country to the other a couple of years back I didn't have "cashola" left either 😉 There are moments in life when we need to live a bit more conservative...
You'll be watching us online then...!
Have a great day/evening.
Thanks for your compassionate understanding, you got it.
Namaste :)
Once I have enough funds, maybe I will go there to watch you live :) In the mean time, do we expect live broadcast?
Follow me @Yehey
Thank you.
Yes, I heard that there will be a live streaming! You should follow the account @steemfest for further information and stay tuned 😉
you must know.
that i am currently being
spy on your conversation @roelandp @eric-boucher and @surfermarly. Hahahah I am happy and hope the time will come gather together Welcome to Lisbon
Well well, I must say I am not surprised. I haven't been here for so long, but the contributions you have made and the interactions with newer members are just plain amazing. I know what it is to be a newbie here and how hard it is to get noticed and a little bit rewarded by the more established members.
You were one of the first big established members to really make me feel welcome here, and I really appreciate that.
I have a long way to go, but I must say, I have learnt a lot from what you do. You are consistently bringing honoust good content and that's something that can not be said from all the established members.
So, rock on, give them your best speech and enjoy the wonderful city of Lisbon and make lots of new Steemit-friendships.
You deserve it!
By the way, you can actually surf in Estoril, next to Lisbon, lovely place!
Aaaaw thank you so much for your lovely words @pele23!!! 😍😍😍
I'm really happy that you felt that way. It's been always my aim to welcome new users in such way - I mean we've all started from zero, so I remember pretty well how it was in the beginnings. It's just a way of giving back what I have received over the past months. That's also the no. 1 reason why I'm on steemit since such a long time: the mutual inspiration! I've never experienced that on any other platform.
I'm not sure if I'm willing to swim in the icecold November's water, haha! But maybe I'll give it a try anyways when approaching one of these amazing spots. I think @heiditravels is organizing something in that context...
Again, thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment!
PS: I've seen your message in the chat - will get back tomorrow with more time since your article deserves full attention and today was quite hectic...
That is so AWESOME!! I really wish I was going to see it live, but this year will have to be my year of learning that I should not miss the next time :) Don't be sad for me, there are some unavoidable reasons I can't go this time, and they aren't bad ones. I will be with you in spirit, and my love will follow you there. Be blessed my friend, I have no doubt that you will be blessing everyone with your beautiful words from your beautiful heart :)
Oh I really wished you'd make it, too!!!
Of course I am. But I'm also convinced that we're going to see each other again very soon in any case 😉 It just needs to be like that.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I guess my heart will explode 5 minutes before going on stage - then I will think about your words.
Big hugggggs!!!
You'll be great! See you there :D
Oh thank you. You, too!! 😉 See you in Lisbon!!
AWESOME! Congratulations, see you in Lisbon @surfermarly :)
Thank you so much @voronoi! So we didn't see each other in New York but will finally meet in Lisbon then - that's awesome! :-)
Wow, I am so very happy for you! Have a fantastic time!
Hugs!
😄😇😄
Thank you very much my friend!!! You will have to watch the live stream and send me some positive vibes through the cable :-))
Big hugs!!!
How exciting @surfermarly!!! I won't be attending - altho Portugal would be some place I would like to see one day, I'll live vicariously through everyone else's experience of Steemfest.
You'll do great. You are humble, funny, and have a wonderful sense of adventure.
Thank you so much for your lovely words! That's the very best motivation I could imagine 😃
I'm incredibly excited but also full of enthusiasm and can't wait to travel to Portugal.
You are right, it's a wonderful place and perfect for this purpose. Even though you won't make it, you'll be able to follow the event online - I think there will be even a streaming!
Live streaming? Oh...good. I'll get to put some faces to some names and hear real voices (instead of the imaginary ones I have in my head - no, no, not that kind, you know what I mean)
I heard about it... somewhere. So that's not an officially confirmed information 😉 But there will be definitely a recording, so you'll be able to watch the presentations anyways.
Steemy magic! I hope you have a brilliant time and look forward to following you through it. Maybe even see you there... Fingers dexterously crossed.
That's so awesome!
I expect to be there (still some small things I'll have to sort out, but I'm feeling certain I'll be able to attend) so looking very much forward to meeting you and hearing your presentation!
Indeed, good things do come when you least expect it, but great opportunities only benefit the prepared, and you come across as the right type of person to be there :)
There is this saying that luck happens when preparation meets opportunity. Maybe we don't have full influence on opportunity, but we have 100% influence on preparation. So I agree on your point of view 😉
I really hope you'll make it to Steemfest, then we can meet in person there!
Just got the announcement and was looking for a post. Congratulations! I am super psyched to see you up there. :D
Thank you Shannon!!! Can't wait to meet you in person!
Guess which logo will be used in my presentation 😉
Looking forward to meeting you!
Heheehe, wohoo! Let me know if you need any visual help with the presentation - I am sure I can pimp it up ;)
OK cool, thanks for the offer!! First of all I need to design it in my head 😃
Hehe sure! You know where to find me :)
Wow, how exciting. What a huge responsibility. My Dad ( @noboxes ) and I are going, and we'll make sure to make your talk, I can't wait!
Oh that's awesome!!! Can't wait to meet you in person 😃
I better don't think about the responsibility but just about having fun - then I'll be less nervous during the next weeks, haha
Reading these news makes me happy as you have no idea. You deserve this and I am sure your presentation for steemfest will kick ass. Can´t wait to watch it!!
Thank you so much!!!
Haha, not sure if I will kick ass, but I hope we'll have a LOT OF FUN 😃
See you there, traveler!!! 😘😘😘
Oh wow! You are presenting? In Spanish, German, or English?!
Well that's a big gig isn't it! Well done you!
I've still not ruled the trip out, I just cant get my priorities right at present!
Good luck and congratulations!
Thank you so much! It still feels a bit weird reading all these messages and congratulations... Sometimes I believe they're all talking about someone else, haha
I don't know if it's going to be a big gig, but I really hope that we'll have a lot of fun there - both the audience an myself 😃 I'll definitely try my very best to assure that.
Fingers crossed for your participation.
Nope, i think it's you Roland is talking about :)
And of course it's a big gig! Not to try to worry you, but yes, it's a cool stage and a varied bunch. One thing in common, they all love steemit!
Yes, we shall see, still working on that!
Hey! I'd really appreciate your review of my recent post, i'm hoping you'll like it a lot!
Steemfest --> Nepal?!
https://steemit.com/steemfest/@abh12345/is-anyone-doing-a-steemfest-2-competition-in-which-this-would-be-a-valid-entry
Love this article!!! Thanks for dropping the link :-)
Thank you thank you! So happy you do! Thank you so much for the re-steem, look what happened! :O
If you ever visit any of the discord channels and want to talk about your our or project / charities or whatever then that would be cool!
Thank you!
Hehe, not sure if it was due to my resteem, but I'm REALLY happy for you!!! The payout looks GREAT :-)
I'll be traveling for one week now, but once I'm back I'd be happy to visit the channels. Sure!
I'm sure it was! But In any case, thanks a lot for your input and best of luck with your meeting.
Safe travels! 😁
Yeah!!!!!! <3
Yeeeeew!!! 😍😍😍
yay wtg \o/ dont be nervous, you have a smiley nature that will put everyone at ease :)
Haha, that's cute. Thank you! I've done a lot of presentations in the past, and usually I'm very nervous 5 minutes before the show starts but then calm down when the spotlight's on 😉
Then just set your watch 5 mins fast \o/
yay, i saw that. can't wait to meet you there! :)
See you in Lisbon, yeah!!! 😉
I am happy for you! Really! Have you already decided what you will talk about?
Thank you so much!!
Yes, the presentation already exists in my head - now I have to design it.
I guess the title/topic will be published on the official ways before steemfest. Until then it's going to be my secret 😉
I can live with that ^^
Haha! Goooood 😉
This is awesome! So glad for you! Meet you there :))
Oh this is great news! See you in Lisbon then :-))
Sure we will!! :))
This is so cool :) You made a great progress in your blogging and this is just a beginning :) I am sure you got invitation not just like that, but because of your hard work and interest of your readers to listen to you on Steemfest :)
Thank you so much for your kind words, @flowily!
That's been an extra motivation boost for Lisbon 😍
Wow. That is amazing and very inspiring. You deserve it, surf girl.
Thank youuuuuu!!! 😉
Hi @surfermarly. I just started following you, because I was so excited to find someone who loves the beach, and surfing and enjoying the nature because this is where and how I want to live my life, except I'm not a surfer, even though I would love one day to learn it. I am very excited for you, for your big day and your presentation. Would love to come and see and hear your speech in person. You are going to kill it on that stage. I never even knew about the steemfest and how big and exciting it is to go to one, till now. One day I'll get there, but still, have lots to learn. Thank you for sharing your excitement with us I could really feel your emotions.
Thanks for your lovely comment! If you were looking for someone who loves the beach, then you just find that person 😉 The beach is my second home! Just coming out of the water actually... had a really nice surfing session today. Good that you learned what steemfest is now - it's surely one of the anual highlights of this community. There will be a live streaming, so you'll be even able to watch the presentations from home.
Have a great day, @joalvarez!
So happy to see u this excited. Its like a kid and her christmas gift on a christmas morning.
Haha, yeah - it was definitely close to that 😃
I saw the place they chosed in lisbon...looks like a villa with a nearby park. Lovely.
Yeah it looks amazing!
Wow! That's awesome... congratulations! But also well-deserved, since you're one of the most inspiring people on Steemit.
Aaaaw, thank you!!! That's so cute - and the very best motivation for Lisbon 😉
Will you be there?
Your actions and choices made this a reality. I always tell people that luck = preparation meets opportunity :)
Yeah! That's my favourite saying about luck actually 😉 Great one!
Thanks, great to hear that too! :)
Good luck with your speach and just imagine everyone in there underwear ;). Hope it all goes smoothly
OMG not sure if THIS is the right strategy haha 😆
Thank you!
Thats awesome really tempted by Steemfest2 as live London but dont know if I can get the time off. Great news though you must be over steeming over the moon
I'm definitely close to the moon right now, haha!
You can watch us online then 😉
Heyyy congratulations!! :)
Thank you!!! 😉
Nice presentation @surfermarly thanks for sharing
Nice post thanks for sharing steem family . Good job . Follow ,upvote
Good post , thanks ☺☺👌👌👌
a very great dream, a very good post.
Nice post @surfermarly
Follow back 😊
Great Congratulations 🎉🎊
Yes 🔝
Muy Buen post!!! Te sigo!
hi beautiful .. your post is very interesting. good luck :-)
Great post .thanks@surfermarly
have a nice day.
Best article.
For your post propagation.
Upvote/Resteem
Good luck sweet. Somedays i will be there, on steemfest
Nice post, very beneficial for us, follow me @lahcen80 nd will follow back. Thank you
Thank for sharing!
REALLY...great man, best of luck for the fest!!
Always believe in your dreams @surfermarly.
I'm waiting to see The storyline of your presentation whenever you will be ready to share your secret with us.
Followed, surprise me with the presentation.
Oh I don't think that the storyline can be shared before Steemfest...😉
But it'll be shared as soon as possible anyways.
Loved your post! and the excitement, you remind me of me...lol...
I'm excited for you. Let the inner child shine! Best wishes :)
Congrats and knock 'me dead. Oh....and don't forget to plug the merch. Lol.
Nice post
Yeah i love this!!!
This motivation has refueled my day.
I'm happy to hear that, thanks for your support @richforever 😉
good luck and have a nice day!!!
Man oh mannnnnn I gotta go to Steemfest. 2018 perhaps.
That is awesome. Jealous.
Naaaa, don't be jealous - that's an unhealthy feeling. Just be happy 😉