11 Years (A Blogiversary Post)

Tomorrow--Feb 15th--marks my 11-year blogiversary.

When I started this blog, I was a sophomore at San Diego State University and a mere 19-years-old.

OLD PHOTO ALERT!!! I look like a baby. A sorority baby, that is.

I'm now 30 and have lived in London and moved to New York within that 11 year time frame. I've completed both a Bachelor's and Master's degree. I've had over 8 jobs since that time, including working at an oppressive smoothie shop, being an after-school teacher with adorable kiddos, taking a job as a copy editor, and most recently, landing a career that I love as undergraduate advisor for international education (a cause I can get behind).

All I can say is...wow, life. I don't think 19-year-old Ashley knew what was going to come in the next 11 years, but she couldn't have dreamed it all up, anyway.

I took this photo the other night at my friend's bday party, and I realized I no longer look like a baby.

There's experience and life behind those eyes, now. About 11 years worth.

10 Year Blogiversary and a Giveaway

I don't usually blog on a Sunday, but today is a special occasion.

Exactly 10 YEARS ago today, I created this blog for a Creative Writing class in college. And then I just kept it. For a freakin' decade! (!!)

I think 2 things have kept me going with this blog:

• Having a close-knit blog community who left meaningful comments. It was never about quantity, but most definitely quality when it comes to my blog community! 
• Having a space to catalog my travel adventures! 

Oh right, the giveaway. You know I've never done a giveaway on this blog? Today I thought is was highly appropriate to gift what's known as a nazar bracelet. Nazar is a protector of sorts, most often crafted into an eye shape, to keep away the "evil eye." It's a tradition that spans back centuries, and Turkey is not the only place that holds onto this tradition.

Now this bracelet is nothing pricey, but just a little trinket to say thank you for reading all these years. According to my family, if the bracelet or eyes break it's done it's job in keeping away an evil spirit coveting something of yours! So...this may not be a great gift for the guy readers...um, I'll give away something "masculine" next time. ha.

To enter my lil' giveaway, simply comment and please leave your e-mail. I'll be picking someone at random on Wednesday, February 18th (probably with some numbering off method)!

So...here's to another decade of blogging?? I think so! 

Blogiversary, and a Questionnaire

This past week was my blogiversary. February 15th, to be exact! You won't believe it...I've had this dang blog for 9 years! And you know what? It's not going anywhere. 

Anyway, here's a little questionnaire to go along with my blogiversary post. Do play along if you feel like it. I got this questionnaire from Emily. 

What did you look like one year ago today?
My hair was darker, and I probably had a bit of a glow from a tremendous amount of travel. I was covered in head to toe in anything warm, because at this time in England it was so cold I could hardly stand it. I was actually visiting Bath about a year ago today, if you want to see "exactly" what I looked like: 

When did you wake up this morning?

8:00 am because it's Saturday. After waking up at 5:45 am all week, 8 is such a victory!

What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
Pleasant thoughts, because I love waking up NOT to the sound of an alarm.

Have you called someone today? Who and what did you say?

It's the morning, so that's a negative!

What mood are you in?

Productive. I have a lot to do before I move in with my friends Beth and Christian next week.

Do you hurt anywhere?

I am in dire need of a massage because my shoulders are killing me slowly. Or maybe I am killing them. Damn computer/office jobs!

If you could choose anything to eat right now, what would you want?

Right now a breakfast/brunch sounds amazing. I think I can make that happen today! There's a new little European-inspired cafe that opened up and it's calling my name.

And because you can fast forward in time with blogs, here is a picture of a delicious cappuccino from said cafe!

What did you buy last?
Decorative pillows because one of the good things about moving is redecorating! Took a quick photo to show you. I'm thinking of getting a red pillow to contrast it.

Which was the first website you visited on the internet today?

Instagram, naturally.

What are you doing tonight?

Thinking of shooting some pool with a friend.

Which is the first song you put on today?
"Baby Blue" by Badfinger. Because I just watched the Breaking Bad finale and I'm still reeling. Oh yes, a review is coming soon.

What were you doing exactly a week ago, this time?
Having a Breaking Bad marathon. That show takes OVER YOUR LIFE.

What are you wearing today?
This print dress, and very simple jewelry. 

The weekend then, what about it?
Last night I went to a performance showcasing dances from around the world. Belly dancing, River Dance and Flamenco Arana were all showcased--pretty grand! As for today and tomorrow, it's a mix of running errands and maybe playing some pool tonight. I mean, what do I do with myself now that Breaking Bad is over with? (Yeah, I know that's the third time I mentioned it). 

Blogiversary: That One Time I Applied To English Graduate School

8 years ago I made this here blog.

Yes, you read that right...it's been 8 years.

As explained last year, my new tradition with blogiversary posts is to reminisce on one event in my past since the creation of my blog. I thought this would be a good time to bring up when I decided to apply to London grad schools.

Taking the leap across the pond meant leaving a new job in San Diego. I was left with the decision between security or a long time dream of living in a foreign country.

"People only study abroad in their undergrad...and I'm 27. I'm supposed to be responsible...what's the matter with me?" I thought to myself. "I have a steady job, why should I leave now?"

There were other very logical questions that plagued my mind. But then I realized, all that logic was really quite annoying. I had been living my life very logically all my life. Always the girl to weigh my options, I snubbed the idea of taking "reckless" chances. I mean, moving to London would mean taking out a sufficient loan...was it really worth putting myself in debt?

Yes. Because all that logic was really fear. And taking out a loan was just an investment in my dream. And that was the bottom line.

So here I am, in London, happy that I was a little reckless for once.

Happy Blogiversary to me!

Blogiversary: That Time I Met Lance Bass

Seven years ago today I started my blog. SEVEN. Seeing as I'm not getting rid of my blog anytime soon, and I'm tired of doing the usual blogiversary post, I've decided to start a tradition: With each year's blogiversary post, I will reminisce on one event from my past since the creation of my blog.

This year, I've decided to rehatch something I'm both proud and even a little geeky over:

That Time I Met Lance Bass

It was fall 2007, my last year at San Diego State University, and I had a tough decision to make: either go to my Broadcast Journalism class and be guaranteed an A (the professor was big on attendance), or skip class to go to a Lance Bass book signing. Looking back, I chose the enlightened path.

After a short road trip to Los Angeles we came upon The Grove, to the Barnes and Noble where Lance would show up. To even get into the event, I was forced to buy Lance's book, the oh-so-cleverly titled Out of Sync, a memoir about his journey coming out of the closet. Not the most mind-blowing writing, but I digress...

The crowd was an amusing blend of old *NSYNC fans and gay supporters; thus, the estrogen was high in this place. And then, Lance emerged, accompanied by shrieks and my dear friend Ali hyperventalating in the background (Lance was always her absolute favorite, give the girl a break).

Ali had practiced a whole speech, in where she would calmly and aloofly express her deep admiration for her favorite *NSYNCER, but all that came out of her mouth was, "I love you, canihavahug?"

Heh. I still joke with Ali about that day.

Was meeting Lance bass worth the B in my journalism class? YES!

Here's to another year of embarrassing, blog-worthy moments...

The Most Exciting Blogiversary

SIX years ago today I started this blog. That's a long. ass. time. ago.

Here is (one of) the first blog posts that I wrote (because I wrote multiple posts that day from being overly excited to have a blog):

Well, I'm sitting here listening to "All I Want for Christmas is You." Seeing as Christmas is quite a ways away, I've decided that, nope, I'm not being very productive.

I don't know when I'll ever get really serious about school. It's not that I don't try hard or even that I don't care, it's just that I feel too young to get serious about a career. So, here I am, halfway through college, not knowing where I wanna go in life. But what do they want from me? I'm only 19 years old!!! Not 30, not experienced in any other field besides being a cashier, not completely mature and NOT READY TO PICK WHAT I WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!!

I know that that's a little drastic considering at any point in my life I can switch my career to whatever I want. It's not like my decision now will be set in stone or burnt into my arm (just say no to branding!). I just don't like being so undecided and uncertain about something so important. It's like losing all control. No human being can stand that.

The problem is that i'm WAY too over-analytical. I need to just slap my hand and stop it and take a breath and sit back and relaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax. whew! I guess we never know what tomorrow will bring, and it scares me to the very bone. But in a way, it also makes things exciting. Life is a bitch sometimes.

That was me at 19. hehe. It's funny how I touched on topics that I would still be yammering about today. I guess the conclusion I've come to now is that it's ok to lose some control and be a bit undecided. And despite those things, you should still go for exactly what you want :) That's what makes this upcoming "Blog Year" the potentially most exciting year. Living in a different country will make for the most unique posts this little blog has ever seen.

Looks like I will REALLY be living up to my domain name. Little turkish girl heads to Turkey...weee!

A Serious Matter

I have officially had this blog for 5 years. Happy blogiversary to me! This is a place where important, life-changing topics are put on the table...

And in staying with that, I want to comment on a serious matter about the Olympic Games:

Apolo Anton Ohno is, like, 10 times hotter than Michael Phelps:

Glad we can have intelligent conversations here. Please leave some enlightening comments on this topic.

Baby, Let's Stay Together

So, I forgot to post this yesterday, oops...

As of February 15, 2009, I have had this blog for 4 years. That's actually pretty good! How have I had 4 years worth of crap to say? Oh yeah, I guess it comes with life. Sure, I've thought about deleting this thing before, but I keep around for some reason.

4 years...well, that's a long relationship!

Thank you all for listening to my insights, nonsense, dorkiness and...well, just thanks for listening...er, reading.

Happy blogiversary to me!

Three-Year Itch

Soooooo...exactly 3 years ago today I stared this here little blog.

Why the hell did I start a blog???? I don't really know the answer...haha.

This week has actually gone better than I assumed it would. Assuming is bad. Our fears exaggerate reality. Ashley will be less stressed in weeks to come, at least she will try to be. Ashley is talking about herself in the 3rd person. Ashley has, indeed, gone crazy.

Happy anniversary to me (me and my blog, we got a relationship)!!!

Whoa!

I just realized...2 years ago today I started this blog...

2 years? Are you serious! That is SO crazy, gurrrrrrrrrrl.

Happy Anniversary to me! yay!

My Little Anniversary

One year ago today (February 15th, duh), I started this blog. Here is my first (really dorky) post:

just the beginning...

It seems these little online sites are popping up everywhere nowadays. hmmm...is it just a trend? Well, more like a high tech futuristic journal, no? Well, anyway, I decided to ride the wave and try it out myself. Why? Maybe cause I remember my creative writer teacher say that every writer needs "practice, practice, practice." Maybe it's because I get bored sometimes. Maybe it's because I've always been the girl to listen but never tell. I don't even know if I'll ever tell anyone I'm keeping this site, cause that would entitle me to let them into the innerworkings of ashley (or "ashley j" as many call me). But maybe I'll just be brave and let my feelings go...so here's the beginning. Who knows when we'll reach the end. Arrivederci, for now.

Yep. I've been in business for a year. What is the business, you ask? Self-help, of course. This has all been therapy for me.

As you can see, I'm still as dorky as I was a year ago. hahaha...somethings never change.