2010, The Year That Was - a Year-Ender Post

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2010 has been a very fruitful year for me. I am oh-so thankful for all the blessings I have received last year and I am so looking forward to what's in store for me this 2011.

But, 2010 wasn't all sunshine and roses for me. I had my own share of struggles, a broken heart and a tearful goodbye. However, I believe all of them made last year very memorable to me and have opened a lot of doors to a lot of positive changes in my life. I'm stronger and more mature now because of everything I experienced in 2010.

Not only did a lot of changes happen, but also I met a lot of people who I know I want to be friends with for life.

In this post, I hope to share with you the most important moments in my life in 2010, both online and personal. I do hope, though, that you'd have the patience to bear reading this whole post. I would really appreciate it if you would. ^_^

 

2010 for blankPixels

2010 was the year when I started taking blogging more seriously. And it was only in January last year when I decided to also make money online with my blogs. Let me share with you the most memorable highlights of my blogging and online life as blankpixels.

First off, I have won many contests in 2010. The prizes range from gift certificates, prepaid load to gadgets! I won 2 Nokia 5230 phones (how lucky, right?), an Apple iPad from Sulit, a Globe Tattoo and Php 500 Globe load from Yugatech, Php 1,500 gift certificates from Pizza Hut, and Glutamax products, among those that are most notable. And I wish to win more contests this year! I'm now officially a contest addict. ^_^

I started 4 blogs last year - Certified Foodies, Pinay Reviewer, iCafe Blog and blankPixels - The Geek Side. And, I'm proud to say that the first 2 have gained a following, thanks to word-of-mouth, social networking sites, Adgitize and Entrecard.

I started making money online through my blogs. Not only through advertising, but through paid review / writing opportunities. However, I made sure that the money-making part did not affect my blogs quality. Most people say that they barely even notice any paid links on any of my posts. ^_^

Now, I make at least $100 per month. There was even a month that I earned over $250 from 2 of my blogs. Cool, eh? And I hope that the blessings would keep on coming.

But, aside from making money online, one thing that I am most thankful for is my blogs gaining followers and/or regular readers. I love reading and responding to comments. I also love the feedback I'm getting from my reviews and tutorials/guides. Expect more to come.

Last year was also when I gotten to meet a lot of my fellow bloggers. I used to be a silent reader / lurker. But, I told myself that I should find the time to leave comments and let other bloggers know that I'm reading their posts / contents. That didn't only gain me blogger friends, but it also increased traffic to my blogs.

During the last months of 2010, I met 2 bloggers who I now consider my 2 BBFs (best blogger friends LOL) - Eihdra of One Proud Momma and Make Money Online and Beyond, and Grace of Dress Up Your Blogs and Grace in Creative Life. I actually have an upcoming post especially dedicated to these 2 women. All I can say is I'm pretty happy I met them and would LOVE to hang out with them and my other newfound blogger friends really soon.

Last year was also my first time to host blog contests. There was Make a Wish and, of course, Thirty on 30 last October. In both contests, I received a lot of support from my fellow bloggers who willingly signed up as my sponsors and joined. I couldn't thank them enough!

This 2011, watch out for more contests on my blogs. I'm planning on hosting a contest for each of my blogs at least once a year. And then, at the end of the year, I'll be giving away my favorite things for the past year. Yeah, Oprah style! Well, not completely like Oprah 'cause she can afford everyone getting everything. But, you get what I mean, right? Hehehe. Keep posted for products or things I feature on my blogs because you'll never know if they'll turn up as one of my favorite things at the end of the year. I've seen a couple of bloggers doing this, too, and I've wanted to do this since I was done with Make a Wish, but because I had another contest just in October, I decided to postpone my Favorite Things contest for the end of 2011.

Aside from making money online and contests, I also got back into my love for graphics design. Last year, I decided to start designing blogs. My very first blog design project was One Proud Momma's. I now can design for Blogger and Wordpress. I designed all the layouts of my blogs and I've got 3 blogs lined up right now so keep posted for those makeovers. If you love my work, you can even hire me! Yes, I'll start my blog design biz this year so I hope you keep posted for my rates. They'll be affordable, I promise!

It's only the 3rd day of 2011 and all I can say is I'm pretty psyched with all the things I've got planned for myself as a blogger, online money maker and a designer this year. Wish me luck!

 

2010 for Michelle / Mhel

One of the major changes in my life happened last year when I ended a 5-year relationship with someone. It was heart-breaking, but mostly liberating. Most of my close friends would tell you how much they prefer the Mhel now than how I was during those 5 years. A lot of my friends missed me, even my family missed me oh-so much. And, most of all, I missed my old self. I miss being me. I couldn't thank God enough for the strength that He's given me to go through what I did. His plans for me seem to be playing out already so I'm just enjoying the ride.I'm also happy to mention that most people notice this certain glow, radiance on me nowadays. It could be that I'm taking care of myself more now, eating healthier, etcetera, etcetera. But, I believe it's because I'm happier now. I get to enjoy my life more now. No more fights (that usually get too physical), stupid arguments and too much negativity. My 50% optimistic and 50% realist self is back. The pessimist has been thrown out the window.

No, I'm not blaming my past relationship for all the stress I experienced. It was partly my fault, letting someone else control my life and choose what they think would make me happy. I'm back in control now. And I choose to be happy. Not completely though as I still break down and cry after realizing what has happened to me in the past half a decade. BUT, I choose to let myself feel those emotions because I believe it's an important part of this whole self-re-acquainting thing. I'm not completely regretful though. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and my loved ones (family and close friends) who already know about my story would agree that I'm now on the right path.

Because of that major change in my life, another old me returned - the traveler. I love traveling! I may not be the most adventurous woman out there, but I've dreamt of seeing the world before I pass on to the next life. And, I wanted to start with my own country, of course. I'm planning on buying a DSLR, and even possibly a Nikon binocular just so I can fully enjoy those sceneries and keep memories of them through my camera.

I guess the reason why the traveler side of me took a back seat was because I wanted to be with people who can jive with me, with my crazy trips, and have fun without thinking too much. Yeah, I already analyze and think too much, so I'd rather be around people who would let loose and be crazy / wild with me (wholesome and the other kind hehehe). Now, I have more time to spend with people who really get me, who know and accept me for exactly who I am. I'm hoping to travel at least twice a year to places in the Philippines that I have yet to see. Then, once that's done, I'm off to Asia and Europe! Woot!

When I launched our food blog last year, I started to realize that I am a certified foodie.  I love food and I also love cooking! I only stopped being the one in the kitchen 'cause my brother and my mother are great cooks. But, now, that's no longer stopping me from doing what I love. I love to cook, even when I was a kid when my mother taught me how to cook pancit for our carinderia back in the days. Yes, at age 12, I already know how to cook. And I know I would love to continue learning more now. I'm pretty excited about this! So, make sure you follow our food blog for my own recipes and my cooking adventures! :)

And, another major realization that I had last year, which I believe is one of the most important of all, is I want to be a MOTHER. Yes, I want to have a kid… or kids even! Seeing all those mommy bloggers talking about their kids on their blogs, watching my mommy close friends (especially Badeth and Chikay, who I both love so much!) share their stories about their beloved kids, aahhh! I would love to raise a kid of my own. I want someone to call me "mommy" or "nanay". Plus, I know I would be a great mom, my bro would be a caring uncle and my parents would be amazing grandparents. I've seen them care for other kids NOW so I KNOW my future kid/s would have a really great and loving family to spend their whole life/lives with. I just wish and pray that God would give me a chance to make this dream a reality.

I can go on and on about all the changes and realizations I experienced last year, but these ones had the most impact on me now and my plans for my future. I'm pretty excited about this and I'm hoping that someone would be there to make those fun future memories with me… together. So, I say wish me luck in the love department! ^_^

There were a lot of memorable happenings last year but all I've mentioned here are the most important ones. All in all, personally, 2010 may not be the happiest years of my life, but it definitely was the most intense and the only year wherein I felt, when it ended, that I actually grew up and matured as a person, as a daughter, a sister, a friend, and, hopefully a lover. Only time would tell.

Will post my 2011 wish list and resolutions next. And I've sworn to keep my promises fulfilled this year.

How was YOUR 2010?