Gosh, you guys wouldn’t believe what it took to make this insane letter. I know the final product looks like an eye-hurting mess, but I hope that you guys are able to brave it out and read my heartfelt sentiments anyway.
Because my message was handwritten, I couldn’t link any blogs if I mentioned bloggers. Therefore, I’ll share a list now. These are the (more than a handful of) bloggers that have made the past two years of blogging a joyful ride:
Aentee at Read at Midnight, Aimal at Bookshelves and Paperbacks, Carolyn at A Hundred Thousand Stories, Cherry at Read Forevermore, Chooi at Read, Think, Ponder, Erika at Erika in Bookventureland, Jeann at Happy Indulgence, Jenna at Reading with Jenna, Joan at Fiddler Blue, Joey at Thoughts and Afterthoughts, Joyce at TheBookHarpy, Kelly at Dancing Through the Pages, Lauren at SERIESous Book Reviews, Liam at Hey Ashers!, Liam at Liam’s Library, Lois at My Midnight Musings, Marie at Drizzle and Hurricane Books, Nicay The Nerdy Side of a Queen, Poulami at Daydreaming Books, Savindi at The Streetlight Reader, Thomas at The Quiet Voice, Thuong at I Read Therefore I Am, Trisha at The Bookgasm, and Zoe at Stories on Stage.
You all have continuously inspired me with your creativity. And thanks for being such reliable pillars of support. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch to have befriend along this journey. I appreciate you all very, very much. ❤
And, of course, I want to say thank you to everyone (regardless if you’re a blogger or not). Thank you for putting up with my long, rambly posts, actually reading them, and dropping comments when you had the time. It truly means a lot. ❤
Lastly as you guys know, I blog for many reasons, but the utmost one being for the vast community of positive, diverse individuals. So, to further express my thanks to you all and to celebrate my upcoming 21st birthday, I have decided to do a small giveaway. Same rules apply as last year’s giveaway and you can proceed to the details below! 🙂
XINGSINGS BLOGIVERSARY/BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!
- 1 winner gets to receive a 20 USD voucher/e-gift card to a bookish place
- You can choose from Amazon, Book Outlet, or Book Depository
- Open to US, Canada, and international residents where Book Depository ships (you may check if they ship to your country here)
- Ends in roughly three weeks on Sunday, January 22, 2017
- I will be emailing and giving the winner 48 hours to respond to my email before choosing another winner
- Xingsings will be supplying the e-voucher and gift card, but it will not be responsible for lost or damaged goods. You’ll need to contact the seller if that happens.
- This giveaway is for my followers and friends, so a lot of the entries will be related to following Xingsings or my social media accounts. No giveaway accounts.
- Please no cheating. I will be checking each entry throughout the giveaway period, and deleting ones that don’t qualify.
- Like last year’s giveaway, you are eligible to gain up to three extra bonus entries (this time if you read my letter carefully). (Sorry, not sorry.)
- Good luck!
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY (ENTER HERE!)
Direct Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4e94303f5/
Haaaappy Blogiversary Summer! ❤ I can’t believe it’s 2 years already since I’ve met you!! Gosh! My blogging journey couldn’t have been better if I hadn’t received such a warm welcome from the community of which you were one. Thanks for being such a great friend Summer! And I hope you have a fabulous 2017!
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Thaaaanks so much, Poulami! It’s unbelievable, right? We’re on our ways to becoming veteran bloggers it seems. 😉 The fact that I have commitment issues with hobbies such as this one, I can’t believe I’ve lasted this long to be quite honest. Anyway, thanks so much for the heartfelt message. I truly value our friendship! Cheers to another great blogging year (and many more I hope)! ❤
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Absolutely! ❤
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Happy blogiversary! Your blog is always so lovely, regardless of statistics. 🙂 Have a happy new year!
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Aww, thanks so much, Evi! Happy 2017 to you as well. 🙂
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Well done on making it to 2 awesome blogging years! Your blog is amazing and you should be so proud on how far you’ve come. Here’s to many more great blogging years to come! 😀
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Ah, thanks so, so much for the kind words, Alicia! XD
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Congrats on 2 years of blogging and happy early 21st birthday Summer!! I love your blog and I think it’s really inspiring. 🙂
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Forgot to include my resolutions! I’m hoping to read 80+ books, read more diversely, balance my reading/blogging/studying/exercising, and eat less chocolate. 🙂
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And you’re a brave soul for willing to give up chocolate, haha. I never manage to decrease my choco intake. 😉
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Hahah thanks! 😊
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Thank you so much, Olivia! You are the loveliest. And omg, those are some great (but ambitious!) resolutions. Good luck! 🙂
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Happy blogiversary, Summer! That letter looks SO wonderful, I swear your handwriting could be a font on its own. I’m really glad to hear that in your second year of blogging, you’ve found yourself a better blogging niche – it’s such a wonderful thing to have figured out and I can only hope 2017 will bring even better things for you. Happy (alm0st) birthday, too, and thanks for the giveaway. 💗
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Ah, thanks you SO much, Reg! If only you saw my handwriting when I’m taking notes or writing things for school. It’s absolutely atrocious, haha. Thank you! ❤
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Happy Blog Anniversary and Happy Birthday!!!, when it arrives.
Btw, I love those little graphics things you do like the one at the top of this post.
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Thanks so much, Zezee! XD
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Happy 2 years!
I’m glad last year was such a constructive one for you! I know my 2nd year was a big one for me in that respect too. I found that balance between blogging and life that I lacked in that first year.
Here’s to many more years ❤
PS your writing is so neat! If I wrote longhand, it would be chicken scratch!
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Lauren, thank you! ❤
I’ve noticed that year 2 seems to be a pretty pivotal year for many bloggers. >.<
(Thanks! Haha, I made a lot of effort trying to make it legible. My normal “note taking” handwriting that I use the majority of the time is actually not so neat.)
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We’re so old.
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Right?? You know you’re old when you have thoughts of going self hosted or getting a coblogger (which are both ones that I’ve considered lately). XD
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Congrats! I love that you wrote that letter in longhand. It’s fun to see “real” handwriting. I might try that on my blog sometime!
As for resolutions, I don’t really have a specific one. I did choose the word “connect” for 2017.
Dianna
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Thank you, Dianna! And that’s a good resolution for the new year. I hope that it’s been going well for you. 🙂
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A very happy second blogiversary to you, Summer!! You should be very proud of a great blogging year, one where you found fulfilment! I totally get what you meant in your letter though, I’m one of those bloggers who took an unexpected hiatus this year. And even though there were busy times in my life and constant interruptions or stress, I know that I could have made time for blogging and yet chose to take a bit more of a break. I needed it but I’m very happy to be back now.
Wishing you all the best in 2017 and I’m so happy that I’ve been here for your journey ❤ Thank you for the giveaway, too 😉
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Thank you so much!
Ah yes. I 100% agree that breaks from blogging is a good thing. And I’m glad you can relate. I’m also happy that you’re still finding the time to blog and give us updates on your life once in a while. I miss seeing you around. 🙂
Belated, but happy 2017 to you, too, Liam. ❤
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Happy Blogiversary Summer!
Your handwriting is so prettyy 🙂
I think you’ve really found your blogging voice this year Summer especially with both your bookish and nonbookish posts as well. You always add something personal that makes each post stand out 🙂
Here’s to more fangirling and buddy reads in the coming year 🙂
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cries That means so much to me. TT.TT Thanks so much, Carolyn! ❤ ❤
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Happy Birthday double birthday!! 😀
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Thank you so much!! 🙂
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Happiest blogiversary Summer!! Xingsings is actually one of the best out there and I love each and every single one of your posts! I feel insanely grateful for meeting you here in the blogosphere and much more so that you’re my friend! Thanks for all the comments and the advice!! They really mean a lot to me.
(And oh, your handwriting is so pretty – even better than mine! How do you do that?!!)
Happy 2017 and advance Happy Birthday!! Here’s to more fab blogging years to come!!
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Joyce, thank you so much! Reading your comment made me tear up a little. I’m so very happy to have met you through the blogosphere and have you as a friend as well.
(Thank you! I promise that my handwriting normally isn’t as neat. I tried to make this as legible as I could, haha.)
Thanks, lovely. I hope that school hasn’t been working you too hard. ❤
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Happy Blogiversary, Summer!
I have to admit: I’m not sure when my blogiversary is. I think I already completed one year of blogging, but I’m not even sure? Oh well. I really should start paying more attention to these things!
I’m so happy you still saw 2016 as a great blogging year. I loved reading your monthly recaps and reviews, even when I didn’t leave any comments. Although you didn’t post a lot, everytime you did, the effort and time you put onto that was noticeable. It is definitely something to be proud of!
I don’t have many 2017 resolutions, to be honest. Most part of them are personal: work hard, be a better daughter and friend, be more thankful for everything I have. I hope I can manage everything well for the next year!
Once again, happy blogiversary! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Lais!
Your comment really means a lot to me. When I first started blogging I didn’t think anyone would leave comments and, after two years, I still don’t expect people to. So thank you for always taking time out of your busy life and dropping comments. I always appreciate them even if I reply slowly.
“…work hard, be a better daughter and friend, be more thankful for everything I have” Those are wise and wonderful resolutions that I think everyone should add to their lists (if they have one). 😀
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Happy 2 year Blogiversary!!! Congrats on reaching such a huge milestone. I’m still awed at how tidy your handwriting is. I’m glad that you’ve found a niche of sorts to the blogging and have found that balance between blogging and life and everything in between. Here’s to another epic year and many more to come. 😀
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Thank you so much, Lois! I’m still in disbelief that it’s been this long. 2016 was an important year for me in general and I’m super glad I didn’t stop blogging completely. Anyway, cheers to another great year for the both of us (belated I know). XD
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Happy Blogiversary, Summer! ♥ Advance Happy Birthday too.
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Thanks so much, Kath! ❤
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Happy Blogiversary, Summer, and what a wonderful way to celebrate! I love your letter so much, and your handwriting is so beautiful and easy to read – well, it was for me. I get the feeling of, well, feeling guilty whenever you’re not around, annd I still have that feeling at times, I think it’s so wonderful and inspiring that despite the decreasing stats, you found a bit of yourself in your blog, and love it more and more with every single day. I want to accomplish that too, and I feel like I am on the right path – well, I hope so. I saw my stats decrease as well since last year, but I’m not feeling too bad because I am actually enjoying it and taking more steps back, even if it’s a lot of work at times.
I am always very, very happy to see your blog posts and to learn more about your taste besides books, you’re always making me discover new things, which I really appreciate.Also, your reviews have become longer, but I always love reading them.
Wishing you all the best for this year, and I hope you’ll love blogging just as much in 2O17 as in last year!
To answer your question, I think my new year’s resolution would have to be to keep on loving blogging, but taking more steps back to really appreciate it and not feel too consumed by it at times 🙂
Also, to follow up with Joey’s comment above, YES we are old, I feel that too, as a two-year blogger haha.
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Ugh, I am ridiculously behind and this reply is long overdue, but thank you so, so much, Marie! ❤ And thank you for taking the time to type up this comment.
I know exactly what you mean. When my stats takes a dip, I do notice but it’s not something that eats me up inside as it would have before. It’s taken a long time to get to this level of comfort, but I’m glad I’ve finally arrived at this point. It helps ease the burden when I remind myself this is just a fun hobby as well.
And it certainly does look like you’re on your way with that new years resolution (the one where you hope that you continue to love blogging)! With you going all self hosted and all. 😉 Did I ever tell you I was so proud of you? Well, I am! You’ve work so hard on your blog. But I do hope that you’re taking breathers and getting some rest, too. 😀
Right? I’m still kind of amazed that we’ve come this far. To be honest, I’m super flakey when it comes to committing with these types of things, haha.
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You’re welcome, Summer, it’s always my pleasure to type up a too-long comment for you ahah, I’m just glad you don’t mind my rambling 😀
I think it’s really good to be able to feel “okay” whenever you’re not blogging. When you’re starting out there are tons of pressure and now even if I still do feel pressured, it’s a good kind.
Aww thank you, you are so sweet! ❤ I am, well trying to, I’m still a perfectionist and always trying to be on top of every single thing but…I force myself to take little breaks and rest and most of it all, to remember to enjoy it and I still do 😀
Well , YAY for blogging commitment! I am proud of us for making it this far! 😀
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Wow! HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY! I did not expect to see an actual handwritten letter, that was such a sweet idea and can I just say that I love your handwriting! It looked like it was printed 😀 Also, happy early (?) birthday! I hope you have the most wonderful time, you would definitely deserve it!
As for 2017 resolutions … I am not really good with them. On the bookish front, I would like to read a tad more non-fiction, but other than that, I don’t have all that many plans. I quit my job and will only work until the 13th … so that will leave me with a lot of options.
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Kat, THANKS so much! You’re really so sweet. 🙂 This reply is so belated, but indeed I had a nice, relaxing birthday back in January. And, I know it’s nearly been half a year since this happened but kudos for you for taking the initiative and quitting your job. It takes a lot of courage to do that, but I hope that you’re happy. 🙂
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Never worry about taking your time to reply, I am just happy to hear from you whenever 😀 I am also super glad you had a nice birthday and YES! I have no regrets about quitting my job. In fact, in 5 days time I will start my adventure of travelling through Canada for a couple of months. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT!
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First of all: your handwriting is gorgeous. How do you do that? Is it magic?
I’m so, so glad to hear that you aren’t feeling guilty and stressed about the distance you put between yourself and your blog in 2016. The fact that the distance helped both you personally and your blog’s quality is fantastic. Hurray for a happy Summer and an improved blog!
Aw, and I’m blushing over here, knowing I helped make your blogging experience as awesome as you’ve made mine. ❤
Early happy birthday! I hope you celebrate it thoroughly!
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Reading your comments always makes my day, Liam! Thank you so much for everything you’ve said. ❤
And, yes, of course you’ve played a role! Reading your differing perspective on a book that I love will never get old. Keep your book critiques coming (when you return from your hiatus that is). XD
Gosh, this reply is so, so late, but, yes, I had a nice birthday back in January. Thank you!
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Oh dang it has been such a long time since I’ve left a comment here. Sorry about that but I hope you know that regardless, I will always always always support you through your blogging journey!
Happy two years! I am so grateful to have stumbled upon your blog when you were starting out so I could witness the incredible growth you’ve made with Xingsings. I’m impressed by the amount of goals you set for yourself and how you’ve continuously achieved them. It’s been an honor to have made an impact on how you perceived your blogging experience thus far. I’m really happy that you’ve made it this far and look forward to seeing you make it even farther!
Happy birthday! I hope that although I’m late, this next year will be super great and that school doesn’t kill you like it’s done to me. Maybe you’ll even get to see Yixing in the flesh haha!
Ok so I’m done sounding like a teacher lmao but I love that you wrote that note by hand! I think it’s so freaking cute!
Finally, I absolutely love you and send imaginary books, kisses, and wishes your way! Here’s to a great 2017! ❤
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Oh my gosh, Kelly! I’ve missed you so much! That’s totally okay; I get it. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment all the same. It’s always nice to hear from you. 🙂
How time flies, right? It feels like just yesterday I was a baby blogger and we were taking about K-pop and bubble tea and other Asian stuff. (I think you were the first Asian book blogger I met actually, heh.) Anyway, thank you for your kind words. :’)
“I’m done sounding like a teacher lmao”
LOL. I knew I was getting teary for some reason. It was because of the way you wrote everything, haha. I love your teacher comment though. XD
Sending (virtual) good books, warm thoughts, and kisses right back to you. I hope that all is well with school and that you’ve had a super wonderful Junior year (or at least I think it is your junior year if I remember correctly). ❤
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Congrats on two years of blogging! Lovely letter and such a pretty graphic, too! I love that you took the time to hand write your note. No new year resolutions exactly, but I’m focusing on getting to bed earlier (off I go now!) and reading for quality vs quantity 🙂
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Ah, thank you so much! And I hope you’ve still been good with keeping an earlier bedtime. That should have been one of my new year resolutions as well. XD
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Happy blogoversary! I wish you many many more. 🙂
My new year resolution is to finish university this year and move to another country!
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Thank you so much! By this time, I’m guessing you’ve graduated? Anyway, all the best to you!
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Congratulations on two years, Summer!!! And hope you had/have a wonderful birthday 😀
I went through the whole letter because I wanted to read about your feelings about this second blogiversary, but also because I’ve never seen such an original idea! Taking the time to handwrite your emotions and experiences instead of just typing is so nice ♥ So glad you ended up having a wonderful blogging year, and hope this 2017 turns even better!!!
About my resolutions for this year, well… I don’t have many, but one that I do want to achieve is to read more classic books – Jane Austen has been waiting for me for a long, long time ahaha Let’s see how that turns out 😀 Best wishes, and here’s to many more years of blogging!
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Thank you so, so much!! This is such a late reply, but I did have a fantastic birthday back in January.
What a great one! Classics are always so daunting, but I also want to delve into more of them this year. Again, this is so belated, but I hope that your on your way with achieving your new year resolutions and goals and that you’ve had an awesome 2017 so far.
Happy reading and blogging, lovely. ❤
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Happy blogiversary!!!!!!! I loved reading such a fun and emotional letter!!! And I loved your handwriting!! 😀 😀
My new year resolutions are travelling more and start studying a new language – probably German 🙂
I wish you many more years on this wonderful blog!!
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Grace, thank you so much!! You’re too wonderful. 🙂
This is several months late, but I hope 2017 has been treating you well so far. And good luck with achieving your goals of traveling and studying a new language this year. 😀
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