Cheers to Three Years of Blogging!

Today is the three-year anniversary of my first blog post for The Siberian American. I remember buying the domain for three years and wondering if I would actually still be committed when it was time to renew. Here I am three years later, still in love with blogging, and I definitely renewed that domain a month ago!

Even though I’ve had to cut back on posting during pregnancy, I am always thankful for this wonderful community. I’ve met and connected with so many great people, and I am grateful for all of you. My goal is to ramp up posting again in September and to keep it up when our little man arrives.

It’s so crazy how many life changes this blog has seen in just three years: when I first started writing, Chris was still in medical school, and we had no idea where Match would send us. Now we’re back in Dallas after a year in Chicago and already in the third year of residency with a baby on the way! So, cheers to three years! I am so grateful we are on this journey together, and I can’t wait to share more of our adventures with y’all!

Two Year Blogiversary: Why I Started Blogging (And Why I Don’t Want to Stop!)

On this date two years ago, I decided to take the plunge and finally become a blogger. I had been reading blogs for years at that point and knew I wanted to blog, but it was so hard to take that first step. I had doubts I’m sure are common among new bloggers. Would anyone actually read my blog? Do I really want to put myself out there on the internet?

When I started blogging, Chris and I were going through a major season of transition. He had just started his last year of medical school and had picked one of the more competitive specialties, so we had to prepare to move anywhere. Our whole life was full of applications and interviews all over the country, and I felt the need to document it all. I was so thankful for the blogging world for the support, especially when I announced we were moving to Chicago.

Blogging helped me get through intern year. I loved having a space where I could share our Chicago adventures and to have a creative outlet while Chris worked long hours.

One of my favorite things about blogging has always been the community and the wonderful friends you make, but I don’t think I realized how special that is until I got sick this year. I’m not going to lie: there were times this year that I really wanted to quit. It was hard to blog when getting out of bed felt like a huge accomplishment, but I was so thankful for all the comments and emails I received, and blogging really kept me going during those difficult months.

It’s crazy to think how much has happened in the last two years, and I am grateful I have this blog as a way to remember. Two years ago, I had no idea how much I would love blogging. I love the people, getting to write, and the opportunity to be creative.

So thank you, blog friends, for making blogging so fun! I hope to blog with y’all for many more years.

What I’m Working On:Tour Through Blogland

Y’all might have seen the “Tour Through Blogland” posts appearing on blogs lately. I really love posts like these because it gives me a chance to get to know bloggers more, and I am really interested in how bloggers write their posts. Cat at Oddly Lovely tagged me to share my writing process and what I’m working on right now. (This girl is fantastic. I look forward to reading her blog every day because her posts are so interesting and genuine. Check her out!) 

My blogging process involves my dog wanting to play while I write.

What are you working on right now?

I am constantly thinking of post ideas. When I think of an idea, I always write it down on a sticky note. I try to transfer those sticky notes to my master list, but that doesn’t always happen so I have sticky notes all over the place.

I plan my posts for the following week on Sundays. I try to write as many of posts as possible on Sunday, but most weeks I only get Monday’s post done. Currently, I am working on finally finishing my fall foliage cruise recaps (one more port left!), various Europe travel posts, personal posts about residency and the future, and a few I’m nervous about posting that focus on some of my struggles. I have also been toying with trying out a few fashion posts—I love dresses so I think it would be fun to share some outfits.

Some items on my to-do list for my blog this month are:

*Work on my tabs. I hate that I have been blogging for three months, and my tabs still aren’t complete. I need to write the “love” tab and design the “travel” tab.  

*Use Instagram and Twitter more. Since I haven’t told most of my friends and family about my blog, I have separate blog Twitter and Instagram accounts so I am still adjusting to posting on my blog accounts. I am hoping this will become easier as I delve further into blogging.

*Schedule an entire week of posts. I am going on vacation at the end of this month, and I want to have my posts ready weeks in advance so I am not scrambling right before I leave.

Some items on my to-do list outside of the blog:

*Help Chris with booking the rest of the hotels and flights for his interviews. We are both so ready for interview season to be over. I know February will be here before we know it though, and then we start the difficult process of ranking the programs (more on that later).

*Plan my dresses for my work holiday party, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and formal nights on the cruise. I love dressing up, and I am so excited that I have so many excuses to do it this month!

*Decorate for Christmas! We put up our tree last night, but we haven’t decorated it yet. Decorating with my hubby is definitely one of the highlights of my December.

How does your work differ from others in its genre?

Once upon a time I had a travel blog where I shared my travel tips, but I didn’t want to make it personal, and it really lacked my voice. Travel is my passion so I knew that I couldn’t write a blog without including travel, but this time I wanted it to be more than that. I wouldn’t say my blog is unique, but I work hard at sharing my passions and being as transparent as possible.

Why do you write/create what you do?

I have always been a writer. When I am struggling with anxiety, it is my favorite way to relieve stress. Now that I am a professional editor, I needed an outlet to keep writing. Blogging has been perfect for me, and I have completely fallen in love with it.

How does your writing/creative process work?

When I know I am going to be writing a specific post, I spend a lot of time thinking about it (while I am doing other things) before I am willing to open up a text document. Once I am ready to write, it usually doesn’t take me long to get a first draft done (then I have to edit it, of course). I try to get my posts written on Sundays, but honestly, I write better when I am under a deadline so I end up writing the majority of my posts the night before I post them.

I always finish writing before I edit photos and design the header. At that point, I know how many photos I need and what I want them to look like.

Next blog stops:

One of my favorite things about blogging is the community. These ladies have welcomed me warmly into the blogging community, and I love reading their blogs. I am tagging them so they can also share their writing processes if they're interested.

*Kristen at See You In a Porridge

*Biana at B Loved Boston

*Casey at We Took the Road Less Traveled

Ready, Set, Blog: Welcome to the Siberian American

I have wanted to blog as long as I can remember. I read many blogs and love the idea of being part of the community. To be honest, I have been worried about getting on this blogging train because I’m a pretty private person. It is scary to put myself out there, but I’ve decided to give it a shot.

My husband Chris is in his fourth year of medical school. Pretty soon, he’ll be applying to residencies all over the country. I’ve decided to finally start a blog because I want to remember this crazy transition period in our lives and document our next chapter.

Here’s what you might find on my blog:

*Travel recaps and tips—I absolutely love to travel and enjoy sharing my travels with others. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me!
*Frugal living tips—While my husband is in medical school, I have had to learn ways to save (and earn!) money. I can’t wait to share some of my discoveries.
*Dresses (and other clothes)—I own more dresses than some women will in their lifetimes. I love dressing up for both work and going out and am eager to share some favorite outfits.
*Books—I am one of those people who stay up way too late at night while reading a good book. Every month, I will post the books I have read with a short review of each book.
*Subscription boxes—Subscription boxes are my weakness. I love beauty products and will likely post reviews of some of my boxes.
*My dog Skyler—She’s half corgi, half fox, but completely adorable.

I told you she was cute. :)

*Life and love— Though I have mentioned that this is scary for me, I am also excited about stepping out of my comfort zone.
 *Randomness—Random makes me happy, and I hope it makes you happy too. ☺

For more about me, click here. I’m so glad you’re here!