Happy Blogiversary!

The blog is one year old today! Isn't that exciting? I know you're thrilled, who the hell wouldn't be? This is quite the long post, and even though I'm sick and feeling like garbage today and should be in bed sleeping this off, I just had to get on here and write this for you all.

First thing's first ...

Back in April, I created a list of goals that I wanted to achieve by this date. Only two goals were met (I suck).

1. 6,000 followers on Twitter did not happen. Five months ago I had a little over 2,000 followers, and now I have barely over 3,000. It took me seven months to gain 2,000, and only five months to gain 1,000 more. That's an accomplishment, so even though my goal wasn't met, I accomplished something.

2. 2,000 posts ... PSH! I knew from the get-go this ambitious goal was going to fail, and it did. Standing count (including this post) is 566.

3. However, I did have an idol tweet to me. Peter finally put aside his hatred for me and responded. (Kidding, he doesn't really hate me). You can relive that moment by clicking this link.

4. But no idol has tweeted to me about the blog yet. Partly my fault, because I haven't sent any of them links. BUT, they do know I exist. And that's the important part.

5. And 2PM received some lovely TKPA boxers with the site URL on them. You can relive that moment by clicking this link and then watching the video of Chansung holding Junho's boxers. Simply amazing!

I want to take moment to get all sentimental and thank all of you.

When I started this blog, it was because I was bored and had a lot of free time on my hands. I know it sounds cliche to say I never expected anyone to read it or for it to become as big as it has, but it's the truth. I truly never thought this blog would gain such a following, that I would become friends with people from all over the world. I never expected to have such an influence and such support.

We have done a lot of things together. T.O.P's birthday trending topic was a success. G-Dragon's solo concert trending topic was a success. Throwing boxers to 2PM was a success. Helping out for Super Junior's 4jib album was a success. Giving BIGBANG anniversary gifts was a major success. And most recently sending the petition to SBS was a success. Although we don't know the results of that, and I am not sure what the future brings with that situation, the fact that all fans from all fandoms put aside their biases for two minutes to spread the word and at least try to change the situation at hand, speaks volumes. The entire K-Pop fandom is one big family. Although we might not all get along nor support each other all the time, when it truly counts and matters, we're there for one another.

I have met some really awesome people over the past year, people I have connected with and became very good friends with. Of course, I've met a lot of people who have also disliked me, but I still want to thank them for at least coming onto the blog to read it before deciding they didn't like me.

So here is a little list of people that stick out in my brain among others. Remember, I love every single person who follows me on Twitter, comes onto the blog, reads the blog, leaves comments, email me, etc ... You're all so important to me and I greatly appreciate all of the love and support you give me. Just there are some people who have been there from the very beginning, and I need to give them the proper credit they deserve.

The K-Pop Junkie (@koreanpopjunkie), you've been MIA from the blog and my life because we've both been so busy. But you're the greatest friend I could ever ask for and I miss you a lot. We need to fix this current situation, so if you see me calling you, answer the phone! :)

CJ (@cjcdae), you and I quickly became friends and not only talked about K-Pop, but our "real life" situations as well. You really did help me a lot with an issue I had been dealing with, accepting me into the club. You have absolutely no idea what your friendship means to me and I will be forever grateful to you for all the things you've done for me. There is a reason you're my #1 Personal Blogstalker. I really have no idea what this blog would be like without your perversion influencing mine.

Mas (@Bunniness), you are the first person who ever contacted me on MSN messenger, I remember. And you're also one of the very first people to comment on everything that I posted. I miss talking to you and I hope everything is well in your life.

Jenny (@jennykoi_) Thank you for all of the emails and support you've given me over the past year. You are such a sweet, caring person, and I promise you when I come to the Philippines, I will be crashing at your place and I can annoy you in real life rather than through the internet.

Arick (@F2Arick) Not many guys would support their girlfriends in writing dirty about other men, but you always tell me you're so proud at everything I do on this blog and you encourage me to write more. I don't have to tell you here what you mean to me, because I tell you that every day. But thank you for never making me feel ashamed for writing this or getting too upset when I cross that line.

And a big thank you to: Asian Pop Addict, TwELFs, BBVIPForum, 21BANGS, Displaced Korean, K-Pop the World, SeoulROKs, ELOSOUL, fangirltainment, AA-CHAN, Music4urSoul, and many, many others who have helped me in some way, shape, or form in the past year.

Of course, thank you again for everyone who has read the blog, left comments, followed me on Twitter, emailed me, and shared your lives with me. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me and I hope that you let me repay you by entering the blog's contest for a $50 gift certificate to YesAsia. (Click here! The deadline is October 2nd!)

Now for the two big announcements I have had in store for a little while for you all ...

I know a while ago I created a little shop on Zazzle so you could buy shirts or whatever. Well, they contacted me saying I couldn't use peoples' names without copyrighted permission, so they deleted everything. I just reopened another store with Spreadshirt, and I thought I would share some of the designs with you:

"No Free Ride for Jay"

"Fair Trade Off"

"Piano Keys"

"Banana Trail"

You can check out all of the designs by going to

http://tkpa.spreadshirt.com/

And now for the second announcement ...

You know how I have been hinting to my Filipino followers that I would be coming to them soon? Well, I am ... in the form of a magazine.

An upcoming magazine (published by Summit Media) will be featuring a one-shot special on everything K-Pop from the top idols, to the lifestyle, to the top blogs to read, and yours truly was interviewed for it. It should be released in mid-November, so only two more months!

Be sure to pick up a copy when it comes out!

I love all of you and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for everything we have experienced, good and bad, throughout the past year. Here's hoping to many more years together!

Thank you!

xox

The K-Pop Addict