10-year Celebration & Giveaway
August 8, 2016
A
Gai Shan Life turns ten!
Born in 2006, this site has changed names once, changed URLs twice, and changed designs at least seven time. AGSL is a senior in dog years, starts fifth grade in kid years, or could retire as a centenarian in blog years.
I’ve published more than 2000 posts, some of which don’t bear re-reading and some of which I’m still proud of, made literally awesome friends, and found community in the unlikeliest of places.
It almost feels pretentious to celebrate a decade of blogging. I’ve been tapping my keys, chatting with y’all. But I can’t pretend that running this blog this long, despite theΒ slings and arrows of fortune or wondering why I’m doing this, isn’t a big deal.
We’ve come a long way since starting a free blog on Blogger, posting random musings on the complications of fresh out of college income, family, and navigating relationships when you’re bogged down with a freighter’s worth of family baggage.
So much has changed…
PiC and I were a newish item when I started blogging, I most definitely didn’t want kids in the foreseeable future, and planned to slay the family debt in time to buy a couple houses (one for me, one for my parents).
Grad school was Mom’s dream for me, as was a husband, and kids, and happiness. All nice things, but things that weren’t for me, I thought. Maybe happiness was but I could take or leave the others. It’s no surprise that a graduate degree never happened but a lot of the other things did, rather unexpectedly, alongside the sobering development of chronic pain and loss of many loved ones. My career flourished. I built a home, a family, a sense of belonging, and shared it all with you.
- On growing a career: Shifting life into another gear in 2012
- Managing poor health: Grieving and acceptance in 2012
- Committing to family: Getting engaged in 2012
- Saying goodbye: Losing Doggle in 2014
- Adding to the pack: Bringing home JuggerBaby in 2015
The posts that got you talking
There has been a time, or ten, when I wondered why I still blogged. It often came down to this: You, the readers. You make it fun. Your comments, even after ten years, still make me happy!
- On blogging and health: To unmask or not to unmask?
- The power of hard work: We work hard for the money
- The long goodbye: Losing Mom to dementia
- Why we give: Sharing the money cake
- Mission Complete: Refinancing the mortgage
My best money moment
Wrapping up 2014 well out of debt, except for the mortgage and at a level of financial stability that I had previously only dreamed of.
My best money blogging moments
Getting to know you in 2015.
Discovering The Goat Lady started saving because my #1GoodMoneyThing hashtag made saving seem less daunting. That made my heart sing.
Other friends (unnamed here since they didn’t give me permission to name them) telling me that reading this here blog helped them pay down debt, save up money, and live their best lives.
Please share!
What were your best money or other moments this past decade?
Thanks for reading!
Some fantastic bloggers have teamed up with me to provide a slew of lovely prizes. Please thank them by checking out their blogs and giving them some return reader love.
Congratulations on the big 1-0! I started my blog in 2006 too! I knew we were kindred spirits π I’m looking forward to a year of getting stronger as I continue to workout, eat healthier and hopefully have more energy for my two boys.
And a happy anniversary to you!
I like the link love posts. I find so many interesting articles through those links.
Happy 10 year anniversary, friend! You bring such a unique background and perspective to the personal finance blogging community. We’re all lucky to have you! (And I’m personally grateful you started this here blog because it allowed me to get to know you in a way that wouldn’t have been possible in meat space. I’m so glad we’re friends!) if it continues to make you happy, here’s to the next 10 years of blogging! ?
Awww that’s far too kind! But yours is most definitely one of the friendships I’m very grateful for.
10 years is absolutely amazing! Congratulations, thanks, and best wishes for the future!
Thank you!
Congrats! It’s always nice to remember that some folks have been doin this even longer than I have.
Thanks fellow old-timer ;D
Congratulations! What an amazing journey you’ve chronicled. You are such a terrific storyteller. Your blog is such a gift to us!
Far too kind! Thank you and thanks for being so supportive!
[…] Revanche over at A Gai Shan Life is celebrating her blog’s 10th anniversary! There are lots of prizes, including several gift cards, so go check it out and enter. (But be sure […]
Ten years?!? That’s some fortitude right there, lady. Congratulations, and thanks for writing stuff that makes us think — and learn.
Many many thanks!
I’m really looking forward to going to Hawaii with DH later this year.
Donna Freedman sent me here.
Welcome, Maria! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful time in Hawaii!
Oh, and as for answering one of the required questions: I’m looking forward to experiencing LB’s continued growth and development and also seeing how you and PiC save for LB’s future education.
Thanks! I’m pleasantly surprised by how many people enjoy the baby updates.
Congratulations on 10 years!!! WOOT!!!
Thank you!
Happy, happy anniversary! Never stop writing.
PS LOVING the new theme/design.
Thank you!
Congratulations on 10 years! I can’t recall when I started reading; maybe 08?
A best moment might be my trip to Japan? And it wasn’t too expensive π
You’ve been here for the long haul π I’m so glad to hear from you, and you made Japan happen? I’d love to hear about it!
Looking forward to exploring your site and kicking my debt!
Welcome! And best of luck with your debt payoff!
Oh! I started blogging in 2006 too! About a month after you, I think (I was in Vegas for work in Sept 2006 and needed something to fill my downtime). Thanks–I wouldn’t have even thought about it if you hadn’t posted this!
Happy 10th Anniversary! It’s been great reading you for all of these years. π Here is to 10 more!
Happy anniversary, blogging buddy! I thought you started about the same time as I did. π Cheers, ten more!
Hi! I’m new and I came from Surviving and Thriving. Looking forward to browsing your blog!
Welcome, Cindy, thanks for having a look around!
Happy Anniversary -Donna sent me!
Welcome, and thanks for visiting, Vickie!
Wow! You are an inspiration!
Very kind of you to say, Christine! Thanks for visiting.
I found this blog when Donna Freedman blogged about your blog. So, after reading for several hours, I still don’t know what your diagnosis was? Can you share that with me or point me to a post? I, too, have debilitating pain–fibromyalgia.
Hi PP! I know you from both Donna and Nicole & Maggie’s blogs. I don’t know if I ever wrote a specific definitive post about the diagnosis, it was so anticlimactic at that point, but I also have fibro! Welcome!
Congratulations! 10 years is huge.
Thank you!
Found you through Surviving and Thriving. Looking forward to reading!
Welcome, Mary Jane!
Happy Blogaversary! I just found your blog today
Thanks, and welcome, Elena!
Congratulations! 10 years is a huge accomplishment and shows some staying power. Keep it up!
Thanks!
happy anniversary.
Thank you!
Congrats! I started my own earlier this year and it is hard to post once a week. I can’t imagine 10 years! I discovered you from Surving and thriving blog! Good luck for another 10 years!
Thanks for visiting and best of luck with your own blogging.
1) What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
My new home of course and settling in.
2) If you’re new, where are you from and how did you find me?
You’re stuck with me forever, girl. π Way back from my Fabulously Broke days.
If you’re an oldie & goodie: What do you want to see more of on AGSL?
More of you. I really love LB Updates.
Decorating yay! Well, settling in and some decorating. So long as I can type, more JuggerBaby coming up!
I’m looking forward to a better year ~ less health problems, more happiness, a better relationship with my spouse, and more financial stability. I’m a new reader, as well! Donna Freedman sent me over to check you out!!
Welcome, Melissa, thanks for visiting. Cheers to a year of improved health and relationships!
I found you through Donna Freedman’s facebook page. I am excited to start following you! Happy 10 years – that is really something to be proud of!!
Welcome, Jill, I hope you enjoy visiting.
Congrats on 10 years! I found your site three different ways: Surviving and Thriving post by you and then I followed it, and also a post on I Pick Up Pennies, and then by aimlessly drifting through the finance pages of the web, for stuff I could relate to.
I’m looking forward to a period of time to taking care of my health needs, and discovering what it is that retired people do (with a house and attic full of “stuff” and a husband who does not realize that “Sanford and Son” was a TV show and not a lifestyle we are going to live.
Hi Nancy, thanks for visiting, I hope you did find what you were looking for when searching finance blogs! I’m not an advice site but we do talk about money a whole lot here.
Crossing my fingers that you get your husband on board so that Sanford & Son isn’t your future!
I look forward to visiting new places with my kids.
I found you through the Surviving and Thriving site.
Thanks for visiting, Kelly!
Congratulations on the big ten!! I’ve done blogging in fits and spurts, mostly to document my life so I can remember. I love reading your posts about JuggerBaby and your money stuff! I look up to you a lot, so I’m glad you’re open about all that stuff. π
I don’t know what I’m looking forward to this year… I’m kind of excited for the holidays because Blue might actually get into them a little bit! I bought her a cute Pikachu costume so definitely excited for Halloween.
I’m a little new, but found you from Twitter! I think I found your from cthulhuchick’s feed first though. Glad I did!
I definitely want to see more JuggerBaby updates!! I love your kid.
Thanks for the kind words. As a younger sibling it’s always a little funny to have someone look up to me π I hope Blue loves being Pikachu this year, that would be super cute!
I will admit, I only read your blog occasionally, but I read a lot of blogs you comment on. I love your voice in the blog community, and congratulations on 10 years! I hope your life continues to get more fun and the blog continues for another 10 years.
Thanks for reading, Cakester, and welcome back! Hope to see more of you around.
Congrats on 10 years! Mine must be some time next year, although I don’t really keep it up the way you do.
I really truly can’t come up with a best money moment this past decade. So much has happened, and so much of it is building one good money moment upon the previous (and probably some bad moments too!). I’m astounded everytime I reflect on how far we have come!
In the next year, I’m most looking forward to enjoying the everyday: hikes with the husband and the dog, cooking dinner together, and continuing to build a life together. Not thrilling, but I really don’t have a specific event.
I love hearing about LB, and also like when you share career stories/insights.
Thanks! I know you were active right around the same time. Love that you’re still around even if it’s more sporadic. It has been an amazing 10 years, hasn’t it?
Congratulations on 10 years! What an accomplishment! I’m a newbie. Found your blog via Donna Freedman. In the next year I’m looking most forward to getting out of my rut and trying new things.
Thanks, and welcome!
Congrats!
I’m looking forward to my trip to Los Angeles on Saturday!
Thanks, hope you had a good trip.
1. Having our first child.
2. A friend.
1) What are you most looking forward to in the next year? I am going on Medicare in October, so I am hoping my medical bills will decrease.
2) If you’re new, where are you from and how did you find me? Found this site from Donna Freedman’s Surviving and Thriving blog.
I’ve see you mentioned many times at Surviving & Thriving and I Pick Up Pennies. This is my first time visiting your site, though . I look forward to checking you out!
Welcome!
1. I’m looking forward to having my first child.
2. I found you through a friend π
I am looking forward to a great year for our family. New school year and a new job for my hubby.
Yay! So glad you are still here. π
Thank you, and thanks for being around all these years π
Congrats! I’m new and from NJ. I found you on Twitter
Revanche,
Love your site. I’m here by way of Donna Freedman. I’m based in NC having moved here from the Bay Area (So. San Francisco)! Love it here but miss the great CA weather. π
Suzanne
Aw, we were practically neighbors! Hope you’re settling in nicely in NC.
I am looking forward to building up my business. I am FL, I found you on twitter.
Good luck with your business!
1) What are you most looking forward to in the next year? – Getting my financial house from “everything’s in order” to “full steam ahead!”
2) If you’re new, where are you from and how did you find me? – from Donna Freedman at Surving and Thriving.
1) I’m looking forward to going to Hawaii for the first time in my life, in January.
2) I want to see more articles about ways to make money.
A centenarian in blog years? Yow! That makes Funny comin’ up right behind you! We’re both ready for the old-folkerie!
LOL! Just wait until your kid gets promoted to that $100,000 job and produces your second grandchild and you wonder how that’s possible when you’re still only 24! π
Y’know, A Gai Shan Life is special. I’ve loved your voice and your story and your tough, witty spin on life ever since I found your site. When AGSL is 20, FaM will be 19. When that anniversary rolls around, let’s plan to meet in the City and drink to tomorrow. Come to Phoenix before then (if you dare), and I’ll take you to the coolest Mexican restaurant in the country.
Long may you thrive!
1) What are you most looking forward to in the next year?
– new adventures with my now-toddler!
2) If you’re new, where are you from and how did you find me?
– donna freedman
I am looking forward to my first child starting school. I found out about you from a friend
Donna Freeman made mention of your site.
Congrats! I’ve been a (very quiet) reader for about a year, and your blog has become one of my favorites!
1) In the next year, I’m looking forward to being done with grad school (finally!) and diving into some home projects.
2)To echo what a lot of others have said, I love the JuggerBaby posts, as well as the posts about money and relationships.
Good to “meet” you! Congratulations on finishing grad school, and thanks for reading!
I came by way of the fabulous Donna Freedman. I am looking forward to spending some time perusing the archives!
She’s absolutely fabulous. Thanks for visiting!
Happy 10 year anniversary! I am looking forward to watching my family grow and my granddaughter get so big! I am new here and I found you through http://donnafreedman.com/
Thank you!
Donna Freedman sent me to your site. Happy anniversary!
I just found your blog, thanks to Donna Freeman. I am looking forward to browsing through it.thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.
I’m looking forward to settling into our new house over the next year. I recently relocated to Arizona and I found you via Twitter
I found you via Donna Freedman and her daughter, Abigail. Love them, and love your blog too!
Thanks for visiting!
Happy 10 years! I had NO idea you had been blogging for so long – I think because I consider you to be so young (which of course, you are). But if you started writing right out of college . . . Congratulations on all the stunning accomplishments you’ve made over the past decade. Here’s to your joy and prosperity over this next ten years : )
Congrats! I think I’ve been reading along from the very start, and I still enjoy reading to this day. I hope you keep it up for at least another 10 years π
How are you?? I was just thinking about you the other day. I hope you’re doing well, good to hear from you!
I’m new, from Arizona and found you via a giveaway blog.
I have had a chance to browse a little. Great stuff!! I will be back.
I found your site from reading a Surviving and Thriving article. I’m excited about my son going to college.
I have been looking around your blog and am enjoying it. I love your writing!
Congratulations on 10 years and may you be granted many more. I have seen your responses on Donna Freedman and her site sent me to yours. I read your article about Losing Mom to Dementia and thought it was compelling and excellent.
I am looking forward to owning a new condo next year!
Glad you tweeted a reminder about this post!
1) What are you most looking forward to in the next year? It’s a tie between settling into my new house and recovering from bad health.
2) If you’re new, where are you from and how did you find me?
If you’re an oldie & goodie: What do you want to see more of on AGSL? Not new, but I can’t really recall how long I’ve been reading. I like your writing, perspective, and attitude, so I think I’d read anything you’ve written.
1. Looking forward to a new start in a new place maybe a town home or condo still looking.2.New here from SC not to far from Myrtle Beach SC, also found you from Surviving and Thriving ,com by Donna Freedman aka… Write a blog people will Read .com…3New here but looking forward to learning more & reading your blog..Thanks
I am new, from CA and happy 10th! I found you through my RSS feed.
I found you website through Donna Freedman’s Surviving And Thriving. I’m a newbie and have started reading your blog. Very good info.
I think I need to work on saving more for retirement and trying to have more fun in my life.
Congrats on your anniversary and many more to come.
Huge congrats to you on this milestone! SO, so amazing! I am looking forward to starting some renovations on my Nana’s house- she passed in May so this year has been horrid. Also, continuing with my nursing degree as well. I have been reading for a few years now and I think I found you off of Twitter. I love the current content- I can’t think of anything new at this time. Always been an avid reader! Congrats again! xox
I look forward to opening and operating another store for work.