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By kilax, July 21, 2018 6:26 am

I’ve been blogging for thirteen years as of today!

I started this blog in 2005 to document my college semester in Rome (in spring 2006), then liked writing and connecting with people so much, I stuck with it!

At first, I hand coded my blog, and didn’t add a way for people to comment. I just wanted to document my experiences. Then I saw on other blogs how fun it was to leave comments and interact with the blogger. So I added a widget to side of the blog that allowed people to leave comments, in general. I eventually added code to each post to comment specifically on that post, then in 2007, my blogger friends told me about WordPress and RSS feeds, so I bought the “Dummies” book for that, and the rest is history!

So, from the beginning, my blog was about documentation and story telling, and STILL is. I’m not here to make money, get free stuff, push an agenda, give you advice, or get “famous” (ha). I love and appreciate having a place to document some parts of my life, and I love the awesome surprise of it connecting me with people from around the world (pretty much what I said last year)!

So, again, thank you for reading! There’s not as many of us blogging for story-telling purposes as there used to be, and I appreciate all of you that still do! And I appreciate all of you that don’t blog but take the time to read this, and interact with me!

Comments (16)

By kilax, July 21, 2017 7:07 am

Today is my twelve year blogiversary! Aww, my blog is almost a teenager. Although with how little I post now, it seems my blog is already going through the withdrawn angsty teen years. Ha.

The best thing about blogging is the connections you make, so thank you, readers! And thank you to the many of you that are “real-life” friends now.

And while I am posting less, I don’t plan to stop anytime soon. Just waiting for the itch to write more again!

Comments (31)

By kilax, July 21, 2016 6:09 am

This giveaway is closed – thanks for entering!

Thank goodness for my google calendar – otherwise I totally would have forgotten that today is my 11-year blogiversary!

I started ilaxstudio.com in 2005 to keep in touch with my family when I lived in Rome (I lived there spring/summer 2006 – I wanted to practice blogging early, I suppose!). I choose my then-last-name, Ilax, with the word “studio” for the blog title since I was an architecture student at the time.

My blog has changed a bit since then, but it’s still my space for story telling and sharing what’s on my mind. I love documenting what we’re up to and the little things that make me smile. And I’ve met SO MANY friends through blogging. So. Many. It’s amazing. Thank you for reading!!!

As a thank you, I have a little giveaway! You can enter to win ONE of the items below!

#1 Starbucks You Are Here Alaska Mug (seen above)
#2 $10 Starbucks Giftcard
#3 $10 iTunes Giftcard

Eleven Year  Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!!! Rules

1. Three individual readers will receive a prize. Which prize received will be determined by YOU (see rule #2).
2. REQUIRED to enter the giveaway: leave a comment telling me you want to enter, and which prize you’d like (pick one). 
3. This giveaway is open until 12:00 PM CST on Sunday July 24. I will announce the winners on Sunday July 24 (in the training recap post).
4. Random.org will pick the three winners.
5. This giveaway is open to all readers, in all locations.

NOTE: I am paying for all of these items, and shipping, myself.

Also, note, the boys wanted to be in the mug photo:

Thanks again for reading, and commenting!

Comments (32)

By kilax, July 21, 2015 5:55 am

Hey! My blog has made it to 10 years! Woot woot!

Last night I said to Steven, “Guess what tomorrow is?!”

His answers: “The 21st?” “Tuesday”? “10 days from your birthday?!” <— very good answer, Steven, ha.

“No! It’s my ten-year blogiversary?! Should I retire?!”

Then he asked me what kind of pension plan I have, and what I have to show for 10 years of blogging.

I don’t think he was expecting a serious answer, but, I actually have A LOT to show for those 10 years. Many of my closest relationships are with people I met through blogging. There was a time when my ONLY friends were bloggers! So, beyond my blog giving me a place to speak without interruption, and document parts of my life, it’s connected me with so many amazing people. Thank you for reading!

I was hoping to have something cool (I don’t know quite what…) planned to celebrate, but my mind has been all over the place getting ready for RAGBRAI (my first day is tomorrow!) and planning a party with my snister*!

So… maybe next year? Ha.

*She is doing 99% of the work

Comments (43)

By kilax, July 21, 2014 6:35 am

Craziness – today marks 9 years that I’ve been writing at ilaxSTUDIO.com!

I’ve said it many times before, but I never expected my blog to become what it has for me. I started it in 2005 to get used to writing (and hand coding) before I moved to Rome in January 2006 – my main intent was to use the blog to share stories while I lived overseas. But right away, it became a platform for connecting with other people and reading their stories. And it still amazes me that many of the people I love and consider to be family, are people I’ve met through blogging. 

Awww.

I am really happy with what my blog is – my stories/experiences/highlight reel, my training and a discussion board. And I am pleased with the reception and readership too. Like I said above, its main purpose started as documentation, so any connection beyond that is always exciting. I am honored that you stop by to read/participate!

I do sometimes wonder if blogging will die out, or if I will get sick of it… but I really don’t see that happening. It’s just such a useful tool for me – I use it to document my life, store photos, connect with people, keep myself entertained (and sometimes procrastinate), and to feel creative and engaged. Onward we go, in to year 10!

Which blog(s) have you been reading the longest? What makes you “stick” with reading a certain blog?

Comments (34)

By kilax, July 26, 2013 2:04 pm

What is the perfect way to celebrate passing the personal trainer exam (for me)?

Hanging out with these two:

Sox & Leo

I mean, hanging out with their fur mom, Rachel! And running the Full Moon 5K!

Rachel told me about the Full Moon 5K when we ran the South Shore Half Marathon together – how the Full Moon 5K is at night, runs along the bay, there is someone dressed up as a wolf, how fun it is… It did sound fun, so I made sure to sign up in April on opening registration day, as it sells out quickly.  I think it only cost $20 to register! And we got a way schweet Brooks shirt!

GLITTER!!!

A week and a half before the race, I (sorta) jokingly emailed Rachel a link to a shirt with cats sitting on pizzas (thanks for showing it to me, Kelly) and told her we should wear them for the race. Only, Rachel found something even better…

Whaaa?! Grumpy cat AND a full moon?! Score! Great find, Rachel!

Wait! Why are there scissors in that pic? Well…

Heh heh heh. Rachel had a brilliant slogan idea (thanks for the glow-in-the-dark paint, Emily!), and found a tutorial for us to make the shirts in to racerback tanks (she posted about it in her recap). 

SADLY, only one or two people commented on our AWESOME shirts. Sigh. Do these people not know who grumpy cat is?! Or is the better question, why do I wear things expecting people to comment on them? Hmmm…

ANYWAY. Gah, I really drag these posts out. 

The race started at 9:00 pm. 9:00 pm! Otherwise known as, my dream bedtime. What is the latest time you have ever started a race?

The race is a point to point that runs along Monona Bay. It was really fun to run in the dark. We wore our headlamps and had on glow bracelets, and the volunteers were really great about keeping people on course. There was a light rain, and the temp was in the mid 60s – really nice conditions for a 5K on a summer night!

Rachel and I both talked about how we haven’t been doing speedwork, and how a sub 9:00 pace was out of the question, but we actually ended up picking it up, and running NEGATIVE splits! In a 5K! That never happens to me! We ran 9:11, 8:59, 8:20 and 7:55 for the last tenth. Of course, I was still in study brain mode and was thinking about VT1 and VT2 and where I was with my breathing… but I made sure not to talk about that. Ha ha ha!

After the race, I got a cookie from the BEST post race cookie spread ever:

Then Rachel, Linda (new blogging friend, yay!) and I went out for food and drinks.

It was a wonderful, relaxing way to spend my day after a somewhat anxiety-filled morning. Thanks to Rachel (and her husband, Kevin) for having me! I can’t wait to run with Rachel again. Rachel! We must find something in August! No waiting until NFEC!

Drum roll please… it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for (?) – the winners of the SUPER BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered and donated to the Lung Run! If you are local to Chicago, Anne is hosting a Fun Run and Sausage Fest in August to raise more money, if you are interested!

And now, for the winners, selected by random.org (91, 163, 13, 53, 181, 27, 112 and 38):

#1 – MAGGIE — My two favorite OPI colors – DS Classic and DS Extravagance, and Ridge Filler (for the base).
#2 – ERICA — GustBuster 43″ umbrella – AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE COLORS.
#3 – MARTYMANKINS — $25 iTunes giftcard. 
#4 – RACHEL — Star Wars Chop Sticks and Millenium Falcon Ice Cube Tray. 
#5 – NILSA — Lousiville Vegan Jerky Co. Bourbon Smoked Black Pepper Jerky from FakeMeats.com.
#6 – RUNNINGLAUR — Gorjana Bloom Hexagon Stud Earrings (if available). 
#7 – BOBBI — BibFOLIO (your choice).
#8 – CHRISTINA — Christina – you get to pick one of the 7 offered prizes!

Congrats, winners!

To claim your prize, email me at kilax@ilaxstudio.com! If you don’t claim the prize within a week (8/2), I will probably award it to someone new. 

Comments (87)

By kilax, July 22, 2013 6:28 am

Yo!

It’s my eight year blogiversary!

It was actually yesterday, but, duh, I had to post my training recap then. I know if I didn’t you guys would be really disappointed.

Riiight. 

I actually missed my seven year blogiversary last year, and never did anything to celebrate my readers, so this year, I wanted to make sure I didn’t slack. 

So! I have EIGHT different prizes and EIGHT different people will win. How did I select the prizes? They either reflect my interests or are some of my favorite products. 

Note: I will be funding these all. 

EXTRA SPECIAL NOTE: check out the bonus entry option below – for every $5 donated to Anne‘s fundraising page for the Chicago Lung Run, you get FIVE extra entries. FIVE. That is a lot, yo. 

And now… on to the prizes!

#1 – My two favorite OPI colors – DS Classic and DS Extravagance, and Ridge Filler (for the base).
#2 – GustBuster 43″ umbrella – AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE COLORS. I thought umbrellas sucked until Steven’s dad got me this one for Christmas. It’s an umbrella that ACTUALLY works! If you ever have to go to downtown Chicago on a rainy day, you know how special this is. Ha. 
#3 – $25 iTunes giftcard. 
#4 – Star Wars Chop Sticks and Millenium Falcon Ice Cube Tray. 
#5 – Lousiville Vegan Jerky Co. Bourbon Smoked Black Pepper Jerky from FakeMeats.com.
#6 – Gorjana Bloom Hexagon Stud Earrings (if available). 
#7 – BibFOLIO (your choice).
#8 – Surprise based on whomever wins… (unfortunately, is NOT a date with Henry Cavill).

SUPER BLOGIVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!! Rules

1. Eight readers will receive a prize. Which prize received will be determined by the order that person’s name is drawn – the first person gets prize #1, the second person gets prize #2, and so on. 
2. REQUIRED to enter the giveaway: leave a comment telling me you want to enter. Yes, it is that easy.
   
3. For a bonus entry: get 5 extra entries for every $5 donated to Anne’s lung run fundraising page (click here). 
4. You can leave all entry comments in ONE comment if you’d like.
5. This giveaway is open until 12:00 PM CST on Friday July 26. I will announce the winner on Saturday July 27 (or earlier, if I feel ambitious).
6. Random.org will pick the eight winners. 
7. This giveaway is open to all US readers.

Comments (25)

By kilax, July 21, 2011 6:49 pm

Ahh! You know what I remembered during my run today*? It’s my six year blogiversary! I’ve been blogging for six whole years. Wow!

I think I say it every year, but the best thing about blogging is the people you meet. I’ve met my best and closest friends through blogging! And there are a ton of you I want to meet in person. Thanks for reading and supporting me!

As a thank you, I am giving away two $10 iTunes giftcards (there will be two winners)!

(Yeah, those are the actual cards – I apologize for any teeth marks on the pink one)

$10 iTunes Giftcard Giveaway Rules

1. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me what I should do on my two staycation days next week. If your name is Jen or Bobbi tell me I should come hang out with you and go swimming.
2. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Sunday July 24. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Monday July 25
3. This giveaway is open to all readers.
4. There will be two winners.
5. Data is not included in the giveaway (sorry, Denise).

*Which went surprisingly well, considering it was 96 out when I started! I ran 8 miles and felt great!

Comments (39)

By kilax, July 21, 2010 4:32 am

It’s my five-year blogiversary!

I started blogging on July 21, 2005 because I wanted a platform for sharing my adventures in Italy with family members. Now my blog has evolved in to so much more for me. I was actually having a conversation with Steven this Sunday night about all the things I/we wouldn’t be doing if it weren’t for blogging. It started with me saying he wouldn’t be doing autocross if I weren’t blogging, because I met Erin through her blog, and her husband introduced Steven to autocross.

What else was on the list?

If I wasn’t blogging I wouldn’t…

… have met some of the awesome friends I have / made connections around the world
… get as much varied advice/input/experience shared with me
… be staying in touch with certain people
… be taking as many pictures
… be documenting my life as much as I am
… (according to Steven) stick with running as much as I have
… be trying as many new recipes
… be improving my writing skills? (it’s questionable)
… be learning as many fun random facts
… be wasting so much time on the internets

and most importanly

… always have a place where I feel like I can express myself

What is on your “If I wasn’t blogging I wouldn’t…” list? How many years have you been blogging? Why did you start?

Comments (10)

By kilax, August 28, 2018 6:12 am

When I started my blog in 2005 the purpose of it was to keep in touch with family while traveling abroad. It was before Facebook was prevalent, before everyone had smart phones, and before WIFI was widely available. Skype was kind of new. I still took photos with an actual camera. I didn’t text, I called (whut?!).

Anyway, things have changed. Now we can get in touch with anyone within seconds – IF we have signal, and IF they respond.

So the purpose of my blog is no longer to keep in touch with family. It’s to document what I want to from my life, and sometimes, to meet new people (rarely happens anymore though! blogging is dying!).

I’m writing all this because sometimes people say to me “Sorry I haven’t been reading your blog” as a reason why they don’t know about something about my life, OR, just because they actually feel sorry, and like I expect them to.

NO – do NOT be sorry. If you know me, if you are a family member or friend, and we are in touch with each other outside my blog, I do NOT expect you to read my blog to stay “caught up” on my life (I don’t expect anyone to). I’d really LOVE IT if you’d ask me questions about my life. I write all of this for me. And while I LOVE when people read and respond, I do NOT expect them to AT ALL.

PLEASE. TALK TO ME. I spend a lot of time alone. I crave someone asking me a specific question about my life. I crave someone reaching out and just asking me how I am doing. I crave purposeful interaction!

And I do have it! I do! What I am saying though, is, you don’t have to read my blog, or follow any of my social media, as a primer for talking to me! You don’t have to be sorry for not reading this!!! Really!

Social media* can make us lazy (along with a lot of other things). We see someone’s posts, and we don’t reach out to that person – eh, we got an update on Facebook. Or worse, we see someone’s post, and they are a completely different person online than in-person, and we don’t WANT to reach out to them anymore – the online them ruins the in-person them for us.

That will always blow my mind – having a completely different online persona than in-person. The internet DOES bring out the worst in some people! And then, yes, there are people who only post happy stuff online, so if you don’t reach out to them, you do think things are all hunky dory (usually not the case).

What is the point of all this? Ha. Just a reminder to actually talk to people, to ask how they are doing**. And if you want to be extra, to remember something important to them, or something going on in their life, and ask about that. I guarantee they’ll appreciate it! I do!

You can always ask me about our cats! Ha!

*Not that you need social media to be lazy in relationships. Some people are without it!
**And I am not implying that people need to be asked to share information. Just that it’s NICE to be asked!