Pandaphilia 2nd Blog Anniversary

As of today, Pandaphilia is two years old! I'm so happy that after many, many attempts to delete this thing, I've kept it alive and kickin'. This is my canvas for my words and my clothing. This is my home for stranded mind-wandering. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all your support and coming back day after day and urging me to never give up.

The first year was all about finding out who I was and who I wanted to be. Griping about my day could be done elsewhere in private, sharing with the world my inspirations and discoveries from each day is more apt of a purpose. Painting layers of makeup onto my face is fun, but I don't actually do that on a daily basis. I discovered that thankfully, I do get dressed every day. The second year has been all about fashion and I'm so happy to have made the switch. My closet is now a playground, my wardrobe a place to whet my colour palette, the mirror a chance to stand a little taller. 

This blog is an anthem that proudly says, "You know what world? I'm a nerd. I'm short. But I can still wear pretty clothes and enjoy it free of guilt." For so long I was so scared to share one of my biggest works of art with the people in my real life, people who would support me. I thought that the science buffs would scoff at my "frivolous hobby" and dismiss all of this work. But they didn't. I was putting thoughts into other people's heads and there are so many silent supporters too. It's not just the number under "Follow with Google Friend Connect." It's not the number of comments, the pageviews even - it's the people bumping into me on campus or Facebook, telling me that they love reading my blog. So even hardcore scientists have any artsy side. Duh, should have realized that.

Even during interviews, when I would venture to mention to professors or mentors that Pandaphilia is something that I work on and care about, they smile and become very interested. Being typical and the perfect student and even the perfect pre-med applicant is all fine and dandy, but being a fashion blogger has been worth every second. If you persist, your goals won't resist. 

Some of my favourite outfits from this year (browse all o u t f i t s here):

Last but not least, the winner of the Pandaphilia x Weldon Owen Style Yourself! Fashion Handbook giveaway is ... 

[new winner picked here]

Please email me within 48 hours with your mailing address or I will random.org another winner. Stay tuned for Alonai petite and big shoes giveaways and my 2-year blog giveaway! Thanks lovelies! (haven't said that in a while)

Blog Anniversary: 1 Year of Pandaphilia!

365 days and 122 supporters later, here I am! I can't thank you enough - from my first 5 followers (my boyfriend and college friends) reading the daily blab of my meandering life, to the awesome friends I've made in the beauty/fashion blogger community, to those brave boys who have made me happy to know that even guys can sit through what I'm rambling about (you know who you are!). There were so many times when I just wanted to delete my blog, because I had trouble becoming a girly girl. Sure, I've become hella more materialistic since I started blogging (I blame everyone's gorgeous photos and reviews), but I've also developed an interest in photography, braved new styles, stopped dressing like a hobo (for the most part). I have an exploding closet and too much makeup, but isn't that every American girl's dream? I think awareness of oneself in public is the first step to becoming a classy lady. In case my college friends are reading this, I still reserve the right to dress like a bum during exam week :3 fu fu fu

 (photo cred to Zhang Photography)

I am absolutely drained from taking my first real AAMC MCAT exam and it was 4 hours of pure torture (I finished a lot of sections early because I didn't know a lot of the material yet xD). However, I am motivated because now I know my baseline. There is so much more to improve. I think as a reward I'm going to open that Forever21 box that has been waiting for me for 2+ days. I KNOW, super long time to not open mail, but I'm trying to work on my self-control here!

Sometimes I feel inhibited from talking about my personal life and all my thoughts here, which is what I set out to do when I made this blog. I think that's because with this many followers and people stumbling across my blog, no one wants to read about what I think so much. I just include a tidbit about my day in whichever outfit or makeup post I'm doing and am satisfied. Ranting can be done some other place. (Though if you want me to write some of my old stuff more, please tell me!)

For fun, I will tell you a bit more about me:
1) I have a panda obsession. Okay, you guys ALL know that. Silly thing is I haven't ever posted a picture of me wearing my panda hats. Well there you go. This was my 19th birthday (the card my boyfriend made for me - he is so talented!) at St. Louis Bubble Tea. I should really blog about pandas more xD And I am not a person of subtlety. Note the size of that smile that could probably break my jaw. Hahaha :3

2) I used to swordfight. No, not with real swords, silly! That would hurt and I would have lost my head and a few limbs by now. I fought with a group called Dagorhir, and we duke it out with weapons made out of foam and PVC pipe. What's that, you say? Lame? I daresay not! That foam was pretty compact .. I think one person went blind for a few weeks when he got hit in the eye, another person got a concussion, another person a giant welt to the face - believe me, it hurts. I even ranked up to Knight. Fancy that. Here are some pics - I was so nerdy I even took my high school pictures with a sword (borrowed from my dear friend). These were from the preview book and I scanned them anyway, hence the grainy quality. Screw monopolizers! Senior pictures can be soooo over-the-top expensive T__T

Yup! I used to not have bangs, had super long dark brown hair (with natural highlights), and ran around beating my friends with foam weaponry all day.

3) I like to sketch. I think colour ruins any piece, so I'm a mechanical pencil and paper kind of gal. I think I started drawing/painting when I was 2. I might have gone to art class for a bit in China but I was never really trained properly. I just like to draw. Most of the time I have to look at something to draw it xD I'm not that pro. I need to learn how to shade properly without looking at a model. Another lifetime goal is to finally be able to draw hands nicely. They are so hard to portray accurately!

Whew I'm tired already. What would be fun is if you guys do the asking and I do the telling. Curious about something? What my favourite colour is, my height, worst fear, etc? Write it up in a comment and I'll answer it in a "Piece of Me" kind of post ^__^

Have a great week, lovelies!