Happy Two Year Blogiversary to Life After College!

by Jenny • December 15th, 2009

Just as babies born near Christmas forever have their birthdays lumped in to holiday celebrations, my blog’s two year anniversary happens to fall squarely into the annual “best-of blog” posts and year-end reflection round-ups. But such is life! It gives me a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Or should I use a cupcake?

I started this website in March of 2006 as a resource for college grads (and as an excuse to practice my new-at-the-time HTML/CSS skills). After letting it sit painfully unfinished for two years, I added the blog in 2007, revamped the look and feel in January of 2008, stumbled around a bit and now FINALLY feel like I’ve gotten some traction (and beloved readers!) in the last year of blogging in 2009. (Check-out last year’s round-up here).

Personal Milestones:

I’m proud to report that in the last year, I successfully completed the following:

Blog Stats:

  • In the last month, I received 7,000+ visits (13,500 page views) from 97 countries – that’s double last year’s visitor stats.
  • The top two referring keywords are “life after college” (~600 visits this month, not including the hundreds of variations on that query) and – surprisingly – life checklist template (147 visits).
  • My favorite quirky searches that led to my blog are “I don’t date,” “dating sometimes you just have to go through the bad ones” and “are Harvard graduates really the smartest people in the world?” No – UCLA grads are, obviously!

Blog Features and Accolades:

My Favorite Life After College Posts of 2009:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Your energy, enthusiasm, support and presence here on Life After College mean the absolute world to me. This blog has changed my life, and you are an enormous part of that. Hugs, kisses and cupcakes all around!

***

Want to stay connected? There are lots of great ways to get in touch with me on social networks:
Delicious |  Google Reader | GoodReads | Twitter | 20 Something Bloggers | Brazen Careerist | Facebook | LinkedIn

Are you new to Life After College? Welcome, and thanks for visiting! Looking for a portable life coach? Be sure to check out my new book, Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want for tips, quotes and inspirational coaching exercises. If you liked this post, consider subscribing to my blog via email. Want access to the Organized Like a Ninja Toolkit with 15+ kick-ass templates, and hundreds of tips and tools to get your life in order? Sign-up for the monthly “inside scoop” (email updates with personal stories, tips and resources). I look forward to keeping in touch!

35 comments

Categories: About, Cupcakes, General

  • kelseyhalling

    Congratulations!

    This is an impressive list, and definitely something for us recent college grads to aspire to.

  • http://www.smallhandsbigideas.blogspot.com Grace Boyle

    Jenny, I'm beaming and so happy for you :) I love these best of and round up posts. They really mean a lot! Congratulations. Can't wait to have a cupcake with you in the near future!!

  • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

    Congrats on passing the two-year milestone. You are an example of success to all of us and I'm honored to consider you a friend. Didn't realize you were SO involved in what I do at Life Without Pants…umm…is it obvious I have a crush on you now? LOL

  • http://ItStartsWith.Us Nate St. Pierre

    Congrats, kid – I'm proud of you . . . especially for landing your dream job. I know that can be tough where you work. I rememeber walking past Pulaski Park up here in Cudahy when we were talking on the phone, and you were in the process of applying, knowing you were doing well, but still kind of nervous. SO happy it worked out for you! You rock.

    Oh, and next time I'm in S.F., we have to hang out. :)

  • http://positivelypresent.com positivelypresent

    this is awesome! congrats on all you've accomplished! :)

  • http://ryanstephensmarketing.com/blog/ ryanstephens

    Can I get just a dollop of Cool Whip instead of icing on my cupcake? I'm not a huge sweets guy. Congrats on all the milestones Jenny. I think our little community as a whole has had a really good run this year, and I'm really looking forward to collaborating and playing in the sandbox with all of you even more in 2010.

  • http://fiwk.blogspot.com/ Royce

    Sweet list Jenny. And it's going to be even better next year, which is the crazy part. Great point about UCLA grads by the way… definitely the smartest!

  • http://jackieadkins.com Jackie Adkins

    Congrats on two years! That's awesome! Keep on trucking and I'm sure you've got even more milestones in the year ahead!

  • http://twitter.com/RdGarnet Cheila Esquilin

    Congrats sweetie! Wow! All these thing that you've accomplished; you just motivate me to do more and push myself to get things done. :) thank you.

    Here's a virtual cupcake. ;)

    Can't wait to see what goals you have set for next year :)

  • Chris Mulligan

    Congratulations!

  • http://diamondkt.blogspot.com David

    You couldn’t make it thru the first paragraph of this post without a cupcake reference, could you? Well I guess it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without a cupcake to eat. So I’ll let it slide.

    But sweet Jesus, woman! Your 2009 was ridiculous! I knew you had a hint of awesome to you before, but now it’s all bolded and capped in my face complete with linky love to prove it. See, this is why you can’t get upset with people who feel like they fall a bit short in comparison to you. You set a high bar, but that’s not a bad thing. So don’t ever apologize or feel bad for it. (knucklebump)

    By the way, we had a conversation in my head just now. It went something like this…

    David: Hey Jenny, how was your 2009?
    Jenny: Good! Yours?
    David: Well I switched my Twitter avatar. So it was a BIG year!
    Jenny: Here’s how my year went – see this post.
    David: Holy F*ck! Someone’s been a little more productive.

    Don’t rein in your awesome though. Be proud. Be a “you go girl!”

    And like Grace said, I can’t wait to have a cupcake with you in the near future as well.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thank you so much Kelsey! I really appreciate you stopping by – have a fantastic holiday season!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Aw, thanks Grace! I loved your round-up on Small Hands, Big Ideas – so inspired by what you do too. I can't wait to have a cupcake together either!!! I know it will happen in 2010 – just a matter of time. :D

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks Chevy! You know I'm just trying to keep up with you, right? I'm consistently amazed by all the things you do at LWP – especially all the different formats you use to engage your audience. And it's always and honor for me to make your Gen Y blogger lists – thank you! Looking forward to catching up soon.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    NATE!! Thank you so much for the congrats. I also remember our phone conversation and how many amazing ideas you had for spreading the A-Team vision. It has been PHENOMENAL to watch how your blog and community has grown – so thrilled to be cheering you on as well :) And YES – come to SF so we can meet properly, over an RVC!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks Dani! I hope all is well with you too – and that you have an amazing holiday season :) Keep up the great work at PP – what you are doing is so important.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Cool Whip?! That will send you to the dugout faster than a knuckleball slider (is that a real pitch or did I just make that up?).

    In all seriousness, I'm totally with you – it's been amazing to watch everyone learn and grow – I'm so inspired by everything people are doing. Thank you for being the pioneer that helped highlight all that work every two months with your Top 10 list – it's been such an honor to be a part of it, and I owe much of my increased readership to you! Cheers – with an ice cold beer at SXSW :)

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Royce! GO BRUINS! It's been fun getting to know you through LAC – I hope you have an amazing holiday season – and hey, at least we made a bowl game this year :)

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Jackie! It's been great getting to know you and your work more too – keep up the kick-ass work at The Curbside Marketer. Looking forward to staying in touch in the new year – happy holidays!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks girl! Cheers with our virtual cupcakes :) Looking forward to hearing more about what you're up to in the new year as well.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Chris! I hope all is well with you (and Polimetrix). Doug just added me on Facebook – wuhoo! Happy Holidays – tell everyone at the office (or at least the people I still know…which is very few) that I send my best :)

  • http://www.lifewithoutpants.com Matt Cheuvront

    Psh. Don't you know that I'm trying to keep up with YOU? You have been an inspiration for me since I got started in this scene. Thank you for being YOU. Let's set up a time to chat soon!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    David –

    For starters, the cucpcake in the first paragraph is only half eaten – I saved the rest for you. Aren't I sweet? Pun intended!

    Thank you for saying I set a high bar…and that it isn't a bad thing. It's an important reminder for me to hear. And don't let the bolding and capping and links fool you – I'm actually a Google Bot masquerading as a blogger.

    About the conversation – I think you heard it differently than I did! My memory says it went something like this:

    David: Hey Jenny, how was your 2009?
    Jenny: Good, but it got a lot better.
    David: Before or after I switched my Twitter avatar?
    Jenny: You switched your twitter avatar? I've been too busy mindcrushing to notice.
    Both: (Silence. The comfortable kind.)

  • http://www.lifeschocolates.com sameve

    Happy Blogoversary! Sending digital cupcake love your way!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Sam! I'm picturing one of those delicious RVCs from
    Magnolia's. :) Happy Holidays!

  • http://ninetodone.com/ Irina I

    Congratulations, Jenny! It looks like you have achieved quite a lot this year and I wish you continued success! It's been great getting to know you and we should HAVE BRUNCH SOON.

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Irina! YES – we must get brunch ASAP. Jenny and I also talked
    about doing an SF-lady-blogger cucpake tweet-up reunion in January. Miss
    you!!

  • http://www.opheliaswebb.com Elisa Doucette

    Can I be you when I grow up? Seriously?

    I know, I know…you're answer is going to be something awesome and inspiring like “No, be YOU. And eat lots of cupcakes.” or whatnot.

    Fine, I'm going to make do with just having you as my favorite virtual slumber party BFF ever!

    Seriously, you are amazing and an inspiration to anyone who happens to be lucky enough to visit your site. I hope that anyone who does takes the opportunity to reach out and get to know you better. Cause really, in my 2009 retrospect, getting to know you has been one of the greatest highlights. Not just because of all your accomplishments and accolades…but because of you. :)

    Happy Blogiversary!!!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Elisa – Sorry it's taken me so long to reply to this comment! I've been
    distracted by buffet meals and Boccie Ball at the retirement community in
    Palm Desert I'm staying at this week (grandparents rented a place for the
    month of December).

    Thank you SO much for the amazingly kind words, and for your support as a
    friend and virtual BFF-soul-sister across the country. I am so thrilled that
    I met you, and have really, really enjoyed getting to know you better these
    past few months. So yes – you have definitely been one of my 2009 highlights
    as well!

  • http://www.bryanpovlinski.com Bryan Povlinski

    It's great to see how involved and personal you are on the blog…not many people take the time to respond to almost everyone. I've just come across your blog recently through Brazen Careerist, and I'm really impressed by all the content and useful templates that you've put together. I'm working on getting started with my own blog in the Gen Y/tech space, and your blog is definitely one of my inspirations. Keep up the good work!

    Bryan

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thanks so much Bryan! I really appreciate the kind words, and look
    forward to keeping in touch through our blogs and Brazen. Definitely
    send me the link to yours when you get it up and running!

  • http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/ J. Money

    Congrats my dear friend!!! Here's to even MORE fabulous years!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thank you so much J-Money! J Powers UNITE! I'm anxiously awaiting the post
    where you reveal you've been successful in creating mini J's… ;-D Happy
    New Year, my friend!

  • http://www.lifeaftercollege.org jennyblake

    Thank you so much J-Money! J Powers UNITE! I'm anxiously awaiting the post
    where you reveal you've been successful in creating mini J's… ;-D Happy
    New Year, my friend!

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