Q&A on a Thursday!!

Hi, everyone! :) Here are these week's questions--apologies for the delay! I got a couple of introspective questions this week, a couple of weird ones and some blog-related stuff. Overall, I think this is pretty interesting shiz. Thank you to my dear readers! :) If you have a question and wanna ask it, then send it in at gmd.puangco@winawonders.com || You can also leave a comment here; it will not be published until next week's Q & A.

Arriane, 17 from Cavite asks: Hi, Wina. Just wanted to ask what the challenges of being a personal style blogger are--since all we ever hear about are the great things, I'd like to know what the difficult stuff is before I start my own blog. 

A: Hey, Arriane. That wasn't in question form! Hahaha But yeah, I'll answer it anyway. I really like this question because I think that people oftentimes only see one part of personal style blogging (props on differentiating this from fashion blogging, btw) which is that you get lots of free stuff and get to meet people and have fun. While it can be all that and it's great most of the time, you also have to be prepared for the whirlwind of challenges that you can encounter when putting up photos of yourself for everyone to see. I outlined this below since it's a pretty intensive question that needs a pretty intensive answer as well.

I. With Yourself

One of the important things about doing this whole personal style blogging thing is not to let it take over your life. It can be really unnerving sometimes when you're out doing normal things you feel like you should be inside taking photos of yourself or if you're constantly worrying about things like your stats or your readership. Yes, you should be concerned about those things but only to a certain extent. The blogosphere can swallow you up so you have to be careful and remember that you blog about your life; you don't live life around your blog.

II. With Other People

a.) FRIENDS. If, like me, you post up entries about introspection and life and friendship it can be tempting to just blog about every little thing you do with your friends but you also have to realize that other people might not want their lives posted about online. Always ask them first if they're alright with you posting photos of them (especially if it's particularly embarrassing) or telling people about an interesting conversation especially if you know they're shy about that kind of thing.

b.) STRANGERS. Okay, one of the most important things is to keep calm when talking to strangers. (Also, be sure to put up a filter for the comments because you never know what weird things people are going to say) Here are a couple of types of strangers I've encountered so far:

1. The Faux-Stranger. This person is someone you know acting like a stranger so as to get you to talk about something you don't want to. I experienced this with one of Keav's ex-girlfriends and it was thoroughly exasperating. But yeah. Patience. :) And don't be mean unless it's absolutely necessary--just be clear-headed, calm and honest.

2. The Nice Peeps. This is the best, of course! I've met so many nice peeps online, it's crazy--not much of a challenge here, but I included it because nice people are rare, in general and it'd be great if there were more of them. :) Keep these people dear.

3. The Haters. This is a fact of life. It's freaking yin and yang shiz. If there are people who like your blog, there'll be people (both faux and actual strangers) who will stalk it and send you hate mail/comments just for fun. Don't let it affect you. This is a pretty damn good measure of success. If you're awesome enough for someone to take time out of their day to e-mail you shiz like that then you're pretty damn awesome (or at least better than they are). As for responding to it, if it's something personal then go lang, but if it's something petty then people like that are better left ignored. 

Aaaand I think that's everything that isn't too obvious. Although in case it needs to be mentioned also--this'll take up a lot of your time and that's always difficult. But as I'm sure you'll see when you start your own blog, it's usually pretty fulfilling. :D

Bea, 18 from Alabang: I see you in Town Center a lot.

A: Again, not question form. :)) But I'm just trolling. Hi! Yeah I spend a lot of time there. You should say hello next time. xD

Anonymous, 23 from Taft: What do you think about literature? 

A: Wow. That is very general. So here is (also) a general answer: I like it.

Anonymous, 19 from Paranaque: How do I get into DLSU?

A: If you mean like, get in and you're not a student, you can go to South Gate (the one near McDo) and get a visitor's pass. Just bring a valid ID and tell them what you're doing there. If you mean pass the test, then I guess pick your course carefully and study as best you can. :) Aaaand on the off-chance you're a student there already and are asking me this then...uh...scan your ID? :)) 

Anonymous, 24 from Las Pinas: Do you like lizards?

A: They're alright.

Aaand that's it for this week! :))