Fili’s world

This week marks two events worth mentioning.

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We got our own special newyears event coming up today, so I get a chance to wish everybody a Happy New Year.

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On the 20^th of March 2005 I started writing "fiLi's world", which - I think - means that this blog's been running for a year and half now. That's quite an accomplishment, right?

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Blog effects

• I know more about the world than I ever imagined I would, especially about Asia.
• I know more people from all over the world than I ever imagined I would, especially from Asia.
• Readers know a bit of who I am.
• I know more about myself - the things I'm passionate about, the way that I like to do things.
• I know more about Internet, blogging, SEO and other trendy web2.0 style buzzwords.
• I now posses skills in web programming as well as skills in building online platforms which allows me to help promote communities that I care about.

Beginnings 

Heading out (Thailand)

That's it. Last minute packing, nothing seems to be in order, but I know everything will work out fine.

Thailand, here we come…

VangViang, Laos (Laos)

Ooooo, much better. It's gorgeous here, reminds me of Pai-Thailand.

Spent some time with British folks, and going tubing/rafting on the river tomorrow.

fiLi's Adventures in Wonderland (Vietnam)

Busy busy Hanoi. Not same same at all with Thailand and Lao, a surprising refreshing difference, and probably what I needed… I really like Hanoi, because it's much different than I initially expected.

A Lucky Bastard (Australia)

"Hey, are you by any chance Israeli?" was the unexpected question I got. To make a long story short - The unbelievable has happened. I met an Israeli girl at the airport who has introduced me to her local family - The Felman. They are extremely nice and hospitable and have offered me a stay for the night.

Off to Singapore… (Singapore)

It's settled then. A night flight to Singapore leaving tonight. A new place, a new adventure…

Don't ask me why, I really don't know.

Home sweet home (Taiwan)

My first night and day on the town were unbelievable. It's gorgeous, what I expected and much more and all the rumors about the Taiwanese being the friendliest folks in Asia have so far proven to be reality. People smile at me everywhere, offer their good grace and kind help, stop to chat with me while I'm resting in the park and walk me through the obstacles… together with the night-market I visited and the wonderful peace-park area I couldn't have asked for a better first day anywhere.

I'm actually Taiwanese… (Israel)

"You're not Israeli, right? So where are you from?" he wonders. You got to be kidding me, I thought, so I reply laughing - "Heh, I'm actually Taiwanese". He freezes up and stares at me with a "Really?!" look on his face. To prove my Taiwanese origin I offer a small "ni hao ma?" which has resulted in the whole group running towards me excited…

Suddenly, I forgot all about the damn flight, didn't care about the upset stomach over that plane food, I was laughing my heart out. Not that I thought they'd use it, but I gave them my details and offered that they give me a call when they get to Jerusalem, so I can come and see them.

Battles (UK)

To get a small taste of Israeli mood right now - when I told some of my friends two weeks ago that I'm heading out to the UK, some of them - not one or two but a few - responded with the short lethal "running away from battle, are we?". Sadly, I guess that I'll be 'joining' the British battle against terror for a short while …

Blog events

• Setting up the blog. On my last day before I left to Asia I rushed through setting up a really quick blog on blogger, making a decision based on instinct that I would rather write it in English. It had a basic ugly design, the simplest blog possible designed only for content. Only friends and family read the blog.
• Buying my laptop in Taiwan. Having settled down for Chinese studies I had spare time to tweak the blog for the first time, 9 months after it was set up. I gradually joined the Taiwan blogging community. Blog reader base expands to include some of my Taiwanese acquaintances and people finding it through random search.
• Moving to Wordpress and paid hosting. A whole new world of possibilities opened up and I am still eager to try and get the most of it. Blog exposed to the world.

Blog popularity

(Still very low, but growing steadily)