Happy 6th Anniversary, TVB Interaction! What's changed in 6 years...

TVB Interaction turns 6 years old today! Happy 6th Anniversary TVB Interaction! I had first started watching TVB the summer of 2008 and this blog was first created on June 13, 2009. To celebrate 6 years on the web (some years more active than others), I wanted to reflect back on how things have changed with TVB, my relationship with it, and my own life since I first got sucked into the world of TVB. I apologize in advance if it gets more boring going down.

So over the last 6 years, what has changed...

...with TVB?

Oh how I miss that adorable face.

If the TVB fan in me in 2008 saw what it is like now, it would've started screaming "Where is everyone?!" The most obvious change over the last 7 years is the major exodus of artists (and that's an understatement). The young leading actors I saw when first getting into this fandom have since left or look like they're about to do so. Sammul Chan and Raymond Lam were my favorite actors when I first started watching TVB series, and not long after Sammul left, and Raymond started boring me with his idol roles before finally parting ways with the station last year. The familiar faces I came to love and recognize left or significantly reduced their work load with TVB, including Charmaine, Steven, Fala, and soon, Myolie. Now we're seeing TVB trying to take chances and quickly giving newbie actors leading roles as the cast of series get increasingly weaker.

However, a good thing that has happened over the years is that all four of the actors who started out in supporting roles I took a great liking to and pegged as potential stars ultimately became lead actors.

Guys, it's Ruco with a puppy. *dies from the cuteness*

Ruco Chan, who I first noticed in a slew of small semi-villain supporting roles in 2009 such as "The Threshold of a Persona" and "Burning Flame 3" and still remains my favorite, may have meandered in the entertainment industry for a long time before rejoining TVB, but quickly hit the big time starring in 2011's "The Other Truth."

Raymond Wong also experienced a breakthrough after 2009's "Sweetness in the Salt," going on to costar with Ruco in "The Other Truth," a casting move that literally had me jumping for joy when it was first announced.

Edwin Siu quietly returned to TVB in 2008 after a music career cut short and stint in China with likable small supporting roles such as "Ken" in "Forensic Heroes 3" before impressing people with his comedic timing as the adorable "Ah Yap" in 2012's "Daddy Good Deeds."

It is not Vincent, it's Gilbert, the pill-popping, arrogant, rich heir
begging for a shovel to the head (Oh wait that's exactly what he got).

Finally, I first started liking Vincent Wong in 2010's "Gun Metal Grey," more for his affability and likability than his acting skill. By 2012, I noticed how natural he had become in "Tiger Cubs." I was officially sold on the fact that Vincent is a genuinely talented actor who could add subtle touches after 2013's "A Change of Heart" and hoped TVB would promote him more. I recently watched him as a villain in "Will Power" and was impressed and taken aback by how convincing he was as "Gilbert" in contrast to his previous performances as spoiled rich guys where he looked unnatural and uncomfortable. After a second lead role in last year's "Tomorrow is Another Day," Vincent is now also receiving lead roles in upcoming series.

Four actors who I pegged as potential stars that came true! *pats self on back* Louis Cheung also kind of counts, but the audience was smart in seeing his acting talent very quickly and he shot up the ranks to leads in a year due to the current lack of leading actors. Now either my eye is now not working, or there are currently no new actors with a lot of potential...

...with my relationship with TVB?

As we all know, the TVB blogosphere has greatly quieted down. There were still many blogs that emerged after MetalAZNWarrior's TVB Musings signed off the web. Now, you can count the remaining active blogs on one hand, and it's sad. The TVB fandom isn't what it once was. Thankfully, there's still Twitter for those of us who want to share our thoughts on the series we're watching but don't have the time or motivation to write full-length blog posts.

John Cho is too good to be playing the
token Asian guy in your Hollywood movie.

I'm not as into TVB as I used to be, and I don't watch as many series a year as I used to, but I don't think I'll ever completely stop watching their dramas, even if it comes down to watching just one or two a year. First off, as long as my favorite actors are around, I'll be checking out the dramas of theirs that interest me. The second is a sentimental attachment and the connection to Asian culture and community it and this blog gave me. I also like being able to hearing Cantonese (and can understand a whole lot more since 2008).

However, a different reason to appreciate TVB that I've developed in the last few years as I've become more and more into American TV, is being able to see Hong Kong actors play such a wide array of roles. Sure, they can be subject to typecasts, but those typecasts aren't structured by racial stereotypes the way it is in Hollywood where the under representation and misrepresentation is rampant. Just ask Korean American actor John Cho, who has experienced racism in Hollywood, and was asked to do an accent for 2002's "Big Fat Liar" (he refused). There is a reason why some popular Asian actors, such as Taiwan's Mark Chao, have declined opportunities to appear in Hollywood movies. While American TV shows overall tend to have better writing, it's still satisfying to shut off the TV, get on my laptop, and watch Asians killing it in a diverse range of roles (possible since the whole cast is Asian).

...with me?

I'm still here aren't I? Despite the many random and long breaks I take, I have continually returned to blog for TVB Interaction even if it's just to cover the anniversary awards for a month because I still enjoy it. At the beginning of the year, I tried to give myself a quota where I would write a blog post once a month, whether on TVB Interaction or AE Experience, and that lasted for that whole first month. However, I will continue to write (knowing me, probably in spurts of multiple blog posts published closely together and taking year-long breaks) until the day I decide I don't enjoy doing it anymore. For those times in between, I am still on Twitter sharing (and venting) thoughts on TVB matters.

In honor of my reflection on the last 6 years today,
here's a picture I took of the reflecting pool during my senior prom.

I started TVB Interaction when I was in 8th grade, and I've now finished my first year of college in D.C. I'm majoring in psychology and intend on going to law school.

I've also become an even more avid fan of television. Movies just don't do it for me since I love following a set of characters and seeing them grow over episodes and seasons. My favorite TV dramas are "Once Upon a Time" and "Nashville," but my biggest love is definitely sitcoms that make me laugh out loud and relax after a long day. The 90s classic "Boy Meets World" along with "30 Rock" and "How I Met Your Mother" are my ultimate favorites and watching episodes of them during breaks from studying were definitely how I managed to stay sane during finals. If you like TVB and any of these shows, you should definitely comment or tweet at me (or request to follow me on Twitter if you aren't already since I leave my account protected).

I hope you've managed to read to this point, and if you have, don't be a stranger and leave a comment, whether it's about your own relationship with TVB over the years, or just to say "hi" and say you're still around blogging or tweeting. As random as my updates can be, I hope you keep checking back at TVB Interaction for another 6 years.

Back at Blogger :)

If you've stumbled on this page once again (How long has it been?  Half a year?) then I'm thrilled and relieved.  That means you've heard the announcement that TVB Interaction is returning to its roots and using the url tvbinteraction.blogspot.com again!  Phew, I'm so glad I never deleted this blog off Blogger or else I wouldn't be able to use this URL and have to import everything again!

Now I realize the layout I have up is still the same one from last year (Him & Mandy).  I will try to have a new one up soon.  In the meantime, please keep checking back and follow me on Twitter if you haven't already for updates. :)

A New Beginning

I've considered getting TVB Interaction hosted for almost a year (not long after it was created and gained momentum).  Due to lack of knowledge of web development and design and being busy with my own life, I put it off for months.  A bit over a week ago, Shirley of Beloved.nu hosting sent me an email telling me she admired my writing style and excellent content.  She offered to host me, and I was more than eager and thrilled to accept her offer.  One week later, TVB Interaction has moved (and I give Shirley many thanks).  It is the start of a new beginning for my blog and I hope to improve it and make it better.  Please visit me from now on at my new URL here. 

With love,
~Iris

Presenting The Beauty of Critique

Remember my blog Speak4Myself?  Well, it is now no more!  Speak4Myself has been completely relaunched with the new name The Beauty of Critique.

Some questions you may be asking...

• Why the new name and where did it come from?
• What will you blog about?
• How will TVB Interaction and The Beauty of Critique be similar and different?
• Why relaunch Speak4Myself at all?

If you want to know why, visit my blog at its new URL (http://beautyofcritique.blogspot.com/) to find out the answers to all these questions!  Please support me and The Beauty of Critique!  I wish for it to be successful as TVB Interaction. 

With love,

Iris

Happy 1st Blog Anniversary TVB Interaction! :D

This year has flown by! Believe it or not, it's officially been a year since the creation of TVB Interaction. What first started out as a small fry blog has turned into a unique blog with many wonderful loyal readers. Speaking of loyal readers, please take a look at this banner that was created as a tribute to our first anniversary:

The banner above was made by TVB Interaction's #1 reader herself, Krystal from TVB Focus! Krystal, I'd like to thank you for this banner tribute and being such a loyal reader in general. :) Featuring three of my favorite characters from D.I.E. Again, this banner is the first graphic Krystal ever created on Photoshop. She even made this before the first Photoshop banner for her own blog! As stated in the email she sent to me with the banner attached: "I wanted my 1st Photoshop creation to be TVB Interaction's 1st Anniversary banner :)" Awww, thanks Krystal! :D

This leads me to what I want to talk about next: I can not stress enough how amazing it is to create a blog and meet people through it. People say you shouldn't make friends online (i.e., through MySpace and dating sites), but this is the one exception. It's truly special to build a friendship with someone online. Not only are the TVB bloggers I've met friendly, but they share the same interests as me and read (as well as support) my hard work. This has allowed me to make some very close friends. A year ago, I never would've thought that some of the people I'm closest with would be people I met via the Internet!

What TVB Interaction Has Done For Me

I believe TVB Interaction has changed me. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. If you know me very well, you would know that I'm one of those people with a tough exterior and warm interior. There are so many people at school who annoy and/or aggravate me. I consider myself a generally nice person, but I can easily get ticked off by certain people. As a result, I can appear very sarcastic and cold towards others. Some people consider me mean. However, it was different when I was online. TVB Interaction allowed me to just be me. I was able to be who I really wanted to be: A nice and friendly person. For some reason, it was just so easy for me to do so online. I didn't feel the need to be the type of person who gives sarcastic remarks to people to get them to shut up. I could just be sweet little me, the kind of person I would not be hesitant to be in real life if people weren't so cruel or untrustworthy.

It also allowed me to hang out with a crowd I felt much more comfortable in. Due to my more mature yet awkward personality, I find it hard to socialize with my peers. I can only find so much in common with them. I am the type of person who is mature in the way that I think more sensibly and be more responsible. As a contrast, the people my age at my school are only mature in the way that they're dating way too early and talking about stuff they should in no way be talking about. The TVB bloggers I've met are different. They're grown up, actually mature, and are genuine, great people. Even if I'm not close to them, I can have friendly conversations with them. These are the kinds of people I feel so much more comfortable with. They are the ones I would hang out with in real life if I had the choice. To put it simply, they gave me the chance to be the person I wanted to be.

TVB Interaction has also helped me decide my future. I know that may sound silly. Why would a TVB blog cause me to realize what I want to do with my life? I've always loved writing. And over the year that I've been updating TVB Interaction, my writing skills have improved dramatically from before. I developed different writing skills such as analyzing, critiquing, and writing satire. These are skills that I learned myself. As a result, it's made me realize that I want to do something with my interest in writing. I keep saying that I'll only write as a hobby and find an alternative career, but that hasn't been working for me. I want to make a career out of writing. It'll be hard, and chances are the job wouldn't be stable nor worth a lot of pay. Right now, I'm actually looking towards becoming a web designer. The job consists of one of my other interests (web design) and can also lead to me becoming a writer. (If you become successful as a web designer, you can actually write for blogs as part of your career!) And I won't give up on the possibility of becoming a writer on the side. One of these days, you will see my [real] name on some sort of publication at the book store. It's a big aspiration, but I am determined in making it.

It May Be Getting Worse, But I'm Forever a Fan

Yes, TVB is getting worse. Yes, I'm becoming more interested in American series than those produced by TVB. You shouldn't bite the hand that fed you though. Blogging for TVB Interaction was the first step in becoming "discovered" for me. For once, there were people who read what I did, critiqued, and complimented it. Plus, no matter how bad the series gets, there's still certain fun in being a TVB fan. This includes being able to recognize all the artistes, following a series process (from the costume fitting to the actual filming and etc), and anticipating upcoming productions.

I'll Always Be Here

I plan on sticking around for years to come. Perhaps what I'm most proud of about TVB Interaction is that it's my first successful commitment. I'll admit that commitment is one of the things I have trouble with. Prior to creating this blog, I was constantly creating new blogs and abandoning old ones. This blog and past year has proved to me that I am capable of commitment. TVB Interaction will always be one of my priorities. Yes, I'm an aspiring writer. I want to branch out of just writing for TVB. I am currently trying to do so with my other blog Speak4Myself. I also want to write stories. But I'll never forget my "baby."

Iris Says Thanks Again

I've probably said this hundreds of times, but thank you! Thanks to all my wonderful readers who've been supporting this blog. You guys mean the world to me. It feels great to know that I have so many loyal readers, both silent and active. To those who have left me countless tags and comments, thanks for letting me hear your thoughts! To those who are silent, let me hear from you! I was once also a silent reader, and trust me when I say it's so much fun being a "loud" reader. So go ahead and leave me a comment now if you haven't already! Don't worry, I won't bite. ;)

Cheers to a great year and let's hope for many more to come!

[Message From Iris] 5/17/10

Hello, lovely readers! It's been quite a while since I've left a message on my blog. This is just to let you guys know I'm still alive! :)

So what have I been up to lately? I haven't updated TVB Interaction in over two weeks, but that doesn't mean I haven't been writing anything. In fact, I've written two articles recently. One is a spotlight on Kenneth Ma while the other is an article about series to look out for this year. However, they are written exclusively for the first issue of TVB Central Magazine. These two articles will be made available to view here after the release but if you want to read it first hand you'll have to read the magazine! It is due out at the end of the month. Make sure to check it out! It will be focusing on The Mysteries of Love and its main cast members Raymond Lam, Tavia Yeung, Kenneth Ma, and Bernice Liu.

The reason I wrote not one, but two articles in such a short amount of time (within a week)? I miss writing. Even though I normally don't dig out what's at the bottom of my heart and throw it into a post, writing is a type of therapy to me. It relaxes me and makes me less stress. In a time where things have gotten crazier and more tense, this therapy is just what I need. Plus, I'm still in denial that I will be finishing middle school in just one more month. It's safe to say that I've regained my inspiration and interest back. I'm sure that's good news to my loyal readers! :)

Hopefully, my review for A Fistful of Stances will be up sometime this week.

Not Saying Goodbye, But Not Saying Hello

The peak of TVB Interaction has ended. Although I still get a moderate amount of page views, I rarely get tags or comments. This is a result of me not updating nearly as much as before. I was one of the TVB bloggers that updated most frequently. (Ironically, even with one new post averaging every two to three weeks, I still kinda am one of the bloggers who update most frequently.) While each blog will always have a few loyal readers, people forget fast. I don't resent that, as I am honestly one of those people too. When there is nothing new, there is no need or want to visit.

During the second half of 2009, I followed a 'one post per week' rule. Posts included reviews, articles, satires, or the increasing variety of features. Since 2010 started, I've slowly fallen out of that system.

If you were to take a look at my whole 'home' page which houses my most recent posts, you'll see there are only three 'real' posts. The rest of the page is taken up by several series infos. It's been over three weeks since my last actual post. Although I initially felt bad for not updating like I promised to do so, the feeling is slowly fading.

I had sincerely hoped that 2010 would be a better year for TVB. Some of TVB's most decent series nowadays are the lighthearted series that are enjoyable but quite forgettable. Many have been released over the last few years. I wouldn't have minded too much if 2010 continued to do so until the more promising series (Righteous Series of Heroic Love, Cops, Mysteries of Love, etc) hit the air. What disappoints me is that the TVB series this year (so far) are not enjoyable, but rather crappy. Cupid Stupid holds my record of being one of the worst series ever and by far the worst series of this year. It is truly a stupid series as the title suggests it is. The Season of Fate had an extremely mediocre plot and I wouldn't have struggled to watch to the end if it weren't for the adorable Esther and my favorite Derek. I could go on and on, but this is not a rant post.

My point is, as TVB's series get worse and worse, my interest in TVB goes plummeting down. It has been doing so for over two months. I have not thoroughly enjoyed a series since A Chip Off the Old Block and The Beauty of the Game, which have wrapped up airing since shortly after the year began. As a result, I have no motivation, no inspiration, and no wish to continue blogging about something I have no interest in.

You can be relieved though, because TVB Interaction will not be disappearing off the web. I am not abandoning it, nor am I putting it on hiatus. Instead, I will continue to leave it up and update with serie infos. Whenever I feel like it, I will update with real posts. This can be once a week, once every 3 weeks, or once a month. The time range is a mystery even to me. I myself can not predict it, so I will not be making any promises that I can't keep. It is the end of me updating, just for the sake of it.

You'll be seeing a new post soon, sometime next week. I love the idea of it and am proud of the concept. How it'll turn out with my own writing, I'm not sure. I seem to be having trouble putting it into words. Look out for it! After that, I'm unsure of when the next post will be.

Thanks for understanding and reading everyone. I hope that you will continue to visit, and feel free to leave me messages. They make my day. You will hear from me again...sometime in the future.

This is neither a goodbye, or a hello.

TVB Interaction Presents Speak4Myself! :)

Playing around with the idea of posting on a personal blog once again, I've finally made that wish come true! I've created Speak4Myself, which will become my blog where I post about all things non-TVB. Yep, non TVB! Although I love posting on this TVB blog, there are more things I'd like to blog about. I will update Speak4Myself with various things: journal entries, poems, spotlights on music, movies, TV, rants, life, and other random stuff. Please come take a look! This is your chance to get to know me better! Get to know the personal and non TVB side of Iris. Hope to see you there! :)

http://speak4myself-iris.blogspot.com

Stressed and Scared

High school used to feel so far away. It used to be something my family, friends, and I refered to as 'something in the future.' Sometimes, my dad will take out an old shirt and say I'll be able to wear it when I'm in high school. (Btw, it's less than a year away and they still look big on me...xD) Something that felt so unreal is finally coming near. It felt like not long ago me and my buddy since first grade were graduating from elementary school. Of course, the new school year is still a pretty large amount of time from now. I'm still in my first month of school. Preparation though is always good, especially in my case, and all the brighter students who go to my school. Prepare for what you may ask? Applying for Thomas Jefferson High School. No, you most definitely don't have to 'apply' to get into high school where I live. Thomas Jefferson High School (which I'll just refer to as TJ from now on), is one of the top public high schools (twice ranked #1)in the US specializing in Science and Technology. Acceptance into the school is based on admission tests and previous academic achievement. The whole application process takes about 5 months.

The Test

One out of two main things people will be looking at for applications is how well they do on the TJ Admission Test. The following paragraph is an excerpt from my TJ information booklet: "The test contains 95 test items- 45 verbal reasoning/reading and 50 math questions. Verbal questions include scrambled paragraphs, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension. The math items include word and computational problems. The math items include some algebra and geometry questions related to material covered in fifth through seventh grade mathematics." A sample test is on the school's admission website, and I've looked through it briefly today. Very briefly in fact, since I didn't have time as I had to finish my homework. I've looked at a couple questions from each section. While the questions on the sample test made me reread and think a lot, I found the questions to be alright. Challenging yes, and they require careful and thorough thinking. Ridiculously hard? No. The test is one of my main worries for how hard it supposedly is. After looking through though, some of my stress about it is relieved. Thanks to the sample test though. It gives me an idea of what it is like, and what I should study and practice.

Reading, although not my best subject, has always been an 'okay' thing for me. I find I have much more interest and ability in writing though. For the most part, I'm pretty good at reading skills. My scores for reading exams have never been the best, but they are still passed advanced. My logic is pretty good as well (I'm a realist) which can help guide me through the logical reasoning part.

I guess I'm mostly worried about the math part. Though it used to be my best subject, I struggled with it in the 6th grade. We learned at a fast pace, since we had to learn 2 years (7th and 8th grade math) worth of math in one school year. The teacher's grading scale was particularly hard that year as well, making a huge impact on my final grade. While I used to be able to sustain all A's before, that year's math made me drop to AB. The final grade I got that year was a B. Since finishing 6th grade though, my math has gone back to being good. It's no longer my best subject, but I still handle well. Going into algebra this year though does make me worried. It can still challenge and confuse me sometimes. I hope I'll do well on the algebra and geometry questions! Better make sure I study up!

Essays - Writing Sample

"Students also write two one-page essays at the time of testing in December. One essay focuses on real-world problem solving, often with an ethical component. The other essay requires self-assessment or self-reflection by the applicant."

Shouldn't be a problem. Like I said, my interest and ability lies mostly in writing. The writing prompt is the only exam I ever managed to get a perfect score on (though I'm not sure how to this day).

Academic Achievement

The problem here is that they're mostly looking at the grades of our 7th grade year and the first two quarters of our 8th grade year. I managed to get all A's for two quarters of the 7th grade (equalling a semester) but got slightly off and into AB when receiving one B+ each time.

I've always been considered 'academically talented' by teachers, and got very good grades in elementary. Although my grades in middle weren't as high as they could've been, they were still much above average. I hope that the academic achievement part of my application will look good enough for such a school!

Why I Want to Go to TJ

It's always been hard to get into a good college/university. With the economy crisis and increases in money exchange, it's become even harder. A good college application is key to getting into a good college. It can lead you to be accepted, maybe even on a scholarship if you're particularly good at something. There is nothing I'm extremely good at, for I'm mostly just book smart. Good academics and grades is mostly all I can rely on at this point to help get me into a good university. I know that for me to go to TJ will look very impressive on a college application. After a lot of thinking, I've come to the conclusion (tell me if you think something else) that getting A's and B's at a top and prestigious, advanced high school is better than getting all A's in a regular high school.

The Admission Process

I've always thought that I'd have the a majority of the school year to prepare for this. After receiving the info booklet today though, I've realized I was wrong. My application form (which is simply asking for your name and basic information) is due in a couple weeks. I'll be taking the test and essay on December 5. January 2010 determines the semifinalists. Test scores and grade point average are used to determine which students will continue on with the admission process. We'll be notified at the end of January to find out whether or not we make it on. When February 2010 comes and you've made it into the semifinals, we need to obtain teacher recommendations and complete another application form. March comes the selection committee review. That is when the selection committee members evaluate our application packets. Notifications for the final decision on who will be offered admission release 2010. What a long process...if you make it to the next round, you could be eliminated at anytime! Think positive...

Statistics

About 480 students are offered admission to the freshmen class a year. 18% of applicants actually make it in. An average 7 students who apply make it in.

Last Thoughts

The next few months will require all my attention, effort, and focus. I'll need to prepare myself and do everything I can so that I can do the best on the test and essay. After that, mostly all I will be able to do is get good word of mouth from my teachers with those recommendations. In order words, I'll be pretty busy for the next few months. Sorry, TVB Interaction. :(

Updates 9/23/09

Haven't posted in a couple days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been here! For the last couple nights, I've been doing some serious Googling and HTML editing. By now, I think you've noticed some notable changes, like the layout colors, and the TABS! I'm so happy I was able to create tabs! Being the very organized person I am, I'm glad I can actually categorize my posts now. Tabs are a lot nicer than the plain links I had up a couple days earlier, and much more pretty. :D

Regarding my search for a host, I'm still searching, and haven't had any luck so far. I'm open to anyone who is willing, but for now I'm staying here on Blogger. If someone approaches me who's willing to be my host, then I'll give it thought. Now that I have more knowledge of HTML, and realized that I can do quite a couple things right here on Blogger if I try hard and do research, I'm ok if I just stay right where I am now. I'm quite content with the layout I have now.

Also, I've reached more than 2,000 views now! Wow, so happy! There are seriously people visiting now??? I'm aware I give myself a lot of page views from when I edit, answer messages, and etc but I know not 2,000. xD

I've got tons of ideas for posts, about TVB, personal life, and music. When I have time, I'll draft them and post them! Stay tuned everyone! :)

Moving to WordPress, Looking for a Host!

After much consideration, thought, and a little research, I've decided I will be moving to WordPress. (Thanks to Liling for answering my questions!) I want to have more options, most notably add additional pages such as 'about me' and etc. Call me 'greedy' or whatnot, I can't control what you think. :P I've been using Blogger for several months now, even before opening TVB Interaciton and while I love the simplicity and easiness of it all, I'd like to try out WordPress. I want to expand so that it will feel more like my own space.

I've done some Googling today, and while the two website hosting sites (Blogger and WordPress) have both advantages and disadvantages the other doesn't have, the advantages on WordPress catch my eye more. They fit more what I want to do. However, a free WordPress site is quite limited, and won't let me do what I planned on doing, which would defeat the purpose of me even moving. After having Liling answer my questions, I do feel as though a hosted WordPress site will be a lot better. It's free, but you get to do more. I don't mind not having my own domain name, as long as 'TVB Interaction' is somewhere in there. I will be looking for a kind TVB blogger to host me for the next couple weeks.

If after importing my posts to the WordPress blog, TVB Interaction on Blogger still exists, I will leave it up. I want to keep it to leave it as a 'memory.' TVB Interaction is my first site that I've ever been commited to and contain my best interest in. After a year in blogging, this is my best work to date. In a couple years from now when I am a much better blogger with more knowledge of Photoshop and HTML and etc, I want to look back on this and see how far I've gone. I hope everyone will continue reading and follow me to my future WordPress site. :)

HOST WANTED. :D

TVB Interaction Reaches Over 1,000 Views! Contact Me!

After a summer on the web, TVB Interaction has developed a decent base. Over the weekend, TVB Interaction has officially reached over 1,000 views! Yay, I'm so happy! Thank you for reading everyone!

I've come into contact with many other fellow bloggers recently, even making friends with some of them. I enjoy talking to lynne of TVB Horizon and jessica of My Only Myolie Network. After recieving a request to be friends on Facebook from a reader, I decided to make another email. I will be using this email especially for keeping in contact with everyone here. If you have comments or questions, or you just wanna talk, feel free to send me an email!

Email me at: tvbinteraction@gmail.com

Also, remember to follow me on Twitter! Drop me a tweet too! I'll be sure to reply. :)

Thanks for the hits,
~Iris

TVB Interaction on hold?

Sad to say...

I'm sad to say that not long after TVB Interaction has started to take off, I will not be able to post as often. I am not giving up this blog, nor am I going on hiatus. I just won't be able to update often. Whenever I have inspiration and I can post, I will. However, don't expect too many updates after the beginning of September.

Why...

If you haven't figured out by now, I'm much younger than the average blogger. I'm not in college, and I don't have a job. I'd prefer to say nothing direct, such as my age though. Let's just say, there's one more year until I go to high school. It's my last year of middle school, and this is the year where I'll be deciding what school I'll be going to next school year, the high school closest to my area, or test to see if I can get into Thomas Jefferson High School which is supposedly a very good school which is VERY hard to get into. (Maybe more about that later) Most likely though, this year will still be typical up until I make my decision. It will just be me going back to school. In that case though, I will need a couple weeks to just get back into the routine of going to school. I'll need to do all the things that come with the first day and month of school. That means I won't have time to be updating this blog as much. I promise I will still update unless I say otherwise, but it won't be a regular thing.


The weird thing...

The weird thing is though, is I feel like I never had time to update this blog in the first place. Actually, I do, but it goes to many other activities. It's hard to explain. I have freetime, yet I can't use it for blogging. Maybe it's the priorities in my life. Between being with my family, practicing the piano, making sure I'm exercising and staying fit by swimming, or getting ready for school, blogging somehow always ends up on the bottom of my list, whether I like it or not. Maybe the way my life is, is just not fit for running a blog. Even if this is oddly enough true, I'll STILL UPDATE.

Also, I have said many times in different posts all the things I plan on writing about. Yet, I haven't even finished writing an actually review or article. Not one. I have all these ideas, and yet I don't have time to pen (or type) them down. I have time to do these random posts, but I don't have time to write more longer and detailed thoughts, like I wished for when first opening TVB Interaction. Time is really an issue. There are only so many hours in the day, and it's hard figuring out how to use it.

I'll try my best to post in these last few weeks before school starts, and then after school starts. I hope you guys will still check back!

~Iris

[Message From Iris] Thank You! :)

Looking back...

TVB Interaction first opened it's doors back in June. During that time, there was practically no web traffic at all on my site, and the only ones who were visiting were me, and MetalAZNWarrior. (If you're a TVB blogger yourself and read other blogs, he does not need any introduction.) My blog was absolutely empty and plain, with the exception of my few posts. I had 'blogger's block' and was too lazy to do update. However, in the last week, I've gained back the interest and free time that allowed me to work on my blog. Having already been blogging on and off again since July 2007, and moving from the "Free Webs" host to "Blogger," I dare to say that I do know a thing or two about blogging. As for customizing my blog's layout? Not so much. In the last month, TVB Interaction has gone under a complete makeover. Gone with that dreadful default layout and in with the new and improved, customized site. Slowly, my blog 'upgraded' itself. Bye bye went the default banner that I been so scared would be there forever, as a wonderful Stephen Wong & Elaine Yiu banner that I created myself took it's place. From observing other people's blogs, I decided what I wanted to add to my layout and learned how to add it. Since then, I've added a C-Box which I'm pleased to see visitors leaving me messages on, a poll, and a hit counter which I can keep track of my page hits and visitors.


Why bother making a pretty blog if there's no one to see it?

Something was still missing though: Readers. Ok, I didn't mind (at all) that my blog wouldn't become one of the top TVB blogs. My blog will most likely never achieve that kind of accomplishment. However, I still wanted people to SEE my blog. After all, wouldn't it be a waste to spend all that time customizing and posting on my blog if no one but myself read it? Of course I would be reading it, but how about some showing off? Haha, just kidding. I started linking many other sites (and if you'd like me to link you, just ask! :D). This is where a majority of my readers come from. Notifying that particular blog admin on their C-Box that I've linked them helped even more. Curious readers of that particular blog have been sneaking onto mine when seeing the message I've left there. That was my idea of 'promoting' my site, and getting some web traffic that was hopefully past single digits.


Web Traffic Booms...

I started using the Bravenet hit counter to keep track of my page views. That hit counter was added not long after starting to link others and notifying them. I started learning my way around Bravenet and taking advantage of the little gadgets it came with. I was pleased to see all the ways I could look at my web traffic. What I didn't expect? To actually have web traffic to examine. In just five days after adding my hit counter (last Wednesday), I reached over 100 views. I checked my web traffic this morning, and saw that TVB Interaction had about 170 page views. I figured that by Wednesday, it would reach 200. However, after coming home to my computer and checking my page views again, I was shocked to find out that I had already reached over 200 views! I've created around 3 blogs/websites before this, and never had I've had so many viewers in all those blogs put together. My first website had taken probably 4 months to reach 100 views. Which is why these days, checking my web traffic is like getting high for me these days! To see my hit counts after a long day just makes me hyper! Whee!


I owe it all to you guys!

I am not the one who got me all these hit counts. If it weren't for everyone who has exchanged links with me, TVB Interaction would just be another one of my blogs who nobody reads. That's why, I can't thank you guys enough. THANK YOU! Thank you K for TVB, hyn5, Annisa, TkN, and everyone else who has exchanged links with me! Without all of you, I would be nothing but a bunch of words unread!


Most of all, Thank you, MetalAZNWarrior!

Shortly after gaining a love for TVB, I started reading TVB blogs. I loved reading other people's thoughts. The first blog I ever read was TVB Musings, which has been the blog I visit the most ever since. After being a silent reader for over half a year, I finally spoke my first words on his comments page. I shared my thoughts of TVB to him, as well as expressed to him I was planning on maybe creating a TVB blog myself. In the end I decided to do so, and Metal was the first one to visit it. He was the first one to view it, comment on it, and exchange links with me. To this day, his blog attracts the most readers for me. MetalAZNWarrior has earned the title of the most popular TVB blogger ever, and he most definitely deserves it. He has a unique writing style that I love reading. The end of August is nearing though, and when it does, it will be Metal's turn to say goodbye, and to retire from his TVB blogging 'legacy.' When the time comes, I will certainly miss him, along with his amusing writing, and the comments that he leaves me and others that bring a smile to my face. Metal, if you're reading this ( which I hope you will soon because you promised you'd visit my blog every once in a while..*brings out a whip* Hehe, just kidding. :D), thank you. Thanks for entertaining all of us in the time you've spent blogging, thank you for helping me and guiding me with my own blog, and thank you for bringing a smile to my face with everything you have written.


Still can't believe it...

I think I'm becoming too cheesy in this post, but that's me, cheesy and silly. :D I still can't believe though, that in just one week, my blog has become a moderately visited TVB blog. I can't believe how I'm having all the most popular TVB bloggers leave me messages, as well as compliments too. In just one week, I have upgraded my blog, gained readers, as well as realizing I want to secure my position in the TVB online world. I want to blog, post, and communicate with all of you guys. The 'high' I feel after posting or customizing something and having someone compliment me about it is just awesome. Once again, thanks everyone! :)

Message from TVB Interaction - Updates Coming Soon, Under Construction

Too lazy. Too many things to do. Not sure what to post about. These reasons (or rather excuses), and some others that aren't coming to mind at the moment are why I haven't been updating this blog to make it become the unique TVB blog (that probably no one will visit, but who cares, as long as I'm happy with it, right? :D Of course I'm not exactly celebrating the fact I've done nothing...) I wanted it to become.

For now, lets just deem TVB Interaction under construction.

Coming soon...

The Threshold of a Persona Review, along with older series and newer series

TVB Artistes Spotlights

TVB Articles....

And I'd like to make a pretty banner for the site but I'm not the best at graphics so we'll see how that turns out...that default banner might be there forever...-__-

So...check back soon? :)

Introduction

As TVB bloggers disappear, retire, or go on hiatus, the world of TVB fans introduce TVB Interaction, the newest TVB blog. Although TVB Interaction will never (or intend to) become the next biggest TVB blog (that spot will forever be taken by MetalAZNWarrior's TVB Musings), it promises to deliver original, unique, unusual, or amusing thoughts about TVB by the creator Iris.

Iris is a student who has been blogging on and off again for 2 years, creating and trying out various website hosting sites, and has recently found the one she prefers most, Blogger. She has decided on a blog she will settle on, and that is a blog telling all her opinions and thoughts of TVB. She hopes to entertain readers and fufill her interest of writing.

Expect reviews, thoughts, articles and comments! Enjoy!