my blog log

I subscribed to MyBlogLog recently after reading a few blog posts about its features on how it can help you manage and analyze your blog's traffic. It basically helps you manage your blog better especially if you're attracting traffic by the hundreds or even thousands of readers in a day. This blog widget comes in handy because you get to know where your readers usually come from at any day and time, what your readers viewed, and where they went after reading (or browsed) your blog.

In my case, I don't have that many readers really so managing my blog couldn't be that difficult. I guess I'm just curious about who my readers are and where they're coming from, and maybe at some point get to thank them for their continued patronage of my chronicles.

So ever since I gave it a try, I found myself compulsively checking my site stats every so often, which was very much like last year on Site Meter when I first started this blog. Unlike Site Meter where I only get to see the location of people who came to my blog and also end up just assuming who they were (e.g., Lewiston, Maine = from there I'd strongly conclude it was J. Gabriel reading my blog when he was still studying at Bates College), MyBlogLog allows me to see search strings that people used to get to my blog, or even the URL which referred me. Neat, huh? Site Meter has that too, only I don't get to maximize it since I'm on a free account, but I like their Recent Visitor World Map though.

Here is a summary of search strings from Yahoo or Google where my readers came from since March 31. These strings were surely looking for some serious information while some others were just for amusement:

• usgs topo leyte philippines --> Good to know this piece is finding its way to readers... Mhen, I did some serious writing here!
• english speaking test --> Probably because of my grad school applications... I hope my experience was worth reading.
• abs cbn vs gma tv ratings --> Just ranting here, sorry.
• present news about sharon cuneta --> I wrote about the March of the Penguins and partly ranted about why other objected to her version of narrating the documentary. Hey, I like what I wrote here too... besides, I got a comment from Pinoy Penman.
• born again christian polillo --> Born-again Christian? Surprisingly, I haven't written anything about that subject. On Polillo, definitely.
• kiltepan sagada --> Not only did I enjoy writing this Sagada series (parts 1, 2, 3), I had a blast with my cousins during our vacation there!
• how did colgate compete with lamoiyan? --> When I switched to using Hapee toothpaste, which I am still content on using for a loooonnng time.
• arayat --> Definitely family stuff, but I can't remember where I wrote it exactly.
• eleksyon 2007 --> This is on-going. I hope those readers visit again.
• agam-agam --> Of course.
  

• brownman revival, steady lang torrent --> Sorry, no BT downloads here. I suggest you visit the authorities in torrent distribution like TorrentSpy. But seriously, this local reggae group really making it big!
• how did clark and lex become enemies --> Damn, I enjoyed writing this post too!
• chowking halohalo ingredients --> Imagine, my only food post on halo-halo really gets serious hits! Believe me. It was searched on three out of the past 6 days.
  

...while these, well... these were just outrightly hilarious:

• what does ptfo mean? --> Way to go Malu!
• hotel joy nasira --> Hmm, I wonder. I don't even know where this place is.
• supektibol --> Haha, this was really funny. Would you believe it occurred twice on the searches?
  

I'm happy that some of my favorites are still making its way to fresh readers even if they're already in the archives. But as amusing as these bits of information may be, unfortunately some things can't be perpetually enjoyed for free. Yesterday, my three-day trial expired which entailed losing the real-time stat features. Unless, I upgrade to a pro account, I'm stuck with the morning after news. Too bad.

My inner circle of blog friends (and cousins) is mostly responsible for keeping me on my toes when it comes to writing regularly on this blog. My apologies for the long breaks along the way. But really, thanks for all your unwavering support, valuable comments, and even reminders for to get me to spew out new posts; all these are very much appreciated. You actually made my first blogging experience, in fact my first year at blogging, so much worth it. I'm even considering this blogging concept on a more serious note by taking it to the next level when it comes to my passion and advocacy in life. More of that soon... stay tuned :D

How I wish Rom and my other dear cousins (EJ, Katrina, and Tina) were blogging too. That goes for Porsche too! While she made her debut on Friendster blogs, it's been gathering dust since her first and only post. And to think that between us, she's the better writer. I'm sure reading their take on life on their part of the world will be nothing less than interesting.

One other thing amusing discovery is Rice Bowl Journals--an ingenious venue to get Asian bloggers together as a community on the blogosphere to talk about almost anything under the sun. I'm surprised (and grateful) that a number of readers came to my blog--albeit by random selection. I wonder when I'll be quoted? Haha, probably never. Although if that happens by some miracle, I just hope I'm quoted for something worth quoting--like when I say, "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang mga Pilipino saan man sa buong mundo" because I absolutely mean it.

Finally, to my anonymous readers, who ever you are, thanks so much for visiting. I hope you found something of value, useful, amusing, or anything even remotely worthwhile in my blog. Do visit again.

Till the next post.