MY FIRST POST

“Overnight, I woke up to 400 hits on my Blog!?”

That’s what I kept saying as I told the story of my first post feedback. I didn’t think that many people were interested in afternoon tea!? It was such a neat realization to experience. Of course, I told the friend that suggested I start this thing! And, reported to the first group of girls I took out.

I was new to tea then. I barely knew what I was talking about when I wrote my first post!? I explained scones as “sweet biscuits” hahah. It was all of 6 paragraphs and a little over a handful of photos taken from my phone. I talked about how I chose this as the first spot, how easy the reservations were to make, the decor…certainly how the food was, the types of teas we ordered, and about the customer service. Nothing too specific, not much detail of any sort. A refreshing novice point of view! (check out our very first post here)

After I finished writing, I closed my laptop and didn’t think much about it. Went to sleep that night, and again- wasn’t thinking about the blog post. The following morning, a Sunday, I decided to check on the status of it. I had created and written for blogs in the past, so I was familiar with how WordPress worked. I. Was. Flabbergasted!! At first I thought the number I was looking at was 40-something. But then I realized there was another digit next to it!?

WHAT??

That many people care about tea?!

That many people care about WHAT I HAVE TO SAY about tea??!

It was an incredible and overwhelming feeling all at the same time. Yes, I’m sure others have experienced more… But this was a first for me. I take pride in all my wins (I’ve had to learn + train myself on how to do that). Just like: I don’t have 20-million followers on my personal YouTube channel (where I post clips of concerts I’ve been to) (oh we loove going to concerts) or anything… But- I celebrate my 15,000+ views!! Heheh. These 400 people were VIP’s in my book. They motivated me to continue to write for this Blog. So, THANK YOU 400 people!!

GROWING VIEWS

When this notification popped up, that was another internal celebration! Still could not fathom that 10,000 of you deliberately CHOSE to read my words!!?! Or had any interest in what measly me thought about these Tea Spots… An indescribable feeling.

MONETIZE?

For the first 4 years of this Blog, it never occurred to me to get paid for the time spent writing. I enjoyed it. Aaand, that’s it! (emoji with the jazz hands out) From experience, I was keenly aware too that once money was involved or once things turned into a “business”- it could potentially no longer be any fun. So I wasn’t bothered by money. As a matter of fact, I personally hate money! So I never thought to let it be a part of my pleasure.

Fast forward to 5 years later when I found out people were still reading this Blog (after my long absence)… And there were new Afternoon Tea Spots to visit… And things were starting to open up… And I was feeling safer to be out there…

AND,

my health went downhill. And I was no longer able to work outside my home… And we turned into a one-income family… (broken heart emoji here) The question came up again about monetizing. 10,000 (and much more) views. Come on, it was almost stupid if I didn’t right?!

Okay fine. I looked into it.

When I used to watch family vlogs, I always appreciated when they’d explain why we had to sit through spiels about whoever was sponsoring that portion of their video. They didn’t have to, it was a courtesy. But it always made me feel more comfortable about it. All this to say, that’s why I’m including you in this part of my Blogging experience. So you understand, and so you’re more comfy!

I was approved to be monetized. (wasn’t even aware I had to go through an approval process, so that made me feel good)

There are quite a few options to get paid. Ads, donations, tips… I signed up for whatever I qualified for. Still new at it, so still learning. But I tell you when THIS notification popped up!!?! (brain explosion emoji here, 3 of them!)

[I censored the Follower’s name/info] I was beyond ecstatic. In disbelief. AGAIN. Someone appreciated my blog posts enough to VO-LUN-TAR-I-LY SHARE their own money to our cause!!! (crying emojis here!) And on a MONTHLY basis!!?! What a huge heart. What a beautiful sentiment. And, what a tremendous human being.

And then- I got another donation! (and it keeps comin)

I get paid to write. Someone pinch me will ya!!

I’ve mentioned before (on here or on my social media), that I AM a Published Writer. I had an editor + legal team and everything, and my manuscript was published and sold. I’ve even had reviews written and messages sent to me about how my piece of writing has helped them personally. Coolest. Feeling. EVERRR. Of all the jobs I’ve ever had, ones where I’ve worked for other people and ones where I’ve worked for myself- writing by far has been the most gratifying. That first book took a lot out of me however (and took me away from my family), so I decided not to pursue book 2. Do I miss it? One hundred percent. So, to be able to do this: write in this Blog! And get paid for it?? DREAM COME TRUE.

Thank you to all the Donators. You mean the world to me and I wanted you (and everyone who reads this Blog) to know how beautiful you are and what you do for me (and my family)!! Thank you to all the Readers! Thank you to all the Followers + Subscribers! (if you haven’t yet, enter your email in the form below so you never miss a blog post from us!) Thank you to my Regulars who have come to Tea with me for close to 10 years! Thank you to my new friends who have been joining me on this 3rd Leg of our California Tea House Tour! You ALL are amazing and I wish I could thank each of you personally for allowing me to work this dream job. Love yall.

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I was trying to look for a specific Pin from my Board for this post… Apparently I had quite a few on this topic (haha), and there’s still more! But I’ll keep it at just these. For now, haha.

I knew this blog topic was next on the list, so I was kinda procrastinating in getting to it. I knew it was gonna be a real, raw, emotional, and probably even heated subject for me. However, I committed to writing more about myself so you could get to know the author behind this Blog. So that’s what I’m gonna do. Also, this is a really important story to tell and question to answer.

“Why is ‘ORIGINAL CREATOR’ in all caps on all your posts?”

Have you ever heard of the term being “Single White Female’d”? I don’t like the term, I didn’t make it up, and I don’t think I ever even watched the movie. But if you Google it, it will say this (and I am quoting from Google here): “an obsessive, malevolent, and manipulative female friend.” More simply explained, it is also used as a verb or description of someone who obsesses over you and copies you. Now, I’m sure you’ve seen the initial above quotes. How someone copying you is supposed to make you feel honored. In my imperfect opinion, I think it shows a lack of integrity and originality. At the very least, give credit where it’s due.

Now, I’m a very giving girl. You say you like something I’m wearing or have, I don’t gatekeep (I think that is how the cool kids say it). I have no problems with telling you where I got it, how much it was, even what the sales associate’s name is to go see! Why can’t we ALL look cute right!? It’s when you’re eyeing something of mine, try to pull it off as something you thought up, and fool everyone into thinking you did something cool when really you know you’re a fraud. (whew, see, told you) (let me take some deep breaths)

Now I COULD give you a few Story Time’s right here and even share all the receipts. But, I’m not messy. And, I am classy. And I’m sure these copy-cats are reading this very Blog post right now. (Don’t want to give them the pleasure of a cameo) But I will say I have been copied all my life. Dare I even share, labelled as a “Trendsetter” back in my day!? Yes yes, I was the first to wear shorts and thigh-high tights in middle school!! Haha. From haircuts to shoes, to jobs and apartments, boyfriends! Party themes. Whole business models. And my personal favorite: when a renowned muralist copied my novice art piece. (once upon a time I used to paint and sell art) Here’s another quote for you: “You can copy all you want, you will always be one step behind.”

The long and the short of it: copying is a trigger for me. I was abused by a mother with NPD who took all my gifts + talents, and claimed them as her own. NOTHING belonged to me. Not my looks, not my voice, not my self. So yes, I am beyond overprotective when it comes to my creativity.

(I’m getting to the answer of that question, I promise)

In 2014, after I hosted our first Tour Spot and after my friend suggested I start this Blog, I clearly remember sitting in our living room brainstorming ideas of what to call it with my husband. At this point in my life, I had already had experience with owning my own business and starting several blogs before. I know the process. I know how to name things. Be catchy. Be memorable. And most importantly: BE ORIGINAL. We’d come up with a thought for a name, and I’d Google it right away. If there was even something else out there that sounded remotely close to it = veto.

“parTEA with me.”

“I love it!”

[Googles it]

Nothing online.

[Searches for social media handles]

Nothing on social media.

[Searches for hashtags]

No hashtags.

“I’m good to go! Let’s do it!”

Starts wordpress blog.

I AM THE EARLIEST OCCURANCE OF THE “parTEA with me” PHRASE. Look for receipts, I check out. I don’t need to share them, I don’t need a trademark to tell me that, and I don’t even need to send Cease and Desist letters out. I know and THEY KNOW. And if you ever read “Unbound” by Tarana Burke, you will understand the gravity of what being the originator of something is. It may not be important to you, but it’s important to us. And it’s important for us to be recognized as such. Once that pen is lifted from the paper, once that finger is lifted from the keyboard- IT IS COPYRIGHTED AND BELONGS TO US. *Shout Out* to my old business partner who is in Intellectual Property. 😉

So in conclusion (clearing throat), “Original Creator” is all caps in all my posts because it is important to me to claim something I own.

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