Two years of fantastic experiences: Second anniversary of the consular and public diplomacies blog.

This week I am celebrating the second anniversary of the start of this blog. The experience has been fantastic for various reasons.
 
For starters, it has forced me to read and think about many issues that otherwise might have gone unnoticed, from SEO optimization strategies to the decolonization of the study of IR.
 
It has also opened new and exciting opportunities, from posting in the Center of Public Diplomacy blog to communicating with some great thinkers about these topics. It also let me reconnect and become part of a great institution: The DiploFoundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
 
It also encouraged me to be part of a professional organization, the International Studies Association. Being part of it has been an enriching experience, and I was able to present two papers at its 63rd Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in March. The opportunity to meet Paul Sharp and Iver Neumann was well worth the trip to the indescribable hotel that hosted the event.
 
Even the way I travel has changed since I started blogging because now, I am a lot more aware of the history of the places I visit and how they relate to the history of diplomacy and international relations.
 
It has also sharpened my writing skills and thought processes, helping to prepare better for my lectures. I just started a course to learn how to read French, so I can expand my sources, as there are a lot of works on consular institution history in that language.
 
The blog is also a great way to quickly find different works online. It has become my digital reference tool, although I am now learning to use Zotero.
 
I am aware I have not posted new entries, but I have been reviewing an article for possible publication and working on my first ever book review! I also have at least seven posts in the works that should come out shortly.
 
And now, I ask the readers: 
 
How has this blog helped you?
 
Let me know in the comments section.

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