Ask Sisi Q&A: Where have I been? Future of HouseofTheRisingSun?

Hey guys long time no chat! I have pretty much started the last couple of posts with this intro and there aren't enough words to tell you guys how sorry I am for being so MIA. So today I wanted to give you guys an update on where I have been and the future of this blog.

So where have I been? Unfortunately I did not have a summer this year. I had to continue my classes throughout the summer due to the first part of the internship that is required in my program. I was at my internship for about 20 + hours a week including a weekend. Along with my internship I had to take the class that went along with it as well as another online class. The online class was a little more than I bargained for because we had a huge project that required group work and meetings in person. But it wasn't just school. As most of you probably know if you read my last blog post, House of the Rising Sun Social Media Consulting services has been undergoing some changes and had to shut down for about 3 months. I will do a separate post on the changes.

Now with the fall semester about to start where does that leave this blog? In all honesty with everything that has been going on between school and work blogging is just currently not one of my top priorities at the moment. But it does not mean that I don't love blogging and want to stop. For those of you who are in school or were in school and those of you who know what it is like to start and run your own business you guys know how hard it can be doing that while trying to have a personal life as well. In terms of the future of this blog, I will not stop writing but I can't promise consistent posts. Hopefully one day when I am finally done with school and get all my business issues sorted out I can be more attentive and more deserving of you guys. In the meantime thank you all for the continuous support and love!

UPDATE and Weekly Playlist 4/18/16

Hey guys long time no "see". Once again I apologize for being so M.I.A lately on here. If you have been following me for awhile you guys know that I am currently working part time as a social media consultant as well as going to school full time to get my masters in rehabilitation and mental health counseling. And trust me when I say that I am not trying to make any excuses here, my schedule right now is just all over the place but bear with me as I will try to get better especially with summer rapidly approaching. I want to thank those who have stuck around and continue to give me your love and support. There are no words to express how much I appreciate and love you all. If you guys want to keep updated on my life please follow me on Instagram (szhao91) and Twitter (@TheRisingSunxo). I post on both pretty often. 

Now here is a little weekly playlist for you guys! I hope you enjoy! 
xoxo Si 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

All of these songs are also available through Spotify

I like to make my playlists on YouTube so everyone can have access to them. 

1.) Heart Attack (Snakehips remix)

Flight Facilities Owl Eyes

2.) Be Great-Intro

Kevin Ross Chaz French

3.) Gangsta

Kat Dahlia

4.) Habits of My Heart

Jaymes Young

5.) Unwell (Matchbox 20 cover)

Leo Mancini

6.) Never Forget You

Zara Larsson MNEK

7.) Super Hero

Lunafly

8.) Your Love is a Song

Switchfoot

9.) Untitled 08

Kendrick Lamar

10.) One Dance

Drake, Wizkid, Kyla 

Si's Life: Getting To Know ME FAQs

I have been receiving some emails lately asking me to share a little more about myself and what exactly I do outside of this blog. So I decided to take the most FAQs and put it into one post. 

1.) How old are you?

I turned 24 this past June

2.) Are you still in school and if so what are you studying?

Yes, I am currently a full time graduate student pursuing a Master's of Arts degree in Rehab & Mental Health Counseling 

3.) Do you work?

Yes, outside of this blog I am a freelance social media consultant. I don't work for one specific company (I used to) but rather take on clients privately.

4.) What is your future career goal?

I want to specialize in transplant/trauma care.

5.) Do you have any pets?

Currently I have a turtle, a couple of chickens and one duck

6.) Do you have any siblings?

Yes, a little sister and little brother

7.) What do you like to blog the most about?

Definitely beauty products, it is what started this blog and has been a passion ever since I was a little girl

I hoped you guys enjoyed this little Q&A! I will definitely do more in the future. Please continue to send me more questions! 

XOXO,

Si 

Si's Life: GET TO KNOW ME 50 RANDOM FACTS

50 RANDOM FACTS

I wanted to take a little break from my beauty reviews and try something new. I wasn't very sure what I wanted to blog about so I went on YouTube to try to find some inspiration. I came across a couple of random fact videos which surprisingly I really enjoyed watching. So I thought why not do a blog post version of it? So here goes! 

1. I have an unhealthy obsession with pandas, llamas and alpacas.

2. If my career path doesn't work out as planned I am going to move to Peru and become a llama farmer.

3. I think doughnuts so be their own food group.

4. I am bilingual. I speak both Mandarin and English fluently English being my second language.

5. I have been 4'11 since high school (I am 23 years old right now)

6. I am missing a bone in each pinky which allows me to bend it really far back and gross people out.

7. I like to eat blueberry muffins with bacon 

8. I hate eating raw blueberries and only like them in muffins and yogurts.

9. I apparently have serious facial expressions which people misinterpret as anger.

10. I once finished a whole pack of colored Goldfish crackers in less than a hour.

11. I love to cook.

12. My chili is out of this world.

13. I am a very fast reader.

14. Netflix is my one true love and no one can really compete against it.

15. I have 4 kidneys, 3 non-functioning and 1 functioning.

16. If I am really hungry I can eat about 5 times my size.

17. With all the makeup I have accumulated over the years I could probably open up my own department store.

18. I own over 30 pairs of jeans.

19. I love high top sneakers.

20. Chachi Mama sweatpants are probably one of the best things ever invented.

21. Over the last year or so I begun to hate pants so I have been wearing leggings almost everyday. 

22. Despite living in Florida for over 10 years I still hate the weather.

23. My favorite food is fried rice.

24. The only time I really eat salmon is when my mom makes it with kewpie mayo which sounds disgusting but is actually delicious.

25. I am Chinese.

26. I think stupidity is contagious.

27. I don't mind spiders but snakes ugh...

28. Growing up I had many interesting pets like giant bullfrogs, tarantulas, a crow, and even grasshoppers,

29. When I was little my best friend was a big white fluffy chicken whom I raised from the egg.

30. On my fourth birthday my chicken friend disappeared. Later that night my grandmother made chicken for dinner. 

31. I loved Grey's Anatomy so much that I finished 10 seasons in less than 2 months.

32. Sometimes I pretend I'm Kevin Spacey's character in House of Cards.

33. While most people love Olivia Pope on Scandal I think she is a whiny little B****. I don't think she is badass at all her job is but not her.

34. I only listen to Taylor Swift songs when other artists sing them.

35. I managed to solve most of the crime on Law and Order: SVU before the episode ends.

36. I have really bad luck with cell phones. One was ran over by a car and another one flew out of my hand when a skateboarder ran into me. 

37. I always intended on being a lawyer but when registering for my major my college messed up and I ended up with psychology instead of English. It was the best mistake of my life. I am currently pursuing a MA degree in Rehab Counseling. 

38. I can eat spicy tunas like no other.

39. I have terrible allergies when I am in the States however as soon as I go back to China my allergies disappear.

40. I have great relationships with many of my former grade school and high school teachers. They are some of the best people I have ever met.

41. I think it is cool when British people lose their accents when they sing.

42. I am a HUGE TV junkie.

43. My Chinese food cooking skills need a little work.

44. My grandmother is the most important person in my life. 

45. I will never get tired reading the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

46. Jerry Springer lives about 20 minutes away from the home I grew up in.

47. My whole life (school, work etc.) revolves around the computer.

48. I collect purses and t-shirts from all around the world.

49. Despite living in Florida I hate the beach.

50. I often have eating competitions with my 10 year old little brother who weighs 5 more pounds than I do. I am 110 pounds. He usually wins. 

Beauty Blogger Tag

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

I been blogging on and off for years sometimes for myself as an outlet and sometimes for companies who want a review of their products. However recently with everything going on in my life, I find blogging has become my therapist. It helps me relax and not worry so much.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

This is a really hard one and honestly I couldn't just choose one so here are my top favorite bloggers of all time

Kandee Johnson (I follow both her personal as well as beauty blog)

Link to her personal blog

Link to her beauty blog

Laura Farrant from Buy Now Blog Later

Christine Mielke from Temptalia

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

The first blogosphere hyped about product I bought was the Urban Decay Naked 1 palette. It was DEFINITELY worth the hype. It has all the neutral colors that a girl will ever need!

What are your favorite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

1.) I get to talk about makeup as much as I want 2.) I have an excuse to play with makeup whenever and wherever I want 3.) I get to connect with people all around the world 4.) Lets out my creative side 5.) Help others

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

Beauty is skin deep and doesn't come from the products but rather within yourself. The products out there only enhance your natural beauty.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

Yes, I am definitely more precise when it comes to application and don't just slab it on anymore.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

Relax and enjoy! Being a beauty blogger is probably one of the funniest jobs ever however it does come with its downs. There will be many haters out there that will judge you and berate you. Never let them get to you they are not worth it one bit.

Name your top five brands!

Top 5 Makeup Brands

1.) Tarte

2.) Maybelline

3.) Nars

4.) NYX

5.) Benefit

Top 5 Skin Care Brands

1.) Peter Thomas Roth

2.) Neutrogena

3.) Clinique

4.) Clean and Clear

5.) Murad

Recommend your top five favorite beauty products!

Makeup Recommendations

1.) Maybelline Color Tattos (These are a great dupe to MAC paint pots but so much cheaper and they also work better!)

2.) Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation (Super lightweight with just enough coverage. One of the best foundations ever!!!)

3.) Jordana Eyebrow Pencils (So affordable and works just as well as any high end eyebrow pencil)

4.) YSL Baby Doll Mascara (Gives even the thinnest and tiny lashes so much length and volume. Plus it smells like flowers!)

5.) Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (Awesome setting powder that gets rid of shine and helps set your makeup)

Skincare Recommendations

1.) Murad Hydrodyamnic Moisturizer (Super moisturizing and great for all skin types)

2.) Clean and Clear Toners (These come in many different types to accommodate different skin types and works so well in cleaning and toning your skin.)

3.) Clinique Acne Clearing Gel (Great acne treatment that can be used under makeup)

4.) Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (Simple and easy to take off your makeup or just use as a refresher)

5.) Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream (Depuffs and gets rid of dark under eye circles)