At the end of 2016, I started my YouTube channel and named it #ProjectALIFWIN (Acting Like I’m Famous When I’m Not - “because why do I need to wait til I’m famous to do things I enjoy, like take wannabe model pics and make vids?”), and had so much fun creating silly videos about my outfits, hair, random attempts in the kitchen. Through the years, I learned and I grew, and my content did as well (on both YouTube and IG @katrinastacie). I’m still not famous (but that was never the goal), but sometimes I have pinch me moments like this. A couple of months ago, I received a message from a subscriber, @kexinznzn (Lulu). She said she’d been following me since 2020 and would love to invite me as a guest on her podcast, @dedicatedfm. I was nervous (never been on a podcast before!!), but also so excited and grateful for the opportunity. But what shocked me most was how much she knew about me (in a not creepy way lol). Through my content, she truly understood my values, my personality, my education/career timeline, my culture—she really did not miss a beat, and there were times where I felt like she knew more about me than some of my friends. To be introduced as one of her favorite YouTubers and as one of the inspirations that led her to start her journey with content creation was absolutely surreal. She even said that when she found out I quit my teaching job, she felt like it was watching her favorite YouTube couple break up 🤣🥲 I can’t believe the ways in which #ProjectALIFWIN has evolved over the years, and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities and connections that have come thanks to my little hobby/passion project/side hustle. And I want to thank YOU for being part of my journey 🥹💛 If you’d like to listen to me dive into topics like: teaching/why I quit my job, going back and teaching ethnic studies, growing up as a child of Chinese-Vietnamese immigrants in the SGV, my thoughts on my own YouTube content and journey, and how social media has changed my life.. thank you. It’s in the link in bio 🎙 thank you to those of you who already listened! I’d love to hear your thoughts 🥹