Four-Year Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway!

Check it out, friends! I've reached my four-year blogoversary today! Whaaaaaaaat!

(I'm a Star Wars mood today. Unapologetic about it.)

Book blogging has changed my life. I started while I was halfway through my senior year of high school, and here I am, halfway through my senior year of undergrad/university. My final semester in college is coming up, and I'm scared, excited, and hopeful.

Blogging has been such a wonderful outlet for me, over the years. College is hard, but reading has always been something "there" for me. I could say the same about blogging. I've not missed a single day of posting on my blog in the last four years, and that is a privilege as much as it is hard work.

I'm so grateful to everyone who has had a hand in my blogging journey. There have been so many, some who have come and gone, some who have been there from the start, some who I've just met. I'm thankful for all of you. And I'm listing as many people as I can remember because I adore you all. You've inspired me, cheered me on, put up with me; know that I appreciate everything!

Pili, Carina, Liza, Erin, Sophia, Jessica, Nereyda, Nick, Cyra, Meredith, Katiria, Jessica, Jessica, Jana, Cookie, Grace, Eileen, Kel, Jess, Shannon, Anna, Rachel, Rachel, Jasprit, Heather, Aila, Aneeqah, Jaime, Jaime, Lily, Brooke, Lauren, Cyn, Zareena, Angela, Theresa, Keionda, Becky, Di, Lis, Steph, Teresa, Renee, Kristyn, Rachel, Zeee, Jess, Lisa, Amy, Danya, Carole, Genni, Julie, Genesis, Tammy, Lauren -- thank you for being there for me, in some capacity, during this year. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. <3

Publishers and publicists - there are so many of you that I had a chance to work with this year, and I am so grateful to all of you. Team Berkley, Sourcebooks Casa, Macmillan, Fierce Reads, Epic Reads, Penguin Teen, Griffin Teen, S&S, HarperTeen, Avon, Disney-Hyperion, Entangled, Tor, Random House, Forever Romance, SMP Romance, Loveswept, Kensington, Bloomsbury, Big Honcho Media, Barclay,  Inkslinger... I could go on and on. THANK YOU!

Authors - all fifty million of you - you are rockstars. Believe me, I'd be here for days if I started listing all of you. Thank you. Good luck with everything!

Traders - Raquel, Jennzah, Erin, Michelle, Leah, Ashley, Carrie, Maryssa, Danielle, Samantha, Fallon, Pam, Crys, Flo, Michelle, Jen, Ashley, Elle, Sondra, Alice, Tatiana, Casey, Carlotta, Leslie, Zulfa, Ariel, Liz, Angel, Rachel, Becky, and Tracy. Thank you for the successful trades throughout the year! And thanks to Rachel, for making my life by sending a certain book. HUGS!

Jamie, and Kaitlyn - thank you for organizing #TBTBSanta (Jamie), and being an amazing Santa (Kaitlyn). Kaitlyn, I loved everything, and appreciate all of the gifts!

Jaime, Rachel, Hannah, and Jamie (again) - thank you for all of your time with blog tours (and in Jamie's case, #TBTBSanta). Your hard work is much appreciated! I'm a grateful host, always.

Waterwitch Babes - Lou, Katrina, Charlene, Carine, Steph, Cat, Kim, Olivia, Maddie, Ale, and Shanna. Always a pleasure to work with you ladies! I'm really excited to have met Shanna in person this year. Maddie, thank you for the sweet holiday gift. 

Nick and Charlene - thank you for being wonderful, as always, but especially for making graphics for me at some point during the year. I have zero graphic arts skills, so your help is so appreciated!

And to everyone I forgot, because I'm human, as well as to all the people who are reading this, thank you. To everyone who has interacted with at some point, blog-related or not, thank you. Thank you thank you thank you.


As usual, be sure to check out my year-end blog stats post in two days. For now, I will move on to my giveaway!


Giveaway #1:

Win the six diverse/diversely written books above! Two are hardcovers, four are ARCs. All are 2016 publications with the exception of Allegedly, which publishes very soon, in January. Open internationally. Good luck!

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Giveaway #2:

Because I'm lazy - win a book of your choice! $17 USD maximum, open to any country to which The Book Depository ships. Check the Rafflecopter for terms/conditions. Good luck!

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Three-Year Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway!

Three years! I've been blogging for three years! *commence flailing*

(No minion gifs this year - sorry! They'd probably be Star Wars gifs anyway, hehe.)

Sometimes I can't believe I've been at this for so long. Sometimes I feel like I'm still a newbie, finding her way in a sea of voices. Sometimes I still feel like I'm finding my way.

Sometimes I feel lost. 

I spent a year (2011-2012) in the blogging world, following blogs (like Erica's and Gail's!) before I started my own blog in December 2012. I was a high school senior, just finished with college applications, tucking in for the long wait to March. 

My life has changed so much in these three years; I honestly feel like a completely different person, and yet, wholly the same. Nothing about these past three years have been easy - my college experience especially has been, well, challenging.

I have no idea who or where I would be without my blog, without the blogging community, without books and reading and escapism in the form of words on pages.

Thank you to everyone who has touched my life in some way. Everyone who has tweeted something to me, commented here, viewed a blog post, read a blog post, liked my reviews, followed me on Goodreads, entered a giveaway, put up with me. I have so much respect for people who deal with me! I'm sassy and opinionated and bold and not afraid to speak my mind. In books, people LOVE these types of heroines. In real life, people really appreciate my candid nature. On social media, it doesn't always come across as "sassy" or "opinionated" - but rather, possibly rude or flippant. Soooo, a special thanks to those who understand me, or maybe don't, but love/like/put up with me anyway.

(I'm slightly - very - stressed and anxiety-filled right now because I know I'll leave someone out but it's not my intention! I hope I don't hurt or offend anyone if I don't mention a name - I truly appreciate so many lovely people! Forgive me if I forget you - I DO appreciate you!)

Pili, Carina, Liza, Lily, Erin, Sophia, Jessica, Brooke, Lauren, Nereyda, Cyra, Danielle, Nick, Mary, Alexia, Aila, Fatima, Meredith, Katiria, Rita, Amber, Jessica, Jessica, Jessica, Sajda, Cookie, Grace, Eileen, Danielle, Sam, Kel, Juhina, Celeste, Andrea, Shannon, Anna, Gail, Rachel, Racquel, Heather, Nikki, Karina, Aneeqah, Jaime, Maura, Crys, Kaitlin, Cyn, Britt, Kristen, Steph, Kelly, Marilyn, Zareena, Jessi, Thais, Therin -- maybe it was one thing you tweeted to me, or a card or package that you sent to me, or a comment you posted on my blog. Constant comments, conversations on Twitter, Goodreads likes and comments, kind words - you all are amazing for a number of reasons, and I thank you all! Thank you for showing my blog or Twitter or Goodreads or ME support. It means the world to me!

Katie and Kelly -- my AMAZING Secret Santas this year! Katie spoiled me in #TBTBSanta and Kelly spoiled me in #SecretWitch. Thank you so much, both of you!

Lori, Lori, and Rachael -- thank you for your generosity! Recently you helped me track down those last three buttons and I am GRATEFUL! Lizzie, Skye, Kelli, Sondra, Jessica, Jen, Cyra, Brittany, Mary, Emma, Crystal, for successful trades throughout the year. You all are rockstars!

The three publicists at Avon, as well as the Avon Addicts -- I am so thankful to Avon for selecting me to be a round five participant! It is a privilege and honor. The Addicts are a lovely bunch, and the publicists are so kind and generous. Thank you!

Jaime, Rachel, Hannah, the folks at YA Reads and FFBC -- thank you all for being amazing tour organizers, and general LOVELY people! I adore all of you and working with you all is always super easy and fun. Thank you for all of your hard work! Also Jamie for being a fabulous human being, but also for organizing so many nice things like #TBTBSanta for so many years! Rockstar!

My Waterwitch Babes -- Lou, Gabi, Katrina, Charlene, Carine, Steph, Kaina, Kit, Kim, Olivia, Maddie, Ale, and Shanna. It has been an HONOR to get to know you all, work with you all, share love and excitement for Truthwitch together. I love all of you! And Nicola -- the Babes would not exist without you (or Sooz)! Thank you for all of your effort and enthusiasm! Another special thanks to Jess, who is an honorary Waterwitch - she and I have something special coming your way on January 7th. ;)

Susan Dennard - Empress Sooz, you are amazing. And so generous. I wish the world of success to you - Truthwitch is destined to be a successful book! 

All the amazing authors I got to meet at the Baltimore Book Festival this past September! I mentioned them all HERE - thank you for coming! Thank you for letting all of us book nerds fangirl all over you. I love you all!

Kathy MacMillan -- thank you for reaching out to me! I so enjoyed the opportunity to work with you and present (omg so exciting and nerve-wracking and exciting!), and I'm honored to know you, have met you, to have read (and loved!) Sword and Verse. I'll see you in a few weeks!

I could sit here and list a thousand and one authors who have done wonderful things with and for me, as well as fabulous authors who wrote amazing stories that touched my heart. Kimberley, Elissa, Melissa, Nicole, Lynne, Michelle, Christina, Emily (whose book The Accidental Movie Star was one of my first Kindle books I owned - and a favorite!) and all of the rest of the lovely authors who are amazing beyond words - thank you for being you! I'm honored to know you. 

Publishers and publicists too -- it's been an honor working with you all! I look forward to continue doing so in the future. Keep on rocking the publishing world!

And to everyone I forgot (because I sooo did - post-semester + holiday brain = holes in brain), as well as to all the people who are reading this, I adore you! I appreciate everything that you have said or done for or to me, and for putting up with me. Thank you to my parents, for housing my preciouses (my books!). Thank you God, for everything, especially for giving me a passion for reading (who even would I be if I didn't love reading?!). Thank you to everyone who has touched my life in some way - I am grateful!

I usually go through my stats but I also do that on my Dec. 31st post, so catch that in two days. For now, I will move on to my giveaway!

Winner picks two books. There will be one winner chosen from my blog, one chosen from Twitter (HERE). Feel free to enter both! The top row is hardcover, middle is ARC, bottom row is paperback. This is open internationally! Anyone can enter. Good luck! And THANK YOU!

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Two-Year Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway!

IT'S MY TWO-YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

Woohoo! Two years feels like a long time, and yet, no time at all. A lot has happened in two years, and in the last year specifically. 2014 and I have not agreed on most accounts, and I can safely say that it was my worst year yet, blogging/academics/personal/family/otherwise. But I really could not have made it through the year without so many incredible people, events, actions, gestures, kind words. As cliche as that sounds, it's so true.

(All gifs came from HERE.)

Like last year... I'd like to do my Grammys/Oscars/Academy Awards Thank You Speech. But first, let me share with you some blogging milestones/achievements that I have hit over the two years of blogging.

- 1100+ published posts

- 320,000 pageviews

- Nearly 5000 total blog followers

- Over 400 reviews published

- A new Facebook account - with over 2,400 fans

- Have not missed a day of posting... at all. Yet. Ever. 

People. Thank you all, every one of you, who followed my blog, viewed a post, commented, tweeted, pinned, posted, liked, favorited, etc. I see every interaction, and I respond to all of them, and I love them. I love you all. With such a demanding academic career, it's easy to see why blogging and reviewing and reading is so important to me - my escape. So, thank you all for being here.

My IRL peeps: my parents, my sister Lily, my friends at home, my friends from Hopkins (Nicole, Christina, Matthew, Bria, Sophia), my amazing roommates/friends Adrienne and Janay, my gilipollas boy (who caused me so much grief this year, but I had to include him here for certain reasons) ---- THANK YOU.

My blogging buddies: Pili, Danielle, Nikki, Liza, Kel, Carina, Jess, Jess, Jess, Kelly, Lili, Nereyda, Rachel, Rachel ---- you all are a pleasure to know, work with, chat with. Personally, I'm sorry for not making more of an effort to make my presence more known, beyond the blog! But you all are always here, or on Twitter, supporting me. *hugs* Special shout-out to my soccer-loving Twitter buddy and fellow engineer Juhina, and fellow tennis and soccer fan, Racquel! *squishes*

Specifically to Pili - we both had a difficult year, for very similar reasons. Every time I needed to talk, she was there. IS there. I know she has my back, regardless of the situation. There definitely were times when I needed here opinion and support, and she always delivered. Thank you! Words cannot express the gratitude! Different countries and time zones have nothing on our friendship! :)

To the authors, publishers, publicists, editors, reviewers, bloggers, booksellers, librarians, and anyone involved in the literary world - you all rock. And I like you a lot. I respect the heck out of anyone who devotes time and passion to something as simple yet crucial as reading. THANK YOU.

And finally... I'm cutting and pasting this from my post last year because it hasn't changed: thank you to all of you. Every single person clicked on a link to my blog, or read a review on my blog or Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or commented on my blog, or entered a giveaway, or tweeted at me, or retweeted my promotional tweets, or did SOMETHING for me... thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and hope that one day, your kind deeds will be repaid. Blogging is NEVER easy when you don't have an audience. And I may not be the most popular blogger out there, but I love all of you who read and support my blog. *huggles*

The Giveaway:

You've survived my speech! I think it was slightly shorter than last year's, but I hope it felt just as meaningful and sincere. 

So, for the giveaway prize. I have this giant box of ARCs. I have no idea how many ARCs there will be in this box - I'll just grab a box and fill it. Probably more than ten. This giveaway is open to ANYONE - USA, Canada, Bhutan, Venezuela, wherever. Void where prohibited and whatnot (see Rafflecopter for more terms and conditions).

Also, the lovely publicist at Disney-Hyperion has offered a couple of prizes! One winner will win one copy of The Darkest Minds, Never Fade, and In the Afterlight. Another winner will win one copy of Dark Metropolis, and one copy of The Ring and the Crown. Both prizes may involve a mix of finished hardcover and paperback copies. USA and Canada ONLY. USA and Canada residents may enter all three giveaways, if they so choose.

So, three winners total! The giant box of books is open to ANYONE, the next two giveaways open to USA and Canada residents ONLY. Which means that USA and Canada residents may enter ALL THREE giveaways. 

Read the GIVEAWAYS page and/or the Terms and Conditions in the Rafflecopter. Good luck! And THANK YOU!

Giveaway #1 - a giant box of books! (Open to anyone)

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Giveaway #2 - The Darkest Minds, Never Fade, and In the Afterlight (mix of HC and PB - open to USA/Canada)

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Giveaway #3 - Dark Metropolis and The Ring and the Crown (mix of HC and PB - open to USA/Canada)

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One-Year Blogoversary Celebration and Giveaway!

IT'S MY ONE-YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!










YAY! Can you believe it!? One year ago, I decided to switch from Webs to Blogger, and start blogging and reviewing for real. I've survived college applications, AP exams, moving out, starting a new life and school, FINALS WEEK... all while never missing a single day of blogging. All while so so so SO many people were supporting me, and my blog.





Before I do my Grammys/Oscars/Academy Awards Thank You Speech, let me share with you some blogging milestones/achievements that I have hit over this year of blogging:

- 600+ published posts
- 150,000 pageviews
- Nearly 3000 total blog followeres
- Almost 200 reviews published
- Harper, Harlequin, Harlequin TEEN auto-approval on Edelweiss
- Macmillan auto-approval on NetGalley
- My first requested ARCs from Disney, Amazon (Skyscape), Harlequin TEEN, Harper, Simon and Schuster, Scholastic, Penguin Teen, Macmillan (mailing list for Macmillan)
- Have not missed a day of posting... at all. Ever. 


Squee!


And, as with everything, there are some people that went the extra mile for me, that helped and supported me in so many ways, that gave my blog some love even when they were too busy with their own life, or that just rock.



Bloggers:

- Jess of Lovin Los Libros: it's funny, because we met because she started blogging and I gave some advice about blogging. Jess started blogging a few months after me, and even though I had only been blogging for a few months, she took my advice. She's a fabulous blogger now (though in no way can I take credit for that). She lets me borrow books, and she even went to a C.J. Redwine event, and bought and shipped to me a signed hardcover copy of Deception! WHO DOES THAT FOR RANDOM STRANGERS ON THE INTERNET?! Jess did. And I will never, ever forget it.

- Nereyda of Mostly YA Obsessed: if you all haven't heard of Nereyda or her blog, then you are MISSING OUT. Nereyda is flat-out talented. Her Book Looks posts are genius! And Nereyda is a blogger that is super dedicated. She let me borrow (and have) ARCs of hers! HUGGLES!

- The Team at The YA Bookcase: I've never met such a nice team of young adults who are wild about books! Most of the teens are younger than me, which is awesome because I love following their college admissions :D Shout out to Rachel and all the other seniors - you got this! And everyone, follow them on Twitter, because they like to give away pre-pub ARCs. Very, VERY pre-pub ARCs.

- Jessica of Step Into Fiction: I've never met this Maryland blogger, but she ROCKS! She's always commenting on my blog, or replying to my tweets on Twitter! And she sees and follows my Goodreads updates! SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT I KNOW THAT DOES THAT! :D

- Meredith of Pandora's Books: for letting me give her advice, whenever she asked questions. Meredith is about half my "blogging age", but she is already a terrific blogger. She's also a wonderful person. You need some nice in your day? Hit her up on Twitter :D

- Christina of Ensconced in Lit: this lady is a very successful blogger, and she is a fellow math/science nerd YAY! There are like, ZERO math/science bloggers out there, so when I find one, I get excited. Most of you all are teachers and English majors and whatnot. NOT that there is anything wrong with that. Anyway! Christina is fabulous, and she is writing a novel! She helped me with my first Twitter party, which was a huge success. I hope we can do that again sometime! :)

- Jessica of Read My Breath Away: my lovely Canadian friend! This girl is awesome. She's a fellow college student, so I feel extra bonded to her because she knows all about blogging and college and THE STRUGGLE OF STUDENT LOANS. Also, we both love historical fiction. *fist bumps*

- Alexis of Alexis Adores Books: another college blogger who is simply fantastic! I'm not sure when she started following me on Twitter, but she did, and she would always reply to my tweets. Shame on me for not following her sooner. The persistence pays off, Alexis! Thank you :)

- Rachel of Paper Cuts: a third college blogger! This girl is awesomesauce! I love commenting on her blog, because I know that she will always reply with a sassy and terrific and unique comment. Also, she is one of the few people that followed MY college admission process, and was excited with me when I got into JHU, and when I was moving in, and when finals week came around, and so on. Rock on, girl!

- Nikki of Fiction Freak: there's only one way to describe this girl: A GIANT BALL OF ENERGY :D Seriously though, Nikki is one of the most energetic and excitable bloggers I know. She and I both have an eye for detail and organization - something that I don't find often. I love knowing someone younger than me, even if she has over a year of blogging and experience on me. More power to her!

- Eileen of Singing and Reading in the Rain: this girl was one of two bloggers that answered the like, two questions I had when I started my blog. The other was Annabelle of Sparkles and Lightning. I was shy and didn't ask much, but both ladies did not hesitate to answer my questions and help me. *squishes*

- Hannah of The Irish Banana: HANNAH BANANA IS SO NICE! I *finally* met her (and Jen) at the Baltimore Book Festival this year. Hannah gave me books! And hugs! She's an incredible person and a wonderful blogger - check out her ARC Essentials posts sometime!

- Jen of Jenuine Cupcakes: CUPCAKES. That is all you need to know ;D But in all seriousness, Jen is one of the kindest bloggers I know. All that time and money and effort she spends making cupcakes is much appreciated! And somehow, she STILL has time to blog, do YABC editor things, and have a family. Rock on, lady!

Authors:

- Paula Stokes/Fiona Paul: this lady is probably one of my favorite authors out there, and it has very little to do with me loving her books. Granted, I DO love her books. But I didn't love Venom, Fiona's debut. In my review, I kind of ripped apart the book. BUT. Fiona read my review, and contacted me personally to tell me that she saw some of the things I pointed out, and thanked me for reading and reviewing. She sent me the first ARC of Starling, and I believe I was the first blogger reviewer. You bet I felt special. Anyway, my point is, Fiona/Paula didn't just get mad about my review and shun me. She thanked me for the review AND enlisted my help with the third book. That's incredible, people. I don't know many (if any at all) authors that would do that.

- Livia Blackburne: my favorite debut author of 2014! No offense to the authors. I've been squeeing over Midnight Thief for many, many long months (way early this year). I've also being squeeing over Livia herself, because she is like, my role model. She went to Harvard and MIT, she studied neuroscience, and she writes fantasy novels. I'm going to Johns Hopkins, I'm studying environmental engineering, and I would love to write fantasy books. Score! Plus, she sent me her novella, Poison Dance, and I believe I was the first blogger reviewer to read and review it. Special feels!

- Kathleen Peacock: she's putting my name in the acknowledgements of Hemlock book three. Because I recommended Radioactive (Imagine Dragons). WOW! That's so nice, right?! Also, I believe I won the first ARC of Thornhill, from Kathleen. I was NOT the first blogger reviewer, but hey, I read and reviewed the book eventually! :D

- Amy Butler Greenfield: AMY IS SO SUPER SWEET! I feel like I bug her a lot about Chantress and things, but she takes it all in stride. *thumbs up*

- Patty Blount: one of the nicest authors I know! Her books are definitely under appreciated - meaning, I think more people should read her books. Tough issues, real characters, beautiful writing. She let me beta-read TMI last year around this time! I was supposed to beta-read Some Boys around this time as well... I can't even come up with a good excuse for not reading it. Finals, maybe? Mushy brain? Shoot. ***EDIT: she sent me the final version and I read it and OMG NOBODY MISS THIS BOOK IT IS AMAZING!!!***

- Ellen Oh: she is a Maryland author! WOOHOO! Also, Ellen crossed all of her fingers and toes and joints for me on Regular Decision Day (March 28th). When I told her I didn't get into UPenn, she was like, there is still your Hopkins decision! And then I got into Hopkins, and she was so proud of me. LOVE YOU, LADY!

- Sara Walsh: another Maryland blogger, and a lovely person! When The Dark Light was released, I believe I won a signed copy from her. I was totally going for a poster, but a signed book is great too! But I had been entering so many poster contests, and I didn't win any, and Sara saw this. She saw just how much I wanted one, and you know what she did? She contacted me personally, and sent me not only a giant poster, but a mini-sized poster as well. *dies* SO NICE! I'll never forget that kindness done to me - it made me tear up. And Sara has worked with me here on the blog before, and she is a joy to work with. Seriously, there is no one cooler than Sara!

- J.R. Johansson: one of my favorite debut authors of 2013! She's a Friday the Thirteener (my favorite thirteen debut authors of 2013), and she is fantastic! I won a prize package that included her book, and I read and LOVED Insomnia. Apparently, I gushed over it so much, Jen remembered this, and enlisted me to help reveal the cover of Paranoia (which was revealed on only a select few blogs)! I was touched, because try as I might, I never get to do exclusive (or semi-exclusive) cover reveals! Just group ones. So, thank you, Jen!

- Maurissa Guibord: this lady is sweet and oh-so talented! I LOVED her 2011 release, Warped, and when I found out that she had another book coming out in 2013 (Revel), I was all over the promotion for that book. I contacted Maurissa, and she worked with me on a post and giveaway on my blog. She is so giving and inspiring - I really appreciate her :)


And finally... all of you. Every single person clicked on a link to my blog, or read a review on my blog or Goodreads or Amazon or Barnes & Noble, or commented on my blog, or entered a giveaway, or tweeted at me, or retweeted my promotional tweets, or did SOMETHING for me... thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, and hope that one day, your kind deeds will be repaid. Blogging is NEVER easy when you don't have an audience. And I may not be the most popular blogger out there, but I love all of you who read and support my blog. *huggles*

The Giveaway:

You've survived my Thank You speech! Not too bad, right?! ;D

Anyway, the giveaway prize is a giant box of finished copies of books, or a giant box of ARCs. The finished copies box has about 20-30 books in it, and the ARCs box has around 20 books in it. Most of the ARCs are recent.

Two winners, INT welcome! Read the GIVEAWAYS page and/or the Terms and Conditions in the Rafflecopter. Good luck! And THANK YOU!

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