Trips, celebrations and see-sawing emotions

There's a lot of celebrations among our kabloggers in Asia. First, congratulations to Tokyo-based Caryn Paredes of Sari-Saring Kulay for a new baby boy ("Rui Sebastian Santillan aka P-Chan")! Ryheanne of South Korea went Japanese to celebrate her hubby's birthday. Rey Asis too is celebrating the win of Gabriela in Hongkong, by a large margin! Bechay of Buhay sa Korea is ecstatic about the forthcoming 2010 World Cup in Korea. Sardonyx of Hulascoop is relocating to Seattle, Washington soon, and hopes that she'd be unlike Meg Ryan: sleepless. Phil of Wits and Spirits is excited about the opening of classes in Thailand. He will be handling 11 classes this schoolyear! That's 600 Thai kids to teach! He says it's inspiring; I say it's nerve-wracking.

There are a few who let us into a various trips: Reanaclaire of Malaysia venturing Cameron Highlands; Coffeeveggie Addict of Taiwan took some wonderful photos of Cheng Ching Lake; Josiet of Mumsified takes you to a seaside restaurant in Cambodia, her and her hubby's fave hangout with his hubby (oh, and she also proudly shows us her own design of a Swarovski necklace); Maris of Style Shanghai takes us on a tour inside the Shanghai Expo; Sreisaat of Cambodia takes you to her roadtrip to Kep; after a second try, PinkAddict finally had a chance to try a breakfast at Pink Sage Diner (she had banana pancakes and hazelnut coffee).

And true to this month's theme, I also learned a lot from some of our Asia-based kabloggers. For instance, I didn't know that Mimi of Sleepless in KL dreamt of becoming a doctor and almost made it in fact! Read her heartwarming article. Japan-based Mommy Ek's 146th post is simply profound! It reads: You can't control what you feel, only what you think. Once you learn how to control how you think, your feelings will follow. Ever heard of "rhetorical sensitivity" Well, Earvin of Rated E in Brunei explains it to us and advises that we should apply it when writing stuffs about ourselves. Roanne of Macao (The Journey of the Prodigal Daughter) honors the three OFWs in her life: her hairstylist, her masseuse, and her househelp. Her writing is simply touching.

Our other kabloggers are in see-saw of emotions. MommaWannabe of Singapore is on her 11th week now and she feels quite bored already. Hold on, friend. A few more months and there'll already be a bundle of joy for your family. Gasoline Dude of Singapore fell in love (again!) and is nursing a heartache (again!), thus "ayoko munang makipag-date kahit kanino", says he. Hmmm, I'll give you....three weeks? Scofield Jr of Singapore warns us of red horse because 'naninipa yan!', thus his advice: drink in moderation. Kikomatching is down but hopeful as writes about the recent event in Bangkok which put the city 'in shambles'. Zen Bitchin' of Cambodia reviews A Single Man, the movie. Saw the movie myself and I totally agree with what he said. Amidst her gigs, Jenny Santiago of Vietnam writes about and expresses her hate of the inhumane practice of sharkfinning. And all I can say to Carnation of Thailand is ditto! as she asks what can Globe do with crimes committed through their cell phone system.

► Read Kablogs Journal's previous roundups on Asian kabloggers.

Ecclesiastes 3

Ecclesiastes 3. That simply rounds up the site contents of our Asian Kablogers.

There's birth...

Caryn Paredes and Mommy Wannabee are both expecting moms. The Kablogs wish them well!

and then there's...

Janis of Singapore just lost her 'inang' (her paternal grandma) and J Alvaran of Deep Drains remembers the victims of the Yushu Quake victims in China. Our prayers...

A time to teach...to show and tell

Josiet of Mumsified featured her three-year old son EJ whose letter 'W' cutely sounded like 'Dubyaah' while for Hyannej, the best gift to give a child is the wisdom of saving. Meanwhile, Pink Addict teaches us the Japanese restaurants to go to while in Korea, while Sreisaat of Cambodia shows us what a cyclo vehicle is and Blue Purple Lily, the 2009 World Games Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Rey Asis' photo showed us kababayans in Hongkong having a grand time during the OAV (his other election-related photo was so creatively apt for this issue that we requested the use of it). How about Q of China new red shoes? Kakaiba talaga.

A time to remember...

If Bechay of Buhay sa Korea reminded her of her childhood in Angeles City the sight of a truck carrying native crafts, for Mimi of Sleepless in KL, it's the taste of our native bibingka.

A time to return...

MindDeth of Singapore has just returned from leave and she has beautiful pasalubong for all of us. I wish we could invite her to contribute soon in this journal. Gasoline Dude of Singapore returned to...to blogging; and explains why his temporary absence -- work, friends, heartache (not necessarily in that order). Ditto Scofield Jr who's 'addiction' to Facebook (who isn't nowadays?) lets him forget about blogging. He's so into FB that he even taught us tip on how not to get caught in the office while blogging and FB-ing.

A time of ruminate about life...

Kikomatching of Thailand had a heartwarming post about their recent office outreach visit to an AID's facility in Thailand. He also encourages us to do outreach programs for the poor and the needy. Meanwhile, Carnation of Thailand talks about the hope that Easter brings writing "...as long as we hold on to His hands, we are safe and secure." Amen to both. And yes, Bing of Gumamela sa Paraiso is being 'keso' as she narrates a new episode in her 'love' life, while Mommy EK of Japan is being profound writing on 118th day of 2010 this line: We're one mistake for being together...but let's not ask why it's not right. Ervin surely had a spiritual time meditating inside the Our Lady of Penafrancia Church in Bicol while Sardonyx is once again having a laugh at kitkat saying: May mga bagay na pare-pareho, pero iba-iba (katulad ni kitkat di ba?).

A time to sing...

Reana Claire sings praise songs to God while Roanne of Macao introduces us to Dong Abay's Perpekto which I thought sounded like Banyuhay. Oh yes, Jenny Santiago of Vietnam does Lady Gaga. Cool! Caprichosa should be singing too this month as she enjoys her salary bonus. Swerte.

A time to choose...

So Joey and Vic are pro-Noynoy, huh?! Learned it from Chronicle of Kotseng Kuba of China. Meanwhile Phil Saraspe is thinking if he should care about the political issues in Thailand, his country of residence. I think we should.

A time to dream...

Mari is thinking of having a Barby-motiffed room (but instead of pink, purple!) while Anna of Singapore (who just got married, by the way...congrats!) shares her dream of owning an IPAD.

And a time to make dreams come true.

LordCM of Palau proudly adverts about makng The Kablogs Journal a reality.

There is indeed a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.

(We are still looking for a contributing editor for Asia who can round-up the writings of our Asia-based Kablogers. Please email us if you're interested. It is an exciting work, and admittedly, while I was visiting these blogs (some, for the first time), I can't help but be amazed at their work. Truly, a wonderful experience getting to know them. I'd surely be coming back to read them all! - Nebz).