This Abundance Blog may be just the thing to turn those hopes into reality.

The blog has a pretty promising motto: creativity + simplicity + productivity = abundance. It is all about self-empowerment, and Marisa (who runs it) provides numerous resources.

The entries are usually composed of an article on something that is holding people back from claiming true abundance and prosperity. It could be a guilt complex, or even a lack of awareness about an important tool (for example, she did an entry on using blogs for marketing a product). So this is not just a feel-good, think-yourself-rich kind of approach to self-improvement. There are actual facts and strategies to help people gain more control of their lives, their business, their emotions, and their attitudes. Some articles are even followed by a list of recommended resources or links to related articles.

The entries show a good variety of topics that show a multi-disciplinary approach to abundance and prosperity. For example, there is an article on developing creativity by tapping the power of the right brain, while another tackles time management and how to get more done with less energy.

This blog will appeal to those who are into positive thinking as well as those who are skeptical about “thinking your way to a better life” and want more concrete, practical approaches.

In fact, many dads want to be great parents and are proud to take it on as their number-one job. This blog, Daddy Dialectic is one example of that movement. They say it themselves, on their blog mission statement: “Daddy Dialectic is a group blog by and about dads who embrace caregiving and egalitarian relationships, a definition of fatherhood that we believe is more in tune with the landscape of 21st Century America.”

The blog started as a journal by Jeremy, who decided to be a stay-at-home dad. Now it has several contributors, whose posts show the different aspects of parenting.

The blog features interesting video clips, tips on child rearing, as well as personal reflections and anecdotes. There is a good mix of short entries (if you’re in the mood for a quick and easy read) and longer, more introspective essays to tug at the heart strings or share a Daddy moment.

The blog also fills the gap. Many parenting sites and blogs cater to the mothers, who have a strong internet community and can easily find other women to connect to. Dads, on the other hand, often wonder who they can talk to about parenting — it’s not really common for guys to hang around the water cooler, talking about diapers and a son’s first steps. At least this blog gives them a chance to find another guy who “gets” it.

The blog was listed in an article on the 10 best Asian food blogs. It combines pretty good photography with links to recipes, allowing followers to try out a wide array of flavors right in their own kitchen.

The blog helps people discover there is more to Asian food than the typical sushi or chow mein noodles. The selections are diverse. From appetizers to desserts, from well known classics to Burmese specialties you’d never find in your usual takeout menu.

The writing won’t win awards but it does show a knowledge of Asian cuisine and an appreciation for the variety of influences. Some posts also show how traditional dishes have evolved, incorporating the ingredients and cooking techniques of other cultures. There are also examples of fusion cuisine.

The best part of the blog is the recipe links, which allow anyone to recreate the dishes in their kitchen — especially since many of the dishes will not be found in restaurants.

Obviously, the blogger has a mission to introduce Asian food to the world, and puts quite a bit of effort into selecting not just a variety of dishes but also those that may appeal to a wider audience.

The photos are quite pretty — a visual feast indeed. The food styling looks quite modern and break away from the typical Asian food presentation of ornate Chinese plates (or styrofoam takeout boxes).

This blog, Post Secret, invites people to mail in any secret on the back of a postcard. It allows you to stay anonymous, and yet still have the “release” of being able to share your secret with millions of people all over the world.

The postcards are often beautifully decorated and handmade, using collage or digital art, and carry a few lines describing their secret. All in all, there’s a voyeuristic pleasure in scanning the entries, and in some moments, nodding your head and saying, “I’ve done that” or “I can relate to that.”

Some entries are heartbreaking,and make you pause to think about the stranger who — across the world — is carrying this heavy weight. Somehow you know something about him or her that even a best friend or family member may not know.

The blog certainly is unique, and has struck a chord with a lot of people. The postcards come from all over the world, and the entries show a wide demographic. Some look like they’re teens; others mention that they’re in their 60’s. There are people who are obviously in some existential crisis, others are content to rave about a movie or a new pair of shoes.

It is enjoyable to wade through the entries and peek into the hidden lives of strangers. Wanna know a secret? Wanna share one?

In this blog, ‘Skine Art’ you will see some of the works made by Moleskine fans all over the world. It’s pretty amazing. The posts, showcasing work submitted by different artists — both professionals and hobbyists — represent an amazing variety of styles and themes.

There are stunning examples of pen and ink illustrations, as well as watercolors and even mixed media and collage. Some also bravely include pages that contain excerpts of painfully honest journal entries.

In a way, this blog invites everyone to be a voyeur into the private thoughts and the creative visions of people around the world. Don’t go there with a critic’s eye, because this is no gallery of artists who claim they are the best. Rather, it is a sharing of a passion for paper and creative freedom.

At the very least, it will inspire even non-Moleskine fans to explore the possibilities of what happens when good paper, good ideas, and a freshly sharpened pencil can do. Of course, not everyone will be able to produce such masterpieces, especially on a first try.

But it’s not about being Leonardo Da Vinci (or “that guy who can draw”). It’s about being yourself — and recording some of that in a journal. Maybe it’ll be a Moleskine, or a regular notebook. In any case, the most extraordinary thing is discovering the artist in yourself.

The fact is, holiday travel is harrowing, expensive, and usually uncomfortable. And if you’ve got a horror story or would like to find out how to avoid one, visit Travel Rants. It’s got information on the airline industry, showing that some travel companies clearly have bigger problems than bad in-flight movies. Aside from that, it has tips on how to cope with the most common traveler’s woes. For example, there’s an article on facing the fear of flying, and another on dealing with jetlag. You can also find advice on how to efficiently pack a suitcase, plus an introduction to travel insurance. The site also has links to travel blogs and hotel blogs. There’s a good variety of topics, and the travel news is certainly useful for someone who spends a lot of time jet-setting, whether for business or for pleasure.

The site is not a consumer activist group. You can’t, for example, start your campaign against rude and obnoxious flight attendants here, or post your complaint about your luggage getting lost or getting stranded in some airport. But it does confront the “not-so-pleasant” side of travel that those airline commercials and travel agency brochures usually leave out. It is disconcerting how the commercials set you up for deep disappointment.

You either love Martha Stewart or you hate her. Those who love her will enjoy visiting her blog. But wait — Martha, blogging?. Martha, the great domestic goddess who still makes cakes from scratch and gasps at the idea of using canned chicken broth, actually embracing the Internet? She always seemed more like the type who’d make handwritten notes on personalized cards, rather than a “type post, click publish” type of gal.

And yes, you’re right. The blog isn’t actually done by Martha, but an avid fan dedicated to “studying the Martha brand.” And when we say “studying” we mean it. Aside from posting Martha inspirations — recipes and ideas, and all “good things” as she calls it — it has long and thoroughly researched analyses on the magazine, Martha Stewart Living. For example, there is a long post on the sections that were changed in the year, the best and worst articles, the best and worst covers, and commentaries on editorial decisions that would escape a less dedicated fan.

This blog is the perfect place for people who are fascinated by Martha Stewart as an icon and entrepreneur. For the ideas themselves, go to the official website, But to dig deep into her brain, or at least imagine how a domestic genius works, this blog may be a good starting point.

Pepakura is a paper craft where one creates three dimensional figures from paper. It’s a bit like origami, but unlike the ancient Japanese art of paper art, the figures are not representational. Pepakura figures look like the real thing. If you create a bear, it’s a bear that you’ll see. Pepakura figures can be made by downloading sheets that already contain the figures that you need to cut out and then paste. It’s deceptively simple. But there’s a level of mastery needed to make really beautiful figures. The figures you can make can range from animals, to bikes to spaceships. I’m even making a Millennium Falcon pepakura figure.

I’ve been watching wrestling shows since I was a kid. I’ve grown with its presence, from the time when I thought everything I was seeing was real, up to now that I am an adult and I’ve found a renewed respect for these athletes who punish their bodies day in, day out.

If you’re a wrestling fan like me then one of the best resources for news that’s happening in the wrestling world is the Pro Wrestling Torch. It’s a webb site dedicated to pro wrestling news. Just like a fanzine, it contains news articles on what’s happening in different pro wrestling companies. You’ll find news on the WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor and other promotions. There are some interesting columns from wrestling experts, too. A bit of a downside is that some cool content is only available through subscription so if you’re not inclined to shell out some dollars, you won’t be able to read it. But the free sections are already worthy of a visit, and, in my opinion, a permanent place in your bookmarks folder.

One web site that can help parents is kididdles.com. It’s a web site that is filled one activity most kids love — singing. The site contains a lot of children’s songs that children can listen to. Each song has its own page, which already contains the lyrics. The songs are actually in Midi format so don’t expect any kind of high production quality here. You can play the MIDI file while your children sing so they can accompany the music, just like karaoke.

Kididdles is thoughtful enough to allow parents to print the lyric sheets and music sheets so that the kids can sing and memorize the lyrics without having to go online. They actually encourage parents to get a binder where they can put all of the printed music sheets, which they can give to their kids.

This is a great site for parents and children alike.