The Pink Tarha For You 2/2

It's been a hiatus of two months and up to now, I don't know how to restart writing. There'sTa huge writing block boulder on my path. Maybe I need an iMac. Haha! Okay, what's the connection?! that's a running joke between my friends and I. When I was thinking of The Pink Tarha Mornings, the ideas in my head won't come out... until I got my hands on a Macbook Air (which I've been using since then). I got really productive thus The Pink Tarha Mornings happened. So now, when I got back in Riyadh after a two-month stay in the Philippines, I had a feeling I wanted an iMac. So maybe I need an iMac to recharge my creative side. What an expensive whim. Impossible too since I'm broke. LOL!

Anyway, I owe you a lot of restaurant features and how-to guides. But I need some inspiration right now before I can even begin writing those. So, I look back at the beautiful feedback some of our readers gave The Pink Tarha during our fifth anniversary celebration. You've read the what the winners have to say (with a funny feedback from by brother too) but I haven't published the second part. After all, it does say The Pink Tarha For You 1/2. One of two. It needs the 2/2 NOW. 

Reader Catlyn, one of the first who replied, said "Your blog is very influential. Your feature on food and restaurants makes me want to try the experiences you've had. My husband would always ask me 'Is this the new restaurant you've read from The Pink Tarha blog?' Thank you for sharing your experiences." 

One of these days, we'll probably receive an official complaint from a husband of one of our readers asking us to stop publishing places that their wives suddenly drag them into. Hahaha! But it would be better to have husbands turning Pink tarha readers because of their wives. Like what happened to Adnan. He said, "Your blog is really amazing. My wife told me about The Pink Tarha and I thought it will be very girly… but hold on guys. Even men find your site very, very informative. I really enjoy reading it now." Meanwhile, Enelyn shared that before, her husband was always wondering where she gets her ideas. When he learned about The Pink Tarha, he's now the ones telling her to check the site! Hahaha! That comment just gave me an extra dose of happiness. I love our guy readers! I love men who appreciate pink. Hahaha! 

I love our readers who can't get enough of our articles because despite of their hectic schedule and almost non-existent day off, they manage to read our blog. Glenda wrote us, "The Pink Tarha is interesting! A day without reading Pink Tarha articles, even the old ones, is not complete. Sometimes, I keep on reading and reading until I don't notice, I'm already asleep!" For reader Zhariya, the blog is already a part of her routine. Her browser's default page is The Pink Tarha! Yey! 

The blog's how-to guide category is my baby. If you notice, I mostly write the guides and how-to entries because it's what I have envisioned for this blog: to be the ultimate guide for expats (and locals) in their journey to and around Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. When I thought of creating The Pink Tarha with the girls, I imagined the days before I went to Riyadh in 2008. I was lost and could not find any information on what it's like for women/expats to live in Riyadh. So I vowed to share my experiences and learnings. Hence, the guides. I'm feeling happy that some people actually use them! Loulwa, a blogger like us, who moved from Beirut to Riyadh in 2012 shares, "I was an active blogger and social media trainer/consultant back in Beirut. Yet when I came to Riyadh, I found no "blogging" activities and gatherings. When I googled, I found your blog on the top and was quite amazed by the quality, consistency, and innovation of your blog. It is quite unique. And it truly beats up all the blogs I follow in Lebanon and worldwide! The writers/bloggers have a very optimistic and happy tone that brings a smile to me each time I read!" 

Optimism and positivity has always been the central theme of this blog. It's our core, so to speak. The Pink Tarha was the first one to blog about happy happenings in Riyadh. Reader Medylene said, "The Pink Tarha blog and its social media sites gave rise to a new kind of blogging and information-sharing among its viewers. The fun, giggly, unconventional, and comical (witty), way of presenting topics is already an art in itself. An art that is never boring!" while reader Malou said "You have made us realize that living here in Riyadh is fun too if we just open ourselves to the possibilities and opportunities this place has to offer." Reem said that the blog is very helpful especially for those coming to Saudi Arabia who are thinking that they're burying themselves aline in going here. This made me laugh out loud. HAHAHA! 

We're glad to spread some happy vibes! We're actually amused to find some bloggers in Saudi Arabia who were writing rants, complaints, and negative comments before jump into the positivity bandwagon by writing about food and travel entries already. Amazing how looking for the good brings about the good isn't it? 

Reader Ameera is like Eyecandy and Sampaguita Pride who grew up here in Riyadh. She said that growing up in this place is not exactly fun that's why when she came across the blog, she thought it's an amazing blog that is exciting and informative and written by her kabayan. She considers The Pink Tarha as her oasis in the desert. Hannah, who also grew up in Riyadh suggested we add a list of fun lived experiences of expat children who grew up here because in her words, "I think it would add to the things that might give awareness. Your blog has been really successful in sharing information that cnages the stigma towards Saudi Arabia." On the other hand, reader Madeleine sees The Pink Tarha as a one-stop shop because of its content. Rahma thinks that The Pink Tarha is the solution to all girls' problems. Hahaha! She refers to our page before she goes shopping. 

One of the sweetest comment we received is from 14-year-old Gen (wow 14!!!). "I started reading the blog just a few years back and I have to say, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The blog and writers are very friendly and hospitable." Reader Nabiha even went as far as declaring The Pink Tarha as the best blog in Riyadh. Woot, woot!

Again, thank you very much for all the readers and feedback! Some of the responders are not mentioned here because of the lack of space but be rest assured that we're grateful and we love you! Now I realize I have no reason at all to whine and complain about a writer's bllock. Pffft writer's block, whetevahhh. Hahaha! Now I realize that The Pink Tarha is one thing I've always been passionate about. Which brings into mind what we discovered a few days ago... Arab News publishing photos from the blog (particularly this entry on Buffalo's) in their newspaper without permission! We got the shock of our lives... especially when we saw that they even printed the photos with our watermark on them!!! What an unethical and irresponsible act from a major news organization in the Kingdom. (I mean don't they check the proof before they go into the printers?)

Like what I told them when I wrote them our email, we respect Arab News for their service in the community. It is hard to write news and features everyday. We can't do anything like that ourselves. But as bloggers and writers, we also take pride in what we're doing. It is never okay to steal someone's hard work. We're still waiting for the official reply of the editorial team of Arab News. Well, I hope we get it because if not, well that's a shame.

Anyway, The Pink Tarha has changed my life and I wish that we continue changing or improving the lives of others with our experiences. With these comments, I am reminded why I write and blog. So, yes, expect more entries to come. And some improvements. It takes quite a while for the updates and changes. Probably because I was spoiled with what our reader Hina answered when we asked for suggestions to make The Pink Tarha better. She said, "Nothing. YOU ARE THE BEST. Perfection can no longer be improved. Love you." Awwww. My heart melted right there. ~ Sundrenched