Found Not Lost

I must have been Italian in a previous life. Italy is one place I have been where everything seemed so familiar it was almost like going home. Although, my love of the classics, of art, history and architecture must have had a lot to do with it. These are places that I had only read about and to be in the midst of all the history, art and architecture is just breathtaking. I had to keep pinching myself that I was really there, that it’s not a dream.

If you can only go to another foreign country in your lifetime, Italy would be a choice you’d never forget. It works it’s way under your skin. The sights, the weather, the food. Oh the food! Glorious food! Let’s not even go there.

However you can get there and whatever your budget may be, hotels in italy vary in the type of accommodations from private hostels to luxury hotels. While I love the smaller towns and quiet country sides, you can’t beat Rome for the most number of attractions in one city. You can see the famous Colosseum which is surrounded with equally impressive ruins and other monuments. Make sure to choose one of the many hotels in Rome. Spend the night so you can visit the Trevi Fountain at night, and sit on the Spanish Steps for a breather and a snack.

For me, my ‘must-not-miss’ city was Venice. I have read so many books and watched so many movies about Venice that I just had to be there. Unfortunately, hotels in venice were a bit beyond my budget. But a day trip to this island town is good enough to give you a peep and a small taste of this sinking city. It’s buildings are still majestic and it’s canals forever romantic no matter how crowded they get. I could just sit and watch the people and let the view seep through me.

One of the major Italian cities I missed out on though is Milan. It was just too far out of the way and too expensive. I am sure hotels in milan would have definitely be out of the question. If I go now though, I just found out a few relatives are now living and working in Milan. I’ve already started sending them Christmas cards so I can hit them up for a place to stay when and if I ever go there again

I suppose it is a part of having teenagers; it seems lately I have been seeing a lot of movies whereas I remember a time when husband and I stopped going to the movies for almost a decade. That dry spell must be over now. Since December, Husband and I have been to at least four movies! It used to be that we were lucky if we saw a movie at a theatre once ever four years.

The girls are at an age now where they want to be with their friends but still, we feel, not old enough to be out with their friends without parental supervision. And since I don’t really trust anyone else to look after my children, I or both my husband and I end up chaperoning.

The last movie I saw was Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. We all love Johnny Depp! Although the girls don’t know of Depp’s earlier work like Edward Scissorhands and 21 Jump Street, how could they not know of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series? So off we go to see the movie, and I had to vouch for at least ten teens under 17 years old who would have not been able to see the movie by themselves as it is Rated R. Of course I checked before hand that their parents approved of them seeing the movie. To fullfill my chaperoning duties, I also had to take in my ten year old daughter with us.

These teenagers always surprise me. You would think that they would be impressed with the blood and violence in the movie, but no. They were actually enrapt with the singing and the story line! My ten year old covered her eyes during the most violent scenes but other than that, she really enjoyed the story line and was even able to point out the irony of Todd avenging losing his wife and daughter.

I haven’t read any reviews of the movie so I’m not sure how it is doing in the box office but out group sure enjoyed it. I enjoyed listening to the kids dissect the movie afterwards. They always surprise me by their insight!

I was fortunate enough some years ago to have had a chance to explore a bit of Germany. Germany, like many European cities is rich in history, art, architecture and culture. There is always something to see and experience when you travel through Germany. Luckily, Hotels in Germany are now quite affordable.

One of the most memorable impressions I had during our trip to Germany was how picturesque it was. Picturesque as scenes you’d only see in books. In fairy tale books! The castles the public buildings, and the houses all remind you of being in a story book. Makes you want to start singing “the hills are alive….” (oops, wrong country).

The modern Germany of today offers more than its story book scenes though. If history, art and architecture are not your thing, keep in mind that Germany is also party central. The people love a good party and they love their beer! Where else can you find a whole festival on beer? Think Octoberfest in Munich. Wouldn’t that be grand!

One of the famous cities in Germany that I sadly didn’t get to is Berlin. The Brandenburg gate is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Berlin. Berlin, however, has far more to offer beyond these gates. Can you believe that although it is an industrial city, Berlin is one of the greenest cities in Europe? Conveniences and activities found in most major cities can be found in Berlin; but at the same time, wonderful parks and natural sights also abound. If you are planning a visit, Hotels in Berlin range from the budget conscious to the extravagant. Whatever your style of travel I’m sure you’ll be well accommodated.

Just keep in mind when you shop for Hotels in Berlin, Hotels in Wien, or anywhere else, for that matter, always do your research first to find the best deals.

According to wikipedia,

the uncertainty principle is the statement that locating a particle in a small region makes the momentum of the particle uncertain, and conversely, measuring the momentum of a particle precisely makes the position uncertain.

I was generously gifted with this book, Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman, for Christmas. It is a hefty book. It feels heavy in your hands. The pages are glossy and better yet, they are richly illustrated. The illustrations are as profound and poetic as the messages written within. It is the book most of us wish we were talented enough to write.

I haven’t finished reading the book yet even though I’ve had it in my hands for almost a month now. I just couldn’t stand to devour it in a day or two as is my usual habit. I have been savoring it. Letting the words roll off my tongue and swirl in my head as I view the illustrations. Sometimes, I go back to the previous page, always thinking that I missed something. Some secret message of sorts. Maybe a secret code in the pictures? I don’t know. I just feel compelled to do so.

Even though I haven’t read through the whole book yet, and it will probably be a while before I finish it at the rate I’m going, I just wanted to share it with you in case you too feel compelled to feel its pages.

Every Christmas season, one of our favorite activities is to drive around and look at Christmas lights around the neighborhood. Every year, it seems the displays get more elaborate and sophisticated. Then we’ve noticed in the last few years that more organized Christmas light shows started sprouting up in different venues, always produced to benefit one charity or another; and the light shows have been amazing. The shapes and vignettes they come up with are amazing!

If you look at the structures closely, you will realize that these rope lights, so called because of how small lights are encased in pliable material making them “rope-like”, are how they achieve such amazing shapes. Rope lighting consists mainly of tiny light bulbs that are encased in flexible and clear PVC tubing which not only lends versatility but durability to any light installation you may come up with.

The rope light comes in various colors and capable of the ‘running’ effect which is controlled by a preprogrammed controller. These lights can be used in various applications around a home or business giving an air of sophistication and also serving a utilitarian purpose.

The site, BirdDogDistributing.com also offers other lighting solutions other than the rope light. For instance, for the holidays they have icicle lights and lighted Christmas trees. You can also find practically any type of accent lighting for your home or business. If you are looking for lighting solutions, this site would be a great place to start.

Photo borrowed from the Firebirds website.

I love eating out. We all do, the whole family. We also love to discuss the things we like or dislike about the restaurants. But, I am an awful restaurant reviewer. Why? Because I am usually so excited to eat that I forgot to take photos of the food!We’ve eaten at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill a number of times, but not one food photo. And I even had my camera in my purse most times!

I love it because we can all find something to eat. The Clone has pasta to eat, they have seafood and steaks for Asi and my husband, Jade has burgers and onion rings, and I have my prime rib! Firebirds is the only place I’ve found in Durham so far that makes good prime rib, not steak. It’s so irritating when you order prime rib and get a ribeye steak instead. Don’t get me wrong, a rib eye steak is great but not when you have your taste buds set for something beefy and pink with a good salty crust to it. Yumm!!