Archive for February, 2010

What is Philadelphia Like?

Author: Gina

Feb 27

My mother, my grandmother and my grandfather were all born in Philadelphia.  Many members of our extended family were as well.  I was not.  I was born in a smaller town in Pennsylvania called Carlisle.  We moved out west before I was able to walk, and I have only been back to visit Carlisle once since then when I was just ten years old.  And even my memories from that visit are clouded in the memories of a small child, so as I grew older I began to be drawn back to Pennsylvania.  I wanted to visit Carlisle again, but I very much wanted to see and experience Philadelphia.

I had to feel what it was like for my ancestors.  They had all passed away when I was very young so I felt that if I could walk on the streets of Philadelphia, and sit in the parks and the gardens that they had so many years ago, that perhaps I could get to know them in a way.  One of the misconceptions I had of the city before I saw it for the first time, was that it was a working class town, and that it would be filled with factories and smoke stacks.

I was not ready for the beauty that the city presented to me when I went from the airport to my hotel accommodations.  I had looked for an inexpensive hotel, and I found one, but when I walked into the lobby I was shocked by the quaint luxury of the older building.  The next day as I walked the streets, I learned a lot about the city by talking with the people.  I stopped in any small shop, from the butcher shops to the bakeries and the markets on the corner, striking up conversations with everyone I came in contact with.  Much of the food in the markets and the restaurants is locally grown and many of the businesses use forms of alternative energy.  The public transit is out of this world.

Philadelphia was not the concrete, polluted jungle I had thought…It is one of the “greenest” cities in the country.  I was aware that I was in a large city, but I felt more like I was walking through neighborhoods.  There is rich diversity in Philly, from the culture to the people to the arts and businesses.  And when I sat in one of the parks, I closed my eyes and pictured the relatives I knew from my old black and white photographs of them.  I saw them sitting on the benches, in the butcher shop and the bakery and the corner market.  And yes, I do believe I got to know them.  And I do believe that I now feel connected to them, and to the world in which I live today.

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Moving Up in Business

Author: Gina

Feb 25

Climbing the corporate ladder, moving up, advancing; whatever you want to call it, being promoted is an important part of any successful business career . Not too many people want to retire at the same position, and salary, as when they started all of those years ago. A private office, a secretary, and an expense account are just a few of the dreams held by those in the business world. To help make those dreams a reality you need to maintain your competitive edge and stand out apart from the rest of the crowd.One way to move up in a company is to demonstrate your interest in promoting and your loyalty to the company. Take part in any corporate training programs or business training seminars. This will not only serve to enhance your education but also show the company that you are interested in what they have to say. These courses are also beneficial in determining what your company’s expectations are. Show strong leadership skills. Be willing to take on new and challenging responsibilities. If you show that you are capable of leading a small group, they will eventually trust you with more responsibility and larger groups. Make strong connections and don’t just stop with your supervisor. Get to know all of the supervisors. If they have strong, positive impression of you , they are more likely to recommend you for new jobs and promotions. Also getting to know people in other departments can help you be one of the first to know when a new job or position opens up. If you are in the business field, you are well aware of the deep roots that corporate politics have in many companies. However, if you stay on top of your game–keep building on your education and leadership skills and foster strong friendships and connections–anyone can break through.

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San Antonio Elvis

Author: Gina

Feb 22

In 1972 Elvis Presely put out a movie that had some footage filmed in San Antonio Texas. That wouldn’t be a surprise because he did travel all over the world to share his talents as the king of rock and roll. He was a gorgeous man and I remember when the world lost him. I know that at some point he played at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio Texas in 1956. Could that be the same auditorium that is easily reached by the River Walk? It is a beautiful old building that has had its share of renovations and is really beautiful today. That would have been a great place to see the amazing performance of Elvis Presley.

While you are staying at one of these San Antonio luxury hotels you may want to see what is going on at the Municipal Auditorium. It was built in 1926 as a memorial to the veterans who fought in WWII. It was almost lost in a bad fire in 1979 but they were able to save the building and remodel the inside. It became more modern during that time but it still has some of its original elegance and stature. It has an impressive stage that has all the high tech sound and lighting to make any production pop. There are also some banquet rooms and meeting rooms available if you are looking for some where to host your company or family gatherings. There are many kinds of events being held in this beautiful building and one of which is a Junior and Senior Prom for Ronald Reagan High School 2010. There is an production of Porgy and Bess by the San Antonio Opera coming in March of 2010. If you want to see another grand show and you are in San Antonio in April you may be able to catch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s production of Beethoven’s Last Night 2010.

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Virginia Eight

Author: Gina

Feb 20

If you have decided to find a luxury hotel in Virginia than you have come to the right place. There are plenty of really nice hotels around the state and there is so much American history scattered around you will be captivated by the stories you come by. There have be some really amazing and influential people that have come from Virginia. People who have made there mark as writers, actors and musicians as well as politicians. If you do a little research on the state before you visit you can plan to learn about some of people who are most interesting to you.

There have been eight U.S. Presidents that either came from Virginia or at least lived there in some way. This state was in the middle of creating the country we know as America today. George Washington our first president is from Virginia. People call him the father of our country. His list of military accomplishments is long from before and during his presidency and lead to the first freedoms of being our own nation, separate from King George III. He was first person to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal that was a sincere Thanks from Congress.

Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was also from Virginia. He was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence and contributed greatly to the forming of the United State in many ways. While in office he oversaw events like the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He also dealt with rising tension between Britain and France. He was very worldly and had good connections to leaders around the world.  Many knew him to be a political Philosopher and leader, architect, archaeologist, horticulturist and inventor. In short, he is considered one of the greatest U.S presidents of all time by scholars.

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Hawaii With the Kids

Author: Gina

Feb 18

If you’ve had your eye on one of those Hawaiian cruises for a while, but haven’t gone because you have kids you may be in luck. The cruise may not be the most fun for the kids, but if you pick an island you want to stay on, there is bound to be a plethora of fun activities for kids everywhere. For example, the Waikiki aquarium is offering kids the chance to stay in the museum after hours and see a whole new world of the fish they love. They are doing a flashlight tour to teach kids about the sleep habits of fish and other underwater creatures. If you want to actually go underwater, there is also the Atlantis Submarine that will take your kids on an underwater tour to teach them about different fish life around the islands. You can also visit the Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum in Kapaa

There are even Oahu activities, with an exotic zoo and the sea life park which features a dolphin show and the chance to play with the dolphins. The Polynesian Center has been reaching out to kids, and has built an exhibit just for them called the Ohana Adventure. This island has the best art museum in the state. If you all want to go out together, try Dole Cannery Maze. It is a large maze, grown from 14,000 colorful Hawaii plants. It holds the record for being the largest maze grown in the world.

The real thing to remember however is that you can do stuff for the kids and for you. Oahu has some of the nicest beach-side hotels, which will have lots of kid friendly activities to take them off your hands for a few hours, all the way through the whole day. Some of them even have area for trained wildlife to roam around which the kids can pet and play with. Where there are beach-side hotels, there are beaches and lots of fun with surfing lessons, and swimming. The best of these is Kona Village Resort which will take care of the kids for you, and even give them a separate dining area at no extra cost, letting you have a little romantic time. If there was any place to take a family, here is ideal.

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Sistine Chapel in Vatican City Rome

Author: Gina

Feb 16

Rome is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. It frequently captures the attention of the rest of the world due to the fact it’s also the home base of the Catholic Church. This is also one of the reasons the city is so beautiful. Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and contains some of the most amazing architecture and art in the world. People from all religious backgrounds visit Rome and tour Vatican City and are amazed at the beauty and awe of some of the buildings. Michelangelo is the artist whose name is primarily associated with some of the buildings such as the Sistine Chapel and his work has touched the hearts and lives of people for centuries.

The Sistine Chapel is located in the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the Pope. It is the most famous chapel in the palace and is also one of if not the most famous chapel in the world. It is well known for both the art on its walls and ceilings and the architecture itself. It was designed similarly to Solomon’s Temple of the Old Testament and is filled with incredibly detailed frescos by Michelangelo and other great Renaissance artists such as Bernini and Botticelli. Michelangelo himself painted twelve thousand square feet of the chapel between 1477 and 1480. This work was commissioned by Pope Julius II.

The ceiling of the chapel is one of the most famous ceilings in the world and was painted by Michelangelo. This was an incredible physical achievement on top of the brilliance and skill demonstrated by the artist. Michelangelo chose the colors for the ceiling based in part on its distance from the floor and its visibility to the patrons. The ceiling represents the ancestors of Christ on its lowest end and also depicts nine stories from the Book of Genesis in other parts. The stories depicted include the Great Flood and the creation story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Information on the chapel and other landmarks can be found in the lobby of some of the great places to stay in Rome.

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New York Ghost Story

Author: Gina

Feb 14

Coming to discover that one of the best things about travel is the access to ghost stories has been very enlightening.  I was once of the opinion that such things were nonsense, based on an overactive imagination, or an inability to cope with your own fear of the dark.  As the years have gone by, however, and with more than a few brushes with the supernatural, I am lately of the opinion that I cannot sensibly hold an opinion, because there are more things in heaven and earth.  It has certainly been my experience that some places are more, shall we say, attractive, to spirits than others.

New York is one of these places, and it could be because of the density of the population.  It could also be the rather tenuous constructions here at one time, and the steady level of danger during the industrial age when accidental deaths were much more common, and people were more prone to leaving the world quickly, and without the cause being disease.  Whenever I do come into the city, I stay here at one of these options, and try to discover what else there is to discover, and to my amazement, there is always much more than I remembered from the last time.

One story I recently heard was among the most complex and fascinating cases of a haunting I’d come across.  I cannot verify everything, but I do know that there is a place in the park where, at certain times after midnight, there comes a spirit of such longing as to cause many witnesses to weep, and I admit I am among these.  The story is that two lovers were meeting near a certain bench, at a time when their parents would be sleeping, but before they met, she was struck by a carriage and killed immediately.  If you are sitting on the same bench, and staring into the brush, you may feel a chill running up and down the left arm, and they say this is her fingers brushing up against her beloved, hoping to meet in an eternal embrace.

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University of California Irvine

Author: Gina

Feb 11

I had considered various colleges during my junior year of high school and at the time I have to admit that my main two interests were in getting as far a way from my hometown as I could and also going somewhere that would be an exciting place to live. I did okay academically all through high school though I have to admit I was looking forward to the freedom and potential social life associated with college much more than I was looking forward to continued education. However, by the time it was necessary to submit my applications I had to become a little more serious about where I wanted to go.

I poured over brochures and various program information and what I finally had to admit to myself was that my own hometown offered me one of the best academic options I had seen. So, just to feel like I was doing the right thing I went ahead and submitted an application to UC Irvine, though to be honest I still had hopes of not only getting out of town but getting out of the state. Of course it wasn’t that I had anything against Irvine or even California, it’s a great state and I’m proud to call it home. I just had a burning need to be as on my own as I possibly could.

However, as you might have guessed I ended up with the best scholarship package at Irvine and it really is a great school so I had to choose it. Maybe if I hadn’t done so well on my SATs and had to choose one of my last resort default schools, but that’s a silly thought. And on the bright side my parents didn’t have to pay for travel and accommodations at an expensive hotel to tour the campus as it was close to home. As it turns out I’m now entering my junior year of college and am considering graduate schools. I have had an amazing time in college and love my university. And I have also learned that the quality of the school and particular program should be the most essential aspect of my choice. However I have to say I had an amazing time here and that concludes my story of how I chose my undergraduate college. I hope it helps you with your own search.

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Tegan & Sara Come to DC

Author: Gina

Feb 8

This has been a good year for concerts already.  Jars of Clay, Joan as Police Woman, and We Are Scientists were all worth coming to DC for, and for those who like their music with a good dose of irony, War was an awesome show.  Not everyone who was there got the joke, and some of their diehard fans really take the music seriously, but the band themselves seemed to have a decent sense of humor about the retro fever some of us came with.  It’s a strange time for music, though, no matter how you look at it.  Some of the most interesting experiments now are by artists who seem more interested in studying the mechanical effects of music than they are in the sound itelf.

Some of these experiments make their way to town, and DC has luxury hotels that can make the stay enormously wonderful for everyone.  You don’t have to be an expert on music, or even have any sense of history, to understand why it’s a good time to be here.  There has always been a mix of the good and the bad, and some years see more good than bad, and this seems to be one of them.  It also seems as though times of great change are always accompanied by shifts in music.  That kind of ironic quotation does not seem to be something peculiar to one time, but seems to recur, and perhaps this is why we’re seeing it again.  Musicians are pushing barriers and boundaries to test the limits of the art.  They sometimes start to behave like scientists, and continue with their strange experiments until we all wake up and discover they’ve invented something amazing.

These come to bear fruit when we hear groups like Tegan & Sara, who are coming to perform.  This is a fascinating group, because they are really just themselves, two people, identical twins, in fact, playing a particularly evocative kind of indie sound.  They hail from Canada and had their first tour in 2000.  There’s something like irony behind this, and something that sounds like a particularly effective experiment, and at the same time, there’s an unquestionable sense that they’re tapping into a heartbeat that we forgot that we love to hear.

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Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco

Author: Gina

Feb 4

You don’t have to search hard to find a great thing to do in San Francisco, California. In fact, with all of the cultural attractions such as art museums, major entertainment venues and fabulous shopping and dining opportunities you don’t have look far. This is particularly true if you happen to be standing outside on Pier 39 in the city. This is popularly known as Fisherman’s Wharf and there are numerous activities, markets, restaurants and events that take place in this one area alone that many people feel as though they’ve seen the whole city after spending an afternoon here. Well, if it’s not that extreme, they at least feel like they haven’t fully experienced San Francisco, with all its attractions, accommodations and great http://www.hotelsanfrancisco.com until they’ve been to the Wharf.

Fisherman’s Wharf is like a mini city by the City by the Bay. You can easily tell you’re there when you notice all of the seals sunbathing on the edge of the pier. It takes up more than just the single pier and is frequently considered to be a neighborhood. It is located along the northern waterfront. It stretches from Market Street to Kearney Street, or Pier 35. The area got its name during San Francisco’s early days and the Gold Rush. This was the local area that many Italian fishermen had emigrated and established themselves as the local Dungeness Crab fishermen. Of course great crab is still an extremely popular commodity in the area.

There are numerous stores and major labels that are represented along the Wharf and it wouldn’t be complete without a Hard Rock Café, which is located right at Pier 39. Hyde Street Pier is another famous pier on the Wharf and is the location of the old automobile ferry site. Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the Musee Mecanique are also popular attractions. Of course the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most popular places to visit for children as well as adults. There are some of the world’s best seafood dining establishments their on the Warf and great farmer’s market displays.

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