Here, There, and in Between

Black Friday Sales

2010-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Black Friday sales always draws a roaring crowd the day after Thanksgiving.
However, shoppers can expect to see more stores offering a plethora of deals earlier than usual this year. Retailers have been struggling since the downturn and are trying to encourage people to spend more.

Sears is launching off their "Black Friday Now" doorbuster sales Friday with tempting deals on electronics.

Amazon.com started offering holiday deals in it's electronics section on Friday. For example, buy two video games, get one free.

Even Home Depot is rumored to jump on the bandwagon with their washer/ dryer deals.

When the economy was still strong three years ago shoppers naturally spent more.
Each holiday shopper spent an average of $750 in 2007. When the economic crisis hit, holiday sales plummeted.

Now, retailers hope sales will rebound with their agressive approach. Other retailers even unveiled Christmas bargains.

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

2010-10-29T03:04:00.000-07:00

Almost every Halloween was a scramble for last minute costumes and activities for me. Sometimes I would wear my last year's costume or wear a pleated skirt w/ blouse for the instant school girl look. Here are some of the places that can offer last minute costumes:

1. Your very own closet. With a little imagination, you'd be surprised what you could muster together.

2. Your parents closet. If your parents are anything like mine, they like to hang on to their old clothes. Who knows? You may have your pick of the 70's and 80's clothes to pick. Think disco.

3. Your friend's closet. Maybe you could even swap costumes.

4. I always found second hand stores very helpful and affordable.

5. Costume stores if you feel like coughing up around 50+ dollars.

6. Jo-Ann. If you have a sewing machine, you could always make your own costume.

Costume ideas

1. School girl: white dress shirt and pleated skirt. Timeless and hot

2. Windblown guy: hair slicked back, newspaper stuck on clothes, umbrella flipped back.

3. Alice in Wonderland characters: The stores are full of them.

4. Pirate: handkerchief on the head, loose white shirt.

5. Cat: something black, ears, and a tail.

6. Jersey Shore.

Jersey Shore The Situation Flesh Shirt With Tattoos, Tan, X-Large

And guys. Don't be afraid to try female costumes. I know someone who bought a mile high captain dress, but it looked like a form fitting shirt on him. He bought a matching pair of shorts from Goodwill. He looks awesome!!!

Haiti Cholera

2010-10-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

With 2674 cases and 208 confirmed dead, Haitian health officials were hit by the harsh truth that it will not be contained in small isolated pockets but soon reach the capital. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine causing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. Left untreated can soon result in death. It readily infects through contaminated waterways. Sanitation and lack of infrastructure has been a recurring problem especially since the earthquake. Resources in Haiti are stretched as doctors and nurses frantically treated patients exhibiting symptoms. Fatalities are only expected to rise.

Seeing and Hiking the Grand Canyon

2010-05-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that the first European explorer who arrived at the Grand Canyon just turned back after being unimpressed by the enormous gaping hole in the earth. Major Powell was the first to chart a map of the Colorado river defying harsh conditions and dangerous rapids. Now it is a major tourist attraction drawing millions of tourists each year. Only hundreds hike to the bottom and hundreds are rescued every year. Good preparation beats being in excellent physical shape. We hiked in the beginning of May. I brought a 2 pound hiking bag, 2 pound sleeping bag, 3 liters of water in a camel pak, Gatorade powder, water bottle, sunscreen, hiking poles , light jacket, socks, and food. Weight is a very important matter to consider. We started on the South Kaibob Trail (~7mi) for the way down. It took approximately 4 hours with plenty of shade. There were restroom stops approximately every 2.5 miles. We arrived at Bright Angel Camp and set up our tents. We applied for a permit two months in advance. The camp had restrooms, potable water, and even food at the Phantom Ranch. We woke up at 8 a.m. and had a quick breakfast. We used the Bright Angel Trail (~9.3 mi) to hike back up to the rim. Most of this trail is exposed but there is a reprieve midway at the Oasis at the Indian Gardens. It took us approximately 7 hours to arrive to the top of the rim.

Santa Catalina by Ferry

2008-10-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Catalina is an island off the coast of southern California mainly accessible by ferries and helicopters. It is just 22 miles long with a population of approximately 3600 people. It is famous for kayaking, scuba diving, hiking, the casino, and some very interesting golf carts. We arrived to the Island via an hour long trip on a ferry called the "Catalina Express." Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather we could not do much of kayaking or scuba diving. However, we did see the botanical gardens, and most of Avalon.

Me, enjoying the sun while it lasts.

Hot ride

Flora

Prickly Flora

Finally, some dangerous fauna brandishing a deadly assault weapon... the banana

View from Monument

Casino or otherwise known as the Art Deco Dance Hall

Avalon Harbor

Greece

2008-09-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

As I walked with the warm Mediterranean sun kissing my cheeks, I tried to imagine some of the familiar ancient Greeks walking along the same steps I was such as Euripides or Socrates. There was the scent of oranges mixed with baklava floating up in the warm breeze. I decided to spend about five days in Greece for my vacation. I booked my hotel through Octopus.com and bought my weekly metro pass for about 10 euro.

Athens
I began my trip dropping by the entrance to the Athens Acropolis to buy a weekly pass to some of the main sites. I started with the Temple of Zeus. Much of it has disappeared with time, but you could still see the colossal Corinthian columns lying or standing. Then I made my way to the formidable Athens Acropolis. Acropolis is the renown ancient citadel with Athena as its patron goddess whose earliest artifacts dates back to the Neolithic era. It currently houses historic monuments such as the Parthenon and Erechtheum.

Parthenon is considered the most important surviving building of classical Greece. It was originally dedicated to the goddess Athena and had beautiful sculptures considered the high point of Greek Art. At first, it served as a treasury for the Athenians. Throughout time, the building also served as a Christian church and a mosque. The building suffered a nearly catastrophic damage following an explosion from the Venetian bombardment in 1687.

Temple of Hephaestus

Located on the Agoraios Kolonos hill, it is the best preserved temple of ancient Greece. It is built in the conservative Doric style once housing the bronze statues of Athena and Hephaestus. The temple was built as a testament of Greek power and culture by Pericles in 415 B.C.

Delphi
I took a bus to Delphi, located in the southwestern ridge of Mount Parnassus. Delphi was once the home of the most important oracle in Greece, the Sanctuary of Apollo, and the precursor to the Olympic games.

The Oracle at Delphi was dedicated to Apollo and is said the god spoke through the priestess, Pythia in the form of riddles. According to Plato, the Oracle at Delphi once told Socrates he was the wisest man in Greece. Socrates took this to mean he was the only man who truly understood he knew nothing.

Some of the monuments I visited in Delphi include the Tholos of Delphi, Temple of Apollo, and the mountain-top stadium.

In conclusion, it was a wonderful trip. There were so many opportunities for sightseeing that I sometimes forgot to eat (actually that's impossible for me). In addition to the monuments, there was the Archeological Museum of Athens, Acropolis Museum, as well as the many surprising artifacts housed at the metro stations themselves. Something interesting that I almost forgot to mention: the waste management crew were on strike in Athens at the time of my visit. So the scent of baklava and oranges were tainted.

Atlanta, Georgia

2008-08-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

Atlanta is growing to be one of the most hip places to live and visit. In my ten years in Georgia I have had the opportunity to explore almost every nook and cranny. Well, at least half of them. Here are some of the highlights.

Georgia Aquarium

It is the largest aquarium in the world. Enough said, yes? It houses an estimated 120,000 creatures including belugas and whale sharks. I was mostly impressed by the gigantic Ocean Voyager which is where they house the whale sharks. This jellyfish might not be the star of this gargantuan aquarium, but it is a very nice photo.

Nightlife

There are many places to groove around Midtown and Buckhead. Based on my nightly outings, Club Compound had a great combination of atmosphere, music, and drinks. They have a minimalist courtyard, a reflective pool, and two different rooms playing its own brand of music. On Fridays, I always went back and forth between the hip hop room and the techno room. All in all, it had a festive, yet cozy atmosphere at the same time.
It is located on 1008 Brady Ave, Atlanta, GA 30318.
Sometimes the club offers a free entry if you sign up on their website.
http://www.compoundatl.com/

I would also recommend Halo Lounge for drinks and relaxing with friends. It is a hip lounge with sleek furnishings of chrome and glass.
817 W Peachtree St E 100, Biltmore Hotel, Atlanta, 404-962-7333

Or you can choose to randomly hop around the various bars and clubs in Buckhead.

Cuisine

One of my favorites include One Midtown Kitchen. One Midtown kitchen offers a cool blend of contemporary American cuisine and a chic ambiance. It is definitely worth a try. It is located in 559 Dutch Valley Rd, Atlanta.

In addition, the area known as Virginia Highland has many options for dining, nightlife, and even shopping. The Surin of Thailand had my taste buds going and made me go back time and time again (810 N. Highland Ave).
http://www.virginiahighland.com/

Shopping

If you are looking for variety, I would recommend Atlantic Station and Lenox Square Mall (3393 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta). You can find everything from Wet Seal to David Yurman at Lenox Square. If you are looking for something slightly more upscale, go to Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd Ne Atlanta).

Lugano & Bellinzona

2008-08-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

I found Lugano to be one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Switzerland. Located near the Italian border, the atmosphere has a mediterranean feel to it. I went during the summer via train from Zurich. I enjoyed the obviously miditerranean architecture, splashes of color at the garden, and the huge glacial lake with the backdrop of the mountains.

The city of Bellinzona was on the way to Lugano so I dropped by this quaint town with at least three beautifully restored castles: Montebello, Castlegrande, and Sasso Corbaro.

This was taken while I was standing on Castlegrande.

You could see Castle Montebello in the distance.

Historically Bellinzona was an important trading center, but recently lost a lot of attention due to its more famous neighboring city, Lugano.