Posted by Brian on Dec 28, 2009 in
Wedding Singapore is one of the most romantic cities in the world, and it’s an ideal place to get married. Because of the rich tropical atmosphere, and the very cosmopolitan and multicultural urban scene, there is something for everyone. It’s a place that has appeal even for the families who are absolutely divided on what makes a good wedding, because it has something of everything. And, it’s also a wonderful place to go exploring when the ceremony is over, both for the happy couple as well as for their lucky guests. When it comes to what makes a happy wedding, Singapore has many splendid options, and it’s possible to go with many at once.
Some people are magnetically drawn to a place where many different cultures merge. This is one of the more magnetic places in that regard, and it has a very substantial expatriate community. You might not see yourself or your guests moving here, but chances are very high that some of the magic will rub off on you. A return trip is likely, at the least. But while you’re wondering what to do about the details of the wedding, there are also questions about what to see while you’re here when you’re free to explore. Fortunately, there is a magnificent array of offerings here, and something for everyone, surely. Some of the best secrets are held by the local expatriates, who have inside information based on their own experiences, as well as advice from other expats and locals, based on years and even generations of experience in Singapore.
For these reasons, some of the best advice is found on the expat message boards, where you can learn about such things as the best place to find second hand books in town. There are plenty of other resources for finding bookshops, and there seems to be only a few with cafes. This doesn’t mean they can’t be found. But it’s also true that spending a day looking for a perfect bookstore can also lead to a number of splendid little side journeys, that might lead you to your own romantic Singapore adventure.
Tags: expat message boards, finding bookshops, wedding Singapore
Posted by Brian on Dec 22, 2009 in
Travel If I were independently wealthy, and I could have homes in every state, I would travel to Texas and seek out a place to live in Austin. The first people I ever knew who lived in Austin, I met in London. The long-term friendships that began in that two thousand year old city drew me into a one hundred and sixty four year old state I’d only driven straight through before, and directly into a city that was itself established in 1839, only about six years older than the Lone Star State itself. Over the years, I’ve found myself staying at the homes of friends or in one of the many hotels Austin keeps ready for travelers.
Of the three friends I had at the time, only one has moved on to another state. The other two have found homes in a city that seems to welcome everyone, holding down jobs as diverse as teaching theater history and managing an office for a green company. I’ve visited Austin nearly ten times, a record for a city I’ve never lived in, and each time I’ve gone, I’ve found something unexpected, something I didn’t know was there. Just recently, I learned that this city was originally known as Waterloo, and purchased for the Republic of Texas in 1839, and renamed Austin after Stephen F. Austin. A year later, there was 856 people in the city; however, when the capital moved temporarily to Houston in 1842, the city’s population fell under two hundred. However, in 1845, Texas became a part of the United States and Austin, a year later, became a capital city again on February 19th.
The story about Waterloo created another connection for me between my first meeting of my future Austin friends in London. While in Austin, visiting my friends, I’d always noted a store called Waterloo Records, and I’d always associated it with London, because it used as its symbol London’s Underground transport logo for Waterloo Station. I always knew they were commenting on the original victorious battle for the British against Napoleon and the London Transport, but until now I didn’t realize that they were also talking about Austin’s origins.
Tags: hotels Austin, Waterloo Records, Waterloo Station
Posted by Brian on Dec 22, 2009 in
Automotive So you finally made the decision to purchase a new set of tires. What you may or may not know, is that there are many things that you can do that will make certain your tires will last for a long time, and will remain safe. Tires are of course one of the aspects of your vehicle that keep you moving forward, but worn tires, or wheels that are out of balance may cause problems when you must do the opposite of moving forward, which is braking.
And while there are many great deals, great discount retail shops, and online companies for which to buy new tires at good prices, tires are still an expense. And with just a bit of care and diligence each month, you can find the advantage of taking part in extending the life of those tires. There are a few factors that will affect the life of a car tire. One is the conditions of the roads and streets that you regularly drive on a day to day basis.
Environmental conditions such as the areas or cities where the temperatures can soar in the summer time, will have an affect as well, as the hotter the pavement the quicker your tread will show signs of wear. The overall condition of your car will play a part as well, in the forms of alignment and balance. And while certain environmental conditions will be out of your control, there are many steps your can take. Once you are familiar of the roads in your neighborhood that may be in need of repair, avoid them.
This may not always be convenient, but think further down the road so to speak, you could add miles to the life of your tires by simply staying on the well paved and well maintained roads. Have your wheel alignment checked, sometimes up to two times a year, especially if you are constantly driving on roads with pits and potholes. Take care to check the air pressure regularly and to inspect your tires for signs of damage. Just a few steps taken will save you money in the end, and keep you safe on the roads well into the future.
Tags: alignment and balance, buy new tires, conditions of the roads
Posted by Brian on Dec 14, 2009 in
Travel The last time I was in Hong Kong was over 20 years ago. The skyline back then was a skyline to beat, but now Hong Kong’s Kowloon, suburbs, Causeway Bay, Central, Happy Vally, Mongkok and the entire 360 degree view is all skyscrapers and commerce! Fantastic and awe inspiring.
When I travel, my opinion of the city is often as good as the accommodations with which I’ve scored, and stay at a luxury hotel in Hong Kong, which has allotted me a great beginning to my journey. For those who have done some travelling in kind of dodgy places, you’ll appreciate the comfort from knowing your bags will be safe and sound in your hotel room. I’ve stayed in a few hostels in my earlier travel days, but no longer. I much prefer the safety, comfort and privacy of a luxury hotel; it does cost a lot more, but the peace of mind is worth it.
News and Culture haven’t made it to my itinerary yet, I’m in Hong Kong for a week, so this has given me a chance to relax and explore the city without worrying about making it to all the almost 800 different sites to see per day. I’m on a culinary journey this time around and there is plenty of time for me to be amazed and delighted by the Guangdong chefs. I’ve only made one rookie mistake so far on my trip, I went to a dim sum restaurant where I had to order my dishes instead of grabbing them off the rolling carts of various food from the wait staff. I ordered four dishes for myself and unfortunately, each dish served up to 4 people! I ended up with a banquet for one and the bill to go along with my banquet.
I’ve also fallen in love since my arrival here in Hong Kong, I love the MTR. Really! Hong Kong has engineered just how to move millions of people fast. The system works so well, I just swipe my card, hop on the train, and get off at my stop, swipe my card and head off once again. Truly a beautiful piece of engineering and innovation. But, then that is Hong Kong through and through. A marvel to behold.
Tags: Guangdong chefs, luxury hotel in Hong Kong, MTR
Posted by Brian on Dec 14, 2009 in
Travel All roads lead to Rome, but you should certainly stop in Volterra, and if you decide to stay, no one would be surprised. This town is close to a number of larger cities in Italy, and close enough to be connected to the latest and the greatest innovations, but also secluded enough that you can disappear for awhile and get into the flow of nature. It’s a pretty fantastic place, with a sensibility that is understated and really exquisite, inviting a sense of inspiration to anyone who comes to visit. There is also an amazing history to the place, and it’s had occupants for many centuries. There are many interesting people who have passed through Volterra. Hotels are superb here at offering guests a comfortable hospitality that goes well with the city in general.
While you’re here, you may start to notice that there is some beautiful statuary, and decide to take a tour of its art history. There are many treasures to find when tracing all the stories that make up Volterra, and it’s not hard to see the connection between alabaster and the Twilight series. Volterra, for those who are up on popular culture, of course plays a very significant part in this vampire sage, and no one can talk for long about vampires without mentioning alabaster skin. It’s a side effect from never seeing the sun. You’re likely to see both the sun and alabaster when you visit here, because it’s one of the main centers for it in the world.
This material is still very popular, and very useful, because it is one of the more variable materials, which can hold its shape but is soft enough to be scratched with a fingernail. It became popular in the Etruscan period for its usefulness in making funerary urns. Since that time, it’s found its way into many more art forms, and had a bit of a decline until the early part of the 20th century. Umberto Borgna is credited for being part of the trend toward reinvigorating its popularity as a sculptor’s material, and his famous designs are still very influential on the present generation of Italian sculptors.
Tags: alabaster, Umberto Borgna, Volterra hotels
Posted by Brian on Dec 14, 2009 in
Home and Garden I remember the first time I saw a gas fireplace. I thought that it was great that my friend simply flipped a switch, and the fire was a blazing, but I just felt…well, it did not look that real. There was something missing in the log sculpture, and while the heat was welcome…it just was not the same. It looked kind of plastic and a bit too fake. It had a symmetrical appearance that was just off. Now, many years later, much has changed and been improved upon in the world of the gas fireplace. Now, through creative design elements, it is pretty difficult to disern the difference, it takes the knowledge that it is actually a gas fireplace, and not a wood burning fire place with real wooden logs. They are realistic now, and come in a myriad of reproductions, from driftwood and oak, to pine and birch. Some of the designs have become so intricate, that you can buy them in the split wood look, or the full log, the options really are quite extensive.
Every knot, every curve is now being sculpted, and is so real in appearance that even when not in use, people have a hard time deciding if what they are looking at is actually — not a piece of wood. Some designs even include elements, which give the appearance of burning embers underneath the logs, further enhancing the effects, without the necessary clean-up. And the gas will burn a bit cleaner than the traditional wood burning fireplaces, and many people today are considering this when they make their decisions on which to add to their homes. Real wood does smell very good when it burns, but these last two aspects…the cleaner burn and the lack of clean up time, combined with the convenience of a gas fireplace, has many people deciding to go with this option. The fire is still cozy, still creates the homey atmosphere, without all the smoke. This is something to consider when choosing the model of your dreams, and will provide you with many hours of enjoyment and relaxation for years to come.
Tags: cozy, designs, gas fireplace
Posted by Brian on Dec 8, 2009 in
Travel Our arrival in London was a leisure-oriented and this was noticeable by everyone we crossed path with, they looked envious, but would smile back at us anyway. We were trying at adapt to a completely new city, a city that was not like the other cities with which we previously visited. It wasn’t like our home city and London was an interesting place. We found it very friendly, and we particularly paid strict attention to the traffic being on the left rather than on the right, that includes the stairs leading out of the Underground and looking right instead of left when crossing the street, it’s deadly if you don’t, London even has signs for us right side people, warning us to ‘Look Right!’
We were here to find a job, but first we wanted to play tourist, so we booked a London hotel for a few nights and ride the Underground all day. That’s an expensive journey, the Underground transportation system in London isn’t cheap. It cost us 20 pounds in a single day, that’s like $45 USD! All in all, after our day out using the tube and going back and forth from Harrow to London, we both were starting to get the feel of this big city. It’s still a big unfamiliar city, but it’s seems to offer a realm of comfort, maybe because they speak English. The city is amazingly beautiful, old and historical. There are many cultures here, sometimes it was hard to tell we were in the UK. The streets are clean and the architecture is stunning. The newer buildings don’t seem to fit in, they seem so out of place.
While we were playing at being tourist, we were walking along Victoria street and found a decent Exchanger. Even though we were losing money, we thought we got the best deal in the city. We were amazed at how it gets dark around 4:30pm! Short days in London and it’s not even winter here yet.
After a few days, we’ll contact our friends who live here and stay with them until we find a flat of our own. We’re hoping to rent a house soon and not become the unwelcome visitors from hell.
Tags: Exchanger, London hotel, Underground transportation system
Posted by Brian on Dec 7, 2009 in
Home and Garden,
Leisure Choosing an outdoor kitchen design has become an extremely exciting though somewhat detailed process in recent years. They have gained tremendous popularity and installing one in your own backyard opens tremendous potential for entertainment possibilities. They also can be considered a solid investment due to the fact that many families spend a lot more time at home when they have such a great backyard resource and they also add value to the home and property. Some couples have the intention of calculating the return of the money they invest and have an eventual intention of saving money by installing one.
There is also the element of quality family time that should be considered when thinking about installing outdoor grills and/or full kitchen set ups. Many people don’t realize the extent of time that can be spent in the backyard when they make their initial purchase and are surprised to realize what seems like a new world opening up. Many times the installment of a backyard kitchen leads to a complete overhaul of the outdoor landscape with other items such as pools and volleyball courts being added later.
They are also becoming extremely common features when building a new home. This has its benefits because the slate is clean and a couple can design their ideal outdoor kitchen and dining area without a vision of what’s already there in their minds. The grilling area and kitchen itself can be as detailed and elaborate as the consumer desires and it can also be simple and functional. There are models and designs that are suitable to all spaces and budgets which is just one of the reasons so many people are decided to install them in their home yards. They are also excellent set ups for family and social gatherings or major celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries. Holiday parties are another popular event to plan in backyard kitchen and dining set ups.
Tags: entertainment possibilities, outdoor grill, volleyball court
Posted by Brian on Dec 1, 2009 in
Travel One thing about the American state of Virginia is that it is incredibly rich not only in contemporary cultural aspects but it was also an essential component of this country’s establishment and early development. In addition it has the distinction of producing the most American Presidents with a grand total of eight having been born in this state. Tourists who visit the state and stay in one of the best Virginia hotels are frequently attracted to the historical aspects of the state as part of their vacation. However, this does not deter them from enjoying some of the best contemporary performances and a combination of elements creates a great vacation as well as contributes to the dynamic quality of this state.
The Virginia Ballet Company is just one of the many incredible cultural and performance companies in the state. The company provides excellent ballet productions and also has quality training program. Part of its mission is to educate as well as to entertain. As is true for many ballet companies across the nation, the Virginia Ballet is currently performing The Nutcracker. And while this is happening across the country, not every company can claim that they have produced this classic ballet as part of its seasonal tradition since 1950.
The ballet was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between 1891 and 1892. It a fairytale story that was based on the work of Alexandre Dumas, which in turn was adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman. The ballet is a simplified version of Hoffman’s original elaborate story, which is common for a ballet production. It contains famous characters such as Marie, the Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King among others. It is one of the most popularly produced ballet’s in the United States and is a tradition for many people to attend an annual performance during the holiday season.
Tags: best Virginia hotels, The Nutcracker, Virginia Ballet Company
Posted by Brian on Dec 1, 2009 in
Travel Casper had wanted to be an astronaut for as long as he could remember. In fact, some of his earliest memories were associated with looking up at the sky, especially during the night. His second grade teacher informed his parents that he was going to be a deep thinker. This was due to the fact that during art class she asked the students what color the sky was. Her intention was to demonstrate what all goes into what many people consider to be a single color. However, Casper quickly raised his hand, as he frequently did, and answered that it depended on the time of day and the season in which you were looking.
Casper’s parents laughed at first when his instructor told them what he had said. They answered that he may or may not be a deep thinker and that his response was actually due to his absolute fascination with the stars and what they would consider to be the sky, but what Casper insisted to be what lied beyond and also in-between. And his fascination only grew as he did. His parents assumed he would eventually settle into a more mainstream business interest, however when it was time for Casper to choose a college he insisted that he was going to study astronomy. By this time however he was more interested in theory and wanted to become an astronomer but did not intend to go into space.
His top choice was the University of Michigan in Duluth. He was incredibly interested in the Large Lakes Observatory, though of course it was studying lakes and water it was incredibly interesting to Casper and he was impressed with the fact that it existed on the campus. After all, it was the only institute in America that is devoted to studying the lakes of the world. Of course he was also impressed with and excited about the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, which was also located on campus. Casper’s parents decided to plan a trip to Duluth to both investigate the campus and check out possible living options for their son. They stayed for a week in one of the hotels Duluth and explored not only the campus but also the city. They were all incredibly interested in both and when they the free show at the planetarium on Wednesday night they were all impressed. Casper definitely wanted to be a part of that campus.
Tags: astronomy, hotels Duluth, University of Michigan in Duluth