Archive for March, 2010

I couldn’t believe the way my husband proposed to me. It was two years ago and the whole event was not only completely unexpected, but the manner in which it occurred was borderline crazy. But then I guess that shouldn’t have surprised me as my husband Joshua is a bit crazy himself. Anyway, he told me that he had to visit some relatives in Palmdale, California. That’s how the whole thing got started. I didn’t even know he had relatives in Palmdale, but he told me it was important that he go. He said it was his aunt’s birthday or something. Then he asked me if I would go with him, which I agreed to do and was always interested in meeting his family. Oh, yeah, I remember I was actually kind of flattered because he was only my boyfriend at the time and he wanted to take me to this major family get together.

So we arrived in town and he pulls up to one of the most luxurious looking hotels Palmdale . I thought that seemed like a pretty odd place to hold the meeting, or whatever it was and knew it was too nice for us to be staying at. However, he parked and we walked in and then checked into a room. And it was so nice I could have stayed in it all weekend, but I still thought we were meeting his aunt for dinner. So we got ready and Josh asked me to wear something nice. I was a tad insulted because of course I was going to look nice to meet his family, but I figured he might be nervous or something so I didn’t think anything about it.

One of the things I noticed immediately about the city of Palmdale was all the great parks and recreational areas . It seemed so peaceful and pleasant I really thought it was going to be ideal for the reunion. We passed a couple of skate parks and I saw a few skaters out and made a mental note to come back and watch them. I think skateboarding is incredibly fascinating to watch. Okay, so I’m really sorry but his is actually going to have to be a two part story. I hope you’ll stay interested and will be back for the conclusion of my husband’s wedding proposal. And I mean that phrase as the proposal was really more about him than me.

While visiting Virginia if you are in the mood for an extreme thrill ride then a stop at Busch Gardens is in your future. This theme park is renowned for its large size and adrenaline pumping rides. The theme park is good for a day out with the entire family because Busch Gardens has rides and areas set aside for people of different ages and interest.
There is a ride called the Alpengeist and this roller coasters goes up to 195 feet up in the air before sending the riders through a series of loops and turns reaching up to 67 miles per hour. It has been voted into the list of top ten roller coasters on the planet. There is another coaster called Europe in the air and on this ride the continent’s most recognizable landmarks will be featured, like Stonehenge in England, the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and the Coliseum in Rome. The voyage continues through the streets of Paris, along the Thames River, and into the sky over Ireland for a view unlike any other experienced on a ride or anywhere else. Another thrilling ride is the battering ram and the ride resembles a pendulum as it goes back and forth gradually increasing its height and speed. It is decked out in an medieval back ground to resemble the old days.
One of the most popular rides at Busch Gardens happens to be called the Loch Ness Monster, but unlike the mythological creature this ride is not hard to find. It is very easy to find actually and that is most likely due to its enormous size as it reaches up 3 stories tall before racing those who challenge it down a 114-foot drop, with speeds as fast as 60 miles per hour. The Loch Ness Monster sounds exciting but there are many other rides to check out . Also, be sure to check out to find a great hotel room. However, if you find a hotel there be sure to get a full nights rest and leave out early in the morning because there is a two hour ride between Albemarle and Busch Gardens,

My friend Tony had applied to the University of Cincinnati and at one point seemed pretty convinced that this was the place he wanted to go. I really didn’t expect him to ever sit down and actually pick a school, but to be honest he had me believing that he was going to go there. Well, at least I believed he actually sent of his application. And he’s really a pretty bright guy, and has a solid grade point average and did well on the SAT’s . I had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be accepted, he just has always seemed so laid back and kind of slackerish, oh and incredibly absent minded. I just didn’t expect him to make a decision and go anywhere.

However, that’s all history and he told me had applied at Cincinnati and a couple other schools I don’t remember now. What I definitely remember is Tony asking me to go with him that summer to check out the campus and maybe find a place to live. I was so surprised by his initiative, and also interested in visiting the city, that I immediately accepted the invitation and even offered to make hotel reservations and look up flight information. We actually had a great time on that trip and Cincinnati is a really cool city. We made it to the camps and both Tony and I really liked it. I even had a moment of wishing I had applied there, though I was more than happy to be going to my home state school and keep the job I’ve had for two years.

We happened to be in town when a Reds game was happening. Tony wanted to go because he wanted to find out what a game with his impending team was going to be like. And it was absolutely thrilling. Cincinnati seems like a major baseball city and the Reds have amazingly supportive fans. Being a rather neutral observer when I arrived at the Great American Ballpark, I couldn’t help but to get caught up in the all excitement and revelry. Plus that ballpark has great hot dogs. I became a Cincinnati Reds fan that day and looked forward to following the games with Tony and maybe even seeing another one when I visited him. Naturally I was as disappointed as he was when we returned home and found his application still sitting on his desk. At least the envelope was stamped.

London Museums

Author: Sam

There are so many things to see while vacationing in London it is hard to fit it all in. Luckily, many of the great sites are in sections of the city and close together in those section. After seeing some of the top sights such as the Buckingham Palace and Houses of Parliament with Big Ben. Taking the time to wonder through Westminster Abby and see the statues in the neighborhood parks. Heading over to the London Bridge and maybe the London Eye to see another perspective of the city and the Thames River. How about hitting some of the amazing and informative museums that are through out the city. Check with your   London hotel for information on local museums.

If you are an art and architecture enthusiasts you may want to check out the National Gallery They have some great exhibits like Painting History which features Paul Delaroche including his most famous painting the Execution of Lady Jane Grey. He was the most celebrated artist of his time in his works of Neo-classicism and Romanticism. There are some Delaroche  drawings and sketches that show the development of his painting. There are also famous paintings by their famous artists such as Bellini, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Monet and Van Gogh. What a treat to see them in all their glory.  

The Imperial War Museum is also an very interesting experience. There are a few of them but the one in London has focused there exhibits on the 1939 an the Holocaust as well as showing how wartime affected different groups like the children’s point of view and the stories of the West Indian people’s experience’s during war times. There is also an exhibit dedicated to the stories about the life lived in the trenches of WWI. It was a very harsh life in a harsh environment and here is your chance to experience it. It is an interactive exhibit allowing people to try on the clothing, climb through mining tunnels and seeing the inside of an officers’ dugout. They even give out the smell of the stench these brave men endured.

Amarillo Education

Author: Sam

Someone once told me that life is like a chapter book. Each chapter has its own theme and specific drama. Each chapter has a beginning and ending, but there is a single thread that is woven through all of the chapters of the book that hold it together. This single thread is you, and your way of being, your personality. Although it seems like the chapters are already written for us before we even turn the page, we can determine the ending to each chapter and how that thread travels through the story. One chapter that is important in everyone’s book is college. This chapter can be a pivotal point in the novel of your life.

Picking a college is a very big decision. Staying in your local area is always a good idea if you need family support. Many times it is hard to find housing that is suitable for your budget and lifestyle needs. If you are looking for a little adventure, or you know you’re your time to get away, there are plenty of colleges throughout the state of Texas that can help you find the independence and education you desire.

Speaking of independence, if you have a disability, do not let that keep you from getting an education, you can still attend college. Amarillo College has a program called LITE (Living Independently Through Educatuion) that is designed to help students with disabilities attend college. This organization holds an annual luncheon in April to raise money for their various scholarships.

Amarillo is a wonderful place to get your education. Located in the Northern part of Texas, it is close to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Colorado. It is easy to find a Great Place to Stay in Amarillo, and begin the next chapter of your novel. Imagine yourself sitting in the park studying for a psychology test Underneath the Amarillo sky .

Palmdale Began

Author: Sam

What has brought you to need a place to stay in Palmdale California? Are you just driving through the area which looks like the set of an old Tom Mix movie or did you fly in for business? It has a small town feel but there are some big things going on in town. There are some very large corporations conducting business in Palmdale. There is really only about 150,000 people who live in this town of Antelope Valley. Just over the San Gabriel Mountain range one will find Los Angeles. Believe it or not this city ranks in the top 25 fastest growing cities in the U.S. It is the largest desert city in California. With that growth comes some more things to do and more facilities to accommodate all the peoples needs. Where did it all begin?  

Before there were big companies and great hotels in the area there was the migration of the first European settlers who came from Americas mid west looking for warmer climate. The railroad and post office helped to solidify the town and new settlers tried to get some farming going in the desert. It only took a few years of drought for them to realize that farming in the desert was hit or miss. So some of the settlers left the area and others moved closer to the railroad to get a piece of the action. The Wells Fargo stagecoach line also stopped in the area as it made its way between San Francisco and New Orleans. Visitors can see the only remains of the original settlement in the Palmdale Pioneer Cemetery on Avenue S and 20th Street East. The city is reclaiming some of the history with a historical park and an old schoolhouse in McAdams park. In the early 1900s a man named William Mulholland brought in an Aqueduct system which gave new life to the area with apple, pear and alfalfa crops. Lake Palmdale came along a few years later and added more water to the area for agriculture and the community needs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently the leading NBA basketball team in the Eastern Conference. They have a current record of 49 wins and only 15 loses which lands them far ahead of Orlando, which is the conference’s number 2 team. In fact, the Cavaliers are even ahead of the Western Conference leader the Los Angeles Lakers . This is a pretty impressive status, though it’s not uncommon to the recent years’ success rate of Cleveland’s team. And while it’s unlikely that many of the out of town guests staying in some of Cleveland’s finest resorts will be routing for the Cavaliers, they may enjoy a game at Quicken Loans Arena while they are in town. However, the room accommodations and fresh linens on the beds will be just as comfortable regardless of what team the occupant may route for.

However, for Cleveland fans, these statistics are extremely thrilling, though non too surprising. After having gone through several seasons of difficulty and great losses, the team seemed to have a turn around at about the same time they acquired a new number one draft pick. This of course is LeBron James , whose arrival on the team happened to correspond to a change in team colors. Their uniforms when from orange, blue and black to gold and wine, and the combined ingredients seemed to do much for the moral and success of the Cavaliers.

Most recently the team underwent some major transitions in 2005. Not only did they have a new owner, Dan Gilbert, but a new head coach was hired, Mike Brown as well as a new general manager, the former Cavalier forward Danny Ferry. They have seen winning seasons since that time and this year it looks like they have a good chance of bringing home a Championship title. They won the Conference title in 2007 and their divisional title in 2009. Of course there’s quite a bit of the regular season left, and there are some strong opponents in the Western Conference, but Cavalier fans have their eyes on the prize and are hoping their team finally brings it home.

Donovan McNabb was born on November 25, 1976 and is the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Sports are popular in Philadelphia, as they typically are with most major cities, and are an essential aspect of the city’s culture. Bars and clubs will frequently have jerseys and photos hung on the wall and of course many places in Philadelphia are named after one of their professional sports teams. It stands to reason that McNabb is an extremely popular person in Philadelphia. He has played with the Eagles since his arrival in Philadelphia in 1999. He was selected as the second overall pick in that year’s draft series and has been with the Eagles since then. Naturally, Philadelphia considers him to be one of theirs.

Generally the guests in the Philadelphia hotels are in town to see the opposing team if they end up going to a game, but that’s just fine with Philadelphians as they like to have some opposition to exchange phrases with during a great football game. And they have more than enough love and support for their team and their quarterback than many cities have for their own. Some people say you can evaluate the support for any major team based on the color of their stands. This of course means that the more support that exists, the more fans will show up in team colors.

The support the fans feel for McNabb is not undeserved. Between the years 2001 and 2004 he led his team to four consecutive division championships, the Eagles are of the NFC east division. He also led them to one Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, though they did not take home the title. McNabb has the all-time career leader status in pass attempts, pass completions, winning games, passing touchdowns and yards passed, which is a pretty impressive status. He attended Syracuse University though he had also been approached by the University of Nebraska and almost went there due to his interest in working with coach Tom Osborne.