Feb
26
Singapore continues to grow in its reputation for offering some of the greatest and most diverse cuisine options in the world. It certainly deserves this acknowledgment and food genres from across the globe are available in this great island city/state. Tourists are becoming more aware of this as they visit and frequently look forward to experiencing not only the best of the local cuisine options but also food, such as what can be found here from all over. One of many people’s favorite pastimes is to try their own regions food representation when they are visiting other cultures. This means that Italian individuals will explore the Italian food options in Singapore and give their evolution of its quality. The same is true for Spanish and English food and individuals as well as many other countries and regional areas.
Meanwhile, the traditional food of Singapore is interesting and can be equated to that of the United States. This might sound odd at first and it’s not the particular genre, spice or main staple ingredients that is comparable it’s the combined influences that reflect local traditions. Typical American food is a product of the early settler’s and a mutation of their traditions. This is also true of Singapore, though it’s a bit more finite in source status. Singaporean cuisine is usually based on a blend of Malay, Chinese Indian and Indonesian traditions, though it doesn’t necessarily have to include all and other factors and influences can also be found. Certain travel information and other Singapore resources indicate that dining is national pastime and food is something of a cultural obsession. This is evident in the diversity of the cuisine and also the quality of it. There are numerous options for great fine dining opportunities and also fast hawker food available right on the streets from various food stalls. Whatever you’re looking for, when visiting Singapore you are certain to find it and more.
Feb
24
Many people like to do what the Karankawa Indian Tribes used to do a long time ago which was migrate to South Padre Island for the winter. It is a small sliver of land off the coast of Texas and it is filled with warm sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets. The waters are calm and great for fishing. In 1804, Padre Jose Nicholas Balli came to the area and decided to make the first permanent settlement and was given a land grant by the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. He first called it Rancho Santa Cruz. They established a ranching business and raised cattle, mules and horses on the island.
There are many stories about the island. In fact, it is one of the most legendary islands for tales of Spanish shipwrecks and treasure. Could there still be some hidden treasure on the island? One of the more famous stories told on the island is called, The 1554 Shipwrecks. People still hunt for the ocean floor and sandy beaches for any remains of Spanish silver that may be still buried.
The Mexican War was not just fought on the mainland it also was fought on South Padre Island. Many troops were stationed on the island and the near by Port Isabel. It was a great way to trade and move supplies for the U.S. Military. There were some very famous men stationed on the island like future president Zachary Taylor when he was a soldier, Robert E Lee, Abner Doubleday who was the created Baseball, and James K. Polk. Another uprising with the American Civil War also brought action to the island. Many military men would hide there prised possessions on the island. There are still some coins and jewelry hiding in the sand dunes from the Singer family because the ever changing sand concealed the hiding place when they came back for it. So when you come for a visit at one of the tranquil hotels on South Padre, bring your metal detector.
Feb
23
Imagine you’ve arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia. You’re out for a few thrills at the local amusement park, but mainly you’re in town for the history of the place. Williamsburg, of course, is one of the oldest colony settlements in America, alongside such places as the Jamestown Settlement. Like Jamestown, Williamsburg also provides its version of a living history museum in the form of Colonial Williamsburg, where you may wander the streets of historic homes and ask questions of costumed performers. How did the the restoration of this area begin? There’s a home that’s off the regular path that may answer this question: Bassett Hall.
The two story Bassett Hall is a frame house from the 1700s, situated on 585 acres of woodlands and gardens, owned by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. They lived here during the restoration of the historic area of Williamsburg, which the Rockefellers financed. Most of the items in the house belonged to the Rockefellers. You’ll note that the home now looks like it did in the early 20th Century, from the 1930s and 40s, when the Rockefellers restored and furnished it. Conservation work was performed on the gardens, adding 5,000 trees and shrubs and ground cover. Trails the Rockefellers created in the woods are also maintained today. You’ll see a short film in a reception building that tells the story of the Rockefellers and the restoration. The home itself is fascinating. In each room, Mrs. Rockefeller used her collection of folk art to create a theme. You’ll find the guides in the home extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
A stop at this home is almost a requirement to understanding Colonial Williamsburg itself. Before you go, though, you should be aware that the place is only open three days a week, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Further, it’s closed from February 22nd until March 5th. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pick up an admission pass from Colonial Williamsburg before being admitted to the house. There are no ticket sales at the house itself. So, before you leave your local hotel, head to Colonial Williamsburg first, and then on to Bassett Hall.
Feb
21
The mission or the goal of a great property management company is to provide an overall sense of well being, for those who are renting out the the properties and for those who own the properties. One of the ways that companies go about doing this, creating a mission statement, is by building the framework of services in which they will provide to the customer. This will help to establish the building blocks that will lead to a solid and clearly stated vision.
This is not only essential when dealing with customers and clients, but it is essential for all the employees as well. Everyone will be “on the same page” so to speak. When providing people with places to rent, the management company will be involved, to an extent, in part of those people’s lives. The renter’s businesses or their homes will be in the manager’s hands in a way. When the vision of the company is clear and when promises that are made are kept, the level of trust elevates. The renters do not need to worry. And the owners can rest assured that their investment properties are being well maintained and looked after. It is the quality of care and the quickness to which it is attended to that matters in this industry. When something in a property breaks down or springs a leak, it is important for the management to look after the issues immediately.
This not only protects the renters, but it protects the owner. It things are not taken care of, renters vacate the premises. Responding in person to these issues is much better than responding over the telephone or via email. Personal responses should be given when at all possible. The renters in Canada are extremely fortunate for there is a company there that is highly respected and experienced, and that is the TransGlobe Property Management company. When looking to do business in Canada, or when looking for a home or a flat to rent, they are trusted and provide the kind of customer service that has kept them in business for many years, and that has consistently kept the renters and the owners feeling safe about with whom they trust their investments and their livelihoods.
Feb
19
So, I was wondering what all there would be to do in Atlanta, Georgia. It turns out that my good friend Tammy won two round trip plane tickets to Atlanta and hotel accommodations for a three-night stay. She won the trip through a drawing at work that was part of the annual convention and seminar event. The point of all this, which might be obvious, is that she invited me to go with her and not being one to pass up a free trip I accepted. Meanwhile, I had never been to Atlanta before and was wondering what all we might want to do there.
About the only aspects I was aware of before looking into the local entertainment and cultural aspects of the city was the fact that the Atlanta Hawks were their NBA team and the Braves were their baseball team. And of course the Atlanta Falcons are their football team. There, that was the extent of my knowledge about Atlanta, Georgia. However, now I can say I’m actually much more familiar with it, well and of course I have been there and explored the city by now, but I also did my homework before arriving.
It turns out that in addition to all of the major professional sports teams, Atlanta really has a lot of dynamic cultural institutions and entertainment options. We also had a great time at some of the local nightclubs. We love to go dancing and sort of mingling with new people and our first night in town we went to a place called Compound. It’s on Brady Avenue and is really a cool and kind of chic, but not pretentiously, in its own way. We also went to happy hour at a place called Loca Luna just because Tammy liked the name. The happy hour was great and they’re known for their appetizers. This has just been a light sampling, but we had a fabulous time in Atlanta and I recommend it as a vacation destination for anyone.
Feb
17
I don’t follow sports. At all. Well except I do follow Lance Armstrong…but that’s another story for another time. First time I lived in Chicago was during the 2001 World Series, played between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks. Everyone wanted the Yankees to win after all that the city of Manhattan had been through the month prior. I did too, however I was a bit torn. I was homesick after the Sept. 11 attacks and the fact that my team…from my home town was playing? well I had a bit of a heartbeat when I would hear that they were doing well. Perhaps that’s why, even though the Yankees ALWAYS seem to win the series, that my heart was torn…I wanted New Yorker’s hearts to keep on beating.
A few years later I was back living in Chicago. I had gone to see the Cubs play many times. And although I had never been to a Sox game, when they played the final games of the series, you could feel it…you could see it in the face of the “everyman”. The White Sox are a working man’s team who have dealt with their share of scandal. But they were playing ball…my goodness, They. Were. Playing. Ball! That final game I was in my apartment. My roommate had been watching the game from a downtown Chicago hotel lounge. He called me up and said meet me at Quencher’s. That was our local neighborhood bar. And me…no sports enthusiast, said…”you bet”! I had my snow boats on before I hung up the phone.
The crowd at Quencher’s, on Fullerton and Western is an artistic crowd, full of musicians and poets and painters. But when I walked in, all eyes were glued to the TV sets brought in for the occasion. No one there that night gave two thoughts to sports, but this was something more. This was the spirit of a town, that was rising up against all odds, against everything that was supposed to happen. When the game was called, and the White Sox won the World Series, everyone in that small pub hugged each other with tears in their eyes. It was just a brilliant night. A brilliant, a cold, and a wonderful night to be living in the city of Chicago.
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