Location: The State Capitol - Bigger in Texas!

Location: The State Capitol - Bigger in Texas!

Texas, the lone star state, the biggest state in the continental USA! The saying goes... "everything is bigger in Texas." Even the Capitol?

The beautiful dome of the State Capitol

The Texas State Capitol is second in total size only to Washington DC National Capitol; basically it is the largest state capitol in the nation. The Texas Capitol does surpass the National Capitol in height, though, rising almost 15 feet above its Washington counterpart. It is a beautiful, Renaissance Revival style of architecture building, which was completed in 1888, and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Touring the facilities is free on a daily basis - you can also choose a guided tour, which is approximately 45 minutes long, or wander through the magnificent building on your own. Children will love to climb the several floors linked by formidable stairways; the interior is like a palace, with many different rooms and corridors to be explored; galleries showing portrait paintings of all previous state governors, and lots of history to be appreciated. Colorful marble floors also grace the lobby of this amazing building.

Inside the State Capitol, hallways covered with pictures portray the history of Texas

 The State Capitol's grounds are situated in a beautiful landscaped area, where you find tourists and pedestrians strolling around, taking pictures of the many monuments and statues spread around the park, or just sitting under a tree relaxing in the shade. It's interesting to notice, that views of the Capitol's dome are protected, by state law, from being obscured; so you can see the magnificent dome from many different points throughout the city.

Another beautiful view of the State Capitol dome

Nothing like a taste of history for free; but don't forget the taste of Texan food. While in Austin, walk around the famous 6th Street; where during the day you can find a multitude of restaurants, and on nearby streets you can find food trucks selling all sorts of goodies, including delicious cupcakes. And at night, you can bar hop in one of the many entertainment venues, permanent hosts of this world famous musical street. Welcome to the capital of Texas!

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Lifestyle: Bilingual parents - make sure your child speaks your native language.

I know a lot of people who speak English as a second language. When their children are born in the US, they speak to them in their native language for the first few months, or for a few years after the child is born. Then, they tend to switch to speaking English only. Consequently, the child forgets the parents' native language or loses interest in speaking it. Throughout the years, I've tried to understand why bilingual parents fail when it comes to having their children speak their language. Let's examine some of the reasons I've gathered from friends:

1. Some people think their child will develop a foreign accent when speaking English, so they don't even try to teach or speak in their native language with the child (without realizing they're speaking English with an accent themselves, thus teaching English with an accent to their children);
2. Others believe being exposed to more than one language at an early age will confuse the children and prevent them from speaking or learning either language well, or alter their language development speed;
3. Others give the ever so common excuse that once the children go to school, they will forget the other language;
4. There are also those who think it's a hard job to teach their children another language and don't feel up to it - basically it's easier to give in.

My child, though, speaks my native language as fluently as if she had been born overseas. And her English is perfect, because she was born in the US and has been going to school here. So, how did I accomplish that? I didn't let those excuses get into my way of raising a bilingual child. I believe it's important to learn another language, and it's even better if the language comes naturally and easy when you're speaking at home and the children don't feel like they're "learning", but just going with the flow.

                                  


It's fun to speak your native language to your child when you're bilingual. Don't give up. Remember, if the child learns both languages at an early age, she will speak with no accent in either language. It's important to speak another language; it's an added skill that will serve them well in the future. One bilingual mother I know regretted profusely not speaking to her daughter in her native language. When the girl grew up, she met a guy from her mother's native country and got married, but when they moved back to his country, she didn't know how to speak the language and had a very hard time finding a job and relating to his non-English speaking family! It was such a shame. If her mother had only spoken to her when she was a child…
Don't forget what to do:
1. Always speak to your child in your native language;
2. Read books in your native language to your child often;
3. Watch videos in your native language;
4. Institute the language law in your home: only your language can be spoken!
5. Don't engage in conversations where both languages are spoken back and forth: use your language only!
I'm sure if you insist and realize the benefits of speaking to your child in your native language, the rewards and benefits will be abundant in your lives!

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Book: Money - A Love Story by Kate Northrup

Book: Money - A Love Story by Kate Northrup

I really struggled with this review. At first glance, I was excited to read a book that would give me good advice on how to handle money and be debt free. I had never read a book about financial advice before, so this was something new that I wanted to try, and this book seemed promising. However, I felt that some suggestions given were not very realistic to the average population who is already struggling with debt and money issues, specifically the advice about getting help from a financial adviser. Not that the advice is not a good one, most definitely I believe it is, however it doesn't seem practical for me, for example, to spend money on a financial adviser monthly when I have real bills to pay.  

The book is basically a workbook with several exercises, which I also found annoying at times. I would have preferred to read it without the interruptions of the exercises - maybe if they were at the end of the book, they would not be so distracting, in my opinion. The love money quiz at the beginning of the book was very good and an eye opener, though. I also enjoyed reading the suggestions at the end of the book about self help, seminars, sites to join, research, and the pros and cons of exploring the financial freedom freeways of residual income possibilities. Overall not a bad read, as there are really some very good suggestions and advice, but the format didn't quite work that well for me. 



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Hay House Publishing for this review. The opinion in this review is unbiased and reflects my honest judgment of the product.

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Location: Petronas Twin Towers - a view from Malaysia

Location: Petronas Twin Towers - a view from Malaysia

The glass looking towers illuminated at night

Kuala Lumpur, the vibrant and colorful capital of Malaysia, is the home of the world famous Petronas Towers, double skyscrapers that holds the title of the tallest twin towers in the world. The towers are 88 stores high and 452 meters above sea level. Although they were completed in 1998, after seven years of construction, they were officially inaugurated on August 31, 1999.

The Sky bridge gives tourists a great view of the city

The building is spectacularly beautiful and at night, it resembles pointed spires of a giant glass castle. The lights are usually turned off around midnight. It is breathtaking to take a peak at the city from the towers, and visitors can go to the observatory platform on the 41st floor, half way through to the top, where a sky bridge unites both towers. Besides being an observatory deck, the sky bridge also serves as an escape route in case of emergency. The ride used to be free, and you had to spend a considerable amount of time in line waiting for a chance to get a ticket. For that, you had to go to the underground level of the Suria KLCC shopping mall, a high class shopping mall at the foot of the towers, the biggest in Malaysia, where you find the booth that distributes the daily tickets. Lines used to form as early as 6 am on the weekends, as the tickets were distributed on a first came, first served basis to 1,000 tourists per day.

Interior of the Suria KLCC Shopping Mall, located at the foot of Petronas Towers

The 20 elevator trips to the sky bridge are still distributed to the maximum capacity of 20 visitors per ride, with the last ride being around 4 or 5 pm. If you are traveling by yourself, you have a higher chance to fill one of the earliest rides. For example, when I got there around 8 am, the line was already curving around the corner of the room, and by 10:45 am, although the next available slot was not until 3:15pm, I was able to score one at 1:45 pm, because I was by myself and they needed one more person to fill the elevator to its maximum capacity. For the last two years, the tickets are now being sold to the public, however the touristic demand to go to this architectural masterpiece is high and queues are still an issue. 

It's advisable to stay around the area waiting for your ride,so don't go wandering around too far. If you get there late for your elevator slot, you won't be able to take your tour and will have to try again the following day. You can enjoy your time walking around the shopping mall, browsing through the hundreds of specialty shops or finding a place to eat and have a fresh fruit smoothie while you wait.

Another beautiful view of the magnificent skyscrapers

The ride is fast and non stop. Once at the sky ride observatory, you get the chance to walk around and take breathtaking pictures of the city down below, which is well worth the wait. No trip to Kuala Lumpur would be complete without visiting the towers. It's a must see in the Malaysia capital, and probably the most famous attraction, since the towers symbolize the city and the country.

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Books: New Indie authors - get to know some indie writers: Karatsioris, Mudgett and Vandiver

 The Book of the Forsaken (The Game, #1) by Yannis Karatsioris

"An ancient being, our storyteller, traps three characters in his web in order to get hold of a special book. Daniel, Cassidy and Igor are three unique individuals, considered outcasts for different reasons. They are about to meet and stick together, as coincidences and forced situations lead them to a journey all around Europe. As everyone is after the Book of the Forsaken, the coming Game is about to take place on the dark side of the moon. But there is a cost to that knowledge. Let alone to the wish to partake."

This book is creative and fast paced, and Yannis has devised an intriguing plot, a fresh take on fantasy with weird characters reminiscent of X-men mutants who can, among other things, read minds and teleport. The narrator, a puppet master of sorts, seems to manipulate the characters' actions and in a funny and sarcastic tone. Although I thought the characters acted naive when they had the coveted book they had to kill for, and trustingly entered the manor of an unknown figure who didn't seem to know who had sent them there and willingly delivered the book to him, the story is nonetheless amusing and a page turner. I'm looking forward to reading the trilogy and finding out the final outcome of this fantasy!

Serpents Unwound by Paul Mudgett

"A data breach at a local hospital has cost a patient his life but is just the beginning of an intricate scheme that stands to unravel the future of electronic medical records. Computer forensics expert, Ethan Deye, is thrust into an investigation that leaves his reputation and the life of a young, naïve hacker precariously intertwined. The unlikely duo must find a way to outsmart the most determined and sinister foe Ethan has ever faced before catastrophe strikes the entire regional health care system."

Serpents Unwound is an action/adventure story that captures the reader's attention from the beginning. It has interesting characters and the plot thickens as you keep reading to find out what is going to happen at the end. At times it can be predictable, though, but it is a quick read and maintains a fast pace throughout.

It needs some editing for punctuation and spelling, but those are not the kind that makes you put the book down at all. The story is well developed and the sequence of events makes sense. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this debut story by Paul Mudgett and would recommend it for those who like a nice action story. Well done!


 In the Beginningby Abby Vandiver

"In 1997, Biblical Archaeologist Justin Dickerson is unhappy with her life in general and has decided to run away from her problems. Intervening, her mentor asks that she go with him to the Fifty Year Jubilee commemorating the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jerusalem. There she finds that in 1949 Jerusalem some of the 2,000 year old manuscripts, hidden in clay pots in the caves of Qumran, may have been destroyed.

Justin, obsessed with this revelation, is determined to get to the bottom of the deceit. Uncontrollable emotion takes hold of her, and family and faith help guide her as she unfolds the truth of Earth's ancient mysteries discovering what really happened In the Beginning . . . "

 
This review may contain spoilers!

A very interesting story, mixing sci-fi with archaeology, which captures the attention of the reader from the first chapters. It makes you want to read it to find out what is going to be revealed at the end. It's a well thought plot, going back and forth from the present to the past to show how the scroll came to be found and "lost", to it being rediscovered again and interpreted by Justin, the main character, a biblical archaeologist.

The story line is captivating and current (news of probable life beginning in Mars are just in!); however, the dialogue between depressed Justin and her family, especially her sister Claire, got to be dull and redundant at times. There are also some editing needed, with proper punctuation and grammar, which could at times distract from enjoying the intriguing plot.

Overall, a very good and thought provoking read, which can fall into the categories of Dan Brown, James Rollins and Steve Berry books! 

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Location: Xunantunich - an adventure in Belize

Location: Xunantunich - an adventure in Belize

Few might know that Belize was known as British Honduras... in Central America. It's the only country in C.A. where English is spoken. Belize is known for its luscious tropical jungle, spectacular coral reef (second only to Australia's) and old Mayan civilization. One of the most amazing Mayan cities discovered within the jungle is Xunantunich, which is located about 2 hours by bus from the port of Belize City. The drive is almost boring with no interesting landscapes, except for the far away glance at a mountain range called the Mayan Mountains, which resembles a sleeping giant. The rest of the way is cut across the outskirts of Belmopan, the capital, and other smaller villages, where you can see the underdeveloped infrastructure of the small country.

The Mayan Mountains resemble a sleeping giant

To get into Xunantunich Mayan city, we need to cross the Mopan river, near the border with Guatemala, by a hand cranked ferryboat- this crossing is no longer than 5 minutes. Once on the other side of the river, it takes about a mile uphill to the site (yes, you can hike, but you can also go by horse back or van...). There are still many temples and edifices buried within the jungle. The main structure is El Castillo, the main temple, a spectacular pyramid that rises 130 feet above the ground and it's one of the very few pyramids that you can climb if you dare. The climb is steep and challenging; descent is worse... so be careful when adventuring yourself on these steps. However, the view from the top is significantly worth it. You can just imagine the powerful priest addressing the population down below and performing sacrifices to their gods. It's a bewildering image and not to be forgotten - a magnificent jungle all the way down the horizon and the remnants of the Mayan city down below... bringing us a sensation of the peace and beauty our world has to offer, which we all should embrace. 

Beautiful Mopan river

Note on local cuisine: On our way out of Xunantunich, we stopped at a local restaurant (Benny's) to savor the delicious Caribbean cuisine, consisting of rice and red beans cooked in coconut milk, fried plantains, and a coleslaw type salad. (For non vegetarians, there was also chicken!). The restaurant was clean and well kept and it's owned by a local family, and it seems to be a favorite tourist stop for most tours coming in and out of Xunantunich, in the town of San Ignacio.

El Castillo - you can climb to the top

http://mayanruins.info/belize/xunantunich-belize/

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Location: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Let's celebrate one of the most popular and world known beaches in Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana, also lovingly nicknamed "little princess of the seas" by cariocas, Rio´s inhabitants. The spectacular landscape pictures Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background, making it unique in natural beauty. Copacabana has been a favorite spot for many Brazilians and visitors alike, including Brazilian's famous poet and writer Carlos Drummond de Andrade. Although not a carioca, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, born in 1902 in Minas Gerais state, lived in Rio for most of his life and considered Copacabana Beach one of his favorite places. He used to stroll by the beach, then sit and contemplate life in all its colors and splendor in a privileged area next to the fortress of Copacabana. Drummond died in 1987 and is considered one of Brazil´s greatest poets.

Copacabana Beach with Sugar Loaf in the background

In 2002, to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of Drummond´s birth, a statue was unveiled in Copacabana, in Drummond´s original size, as if he was sitting at one of the many benches he used to sit while taking a rest from his regular walks at the beach, watching as life manifested happily in front of his eyes. The lonely poet is never alone; since the statue was unveiled, it has attracted many tourists who are eager to capture a picture next to the great poet. The biggest challenge, however, is to keep Drummond´s glasses on! Even though a camera was installed in a nearby area to record the movement around the monument, vandalism unfortunately continues, and every once in a while the poet wakes up without his glasses, just to be replaced again... and again. It is amazing to note that his glasses have been stolen 8 times (the latest of 2012 - in mid-June, a new pair was attached once more).

The poster says "don't steal my glasses, read my books instead!"

Always in the news, never forgotten, forever immortalized not only by his poetic words but by his image in this amazing and symbolic monument, Carlos Drummond de Andrade becomes a natural part of the scene, vibrating and resonating with the colors, sights and legends of famous Copacabana Beach.

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