Gullivar's Travel's

On Friday we were so busy catching up on work, we didn't have time to take them out during the day, and usually when we're busy, I'd send them over to my parents home, but my siblings had other obligations too, and I couldn't foist my kids on them. Strangely, the boys didn't protest about staying at home and doing nothing for once. Well, it isn't doing anything. I made them clear out their toys. it was getting a little bit out of hand. Abdulaziz rediscovered his Legos and was hooked on them for the rest of the day. Ahmed did the same thing with his Playmobils. So I decided to book for a late show to watch Gulliver's Travel's. We went for a quick bite and then headed to the movies. I guess the boys were more excited to be out at such a late hour, by our standards 9pm is late for the boys, more than going to watch the movie. Anyway…here is my take. Jack Black being Jack Black, with few moves from Kung Fu Panda, and he didn't bring anything new to this movie. Abdulaziz loved the movie and Ahmed…well he slept before the movie began!

Lemuel Gulliver is a mailroom clerk at a New York newspaper. After Gulliver bluffs his way into an assignment writing about the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, he is hurtled to an undiscovered land, Lilliput. In this fantastical new world, Gulliver is a bigger-than-life figure -- in size and ego -- especially after he starts telling tall tales, taking credit for his world's greatest inventions, and placing himself at the center of its most historic events. Gulliver's position is enhanced even further when he leads his new friends in a daring battle against their longtime enemies. But when Gulliver loses it all and puts the Lilliputians in peril, he must find a way to undo the damage. Gulliver only becomes a true giant among men when he learns that it¿s how big you are on the inside that counts.

Books On Vacation

So I was on a Romanctic and Fantasy mood... I picked up books to take with me on vacation which I really enjoyed reading and didn't want to end. My all time favorite Anne Bishop, released a new book which I just recently got and I cried when it ended...Just becuase I didn't want it to end :s For years the Shalador people suffered the cruelties of the corrupt Queens who ruled them, forbidding their traditions, punishing those who dared show defiance, and forcing many more into hiding. And even though the refugees found sanctuary in Dena Nehele, they have never been able to call it home. Now that Dena Nehele has been cleansed of tainted Blood, the Rose-Jeweled Queen, Lady Cassidy, makes it her duty to restore the land and prove her ability to rule. She knows that undertaking this task will require all her heart and courage as she summons the untested power within her, a power capable of consuming her if she cannot control it. And even if Lady Cassidy survives her trial by fire, other dangers await. For the Black Widows see visions within their tangled webs that something is coming that will change the land—and Lady Cassidy—forever…

a heart warming romantic read!

The quartet relates the story of four childhood friends—Parker, Emma, Laurel, and MacKensie—who turned their childhood game of playing wedding day into a real-life dream job, a premier wedding-planning company called Vows.Each of the four has a particular talent suited to Vows: MacKensie (Mac) takes stunning photographs, Emma is a fabulous floral designer, Laurel, the cook, makes delicious concoctions and gorgeous wedding cakes, and Parker is the one who meets all the bride’s demands and keeps everything on a tight schedule. Altogether they make a wonderful package and Vows delivers the dream wedding every bride wants.The first three books found Mac (book one – Vision in White), Emma (book two – Bed of Roses), and Laurel (book three – Savor the Moment) finding their own true loves and planning their own weddings. Parker is not only the main planner for her dear friends’ weddings but she finds the perfect, dreamy wedding gown for each of them.Happy Ever After, finds the first friend’s wedding approaching—Mac is marrying Carter, a teacher, two weeks before Christmas. Parker is thrilled for her friends and happy that they have found true love, but she realizes that her own life is being spent solely on planning other people’s weddings and not finding the “one” for herself. She throws herself into the work of Vows and takes calls and emails at all times of day and night. An auto mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh entered the picture in book one as a minor character and was immediately drawn to Parker. Malcolm is the friend of Del, Parker’s brother. He recently moved back to Connecticut to live near his mother after suffering an almost fatal injury in a car crash while a stuntman for a Hollywood movie. But even though he’s very interested in Parker, he knows that it’s a major step from flirting with her to a serious relationship—especially since Del is very protective of his sister.

Parker is also drawn to Malcolm despite the fact that they come from vastly different backgrounds. Parker confesses to her friends that Mal “rattles” her with his motorcycle-riding, leather jacket-wearing, and complete lack of social skills. But she senses that Malcolm is hiding his past from her.Parker’s business risks have paid off—Vows is one of the most successful wedding planning companies in Connecticut. But taking a risk with her heart is something that Parker has refrained from doing so far.Roberts is at her best when she writes novels that are part of a trilogy—or in this case—a quartet. She weaves the stories together so that you get to know all the characters in each book and come to care about them. Each of the four books concentrates on one of the friends, but you see and meet all the friends and their future romantic interests from the first book. That’s one of the most important things about her books—you care about the characters and they are people that you like. They have their faults, their tragedies, their joys and sorrows—but you genuinely like them and that makes the novels interesting and heart-warming. As you read each one in the quartet, you look forward to the time when the next book will come out continuing the story of the four friends. Even though you pretty much know how things are going to turn out—and figure out whose going to fall in love with who—the book is titled Happy Ever After, after all—it’s still very enjoyable reading. Especially because Roberts is a master at describing scenes—in this case: beautiful wedding gowns, lovely flowers, towering wedding cakes, and stunning photographs. By the time you are finished with all four books, you see the world of wedding planners from start to finish and have the chance to “meet” and get to know four couples in their search for happiness.

Review by Patricia Chasteen

From Epoch Times

Vacation - Saltanate Of Oman P7

Of Course no trip to Oman is complete without Halwa!!!

The best is the Sultaniya from AlBaraka Halwa Factory...

just ask the kind people at the Concierge

to provide you with the quantity you require.

Oh! Yum!!!

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We wanted to extend our stay until the end of the week, unfortunately the hotel was fully booked. We got a call from my sister telling me she is booking at Hilton AlMangaf for New Years. Yeah… why not? We woke up on the day we were suppose to leave finding the sky and surrounding mountains covered in dark clouds, promising lots and lots of rain! By the time we got down for breakfast, the staffs of the hotel including the management were rushing bringing in the tables inside as it started to pour! Mashallah 3asa allah yezeed w yebarek. It really poured and with the amazing view it looked breathtaking. Inshallah ye7ooshna eshwaya min al7ash'hom min am6ar. Of course the Europeans who arrived for the New Years break, were glum about the weather. They wanted the sun, the sea and the pool. I guess we are lucky we didn't get to extend our stay. Until next year inshallah ;)

The Piazza at AlBandar Hotel where we have our daily breakfast

and dinner is soaked in water from the rain!

Just beautiful!

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Another highlight of our stay was of course the food. When we previously stayed at AlWaha hotel, we didn't enjoy their food at all and never thought to venture to the restaurants at AlBandar. I guess by the end of the day we were just too tired to take two steps anywhere so we settled at the restaurants available at the hotel. Fahad was complaining about it and he really hoped the restaurants at AlBandar were much better. I checked them on the net an assured him that they were sounded very promising. Anyway, we really indulged in the yummy very yummy food!!! The first two days we went crazy. We would have 3 big meals, but on the third we settled for two meals and a small snack in between, so we could really enjoy our dinners. There are other good restaurants in Oman, but with the kids, and the long drive (45min) to the City, it wasn't that encouraging, maybe next time when Fahad and I are there alone.

AlTanoor (Buffet)

One of the yummy breakfast I had during our stay :) During the Christmas festivities...the Chefs went out

of the their way with the displays of the dessert buffet.

Chef Jacket & hat with bowls and ladles

all made from Chocolate.

wheel of white milk and dark chocolate!

Best chocolate fountain!

And of course they brought Santa for the kids.

There was a special dinner and movie for the kids.

Ice cream cart, decorated in ginger bread, icing and candy.

Here is Abudulaziz and Ahmed mertazeen in front of the cart.

Carolers Circles (Pool Restaurant & Bar)

Greek Salad

More Greek Salad (yes it was that good)

The kids favorite, penne with mushrooms and alfredo sauce

The sweetest most tender steak with herbed butter

and fries

Chicken with Tiryakie Sauce and rosemary potatoes

Fish fillet with rosemary potatoes

Roasted vegetables sandwich

A very yummy pizza

Brownies and ice cream

Tapas

Tapas was my favorite among the restaurants in the hotel.

we had dinner twice there.

Olive and herb bread

Fatayer Meat

Fatayer Spinich

Shrimp on toast.

Reqaqat Cheese

Meat Kibba

Thai Beef Salad

Shrimps and Chilli

Chicken legs in oil.. Chicken Satay

The piece de resistance! Chicken Paealla!!! The best I had in a long while.

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Scenery as I walked from the hotel to the Spa

The Spa is situated between AlBandar and AlWaha Hotels

One of the highlights of the trip was the "Chi Spa". Every time we go there, I was unlucky to not experience it. It is either the timing wasn't right or it was fully booked. This time round I was lucky to find booking and at the right time. The day before our return, I went for a scrub and relaxation massage. The reception area was big and the staff were welcoming. I had to fill in a form and answer few questions to determine my own element, which you can do on their website btw, and after that I was escorted to the changing room. I was provided with a robe and a small pouch where there were few toiletries I might need, as complementary from the spa. There were water facilities, such as a Jacuzzi and sauna, which I used and really loved. Then my therapist, a very sweet lady named Andrea, came to escort me to my individual villa where my therapy would take place. From what I understood she used oils based on my element. The overall experience was very good. The result was I snored…and when I snore it means that I was really enjoying the therapy and very relaxed ;p Even the bloating in my body receded by the next morning and I felt lighter. I highly recommend you try it when you go there and book in advance. If you are a couple you can share the same villa for your therapies.

I wish I was aloud to take more pictures. There is an inside

garden between the main reception and the villas.

The main building of the spa....

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/muscat/barraljissahresort/health/chispa/intro

Flawless

New "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez showed off her signature curves on New Year's Eve in a sexy sequined $2,500 Herve Leger bandage dress upon arriving at Love -- The Beatles Cirque du Soleil show -- at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada. Caramel-colored locks, stacked bracelets, a diamond cocktail ring, and mirrored peep-toes completed her flawless look

*Sniff*... I saw the dress...it was breathtaking and I was about to

buy it...if only it fit ;p