What does the future hold? Will the World end in 2012? Will the Sun put off solar flares to cook the earth? Will global warming be our demise? What are the Most Bizarre and Glorified End of the World Scenarios?

2012

The doomsday event that will occur on December 21, 2012 is based upon the Mayan Long Count Calender that suggests a string of catastrophic events will end life as we know it. In fact, predictions of imminent disaster are found neither in classic Maya accounts nor in contemporary science. Mainstream Mayanist scholars argue that the idea that the Long Count calendar "ends" in 2012 misrepresents Maya history.

Read more about 2012 and other End of the World Scenarios

Crepuscular rays tend to be found where at one point in the sky, church, or over a mountain, a glorious ray of sun illuminates the landscape making it look unworldly and truly majestic.

These spectacular sunbeams can be found all around the world, including some sites that have already become such inspirations to many literary minds including Byron and Rousseau. According to R J Evans, the Chateau de Chillon in Switzerland is described as a magical place by many who visit the historic monument. With a history going back over a thousand years the beauty of the site has inspired many over the centuries, including Rousseau and Byron. Here, the sunbeams radiating from the clouds catch a breathtaking moment.

Read More about Crespuscular rays @Quazen

On occasion, my fiance and I will take a $100.00 each to the Hard Rock Casino in Tampa and test our luck at the slots. We always go with low expectations since we know the odds are always against us. However, if we go with the attitude that if we have the money to lose, which is not very often, we'll have a great time. Plus, that's the time we usually win. I've also found some pretty entertaining and high payout sites that many of my friends use on occasion at Online Casinos Planet. There's a huge listing of casinos across that country that you can play online or visit in person.

Every time my fiances parents come to visit us here in Florida, we always tend to wind up in a casino, dog, or horse track at least one time. I always have a list of new places to visit so we can test our odds at different places. It's a guilty pleasure for all of us, but you only live once. However, out motto seems to be that if you do win a certain amount, you must give some away to charity or a person that needs it much more than we do.

My fiance's mom is the same way. Just last week she came back from a casino in Indiana after winning $1200.00. The biggest surprise was that she only brought $20.00 bucks and she played the quarter machines at max play. She called us as soon as she won, and she usually does tend to win at least every other week. She sent over half of her payout to Red Cross, $200.00 to us, and she kept the rest to pay two payments on her car.

I think, and I know many people choose not to Gamble because they feel it's not a smart way to spend your money, that if you want to spend your money on a $100.00 on a shirt, a fancy pair of shoes than that's the choice you make. However, gamblers tend to take risks, and I'm wondering what this says about the kind of person that they are.

In our case, and my fiance's parents, we try to give away a certain amount instead of selfishly buying something for ourselves that we don't need.

So if you gamble, and I'm sure many of you do, what do you spend your winnings on? If you don't, why do you think it's an activity that's unacceptable?

The Carnival of Basel is not like any festival you've ever seen before. It's a twist of Mardi Gras, lacking of the face paint in some instances, and full of practical jokes around every corner. Lucas Dié gives Friends Revolution a crash course in carnival etiquette.

Participants wear full head masks and full costumes. As a visitor (and therefore non-participant) you should neither wear a costume without a mask nor paint your face. Only participants in German carnivals paint their faces and you’ll be immediately classified as a German if you do so in Basel. Again, small children are excused from this rule as they are allowed to do as they like.

Read and see all about the Carnival of Basel

Your body is a canvas, and many people will use it for self expression using paints, piercings, carvings, and tattoos-just to name a few. However, for some individuals, they do tend to travel down a strange and bizarre road, using extreme body modifications to change form completely.

So what is the reasoning behind this? Why do some people feel the need to make such drastic altercations to their canvas?

Check out some of these interesting body modifications and tell me your honest opinion. Would you do this?

Not only does this video look like a critically acclaimed motion picture trailer, but it features Indiana Jones music in one excerpt. All of you know the story behind that, so sit back and enjoy a ride of your life with the best wedding announcement, save the date video on the web.

In some cultures, wearing fur to stay warm and survive is a way of life. However, there are those that choose to wear it strictly to enhance their appearance, and really, what does this say about their morals or ethics when it comes to the animal? B Nelson digs deep into the industry of wearing fur, leather, and silk and the affects it has on nature and the environment.

In the fur trade animals are either farm raised, living in small cages until they are large enough to be killed (generally by electrocution) and skinned, or they are hunted through various means. Either way the sole purpose of the slaughter of these animals is for their fur. In most cases the remains are either fed back to other animals kept in the cages for their own skins, rendered into pet food (as meat meal), or incinerated. Between 120 and 200 Chinchillas are needed to make a fur coat.

Read more about the ethics of wearing fur, leather, and silk@ Socyberty

Just a few months ago I started experimenting with some video hosting sites to promote Friends Revolution and The Ancient Digger. Once I became comfortable in my blogging shoes, I decided that using an online video for business purposes could really help me drive some traffic to my site.

At Friends Revolution, it's more of a laid back and eclectic sort of site-one in which allows the readers to both learn and have some fun with some pretty obscure topics. So to really share what this site was all about, I made some videos and hosted them on several sites. They were a sort of short 30 second promo, however they gave people a taste of what this site is all about. The most important aspect of using a service like this is that you can track statistics, map your audience, see where the most attention is being drawn, and gain new customers or readers.

I used the same approach on the Ancient Digger, where I made a longer video outlining my path towards becoming an Archaeologist. I was able to customize the color scheme, create a permanent permalink, and a custom, clickable logo. The prices are based on the bandwidth, page views, and the duration of your video. There are no hidden costs and you pay for only what you use.

As for promoting, you can look to see your videos on AOL, as well as many other sites. It's a great way to promote a new business or to keep the excitement going with an established one.

I have a great love of medieval fortresses and castles. Their unique construction and forbidding appearance often reflects the country of origin in some form or another. However in this case, this 19th century estate in New York is a reflection of one man's heritage, Charles F. Dietrich , and his need to share his wealth and the estate in Millbrook with the surrounding residents.

Destined to create his own Germanic bastion, Charles F. Dietrich bestowed his opulent wealth upon a life project to construct an estate nomenclatured Daheim, which defined in German means “the home”. Charles F. Dietrich was born in Germany in 1836, eventually becoming a very successful businessman and key engineer in the development of acetylene gas for illumination. He also was an original founder of Union Carbide. He was initially introduced to Millbrook by Henry James Davison Sr., a fellow civil engineer and colleague. Read more about the 19th century estate at Millbork By RS Wing

Gregorian vs Antarctica
Uploaded by zerty. - Explore more music videos.

Well, it's that time again. My future in laws are coming to visit us during Spring Break and I have to start finding some travel information and more importantly some cheap tickets. I don't exactly have an enormous budget when I'm working with the travel sites. However what I do know, and this message has been relayed to me every year for the past five spring breaks, "We need to find some cheap flights that leave as early as possible. They need to be round trip, aisle seating, and it wouldn't hurt if you could find some discount airfare for seniors." Can you handle this?

Well, I took it in to my own hands, considering I don't have a lot of time with school right now to look at a hundred different sites at once, to find a website that allows me to see all of the results in one window. You put in your search for flights and pick three sites that you want to compare.

You can choose from Orbitz, Priceline, Hotwire, Travelocity, Kayak, SideStep, OneTravel, CheapOAir, and that's just to name a few. The windows open and you can either views them in a cascade or side by side, which is the way I used them. Once you see the price that fits your budget, you click on the flight or vacation package you want, and your off.

This is so much more convenient that what I have done in the past few years, so I'm thrilled I found a site that frees up more of my time, and presents you with every tool necessary to plan your vacation.

Visions of prophets, the Virgin Mary, and the Holy Ghost come alive during the 19th century when individuals started to associate magic with Satanism. Monarchs were reincarnated by priests performing black masses all over France

Eugène Vintras was informed by spirits he had to found a new religious order together with the true king of France, Louis XVII, who had to be Nostradamus’ Great Monarch. And Joris-Karl Huysmans was writing a book on satanism with a defrocked priest in it, who performed black masses and was not inspired by the infamous abbé Boullan, but by the chaplain of the Holy Blood of Bruges…Read more about Black Magic in the 19th centuryBy Patrick Bernauw

The darkness in many female serial killers manifests itself it a way that acts like a mask of many colors, worn by these women everyday. They are described as angels of death and mercy, however all the while killing below the radar in a more gruesome way.

Olah was the age of 40 when she arrived at a small Hungarian village called Nagzrev. Over the next few years she ‘predicted’ the deaths of upto 100 villagers; no surprise that they all did die subsequently but it was from arsenic poisoning and not natural causes. Many of the inhabitants thought Olah had prophetic powers and some called her the ‘Angel-maker’. Her victims ranged from infants to handicapped children and the husbands of many of the local .......Read more about female serial killers from Alistair Briggs @Socyberty

Also checkout:

• Serial Killer Jane Toppan@Friends Revolution
• Alfredo Garavito Cubillos "The Beast": Portrait of A Serial Killer (@This site)
  
• Ed Gein The Wisconsin Grave Robber and Butcher of Plainfield (@Socyberty)
• The Infamous and Bizarre Vampire of Brooklyn Albert Fish (@Socyberty)
  
• The Bizarre and Twisted Evolution of HH Holmes Castle of Horrors (@Socyberty)
  
• Robert Hansen: Alaskan Murderer (@This Site)

The Opera Garnier was one of the buildings that was constructed during the reign of Napoleon III, when Paris was being transformed into a modern city.

Charles Garnier, an inexperienced architect, was commissioned to build after a grueling competition. His taste was diverse, and quite eclectic, combining a Neo-Baroque and Renaissance element into what was called "a gigantic wedding cake".

The facade features several ornate sculptures, most famously The Dance, which is an erotic collection of nude sculptures by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux. One Parisian, in fact, did not appreciate the art and sprayed it with ink on its first appearance.

Inside of the Opera Garnier is a most impressive staircase that has marble steps and banisters of onyx. The ceiling was painted by Marc Chagall, which depicts several opera scenes and tourist destinations.



If you remember the Phantom of the Opera, and let's face it, who has not? The underwater river featured in the book by Gaston Leroux, was an idea that came from the watery foundation in the basement of the Opera Garnier, and it continuously had to be pumped out by workers during the construction.

Today, with the success of the musical Phantom of the Opera, the interest in the Opera Garnier has managed to stay as strong as it was in the 19th century.

More Interesting Links:

• 15 Extravagantly Photographical Tales of Versailles in France
• Insanely Mystical and Corrupt Connections with Cinderella's Castle and Lord of the Rings
• Let's Save The Magnificent Church of Arc-sur-tille
• Mysterious Green Light in Strasbourg Cathedral
  

Today on Ancient Digger, I have fallen face first into a coral city that has been constructed over a 28 year period, made entirely from coral and carved by one man, one tool.

The story behind this site is quite intriguing, especially considering the owner, Edward Leedskalnin, stated that he knew the secrets of the pyramids and he used this information to construct a castle using no mortar at all.

Head on over to the Ancient Digger to read the entire story behind the Coral Castle

At Friends Revolution, it's my goal to find both the most interesting, yet normal. The most unique, yet bizarre. The most educational, with a twist. So here's something that will make you scratch you're head for a while.

Please be forewarned, some of these may cause dizziness.

Here are 65 Optical Illusions.

Have you seen this video of TV Evangelist Pat Roberson blaming the Haitians for this catastrophe? His remarks state that since the Haitians made a pact with the devil when faced with French troops led by Napoleon in 1791, they became cursed. A long chain of events has now plagued the country which sits on the island of Hispaniola, while on the other side is the Dominican Republic who is prosperous and healthy.

As if the world wasn't in enough upheaval, Venezuela's Sucre state experienced an earthquake today measuring 5.6 magnitude and was 11.7 km. deep in the east capital of Caracas. There have been no causalities so far and very little damage to buildings and homes. However, the area is being watched and more news and pictures will become readily available after the news knows more.

Here's some more stats about the Venezuela earthquake according to the United States Geological Survey

Two years ago when I started school, I tried many different routines and diets to keep my brain functioning for optimum results. My father suggested, and this was much to my surprise, eating some organic dark chocolate before exams and quizzes. I do tend to keep 75% and higher dark chocolate in the refrigerator for my fiance, and from time to time when I'm writing and I feel sluggish, I'll eat a small square and it gives my mind and body a huge boost of energy.

We found intentional chocolate that offers chocolate lovers a one of a kind experience. The health benefits of this chocolate are astounding including increased focused (a huge plus for students), reduced stress, and increased energy. I for one am willing to try natural methods to be successful when it comes to mental well being and harmony of the body.

Honestly, a couple months ago I ran into a high blood pressure issue and I met with my doctor and my dad to talk about it. My dad suggested a diet high in fiber, low in salt, and he urged me to start eating dark organic chocolate a couple times a week for added energy and health benefits. I can not tell you how much better I have felt in the last month. My blood pressure went down significantly and my energy level was through the roof.

So for those of you that love chocolate, and let's face we all do, try some intentional dark chocolate and see how much better you feel.

It's that time again everyone, when you need to take the serious out of your life and get down to the truly bizarre, useless, and wacky facts that will make you smile. They'll shock you, make you laugh, and make you scratch your head in confusion wondering "you've got to be kidding".

1. Tiger Woods makes over 80 million dollar a year. Does he deserve it?
2. The more stamps you lick, the more calories you consume.
3. Marilyn Monroe had six toes.
4. Jack the Ripper was not a Doctor, he was paid to murder.
   
5. No word rhymes with purple.
6. A man thinks about sex every 30 seconds.
7. Dolphins sleep with one eye open!
8. Mark Twain didn't make it through elementary school.
9. George Washington grew marijuana in his garden.
10. Leonardo DaVinci was dyslexic, and he often wrote backwards.
11. Fortune cookies were actually invented in America, in 1918, by Charles Jung!
12. Worcestershire Sauce is basically an Anchovy ketchup. Yuck!
13. To burn off one plain M&M candy, you need to walk the full length of a football field.
14. Did you know there wasn''t a single pony in the Pony Express, just horses.
15. Did you know there are 635,013,559,599 possible hands in a game of bridge.
16. Gardening is said to be one of the best exercises for maintaining healthy bones.
17. The U.S. Government spent $277,000 on pickle research in 1993.
18. The U.S. founding fathers'' name for the American Revolution was ''The War with Britain''.
19. Buttermilk does not contain any butter.
20. Bonobo chimps are the only species who have face-to-face sex. They have it when their angry, sad, happy, etc. They have sex all the time, more than humans.
    

Check out some more wacky facts:

• 50 More Random Facts by Alistair Briggs
• Worlds most Unbelievable Facts by Pigggy
• 16 Things you Didn't Know About Your Body by PS3

Seeing a place, location, or person from someone else's perspective can sometimes make you realize what it was that you were missing.

In my case, I have a passion for stone masonry, timber castles, and natural rock formations that were used as homes centuries ago. Capturing these interesting places on film is like watching history unfold through a lens, up close and personal.

Turkey: Cappadocia

Petra Jordan

© russpsych

Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh Scotland

Leed's Castle

by © navywashington02

Have you captured your favorite place on film? If you have, leave the link to the picture here.

In 1962, my father and his friends embarked on an interesting trip to Spain , where the natural surroundings and the feelings of unity were abound. With only $300.00 he was able to purchase a plane ticket and hotel for an entire week. As my father tells it, the experience was gratifying and uplifting, and the people were unbelievably kind and welcoming.

Now a days, the experience is a bit different, however there is one thing that has not changed, and that's the culture and the experience you will have while you're there.

Each year, hundreds upon thousands of people plan Holidays to Spain, and especially Benidorm Holidays which allows visitors to see what the city calls the "Manhattan of Spain". A beautiful stretch of beaches lined with state of art architecture and resorts catering to every travelers needs.

One of the most popular times to visit Benidorm is during the International Song Festival, which celebrates international celebrities of song including Julio Iglesias, a highly respected artist.

If you're planning a trip to Spain here are some tips:

• If you're looking for cheap holiday deals , the best time to visit is in October. There will be viewer tourists and traffic, plus the added bonus is that the hotels will be even more accommodating than usual.
  
  
• Look into traveling in May, as you will find some pretty competitive rates and wonderful events happening that month including various festivals and street parties.
  

So what is your Spain experience? If you had to pick one word to describe this beautiful country, what would it be?

I'll start. "Distinctive".......Now you

Compliments of thane07

Seven more days until I go back to school and hit the books harder than I've ever hit them before. So what is different about my next semester than last? It's my last at the present college, and I'll be off to brave the new world on a university campus.

While I'm sitting in a classroom, one on one and face to face with my professors, my friend Michele will be helping prospective students get real online degrees. That's right! She already has a MA in history and I talked to her about teaching in a classroom, but she just wouldn't budge. So she picked the next best thing, which is working for an online school, getting back to what she loves the most and that's making peoples dreams a reality.

I figured, she did have some time to learn a completely different side to the college experience, before I forced her to accompany me and my fiance to England to finish my degree.

It's a whole different world being a student at 32 and taking half my classes online and the rest in a classroom with only 30 people. In all actuality, I think the 50/50 classes have helped me become more focused and organized, especially since I have been programmed to sit in a room with close to 200 people for lectures.

I think the most important aspect of my college experience this year that I want to remember is that I found myself in a classroom. My decision, at least I don't think, to become an archaeologist was exactly concrete when I started. I questioned why I wanted to do it, and whether or not I would make any money to take of myself in the future. I know now, and I should have trusted myself, that I belong in this field and it defines who I am.

One day spent in class
proved a sign meant to last
what you were born to do
in the essence of past

It’s been a big change
but a change worth the wait
a picture of history
that was rearranged

A secret within
which nobody new
the proof in the graph
a sign of the truth

Was it meant to describe
a true moment in time
a clue disbelieved
has become redefined

(REUTERS/Aly Song)

I have heard of Ice Hotels, but I've never experience an entire world made up of sculptures, buildings, and slides made entirely from the frozen surface of the nearby Songhua River. The fiber optic lighting illuminates all the sculptures at night, while the frigid cold temperatures nip at visitors while they drink hot chocolate.

So if you haven't heard of it before, here's your chance to see all of the pictures of the Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China.

Geography around the world has an enormous impact on cultural landscapes, as many researchers, archaeologists, scientists, and anthropologists will agree, the various ethnic groups around the world will be directly impacted by these changes.

R J Evans states that many people saw the twentieth century as the chronological death knell for tribal cultures around the world, particularly as globalization took hold. However, many tribes persevered and are still here at almost the end of the first decade of the twenty first. Here we take a look at four of these tribes – to our eyes perhaps bewilderingly unfamiliar – and ponder how long their unique cultures will continue to surprise, educate and delight. Read more about Tribal Survivial

Forensics is a subject of mass interest to me, and on occasion, very view individuals that I study surprise me. Alfredo Garavito Cubillos did just that. You may not be familiar with his exploits, I know I surely wasn't prepared to face all of the gruesome acts he performed on young boys, totaling over 150+ victims.

In fact, when he was imprisoned, he mapped out all of the locations of the bodies which totaled more than 300. This is an absurd number, and certainly, it does explain why he was given the title of "The Beast", one of the world's most terrifying serial killers.

I have always said that murdering innocent children is probably the worst act that a killer can partake in, especially when they use the lour of money and candy and the children just don't know any better.

Once captured in April 1999, he admitted to killing over 140, although he was only found guily of murdering 138 of them.

Garavito was subject to the maximum penalty available in Colombia, which was 30 years. However, as he confessed the crimes and helped authorities locate bodies, Colombian law allowed him to apply for special benefits, including a reduction of his sentence to 22 years and possibly an even earlier release for further cooperation and good behavior.

Also Check out :

Ed Gein The Wisconsin Grave Robber and Butcher of Plainfield

The Infamous and Bizarre Vampire of Brooklyn Albert Fish

The Bizarre and Twisted Evolution of HH Holmes Castle of Horrors

Robert Hansen: Alaskan Murderer

A day in the life of Matthew... "you reap what you sow" Created by

rachael0g

Source (No, this is not Florida, but it looks like it could be)

As I sit at my desk, blogging away on a freezing Saturday evening, I keep wondering if I'm really in Florida. I've lived here for nine years now and never have I experience such freezing temperatures. In fact, tonight the low is supposed to reach 17 Degrees. Florida has not hit these temperatures in over 100 years. So what does this mean?

Meteorologists in Florida say it's just a subtle change in temperature and it will warm up soon. Are they insane? It's 28 degrees right now and I have 5 layers on and blanket. I saw snow this morning for the first time in years, and I'm 5 minutes from the ocean and I see some vacationers who are thinking.....what the heck is going on around the world?

It's almost harder to believe than this girl doing back flips into a tv. Just plain stupid!



What's the temperature where you are? Is this normal for your time of year?

I think what appeals to me most about Cyprus is the culture and the history. The iconic art of the Middle Ages displayed in certain venues stretches thousands of years and the education you receive just by visiting is unparalleled. The sounds of island folk music and the poetry and acritic songs that flourished here during Medieval history is enough to make me call Cyprus my second home away from home.

In fact, every May, one of my closest friends travels to Cyprus for the Anthestiria Flower Festival which celebrates the arrival of spring in a naturalistic and beautiful way. It's a tradition for her, and for once, I will be able to join her on holiday next year after I finish my second step towards my PhD. I was searching for some cheap holiday deals during the 2011 spring season and I was able to find some super Cheap Flights To Cyprus.

Of course, planning the trip now will help be obtain the best deals and accommodations so I won't have to scramble last minute to find a reasonable package. I couldn't be happier with the choices and options I have found.

If you haven't been to Cyprus, and let's face, it's such an enormously popular destination for travelers, I urge you to check out your options. If you are looking specifically for Cheap Holidays To Cyprus , you may want to consider going in the off season which is at the end of summer, in October or May. You may miss some of the Spring festivities, but if you're trying to stay on a budget, this is the way to go.

I would love to have a post today discussing the positives of traveling to New York, however what I read today on the front page of Yahoo makes me utterly sick.

Now, I'm sure many of you rushed out the day after Christmas to shop for huge after holiday deals and steals, and really, that's what we are looking for after overspending on full price products. But, would you ever imagine that if the stores couldn't offer you that $3.00 Tshirt for a lower price because you still thought that would break the bank, that they would throw it in the dumpster?

That's exactly what Walmart and H & M in New York did with their clothing items they couldn't sell. I don't know what pisses me off more. The fact that they could have donated all of those items to people that actually needed them, or let's see, the fact they paid someone to actually cut the tips off of gloves and holes in shirts.

The discovery was made by Cynthia Magnus, a graduate student (wondering why she was back there by the dumpster in the first place), who found several trash bags outside the H & M store filled with socks, shirts, men's jackets, to name a few. There were also bags found with Walmart tagged clothing dumped by a contractor.

Over a 1/3 of the population in New York is poor, and let's not forget, what about the other millions of people freezing and starving all over the world.

So let us rejoice and run out this morning to support big business. Yeah right! It's this type of irresponsible behavior that gives people that actually donate a bad name.

Aww, Walmart and H & M.......Starving the City One Ripped Tee Shirt At a Time.

To hear more rants about this subject, or to just hear it from the ultimate man blogger, check out Glenn's blog Man-Over-Board.

Switzerland’s geography has made a substantial impact on the country as a whole; however the only way to understand those changes is to dissect the history of Switzerland’s economic and geographic terrain. The landscapes of the country have gone through considerable change throughout history, and with those changes came reform. The formation of a loose confederation in Switzerland aided the country by allowing for mutual support during warfare and economic development. However, the bonds of those relationships were stretched almost to a breaking point several centuries ago. In that moment, the outcome of Switzerland’s economic, political, and social status completely changed.

The territory of what is now Switzerland shared a similar evolution with the rest of Western Europe. The first couple of centuries or so was a time of migration, moving in the general direction of east to west. Peoples were displaced as waves of new tribes arrived from Asia (F. D. Affairs). In my experiences, when migration of several varied populations coexists within one boundary certain customs including language, religion, and cultural traditions have a direct impact on the surrounding region. Although, to the current landholders and citizens at the time, this may in fact have been more of an annoyance than a positive step toward interrelations. Read more about the history and the cultural changes in Switzerland on Trifter

A few years ago, before I decided to go back to school, I went through some pretty rough times with the restaurants. In one moment I lost everything that I had, however if it wasn't for my family and friends, I would have never gotten through it.

One of my greatest supporters is my best friend who's an ER doctor. She has always been so caring and concerned for my well being. She even gave myself and my fiance a large sum of money to buy groceries and pay some bills so we had a bit of a cushion until things settled down.

Well, now that we are in a completely different position, I wanted to give something back to her. I was looking at some seiko diamond watches, and what I really wanted to represent with this watch was the gift of time. In my eyes, since we've been friends for over 15 years, I don't think there's any other gift that would suit her as well.

I plan to place a special engraving on the back, thanking her for being a light in my life when I needed it most.

The temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are virtually irresistible to travelers, however they remain forbidden.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Seim Reap, by Hartfried Schmid

Angkor Wat, Cambodia, ta prohm, by red betty black

Angkor Wat is the largest religious temple on earth measuring more than 1/2 mile, along with a 600 ft wide moat. Monarch Suryavarman II built the temple as a shrine to the Hindu god Vishnu, emphasizing the connection between the deity and himself as a divine ruler.

The Hindu cosmos are represented within the stacked layers of the carved stone, constructed without mortar, and solidly standing by weight and friction.

After the fall of the Hindu Khmer Empire in the 14trh century, the city and temple were left in ruins. Over the years, the temple has been overrun by jungle plants and is cared for by Theravada Buddhist monks.

For centuries, Angkor Wat has been the site for Buddhist pilgrimages.

A couple years ago, my fiance and I rented an RV with some friends and we made our way out west to see the sites of the Frontier. There were five of us plus four children, so you can only imagine how cramped and stressful it could get. We really didn't have that much to occupy our time besides a deck of cards and a television with a DVD player. However, how many times can you possibly watch Little Mermaid or Free Willy.

I consider myself a pretty creative person, and I love playing interesting and new games that make you think and keep you on your toes. That's probably why I spend so much time playing Online Bingo and other reflexive and entertaining activities. So when we started planning our trip, I did a bit of research and found a kid friendly game, and also, one that all of us adults would still enjoy playing with them.

Road Trip Bingo is just like the game Eye-Spy, you know the one, I spy an orange building and the person has to guess what building your talking about. It's sounds pretty simple and silly, but when your traveling thousands of miles across the US, it always helps when you can pass a little bit of time on the way.

So here's how it works, and trust me your kids will totally love this. Everyone playing gets a bingo card, when you see something on your card you place a sticker on. When the first player gets 4 in a row horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or across they will win.

You decide whether or not to give prizes. Sometimes it's enough for the kids just to be the winner of the game, but every child is different, so you can decide whether to award prizes.

I know personally from my experience traveling with kids, and right now I don't have any of my own, you have to have alot of activities planned for them in advance. I'm sure many of you can relate this, so I want to hear what you have come up with?

What sorts of activities do you like do when on a road trip. Don't hold back because I'm sure many of us need some more options.

I wanted to share the entire series of Fort Mantanza shots I took during the holidays. So sit back with your tea or coffee-I have both, and enjoy the scenery of Saint Augustine and the Mantanza Fort and Inlet.

The Watch Tower at Fort Matanza

Saint Johns Cross

Mantanza Inlet

View From the Ferry at Fort Mantanza

Every year, residents of Florida see an influx of tourism, and it's always welcomed by the local businesses, shops, resorts and hotels. No matter where you decide to spend your vacation or holiday in Orlando, Florida, rest assured you will feel all the comforts of home.

Let's be honest, Orlando maintains the title of best vacation destination in Florida. As a resident of Florida, it's easy to see the appeal. The options are endless for entertainment, you can find a reasonable hotel or resort without breaking the bank, and this is the prime tourist town in the world providing visitors with a one of a kind experience.

The biggest misconception with Orlando is that it's only geared toward children, and that couldn't be further from the truth. On many occasions, visitors from all walks of life and ages make the trip to Orlando to once again feel like kid.

Whether you're on your honeymoon, a family vacation, or a reunion, there are so many wonderful activities for all to enjoy.

Seaworld

Seaworld is a wonderful choice for any party looking to delight in the most spectacular marine environment in the world. Visitors can embark on an underwater journey to the Shark Encounter exhibit, along with many others including the Wild Arctic, Dolphin Cove(where you can pet the dolphins), Penguin Encounter, Turtle Point, the Jewels of the Sea Aquarium, and so many more.

Thrill seekers can ride the new sky-flying coaster "MANTA", along with Kraken, Journey to Atlantis, Wild Arctic, Happy Harbour, and the Skytower.

Get cooled off at Aquatica, Seaworlds Water Park, and spend a day at Dolphin Cove, where you and your children will have the opportunity to swim with one of the most beautiful sea creatures in the world.

Packages are always available, making all three exciting parks available to all travelers for an affordable price. In fact right now, Seaworld is offering a "3-night/3-day package along with a combo ticket and get 2 additional nights FREE including unlimited admission to your choice of two of our amazing parks during your stay! Choose from SeaWorld and Aquatica or SeaWorld and Busch Gardens."

Disney

Choosing the best park can sometimes be an enormous task, depending on the people traveling in your party. If by chance this is a family vacation with younger children, Magic Kingdom is the best choice. This park will allow the kids to embark on a magical Disney journey through a fairytale, allowing you to let down your guard and act like a fool in a place where it's allowed.

If you're on your honeymoon, Epcot, Hollywood Studio's, and Animal Kingdom is a perfect choice. Of course, you don't have to rule out the Magic Kingdom if your goal is to feel like a kid again.

International Drive

I-Drive is a Mecca of entertainment. There are clubs, bars, restaurants, shopping, hotels and resorts, and museums on every corner including:

Wonderworks

*Hours of operation: 9am - Midnight,
*Adult admission: $21.25
*Child admission: $15.92 - ages 4-12
*Senior admission: $15.92 - ages 55 and over

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

*Hours of operation: 9:30am-12 midnight (last admission at 11pm)
*Adult admission: $18.95 plus tax
*Child admission: $11.95 plus tax (ages 4-12)
*Senior admission: $16.95 plus tax (ages 55+, with ID)

Wet and Wild Water Park

*Hours of operation: 9:30am - 9pm
*Adult admission: Regular Park Hours: $47.87
*Child admission: Regular Park Hours: Ages 3 - 9: $40.48 (3-9) / Under 3: FREE
*Senior admission: $41.48 (60+)

Fun Spot off International Drive

*Free parking and admission.
*Complete with a two story arcade and Go-Kart racing.

World Bowling Center Hours of operation

*Open Bowling / Sun-Thur: 12pm - 11pm, Fri & Tue: 12pm - 2am / Sat: 12pm - 1am Special Rates: Fri-Sat & Tue: 10pm - 2am
*Adult admission: $4.00 per person / per game and $3.00 for shoes,
*Child admission: $3.00 per child / per game and $3.00 for shoes (12 years & younger).

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf

*Hours of operation: Daily: 9am - 11:30pm
*Adult admission: $10.95
*Child admission: $9.95.

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater

*Hours of operation: Shows Nightly - Call for Showtimes
*Type: Dinner Theatre - American, Dining Option: Dinner Entertainment
*Senior Discount
*Reservations Accepted
*Reservations Required
*Restaurant in Hotel/Mall, Price range: $$$$ $30
*Dress code information: Casual, Reservation information
*Call 407-363-1985 or toll free 800-393-1985
*Parking information: Free

Pirates Dinner Adventure

*Hours of operation: Show times vary
*Type: Dinner Theatre Dining Option: Dinner, Entertainment
*Senior Discount
*Reservations Required
*Price range: $$$$ $30+
*Parking information: Free

Howl at the Moon

*Hours of operation: Sun-Thurs: 7pm - 2am, F-Sat: 5pm - 2am
*Adult admission: We are a 21 and up venue
*Child admission: NO
*Dress code information: Casual
*Parking information: Plenty of parking

Dining

As for the restaurants, Orlando would not be complete without a trip to the Ming Court on I-Drive, which features innovative char-grilled and wok fired dishes, as well as authentic Dim Sum and perhaps the best Sushi in Orlando.

There are many other excellent restaurants on the strip including the Black Angus Steakhouse, Bob Marley's, Emerils, Giordano's (Best Pizza), Kafe Kalik, Kobe Steakhouse, Nelore Churrascaria( Brazillian Food-Buffet Style), Red Rock Canyon Grill, and so many more.

Of course, depending on the resort or hotel you choose, there are several restaurants options in the hotel. Just remember, when dining in the hotel, it tends to be a bit pricier. If price is no object, by all means dig in. However, if you are traveling on a budget, check out the surrounding area for more dining options.

Orlando, Florida has something to offer every traveler no matter what your budget or occasion may be. However, it's not all bells and whistles all the time as much I would love to tell you that it is.

Tips

• Traffic in Orlando is beyond a pain, and if you are traveling to the parks, make sure you are off I-4 around 4:30-6:00pm and 8:00-9:00am. Delays can reach a couple hours and there's just no easy way off, so please keep that in mind.

• Staying on the grounds at Disney in a hotel is outrageously pricey, so look outside the area in places off Kirkman road, around the Sand Lake Area, Kissimmee, and Altamonte.

Happy New Years Day everyone. I'm sure all of you are relaxing at home right now and wondering what kind of holiday fare you're going to prepare for your family. I wanted to make things simple for you, especially since I know many of you stick to the most traditional New Years meal, that being Pork and Sauerkraut.

I have three very simple and easy to follow recipes for today's festivities. I previously published them on Notecook, but it's a great way for me to keep track them, especially when my recipe box us flowing over is disarray right now.

• Cider Pinnapple Glazed Pork & Kraut
• Maple Mustard Pork Chops
• Pork Tenderloin with Blackberry Mustard Sauce