Sandy-gram - Page 2

As editor of Going Places magazine, I sometimes hit a nerve with readers. And boy did I hit one with my recent Editor’s Note on Gatorland. In my column I wrote, “There’s something a bit appalling—but absolutely fascinating—about an attraction that not only entertains you with its animals, but also uses them as tasty snacks.” First, I have to come clean with the facts:

1) I do love Gatorland     2) I did try the gator bites (yep, they tasted like chicken). It was split half and half on those who agreed and those who were appalled at this confession.  

 “I am surprised and appalled by the author’s description of what goes on at Gatorland…” or on the flip side… “I loved your review…we, too, love Gatorland.”

This blog is by Jay K, who is originally from Thailand. She recently had the opportunity to go home for a visit.

Part II: Although I grew up in this fascinating country, I returned home with friends determined to see the country as a tourist, not as a native. After visiting the Temple and Palace (see my previous blog), we headed to the floating market…probably one of the most interesting experiences for tourists with it’s unique culture, community and distinct goods for sale. In fact, Thailand was once called the “Venice of the East” for its use of the rivers and “klongs” (canals) for transportation and commerce. It’s still one of the most photographed destinations in the county.

The devastation of the BP oil spill has caused untold damage to wildlife, the gulf and Florida’s famous beaches. For many of the families who own businesses that line the gulf shores, the oil spill hits even closer to the heart. While we watch it unfold on the nightly news, many restaurant, gift shop and hotels owners are watching their life’s work evaporate before their eyes. One restaurant owner simply shook her head in disbelief as she gazed over her near empty restaurant. A lone couple made up her entire lunchtime rush. Before the spill, it was often waiting room only for a place to enjoy a burger, a cold beer and a view of the gulf.

What can you do? While there are lots of volunteer opportunities (see the list below), many of us don’t have the time to commit to these worthy organizations. Helping can be much easier. Simply support these businesses…take a short (or a long) vacation, stop by a beachside restaurant for lunch or dinner, spend the weekend cruising the beaches and stopping to shop along the way.

This blog is by Jay K, who is originally from Thailand. She recently had the opportunity to go home for a visit. (Check out the trivia at the bottom of the blog.)

 Although I grew up in this fascinating country, I returned home with friends determined to see the country as a tourist, not as a native…elephant rides and all. Everyone knows that when you live somewhere, you never get around to seeing all the best stuff. (It’s a bit like New Yorkers’ who have never visited the Statue of Liberty.) In the next couple of weeks, I’ll share the highlights of my journey through the “Land of Smiles”.

 Day 1: My trek begins in Bangkok where I’m joined by several friends. Having never traveled to an Asian country before, let’s just say they were in for a bit of a cultural shock. We’re greeted with the ever-present aroma of fragrant-spiced delicacies wafting from the carts of street vendors. Occasional bursts of flames shoot from small grills as they prepare large steaming woks of Pad Thai, curries and skewers of satay.

There are has been discussion in our BP Community forum in response to one member’s suggestion we boycott BP. The reaction has weighed more heavily on not boycotting. Here are a couple of comments that have been posted. How do you feel about this? 

Frank2010 writes…Boycott our Neighbors?

“I think that before we boycott the neighborhood BP station, we should consider who will be affected by this. These gas stations are franchises owned and operated by local residents in the U.S....and they employee thousands of Americans around the country...

It's startling to see the daily news with broadcasts about the BP oil spill, particularly since it’s so close to home. I live in warm, sunny St. Petersburg. My mom lives on Anna Maria Island, about mid-way down the western coast. Her beach is an idyllic oasis of sugar-white sand and warm gulf breezes. I visited a couple of days ago. We walked part way around the island to a little beach café where we rewarded ourselves with umbrella-topped coconut concoctions. The pleasant surprise is that there are no signs of the spill or any inkling of the disaster that’s filling the airways. It’s true—the spill didn’t spoil Florida.

If you’ve ever entered something and have been one of the lucky winners, you never forget the fun and excitement you feel claiming your prize. At any given time, AAA has a few sweepstakes running. We thought it would be helpful to have the Community provide a listing of all of the sweepstakes that are going on (check out the box at the right).

One big question that I'm always asked about these offerings is... ”What’s the difference between a sweepstakes and a contest?” As a long-time fan of entering stuff, I can answer this pretty quickly. 

That’s the actual order of my daughter at Starbucks. It’s a finely-crafted order, developed over the past few years for about the price of a semester of college. I, on the other hand, go for the much simpler, “Grande non-fat latte”. To which, the poor Starbucks folks around the corner have been trying to train me to say “skinny” latte every time I place my order, but I hold fast to my “non-fat” verbiage. (Hey, isn’t it non-fat milk and non-fat cottage cheese?)

Anyway…I love coffee. I positively adore everything about it. I’ve often felt there are some telltale clues as to whether you are a true coffee-holic.  Take this test to find out…

Like gazillions of others on the planet, I can't wait for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to open. I stopped by Universal Orlando on Friday to get a sneak peak. You can already see the snow-capped castle and the tippy-tops of some of the other cool buildings in this magical village based on J.K. Rowling's compelling and hugely-popular Harry Potter books and movies.

While details are as closely guarded as Kirstie Allie's actual weight, I was let in on a few surprises...which I'll (shhhhh...no telling!) share with you. By the way, that's me, shamelessly holding up a Going Places cover to win a free t-shirt. Learn how  you can win one too.

I've always been fascinated by the various puddings that are found in England and around Europe. Growing up, Jello was my pudding friend...the creamier the better...oh, and it better be chocolate.  But English pudding is a very different thing. It's more like a hearty cake and can be either sweet or savory.  

And so as the finale season takes hold, I'm once again glued to my TV for two hours each week. Sure, I know it's stupid, but we always re-watch last week's episode...you gotta see those little clues and bits of info they provide. Of course, us die-hard LOST fans already know about Jack's alcoholic father and Sayid's tortuous ways. But the real question around the water-cooler these days is, "What IS up with the parallel universe and the water scene of the island?" 

And of course, there's the evil smoke monster. My theory is that all of the dead people we've seen come back ARE the smoke monster...including Locke, Jack's dad, Mr. Echo and now possibly Sayid. Hmmm...

As long believed by us devoted chocoholics, new research now supports the theory that chocolate is good for you. While Mayans and medicine men have trumped the benefits of chocolate since the 18^th century, only now has the medical community jumped onboard. Hey...just in time for Valentine's Day.

The end of an era is approaching as NASA plans its five final shuttle launch missions before shutting down the program this year. The three aging space shuttles will each be transferred to museums or science centers.

I remember driving to the east coast of Florida to watch my first launch years ago. It was amazing the power one felt as it shook itself free from the earth's surface-its heavy weight tugging against gravity. Even standing several miles away, the launch is easily seen, the entire sky lit by the rocket engines as they create a huge blazing cone.

The NBC announcement last year was supposed to shake up prime time and late night television. Jay was moving his show to 10:00 p.m. and Conan would become the new Tonight Show host. Great idea, right?

Ooops...Not quite. I don't know about you, but I really didn't want to watch a late show format during the best prime time hour on TV...and according to the ratings, most of you agreed. Frustrated affiliates soon saw ratings tumble and ad revenue begin to dry up.

Over the long holiday, I spent an unnecessarily long time discussing, arguing and contemplating what this past decade should be called. After doing a bit of research, it appears that there hasn't been an approved name given. Who would approve the name anyway? The decade police? To be fair, the 20s through the 90s had it easy. Just go with the flow...slap a number on the front and throw in the appropriate "ixty" or "eventy" and you're done. Somehow the 2000s just doesn't have the same easy ring to it...

That said, here are a few options I came across. What's your favorite?

This week is all about last minute shopping and wrapping up our holiday plans. But there's that little voice in my head thinking ahead to 2010. Like many, New Year's is a time for both reflection and looking forward. I tend to be a New Year's resolution person, although I have to admit that each year they lean toward similar themes: Getting healthy (including losing weight and much more exercise), staying on top of finances and savings, and of course, trying to make the most out of every day.

For the get healthy part, I decided to get started a little early and began hitting the gym just before Thanksgiving. I was always one of the masses that showed up the first Tuesday after New Year's to join swarms of other newbie's...all of us squeezing into classes that have now become swollen with New Year's resolutioner's.

With the holiday's fast approaching, many of us are scrambling to find the perfect gift. And if that gift happens to be the one that millions of other parents are looking for-watch out! My first experience was the "Barney" doll...followed a few years later by "Tickle me Elmo". Now that was truly a nightmare. I remember driving out of Toys "R" Us empty handed. Handmade signs lined the road proclaiming "New Elmo Doll - $200" I seriously considered purchasing one of these over-priced, black-market Elmo's.

Many overstuffed and overworked shoppers feel they need to rise at the crack of dawn to find great deals at retail stores on Black Friday. Here's a tip...shop online. Many online stores have similar deals that can be ordered in your jammies and fuzzy slippers at home.

I'm a big online shopper around the holidays. Brand name sites are secure and easy to use. Plus, many offer free shipping with certain purchase amounts or as a promotion.

And then there's Cyber Monday, where online retailers offer even greater discounts-but you may not have to wait. The good news is that many online retailers are actually beginning sales now. Here are a couple of handy sites of help you navigate the savings maze.

In the movie "Michael," John Travolta badgered two reporters into taking a detour to see the World's Largest Ball of Twine. I relate. For me, there's nothing better than driving through back roads to visit bizarre and unusual destinations.

In Florida, we definitely have plenty to choose from. Here's a list of my favorite quirky destinations.

Your teen is ready to drive. As parents, perhaps no other event will make your heart quicken quite like the idea of your "baby" behind the wheel of a car. When my daughter Sarah started driving, we tried to do everything we could to get her ready. Videos, training and of course, we lived through the year of the permit-when they drive as you try not to hold on to the door with white knuckles and your feet get sore from hitting the imaginary breaks on the passenger's side.

She didn't take to driving immediately...especially when it came to speed. I'd look over to find her driving 20 in a 40 mph area, gently coaxing her to "pick it up a bit". And then-we hit the highway.

My husband Frank, and his parents came to America in the fifties. His father is Polish, his mother Irish. My husband was born in England where his parents moved after World War II. America was a foreign experience for them. While his parents tried to acclimate to the language and cultural change, Frank was just trying to fit in.

But perhaps no other memory is as strong as that first Halloween...American style.

My uncle John leaned his elbows on the worn wooden table, dipping the last of his butter wafer in his tea. We looked out the back window of his small stone cottage, located in the heartland of County Mayo, Ireland.

"I hate for you to leave, but before you go, you've got to climb Mt. Nathan," he said in his thick Irish brogue. My husband, daughter and I gazed up at the looming mountain that butted up to our uncle's land. Though known for rolling hills and rocky terrain, there are a few "mountains" in Ireland. And our uncle wanted to make sure we climbed his.

I was chatting with my buddy Mike when a nicely dressed man walked by with a small leather bag over his shoulder. "Now, that's a great idea," he said.

"That's a murse" I replied. We both agreed that men's purses should be much more popular. When did it become a rule that only women should have the convenience of purses? Do men have less to carry? And why call it a murse when it's really a purse? Perhaps it's like the Seinfeld episode when they came up with the invention the "bro" or "manssiere" for men who are a little more endowed. And is the word "murse" more masculine that "purse"? It's puzzling.

I have to admit  that being underwater was, at first, a little off putting. I really, really like breathing. Sitting at the bottom of a pool, I look at my fellow classmates. There are a couple of "kids" around 16, a 30ish fellow and me, a middle-aged mom, wondering when the heck we're going to be heading back to the surface for some "real" air.

Okay...I admit it. I love roller coasters-and the bigger the better. Orlando's launched a couple of new ones that'll make even the most hard core thrill junkies scream. Universal's new Rip Ride Rockit is high-tech, letting you choose the soundtrack to go along with the ride. And then, just went you're getting all cozy, bam! You drop 167 feet-or seven stories-in 16 seconds. Yep, that first drops a doozy.

Papa bear loved the glaciers, mama bear loved the quaint towns and baby bear loved it all.

I was recently asked about traveling to Alaska with kids. I had the same question when we went last year with my then 16-year-old daughter Sarah. Before I went, a few folks told me she'd be bored to tears.  "Alaska's only for seniors!"  I was warned.

The dreaded teen years, they can sometimes drive parents crazy. But I think teens get a bum rap. There’s a lot going on in their life—fickle friends, first boy/girlfriends, the stress of high school and first jobs—let’s face it, it’s a tough time for them.

No other column that I’ve written for Going Places magazine has generated as much debate as the one about water spinning in different directions near the Equator. This phenomenon is called the Coriolis Effect, and water is said to rotate right in the northern hemisphere and left in the southern hemisphere. When I was in Ecuador with my daughter Sarah, we witnessed a local vendor demonstrating this effect. And so, along with some lovely key chains and necklaces, we walked away with a true belief that this was true.