Ever since I landed in Boston, I’ve been sick. With all the flu medication I’ve been taking, I’ve been spending most of my days sleeping. Thankfully, I woke up New Year’s Eve feeling slightly better. I was really worried I won’t still be weak and won’t be able to celebrate with my family, as we had a special night planned for my parents. You see, their anniversary falls on New Year’s Eve, and my little brother and I made plans for the night.

Having some what of a clear head, we headed out for an early dinner. We wanted to finish by 7 pm to be able to catch the fireworks at Boston Common. Despite the cold and snowstorm earlier in the day, kids of all ages and adults were out enjoying their night. It was really nice to see that no one will let the cold ruin their evening. Walking through Boston Common, there was an ice sculpture display and a figure skating show taking place, however everything stopped around 7 pm for the fireworks. Even though they were not the best I have seen, they were made a lot better because of the excitement of all the children around. We finished off the evening at the Four Seasons Lounge, listening to a live band playing classic music, old couples dancing together, and eating delicious cake.

Needless to say, I woke up the next morning a lot worse than I was the previous day, and to this day, I am still trying to get over my cold (which is now a very annoying cough!)

After the recent bomb threat on a flight to Detroit, there were many rumors going out on new security regulations for flights to the United States. No electronics, no blankets or standing up the last hour of the flight, and passengers can only have on carry on. Having an upcoming trip to Boston, I was not looking forward to all these new regulations. For one, I easily get bored and like being able to use my IPod Touch and two, I like being bundled up with blankets on a long flight!

However, most of these rules were false. The only one that held true is the one carry on. The extra added security measure occurred at boarding, which resulted in flights being slightly delayed to the States. At the boarding gate, all passengers had to get their carry ons thoroughly checked and get patted down before entering the plane. Other than that, the rest of the flight was normal.

A few weeks ago, I went up to Boston to visit family during Thanksgiving/Eid break. It was my second time in Boston, but this time I was really able to see the city. Despite the cold, I enjoyed walking around and exploring the different areas. I was lucky enough to be able to stay long enough and catch the Christmas decorations going up!  Everything is so happy and bright during Christmas time! I love it! One thing is for sure, I would love to come to Boston again during the summer, as I believe it to be a lot more enjoyable! It was just too cold to fully appreciate the city!

Anyway, while walking around, I had the chance to take a few pictures. The last few months have been flying by, and I haven’t had many chances to take pictures!

]]> http://www.eleventh-st.com/2009/12/11/thanksgiving-in-boston/feed/ 4 http://www.eleventh-st.com/2009/08/12/financial-crisis-what-crisis/ http://www.eleventh-st.com/2009/08/12/financial-crisis-what-crisis/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:42:51 +0000 eleventhst http://www.eleventh-st.com/?p=2545

An Israeli woman bought out the entire Business Class cabin on a flight from Paris to Tel Aviv in order to have her dog fly with her. The $32,000 process included exclusive use of the Business Class cabin and removal of several chairs to make room for the dog’s cage. Seeing her dog as more of a child than her pet, she would not allow him to fly in the cargo hold! I can think of better ways to spend $32,000! :D

Link

While in London, I passed by King’s Road Market next to Sloane Square. I enjoyed walking around the different booths they had set up. It was really great to see all the different kinds of food available, truly showing how multinational London is. I was never one to be moved by food sold on carts, however everything that was on display looked delicious! Unfortunately due to dinner plans that I couldn’t cancel, I only got to try a cupcake from Crumbs and Doilies (it sure beats Hummingbird Cupcakes by far!) and a slice of cheesecake. Both were as good as they looked! Next time you are in London, do pass by!

The sunsets in Antalya were very beautiful. After checking out a few nice spots, I went back the next day to take some pictures. I made sure to be ready with my camera an hour before sunset, aka the Golden Hour. The colors were gorgeous! It was very nice to see how they changed as time passed. Here are a few shots that I liked.

I was away with my family on a trip to Antalya. We had a great time! For a week, we did not leave the hotel for a few reasons. One, everything you would need is available at the hotel. Two, there wasn’t anything close enough that was worthwhile to see. We spent most of our time swimming in the pools and the sea, partaking in different water sports, and hanging out together at night. The hotel that we stayed in had a wide range of activities for both adults and children, so everyone was able to enjoy their time. They even had a small water park for young children and teenagers to play in!

After a long day of swimming and sitting under the sun, there were different ways to spend the night. The hotel offers a show in their outdoor theater every night. Each night has a different theme ranging from traditional Turkish dancing to a Martial Arts show. They weren’t too long, since they were tailored for families, so just before the kids got restless, the show would be over. Out on the beach, there would be different types of inflatable bouncy castles and a clown and live music. The weather was perfect to just sit on the beach while watching the kids enjoying themselves. The resort also has a movie theater, arcade, and a bowling alley, just in case you do manage to get bored!

My only complaint about the trip was the food! I think throughout the time I was there, I had two good meals. The rest of the time I survived on ice cream, fruits, and grilled cheese sandwiches! Despite the amount of food and restaurants available, the food was mediocre.

Overall, it was a really fun trip!

I was away on a last minute family trip to Antalya. The trip was really fun as it has been a while since we traveled with the kids! The hotel we stayed at was really beautiful and great for little kids! During my time there, I went wake-boarding, and discovered a new love! I have annoyed so many people on how much fun it is! The instructor was very experienced and patient. First, he showed us the techniques for standing up on the sand, and then we headed out to the water. It took me a few tries to stand up, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy from there! Its such a rush standing up for the first time and since then, I can’t get enough! I can’t wait to get back on the board again, even though I have no idea when that will be. I woke up the next day feeling so sore and my hands had small cuts from the friction of the handle!

Now, I really want to learn how to turn without falling!

We also did a few inflatable rides, but my favorite was the fly fish with my brother! He kept making me laugh during the ride, but the best part when he showed me how to to make it fly! This trip reminded me just how much I missed these water activities!