Happy New Year!!

It's that time of the year again. The time of the year where we reminisce about the past 12 months and look forward to the future 12.

Are you where you want to be? Have you done everything you set out to get done in 2010? What will 2011 bring? Where do you see yourself in a year?

We can't help but evaluate and reevaluate what was, what is, and what's to come. It's human nature and we're all victim of it.

What are your plans for 2011? A new job, a new way of life, a different perspective, more exercise, more risks, less routine, more travel...

Whatever your plans are don't forget to enjoy New Years Eve and New Years day. 

Many of us get caught up in making the plans, and get overwhelmed by thinking of the past and future that we forget to enjoy the now. Embrace what is and for at least one night set your thoughts aside and take the day to just enjoy. Enjoy the end of another year and the beginning of a new one. 

New Years Resolutions?
This year I am going to choose to do something simple. Something that will not involve too much work. This year I choose to pay attention to the now, to make sure that whatever I am doing I am doing with an open mind and with full attention. I choose to enjoy everything I take part in and I choose to find the positive in everything I am involved in.

Wherever you are and whatever you do I wish you:

Happiness & Joy

A Peaceful Heart

A Life Full of Love

The Strength to Fight for What YOU Want

To Always Be In the Now

To find the Positive in Everything that Finds it's way into your Life

To Just Be

From the bottom of my heart I wish you a very

Happy New Year

Stay Healthy!

Jeita Grotto

I finally visited Jeita Grotto! I've been to Lebanon a number of times, but have never fit in the time to visit Jeita. Since it is a finalist in the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition, I felt it was time to pay it a visit.  

"The Jeita caves are 'solutional karst caves, which have formed over millions of years due to the dissolution of limestone. Jeita is the longest cave complex in the Middle East, it sits at 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and has a height difference of 305 metres (1,001 ft)."


The drive over to Jeita was beautiful. The sky was clear, the sun was out, and the mountains were calm and traffic free (which is rare in Beirut).

 

Going in I wasn't too sure what to expect. Once inside the upper cave I was dumbstruck by how incredibly beautiful, perfect and natural it is.

There are two caves. The first cave you walk through, while the second one you tour by boat. The entire 'tour' takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and worth every second.

You are not allowed to take picture inside the caves, but our boat tour driver let me sneak in a couple of photos.



These pictures do not give the beauty of Jeita justice. This is a must see, so if you're ever traveling to Beirut make sure to put Jeita on your to do list. You will not be disappointed.

Stay Healthy!

Merry Christmas

The Christmas season always reminds me of the story of the Christmas log - 'Le Buche de Noel.' Very few know the significance behind this delicious dessert.

"The great Napoleon Bonaparte of France issued a proclamation stating houses in Paris to keep their chimneys closed during the winter because of the cool air that caused medical problems. This prohibited Parisians to use their fireplaces. But ingenious French bakers then invented this dessert as a symbolic substitution around which the family could gather for story-telling and other holiday happiness."

No matter what your plan is for Christmas or the holidays make sure to cherish the time you spend with family and friends.

Share stories, create memories, laugh, eat, drink and fill your heart with love. 

Wishing you & your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

-Le Buche De Noel-

Stay Healthy!

Bon Voyage

I am spending Christmas and the New Year in Beirut Lebanon. It's a good opportunity to visit family and friends. I have never visited Lebanon during Christmas time and, I must say, I am impressed with the Christmas spirit that is illuminated through the people and the various cities.

Everywhere I turn I am reminded of the spirit of Christmas.

I snapped a few photos whenever I had a chance...

Stay Healthy!