A Day in Paris in Las Vegas

Since I cannot go to Paris, France, no problem, I can always go to Paris in Las Vegas.  

I LOVE crepes and today I woke up with a strong craving for a good crepe.  Then I realized I hadn’t had a crepe since last year.  When I want something, I want something! – you know what I mean?   So I decided to head off to the Strip for another visit to La Creperie, at the Paris hotel. 

In past visits I always ordered the banana crepe, but today I felt like trying a different one and ordered the one called Favorite, a  crepe with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, drizzled with raspberry coulis.

These crepes cost $9.99 and they are huge.  One is enough for two people.  The crepe was very good, but too sweet for my palate.   That didn’t stop me from eating it all.  Portion control- -not!

I was stuffed.  I decided to go for a walk before heading back home.   I had too much sugar in my system.  I got lost in the crowd pretending to be a tourist and took pictures, (like I don’t have enough pics of the Paris hotel).

La crepe was worth all the calories and my trip to the Strip.  Oh la la…

Mon Ami Gabi, one of my favorite restaurants.

Parlez vous Poker?  Non.

I dropped some pennies in the fountain and made my wish.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Monday, Monday – let’s start our week with some food for thought.

“Make each day your masterpiece.”  -John Wooden

Enthusiasm is contagious.  Be a carrier.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

 “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”  - Mark Twain

“The start is what stops most people.” – Don Shula

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

“It’s not who you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.”

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”- Dalai Lama

~He Is God~

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!

He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, 
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. 

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!  

When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.
 

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

"BIG ELVIS"

Elvis may be gone, but in Las Vegas, the king is very alive.  From Viva Elvis by Cirque du Solei to Legends in Concert, to the numerous Elvis impersonators around the Strip and all the Elvis weddings, Las Vegas will keep Elvis alive forever. 

Many reasons for that. 

Elvis was the king of rock’n’roll.  During his “Vegas years” he was the show in town.  Everybody wanted to see Elvis.  All his performances were sold out.  He got married to Priscilla in Las Vegas.  Elvis loved Las Vegas and Las Vegas loved him and will continue to love him forever.

I have seen Elvis impersonators in all sizes and races.  Last year I participated in a Flashmob at a convention where the managers suddenly awoke the attendees with a flashmob simulating an Elvis wedding.   We were asked to dress professionally to blend in with the people attending the convention.  The Elvis impersonator was very thin.  

Here with me skinny Elvis.

 And since I like variety, today I saw the performance of “Big Elvis” at the Harrah’s Hotel.  Big Elvis weighs in between 300-500 pounds depending on his latest diet.  Pete Vallee, his real name, has been performing on the strip for 10 years.  He has the most amazing, strong, right-on-tone Elvis voice. 

Here with me "Big Elvis"

And, of course, I had to perform with Elvis, especially if I was given a maraca.  He sang the best, Viva Las Vegas, with a bunch of ladies from the audience.   And I was given a certificate, which at the end of the show he gracefully autographed.

Today I noticed that Elvis impersonators stick together and support each other.  That's so cool. I spotted at the bar another Elvis impersonator, which I was not expecting at this show.  It was another camera moment.  

Elvis is a living legend and Las Vegas will continue celebrating Elvis spirit and providing tribute to the king of rock’n’roll f o r e v e r.

“Big Elvis” performs at Harrah’s on the strip, Monday-Tuesday & Thursday-Friday at 2, 3:30 and 5 pm. 

Did I mention that the show is free?

“Thank you. Thank you very much.”

VIVA "BIG ELVIS"

In remembrance of the king of rock'n'roll.  Turn volume up and watch on full screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Evr6p_SeBE&feature=related

A L O H A! Luau in Las Vegas

There is no need to go to Hawaii to enjoy a luau. I have been to a traditional luau in Hawaii and have been to many luaus in Southern California.  Today I attended my first luau in Las Vegas.  It was a fundraising event sponsored by the Grace In the Desert Episcopal Church.


We first enjoyed appetizers and a time of Hawaiian libations. Before dinner, we were entertained by Hawaiian dancers and I was picked to dance a little hula.


The food was fantastic and I enjoyed it among friends all caught into the aloha spirit.


Mahalo to my friend Barbara who worked so hard and did a wonderful job organizing this event.

Hawiian - punch!

My plate.  Delma, por favor, portion control!

ALOOOHA!

  

I Got My Nexus 7 -- Woohoo!

Hurray!  My first tablet.

We should never say never – when am I going to learn that? 

When tablets came out, I repeatedly stated that I was not going to get one because I had no need for one.  Having a laptop and a netbook that I barely use, and having an iPhone that I use for many purposes and not much as a phone, I had no interest in buying a tablet.  I love electronics and technology, but I’m not one of those people that sleep overnight outside an electronic store to get a new gadget.  In fact, I’m always a little behind.   Call me old fashioned, but I still love my PC and my cordless landphone.

All that until I learned about the Nexus 7. 

Oddly to say, it all started with my need to buy a new GPS.  My GPS is 5 years old (“a little behind”) and I have never updated the maps.  Since updating the maps costs almost as much as buying a new GPS, I started shopping online for the best GPS on the market.  This is the gadget that I cannot live without.  This is my best co-pilot.  Can not drive without it.

In the process of researching online for my next GPS, my eyes drifted to advertising of the Nexus 7.  The advertisement prompted me to read reviews and reviews and more reviews about this wonderful tablet.  Result?  I fell in love with it and  wanted to buy one “yesterday.”  

Some may be asking, what is a Nexus 7, what’s the big deal about it?  Ok, I’m not the expert and I am not here to provide an elaborate lecture, but I will briefly explain what it is and what my experience has been with it so far.

The Nexus 7 is Google’s first tablet on the market.  This precious device is only 7 inches and, the best, it only costs $199.  Well, let me clarify:  $199 for the 8 GB and $250 for the 16 GB.  Excellent price for quality tablets.   I bought the 8 GB because that is all I need.

Some of the features of the Nexus 7 are:  GPS, games, videos, some TV programs, reading books, it has a camera, you can do skype, etc.  And, of course, it can be loaded with your favorite applications.

What I like most about the Nexus 7 is its size.  It’s smaller than an iPad and bigger than a smartphone.  A dream come true for me because it’s wonderful to be able to carry a light weight tablet that fits in my purse.

There may be many 7 inch tablets on the market.  But nothing that compares to The Nexus 7 in price and quality.   Nexus 7 is far superior to the Kindle Fire, which also costs $199. 

Warn you:  this is until Apple launches a mini tablet to compete with Nexus 7.  Knowing Apple, it will probably be better than the Nexus 7, but until that happens, I intend to enjoy my Nexus 7.   

In the process, I had a problem.  When the Nexus 7 came out, it immediately sold out!  People interested in buying the Nexus 7 had to order it online and seat and wait for its arrival.  I had no other choice but to order it online and wait without a clue of when I would receive it. 

So I anxiously waited for a few weeks to receive my Nexus 7.  I love shopping online, but the waiting kills me.  Especially when you’re expecting to receive a new “toy,” the waiting seems eternal.   Every day I checked my inbox to see if it had been shipped.

When my Nexus 7 finally arrived, my girlfriend from California was visiting Las Vegas.  During those days, I got home so tired that I had no desire to set up my Nexus 7.  By the way, I ordered it from the Google Play store.

I haven’t used it much yet, but I love it.  It’s just what I needed.   Now I need to buy a case to protect my “baby.”  I already found one online for $10.99.  You know I’m cheap.

I recommend it.  A quality tablet for $200?  Can not beat that.  But do not take my word for granted.  Those on the market for a tablet, should research online.   We all have different needs and expectations according to what we need it for.  What is good for me, may not be good for you.  What are your needs for a tablet, if any?  Are you “ok” using your smartphone?  Do not buy one if you do not need it.  But for $200?  I say, get one. 

For once, I am one of the first people to have a new gadget.   Some people are still waiting to receive their Nexus 7.  I am progressing. 

  

Google should give me a commission for this post.  Don’t you think?......  Nah.  Well, at least the case.  Ha!