Stymphalian Birds

Stymphalian Birds are a species of monstrous pigeon-like birds. In Greek Mythology, Hercules' sixth labor was to beat the Stymphalian birds. He did it by using brass bells to scare them into the air, and when the birds took off from the swamp that they rested in, Hercules shot many of them down with his bow and arrows. Although some escaped, they never returned to the area that they were terrorizing.

Stymphalian birds attack Camp Half-Blood during a chariot race. Percy and Annabeth used Chiron's music from a portable stereo to confuse the birds so Apollo's cabin could shoot them down. The reason they could enter the camp's borders was because of Thalia's tree dying. Tantalus apparently then cooked and served them for the winning camper's which was Clarisse prize-dinner. 

Stymphalian birds attack the Argo II, but Festus torches them.

Erymanthian Boar

These Greek myths are really quite addictive. Next up, we have the Erymanthian Boar which was an animal sent as a gift from Pan.

As part of his twelve labors, Hercules had to capture the Erymanthian Boar. He subdued the beast by driving it into a snowbank and then tying it in chains.

Percy, Thalia, Zoë, Grover, and Bianca di Angelo first encounter and ride the Erymanthian Boar in book 3 the Titan's Curse. Grover senses it was sent as a gift by Pan, in the town of Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Grover is the first to identify it and its potential utility to the team as a form of transportation after Percy causes it to fall of a cliff into a pile of snow. The Erymanthian Boar takes them near to the Junkyard of the Gods where they lose Bianca di Angelo.

Hydra

Hooked on Percy Jackson and Greek myths, I am going to continue this highly entertaining greek mythology lesson with the Hydra. In Greek myths and legends, the Hydra was a vicious monster with multiple heads with one immortal and invincible to all weapons. When one head was decapitated, two more snake-heads would grow in its place. Hercules eventually defeated the Hydra, by having his nephew, Lolous burn each stump after he had cut it, before the heads reproduced, then tore off the immortal head with his bare hands, and buried it under a giant rock.

When Percy Jackson sent Tyson to look for powdered doughnuts so he could talk to Annabeth in the Sea of Monsters (Book 2), Tyson went out and came upon a Monster Doughnut store. Tyson, being a monster, was somehow able to summon the outlet bringing the Hydra with it. It was large and lizard-like, with long necks and seven heads to match. It had many rows of razor-sharp teeth, its hands were clawed, had a tail, and spat acid. According to Annabeth, another Monster Doughnut shop popped up every time it grew another head. She says that Hermes' children found a way to use the hydra's life-force to make a new chain of stores. Percy, initially tries to defeat it by slicing off its heads, but succeeded only in making more. Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson were saved by Clarisse when the Hydra's heads were lit aflame and burnt off by cannon fire from the CSS Birmingham.

Nemean Lion & Percy Jackson

The Nemean lion was a vicious monster in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea. It was eventually killed by Hercules. It could not be killed with mortal weapons because its golden fur was impervious to attack. Its claws were sharper than mortal swords and could cut through any armor. The lion is usually considered to have been the offspring of Typhon and Echidna.

The first of Hercules' twelve labours, set by King Eurystheus was to slay the Nemean lion. The Nemean lion took women as hostages to its lair in a cave, luring warriors from nearby towns to save the damsel in distress. After entering the cave, the warrior would see the woman (usually feigning injury) and rush to her side. Once he was close, the woman would turn into a lion and kill the warrior, devouring his remains and giving the bones to Hades.

The cave had two entrances, one of which Heracles blocked; he then entered the other. In those dark and close quarters, Heracles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death.  After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife from his belt, but failed. He then tried sharpening the knife with a stone and even tried with the stone itself. Finally, Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told Heracles to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.

Being an avid fan of the Percy Jackson series, the Nemean lion is also featured in the books. The lion was sent by Luke and the General at the National Air and Space Museum to stop the group of questing Hunters, demigods, and one Satyr. It battled with Percy, who recognized the monster from the time he saw one from the train during the quest to find Zeus' Master Bolt. The monster was incredibly hard to defeat because of its bulletproof and sword-proof pelt. Percy came up with and idea and grabbed a few packets of astronaut food from the gift shop and tossed it into the lion's mouth when he roared. When the lion bellowed in disgust, Zoë fired arrows into the Nemean Lion's mouth. The lion dissolved except for its pelt. The pelt was offered to Percy by Zoë because it was his plan that made it possible for them to defeat the monster.

Hercules

Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek demigod Heracles, who was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. One of my favorite Disney movies is Hercules.

Hercules is known for his many adventures, but the most famous are the Twelve Labours.

1. Slay the Nemean Lion.
2. Slay the nine-headed Lernaean Hydra.
3. Capture the Golden Hind of Artemis.
4. Capture the Erymanthian Boar.
5. Clean the Augean stables in a single day.
6. Slay the Stymphalian Birds.
7. Capture the Cretan Bull.
8. Steal the Mares of Diomedes.
9. Obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons.
10. Obtain the cattle of the monster Geryon.
11. Steal the apples of the Hesperides.
12. Capture and bring back Cerberus.

Shoe Addict

In case, it wasn't evident in yesterday's post, I am a crazy shoe addict. If I see a pair of heels that I love, I just have to have them. Usually, when I go shopping, I try to go blind while passing a shoe store in case of a shoe frenzy. If I love them, I don't care about the price or the brand. But I just have to have them. Besides Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo's are my second favorite. Chinese Laundry is another brand that has amazing to die for footwear. Heels are my weakness, but I love wedges, boots, ballet flats, and flatforms. In short, a shoe is a shoe.
People have tempted me with incentives of buying shoes for me in order to make me do things for them, and I usually succumb.

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin is a French footwear designer whose footwear has incorporated shiny, red-lacquered soles that have become his signature. Celebrities interested in his stiletto heels have included Lady Gaga, Joan Collins, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a pair of shoes by Louboutin for her wedding.

Louboutin helped bring stilettos back into fashion in the 1990s and 2000s, designing dozens of styles with heel heights of 4.72 inches and higher. The designer's professed goal has been to make a woman look sexy, beautiful, to make her legs look as long as he can. While he does offer some lower-heeled styles, Louboutin is generally associated with his dressier evening-wear designs incorporating jeweled straps, bows, feathers, patent leather, and other similar decorative touches. He is most popularly known for his red-bottom high heel shoes, commonly referred to as sammy red-bottoms. Despite being known for his celebrity clients, he rarely gives shoes away instead offering discounts instead to his high-profile fans. His single biggest client is Danielle Steel, who is reputed to own over 6,000 pairs and is known to have purchased up 80 pairs at a time when shopping at his stores.

Lastly, I am very proud to say that I am a very happy and satisfied owner of a pair of black Christian Louboutin heels.

Arrow

Arrow is an American action-adventure television series based on the fictional character Green Arrow, a superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The series follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, portrayed by Stephen Amell, who returns home to fight crime and corruption as the vigilante "Arrow" after being stranded on a desert island for five years. Arrow will also feature appearances by other DC Comics characters.

After a shipwreck that claims the life of his father, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen is missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his mother Moira, his younger sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home but sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he has become, he tries to reconcile with his former girlfriend, Laurel, for cheating on her with her sister, who also died in the shipwreck. As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly masquerades as a hooded vigilante archer by night, attempting to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory as his late father had entrusted him to do before his death. Oliver's first personal task is to take down corrupt millionaire Adam Hunt, who has scammed millions from various people in Starling City. Laurel's father, police detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante. Meanwhile, Oliver's mother is revealed to have an agenda against her son, having orchestrated a kidnapping to determine what his father told him after the shipwreck. 

Tudors

Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France. Henry was the second monarch of the House of Tudor, succeeding his father, Henry VII.

Besides his six marriages, Henry VIII is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Henry's struggles with Rome led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Yet he remained a believer in core Catholic theological teachings, even after his excommunication from the Catholic Church.

Henry was considered an attractive, educated and accomplished king in his prime and has a reputation as one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne. Besides ruling with absolute power, he also engaged himself as an author and composer. His desire to provide England with a male heir—which stemmed partly from personal vanity and partly because he believed a daughter would be unable to consolidate the Tudor Dynasty and the fragile peace that existed following the Wars of the Roses—led to the two things for which Henry is remembered: His six marriages, and the English Reformation (making England a mostly Protestant nation). In later life, he became morbidly obese and his health suffered; his public image is frequently depicted as one of a lustful, egotistical, harsh, and insecure king.

What really had me interested in this part of history was the show Tudors. It was an amazing, and mostly historically accurate show, depicting Henry VIII's marriages and reign. I was addicted to that show, and have seen all five seasons of it. And I would love to watch it all over again, no doubt.

Anastasia, Lost Duchess of Russia

Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia (June 18 1901 – July 17, 1918) was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the last sovereign of Imperial Russia, and his wife Alexandra Fyodorovna.

Anastasia was a younger sister of Grand Duchess Olga, Grand Duchess Tatiana, and Grand Duchess Maria, and was an elder sister of Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. She died in an extrajudicial killing by forces of the Bolshevik secret police, Cheka, with her family on July 17, 1918.

Persistent rumors of her possible escape have circulated since her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades of Communist rule. The mass grave near Ekaterinburg which held the remains of the Tsar, his wife, and three daughters was revealed in 1991, but the bodies of Alexei Nikolaevich and one of his sisters—either Anastasia or her older sister Maria—were not discovered there.

Her possible survival has been conclusively disproved.

James Bond's Skyfall

Skyfall is the upcoming twenty-third spy film in the Eon Productions James Bond series, produced for MGM, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment. It features Daniel Craig's third performance as James Bond.

Skyfall is due to premiere on 23 October 2012, will be released in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2012, and it will be the first James Bond film to be released in IMAX venues. The film's release will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the series, which began with Dr. No in 1962.

When an operation in Istanbul ends in disaster, James Bond is missing and presumed to be dead, and the identities of every active undercover MI6 agent are leaked onto the internet. In the aftermath, questions are raised over M's ability to run the Secret Service, and she becomes the subject of a government review over her handling of the situation. When the service itself is attacked, Bond's sudden reappearance gives M the pretext she needs to seek out Raoul Silva, a dangerous villain claiming a personal connection to both of them – but as he follows a trail from London to the South China Sea, Bond soon finds his loyalty to M challenged over secrets from her past

Food Cravings

You know that sudden feeling you get when you're just watching TV or reading a great book? Those pangs in your stomach as if something is trying to claw its way out. The deep rumbling and sudden shakes which make you lose your concentration and go raid the fridge for something to eat and graze on. This is happening to me RIGHT NOW. It is so distracting and I could not think about anything else at this moment to write about. Images of high definition quality are swimming in front of me of all the foods that I love. Desserts are prancing around my head in tiny concentric circles, and pizza slices are doing belly flops repeatedly in front of me. I'm trying to shove them aside but to no avail.
These random hunger pangs or cravings will not go away until I satisfy them. Raiding the fridge didn't turn up anything good, and my only option is to stuff my face with crisps infinitely.

Everything Is Not What It Seems

We always have impressions about people, whether good or bad. Sometimes, we have them unintentionally and when we question what they are, they are indefinable and indescribable. We think that someone has such a perfect life and everything comes so easy to them, or we sometimes think about some other person that they have to face such hardships and pity them endlessly. But really, everything is not what it seems.
The people of whom we think have it all, may not. We might think their life is gold, but the thing is we don't know what their life is really like. We can only do so if we step into their shoes for a day. Everybody has problems, even rich people. They might have different kind of problems; the kind which never even cross our mind. And the other kind of people, whom we pity are sometimes better off. They struggle and survive by working hard but in the end are very happy. Therefore, one can never tell anything about a person's life or what their problems may or may not be. I know its not easy to stop judging, but we should try and stop assuming things about other people and cutting people some slack.

Vampire Diaries

Who doesn't know about TVD? Or better known as the Vampire Diaries. I am a huge fan myself of this show series based on a book series by L. J. Smith. Usually, goth vampire and werewolf shows seem over rated to me, but this one is beyond amazing. It surely helps that the two vampire brothers are gorgeous and hunky. In less than an hour of a show, we are able to gorge on lots of helpings of luscious eye-candy.
The story revolves around the two vampire brothers and one girl, Elena Gilbert. These three are in a love triangle, with both brothers vying for the girl's love. But sadly, Elena chooses Stefan, the younger brother and breaks Damon's heart. Don't worry, Damon. You'll always have me (take a hint)!
Side story plots contain werewolves, vampire and werewolf romance, and evil villains who are undying vampire ancient lords who happen to be all super hot and dashing, of course.
Every Thursday is much awaited for all the ladies out there who are TVD fans, and some of the guys out there too! The battle between the brothers and who will have Elena at last is worth watching. Although the creators of the show have changed much of the story from the book, the viewers don't complain at all because they have turned it into something a lot better. The book was not that fabulous, trust me. Gotta go have my TVD fix now!

Penguins, my love!

Penguins are the most adorable creatures ever. With their black and white tuxedo style, they don't fail to impress in the fashion department. The way they waddle and hop is just so adorable! Lots of movies have been made about penguins, from which Surf's Up, Madagacar 1, 2 and 3, Happy Feet and Mr. Popper's Penguins are some of my favorites. A cartoon character ChillyWilly was very famous, and it used to air on TV a long time back.
I love everything about penguins, and have two big stuffed penguins which are almost with me all the time when I'm at home. They're not kept on the shelves or laid down somewhere, but with me when I'm using my laptop or watching TV. I have penguin magnets on our refrigerator and I am very proud to say that I have seen these funny little animals at the Dublin Zoo, something of an achievement for us Karachites. They stank and were very noisy, and a little frightening due to their sharp beaks but I could not stop loving them! 

Dads & Babies

There is nothing cuter than young Dads holding their even younger babies and cuddling them. Seeing a Dad toting his own baby instead of dumping it on the mother is immensely cute. And increases the Dad-in-question's hotness by a long shot! This picture had me staring at the baby and the famous Dad Nick Lachey for ages. Not that Nick Lachey is not quite handsome and hot on his own, but his son Camden is a very cute baby. Dad and son are watching baseball games in the picture and Camden looks just adorable in his eenie weenie black onesie!

X Factor US

The X Factor is a UK based reality TV show showcasing singing sensations. The X Factor also having an Australian edition, now has a USA edition. The first season was not very popular, but the second was much awaited as the four judges were Simon Cowell, LA Reid, Demi Lovato and the pop princess Britney Spears. I have been following this TV show, although I'm not much of a fan of reality TV shows. But this show actually had me coming for it again and again and I already have my favorites in the contestants. Contestants range from 13 year old to 40 year olds and groups also participate.

Wi-fi Thieves

Everyone is familiar with the routine. You pull out your laptop or mobile in a new city or random place and start looking for free wi-fi networks to hijack.

It's one of the slightly stealthy joys of modern living. In response to this era of wi-fi promiscuity, an interesting trend has emerged in wi-fi naming conventions. Rather than go with the default network assignation, people are customizing their wi-fi name, knowing full well that friends, neighbors and passersby are scanning for free wi-fi access all the time. Here are some funny wifi names: 

15. FBI Surveillance Van 7

14. Connect for identity theft

13. Trapped in router send help!

12. No Wi-Fi For You

11. My Neighbors Suck

10. Don't Even

9. Only If You Help Me Pay For It

8. That 70's Router

7. Sorry, you can't use this

6. Nope, not this one either

5. We Can Hear You Having Sex

4. AllYourBandWidthRbelongToUS

3. Router? I Hardly Knew Her!

2. Stop using our network, Steve

1. Hey You Kids, Get Off My LAN!

IPhone 5

As I did a post about Samsung Galaxy S3, not to play favorites as I have S3, let's tell you all there is to know about the (infamous?) IPhone 5.

Faster, lighter, thinner and prettier are the obvious new things, including a redesigned body with lighter materials and a taller 4-inch screen. There's also the new cameras and iOS 6, Apple's latest mobile platform.

Despite the clever name Apple gave its much-maligned new 8-pin connector at the base of the phone — replacing the wide-mouth 30-pin connector used for years, and making your accessories obsolete without an adaptor — "Lightning" doesn't transfer your data any faster than the older cable. Therefore, if you shot a bunch of HD video on iPhone 5 and want to transfer to your PC or Mac, it'll still be at USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), which is 10 times slower than USB 3.0 (5Gbps).

Similar to issues with the new (third-generation) iPad, iPhone 5 gets very warm to the touch on the back of the unit after playing around with it for a while — especially with memory-intensive tasks such as gaming or video playback. It's not going to burn your hand or anything, but the new aluminum back, replacing a thick layer of glass, means you're going to experience major warmth, so don't be alarmed.

You likely know Apple has bundled its new EarPods in the box, delivering a more comfortable fit, added durability and most importantly, better-sounding audio over the classic white ear buds. But the phone has better audio tech all around, including three microphones -- one on the front, one on the back and one on the bottom — working together for clearer audio and noise-canceling technology. Um, so this might be interesting for those who actually talk on phones these days. Hehe.

ASOS

Living in Pakistan deprives me of the most amazing shoes and clothes that I see online and wish I could just order from Amazon, Nordstorm or NetAPorter.com. But these websites, unlikely to deliver to Karachi, Pakistan and even if they do charge us shipping which is actually more than the price of the objects we are buying. I would love to buy online, but wasting money in shipping is not appropriate.
But then I found ASOS.com. It is a UK based online retailer of apparel, shoes and accessories and ships all around the world with (wait for it!), FREE shipping, including Pakistan for standard shipping. I couldn't believe this myself, but then I went ahead and ordered, expecting some kind of value-added tax or hidden charges but I was happily surprised. They charged my credit card with the exact amount, and more so gave me 10% off at the final bill for indulging in the MEGA10 sale. It is to be delivered via Royal Mail within 9 working days to my house, and I just hope it arrives safely. If it does, ASOS is going to be my best stop for all online apparel shopping.

Samsung S3 or Iphone 5?

How seriously are Samsung's Galaxy products threatening Apple's dominance? So seriously that Apple and Samsung remain embroiled in litigation over whether Samsung infringed on Apple iPhone and iPad patents to make its Galaxy smartphones and Nexus tablets.

Sales of both Samsung products were banned in the U.S. for a bit, but now the Galaxy S III is available to customers for as much as $150 less than the iPhone. The phone's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4G LTE capability and quick dual-core processor are lovely, but the Galaxy SI's strong 8-megapixel camera and S Beam technology that allows users to move photos, videos, documents and other files between phones by tapping their backs together are its biggest advantages. 

While its S Voice is a pale replica of the iPhone's Siri and drains an already weak battery, the Galaxy S III is already beating the iPhone in an area where Apple was once thought invincible: apps. Say what you will about Google Play's selection compared with the App Store, but Google execs never had to offer an embarrassed apology for the quality of Google Maps.

IMAX

You must have heard about people wanting to go to watch a movie in an IMAX, but what really is an IMAX? IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems. IMAX is the most widely used system for special-venue film presentations.

To watch a movie in an IMAX theatre, the experience is unbelievably amazing. The huge screen and its image quality has a whopping difference. There are currently only 643 IMAX around the world in 52 countries, with the hugest IMAX screen in Sydney, Australia

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Are you a fan of Audrey Hepburn and Breakfast at Tiffany's? Then this is just for you. Audrey Hepburn fans will likely “go lightly” into this chic retreat, which pays tribute to Tiffany’s. High above Fifth Avenue (and steps from the iconic jeweler), the 1,700-square-foot suite is decked out in robin’s-egg blue and shimmering chandeliers, and offers floor-to-ceiling views of New York’s Central Park. Inspired accents include an elaborate jewel-shaped mirror and a console that evokes an engagement ring. And whether you’re hosting a bridal party or a breakfast, there’s plenty of Tiffany table service to go around.

This Tiffany Suite is at the St. Regis Hotel, New York with $9500 per night.

Great Barrier Reef

Looking at travel destinations around the world, I came across the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. If all goes well, I will be moving to Sydney in 2014 and therefore this caught my eye.

Pure white sand and coral reefs teeming with fish are the hallmarks of these castaway islands off of Australia’s northeastern coastline. More familiar islands, including Lizard, Hayman, and Bedarra, are havens for divers, as they provide easy access to potato cod fish and gaping giant clams—and they’re home to ultra-chic hideaway hotels. Scuba diving and snorkeling has been something that I look forward to doing, and will probably be my first time here!

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is the reef’s most photogenic beach: a 4.5-mile stretch of sand that seems to go on forever. Lizard Island Resort, a five-star enclave that counts 40 contemporary suites and 24 private beaches.

Chinese Affair

The next destination is for the history buff in me. I recently read a series of books, the 39 Clues, which got me enamored with this historical spot.

A train crossing of China's Silk Road takes you through a cultural journey from the Far East to the Mideast, from modern Chinese mega cities through an ancient arid desert plateau to stunning mountains. For an ideal 10-day trip, you can follow the ancient trade route used from the 1st century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. starting in Xian, home of the Terra Cotta Warriors. Along the way, travelers can make stops at the official end of the Great Wall at Jiayu Guan, the Mogao Buddhist caves near Dunhuang, the aforementioned desert basin of Turpan, and the provincial capital Urumq– an ideal base for a day trip to Heavenly Lake. 

All of these had been mentioned in the book, and now my yearning to see these Terra Cotta Warriors has intensified. The idea that people lived here centuries ago, gets my spine tingling and makes me see that we are insignificant in this world; just a mere speck.

Land of the Incas

The next location is for the little adventurer in me who would have loved to be an archaeologist if born in another time and another place. The Inca Trail footpath is an ancient Andean passage from Cusco, capital of the Incan empire, through the Sacred Valley, to the 15th-century ruins of the civilization's crown jewel, Machu Picchu, Peru. Cleared from centuries of thick forest growth since historian Hiram Bingham introduced it to the world in 1911, this fabled lost city of the Incas defiantly guards its mystique.

Did it serve as a citadel? An astronomical observatory? A ceremonial city or sacred retreat for the emperor? Why did the Incas construct, inhabit, and then deliberately abandon it in less than a century? How did the Spanish conquistadors miss it? Whatever its intended purpose, Machu Picchu remains the world's greatest example of landscape art, sitting gracefully like a proud saddle between two enormous Andean peaks.

Visitors come to run their hands over the massive, smoothly cut stone, which fit together seamlessly without mortar. Other travelers make it a point to experience daybreak, when the light creeps over Machu Picchu's jagged silhouette and slowly, with great drama, illuminates the ruins row by row, building by building. Most spectacular is the winter solstice sunrise, when sun rays stream through the Temple of the Sun window, setting the stone at the center of the temple ablaze.

Ultimate Honeymoon

I love to travel, and have always dreamed of going around the world to places which are stunning and breathtakingly beautiful. So I am going to give you a brief glimpse of few of the dream places over the next few days which I aspire to visit someday hopefully. 

Nothing says ultimate honeymoon like Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Lush mountains slope down to a lagoon striped with bands of clear water ranging from deep blue-green to neon-turquoise. Around the lagoon, palm-fringed atolls and coral reefs trace a wispy pentagon, and everywhere, suspended boardwalks lead like tentacles to overwater bungalows for newlyweds and other romantics. Too perfect a tropical getaway to be a secret, Bora Bora is nevertheless remote and expensive enough that the island's luxurious mystique has remained intact.

Matte Milk Chocolate

I can't get enough of eating chocolate, but now I can wear it too!  Too Faced helps curb chocolate cravings with their Milk Chocolate Soliel Matte Bronzing Powder. Infused with real cocoa powder for a chocolaty smooth finish, it adds warmth to your skin along with a comforting chocolate scent. Using this, I can feel like I'm dipped in chocolate heaven all day long. This is definitely going on my must-have list the next time any relative from the US comes over.

September 11 Attacks

The September 11 attacks referred to as 9/11 were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks upon the United States in New York City and the Washington, D.C. areas on September 11, 2001. On that Tuesday morning, 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger jets. The hijackers intentionally flew two of those planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City; both towers collapsed within two hours. The hijackers also intentionally crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and intended to pilot the fourth hijacked jet, United Airlines Flight 93, into the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. However, the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after its passengers attempted to take control of the jet from the hijackers. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, including all 227 civilians and 19 hijackers aboard the four planes.

This September commemorates the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This incident has inspired numerous movies, shows, documentaries and books and has forever marked this day to be remembered as 9/11 all around the world. 

Hart of Dixie

Hart of Dixie is a comedy-drama series which premiered on the CW television network in September 2011 starring the famous Rachel Bilson as Dr. Zoe Hart, who after her dreams of becoming a cardio-thoracic surgeon fall apart, accepts an offer to work in a small medical practice in Bluebell, Alabama. 

The first season mostly revolves around Zoe adjusting to life in Bluebell and struggling to bring in 30% of the patients to her practice: a clause she needs to adhere to if she wishes to keep half the practice from Brick Breeland, the other resident GP in Bluebell. She finds this difficult as she is on the odds with most of the local residents due to her city personality. Zoe also struggles with her growing feelings towards George Tucker, feelings his fiance Lemon Breeland is fully aware of leading her to make it her mission to ensure Zoe leaves Bluebell. Other story lines include Wade's feelings for Zoe which may or may not be returned, Zoe's friendship with the Mayor, Lavon Hayes, and his past with Lemon, and Zoe's unresolved issues regarding her family.

Although the show has received mixed critical reviews, with some referring to Bilson as a Barbie in a medical dream house and not as a convincing heart surgeon, the show is touching and enjoyable like a light-hearted rom-com. The show has been renewed for a second season for October 2012.

Earthquake in 1999

Today is 7th September, and looking back over the years, it has been an eventful day in history. Too many events of importance have taken place on this day, but I will just talk about one of them. In 1999, a major earthquake of magnitude 6.0 occurred in Athens, Greece. The 1999 quake was the most devastating and costly natural disaster to hit the country in nearly 20 years. More than 100 buildings (including three major factories) across the area collapsed trapping scores of victims under their rubble while dozens more were severely damaged. Overall, 143 people lost their lives and more than 2,000 were treated for injuries in what eventually became Greece's deadliest natural disaster in almost half a century. This event took Greek seismologists by surprise as it came from a previously unknown fault, originating in an area that was for a long time considered of a particularly low seismic activity zone.

Thor's Day

Today is Thursday, and it is the day of the week that has been named after Thor. Thor, the Thunderer, is perhaps the most famous of the gods of the Northmen, and was considered by some to be greater even than Odin. He was the God of the Peasants--the poor people, while Odin was thought more of by the rich people and the great fighters. Thor usually rode in a chariot of brass, drawn by two goats, Tooth-cracker and Tooth-gnasher, and it was this chariot which was supposed to make the thunder; hence Thor's name. Thor, alone of all the gods, was never allowed to cross the bridge joining Asgard and the earth, lest this chariot should break it down. Thor was of very great strength, like Hercules among the Greeks and Romans, and possessed a wonderful hammer called Miolnir, the Crusher, which always returned to his hand when he had thrown it at an enemy.

Chick-Lit

The genre of chick-lit (literature) is one that I enjoy a lot. It consists of light, funny and enjoyable reading, mostly contemporary based. The projected audience is mostly females in their mid twenties and above, and it is one of the most best selling genres out there. The best thing about these books is that they have the most captivating and attractive covers, which automatically make you want to read these books.
My two favourite authors from this genre are both British, and British chick-lit is quite famous. Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk are two very successful British chick-lit authors, and I have read all their published works. Sophie Kinsella is most famous for her Confessions of a Shopaholic series, and Kelk is famous for her I Heart Series. Both have been on the Times best-selling list, and currently working on new novels.

Unusual Ice Cream Flavors

We've always had chocolate, strawberry or vanilla from the local ice cream parlor. I like to try new flavors, so I always choose new interesting ones whenever I see them. But when I heard of these 10 weird flavors, even I lost my appetite.
1. Cheddar Cheese
2. Avocado
3. Roasted Pineapple and Black Pepper
4. Jalapeno Strawberry
5. Earl Grey
6. Peanut Butter and Jelly
7. Garlic
8. French Toast
9. Buttered Popcorn
10. Black Licorice 

Hurrah!

For all those caffeine addicts out there like me, hurrah! We've been hearing for years that coffee or caffeine is bad for our health. But let's rejoice now, for experts on an American Society for Nutrition panel recently concluded that drinking three to five eight-ounce cups a day lowers your risk of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and colon and liver cancers. That's ridiculously beneficial! Now your morning cup of coffee is no longer a guilt trip, but something to be proud of.

It has also been revealed that women who drink at least six cups a day are less likely to develop high blood pressure in a study in 2005 by Harvard scientists. 

Besides that, dark chocolate is also not that bad if taken in minimal and measured amounts daily. Enjoying a small amount of flavonoid-filled dark chocolate may prevent clogged arteries and reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Also, eating up to 3.6 ounces daily can be as effective as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors at lowering blood pressure. Studies have also shown that eating chocolate releases serotonin, the feel-better brain chemical. No wonder I indulge in chocolate when I feel down, and end up feeling on top of the world soon after.

Scent of a Moment

I have always heard people say that certain songs remind them of certain moments in their life. I agree, and have experienced nostalgia at the hands of this. But I also have nostalgia at various scents. Certain smells take me to memories of my life. At times, a full fledged movie, complete with sounds is in my mind. I am a perfume enthusiast, collecting perfumes and using them quite generously. Daisy by Marc Jacobs, and Curious  by Britney Spears are two perfumes that take me to happy, i-wish-i-could-time-travel moments in my life. The power of a scent is powerful, just like all our other four senses. Each sense of ours - a certain sound, feel, sight, or taste - can do this. It is quite remarkable, and sometimes uncalled for but addictive. I have caught myself sniffing my perfume, day dreaming, quite a few times.

Eye Contact

There is something about the eyes that can speak volumes with one glance; in a millisecond, thousands of expressions and feelings can be communicated. Best friends usually use the eye contact to convey messages around people whom they do not want to include in their conversation. Enemies reflect their next move in their eyes, passing the message on unwillingly. But the most amazing one is with strangers.

Making eye contact with strangers is an incomparable experience. If you look out the window of your car and look into the eyes of a passing pedestrian or another passenger in the vehicle next to you, it is with much daring. It requires confidence, boldness and unwavering firmness. Just one glance can tell you so much about the person, and vice versa, tell them about you. It is something intimate; personal and delicate, like the web of a spider, so fragile and translucent. 

I observed that usually people look away if a stranger makes eye contact with them. They are caught unawares. On some days, when I feel positive and refreshed, I try to make eye contact with people passing me by. It helps me gain insight into their lives, although only for a nano second. It might seem a bit far-fetched to you, but I assure you that if you try it some time, you will not under estimate it anymore.

Reese's

Ever had the attack of the munchies? I am a junk food enthusiast, but when my cravings kick in, I can't hold onto anything else. One of my cravings are for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups by Hershey's. Imagine flat and small paper cups of chocolate filled with solidified peanut butter inside. They are amazing.

I first had them when I was about five, and since then, I haven't had enough of them. Although, they are pretty hard to get here in Karachi, I always try to get my hands on them if someone is coming from abroad. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are one of a kind, and no other chocolate company does a similar candy like them. They are mouth-watering, and satisfying. I can't have less than three in one go. All this talk about them has made me hungry. I'm off to swallow some Reese's. Ciao!

World's Oldest Person

Besse Cooper, currently living in Monroe, USA is the world's oldest person. She has officially been given the title by Guinness World Records, and is only one of eight people to be recorded to live up to that age. Born in Sullivan, Tennessee in 1896, she has four children, 12 grand-children and many great-grandchildren. In her honour, a bridge was named after her in her city.
Her secret to long life is simple: She minds her own business, and does not eat junk food. 

39 Clues

The 39 Clues is a series of novels, young adult in genre, which captivated my interest about almost one and a half week ago. Catapulted into their world, I was taken on a journey that was literally all around the world, encompassing all five continents. From France, Austria, Russia, South Africa, Korea, China, Brazil, Jamaica and England, the two siblings travelled around the world, taking the reader on a whirl wind tour. The books are full to the brim about each country's history and the famous people that lived there, some of which are quite legendary like Mozart, George Washington, Emperor Puyi and Shakespeare to name a few.

The series, comprising of about 11 books, are written by numerous authors, each giving their own spark to their instalment  in the series.
The books had me hooked to such an extent that I just had to read all 11 of them, one after the other, and in about one week I am down to my last book. Its books like these that really grip me. Travel, history, mystery and a bit of humour all mixed up together are my forte. I loved the series, and would recommend it to anyone who would want to enjoy a thrilling adventure around the world while sitting in their bedroom.