Double the Feature, Double the Fun!

I headed to the mall early this morning to watch "Avatar" in 3D. But curses, my plans were foiled when the film projector in the theater room broke down, and the manager had the unfortunate task of telling a packed audience to exit and get their money refunded. I left and exchanged my ticket for "Sherlock Holmes".

Guy Ritchie, Madonna's soon-to-be ex, directed this cutting edge tongue in cheek period caper about the legendary detective and his faithful side kick. Robert Downey, Jr. plays Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law plays Dr. Watson, a brilliant pair with rapier wit, and astounding deductive reasoning. The chemistry between these two men were superb, and Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, Sherlock's nemesis/love interest, was the perfect trimming to the story. It was action packed. Superbly acted. Funny. AWESOME!

When the movie let out, I noticed that the line to the "Avatar" window was forming again. Quickly, I confirmed that "Avatar" was showing, purchased a ticket, and then made a bee-line to the designated theater.

The movie was without a doubt spelling binding, cinematically beautiful, and action packed. The colors were phenomenal, and the story lines sweeping. A "Fern Gully" meets "Transformers" with romance. The CGI specials effects were incredible and the inclusion of 3-D effects made it even more incredible. Both movies are a definite must see! TWO THUMBS UP!

As I left the theater, I admired the giant Christmas tree underneath a suspended Santa Clause and 8 tiny reindeers that decorated the mall's central courtyard. These Christmas decorations are anomalies in an Islamic country, and were evidence of the power of commercialism. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas on Earth as it is in Heaven....

Uh-Oh, Kids, There May Be A Santa Delay!

Another Star Dims in 2009: Brittany Murphy

Today. 911. Cardiac Arrest. Brittany Murphy.
Dead. 32. WTF???

Navy Surgeon General Visits Cairo

To finish out this year's roundup of dignitary visits, the Navy's Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Adam Robinson, visited us earlier this month. VADM Robinson, incidentally, is the first African-American to be appointed as the Navy's Surgeon General. He was dynamic, hyper-intelligent, and very charismatic and it was a pleasure having him visit us in Cairo. Since my job specialty falls under Navy Medicine, this visit was very special since he is the helm of Navy Medicine. On his last evening in Cairo, we took him on a Nile dinner cruise, where he and his entourage got to partake in some local culture and cuisine.

A Tribute to Jason Mraz by Ukulele Boy

So, this is the latest viral internet craze - Ukulele Boy does Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" in mangled Japanese - but still manages to pull off a winning performance. How ironic that he's sporting a hoodie with the words "Commercialism" labeled across his chest. YouTube conspiracy per chance? Things that make you go, hmmmmmn....

Christmas Trees Around The World

Inadvertently, I get holiday fwd's that make it to my inbox, and to most I give appreciative pause or spontaneous chuckle, but to this one I gave a long collective sigh. It was because of this response that I decided to share it with you, my fellow bloggers. I have altered it somewhat if you've seen this already for I found it a bit long. If you have Christmas music handy, play "Oh Christmas Tree" while scrolling down. Enjoy!

The first Christmas tree I saw in an Islamic country was at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Cairo, Egypt.

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo, Japan's night time neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreens, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut from the Sumava Mountains of the Czech Republic.

Ooh la la, Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, France even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Venice, Italy's Murano Island is renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork. It is also home to the tallest glass Christmas tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, this artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on January 7th. Weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under
the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir tree.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid 's two-week celebration makes a millionaire out of the merrymakers. On December 22nd, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal . Thousands of lights adorn the tree adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the shining Christmas tree is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"..... even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel Alps, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight!

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer - Frankfurt, Germany's City Hall since 1405 - and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, DC, is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. school children. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 United States.

A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

Children's Christmas Party

Last week-end was a busy, busy, busy one for me as I attended several Christmas parties. One that was loads of fun [READ: ones without me in an askewed santa hat after several rounds of spiked egg nogg], was the Children's Christmas Party that the Spouse's Club (and honorary members, i.e. moi) put together for the kiddies of our U.S. Cairo community. I was there with my santa hat on and sleeves rolled up, ready to help with the festivities!

We started out with the gingerbread pinata. Our verrrrrry junior kiddies didn't know what to make of it at first, until they saw what the big kids were doing to the poor li'l gingerbread man.

Then they really got into it!!! LoL.

I had to hand it to the gingerbread man, he "hung in there" until all the kiddies had about 5 rounds swatting him, before candies finally started flinging out of him. It took li'l Emma's final swat before all the candies gushed out and all the kids dove in and picked up candies frantically. LoL. They were like hungry birds looking for bread crumbs! Tooooo funny.

My friend Carol was a party fave, as she used her graduate degree in arts design by being the party's resident face painter. She, by far, was the BEST face painter - EVERRRRRR! Check out her art work below.

Even little Jake woke up in time to get his precious face painted.

But "bigger kids" -Aimee and Brent- decided to go with his and hers Christmas tattoos instead. LoL.

And then it was time to decorate Christmas cookies!!!

Next we made Holiday bookmarks.

Then the kiddies colored for the best Christmas Coloring Contest.

Followed with making really kewl angel ornaments.

The angel ornaments turned out sooo well!

The party concluded with a string concerto, and the rest of the children and santa's helpers singing Christmas carols.

Little Sarah's face said it all ----Loved, Loved, Loved the Children's Christmas Party!!!