St. Andrews Cathedral
In the little charming town of St. Andrews and right on the water is St. Andrews Cathedral. Being Scotland’s largest and most magnificent medieval church, the cathedral was the seat of Scotland’s leading bishops (and from 1472 archbishops). It occupied a site used for worship since the 8th century AD, when the relics of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, are said to have been brought there. (from historic-scotland.gov.uk)
The cathedral was begun in 1160–2 by Bishop Arnold. Work continued over the next 150 years, interrupted by a storm in 1272 which blew down the west front, and the first War of Independence against England (1296–1307). The cathedral was eventually dedicated in 1318, in the presence of King Robert I, by which date it was by far the largest church in Scotland. (from historic-scotland.gov.uk)
I actually went there twice, once in the morning and another time around sunset. It was magnificent both times of course 🙂 When you go there in the morning, you have the benefit of going inside the courtyard.
The cathedral’s buildings are surrounded by a graveyard, and even though most of the cathedral is in ruins it still attracts many visitors. If you’re ever there you should visit.
I’m sure that the original structure must have been an amazing site and architectural work, which is why I often wish that I lived in the past so I could have witnessed all these structures at their peak. But then I’m sure that people from the past would want to live in the future!
You could easily spend days looking at the headstones with the sweetest dedications written on them. The loving mother of 5 or the young man who died while saving a drowning child, each had a story to tell.
Most of them were from the 19th century, with some from the 18th and early 20th century. There were many pretty crosses, and these are just a few.
I hope you enjoy theses pictures, I absolutely loved taking them. Next post will be St. Andrews beach, stay tuned 😉
First Stop: St. Andrews
As you all know, we’re back after a great trip to Scotland and France. I’m all relaxed, happy, and glad my kids didn’t drive everyone crazy. Well, almost 🙂
I’ve got almost 1000 pictures to go through and process, and I’ll try my best to share as they become available. The not so fun thing of going on vacation is that your work piles up and deadlines become even closer. I’ve missed the kids so much, and they were never happier to see us, but with the great technology of FaceTime, things were much easier on both of us.
Our first stop was an adorable little town about 53 miles north of Edinburgh. Founded in 1410, its older buildings and cobble stone roads added so much character to the place.
On that first day we had some great Indian food at Balalaka, and after dinner, we pretty much walked all around town. And since the sun doesn’t set until 11pm, I had plenty of time to take pictures.
We were jet lagged and tired, but it was too good to be true. And I knew that on the next morning we were going to get busy with the conference. The little stone houses were so cute, I wished I could live in one of them. Below is one of the archways which are known as the Pends at St. Andrews.
The weather was just perfect around mid 70’s F, which apparently was warm for that part of the world. I couldn’t help but laugh when the weatherman was talking about the “heat wave” their country was having. For us, that barley made the cut to warm weather. There were actually days where we had to wear jackets when temperature stuck around 60F.
One of the greatest things was the water -almost- all around. It was so peaceful, and although there were cars I didn’t hear one beep during the days we were there.
All I heard was the sounds of the birds every morning and evening. It was exactly what we needed as a start to our trip, because it gave us a chance to relax after a long extremely hectic couple of years.
The water was beautiful, and there were people all around. After all the country was going through a heat wave 🙂
As you can tell, beautiful nature was all around. For a place that get brutally cold in the winter, they had colorful flowers everywhere.
Another thing that made our stay so pleasant was the people. If you’ve ever been to London, you’d notice that their usually not so “friendly?” Scottish people were so talkative, smiling all the time, and offering help even before we asked.
I will post my visit to St. Andrews’ cathedral, castle, and beach a in separate post, they’re just too many pictures to post at one time.
“She wanted to talk to me, but couldn’t”
I’m back, and had a different post prepared for today, but I woke up to some upsetting news. We lost a member of our family today, Dima, my brother’s cat who’s been around for 14 years. I never thought of this moment before, and never thought that it would be that devastating.
Being this upset made me think about people who take other people’s lives without a blink of an eye… I mean, I guess it’s something that I will never understand. The loss of a soul is a loss to all humanity.
The title of this post were my brother’s words to me when we was describing to me Dima’s last moments. Below is what he posted on fb today, and there was no way I could’ve said it that well.
“I took Dima to the hospital on Friday. She was weak, haven’t been eating and drinking much.
She was found to be dehydrated and was still showing symptoms of a bad cold. Blood test results came in to indicate that her kidneys were not working and that her immune was very low.
Over the past three days, they treated the dehydration and cold symptoms and tried to boost her immune in hopes that doing all this would reduce the stressed on her and revive her kidneys, unfortunately that didn’t happen.
Today the head doctor and the other doctor told me that it’s a chronic kidney failure (permanent) and that she’s starting to enter into a comma and that death was inevitable. They said they she’s not in pain now, but the minute we take out the IV, the urea and creatinine were gonna shoot up and it was gonna start to make other organs fail. One consequent scenario was that her lungs were gonna start to fill with water and she would’ve ended up suffocating……
It was the hardest call I ever had to make…..
I went in to say good bye. She looked very weak and frail, making no movement at all, almost in the exact same position she was in last night….I tried moving her hand gently and she was just totally submissive with no reaction….. I pet and caressed her and massaged her paw. I told her I loved her many times and that I will miss her very much and that I’m sorry. At one point she tried to meow and her jaw made a very slight movement……
Dima Shamma was put to sleep at approximately 3:40pm today July 22nd, 2013. She was born on October 29, 1999.
I took her and buried her in northern Jeddah at an empty lot where two other cats that used to belong to my relatives were also buried.
Thank you for years of fun times, companionship and love, specially the times when there was no one else around. Rest in peace sweetheart. I will always love and miss you very much.”
Beautiful Skies
Since we’ve arrived in Chicago, we’ve driven to New Jersey and back, Wisconsin Dells and back, and will be flying to Scotland on our little adventure in just a few days. I took these photos using my phone while inside the car, and my husband driving. The clouds in the sky looked so beautiful, almost the whole time.
I’ll also use this opportunity to let you guys know about our upcoming trip. My husband has a conference in St. Andrews coming up, and I decided to tag along. We’ll be there for a few days before flying to Paris- something I’m so excited about! Amazing grandma and aunt agreed to keep the kids, which is why this was possible of course. I’ve been too busy to think about it, but now I’m actually getting nervous about leaving the kids, and worrying I’m going to miss them a little too much.
I will try to post again as soon as we get back, I’m already thinking of all the pictures I need to take 🙂
When the Bride is an Artist..
..the wedding reception is held at an art gallery..
…with a unique atmosphere,
and a piece of art in every corner.
When the bride is an artist..
…the fonts are perfect and the kerning is right..
…you’ll be starring at type all night.
When the bride is an artist…
..every intimate detail will make you feel welcomed..
Wishing the bride and groom a lifetime of happiness 🙂
Back in my Beloved City
So I know I’ve been really bad, but I have many good reasons. The past two months have been insanely busy that they felt like eternity. It was the end of the semester for my husband, and me handling everything else (kids, home, work, and design). And above all that there was the packing for our usual summer travels that started last week. I actually have some exciting plans this summer, but that will come in future posts.
We drove for a couple of days and now we’re in my beautiful Chicago. While the city didn’t have a warm welcome for us -it was 50 degrees when we got here- it is finally starting to warm up.
Today, my husband and I took the train to Hyde Park to meet some friends for lunch, followed by mint tea at Bonjour Cafe.
After that we took a stroll around Burnham Park, only for me to realize that I didn’t bring my camera. And therefore it was iPhone to the rescue 🙂 For those of you who are not familiar with this building, it is the Museum of Science and Industry.
Naturally, I started falling behind while everyone else got way ahead of me.
But it was too beautiful not to stop and take pictures, because every tree around us had a story to tell.
One of our friends suggested we visit this Japanese garden nearby, and it wasn’t long before we got there.
Need I say that it was breathtaking?
The windy gravel walkway went through the garden and provided a great contrast in color against the green grass.
And I should say that I was proud of my iPhone for keeping up with me, because I took tons of pictures.
As you can tell, wether you looked right or left there was eye candy everywhere, and the reflections were so clear.
Also, the ducks were brave and must have been used to people. They didn’t mind me getting really close.
In fact, one of them gave me a little show.
At this point, when I looked back, this was my view.. Oil painting?
And of course, what’s a park without a cute little bridge?
More duckies 🙂
And many yellow water lilies.
Does anyone know what this type of tree is called? I know it’s very common of Japanese gardens.
It’s now time to jump on the stone walkway…
… and pass by the waterfalls.
Now my husband is asking me to hurry up cause I’m taking too long, but I was enjoying my walk a little too much. I think that is one of my favorite shots.
Along with this one.
And those flowers, you couldn’t miss.
Until you passed by these, you can smell them without even coming close.
That concluded our visit to the garden and it was time to get back on the train in time to pick up the kids. On our way I saw the cutest little houses and chose this one as my favorite.
Needless to say, if you’re ever in the area and Chicago is behaving (weather wise) pass through the promontory point and the Japanese garden. It was so peaceful and extremely relaxing, two things I really needed.
Oh No, I Don’t Think I Could…
… ever walk on this thing!
On one side a sheer rock face, on the other a 4,000ft drop – and all to separate the brave traveller from a deadly plunge is a 3ft-wide, 2.5in thick walkway. And if that is not enough to bring terror into the pit of your stomach, the path running alongside a Chinese mountainside is made out of glass, allowing a crystal-clear view of what is beneath you.
news.sina.com.cn
So, if you have the courage and you are not afraid of heights, then you can afford to walk on this very special skywalk in your visit to Tianmen Mountain, the second national forest park in Zhangjiajie region, China.
© Ding Yunjuan/Xinhua Press/Corbis, Dingyun Juan
While I imagine the views to be out of this world, I just wouldn’t be able to calmly walk across the bridge or enjoy anything I see.
© Ding Yunjuan/Xinhua Press/Corbis, Dingyun Juan
And in the spring, just breathtaking.
geolocation.ws
I guess if it’s foggy then looking down won’t be as horrifying 😉
And if you make it to the end, this is where you end up.
Awesome? yes. Do I want to visit? of course! but I can I walk on it, don’t think so..
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Did I mention how much I enjoyed San Antonio? After my 3 posts about it, I should mention that while you’re there you must stop by the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. I guarantee you will have a fun filled experience wether you’re an adult or a child. The drive through will easily take a couple of hours, aside from the cafeteria and petting zoo. Get the coupon from their website and a couple of food bags, and you’re all set.
They were so friendly and adorable.
I made a friend, and he kept posing for me 🙂
Then this guy came, and didn’t look as friendly.. 
…but it turns out he just wanted a snack.
Now him, I’ve never seen horns that big!
Turns out I was wrong.
One of my favorites was the ostriches, they were not afraid at all.
Two of them stuck their heads inside the car, but due to the surprise element and the kids screaming, I wasn’t able to catch that shot.
Another funny animal, those donkeys were so much fun to feed. 
They were pushing each other to be fed.
Now I never thought I would say this, but how come zebras are so underrated? I mean, have you gotten close to one before? They are just gorgeous.
The more I looked the more perfect those stripes looked. 
As you can tell, I took so many pictures of those zebras. 
I even found mom and baby 🙂
Even my two year old wasn’t afraid at all, if anything, I was afraid for the animals!
I had a different post for today, but it just seems like this message is more important right now. Truly, we are damned the day we have lost all empathy and value to human life, and decided that the value of one’s life depends on their political views. (Thanks to my husband for a great post that really spoke my heart)
I had the opportunity to meet Robert Ford, the US ambassador to Syria, this past week. I was invited for my efforts promoting Arab Studies in the city of Houston. The meeting was also attended by a number of Syrian, Arab and American professionals, including some members of the so called “Syrian Opposition.” I have no intention of recounting all the political issues discussed at the meeting. I want rather to share just a couple of points mentioned, which are of great importance but none of which are confidential.
What struck me was the consensus that the Syrian Opposition has a “major terrorist problem,” and—furthermore—is alarmed that terrorist activity is beginning to take over the movement. I was also struck by just how incoherent the Syrian Opposition remains. In this vein, no one disputes that the opposition has “completely failed” to put forth a unified, political agenda, and—furthermore—that the US…
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Exquisite Oil Paintings By Marey Jane Ansell
An unexpected find this morning, thanks to a friend. These paintings are really beautiful! My favorite is the 6th one.
Leanova designs Blog 