Happy New Year 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

A New Year, new beginnings, new outlooks, resolutions, parties, so much to enjoy!

Here in Richmond, B.C. Canada our new year will bring excitement and joy to many, as we host the Winter Olympics. We look forward to greeting tourists from all over the world to our province and hope that not only do they enjoy the games, but also enjoy the scenery, hospitality and the friendly multi-cultural population in beautiful British Columbia.

We have been preparing for the Olympics and hope our out-of-country guests will find many interesting things to do besides attend the games.

Throughout the province there will be countless parties and community events tonight, so have fun! My friends and I wish you all the best for a safe and happy New Year 2010.

ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS

In Christianity, Christmas is the festival celebrating the Nativity (birth) of Jesus, the belief that the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) Messianic prophecies, was born to the virgin Mary.

Christmas is based on the biblical accounts given in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, chapter 1, verses 18 to chapter 2 verse 12 and also the Gospel according to St. Luke, chapter 1 verses 26 to chapter 2 verse 40. According to these accounts Jesus was born to Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem. The birth took place in a stable at a local inn, surrounded by the innkeeper's farm animals. A manger is mentioned in St. Luke chapter 2 verse 7 where it says "She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told about the birth of Jesus by an angel, and they were His first visitors.

The Gospel of Matthew also describes a visit by several Magi, or as we believe them to be, astrologers, who bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These Magi (or Kings) followed a star in the sky to Bethlehem. They came with their gifts to pay hommage to the King of the Jews. Epiphany, held on January 6th, is the commemoration of this visit of the Magi to Jesus. Epiphany is the formal end of the Christmas season in most Churches.

Enjoy a Christmas season of Peace, Love & Happiness!

PEKING DUCK RECIPE

Ingredients:
One 5 lb.duck
6 cups water
1 slice ginger
1 scallion, cut into halves
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
Parsley for garnish

Directions:
Hang duck for about 8 to 10 hours in cool area – with fan blowing on it.
Boil a large pot of water and put in duck & dry ingredients.
Stir continuously.
Hang duck until it is dry – several hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place on a greased bake dish.
Bake for 1 ½ hours with the breast upwards position.
Garnish with parsley.

Slice crispy skin off of duck and arrange on platter with duck meat and have hoisin sauce.

Enjoy delicious Peking Duck dinner!


Well, readers! Have any of you tasted Peking Duck? Have you eaten it in a restaurant in China or in a Chinese restaurant in your own home town? If you have eaten Peking Duck in both China and your own country – was there much of a difference in the way it was prepared?

Exciting new break-through in Egypt

Hi Everyone ~
One of the most exciting destinations for travel is Egypt - the scenery, the history, the people, the very atmosphere is positively intoxicating!
Today I just wanted to share with you some really interesting information about one of Egypt's most well known Pharaohs, King Tutankhamen.
For thousands of years Egyptologists thought King Tutankhamen was the younger brother of King Akhenaton. We now know for sure, due to DNA testing that Akhenaton was Tutankhamen's father.
The DNA of the whole family has recently been checked - the great grandparents, Toya Yoya and their daughter Queen Ti, King Amenhoteb the Third, the “Greatest Pharaoh” and husband of Queen Ti, and then Akhenaton, now known to be the father of King Tut. The DNA testing shows they are all related in one line of descendents.

The famous Queen Nefertiti, the "Royal Queen Wife", was not the mother or the mother-in-law of King Tutankhamen, but his step-mother. In actuality, Nefertiti had no sons, but she did have six daughters. King Tutankhamen's mother was a secondary wife of King Akhenaton.
Renowned Egyptian Archeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass and his team have just released the exciting news on 4th November 2009 that they now have the mummy of King Akhenaton. This has been a dream for all Egyptologists, as previously only the skull was found.
Akhenaton was the most mysterious of the Kings, and some people even thought he was the Pharaoh in the story of Moses. Examination of the mummy shows he died at the age of 35. He was the first monotheistic King in Egyptian history, who believed in one God ~ "Ra" the Sun God. King Akhenaton was also known as a great philosopher.