Tag Archive | Celebration

Christmas Eve In Las Vegas

I’ve spent New Year in Las Vegas, and summer in Las Vegas, but not Christmas in Las Vegas, so last Christmas we tried it, and we liked it!

There are less crowds in Vegas in Christmas, than there are at New Year.  Also, when it’s New Year, it’s just not the best place for kids in all that noisy, raucous Vegas celebration – what with the drinks and the drunks, and well…..let’s say I think Christmas was a little more mellow in Vegas.

Have you ever associated Las Vegas with Christmas? Or have you ever even considered it to be a good place to celebrate such a joyous occasion?  Well, I think our Christmas in Vegas in 2015 was spectacular, partly, because we found a beautiful church to celebrate Christmas Eve in.  I am Sikh, but I like all kinds of churches, temples (including Hindu temples, as well as Sikh temples) and have even enjoyed visiting Mosques or at least taking pictures of them, see this link.  The church we visited is an Italo-Greek Byzantine Catholic Church called Our Lady of Wisdom, located on 2120 Lindell Road, Las Vegas, NV  89146, only about 5 minutes drive from the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard.  It is such a truly beautiful, spectacular church, and is very European looking – I could not believe I was in the USA while I was in this church, it was such a wonderful feeling that the church gave me.  Here are some pictures:

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

I managed to get my two daughters in the picture

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

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Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

Our Lady of Wisdom Church, Las Vegas

I don’t really think I was supposed to be taking pictures at the church, but I think it was too beautiful to not take pictures.  I would love to be at this church every Christmas Eve, too bad it’s not in San Diego!

 

Thanksgiving At The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego

Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Lobby

Oh, I love to feel grand and what better place to have that feeling than at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, located in downtown San Diego, near Seaport Village.  Guess where an incredible Thanksgiving took place?  You might have guessed…..at this grand hotel!  Yes, we had our Thanksgiving meal there in 2015.   So thankful for this beautiful hotel, because not only was the food good, but the entire experience – like spending the afternoon there just lounging around in the bar area, and walking through the lobby, and generally just feeling grand!  I’ve also stayed at this hotel several times, and it has beautiful views of Seaport Village and the bay.  This hotel is beautiful!  Here’s some pictures:

A few more pictures for you, again this is a beautiful hotel, and the artwork incredible!  I could sit here for ages and stare at the paintings or stare at their decor – masterpiece!

Can’t believe it’s 2016 already!  By the way, Happy New Year!

A Visit to Knotts Soak City And Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park

Today was August 15th – Happy India Independence Day!  We left our hotel at the Hilton Garden Inn, and got to Knotts Soak City at around 11:00 am, not at 10am as we should have done, but it was close enough.  It was a really hot day, a great day to be in a Water Park – at least for the kids.

Knotts Soak City is close to Disneyland, and right next to Knotts Berry Farm, which we will have to visit next time.  Here are a few pictures of Knotts Soak City since we had to leave early, it was way too hot!  In retrospect, we should have gone on Friday when we had arrived, and I shouldn’t have listened to the kids.  We still would have had five hours almost.  As it was, today, they wanted to leave at 2:45 pm, so we only had about three and a half hours there.  It was really hot today, I think it actually was over 100 degrees, also, it was too crowded,  That’s why it would have been better to have come on Friday.

Still, can’t complain, as the kids enjoyed it, and it was our family mini-vacation.  We also got to go to Farrells Ice Cream Parlor later and celebrated my son Luca’s birthday again (you can never celebrate one’s birthday too many times).  His actual birthday had been earlier in August.

Here are some pictures of Knotts Soak City:

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

My kids got to cool off in the Lazy River while I watched their things for a while.  It was ever so hot though.

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park

Just at the entrance/exit to Knotts Soak City was this lovely little area with these little fella’s in it, do you like this one’s hair style?

Knotts Soak City in Buena Park, CA

They tried a few more water rides, and then wanted to leave, and they were hungry, so off we went to Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, which we had seen on the way into the Water Park – it is very close by, just on the same road in fact.

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

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We ate lunch first, and then had to try the ice-cream – it was delicious!

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park

Next, it was time to enjoy the rest of the evening at the Indian Independence Day Parade/Festival, which was close by in Artesia Park.  My son and youngest one did not want to go to the event, they were tired so I left them at the hotel at the Doubletree by Hilton in Norwalk.

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at Norwalk

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at Norwalk

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at Norwalk

Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at Norwalk

I wish my two youngest had come with us, as it’s a shame they missed out on the Indian Independence Day activities, but then later on I thought it was actually a good idea as me and my oldest daughter did not get back to the hotel until about 10:40 pm.  It was good we stayed another night in the LA area, even though we only live one and a half hours away in San Diego.  I would not have enjoyed driving at that time of night though.  Also, as you can imagine – I was very tired – that was a lot of things today, a trip to Knotts Soak City, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, and the Indian Independence Day Festival in Artesia in the evening.  I think I deserved a break – an extended stay in the LA area!

In my next post, I will post more of the Indian Independence Day event pictures and the video of the performances that took place on August 15, 2015.  Happy Week!

Fantastic Indian Independence Day In Los Angeles, CA – Some Videos

I’m just recovering from a crazy week after Indian Independence Day in Artesia, CA (in the Los Angeles area).  I loved the craziness actually, and why not?  After all, it’s not every day that my videos get over 100,000 views in a matter of days.  Well, this time it happened, but it was quite unexpected.  Currently, my video has 178,895 views.

I shared my video a few days ago (the one that got all the action, and attention), so I won’t share it again here.  However, I would like to share my other videos, and hope you will watch them.

First, let me share another picture of the beautiful Raveena Tandon.  I hope she comes back soon to Los Angeles or San Diego, and I hope she gets the star treatment that she deserves.

Raveena Tandon at Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles

Raveena Tandon at Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles

Most importantly, I take and make videos because I enjoy it.  I take pictures because I enjoy it.  I post because I enjoy it, I tweet and pin pictures because I enjoy them, and I attend cultural events because I enjoy them.  It’s all in the enjoyment, and it’s all just a hobby.

In the next post, I will share more pictures of the actual event.

Letter To UFICA from Reema Pandit, Manager of Raveena Tandon

To

UFICA

Cerritos, LA

I Reema Pandit , Manager of Ms Tandon am shocked to read your open letter with all the allegations against Ms Tandon and hence am compelled to write this letter so that the facts can be bought in front of everyone. I reached Cerrittos on 13th August, a day before Ms Tandon arrived to ensure co ordination.

On 14th August Ms. Tandon’s flight landed at 3PM. She had landed with a bad throat infection.I was accompanied by Pat Patnaik and UFICA President Alka Patel to receive Ms Tandon. However, unaware that Etihad has a different getaway point for arrivals, we were waiting in the area dedicated for all other airlines and because of which we missed to receive Ms. Tandon. She finally had to leave by the Airport car to reach her friend’s house. Normally a celebrity should be upset that there was no one to welcome her and yet she was courteous enough to invite Pat, Alka and me to her friend’s place. We then reached there and spent close to an hour with Ms. Tandon over tea and snacks. As Ms tandon was unwell she requested Pat and Alka if she could come for half an hour, fulfil her commitments and leave. Looking at her health Pat was considerate and mentioned to Ms. Tandon that she can come only for half hour for the dinner and leave.

Pat mentioned to Ms. Tandon that there would be two ladies in the Limo to pick her up that day for the event and the next day there would be two kids in the Limo. As a rule we do not entertain anyone in the car with us yet Ms. Tandon obliged and agreed.

The Hair and Makeup artist was organised by Alka Patel and was called at 6 PM and the Stylist was organised by Mr Barring and was supposed to come by 7 PM whereas she came by 7.30 pm,post which there were some alterations which took time,although the measurements were already shared. Thus the delay already started happening but NOT on our account.

We had left from Raveena’s friend’s house to get ready around 5:15PM and reached the hotel by 6:10PM. I was told to get ready and I will be picked by Alka by 6:30PM. I was down at 6:25PM waiting for the Limo which Limo arrived only by 7 and thereafter we reached to Ms Tandon by 7:50PM. This led to us gettingto the event by 8.40PM. So the Allegation made by UFICA that we arrived late is baseless as it can be checked with the Limo service company as to what time did the car reach Ms Tandon.With that it shall be proved that the limo was delayed by the organizers themselves.

The allegation that Ms Tandon did not shake hands with anybody is also not right as when she reached the venue and got down of the car she was presented with bouquets, apart from her that her hands were already full with her Clutch and 2 cell phones. It is Humanly impossible to hold all this and shake hands with anyone. Also I was next to her and heard Ms Tandon tell Ms Vineeta “I am sorry I have too many things in my hand “ When she reached the stage she kept all the things on the chair and shook hands with all the people she was introduced to. Also Ms Vineeta was not introduced to us by any of the organizers till the end of our stay so we didn’t know who she was. Please find attached the you tube link which shows that she is happily shaking hands with everyone and greeting everyone

https://youtu.be/aEORHX8z7t8

The Allegation that Ms. Tandon did not watch the kids performance is also baseless as we were aware of the cultural programme happening on 15th August and NOT on 14th August. As she was about to leave a lady told me there was a cultural program and if Ms. Tandon could wait but by then Ms. Tandon had walked out of the restaurant alongwith Pat and Alka. They didn’t mention any performance to her in spite of them waiting with her for the Limo. She was unaware that it was the kids who were performing. However she called all the kids present for group picture as she thought they had already performed on her accord and as a gesture for all the kids present.

Mr. Vinod Vineet then comes and makes a sarcastic comment that “you just came and are leaving now, this is not done”. All this in spite of her being at the event for almost 45-50 minutes(which was specifically said by Pat and Alka looking at her health). Raveena was very upset with the way she was spoken to and made it very clear that if she doesn’t get an apology she will not attend the event the next day.Luckily Mr. Barring’s car was close by and since the Limo was taking time we left in his car. Mr. Barring got calls from the organizers stating that Mr. Vineet is feeling bad and would like to apologize following which all was sorted.

On 15th August Alka Patel and her husband were courteous enough and took Ms. Tandon and me to the mall and we also had lunch together.

Raveena’s health had further deteriorated and knowing she would like to rest, I mentioned to Alka to not send anyone in the Limo that day stating that she gets claustrophobic(I meant that she had a bad cough and was getting breathless). I also reminded her that normally as a protocol we don’t permit anyone to travel with us.

In spite of this the Limo comes to pick me up at 6.30PM and I see that that there are 3 teenagers(2 girls and 1 boy) in the car. At this point I call Mr. Barring and give him an option that I can take the kids to meet Ms. Tandon and they can come back in another car while coming to the event. We waited till 7PM but no car had come. Mr. Barring then told me to drop the girls and head to pick up Raveena. Alka Patel’s son Neel came with me as he was supposed to do the co ordination. So the allegation stating that Raveena asked the kids to get off the car is baseless as she was picked up only after the kids were dropped off by me. RAVEENA WAS NOT EVEN PRESENT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

After dropping the girls we went to pick Raveena and reached by 8PM and left by 8.20 PM. We reached the venue at 9 but because of lack of co ordination between Neel Patel and Mr Barring as Mr Barring’s phone was not reachable.We waited for 15 minutes and finally were on stage at 9.15. Again we were delayed by the organizers as the second car was not arranged in time. Raveena fulfilled all her commitments and also sat through the cultural program. She is seen enjoying the show in the links below

Raveena Tandon Speaks About Our Great Country India on Indian Independence Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skgL9nP545Y

Indian National Anthem on Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci3gROY0bck&feature=youtu.be

American National Anthem at the Indian Independence Day in Los Angeles

https://youtu.be/cs7sB5re1vw

The show shut down at 10PM which is apparently a rule in Artesia where the parade was held. We were not aware of the same. So I stepped down to ask TJ about the car when I saw people having discussions about how they were upset as she didn’t allow the kids in the Limo,whereas she wasn’t even aware of the same. As a manager it was my decision keeping the privacy,security and comfort of my celebrity in mind. TJ told me that the Limo was taking time so he went to take his car.

That is when Mr. Neeraj comes on stage and starts behaving rudely with Ms. Tandon. When Ms. Tandon threatens to tell the audience he snatched the mike from her hand. Later we got to know that the Limo was sent back and they wanted us to go on our own.

I am attaching the you tube links below which show Ms Tandon enjoying the event and being her jovial self while interacting with the crowd . All this in spite of she being extremely unwell.

It is Shocking that despite her ill health Ms Tandon completed her commitment and still got no appreciation by the organizers.

Thanks to Mr. TJ Barring for ensuring we left the venue at the right time on both the days. We would also like to thank Mr. Pat Patnaik, Mrs.Alka Patel for ensuring everything went off smoothly on both the days.

*Note:  I, Davinder Kaur, did not write this letter or revise it in any way.  I simply posted it upon request of Raveena Tandon.

Happy Diwali 2013 from Balboa Park

I could not miss going to Balboa Park after the wonderful experience last year.  I looked forward to another Diwali spectacular, and I was not disappointed.  Here’s a video that I made:

October 26th, 2013 was the date set for the Festival of Lights Celebration to take place in Balboa Park, and it started at 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm for activities leading up to the big show.  These preliminary activities included stalls from various regions of India that displayed their region in all it’s splendor, including displaying arts and crafts, and putting on some pretty amazing dances.  Then at 6pm, the “big show” was performed on the stage at the Organ Pavilion. The weather was cooperative, and unlike last year, there wasn’t any rain, and it was a beautiful San Diego day!

Here are some pictures showing you some of the preliminary activities that took place prior to the big show.

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Sometimes, you will see the banners that display the region, and sorry if I don’t always show them

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Here’s my little Indian Princess (she’s also seen dancing at the end of the video).

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

So, now I will show you some scenes from the “big show” that started at 6pm and went on until 7:45 pm or so.

First, there was the introduction, and the Mayor Elect of San Diego was present and also talked to the audience

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

Then the show began

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Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park

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Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park

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Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park

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Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park

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Festival Of Lights – Balboa Park

Here’s the display of lights on the stage towards the end of the show, you can’t really see it very well, but this is where many participants paraded around the stage and the surrounding area with tiny little lamps – it was truly beautiful!

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Of course, there’s nothing like a Bhangra Finale at the end of the show!  The crowd joined in and danced to Bhangra!

Festival Of Lights, Balboa Park

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In the next post, I am going to show you a few pictures of Balboa Park.  In the meantime, Happy Diwali, 2013!  I hope it will be a joyful and wonderful time for you, your family and friends.