Comments for This Is My Happiness http://thisismyhappiness.com A love of travel, art, and living in the moment Fri, 18 May 2012 04:52:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Is Bali Paradise? by Jeremy Branham http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/11/is-bali-paradise/#comment-8370 Jeremy Branham Fri, 18 May 2012 04:52:28 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4768#comment-8370 I haven't been to Bali but I definitely see the appeal of it - beautiful beaches, culture, art, and a lot of of fun activities. I have heard good things about Bali and it definitely looks beautiful. I haven’t been to Bali but I definitely see the appeal of it – beautiful beaches, culture, art, and a lot of of fun activities. I have heard good things about Bali and it definitely looks beautiful.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..8 things to do in Kauai when you’re not lying on the beachMy Profile

]]> Comment on The Perfect Day Trip: Berkeley, California by Jeremy Branham http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/08/the-perfect-day-trip-berkeley-california/#comment-8369 Jeremy Branham Fri, 18 May 2012 04:49:09 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4732#comment-8369 Next year, I will explore a lot of Berkeley, including Cal and a tour of campus, on my College Football Travel Tour next year (may squeeze it in this year - we will see). I haven't spent that much time in Berkeley (except for work) so I look forward to exploring it! Next year, I will explore a lot of Berkeley, including Cal and a tour of campus, on my College Football Travel Tour next year (may squeeze it in this year – we will see). I haven’t spent that much time in Berkeley (except for work) so I look forward to exploring it!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..8 things to do in Kauai when you’re not lying on the beachMy Profile

]]> Comment on What’s up next? by Jeremy Branham http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/16/whats-up-next/#comment-8368 Jeremy Branham Fri, 18 May 2012 04:45:37 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4857#comment-8368 You are going to have a busy summer. I think I may end up doing most of the things you are doing this summer. I will be in Sonoma at the end of June (with Spencer) so we may possibly go to Healdsburg. I have Mount Lassen on my radar as well and will spend three weeks in San Francisco. Beyond that, I don't know but I i will continue to explore California. Have fun on your press trip. The first time you leave them it is really hard. However, you will be incredibly busy and that will help you take your mind off of things. If you have your own laptop, use Skype. You can talk to them before you go to bed and you will be able to see their faces. Have fun! You are going to have a busy summer. I think I may end up doing most of the things you are doing this summer. I will be in Sonoma at the end of June (with Spencer) so we may possibly go to Healdsburg. I have Mount Lassen on my radar as well and will spend three weeks in San Francisco. Beyond that, I don’t know but I i will continue to explore California.

Have fun on your press trip. The first time you leave them it is really hard. However, you will be incredibly busy and that will help you take your mind off of things. If you have your own laptop, use Skype. You can talk to them before you go to bed and you will be able to see their faces.

Have fun!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..8 things to do in Kauai when you’re not lying on the beachMy Profile

]]> Comment on What’s up next? by Cindy http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/16/whats-up-next/#comment-8355 Cindy Thu, 17 May 2012 20:35:09 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4857#comment-8355 I'm so happy to know you are having a great time in Napa right now, and that you're getting some rest, too. Summer is time for all of us to take a deep breath and relax a bit! We are very excited about our getaway with you & your family to the hills above Healdsburg. The Dry Creek & Alexander Valleys are absolute heaven! I’m so happy to know you are having a great time in Napa right now, and that you’re getting some rest, too. Summer is time for all of us to take a deep breath and relax a bit! We are very excited about our getaway with you & your family to the hills above Healdsburg. The Dry Creek & Alexander Valleys are absolute heaven!

]]> Comment on Is Bali Paradise? by Jenna http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/11/is-bali-paradise/#comment-8334 Jenna Thu, 17 May 2012 18:06:47 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4768#comment-8334 Those issues are happening around the world as a result of globalization and Bali has not escaped. However, it truly is a beautiful place and definitely unique. I look forward to returning!! Those issues are happening around the world as a result of globalization and Bali has not escaped. However, it truly is a beautiful place and definitely unique. I look forward to returning!!

]]> Comment on Is Bali Paradise? by Dad http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/11/is-bali-paradise/#comment-8291 Dad Thu, 17 May 2012 01:58:10 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4768#comment-8291 Jenna, Another wonderful piece supported with excellent photography. Living here for the past six years and visiting Bali since the late 90s has provided me with the opportunity to observe firsthand both the positive and negative sides of massive tourism development on this Island of the Gods. Unchecked development, the government push for increased tourist numbers and associated revenue, increasingly massive traffic jams, pollution, unbridled corruption, and all too much "let me take the tourists for what I can" starting from the airport and continuing across much of Bali are all negative aspects of life in Bali. As you cited though, the traditional and customary practices abound and provide a sense of balance. One aspect of Bali tourism is the increased globalization of the Balinese. 12-13 years back there were far fewer vehicles on the road and Balinese life was centered on the village with far fewer commuters to places of work (mostly related to tourism). Today there are almost as many motorcycles on Bali as there are Balinese and an estimated 80% drop in mass transit buses and minivans but a commensurate increase in large tourist buses too large for the narrow Balinese roadways which has led to the massive traffic jams. I still enjoy living in Bali but am increasingly directing my life further away from the overcrowded tourist areas. However, by the time this area is overrun with tourism, I'll be packing my bags. Jenna, Another wonderful piece supported with excellent photography. Living here for the past six years and visiting Bali since the late 90s has provided me with the opportunity to observe firsthand both the positive and negative sides of massive tourism development on this Island of the Gods. Unchecked development, the government push for increased tourist numbers and associated revenue, increasingly massive traffic jams, pollution, unbridled corruption, and all too much “let me take the tourists for what I can” starting from the airport and continuing across much of Bali are all negative aspects of life in Bali. As you cited though, the traditional and customary practices abound and provide a sense of balance. One aspect of Bali tourism is the increased globalization of the Balinese. 12-13 years back there were far fewer vehicles on the road and Balinese life was centered on the village with far fewer commuters to places of work (mostly related to tourism). Today there are almost as many motorcycles on Bali as there are Balinese and an estimated 80% drop in mass transit buses and minivans but a commensurate increase in large tourist buses too large for the narrow Balinese roadways which has led to the massive traffic jams.

I still enjoy living in Bali but am increasingly directing my life further away from the overcrowded tourist areas. However, by the time this area is overrun with tourism, I’ll be packing my bags.

]]> Comment on ArtSmart Roundtable: Sculpture at Clos Pegase by Angela http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/04/30/artsmart-roundtable-sculpture-at-clos-pegase/#comment-8235 Angela Tue, 15 May 2012 15:30:23 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4620#comment-8235 Wow, what a classy winery, very beautiful pieces of art. Wow, what a classy winery, very beautiful pieces of art.
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]]> Comment on Is Bali Paradise? by Shakeela Mirzad http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/11/is-bali-paradise/#comment-8215 Shakeela Mirzad Tue, 15 May 2012 06:23:47 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4768#comment-8215 Beautiful place! i have never seen yet Beautiful place! i have never seen yet

]]> Comment on The Beauty of Flowers by Sonja http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/04/the-beauty-of-flowers/#comment-8208 Sonja Mon, 14 May 2012 22:42:47 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4712#comment-8208 I don't know anything about flowers. I only recently found out they're Calla lillies, not cow lillies. I don’t know anything about flowers. I only recently found out they’re Calla lillies, not cow lillies.
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]]> Comment on Is Bali Paradise? by Jenna http://thisismyhappiness.com/2012/05/11/is-bali-paradise/#comment-8182 Jenna Mon, 14 May 2012 14:42:34 +0000 http://thisismyhappiness.com/?p=4768#comment-8182 Besides the reasons I mentioned above, I think people rave about it being paradise because it is so beautiful and the culture is unique, but it can be touristy. I feel a bit uncomfortable whenever there is too big a gap between me and the locals, so if I'm living the high life there, I feel too disconnected from the real life of the place. Besides the reasons I mentioned above, I think people rave about it being paradise because it is so beautiful and the culture is unique, but it can be touristy. I feel a bit uncomfortable whenever there is too big a gap between me and the locals, so if I’m living the high life there, I feel too disconnected from the real life of the place.

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