The Road to Beautiful Armenia

Hello, My name is Talin Orfali and I am here to introduce to you my motherland, my culture, my heritage, The Beautiful Armenia and its rich history. Armenia is located in the South Caucasus, which is bordered by Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The Official language of Armenia, is Armenian, However you can hear some Russian being spoken, road signs, store signs in Russian, and of course you can hear English as well.

the year 301, Armenia is the first country in the world that has adopted Christianity. The Armenian Church goes back many centuries ago and was founded by 2 Apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew. St Gregory the Illuminator was our first Catholicos (Our Pope), of the Armenian Church. He was held in a Hole for 13 years at church named Khor Virap(Khor Virab), which is located close to Mount Ararat, then he had finally be rescued and escaped the Dungeon. Our First ever Church built is the Holy See of Etchmiadzin in the city of Etchmiadzin. It is the oldest Church in the World.

Armenia is mountainous, with rivers, forests, ravines, and it is located mostly at 1800 meters above sea level. The highest point is Aragats Mountain at (4092m), and the lowest is Debed Valley at (400m). We also have our square, Yerevan square, which is Hrabarag. Yerevan is our capital.

The road to beautiful Armenia is incredible, the beauty of our hills and valleys, The Statues, Monuments, Churches, from our great and rich history include, the David of Sassoun, Vartan Mamigonian, Akhtamar, Garni, Geghard, Noravank, St Mary’s, Haghardzin Monastery, Mesrob Mashtots who is the Inventor and creator of The Armenian Alphabet which we have 38 letters, The Madenataran which is our Library with Saint Mesrob Mashtot’s Statue with our Alphabet in the front, There is St. Hripsime, St Gregory the Illuminator Church, You may or may not have heard about our writer William Saroyan. We have many authors, and important figures in our history, past and present.

Some of our Armenian’s include, Atom Egoyan, Andre Agassi, Andrea Martin, Charles Aznavour, Ross Baghdasaryan, Cher, Arshile Gorky, Steve Jobs, Kirk Kirkorian, Aram Khatchaturian, Alex Manougian, David Nalbandian, Raffi, Seymour Skinner who is from the Simpsons, Zildjian Family, System of a Down, Eric Bogosian, Capital Cities group (one of them is Armenian) , the inventor of the MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Machine is also Armenian named Dr. Raymond Damadian.

Armenia is just so rich in history, culture, and so much more. Armenia’s flag consists of 3 colours, Red, Blue, Orange. Our currency of money is Dram’s. Check your local Currency for the difference. There is just so much history, so much to know about Armenia, the history, and everything else. If you are more curious, You can definitely search online for more information on our culture, beliefs, religion and so much more.

I had the pleasure of visiting my motherland the Beautiful Armenia in 1999 for the first time. I kissed the ground of Armenia when I first got off the plane. It was a feeling that was beautiful and I was crying with happy tears. It was an amazing journey that really touched my heart. I had gone to Armenian Saturday school and everything I learned came to life, and knowing that and feeling the presence of our history makers, ancestors really made me feel so incredible, knowing that where I may have walked, that several hundred and thousands of years ago, there may have been those people walking the same very steps, as I have took. It was a feeling I will never forget. To this very day, I never forgot the moments when I was there. I will never forget when I took a swim in our lake Sevan, where we put delicious and juicy watermelon in the water so it stays cool where we can eat it by the water.  I had gone to Armenia with my fellow classmates, and couple of my cousins, teachers and volunteers after graduating Armenian School in grade 8. It was a trip I never forgot and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

After returning from Armenia, I began to volunteer and utilize my time in the Armenian community as much as possible. I was in the Armenian community centers here in Toronto and the country more than I was at home. I have just recently began to come back into it all and it feels amazing. It feels great to give back to my community as much as possible.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Armenia and make that part of your travel plans to see the world, it is a must. You can obtain a tourist visa at the Airport, and you do not need any vaccinations or anything. Follow up with your travel agent, tour operator to obtain more information and your preferences. Also if you have any other questions of Armenia, do not hesitate to contact me. I really hope you enjoyed the Road to beautiful Armenia.

I am so proud to be an Armenian.

It’s The Little Things In Life, That is Big For Someone. I have a lot of those Little Things.

One day and several days that followed, I sat down in deep thought to myself, what little things are a big deal for me, what little things in this life that makes me happy, what things that make me feel incredible.  I thought about how important it is to me. I thought of different, scenarios, are people going to think it is strange? Are people going make judgements, comments and talk about me behind my back? But I took two steps back and I just do not care about those negative comments and distasteful things, that I do not need in my life. Its either someone appreciates me for who I am and what I like and supports me with it, or they can leave, but I believe people are free in what they are interested in and what they like, that people would talk about my likes and interests. I am sentimental, and I know the value of things around me and I am so thankful for it.  It is all based on individuality and our hobbies, interests, and things that we like.

Now, this may sound bizarre, but I just can’t get over myself in loving Highway 401 East  in Ontario, Canada. Your probably thinking, a highway? it’s just asphalt and a road to drive on to get to different destinations. To me, it is a lot more than that. There have been incredible memories on the Highway 401 East going toward Montreal from Toronto. It’s such a great feeling. At times I was by myself driving and it was the best feeling ever and just the car, the music that gets me in the right state of mind, the road and myself. It’s an experience I will never forget. I remember when I took my first alone driving trip. It was awesome. I went half way to Montreal which is Kingston, Ontario and there was an Armenian Youth Camping trip and it was an incredible time. Driving alone makes me feel so awesome and it takes my mind off of certain things. Taking trips and just getting away from the city and just exploring is so great. My memories on the 401 started when I was so young. Until now. This is one of the biggest things that is so valuable to me. The Highway 401 East direction is my favorite and it will always remain my favorite. I have had beautiful memories, fun times, and just seeing my favorite objects and places on the 401 on the north and south sides. I would see my favorite signs, and symbols, I memorized all the curves, twists, turns, the signs, the exit numbers, the towns. You name it. I have grown a sense of connection with the highway that takes me to my happy place Montreal. Even my wallpaper on my desktop computer has a Highway 401 East picture. It’s a beautiful thing once you discover what is a big deal for me.

So take these little things in life. Someday it will be worth a lot to you and it will give a sentimental meaning as life goes on and you look back on everything you have been through and things you have had in life. The important thing is to discover it. Take sometime for yourself and figure all this out. I am sure you have little things that are such a big deal for you.

Give it a shot!

I Love Being Called A Human GPS – I Only Learn Once

One day almost 12 years ago when I turned 16, I remember passing my written computer driver exam to get my first License, in Ontario it is called the G1, Graduated licensing system that Ontario put into place, and I got out of the driver examination office excited and jumping around saying I passed I passed, it was a great experience. Not even a week later I started driving around and learning from my Dad, then I went to driving school, then I obtained the G2 license. After that I started driving on my own without supervision, and it was so incredible, and I started going to places and remembering where I am going and all it took is once for me to drive somewhere and I learned it very quickly. My dad and so many others say you have a gift of being strong and recognizing directions. In the last few years, I have been called the Human GPS (Global Positioning System), and that made me feel incredible to know that people trust in me in directions. I go to a place once and I am all set. The first time I need help to get somewhere, so I resort to my GPS, but then the second, third, forth time I go, I don’t need it anymore. I also love explaining directions in detail and they love it.

It is one thing to be a passenger and one thing to be driver. I have always observed even when I am a passenger and I learned a lot quicker, but when you get to really drive, its a lot more different because your the controller of the car, steering, brakes, and everything and people trust in you to make the right judgements when changing lanes, which way to go and often times your passengers sometimes tell you where to go if your dropping someone off at home or somewhere else, and among so many things, and its really important to observe always and remember where you go. Exercise your brain and always be aware of where you are. I always do and I have success always. I remember taking a friend home once and picking her up, she explained to me once how to get there, and now I don’t need to have a GPS Anymore. I love driving and I love driving responsibly.

When I got my full license called the G license 4 almost 5 years ago, I started to develop that special drivers eye, and started developing more skills in driving, and being more experienced. As I got all that experience, I started making long trips, and gaining confidence in myself to park, to reverse park and more. It feels amazing to know that people trust in me to give directions and no one has been lost. I feel like a Human Onstar and Navigation Voice in cars. I remember one time when I was heading to Montreal many years ago, believe it or not, I memorized all the exits, towns and cities all the way to Montreal from Toronto, and people were amazed at the names I was giving out during a conversation with someone who was going to Montreal and I gave it in the right order, not scrambling it all up. It felt incredible.

I cannot even begin how much I love being called a Human GPS. It feels great. If you want to know how to keep your memory and how to get somewhere without being lost the second or third time, just always remember the surroundings, a certain building around, a store name, an intersection, remembering the left, rights, straights, All very important and create a photographic memory in your mind, and just observe very closely. Then you too will become a Human GPS. Sometimes people go somewhere 10 times and don’t remember. Take extra time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. It always works for me. I love it.

All the best to you all! Be safe on the roads and focus while driving.

Love Being Called A Human GPS – I Only Learn Once

One day almost 12 years ago when I turned 16, I remember passing my written computer driver exam to get my first License, in Ontario it is called the G1, Graduated licensing system that Ontario put into place, and I got out of the driver examination office excited and jumping around saying I passed I passed, it was a great experience. Not even a week later I started driving around and learning from my Dad, then I went to driving school, then I obtained the G2 license. After that I started driving on my own without supervision, and it was so incredible, and I started going to places and remembering where I am going and all it took is once for me to drive somewhere and I learned it very quickly. My dad and so many others say you have a gift of being strong and recognizing directions. In the last few years, I have been called the Human GPS (Global Positioning System), and that made me feel incredible to know that people trust in me in directions. I go to a place once and I am all set. The first time I need help to get somewhere, so I resort to my GPS, but then the second, third, forth time I go, I don’t need it anymore. I also love explaining directions in detail and they love it.

It is one thing to be a passenger and one thing to be driver. I have always observed even when I am a passenger and I learned a lot quicker, but when you get to really drive, its a lot more different because your the controller of the car, steering, brakes, and everything and people trust in you to make the right judgements when changing lanes, which way to go and often times your passengers sometimes tell you where to go if your dropping someone off at home or somewhere else, and among so many things, and its really important to observe always and remember where you go. Exercise your brain and always be aware of where you are. I always do and I have success always. I remember taking a friend home once and picking her up, she explained to me once how to get there, and now I don’t need to have a GPS Anymore. I love driving and I love driving responsibly.

When I got my full license called the G license 4 almost 5 years ago, I started to develop that special drivers eye, and started developing more skills in driving, and being more experienced. As I got all that experience, I started making long trips, and gaining confidence in myself to park, to reverse park and more. It feels amazing to know that people trust in me to give directions and no one has been lost. I feel like a Human Onstar and Navigation Voice in cars. I remember one time when I was heading to Montreal many years ago, believe it or not, I memorized all the exits, towns and cities all the way to Montreal from Toronto, and people were amazed at the names I was giving out during a conversation with someone who was going to Montreal and I gave it in the right order, not scrambling it all up. It felt incredible.

I cannot even begin how much I love being called a Human GPS. It feels great. If you want to know how to keep your memory and how to get somewhere without being lost the second or third time, just always remember the surroundings, a certain building around, a store name, an intersection, remembering the left, rights, straights, All very important and create a photographic memory in your mind, and just observe very closely. Then you too will become a Human GPS. Sometimes people go somewhere 10 times and don’t remember. Take extra time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. It always works for me. I love it.

All the best to you all! Be safe on the roads and focus while driving.

It’s The Little Things In Life, That is Big For Someone. I have a lot of those Little Things.

One day and several days that followed, I sat down in deep thought to myself, what little things are a big deal for me, what little things in this life that makes me happy, what things that make me feel incredible.  I thought about how important it is to me. I thought of different, scenarios, are people going to think it is strange? Are people going make judgements, comments and talk about me behind my back? But I took two steps back and I just do not care about those negative comments and distasteful things, that I do not need in my life. Its either someone appreciates me for who I am and what I like and supports me with it, or they can leave, but I believe people are free in what they are interested in and what they like, that people would talk about my likes and interests. I am sentimental, and I know the value of things around me and I am so thankful for it.  It is all based on individuality and our hobbies, interests, and things that we like.

Now, this may sound bizarre, but I just can’t get over myself in loving Highway 401 East  in Ontario, Canada. Your probably thinking, a highway? its just asphalt and a road to drive on to get to different destinations. To me, it is a lot more than that. There have been incredible memories on the Highway 401 East going toward Montreal from Toronto. Its such a great feeling. At times I was by myself driving and it was the best feeling ever and just the car, the music that gets me in the right state of mind, the road and myself. Its an experience I will never forget. I remember when I took my first alone driving trip. It was awesome. I went half way to Montreal which is Kingston, Ontario and there was an Armenian Youth Camping trip and it was an incredible time. Driving alone makes me feel so awesome and it takes my mind off of certain things. Taking trips and just getting away from the city and just exploring is so great. My memories on the 401 started when I was so young. Until now. This is one of the biggest things that is so valuable to me. The Highway 401 East direction is my favorite and it will always remain my favorite. I have had beautiful memories, fun times, and just seeing my favorite objects and places on the 401 on the north and south sides. I would see my favorite signs, and symbols, I memorized all the curves, twists, turns, the signs, the exit numbers, the towns. You name it. I have grown a sense of connection with the highway that takes me to my happy place Montreal. Even my wallpaper on my desktop computer has a Highway 401 East picture. Its a beautiful thing once you discover what is a big deal for me.

So take these little things in life. Someday it will be worth a lot to you and it will give a sentimental meaning as life goes on and you look back on everything you have been through and things you have had in life. The important thing is to discover it. Take sometime for yourself and figure all this out. I am sure you have little things that are such a big deal for you.

Give it a shot!

 

Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers…

These days and the past few years, we keep hearing about tragic fatalities that are caused by distracted drivers on our roads, senseless deaths and injuries that can be averted. Talking on your cell phone, texting people, checking facebook and other social networks constantly is a no no. You do not have to be in constant communication with the world 24/7 365. Everything has its limitations. It is dangerous. You are endangering others lives, passengers in your own vehicle, and yourself. Safety while driving should be the number one priority. Go from point A to B safely and when you are parked and vehicle is shut off, then you may resume to your communication to the world.

People do not understand the dangers associated with it. Dealing with the law is something people would not want to do. Driving is a serious thing. If you do not have your 100% concentration on the road, you can really do damage, damaging families forever, loss of life, and so much more. Unfortunately this society does not understand that. Also grooming yourself, reading a book while driving, playing with Ipods, playing with gadgets, having a coffee in one hand and food in the other while steering with your knee is a no no. You can easily lose track and lose control. It is a very serious matter. Put distractions down and focus on driving.

It is that simple. Insurance premiums go up ridiculously high because of other people’s mistakes and those who have a good driving record have to pay for others mistakes. It is not fair. Insurance premiums go up due to these unfortunate matters. We can all do our part to drive safer, to focus, to take driving seriously, to better ourselves. Driving is not a joke. You are playing with your life and others lives. A vehicle is a weapon. It can do terrible damages to others. So think about it. Think about the next time you have your phone, or gagdets or something with you. Think before you act, think before you do something. It can save you all the hassle in future.