Firstly I’d like to wish all The Sentinella readers and advertisers a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year, jam-packed with only magical things. We all deserve a blissful life, so here’s to yours for 2011…make it the best one ever.

I’ve not long returned from the trip of a lifetime, three weeks travelling along the west coast of the USA, followed by a week of relaxation in Honululu, Hawaii. Many people have asked me to divulge what I got up to, so here goes…

We flew into San Francisco and spent a few days ogling the city sights, including Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Alcatraz. Longing for some respite from the chilly San Francisco winds we jumped into our rental car and headed towards Los Angeles. En-route we stopped off in various random places, hiking for four miles to see the seasonal elephant seals, followed by a quest to find and sample the famous Anderson’s Pea Soup in a town called Buelton. Delicious…

We spent our days in LA checking out Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame and the weird and wacky world of Venice Beach. Typically we reversed our rental car right into a limousine, which the driver declared had just enjoyed a 40,000 dollar paint job. “Welcome to LA,” said a passing lady rolling her eyes in the direction of the rant.

From LA we headed to San Diego, a beautiful city full of Mexican wares and scenic spots, such as The Old Town, the Gaslamp region and the island of Coronado. And we couldn’t leave San Diego without visiting San Diego Zoo. Never have I witnessed so many animals in the same place!

Then we said goodbye California and hello Nevada, arriving to the bright lights, shows and casinos of Las Vegas. My boyfriend had great fun risking his life on roller-coasters which flung him over the top of buildings. But dare devil rides, zombie-infested casinos and Elvis Presley look-alikes weren’t my cup of Tetley. In fact I preferred watching our washing churn around the tumble drier in the laundrette.

While in Las Vegas we took a day trip to the Grand Canyon, viewing the natural wonder of the world from a helicopter, coupled with a boat trip along the Colorado River.

After all that action we headed back to San Francisco to catch our five-hour flight to Hawaii. The sun shone, the waves crashed and the golden sand slid between my toes like silk. Finally paradise had reared its head. Life doesn’t get much better than Waikiki beach and happy hour cocktails.

And now I’m back in El Morche. The sun is peeking out from behind a tangle of clouds, Manolo is selling tubos from his kiosk across the road and I’m busy planning where the world will take me next…

Keidi Keating, Editor

The Sentinella Axarquia New Year edition (Jan 2011) is now out! Flick through the pages below and see in the New Year with a giggle

To advertise in the Feb 11 edition email Kami on sales@thesentinella.com or call 664 210 468 before January 15th.

Happy Christmas everybody! Click on the magazine below to read our Christmas special edition…

To advertise in the January 2011 edition call Kami on 664 210 468 or email sales@thesentinella.com before December 15th.

She’s beautiful, she’s intelligent, she’s adorable…she’s Stefanie Rycraft Jones and she’s representing Hull City at the final of the UK’s most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Great Britain 2010.

The glittering event, takes place on December 4th at the new Grand Pier in Western Super Mare, where sixty girls from across the British Isles will compete for the crown, designed by award-winning jeweller Zoe Harding and executed by The Jewellery Channel.

Amongst the celebrity panel of judges are Chris de Burgh’s daughter and former Miss World Rosie Davison, East Enders actress Carol Harrison, multi-award winning hairstylist Anestis Cobella, Katie Price’s make-up artist and Hollywood film executive Teddy Zee, producer of Hitch and In Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith.

A part in Teddy Zee’s next film is just one of the prizes the newly crowned Miss Great Britain 2010 will take home.

The finalists arrive for their three-day stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Bristol on December 2nd. The following day they’ll take part in fun challenges on the Grand Pier, including a trial on the first public Formula One simulator.

Stefanie is only 23-years-old, but she’s already paving her way to great success. After gaining a first class BA (hons) degree in Fashion and Brand Promotion with Marketing, she began modelling with the Toni & Guy Artistic Breakthrough Team. She also became the face for online fashion retailer Missguided and just recently she became the first ever female face of Nestle’s Milky Bar.

Along with all this, Stefanie is the presenter and producer of online TV channel Video Junkie (www.videojunkie.co.uk) which follows her interviewing bands from Leeds Festival, reviewing the new Ferrari 458 and going backstage at various events.

Public text/phone voting began on October 4th and finishes on December 3rd. So what are you waiting for?

To vote for Stefanie text ‘Miss Hull’ to 81118 and watch this fresh-faced star shine.

There are two words in the English language which when spoken in sync are amazingly powerful, yet unfortunately vastly under used.

 These two words are ‘thank you’.

 Human beings always seem to be moaning about one problem or the other. Let’s take a look at just a few of the most common moans and groans. “I’m too fat.” “I’m too thin.” “I’m too ugly.” “I had a difficult upbringing.” “The world is against me.” “I feel unloved.” “No one likes me.” “Why does nothing ever go right for me?” And the list goes on…

Wow! What an unsightly collection of negative statements.

 The thing is, what most people don’t realise is that you are the universe and the universe is you. So when you tell yourself these negative things all day and night, I’m afraid you’ll see more negativity in your life. It’s only when you begin to express gratitude for what you DO have in your life that suddenly the floodgates open and all those things you’ve been wanting for so long begin to pour in. It’s about feeling happy NOW so your energetic vibration is raised to such a level that you attract only good things into your life.

Let me give you an example of a very inspirational man who has totally cracked the gratitude egg. His name is Nick Vujicic and if you search for his name on YouTube.com you’ll witness firsthand just how totally amazing this guy is. Nick, who was born with no arms and legs, has been determined not to let his disability prevent him from leading a fulfilling and happy life. In fact he’s become an inspiration to people all over the world.

Despite his disability Nick still plays football, swims, plays golf, fishes, and more than all that, he gives a huge amount to the world. He regularly speaks to teenagers, children and adults about the importance of being thankful for what they have, going for their dreams and never giving up.

At the age of eight Nick believed his life was doomed. He thought he’d never get a job, never get married and never have a life of purpose. But he has managed to overcome many challenges and has found a fresh perspective to life. He’s constantly smiling and joking and he always feels thankful and excited about what each new day will bring. His motto is, “No arms, no legs, no worries!”

Now what’s your excuse? If Nick, who has no arms and legs, can squeeze so much joy and pleasure out of life, then why can’t you? Think about that the next time you feel like moaning about your current situation.

Really, if you just start to say thank you for all the good things in your life, miracles will follow. Believe me, as one who practises gratitude on a daily basis, this sh** really works!

For more information on Nick visit his website www.attitudeisaltitude.com or check out his book ‘Life Without Limits’.

Get stuck into the November 10 edition of The Sentinella Axarquia edition by clicking on the mag below and turning the pages.

To advertise in our Christmas Special edition please call Kami on 664 210 468, or email sales@thesentinella.com before Nov 15th.