http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/Marie96 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:29:32 GMT Reviews by Marie96 http://www.viewpoints.com/Williamsburg-Plantation-Williamsburg-VA-review-5ee97 My husband and I took a vacation in Williamsburg, VA in April. We have a Marriott timeshare in the area, but it was not available, so we used a getaway week through Interval International to get into the Williamsburg Plantation property. — As we pulled into the property, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the property was nicely maintained and attractively laid out. It reminded us of a condo complex. The buildings looked like large homes, many fronted with brick accents, very colonial looking. Our building had 6 villas in it, some of the buildings may have had a few more than that. I'm going to guess that there were at least 40 buildings on winding streets. It was very pretty. Our villa had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a livingroom with gas fireplace and full kitchen. We were on the ground floor, and had a small patio with a table and 2 chairs, and a picnic table on the grass. There was also a grill for outdoor cooking, but we were disappointed that it required... Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:29:32 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Williamsburg-Plantation-Williamsburg-VA-review-5ee97 Marie96 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Dish-network--20829-review-6fd21 We had cable television for as long as I can remember. Our telephone company called and offered to switch us to Dish Network, which would be cheaper than cable. We decided to take the deal, which required a 2 year commitment. — The first installation was a disaster. The people they sent never discussed with us where we wanted the receivers, or told us that unless they were connected to a telephone line, there was a $5 per month charge per receiver. We have 4 TVs, so it required 2 receivers. They installed the receivers in the two rooms that did not have telephone jacks in them, thus incurring the $10/month charge. The first problem was that when the channel was changed on one TV, it affected another. Then the TVs would not respond to the remotes at all. They also did not tell me that my VCR would not record one station while watching another (this required a DVR). After I made several calls to Dish, they finally agreed to send someone out fix my problems. They... Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:41:24 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Dish-network--20829-review-6fd21 Marie96 2 http://www.viewpoints.com/Marriotts-Ko-Olina-Beach-Club-Kapolei-Oahu-HI-review-7e061 My husband and I own a timeshare at Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club, and we have gone there for the past 5 years. We love the resort and the island of Oahu. — — — The resort is about 18 miles west of Honolulu, and is located on a beautiful stretch of land. There are 4 lagoons along a 1-1/2 mile walkway. On one end of the walkway is the JW Marriott Ihiliani and the other end there is a marina. The walkway is lit so that you can take a stroll after dark as well as early in the morning. It is in a gated community. The Ko'Olina Golf Course is located there, and although I don't golf, I understand it is outstanding. — — — There are 2 pools at present, and the 3rd is expected to be completed in early 2009 when the 3rd building will be ready for occupancy. Chuck's Steakhouse has recently opened and Kolohes on the Beach is available for drinks and pub style food. — — — The villas are spacious and well appointed. I you... Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:49:02 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Marriotts-Ko-Olina-Beach-Club-Kapolei-Oahu-HI-review-7e061 Marie96 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Kauai-Marriott-Resort-Beach-Club-Lihue-Kauai-HI-review-1c3c3 My husband and I own several Marriott timeshares, and use them to vacation both at our home resorts and trade them for other locations. We have spent time at Kauai Marriott 4 times, and each time we do, we have a wonderful time. When you arrive at the resort, you descend down a long escalator to a beautiful garden and huge koi pond. The walkway leads to the lobby, where you'll see a huge Hawaiian canoe. — The grounds are lovely and the pool is gorgeous. One of our favorite restaurants is located there - "Dukes - a Barefoot Bar". Great food, and right on the beach. — The rooms are nice, but not as plush as some other Marriott locations. The one bedroom villas are actually 2 hotels adjoined with a limited kitchen. They also have some hotel rooms, which are comfortable as well. — I would recommend staying there anytime! —... Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:20:40 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Kauai-Marriott-Resort-Beach-Club-Lihue-Kauai-HI-review-1c3c3 Marie96 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Apple-MacBook-Notebook-review-e7764 I've been using a Mac at home since 1995, and have used IBM compatibles at work for just as many years. There is nothing like a Mac for user friendliness. No error messages, and viruses are almost nonexistent. — The Macbook is a nicely sized, easy to use laptop, that has gone on vacation with me many times, and has always been compatible with hotel wi-fi systems and is tough enough to make it through airport security over and over again. I use iPhoto to download my digital pictures on the go, and my iTunes can keep me company in my hotel room. The speakers are not the best, and probably is one feature I would like to see improved. The new Leopard OSX is a great new updated operating system. I would tell any IBM-er to switch to Mac and they wouldn't go back! —... Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:18:33 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Apple-MacBook-Notebook-review-e7764 Marie96 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Alli-Diet-Pills-review-6c692 Once I hit 40 (and now 50) weight loss was harder and harder. I've tried them all - Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, Atkins, etc., and lost weight only to gain it back again. I can't tell you that this won't happen again, but I feel like alli is teaching me to eat a low fat, healthy diet and hopefully, once I've stopped taking the pills, I'll stay at a healthy weight. The website is helpful and has some great recipes. — — Regarding the "unwanted side effects", if you stay within your fat allotment, you won't have any problems. I never had them. Alli is not cheap, but being unhealthy is not cheap either. I recommend it if you want to jump start your weight loss, but be sure to check with your doctor, as those who have some conditions, like gall bladder, should not take them. 40 lbs down, and 15 to go! — —... Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:25:01 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Alli-Diet-Pills-review-6c692 Marie96 4