Illegal immigrants are found in all sectors of the national industry. From the high-tech industries to the agricultural industries, illegal immigrants can be found toiling to keep our economy going. According to the Pew research, they are mostly concentrated in construction, agriculture and cleaning jobs. They are taking jobs that Americans won't take. Even poor Americans and those who are on welfare stay away from these jobs. Who will harvest the beautiful, fresh nectarines, prunes, plums, peaches from the orchards of the San Joaquin Valley? Who will pick the tomatos from the large fields of Florida? Who will harvest the apples from the apple orchards of Washington State? Who will work on our homes as insulation workers? Who will work as agricultural workers? It is estimated that illegal workers make 5% of the U.S. labor force.

In the meantime, we are seeking to sell our houses built by the hands and sweat of immigrants. We are worried because there is a cool down. We see our neighbors who are trying to beat each other to place their homes on the market first. Everywhere you turn, you see a for sale sign. Houses are taking longer to sell. More worry sets in. The house has been on the market for many weeks. The agents have long stopped bringing interested customers. Yet, he or she is still in the picture because of the contract. The weather does not want to warm up yet. Everybody is waiting for Spring, the high season of home shopping. Home prices in the Central San Joaquin Valley are half the state median. That provides many families with incentives to relocate to the Greater Valley areas. From Sacramento and nearby cities to Fresno-Clovis areas, more and more new faces are buying homes. Farmers are selling out. The money is hot. They want to leave behind the unpredictability that comes with agriculture. They want to take the money investors and developers are rubbing on their face, a large sum per acre. There is reason to worry. Interest rates are going up. Prices of existing homes in some key communities are going down. And the number of building permits for residential housing in the Valley is going down. Many industry insiders are saying that it is time that prices settle down a bit.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 11:46 PM PST

Updated: Saturday, 1 April 2006 8:33 PM PST

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If you are looking for a convenient location to vacation with your family in San Diego, CA, Catamaran Resort Hotel may be the place for you. The following review consists of my observations of the amenities I like during my recent spring break.

For less than $1000, you can spend up to three days in San Diego, visit major tourist centers, parks, and stroll on the beach and bay. That's what I found out when I decided to take my wife and kids to the Catamaran Resort Hotel. After checking out its amenities on the web (www.catamaranresort.com), we decided to reserve a non-smoking suite. We took that route because we did not want to compete with the large crowds of spring breakers and international tourists who descend on the premises of this hotel almost every year. Thanks to its many years in the hotel business, this resort is known and popular with people from almost all over the world.

We were not disappointed too much when we got to the hotel. The first thing you will notice at the entrance of the hotel is the natural ecology. The hotel's landscaping is inviting and made more attractive with the variety of mature palm trees that dot every corner. Among some of the major plants, my wife and kids were attracted to the varieties of birds of paradise. Right at the entrance, you will find all these miniature palms that you would wish to have at your own house. In fact, this trip was also part of our research because we were going to have that tropical theme in the landscaping of our house. Then, you will notice the huge fountain that is right by the front desk area. If you park in the front, the hotel's concierges will want to park it for you for some fees. If you don't want, they may ask you to park in a farther area and return to the front desk area. Open your eyes, stand up and tell them you don't want to budge. You can tell them that you are parking there for a few seconds to take care of some matters with the front desk.

If your kids like birds, they will find some parrots right outside the front desk area. Then, they will find lots of ducks that make the shady grounds of the hotel their home. Most kids will feel tempted to go to them and chase them. Tell them not to do so. If the hotel employees see them, they'll ask them to stop and give them some lessons on animal habitat. "Please stop chasing the ducks. This is their home. How would you like to be chased out of your home?" they'll say to the kids.

Once you have taken care of your hotel issues, gotten the key and signed some paperwork, you are on your way to your hotel room. It could be located in these one-story or two-story buildings located close to the skycraper. We were on the 6th floor. We had the view of the bay. The ocean is at walking distance from the hotel. Parking is hard to find at the beach. So it's better for you to park at the hotel and just walk to the beach. Parking is great. The hotel has a three-story parking building which can fit most vehicles. Be careful when you exit the hotel. Oncoming vehicles come very fast. Bushes and trees may prevent you from seeing each one of them.

Since we were hungry when we got to the hotel, we decided to have our lunch be home-delivered from the Atoll which is located right at the hotel. Just tell them to add it to your card if you don't want to bother. Depending on what you order, you should get your foods within 1 hour or so. The wheat bread burger that I received was the best burger I had ever eaten. My wife and kids concurred. We all stepped outside to eat while facing the bay. We were already looking at our schedule. That night, we were going to go on a cruise to another hotel by taking the Bahia Belle.

The first afternoon, we decided to take the kids to Balboa and Belmont Parks. Which kids don't like rides? They got to ride the Big Dipper at Belmont Park. It was a crowded area when we got there by 3 PM. All the bikers and spring breakers were showing their stuff on the beach. It was truly a rite of passage for many young men and women. They were free to do as they saw fit. Nobody to worry about. Mom and pop were not there to tell them anything. Balboa park has all these museums and huge buildings with a pristine landscape. On the premises of this park, you'll find a fountain which the kids will love. There's also a tropical nursery which attracts many tourists.

As in our case, we decided to go to Sea World the second day of our trip. (More reviews will come on this one.) The third day, we decided to go to Wild Animal Park which is located at about 45-50 minutes away from the park. Don't worry. The hotel will give you directions to most attraction sites.

During our stay, we witnessed two weddings. While we were eating dinner outside at the Atoll by the bay, we saw the weddings being performed. The hotel can accommodate such events right on the wide open space near the sandy beach.

We had a blast. We would like to go back to the hotel next time. Maybe we will choose a different location to vacation.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:50 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:57 PM PST

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