Journal (Jul-2007)

• @ Toronto Airport

After we had lunch with grandmother, we started to head to the airport. Luckily, they allowed us to catch an earlier flight from New York to Toronto so we had enough time to catch the next flight back to Vancouver.

We didn’t arrive Vancouver till 12:40am. Thanks for my friend to pick us up and booked the hotel .

• M&M Store Item
• Family

We spent the whole day with family. It was a good feeling to see my great-grandfather, grandma and aunt again. I will miss them all.

Today’s major attraction, 3 floors M&M store at Time Square…… Again, we bought a lot of things.

• @ American Museum of Natural History

We thought we would visit the museum of art today. However, after we arrived, we figured out it may be too boring for our mom. So, we decided to go to the American Museum of Natural History. At least, we could see some animals. From what my sister said, it was actually related to the movie last year "Night at the Museum".

• @ Disney Store

Our original plan for today was visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, we spent 2 hrs shopping at the United Nation.

After we arrived the 5 th Ave, where all the famous stores located, my sister became crazy…… especially at the Disney store. The Disney store had 3 floors and we actually spent 3 hrs in that store .

Don’t even want to mention other stores we enter….

• @ Shenandoah Caverns
• @ Time Square

Today’s only attraction was Shenandoah Caverns. Then, we took a 7 hrs bus ride back to New York. I felt bad that it was a long bus ride which made my mom and sister so tired.

However, we still went to Time Square afterward. I was so happy they like Time Square. Started to see the craziness of my family, we purchased at least 30 items in one store. hahha

• @ Baltimore
• White House

We got up at 7am because we had to join a Washington tour at China town. The bus left New York at 8:30am and our first destination was Philadelphia, one of the three capitals in United State history. Then we had a boat ride at Baltimore.

We arrived Washington at 4pm; it was late already. A lot of museums started to close. Also, after 911, they closed down a lot of visiting site. We didn’t allow to enter the White House and US Capitol anymore. Fortunately, I visited both place before 911.

Attractions list, Air and Space Museum => US Capitol => White House => Washington Monument => Korean War Memorial => Lincoln Memorial => Vietnam Veterans Memorial => Jefferson Memorial.

Rest at the hotel at 10pm. But, that hotel was…. Really bad….. so bad, so dirty.

• Grandma & Mom @ NY Subway
• Family @ State of Liberty

First day in New York, we had to visit our relative first. We had lunch with uncle’s family and then started our site seeing.

Attractions list, China Town => World Trade Garden => Wall Street => State of Liberty. At night, we went home for dinner; grandma cooked for us

P.S. New York subway is pretty bad. My mom and sister even thought so. They hated the smell and dirt around the whole station and train. When I was holding my mom’s hand walking upstairs after we left the train, there was a 1/2 brick fell down right above my head. Luckily, at that second, I stepped back and tried to look at the sexy girl in front of me. Otherwise, I would have to be sent to the hospital. However, my mom’s arm was cut by that brick.

We didn’t plan to stay in Toronto because we had no car which limited where we could go.

We got up at 9:30am and had lunch at the CN Tower. After lunch, we walked back to the hotel and got ready to the airport. We arrived the airport at 3pm to take the 6pm flight. Initially, we thought we must be so early. However, going thru the security took us a long time, especially, we are just a visitor. We didn’t get to the gate until 4:30pm.

After we sat down, we thought the flight would be ready to departure soon. No…. there were delays after delay. The flight didn’t departure till 8pm.

We finally arrived grandma’s place, New York, at 10:15pm.

• CN Tower
• Lake Ontario

Like most of my own trip, I love to sleep till really late. Otherwise, what's the point to have holiday?

We left hotel around 11pm, went to Royal Ontario Museum, Parliament building, University of Toronto, harbor market and Toronto Island.

I was so glad that my mom and sister love Toronto Island. It was a really nice and relaxing place to go and walk around. I love visiting that island.

• Niagara Fall
• Niagara Fall & Me

My mom's cousin drove us to Niagara Fall today. It was my second time to be there but my family's first time.

However, last time I visited during the winter time. There were a lot of snow and ice. Now, it was summer, totally different view. Relaxing

We also went to Toronto new city hall and china town today.

Finally, it was my first trip with my mom and sister since I came to Canada. My sister even mentioned it was my first time taking a plane with her and my second time with my mom since I was 7 years old.

It was also exciting because this was my first time to actually be a leader of a trip. (I have to called myself leader here. ) I planed the trip, purchased ticket and brought them wherever I want to go, haha.

We left Victoria at about 12pm but the flight was delay for another 40 mins. After arriving Toronto International airport at 8pm (EST), we took a taxi to downtown Toronto hotel.

The hotel was extremely beautiful, at least out of my expectation. The only problem was we were having a queen size only. All 3 of us were so tired.... sleeping on the same bed after walking around Yonge street. Haven't slept with mom and sister for a long time

• Victoria (Night View)

This Thursday would be my last day of this month in Victoria. I was taking 2 weeks off to travel with my mom and sister.

After dinner tonight, I brought them downtown to see the night view of Victoria. We didn't get there until 9:40pm. I had not seen the night view for a long time , pretty.

• Playing NDS with cousins
• Mom, sister & Me

We went to Seattle to visit relatives. The time was tight so we didn't have time to go anywhere except a visit to the Public Market downtown. Sometime, I really don't understand.

We got to the Vancouver ferry terminal at 7:35pm. However, there were 2 sailing wait. We didn't get on the ferry till 10:30pm. Arrived home at 1am.

• Mom, sister & Me

I left work at 11:30pm to drive my friend's car to Vancouver Airport. My mom and sister should arrive at 3pm. I arrived there at 3:30pm. It was my first time driving to Vancouver myself. However, they didn't come out till 4:20pm because my sister needed to talk to the immigration.

We took the 6pm ferry back to Victoria. Surprisingly, my mom and sister were not tired. We went out for dinner, got home at 10pm.

My mom and sister are coming on Tues.... I had to clean up my room and get everything ready.

• Victoria FIFA Game1
• Victoria FIFA Game 2

After work, my friend and I went to see the games in Victoria. The place is smaller than Vancouver, but it is a good size. It is pretty close to the field.

However, because we were watching the second game at 7:30pm, it was cold. A lot of people left.

• Team Spain U20
• Burnaby FIFA Game

I went to Vancouver on Canada Day to watch my first Fifa game. It was a Fifa world cup under-20. We got to sit on the first row super nice. There were 2 games we were going to watch. During the break between the games, the Spain team was actually standing 10 feet away from us. My friend even got a signature from a Spain player.

The Spain and Uruguay game was sooo good. Spain came back in the last 30s and tied the game.