Home

Finally, we finish our trip and return sweet home in whole piece. Very tired, yes, we travelled over 30 hours and I haven't sleep for over 36 hours. As soon as we come home, we fall into bed and sleep for over 12 hours - very tired.

The day we left BNA, it was a great day with a little bit shower when we were waiting for our flight. We tried to get a late check-out with hotel and it didn't work out, so DC took me for a big lunch before we hit the road. It's a local BBQ place and the meal was great. I had the babyback ribs and it was lovely. The beans were softer than British and more watery. The home-made pancake were lovely, but I was too full to put it in. There was no problem to return the car and GPS. Budget is a good place to rent the car with reasonable price. GPS save us many times on the way, the only problem is you must have the address and insert your destination before you start the car. Because it won't funtion when the car is moving. During 10 days, GPS only charged for twice. I think it's kind of credit. And then, now, the key point arrived.

When we checked-in AA ticket agent, I asked him if it's safe to check in my laptop. He said, it's ok, many ppl do check in their laptop. I asked again coz I was afraid of damage or steal. He said, it's no problem, it's one of our luggage and we will receive all of them. Alright, we got his word and I count on him. So, I checked in my laptop too.

On the way back, we felt so lucky to save all the luggage problem coz LAX is really bad. We had to check in again and walk to another teminal without shuttle bus. Although we didn't need to recheck-in our luggage but queueing is never pleasant. We stop in LAX for 4 hours and those restaurants closed at 9:30PM. We didn't have chance to get something to eat and the only choice is McDonald and Haagen Dags which is not a good idea for dinner. I'll be handful if I am not feed on time, plus I am sleepy.... Can't sleep at all.... Love to sleep but eyes were wild open. Anyway, finally, we get on the plane and on the way home. TPE and then KHH. The first thing when we arrive home - SLEEP!!!

Next day, we are fully recharged, but can't be sure, coz still feel very tired. I don't think my body is co-operating well. Daniel wants to watch YouTube and I want to show my mom the pic during trips, so I set up my laptop. Here is the problem. The laptop is broken.... BROKEN!!! I can't start it, can't read on the screen, actually, the screen is broken too. It's like, I am holding a trash. I think my laptop is still flying somewhere out there. Why? Why me? Why my laptop?

BNA - DAY 8

Finally, we are on the way home. But, before our departure, I have to try the famous BBQ. My goodness, when we arrive this restaurant, there is a police car in its parking lot. That's a good sign. That's what we need - simple easy menu with good quality food. DC likes to come to this kind of restaurant and I enjoy my meal here. It's the right portion and good quality food within reasonable price. Excellent! That BBQ baby pork ribs are so delicious and I can't have anything else to go with it. Actually, I only eat the pork, nothing else, not the pancake, not the beans, not the chips or ice tea. It's so good! Alright, time to leave! We are going home today!

BNA - DAY 7.2

Here we go, our day to say good-bye. Kids are still tired from the trip, they wake up around noon time. DC picks them up and come back to hotel with drive-thru lunch which is DC's favourite burger. They let him down though, he repeates 3 times and the girl still gets it wrong. What can we say? Order 3-person meal is a difficult job and preparing it is also another story. However, we won't let it get our way. Kids were planned to go for movie, but they change mind, we go to Boarders bookstore and spend the afternoon there. In the coffee shop, ppl ask Reina about her hairband and she is proud to say "My stepmom did it". (DC tells me later on)
It's our last dinner together and we try to make a peace here. These two monsters won't be nice to each other for hours. Well, it's part of growing up, I guess. Brady is in teen and he wants to be treated as an adult, even he is 12. He is a bit upsad to spend summer in Day Care with Reina. Well, things will be better in a year. He'll be able to stay at home or wherever he wants at 13. Somehow, Reina misses up me as girlfriend (it really gets me). Anyway, before saying good-bye, we love to see kids make up and being nice to each other. They are huging and saying good-night which is really funny to see. But after this, it's the most difficult time on this trip - to say good-bye. DC makes the pinky promise to return asap and we believe we see the taugh teen's tear.
Althought we have different life style, but we love to do another long trip in short term future if it's possible. It's worth it to see their smile. Brady's smile is bigger in the end coz DC gives him the mobile phone, so Reina won't be on the side when he talks to his girlfriend. I don't know if it is right to give him this kind of responsibility so early, but we trust Brady's adjudgement. He is a big boy now... DC promises them that we will take them to Dublin for their 18th birthday. We are very look forward to this event.

BNA - DAY 7.1

Funny Videos

SDF - DAY 3.2

We come to this Dinosaur World (Cave city) on the way back to BNA. Kids enjoy the "Fossil dig" and the walk in artificial theme park. The park gives them space to run and get off their unlimit energy. This theme park has the most clean toilet I have ever seen - spotless with forest fragrance. They draw on toilet walls to complete the theme. DC likes to take them for educational trip and this is a good one. Actually, kids start to get into the point. They know what's going on and they are looking for a way out themselves. Brady is in teen and he is smart - handful. Reina is little but there are a lot of things going on on this little head. They start to pick on each other but they love each other. Even Brady puts Reina into corner but he always helps Reina or gives her a little present to cheer her up. Reina looks up to her big brother, but she learns to use strategy. These two are too smart and mature for their ages. I can see little bit of DC in each of them.

SDF - DAY 3.1

Kids are really like this inn very much. We like to spend time in their pool, they bbq the burger right beside the pool. The lady who works in the bar works here for 37 years and her family work here too. Many families work in this inn and make this inn being special than sourounding hotels. Another successful example on hotel business - the key point is service team. I am not surprised with their reservation system. Their on-line reservation system sucks big time, but it's great to make a phone reservation - efficent and better deal. When we check-in, the process is fast and we can get in the room in less than 5 minutes. But there is a problem following up, no lift. That's the problem in old building. This inn is built in 1963 and you can see the age of this inn from their plug. From most of place, even Reina can see this inn's history "This hotel is old and big." said by Reina. Brady keeps saying this inn is the "Shining" (scary movie).
It's our last day and as you can see, sleepy heads are all here... We should pack and go back to BNA. Hit the road in an hour!!!

SDF - DAY 2.2

We are on the different tack but this is the limit for Reina. She enjoys more on this water park then those rides.

Guys, meet CHAIN and T2. It doesn't look scary on this pic but image they are in the air, about 50 meters high, do you feel weak on knees? T2 is most scary one coz there is no where you can put your feet on. DC won't be on it but Brady is so excited for T2 and CHAIN, so, they are on.

SDF - DAY 2.1

Here we are, Six Flags, Kentucky Kindom. Actually those three kids wake up late due to last night's excitement for this trip, for the night without mom, for the night to being alone. I wake up early but I don't know the pool is opened already, so I spent most of morning on internet to update blog and chat. Before we start our day, we take a bite beside the pool. They have adorable ppl down here, see, that's how to keep hotel running. This inn is built in 1963 and most of employees are still here. They also have west wing from 1973 but ppl still prefer this inn in old courtyard style. It reminds us the South Britan style.
Six Flags has many rides and the famous one should be CHAIN or T2 - Brady says those two are the top two rides in USA.. And of course Brady and DC are on it. There are a long queue to get on those rides. However, DC's legs are shaking for 5 minutes after CHAIN and 15 minutes after T2. I can't believe Brady is so exciting on those rides and there is any effect on him at all.
While boys are on the rides, we girls spend time beside the pool, the water park. It's very hot here, about 30 degrees and sunshine big time. Good timing for sunbath! The water park closes at 7PM, so we are back to hotel pool then...

SDF - DAY 1

This morning we take kids away from BNA to SDF. On the way, we stop by Cave city and go to this zoo place. It's well preserved and under good management, just in man power shortage. Kids love animals and we can spend whole day here. Every work shop here is on 30-minute and they need to take break too. So, that's how you plan for whole day in this park.
At least, this park has stone road or spilted water on the ground, so no dusty. Walking in forest can smell the special fragrance which can go deep into lungs. What make me happy is DC walks a lot here, trying to catch up with kids. They don't go to the same direction, so it's more challenge to keep up with them. What's the specialality in this park? They make their own butter and ice cream. Oh, it tastes so good. Candice, who works in sheep work shop, she says "Ben & Jerry's" only use Jersey cow milk which is the fattest one. Um, I gonna try it!!! I can't stand the low fat or slim milk and I can't find the real milk in breakfast buffet which is make me upset.
We arrive SDF around 9PM coz the park closes at 7PM and kids want to stay until they close. The sunset is around 8:30 PM. Later on, I see the moon, but it has surrounding ring. Oh oh, it doesn't look good. As soon as we get near the sub, my goodness, the rain comes down. We arrive this inn in pouring rain and kids are tired. We are tired too. Reina keeps asking "Are we there yet?" every 5 minutes. Even the laptop or drink can't stop her. If she can't make it to SDF, how can she make it to Disney land? For sure, I won't be there, I don't like to answer her every 5 minutes in 3-hr drive...
Kids never been to inn like this size and neither do I. We get some advanture to do in this room. For an hour, we realize the parior is next door and kids run around between two rooms. There is private path to swimming pool and we have our own blacony. DC is more concernt that 4 doors which kids can open and go out. That's the good thing here, they put the chain so high, so kids can't reach it. Alright then, it's very late and time to go to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day!

BNA - DAY 6.2

After Renaissance Festival, we head to Opry Mills for last minute sales. It's Memorial weekend and it's about 20%-65% off in some shops. We haven't get chance to do laundry, so you might notice on DC's pics laterly. However, we got him make over, so look forward for new DC!

BNA - DAY 6.1

We take kids to Renaissance Festival which Brady has been waitting for whole year. Quite a lot of ppl dress up for this festival, but in some strange way. I meant, it should be in King Auther kind of dress but somehow, they have all those heavy metal leather dress and others, very strange. Reina got her stuff pained and fit into her style. She is so pround of it when ppl ask her where to get it. That's Reina only, the only one in univers. Brady has been collected stuff for years. Today, he buys a sword, a real one, but heavy. I think, it's pretty heavy, even put on belt. Looks like it'll go on the wall when they are back home. Good, because I can't image him dress up like that on the street. I still don't get it why they have to sell weapon in this kind of Festival for kids. They won't even let kids carry their toy guns which appears obiously as a toy. But they sell tons of metal sword in Festival. I don't understand. However, we have difficult to keep up with Brady and he has a lot of things to look around. Reina, hairband catches her eyes first and then tatoo. Lucky us, she is not interesting on those custums. However, it's a good day! But, one thing for sure, we are through with Renaissance Festival. It's so dusty and disorganized.

BNA - DAY 5.1

DC just can't get over it. He loves this toy, but I have better idea that this simple toy. Reina loves music too, but she gets tired of toys very soon. Brady loves this Discovery shop, hasn't change a bit yet... He is a smart kid, nearly finish the Sudoku gameboy in couple days.

BNA - DAY 5

The sunshine is so strong out there. We come to visit Great grandma Irene in her retirement apartment. It's under new management, so many places are in renovation and her floor will be on next week's schedule. Irene looks much better than last time I saw her. She is a sweet woman. She gets a grey cat named "Sugar" from rescue unit. Irene had a cat - Princeess for 19 yrs. She always has cats as company.
After visit great grandma, time for some goodies. We go down to Green Hills for Cheesecake Factory. Alright, Brady doesn't like cake, but we all like cakes. So, Brady gonna deal with it which he turns out trying to sleep in seat. Whatever, as long as he doesn't piss Reina off. These two are getting more violant to each other. Later on, when Reina's mud pie comes, she forgets everything else but ice cream. There are 3 scoops of ice cream in the back of mud pie which she finishes right the way. Yumy!
It's the begin of long weekend - Memorial day. Heavy traffic on high way, in and out. Surprisely, most of hotels are full. I can see parties nearby. When we come back to hotel, ppl are in lobby and get ready to go to another hotel for swim pool. This hotel hasn't operate their outdoor pool yet, Reina really looks forward to it. It's Friday night, as tradition, we sit in, order delivery and have a movie. What a day!

BNA - DAY 4

It's a busy day. While we are getting ready to move into another hotel, we are informed that Brady is alone in school. All his friends are off for summer break and Brady has no one to pick him up. So he is sitting alone in cafeteria, therefore, we try our best to pick him up asap. Later, we go for Panera cafe for branch. This soup in sourbread bowl is different than the one we get in 3-royal-3-home tea shop. Plus the portion, ulala, can't eat for another four hours... Brady enjoys the free internet in cafe and this chair looks comfortable. I can spend a day here, no problem... But DC still prefer his layZboy.
After the branch, we pick up little princess in day care. She runs and jumps on DC and nearly knocks him down. The dress she puts on today, we bring them from KHH. Brady likes heavy metal style, so the shirt & T-shirt I prepared are in the limit, great. I guees he won't wear anything else, beside black T-shirt. Those two are fine on their own, but when they are together, oh my goodness, we need to rule them. Beside helping us moving into another hotel, they become luggage itself too. While I am settle down in hotel, DC brings kids over to Opry Mills for movie. Three of them have a good time there. That's what DC dream for a long time. Dream comes true!