Summer has been great as my family just came back from Alaska. I know it seems crazy to go on another trip so soon, but Dad had some miles that were about to expire. Although we just went to the Pacific Northwest last month, this trip was pretty fun.
Day 1
It was a somber morning as we had to bury my grandmother Pi-Tan at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos. The service began at 10 a.m. and lasted around an hour. Following the service, the three of us had lunch with our family friends before heading home to pack up.
The first leg of the trip was an afternoon flight to Anchorage. There was a problem as we checked into the hotel: our room smelled like cigarettes despite being a non-smoking room. How unpleasant. Finding the right person took a while, but management got another room for us. It was almost midnight when we were ready for bed.
Day 2
Our first real stop was Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The route took us through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Because it has only one lane, traffic is limited to one direction and alternates at regular intervals. That was a cool experience.
At over 13 million acres, Wrangell–St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States. This was a nice place, although there wasn't much to do besides enjoy the views. The other downside is that mosquitoes were everywhere. I was bitten several times after just a few minutes. Blah.
We arrived in Valdez a few hours later. One of the most important ports in Alaska, Valdez was our destination for the next two nights. There weren't many attractions, although we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant after checking into the hotel. The food was delicious!
Day 3
Valdez marks the southern end of the Alaska pipeline, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the state. Part of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, the 800-mile pipeline carries oil from Prudhoe Bay to the Valdez Marine Terminal. This engineering marvel made for some neat pictures.
Dad took us to Worthington Glacier in the late afternoon. The glacier looked small from a distance, but we were surprised by its size as we approached. The nice thing is that it wasn't too cold here. On the way back to the car, I noticed one of the doors was open. Oh crap. To our relief, everything was accounted for. That was a close call.
Day 4
Our next destination was Fairbanks. Due to the distance, most of the day was spent on the road. On the other hand, the scenery along the route was amazing and made the drive very worthwhile.
About 15 miles south of Fairbanks was North Pole. The town isn't related to the real North Pole but has a strong Christmas theme. The whimsical street names like Santa Claus Lane and Kris Kringle Drive made for memorable photos. The funny thing is that we came across this place by chance. Sometimes the best things are unplanned.
Day 5
One thing I was looking forward to was crossing the Arctic Circle. Because most rental agencies don't allow their vehicles on unpaved roads - such as the Dalton Highway - we decided to book a tour. Our guide Tank was an outdoor enthusiast who knew everything about Alaska. Of note is that we were the only ones who signed up. That meant we got to take the extra food. Talk about VIP treatment. :-)
The four of us arrived at the Arctic Circle after a four-hour drive. The only feature was a large wooden sign, but stopping here was a unique experience. Tank took some pictures with us before driving us back to Fairbanks. On the whole, the tour was my favorite part of the trip.
We said goodbye to Tank and headed to downtown Fairbanks for groceries. I took the opportunity to buy a box of chocolates from Alaska Wild Berry Products at Fred Meyer. The unusual flavors like fireweed and gooseberry had caught my eye. I can't wait to try them as they sound really good.
The fun ended when Dad got pulled over for speeding - in Alaska of all places. It just happened that he was going very fast because of the downhill slope. This was rather unexpected, especially considering that we rarely saw police. The fine wasn't too steep but still put a damper on our mood. :-(
Our lodging for the night was a cabin in Cantwell. According to the sign, Cantwell has a population of only about 200 people. It was one of the most desolate places I've ever been. Despite the remoteness, the cabin wasn't too bad.
Day 6
I'm glad we bought our groceries the day before because room service was insanely expensive. For example, the full breakfast was around $16 according to the menu. Yikes!
After checking out of the cabin, my family headed to Denali National Park and Preserve for another tour. We saw all kinds of animals, such as bears, elk and moose. Denali was definitely another highlight of the trip. Like the Arctic Circle tour, this one also lasted about eight hours. All of us were completely exhausted when the tour ended.
Back in Anchorage, the three of us had dinner at a Japanese restaurant before returning to the hotel. It was nice to finally get some well-deserved rest.
Day 7
Our flight home was in the afternoon. We spent the morning exploring the downtown and browsing the shops. I wanted to visit the Alaska Wild Berry Products store, but there wasn't enough time. This was unfortunate because I wanted to check out the factory tour and free samples. Oh well. :-(
The flight to San Francisco was uneventful. Our family friend Karen picked us up and gave us a ride home. I was totally exhausted at this point and went to bed shortly afterwards.
Conclusions
This was easily one of our best vacations ever. I enjoyed every moment of the trip, but the Arctic Circle tour was my favorite part by far. Not many people can say they've crossed the Arctic Circle. Denali was also fun as we saw all kinds of wildlife. The memories from this trip will last years.
Alaska is one of the few unspoiled places in the world. Of course, the downside is that it gets extremely cold in the winter. It's certainly not a place I'd want to live. That said, I wouldn't mind a vacation there every so often. :-)
Currently playing: Field & Stream: Trophy Bass 4
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available here.
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Happy birthday to Casey!
Our family friend Mei's son Casey just turned 10 years old. She had a big party at her house and asked us to come over. It was just me and Mom as Dad has to work and couldn't take the day off.
Aside from a few high school girls, the guests were young children and their parents. Though I mostly played games on my laptop, the party was lots of fun. I'd definitely like to thank the Lees for having us over. Summer has been great so far, especially considering that my family just came back from an awesome trip to the Pacific Northwest earlier this month.
Currently listening to: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J. S. Bach
Aside from a few high school girls, the guests were young children and their parents. Though I mostly played games on my laptop, the party was lots of fun. I'd definitely like to thank the Lees for having us over. Summer has been great so far, especially considering that my family just came back from an awesome trip to the Pacific Northwest earlier this month.
Currently listening to: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J. S. Bach
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
level 99 Firemaking in RuneScape Classic
I finally reached level 99 Firemaking in RuneScape Classic after a long grind. Here is a screenshot of me leveling up. I know this achievement is kind of pointless, but having two 99's certainly gives me bragging rights. :-)
It's a shame RuneScape Classic is no longer being updated. Sometimes newer isn't better.
Currently playing: RuneScape Classic
It's a shame RuneScape Classic is no longer being updated. Sometimes newer isn't better.
Currently playing: RuneScape Classic
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Pacific Northwest trip report
"Looks like you're about to declare war on Canada." -- me to a kid in Port Angeles, on his firework stash
I just got back from Oregon and Washington with my parents. This was our first visit to the Pacific Northwest in years. It was one of our best vacations ever!
Day 1
The trip began with an afternoon flight to Portland. The plane landed at Portland International Airport a little less than two hours later. Dad rented an SUV and took us to our hotel, located in a quiet place in the suburbs. Lots of people were sitting outside enjoying the fresh air. The nice weather made for a perfect stroll around the area. I then spent the evening playing Field & Stream: Trophy Bass 4 and Hell to Pay on my laptop.
Day 2
The first stop of the day was Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington. The 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens was one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in modern times. Dad knew I loved geology and thought I'd like this place. The view from the Johnston Ridge Observatory was breathtaking - pictures don't do it justice at all. This was followed by lunch at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center as it was almost noon.
We checked into our hotel in Enumclaw and headed to Mt. Rainier National Park afterwards. The mountain was beautiful, especially from a distance. One trail led to Ohanapecosh Hot Springs, the site of a former resort. The springs are quite small but still had water bubbling up.
Day 3
Happy 4th of July!
The three of us went back to Mt. Rainier National Park after checking out of our hotel. One place I really liked was the Sunrise Visitor Center. There was topographic jigsaw puzzle laid out on the table at the gift shop. Though it was quite a challenge, Mom and I managed to put some pieces together.
Dad took us to Olympic National Park in the late afternoon. The highlight of our visit was Olympic Hot Springs. The round trip was a little over 4.8 miles, but that wasn't a problem because the sun sets late at this time of the year. Mom suggested soaking our feet in the water, which we did. There was virtually nobody else the whole time. It was a surreal experience.
Our final destination of the day was Port Angeles. Lots of people started lighting fireworks after sunset. Some even shot them from their boats in the harbor. This was unlike anything in California. But because we didn't know fireworks were legal here, I didn't buy any and had to miss out. This was my biggest regret of the trip.
The city's own fireworks display was also nice. Someone blared "Take It to the Limit" during the finale, adding to the atmosphere. On the whole, Port Angeles was quite enjoyable. Looks like we'll have to come back here in the future.
Day 4
We took a walk along the harbor and made a short stop at Safeway before heading to Vancouver, Washington. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest made the drive worthwhile. Upon our arrival in Vancouver, Mom noticed there were traffic enforcement cameras at every intersection. Holy crap. Just how much money do they make from citations?
Day 5
Our journey brought us back to Oregon. A sign for a U-pick blueberry farm caught our eye as we passed Hood River. The berries weren't only dirt cheap, but also juicy and delicious. The downside is that we didn't have anything to clean them with. Speaking of which, Mom said her tongue felt numb after eating the berries. Yikes!
One of the best-known attractions in Oregon is Multnomah Falls. The three-tiered waterfall was an incredible sight and made for some great pictures. The nearby Multnomah Falls Trail was perfect for a hike. I also enjoyed browsing the gift shop at the center even though nothing was cheap.
The next stop was the Bonneville Fish Hatchery in Cascade Locks. Unlike most hatcheries, this one was beautiful and had a natural feel. It was a nice place to relax before heading to Portland.
Day 6
The flight back to San Francisco was in the early afternoon. Given the schedule, there wasn't much to do besides check out the airport shops. I wish the trip wasn't over so soon, but all good things must end.
Conclusions
All in all, this was one of our most memorable vacations in years. Hiking through the forest to Olympic Hot Springs was a rewarding experience. The same goes for our stay in Port Angeles and picking blueberries. It's hard to say which was my favorite part of the trip. The Pacific Northwest is easily one of the most scenic places in the world. I wouldn't mind moving there when I retire.
Currently listening to: "Take It to the Limit" by the Eagles
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available here.
Friday, June 11, 2004
done with high school
I've officially graduated from Los Altos High School. It's hard to believe how fast time goes. Class of 2004 forever!
Graduation report
The commencement was held on the athletic field. The band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as we filed in. The school officials and valedictorians then spoke about our achievements and our future. After everything was said and done, the seniors were called to the stage to collect their diplomas. This was the moment we had all been waiting for.
Of note is that there was no senior prank this year. Because some past pranks have gone too far and resulted in disciplinary action, our class decided to play it safe and ditch the idea altogether. Though several people blew up a beach ball and passed it around during the speeches, the commencement was overall uneventful.
Looking back
On the whole, my favorite part of high school was Mr. Shaull's choir class. I never knew it could be so much fun. One of my regrets is being so reluctant to take it when I first had the chance. I'll also miss our physics teacher Mr. Randall and his sense of humor. He certainly knew how to lighten up a bad day and make a difficult subject enjoyable.
Another great memory was when our English class threw a surprise party for Ms. Bang in 9th grade. Some of the girls had found out her birthday and decided to bake her a cake. Everyone then wished her a happy birthday as she walked in the door. She still gave us homework afterwards. Go figure.
Outside of academics, the dances were pretty fun too. Though I only went to the non-formal ones, they were always something to look forward to. The back-to-school dance in August was my favorite. There better be dances in college. :-)
One nice thing about LAHS is that bullying was rare. Even the guy who picked on me all the time at Egan generally left me alone. I'm guessing it was just a phase for him. To be fair, teenagers don't always have the best judgment.
Speaking of which, I got in trouble myself on more than one occasion. During my freshman year, Mrs. Roth sent me to the office for saying "shit" one too many times. The assistant principal said I could have been suspended but only gave me a warning as we knew each other fairly well. It's good to have friends in high places. *grin*
Another time was when I showed my friend Scott a complaint generator during a world literature workshop. In my infinite wisdom, I entered Mrs. McClelland as an example. The timing was unfortunate as she just happened to walk past us. Awkward.
There was also an incident with the net send command. I was bored after finishing an online exercise and decided to advertise RuneScape to my chemistry class. But what I didn't realize is that the message went out to every computer on the network and not just those in the classroom. Imagine my surprise when Ms. Bradley told me what happened. I still can't believe I only got a stern warning from her. Good times.
Perhaps the worst thing that happened was getting kicked out of Spanish III during my junior year. I was afraid I wouldn't get into a good college, but things turned out otherwise. It's nice to know schools don't just look at grades.
All in all, my four years at Los Altos High School went extremely well. I'm going to miss everyone for sure.
The obligatory celebration
The day ended with a school-sponsored party called Grad Night that runs from 8 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. I decided not to go as the tickets were about $100 per person. Instead, my family had a nice dinner at Sundance the Steakhouse in Palo Alto. I loved the Australian lobster tail that Mom ordered. It was very expensive - $42 to be exact - but turned out to be the best part of the meal. I definitely can't complain.
Currently listening to: Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition soundtrack - "Departure" by Lee Jackson
Historical note: Our pictures from the commencement are on Flickr. The official pictures have been removed from the LAHS website but are available at the Internet Archive.
Graduation report
The commencement was held on the athletic field. The band played "Pomp and Circumstance" as we filed in. The school officials and valedictorians then spoke about our achievements and our future. After everything was said and done, the seniors were called to the stage to collect their diplomas. This was the moment we had all been waiting for.
Of note is that there was no senior prank this year. Because some past pranks have gone too far and resulted in disciplinary action, our class decided to play it safe and ditch the idea altogether. Though several people blew up a beach ball and passed it around during the speeches, the commencement was overall uneventful.
Looking back
On the whole, my favorite part of high school was Mr. Shaull's choir class. I never knew it could be so much fun. One of my regrets is being so reluctant to take it when I first had the chance. I'll also miss our physics teacher Mr. Randall and his sense of humor. He certainly knew how to lighten up a bad day and make a difficult subject enjoyable.
Another great memory was when our English class threw a surprise party for Ms. Bang in 9th grade. Some of the girls had found out her birthday and decided to bake her a cake. Everyone then wished her a happy birthday as she walked in the door. She still gave us homework afterwards. Go figure.
Outside of academics, the dances were pretty fun too. Though I only went to the non-formal ones, they were always something to look forward to. The back-to-school dance in August was my favorite. There better be dances in college. :-)
One nice thing about LAHS is that bullying was rare. Even the guy who picked on me all the time at Egan generally left me alone. I'm guessing it was just a phase for him. To be fair, teenagers don't always have the best judgment.
Speaking of which, I got in trouble myself on more than one occasion. During my freshman year, Mrs. Roth sent me to the office for saying "shit" one too many times. The assistant principal said I could have been suspended but only gave me a warning as we knew each other fairly well. It's good to have friends in high places. *grin*
Another time was when I showed my friend Scott a complaint generator during a world literature workshop. In my infinite wisdom, I entered Mrs. McClelland as an example. The timing was unfortunate as she just happened to walk past us. Awkward.
There was also an incident with the net send command. I was bored after finishing an online exercise and decided to advertise RuneScape to my chemistry class. But what I didn't realize is that the message went out to every computer on the network and not just those in the classroom. Imagine my surprise when Ms. Bradley told me what happened. I still can't believe I only got a stern warning from her. Good times.
Perhaps the worst thing that happened was getting kicked out of Spanish III during my junior year. I was afraid I wouldn't get into a good college, but things turned out otherwise. It's nice to know schools don't just look at grades.
All in all, my four years at Los Altos High School went extremely well. I'm going to miss everyone for sure.
The obligatory celebration
The day ended with a school-sponsored party called Grad Night that runs from 8 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. I decided not to go as the tickets were about $100 per person. Instead, my family had a nice dinner at Sundance the Steakhouse in Palo Alto. I loved the Australian lobster tail that Mom ordered. It was very expensive - $42 to be exact - but turned out to be the best part of the meal. I definitely can't complain.
Currently listening to: Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition soundtrack - "Departure" by Lee Jackson
Historical note: Our pictures from the commencement are on Flickr. The official pictures have been removed from the LAHS website but are available at the Internet Archive.
Saturday, August 16, 2003
East Asia trip report
I just got back from East Asia with my mother. Because Dad is there on a business trip and didn't want us to miss our annual summer vacation, he told us to meet in Japan so that we could travel with him while he worked. Mom and I spent about eight days each in Japan and China. The trip was exhausting but also loads of fun. Read on to find out what we did!
Days 1 and 2
There was little time for preparations as Dad had asked us to meet him in Japan just two days earlier. Despite the hectic schedule, the two of us managed to get everything in order. We took the shuttle to the airport and boarded our flight to Tokyo.
The movies kept me occupied during the long ride. X2 and Shanghai Knights were my favorites, although Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire weren't too bad either. I actually liked X2 and Shanghai Knights so much that I watched them more than once!
The plane landed in Tokyo about 12 hours later. I was a little nervous because my father didn't accompany us - especially with the language barrier - but we passed customs and met up with Dad without issues. He then took us to Akihabara after we unpacked our stuff at the hotel. Akihabara was a place that made our first trip to Japan so much fun.
Dad wanted to take us inside a pachinko parlor but was told that I was too young to enter. Though I was just two months shy of the age requirement and could have bluffed my way through, I didn't feel like lying about my age. However, that wasn't a big deal because I already knew how the game worked, the reason being that pachinko machines appear in Shadow Warrior in some levels. Who says video games aren't educational?
Because we were all a little tired after returning to our hotel, the rest of the evening was uneventful. On the other hand, my parents let me renew my RuneScape membership. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
Day 3
The morning began with a trip back to Narita International Airport for our flight to Fukuoka. The funny-sounding name was the first thing that caught my attention. I imagine it's the subject of many jokes. Let's just say my mother insisted it wasn't pronounced "fuck you, OK?"
The highlight of the day was a tour of Mt. Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan. The bus took us to the crater of Mt. Naka. That was a cool sight, although visibility was limited in the dense smoke. The noxious gases were making us uncomfortable, so we didn't stay here too long except to take pictures.
I took the opportunity to check out the gift shop at the Mt. Aso Ropeway terminal before we got back on the bus. The decorated cookies quickly caught my eye. They looked tasty but weren't exactly cheap. After careful consideration, I decided to save the money for other things.
Day 4
About an hour south of Fukuoka was Kumamoto. One of the city's biggest attractions was Kumamoto Castle. Though historical sites aren't my cup of tea, the castle was pretty impressive. The people dressed as palace guards outside the entrance were a nice touch. The rest of Kumamoto was also beautiful.
This was followed by a stop at a mineral spa. The water seemed dark and uninviting but turned out to be fairly clean. Every so often, someone would check to make sure we hadn't passed out from the heat. They probably didn't want to get sued in case something happened to us.
Dad's colleague Naoki invited us and another business associate to a teppanyaki restaurant for dinner. The food was insanely expensive and cost around ¥12,000 per person. Mom felt it was wrong to let Naoki spend so much money on us as this was supposed to be a business affair. Therefore, she and I agreed to share a plate. One reason the meal cost so much is that it included the famous Kobe beef. It looked unappetizing because of the blood but turned out to be delicious.
Day 5
We took the train to Nagasaki after a good night's sleep. Our first stop here was the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. The exhibits had a strong focus on world peace. The nearby Nagasaki Peace Park contained memorials for those who perished. The most notable feature was the stone monument that marks the spot above which "Fat Man" detonated.
The café at the museum was the perfect spot for lunch. The sandwiches were so good that we ordered seconds. They also weren't expensive at all. This was unusual because food is generally pricey in tourist areas.
The three of us explored downtown Nagasaki afterwards. Dad started getting hungry again and bought some champon as an afternoon snack at one of the eateries. Mom said the noodles were the best thing she ate on the trip.
Day 6
Our journey brought us back to Fukuoka. Aside from an evening stroll, the rest of the day consisted of packing up because we had to catch an early flight to Shanghai. On the bright side, I had lots of time to play RuneScape after dinner.
One thing I noticed while in Fukuoka is that women would congregate on street corners. Some of them were actually rather attractive. They just stood there like they were waiting for someone. I couldn't help but wonder if they were hookers. From what I could tell, they most likely were. I guess it's a good thing I didn't try to chat them up. *shrugs*
Day 7
It was a crazy morning as the taxi driver took us to the wrong airport. The last thing we wanted was to miss our flight. The chauffeur was very nervous as well but eventually found the right place. That was a close call.
The airport was virtually empty when we got there. This was kind of creepy and reminiscent of horror movies. The Langoliers definitely came to mind. On a lighter note, at least our plane didn't get sucked into a pocket dimension full of deadly creatures. :P
The flight to Shanghai was uneventful. One reason people like to visit China is that everything is dirt cheap. I had a great time browsing the street markets, especially with the amazing deals. This was the best part of the trip.
Some vendors had software for sale. I got The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring for just ¥5 at one of the stands. The copy turned out to be a bootleg with DRM removed - which explains the low price. Other than that, the disc worked fine. It wouldn't run on my laptop due to hardware limitations but worked on Dad's without issues.
The final stop of the day was my great-uncle Bao-Chuan's house. Our party had some rest before Bao-Chuan took us to a local restaurant for dinner. On the subject of which, Shanghai has an active nightlife. The streets were full of people and often crowded. But what really caught my attention was all those hot chicks making out with their boyfriends. Lucky dudes.
It was late when we returned to Bao-Chuan's place. I checked my e-mail and briefly logged into RuneScape before going to bed. Of note is that many websites are blocked in China, but a proxy easily solved the problem.
Day 8
Having enjoyed downtown Shanghai so much the day before, the three of us decided to go there again. This time, my parents bought a briefcase to carry all of our stuff. It was originally ¥120 - an already great deal - but Dad talked it down to ¥80 with his haggling skills. What a steal!
However, I soon noticed the combination locks were fake. Talk about "made in China" - no wonder the lady was willing to let it go for such a low price. The briefcase nevertheless did its job and held together for the rest of the trip.
Bao-Chuan and his wife made us a nice home-cooked dinner with lots of dishes. Their hospitality was second to none. Having lived in China for many years, my great-uncle had interesting stories, particularly his experiences with hydrogen bomb tests.
Day 9
It was a somber morning as we went to a cemetery to pay respects to my late great-grandparents on my paternal grandfather Bien-Chuan's side. Bao-Chuan then took us and my aunt Susan to an upscale plaza. Seeing that the weather was fairly warm, Dad treated us to sorbet at a pastry shop. Susan doesn't like cold foods and didn't eat hers - which meant more for me. :-)
Day 10
About 85 km west of Shanghai was Suzhou. The city is sometimes called the "Venice of the East" because of its many canals. Suzhou had a historical feel and was fairly quiet compared to Shanghai. Of the local attractions, the Classical Gardens of Suzhou were our favorite. It's too bad we didn't have time to see all nine of them. On the whole, our stay in Suzhou was quite memorable.
The reason we were short on time is that we had to catch a plane to Beijing in the afternoon. The two-hour flight was also uneventful. Given our late arrival, my family didn't do much other than check into the hotel.
Day 11
Dad was in meetings for almost the entire day. I couldn't play RuneScape or even browse the web because my father needed his computer - the only one with Internet access. It didn't help that there were no nearby Internet cafés. However, the good news is that I had other games that don't require an Internet connection. I actually completed Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II for the first time without cheats. W00t!
Day 12
The day was much like the previous one: I was again stuck with my old laptop because Dad had more meetings. Though Mom and I went shopping for clothes, the afternoon was pretty dull. But at least I managed to beat Doom II: Hell on Earth without cheat codes. I'm not going to lie - the final boss was annoying as hell.
The evening was more exciting as we went to some supermarkets. The nice thing is that we bought lots of local snacks. Yum!
Day 13
They say no trip to Asia is complete without a visit to the Great Wall of China. The three of us took the cable car to a spot where the wall was accessible. The structure was impressive, especially considering it was built over two millennia ago. However, the Great Wall wasn't without its costs: according to historians, many workers have died from exhaustion during its construction. I guess labor laws didn't exist back then.
Day 14
The Forbidden City was our next stop. One of China's most famous landmarks, the imperial palace once served as the emperor's home for almost five centuries. The whole complex has 980 buildings, but most of them are being renovated and only a handful are publicly accessible. While not as impressive as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City was a sight to behold. I definitely hope the rest of the palace will eventually be opened to the public.
Day 15
We spent the morning exploring parts of Beijing that we hadn't seen. The downtown was huge and full of stores. I could spend days here alone.
Dad took us to the scenic Beihai Park after lunch. The park has a lake and several Buddhist temples. There wasn't enough time to see all of them, although we enjoyed strolling along the lake. The light fog made the view even better. Beihai Park was truly an incredible place.
Days 16 and 17
It was finally time to head home after two long weeks. The Chinese government had ordered a quarantine due to the SARS outbreak in Southeast Asia. It just happened that I had a fever from a cold. The inspectors detected my fever with thermal imaging equipment and kept questioning us. That was a nerve-wracking experience, but they eventually let us pass.
The three of us then boarded our flight to Tokyo. I saw the first half of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on the plane. The reason we missed the second half is that the movie was longer than the flight itself. Oh well, I'm sure my local library has some copies.
Dad has to stay in Japan for a couple more days due to business reasons. Because his executive assistant had booked the wrong flights, Mom and I had to fly back to Fukuoka and then to San Francisco. There was no direct flight from Tokyo. Shit happens.
At any rate, the outbound flight wasn't too shabby either. I watched The Ninth Gate before trying the SNES games. Street Fighter II and Super Mario All-Stars were great time killers. The only downside is that the controller sucked compared to real SNES hardware. The 12-hour flight was finally over, after which we picked up our luggage and took the shuttle home.
Conclusions
Lasting over two weeks, this was one of our longest trips to date. I actually got a little homesick - which usually doesn't happen when we travel. Of note is that the limited availability of flights made it hard to return home on time. Mom says we had to pay $100 in ticket change fees to avoid being stuck overseas. But at least it's a relief to know I won't miss the first few days of class.
To say the trip was fun would be an understatement. Shopping in Shanghai was the best part because everything is so cheap. Getting used to the prices back home will be tough. Nagasaki, Suzhou and Beihai Park were also worthwhile. The memories from this vacation will certainly last a lifetime.
I hope I can recover from the jet lag before school starts on the 29th. Speaking of which, I'm completely exhausted right now and am off to take a nap. Peace.
Currently playing: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available here.
Days 1 and 2
There was little time for preparations as Dad had asked us to meet him in Japan just two days earlier. Despite the hectic schedule, the two of us managed to get everything in order. We took the shuttle to the airport and boarded our flight to Tokyo.
The movies kept me occupied during the long ride. X2 and Shanghai Knights were my favorites, although Treasure Planet and Atlantis: The Lost Empire weren't too bad either. I actually liked X2 and Shanghai Knights so much that I watched them more than once!
The plane landed in Tokyo about 12 hours later. I was a little nervous because my father didn't accompany us - especially with the language barrier - but we passed customs and met up with Dad without issues. He then took us to Akihabara after we unpacked our stuff at the hotel. Akihabara was a place that made our first trip to Japan so much fun.
Dad wanted to take us inside a pachinko parlor but was told that I was too young to enter. Though I was just two months shy of the age requirement and could have bluffed my way through, I didn't feel like lying about my age. However, that wasn't a big deal because I already knew how the game worked, the reason being that pachinko machines appear in Shadow Warrior in some levels. Who says video games aren't educational?
Because we were all a little tired after returning to our hotel, the rest of the evening was uneventful. On the other hand, my parents let me renew my RuneScape membership. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
Day 3
The morning began with a trip back to Narita International Airport for our flight to Fukuoka. The funny-sounding name was the first thing that caught my attention. I imagine it's the subject of many jokes. Let's just say my mother insisted it wasn't pronounced "fuck you, OK?"
The highlight of the day was a tour of Mt. Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan. The bus took us to the crater of Mt. Naka. That was a cool sight, although visibility was limited in the dense smoke. The noxious gases were making us uncomfortable, so we didn't stay here too long except to take pictures.
I took the opportunity to check out the gift shop at the Mt. Aso Ropeway terminal before we got back on the bus. The decorated cookies quickly caught my eye. They looked tasty but weren't exactly cheap. After careful consideration, I decided to save the money for other things.
Day 4
About an hour south of Fukuoka was Kumamoto. One of the city's biggest attractions was Kumamoto Castle. Though historical sites aren't my cup of tea, the castle was pretty impressive. The people dressed as palace guards outside the entrance were a nice touch. The rest of Kumamoto was also beautiful.
This was followed by a stop at a mineral spa. The water seemed dark and uninviting but turned out to be fairly clean. Every so often, someone would check to make sure we hadn't passed out from the heat. They probably didn't want to get sued in case something happened to us.
Dad's colleague Naoki invited us and another business associate to a teppanyaki restaurant for dinner. The food was insanely expensive and cost around ¥12,000 per person. Mom felt it was wrong to let Naoki spend so much money on us as this was supposed to be a business affair. Therefore, she and I agreed to share a plate. One reason the meal cost so much is that it included the famous Kobe beef. It looked unappetizing because of the blood but turned out to be delicious.
Day 5
We took the train to Nagasaki after a good night's sleep. Our first stop here was the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. The exhibits had a strong focus on world peace. The nearby Nagasaki Peace Park contained memorials for those who perished. The most notable feature was the stone monument that marks the spot above which "Fat Man" detonated.
The café at the museum was the perfect spot for lunch. The sandwiches were so good that we ordered seconds. They also weren't expensive at all. This was unusual because food is generally pricey in tourist areas.
The three of us explored downtown Nagasaki afterwards. Dad started getting hungry again and bought some champon as an afternoon snack at one of the eateries. Mom said the noodles were the best thing she ate on the trip.
Day 6
Our journey brought us back to Fukuoka. Aside from an evening stroll, the rest of the day consisted of packing up because we had to catch an early flight to Shanghai. On the bright side, I had lots of time to play RuneScape after dinner.
One thing I noticed while in Fukuoka is that women would congregate on street corners. Some of them were actually rather attractive. They just stood there like they were waiting for someone. I couldn't help but wonder if they were hookers. From what I could tell, they most likely were. I guess it's a good thing I didn't try to chat them up. *shrugs*
Day 7
It was a crazy morning as the taxi driver took us to the wrong airport. The last thing we wanted was to miss our flight. The chauffeur was very nervous as well but eventually found the right place. That was a close call.
The airport was virtually empty when we got there. This was kind of creepy and reminiscent of horror movies. The Langoliers definitely came to mind. On a lighter note, at least our plane didn't get sucked into a pocket dimension full of deadly creatures. :P
The flight to Shanghai was uneventful. One reason people like to visit China is that everything is dirt cheap. I had a great time browsing the street markets, especially with the amazing deals. This was the best part of the trip.
Some vendors had software for sale. I got The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring for just ¥5 at one of the stands. The copy turned out to be a bootleg with DRM removed - which explains the low price. Other than that, the disc worked fine. It wouldn't run on my laptop due to hardware limitations but worked on Dad's without issues.
The final stop of the day was my great-uncle Bao-Chuan's house. Our party had some rest before Bao-Chuan took us to a local restaurant for dinner. On the subject of which, Shanghai has an active nightlife. The streets were full of people and often crowded. But what really caught my attention was all those hot chicks making out with their boyfriends. Lucky dudes.
It was late when we returned to Bao-Chuan's place. I checked my e-mail and briefly logged into RuneScape before going to bed. Of note is that many websites are blocked in China, but a proxy easily solved the problem.
Day 8
Having enjoyed downtown Shanghai so much the day before, the three of us decided to go there again. This time, my parents bought a briefcase to carry all of our stuff. It was originally ¥120 - an already great deal - but Dad talked it down to ¥80 with his haggling skills. What a steal!
However, I soon noticed the combination locks were fake. Talk about "made in China" - no wonder the lady was willing to let it go for such a low price. The briefcase nevertheless did its job and held together for the rest of the trip.
Bao-Chuan and his wife made us a nice home-cooked dinner with lots of dishes. Their hospitality was second to none. Having lived in China for many years, my great-uncle had interesting stories, particularly his experiences with hydrogen bomb tests.
Day 9
It was a somber morning as we went to a cemetery to pay respects to my late great-grandparents on my paternal grandfather Bien-Chuan's side. Bao-Chuan then took us and my aunt Susan to an upscale plaza. Seeing that the weather was fairly warm, Dad treated us to sorbet at a pastry shop. Susan doesn't like cold foods and didn't eat hers - which meant more for me. :-)
Day 10
About 85 km west of Shanghai was Suzhou. The city is sometimes called the "Venice of the East" because of its many canals. Suzhou had a historical feel and was fairly quiet compared to Shanghai. Of the local attractions, the Classical Gardens of Suzhou were our favorite. It's too bad we didn't have time to see all nine of them. On the whole, our stay in Suzhou was quite memorable.
The reason we were short on time is that we had to catch a plane to Beijing in the afternoon. The two-hour flight was also uneventful. Given our late arrival, my family didn't do much other than check into the hotel.
Day 11
Dad was in meetings for almost the entire day. I couldn't play RuneScape or even browse the web because my father needed his computer - the only one with Internet access. It didn't help that there were no nearby Internet cafés. However, the good news is that I had other games that don't require an Internet connection. I actually completed Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II for the first time without cheats. W00t!
Day 12
The day was much like the previous one: I was again stuck with my old laptop because Dad had more meetings. Though Mom and I went shopping for clothes, the afternoon was pretty dull. But at least I managed to beat Doom II: Hell on Earth without cheat codes. I'm not going to lie - the final boss was annoying as hell.
The evening was more exciting as we went to some supermarkets. The nice thing is that we bought lots of local snacks. Yum!
Day 13
They say no trip to Asia is complete without a visit to the Great Wall of China. The three of us took the cable car to a spot where the wall was accessible. The structure was impressive, especially considering it was built over two millennia ago. However, the Great Wall wasn't without its costs: according to historians, many workers have died from exhaustion during its construction. I guess labor laws didn't exist back then.
Day 14
The Forbidden City was our next stop. One of China's most famous landmarks, the imperial palace once served as the emperor's home for almost five centuries. The whole complex has 980 buildings, but most of them are being renovated and only a handful are publicly accessible. While not as impressive as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City was a sight to behold. I definitely hope the rest of the palace will eventually be opened to the public.
Day 15
We spent the morning exploring parts of Beijing that we hadn't seen. The downtown was huge and full of stores. I could spend days here alone.
Dad took us to the scenic Beihai Park after lunch. The park has a lake and several Buddhist temples. There wasn't enough time to see all of them, although we enjoyed strolling along the lake. The light fog made the view even better. Beihai Park was truly an incredible place.
Days 16 and 17
It was finally time to head home after two long weeks. The Chinese government had ordered a quarantine due to the SARS outbreak in Southeast Asia. It just happened that I had a fever from a cold. The inspectors detected my fever with thermal imaging equipment and kept questioning us. That was a nerve-wracking experience, but they eventually let us pass.
The three of us then boarded our flight to Tokyo. I saw the first half of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on the plane. The reason we missed the second half is that the movie was longer than the flight itself. Oh well, I'm sure my local library has some copies.
Dad has to stay in Japan for a couple more days due to business reasons. Because his executive assistant had booked the wrong flights, Mom and I had to fly back to Fukuoka and then to San Francisco. There was no direct flight from Tokyo. Shit happens.
At any rate, the outbound flight wasn't too shabby either. I watched The Ninth Gate before trying the SNES games. Street Fighter II and Super Mario All-Stars were great time killers. The only downside is that the controller sucked compared to real SNES hardware. The 12-hour flight was finally over, after which we picked up our luggage and took the shuttle home.
Conclusions
Lasting over two weeks, this was one of our longest trips to date. I actually got a little homesick - which usually doesn't happen when we travel. Of note is that the limited availability of flights made it hard to return home on time. Mom says we had to pay $100 in ticket change fees to avoid being stuck overseas. But at least it's a relief to know I won't miss the first few days of class.
To say the trip was fun would be an understatement. Shopping in Shanghai was the best part because everything is so cheap. Getting used to the prices back home will be tough. Nagasaki, Suzhou and Beihai Park were also worthwhile. The memories from this vacation will certainly last a lifetime.
I hope I can recover from the jet lag before school starts on the 29th. Speaking of which, I'm completely exhausted right now and am off to take a nap. Peace.
Currently playing: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available here.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
finished my summer internship
This was the last day of my internship at Arcadia Design Systems. It was definitely a new experience for me.
The first week went pretty well. Jeff taught me how to write MATLAB programs and always took the time to answer my questions. I also went out to lunch with him and our executive assistant Eileen a couple of times.
However, the last few weeks were dull and unproductive. The office was largely empty because the company has downsized over the years. Because there was nobody to assign me work or teach me new things, I mostly played RuneScape whenever I wasn't studying MATLAB. Of course, this probably isn't something I should be doing at a regular job. *whistles innocently*
At any rate, it's time to enjoy the rest of summer. Speaking of which, Mom and I are heading to Japan tomorrow to join Dad on his business trip. I'm so excited!
In other news...
On the subject of internships, I also recently received an offer for one at ACMA Computers, the company that designed the LAHS student information system. They were impressed that I found all those vulnerabilities in their software. Though I couldn't take up the offer because my family will be in East Asia, I'm extremely grateful that ACMA would consider me.
Currently watching: Jackie Chan Adventures
The first week went pretty well. Jeff taught me how to write MATLAB programs and always took the time to answer my questions. I also went out to lunch with him and our executive assistant Eileen a couple of times.
However, the last few weeks were dull and unproductive. The office was largely empty because the company has downsized over the years. Because there was nobody to assign me work or teach me new things, I mostly played RuneScape whenever I wasn't studying MATLAB. Of course, this probably isn't something I should be doing at a regular job. *whistles innocently*
At any rate, it's time to enjoy the rest of summer. Speaking of which, Mom and I are heading to Japan tomorrow to join Dad on his business trip. I'm so excited!
In other news...
On the subject of internships, I also recently received an offer for one at ACMA Computers, the company that designed the LAHS student information system. They were impressed that I found all those vulnerabilities in their software. Though I couldn't take up the offer because my family will be in East Asia, I'm extremely grateful that ACMA would consider me.
Currently watching: Jackie Chan Adventures
Monday, June 23, 2003
summer internship
I just started my internship at Arcadia Design Systems. Figuring it would get me into a good college, Dad had arranged for me to work at his company as an alternative to summer school. This is my first time working in an office!
The day began with Jeff showing me how to run MATLAB simulations. He then asked me to try to write some code. Jeff says MATLAB is a powerful programming language, but it's all Greek to me. I guess everything takes practice.
To be honest, the internship wasn't something I was interested in. It was my parents who pressured me into accepting the offer. On the other hand, I can't complain about the extra income. :P
Currently watching: X-Men: Evolution
The day began with Jeff showing me how to run MATLAB simulations. He then asked me to try to write some code. Jeff says MATLAB is a powerful programming language, but it's all Greek to me. I guess everything takes practice.
To be honest, the internship wasn't something I was interested in. It was my parents who pressured me into accepting the offer. On the other hand, I can't complain about the extra income. :P
Currently watching: X-Men: Evolution
Friday, June 13, 2003
done with 11th grade
I just finished my junior year of high school. This semester was definitely the hardest one so far. I'm glad it's finally over.
Though I didn't take any AP classes, Physics Honors and Trigonometry were already quite tough. The good news is that I had great teachers, but that didn't make the subjects any less easier. Speaking of which, the finals were pretty hard. I hope I didn't do too badly on them. *crosses fingers*
Oh well, none of that matters anymore. It's time to enjoy a well-earned summer. :-)
Currently playing: Space Quest: Chapter I – The Sarien Encounter
Though I didn't take any AP classes, Physics Honors and Trigonometry were already quite tough. The good news is that I had great teachers, but that didn't make the subjects any less easier. Speaking of which, the finals were pretty hard. I hope I didn't do too badly on them. *crosses fingers*
Oh well, none of that matters anymore. It's time to enjoy a well-earned summer. :-)
Currently playing: Space Quest: Chapter I – The Sarien Encounter
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Hawaii trip report
"Everyone behave on the bus. I use a machine gun to punish people." — our tour guide in Honolulu
Hope y'all are having a great summer. I just got back from Hawaii and really enjoyed the trip. One cool thing is that my cousins were also there. Our families went separate ways for the most part because we had different itineraries. However, that didn't matter too much as we still got to see each other.
Day 1
Uncle Harrison gave us a ride to SFO and wished us safe travels. Check-in was a little hectic due to the fact that this is peak season for tourists. We actually got lost and ended up in customs. So now's a good time to mention that Hawaii doesn't allow certain foods to be brought into the state. Mom happened to have a pear — which she kept in her bag — that she forgot to declare. Imagine her surprise when it showed up on the X-ray scanner. Oops.
She expected to get in trouble, but all they did was ask her to toss the fruit into the garbage. Dad decided to eat it so that it didn't go to waste. He must have gotten some strange looks. Only later did we realize we didn't have to go through customs for domestic flights. Go figure.
Honolulu is about five hours from San Francisco. Lunch was pretty good as far as airline food goes. I also saw Spider-Man and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on the plane. Both are still in theaters. One great thing about flying is getting to see the latest movies for free. I personally liked Spider-Man more, but to each their own.
We arrived around 2 p.m. due to the time difference. Our hotel in Waikīkī seemed quite nice. Dad was hungry and wanted to go to Taco Bell for a quick bite. I got some quesadillas — they're a little salty but otherwise delicious. All of us then went for a stroll along the beach. You wouldn't believe how big the crowd was. One can see why Oʻahu is called the "Gathering Place." Of note is that there are hot girls everywhere. I wanted to talk to them but didn't have the courage to say hello. Oh well.
Our travel package included the Aliʻi Kai catamaran dinner cruise. Drinks were served as the host welcomed us aboard and talked about Hawaiian culture. Guests were treated to a buffet and a live performance. After dinner, the dance floor opened up for everyone. Some people gathered on the deck to watch the sunset and take in the ocean breeze. For me, the cruise was the best part of the trip.
Day 2
Also included in the package was the Polynesian Cultural Center. You can go to several "villages" that represent different countries. We got to see a guy climb a coconut tree with bare hands. He then took a coconut and cracked it open with a rock — just like a karate chop. It looked pretty badass.
Visitors can also experience a variety of cultural performances, such as traditional dances and music. However, the fire dance was the most impressive. I've never been so mesmerized in my life. Our stay at the Polynesian Cultural Center concluded with a buffet lunch.
Some time later, the Shiehs arrived at their hotel in Waikīkī and invited us to join them for happy hour. Everyone had a great time catching up even though the food wasn't as good as the price suggests. Soon the Shiehs had to leave as they had also booked the dinner cruise. I wouldn't have minded going on it again with my cousins. But once is more than enough.
Honolulu also has a vibrant nightlife. I was excited to go for a walk around downtown after dinner. Mom noticed a huge crowd on the beach and realized there was a movie. People were watching Ocean's Eleven on a large projector screen. Although we only stayed a short time, this was a neat experience.
Day 3
We boarded the bus for the Honolulu tour. Our guide was humorous and very knowledgeable. He first stopped at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. For those who fell asleep during history class, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II and caused the U.S. to enter the war. About half of the casualties occurred on the Arizona after a bomb hit the magazine. Visitors are able to take a shuttle boat to the memorial. Inside is a plaque dedicated to those who gave their lives. I'm glad they're not forgotten.
Another interesting stop was Aliʻiōlani Hale. Located in the building's courtyard is a Kamehameha statue that was built over a hundred years ago. I didn't know Hawaii had such a rich culture. On the whole, this was a worthwhile tour.
Dad took us to Hanauma Bay later in the afternoon. A cool thing is that the water has a deep blue color. It's quite beautiful and made for great pictures. Because we had so much fun in downtown Honolulu the day before, my family decided to go there again after dinner. Party on!
Day 4
We left Oʻahu to see what Kauaʻi has to offer. Our flight to Līhuʻe was only around 23 minutes due to the short distance. Kauaʻi is fairly quiet and doesn't have the crowds. On the upside, the views were far better. I'm not surprised to hear that it's a popular filming location. Also worth mentioning is that there are wild chickens everywhere. Some people probably eat them.
Having been to Kauaʻi before, the Shiehs were knowledgeable about the area and more than happy to be our guide. Our first stop was the Kauai Kookie factory outlet in Hanapepe. I enjoyed checking out the store and got to try some samples. All the flavors looked delicious. Too bad they aren't cheap :-(
Another place that stood out to me was the Red Dirt Shirt store in ʻEleʻele. It used to be a small print shop... until a major hurricane hit the island about 10 years ago. Dirt got in and ruined a lot of shirts. Rather than letting them go to waste, the company decided to sell them anyway — and they became popular. Talk about making lemonade when life gives you lemons.
Day 5
We spent the morning exploring Kauaʻi on our own before going to Waimea Canyon State Park with the Shiehs. Our group hiked to the Waimea Canyon Lookout to see the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. I couldn't believe how amazing the views were. Pictures simply don't do them justice.
One thing I noticed is that the trails were muddy due to the rain. I was afraid someone would slip and fall into the ravine. It didn't help that there are no guardrails. Or at least that's what I remember. I was so relieved when everyone made it back in one piece. Perhaps I was worrying too much because no one else seemed concerned. Being paranoid sucks.
In any case, the Shiehs had to get ready to leave as Cathy starts school in two days. You could tell she was sad even though they often come here. Our families spent time together as the Shiehs packed up. As you can imagine, this was an emotional moment for all of us.
I should mention the Shiehs have a timeshare at Embassy Suites that they graciously let us use. It had all the amenities and was quite luxurious. I've never stayed in a place like this. Of course, the downside is the price: the normal rate was around $400 a night plus taxes. We're blessed that the Shiehs are so generous.
Day 6
One place we hadn't seen was Spouting Horn. Pressure from the water causes it to shoot up like a geyser. You're supposed to keep a safe distance from the blowhole. However, that didn't prevent people from getting close. Some walked right up to it despite the warning signs. Stupid is as stupid does.
Given that the island is very quiet and doesn't have many attractions, there wasn't much else to do. But at least the views were incredible.
Day 7
I wasn't looking forward to leaving either. Hawaii is really a paradise. Our schedule was tight as we had to return to LIH to catch the plane to Honolulu for a stopover. Lihue Airport is pretty small and only had a few shops and restaurants. Soon we arrived at Honolulu International Airport for the flight home. I was tired and decided to get some rest on the plane. On the bright side — pardon the pun — we saw a beautiful sunset as we approached San Francisco. It's the perfect ending to a perfect trip.
Conclusions
Everything about this vacation was incredible. Oʻahu was quite memorable, especially the Aliʻi Kai dinner cruise and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Same goes for the Honolulu tour. Kauaʻi doesn't have much of a nightlife but does have some amazing scenery — no wonder it's called the "Garden Isle." Although we liked Oʻahu more, there's something about Kauaʻi that makes it a fascinating place.
Hawaii is very special due to its unique culture. Considering that there are eight main islands — and all except two are open to the public — this trip has barely touched the surface. One thing for sure is that we'll have to visit Hawaii again. Everyone loves to talk about Maui's beaches and the Big Island's volcanoes...
So this reminds me — school starts in four days. I do expect to have the holiday blues for a while. But at least I'm looking forward to an exciting new school year. :-)
Currently listening to: Relaxation & Meditation with Music & Nature: Amazon Rainforest
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available on Flickr.
Friday, August 9, 2002
done with summer school at Gunn
Summer school is over. You may know I was at Gunn High School for an SAT preparation class. I'm not going to lie: this wasn't a positive experience.
It actually started out great as we had a wonderful instructor. She made sure we were up to date and was always looking out for us. But a few days later, the school said the class was too large. I was among those asked to move to the other one.
However, the problem with this class is that the teacher didn't do her job. She didn't teach us anything in the last three months and spent the whole time reading the newspaper. I ended up having to study on my own throughout the entire course. Hope I don't fail the exam when the time comes.
This was surprising because Gunn is said to be very competitive. Mom paid around $300 and wasn't too happy either. One positive thing about the situation is that there were fewer assignments. Gotta look on the bright side. :P
In other news...
We're heading to Hawaii in a week and will meet up with the Shiehs there. I'm quite excited as my family has never been to Hawaii before.
Currently reading: The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii – 1st edition by Lance Tominaga
It actually started out great as we had a wonderful instructor. She made sure we were up to date and was always looking out for us. But a few days later, the school said the class was too large. I was among those asked to move to the other one.
However, the problem with this class is that the teacher didn't do her job. She didn't teach us anything in the last three months and spent the whole time reading the newspaper. I ended up having to study on my own throughout the entire course. Hope I don't fail the exam when the time comes.
This was surprising because Gunn is said to be very competitive. Mom paid around $300 and wasn't too happy either. One positive thing about the situation is that there were fewer assignments. Gotta look on the bright side. :P
In other news...
We're heading to Hawaii in a week and will meet up with the Shiehs there. I'm quite excited as my family has never been to Hawaii before.
Currently reading: The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii – 1st edition by Lance Tominaga
Monday, July 15, 2002
summer school at Gunn
I'm taking an SAT preparation course at Gunn High School this summer. It runs for about a month and focuses on vocabulary skills. Our teacher is very kind and makes every effort to ensure we're up to date. However, the workload is pretty high as there are both in-class and take-home assignments. Gunn is indeed very competitive.
Currently playing: Deus Ex
Currently playing: Deus Ex
Sunday, July 7, 2002
four barbecues over the weekend
Hope everyone is having a great summer. Or at least I am because we managed to have a barbecue every day for the last four days!
Thursday
So we have an electric grill that's been sitting in the garage. Mom wanted to test it out and decided to invite my grandparents over. She had gotten it as a gift from my aunt Cynthia a while ago. Electric grills are safer and less likely to cause cancer. However, the food was just as tasty as before. Grandpa goes to bed early and wanted to leave after dinner, but this was understandable given his age.
Of course, no 4th of July is complete without fireworks. I got to set some off after the sun went down. One thing I noticed is that there were more fireworks this year. Firecrackers and bottle rockets are still going off every so often. People must be feeling patriotic following the 9/11 attacks.
Friday
We decided to have the Lins and another family over. Only the Lins came as the other family canceled at the last minute. But this wasn't a problem because the Lins were our main guests.
Moonway loved the hot dogs even though he isn't much of a meat eater. I went to get one and found them all gone. Good thing I already had one the day before. Everyone had a great time catching up before Moonway and I went to play games.
Saturday
Mom invited the Lu family as they're also good friends. It turns out their kids love video games too. However, they didn't stay long either because their father Wen-Juei is also an early sleeper. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend much time with Thomas and Connie. Hope it's not long before we see them again.
Sunday
Dad had some co-workers over as we had enough supplies. But let's be honest — the same thing gets old after four days. It's going to be a while before I can stand another barbecue. :-)
Currently playing: Pinball
Thursday
So we have an electric grill that's been sitting in the garage. Mom wanted to test it out and decided to invite my grandparents over. She had gotten it as a gift from my aunt Cynthia a while ago. Electric grills are safer and less likely to cause cancer. However, the food was just as tasty as before. Grandpa goes to bed early and wanted to leave after dinner, but this was understandable given his age.
Of course, no 4th of July is complete without fireworks. I got to set some off after the sun went down. One thing I noticed is that there were more fireworks this year. Firecrackers and bottle rockets are still going off every so often. People must be feeling patriotic following the 9/11 attacks.
Friday
We decided to have the Lins and another family over. Only the Lins came as the other family canceled at the last minute. But this wasn't a problem because the Lins were our main guests.
Moonway loved the hot dogs even though he isn't much of a meat eater. I went to get one and found them all gone. Good thing I already had one the day before. Everyone had a great time catching up before Moonway and I went to play games.
Saturday
Mom invited the Lu family as they're also good friends. It turns out their kids love video games too. However, they didn't stay long either because their father Wen-Juei is also an early sleeper. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend much time with Thomas and Connie. Hope it's not long before we see them again.
Sunday
Dad had some co-workers over as we had enough supplies. But let's be honest — the same thing gets old after four days. It's going to be a while before I can stand another barbecue. :-)
Currently playing: Pinball
Monday, July 1, 2002
just got RuneScape membership
I finally convinced my parents to let me subscribe to RuneScape after begging for a long time. It's only for a month because we have a lot going on this summer. However, that's good enough for me. I especially appreciate it because they don't like using credit cards online.
In any case, there's so much content in the premium version even though it only came out earlier this year. I've already completed a few quests and tried the new skills, but they have barely scratched the surface. One can see why RuneScape is so addictive. It's going to take a lot of self-control...
Currently playing: RuneScape
In any case, there's so much content in the premium version even though it only came out earlier this year. I've already completed a few quests and tried the new skills, but they have barely scratched the surface. One can see why RuneScape is so addictive. It's going to take a lot of self-control...
Currently playing: RuneScape
Friday, June 14, 2002
halfway through high school
I just finished 10th grade. It's hard to believe I'm going to be a junior this year. How time flies!
Despite all the preparations, the exams were quite tough. I found the one for Spanish II Honors to be the most difficult — even with the extra credit questions. Let's hope there won't be a nasty surprise when I get my report card in a few days. *crosses fingers*
In any case, summer is here now that the exams are over. I can finally catch my breath after a busy semester. :-)
Currently playing: Thief: The Dark Project
Despite all the preparations, the exams were quite tough. I found the one for Spanish II Honors to be the most difficult — even with the extra credit questions. Let's hope there won't be a nasty surprise when I get my report card in a few days. *crosses fingers*
In any case, summer is here now that the exams are over. I can finally catch my breath after a busy semester. :-)
Currently playing: Thief: The Dark Project
Thursday, August 16, 2001
went to see Pearl Harbor
Dad took us to see Pearl Harbor as we hadn't been to the theater in a while. I enjoyed it despite the critical reviews.
Pearl Harbor focuses on entertainment and is not historically accurate. However, the action scenes and special effects were impressive. It's a long movie at over three hours, so an intermission would have been nice. On the whole, this was a worthwhile experience. I'd love to watch Pearl Harbor again when it comes out on DVD.
Currently watching: Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor focuses on entertainment and is not historically accurate. However, the action scenes and special effects were impressive. It's a long movie at over three hours, so an intermission would have been nice. On the whole, this was a worthwhile experience. I'd love to watch Pearl Harbor again when it comes out on DVD.
Currently watching: Pearl Harbor
Monday, June 25, 2001
Java programming class
Summer school has started for me. I'm taking a Java class at Foothill College this year. You may know I do have some coding experience. However, this is my first formal programming class.
Java is platform-independent and runs on many operating systems. RuneScape is a game that's written in this language. Of course, there's a big difference between school and the workplace. I don't expect to make a game like RuneScape anytime soon. But this is nonetheless a great learning experience.
Currently playing: RuneScape
Java is platform-independent and runs on many operating systems. RuneScape is a game that's written in this language. Of course, there's a big difference between school and the workplace. I don't expect to make a game like RuneScape anytime soon. But this is nonetheless a great learning experience.
Currently playing: RuneScape
Friday, June 22, 2001
Canada trip report
Summer has been good so far. I went to Canada with my family and had a great time. Having gotten out of school a week and a half ago, this was the perfect way to unwind after a busy semester. Read on to find out more!
Day 1
We had just left the house when I realized we didn't bring music. I figured it didn't matter, but my father insisted on going back to pick it up. Good thing he did because we left the garage door open. It's hard to believe we only found out by chance. Talk about divine intervention — someone must have been looking out for us.
Soon we arrived at SFO for the flight to Spokane. It lasted about two hours and was quite comfortable. Dad rented a Nissan Pathfinder and headed for Lethbridge. He chose a route that took us through Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park — together known as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and situated on the border. One popular stop along the road is St. Mary Lake. You won't believe how beautiful the views are.
An album by Orange Tree Productions called Going to the Sun caught my eye at a gift shop. Dad bought it for me because I really liked the music. Everyone loved it as we listened to it in the car. I wish this genre was more popular.
Back in 6th grade, my teacher Joan once told me she saw a hot spring in Glacier National Park during a trip to the Rockies. However, there was no such spring even though I was on the lookout the whole time. Joan may have been thinking about Yellowstone National Park because she visited it on the same trip years ago. I appreciate the information nonetheless.
We continued on and arrived at our hotel in Lethbridge a little over an hour later. All of us were eager to get some rest after a long drive.
Day 2
Vegetarians can skip this one: the day began with a visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. As the name suggests, this wasn't exactly a haven for buffalo. Plains Indians hunted bison by driving them over cliffs. Such a fall would be deadly — or at least break their legs. Unable to move, the animals were slaughtered and butchered. It's as brutal as it sounds. I don't think PETA would approve.
Green fields stretched as far as the eye could see as we crossed the Canadian Prairies. Of note is that there were prairie dogs everywhere. Mom ran over one when it darted in front of the car. She felt terrible even though this was almost unavoidable. Shit happens sometimes.
Our next stop was Calgary so we could visit the Chinese Cultural Centre. One exhibit is a replica of the Terracotta Army buried with emperor Qin Shi Huang in his tomb. I read somewhere that the army contains over 8,000 sculptures. Imagine the resources needed for such an endeavor. It's certainly quite impressive. We then took a stroll through Chinatown before heading to Canmore.
I was also hoping to visit Edmonton later. Home to over 800 stores, West Edmonton Mall is the world's largest shopping center. Spending a day here would be an interesting experience. However, this wasn't an option because Edmonton was too far. At least it's something to consider for the future.
Canmore turned out to be very scenic. The light rain and mist made it even more so. Our hotel was right next to the mountains. I also had fun checking out the local Safeway store. On the whole, Canmore was my favorite stop.
Day 3
Banff and Jasper are among the world's most famous national parks. Two well-known attractions in Banff are the iconic Lake Louise and its namesake village. Both are popular during the summer. Jasper also has great spots, such as the spectacular Athabasca Falls. Pictures simply don't do them justice.
We later stopped at a natural spring along the route. Perhaps this is the one Joan had seen. It's right off the highway and can be reached by a short hike. You could see it bubbling like a witch's cauldron. As weird as it sounds, these things have always fascinated me.
I found another album by Orange Tree Productions called The Sounds of the Canadian Rockies at a visitor center. Dad decided to get this one too. Although we felt Going to the Sun was better, there were still some good tracks.
Jasper National Park also has a town that shares its name. Our hotel for the night was Sunwapta Falls Resort Rocky Mountain Lodge and is located here. Mom says this was the best hotel we stayed at during the trip. I couldn't agree more.
Day 4
All of us woke up around 7 a.m. and had trouble falling back asleep. So we figured this was a good time for a walk around the lodge. Mom has always encouraged me to get up early because the air is fresh and crisp. It made for some wonderful memories even though we didn't go far. I could easily spend a week or two in the Canadian Rockies.
Yoho National Park also has beautiful views. An adjacent town called Field was no less scenic. Dad decided to take us to Lake Revelstoke to see the dam and the Columbia River. But soon he realized it was too far after looking at the map. We turned back after stopping at a roadside restaurant for dinner. Oh well... maybe next time.
On the bright side, the restaurant was a cozy little place. I really liked the atmosphere, and the waitress was friendly and attentive. From what I remember, the food wasn't bad either. :-)
Day 5
We went hiking in Kootenay National Park and visited the Paint Pots. Located near the Vermilion River, the Paint Pots are a group of springs that were once used as a source of ochre. It's so named because the water contains minerals that give it a variety of colors. Unlike the spring in Jasper, these were much quieter.
Our hotel was located in Invermere. Although not far, the journey took longer than expected due to traffic. To complicate matters, there were many slow cars. One guy had a bunch of trucks behind him and wouldn't let them pass. He finally exited the freeway — just as we rolled into town. Yeah... that didn't help much.
Titan A.E. was on one of the cable channels. It's a science fiction film that came out a year ago. I decided to watch it while my parents went for a walk after dinner. Despite the critical reviews, the movie actually lived up to my expectations.
Due to the high latitude, Invermere has long daylight hours in the summer. I'm pretty sure the sun didn't go down until 10 p.m. or so. Imagine my surprise when I checked the time!
Day 6
I woke up with an itch on my arm and thought it was allergies. But then I noticed they appeared to be bug bites. Dad reported it to management and asked them to send someone over. However, the guy didn't seem too concerned and only asked a few questions. He didn't seem to be doing his job. Dad wasn't satisfied with the response and plans to file a complaint soon.
Invermere is located very close to Lake Windermere. I enjoyed strolling along the shore in the morning — the atmosphere was peaceful as we were the only ones there. Sometimes it's these little things that make a trip memorable.
Mom found a place in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park called Lussier Hot Springs and figured I'd be interested. Getting there took a while as it's hard to go fast on the gravel without damaging the car. Several other families were also here. We put our feet in the water and found it to be just the right temperature.
Fort Steele Heritage Town was our next stop. It happened to be a warm day — the perfect excuse to get ice cream at the café. Soon we arrived at the border between Canada and the United States. Of note is that there is a nearby duty-free shop. I got some maple leaf cookies because the price was too good to pass up. Although the cookies are delicious, they are also high in sugar.
We arrived in Spokane around dinner time and went to grab a bite. Our first stop was a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs. It seemed a nice place, but the menu only had a few choices. Mom had a bad feeling and wanted to go elsewhere. We still left a tip so as not to be rude.
Day 7
I was a little sad that the trip was almost over. However, there was still time to explore Spokane as we had a few hours to spare. Dad took us to downtown so we could check out the shops. One cool thing is that there are sky bridges that connect the buildings. Spokane doesn't seem like a bad place to live.
Soon it was time to head to the airport to return the SUV and catch the afternoon flight back to San Francisco. I got some rest on the plane as there wasn't much else to do. We picked up our car at the airport and got home around 6 p.m. after an uneventful drive. Dad suggested dinner at Mountain Mike's Pizza to save time. Going out to eat after a trip is always a nice bonus.
Conclusions
Canada is a beautiful place with much to see. All of us love nature and enjoyed the trip. I really liked Canmore and wish we got to spend more than one night there. Of course, the rest of the trip was great too. One downside is that Canada has a relatively small population — which means it can be lonely at times. But it's good to escape the busy city life once in a while.
Currently listening to: Going to the Sun by Orange Tree Productions
Day 1
We had just left the house when I realized we didn't bring music. I figured it didn't matter, but my father insisted on going back to pick it up. Good thing he did because we left the garage door open. It's hard to believe we only found out by chance. Talk about divine intervention — someone must have been looking out for us.
Soon we arrived at SFO for the flight to Spokane. It lasted about two hours and was quite comfortable. Dad rented a Nissan Pathfinder and headed for Lethbridge. He chose a route that took us through Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park — together known as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and situated on the border. One popular stop along the road is St. Mary Lake. You won't believe how beautiful the views are.
An album by Orange Tree Productions called Going to the Sun caught my eye at a gift shop. Dad bought it for me because I really liked the music. Everyone loved it as we listened to it in the car. I wish this genre was more popular.
Back in 6th grade, my teacher Joan once told me she saw a hot spring in Glacier National Park during a trip to the Rockies. However, there was no such spring even though I was on the lookout the whole time. Joan may have been thinking about Yellowstone National Park because she visited it on the same trip years ago. I appreciate the information nonetheless.
We continued on and arrived at our hotel in Lethbridge a little over an hour later. All of us were eager to get some rest after a long drive.
Day 2
Vegetarians can skip this one: the day began with a visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. As the name suggests, this wasn't exactly a haven for buffalo. Plains Indians hunted bison by driving them over cliffs. Such a fall would be deadly — or at least break their legs. Unable to move, the animals were slaughtered and butchered. It's as brutal as it sounds. I don't think PETA would approve.
Green fields stretched as far as the eye could see as we crossed the Canadian Prairies. Of note is that there were prairie dogs everywhere. Mom ran over one when it darted in front of the car. She felt terrible even though this was almost unavoidable. Shit happens sometimes.
Our next stop was Calgary so we could visit the Chinese Cultural Centre. One exhibit is a replica of the Terracotta Army buried with emperor Qin Shi Huang in his tomb. I read somewhere that the army contains over 8,000 sculptures. Imagine the resources needed for such an endeavor. It's certainly quite impressive. We then took a stroll through Chinatown before heading to Canmore.
I was also hoping to visit Edmonton later. Home to over 800 stores, West Edmonton Mall is the world's largest shopping center. Spending a day here would be an interesting experience. However, this wasn't an option because Edmonton was too far. At least it's something to consider for the future.
Canmore turned out to be very scenic. The light rain and mist made it even more so. Our hotel was right next to the mountains. I also had fun checking out the local Safeway store. On the whole, Canmore was my favorite stop.
Day 3
Banff and Jasper are among the world's most famous national parks. Two well-known attractions in Banff are the iconic Lake Louise and its namesake village. Both are popular during the summer. Jasper also has great spots, such as the spectacular Athabasca Falls. Pictures simply don't do them justice.
We later stopped at a natural spring along the route. Perhaps this is the one Joan had seen. It's right off the highway and can be reached by a short hike. You could see it bubbling like a witch's cauldron. As weird as it sounds, these things have always fascinated me.
I found another album by Orange Tree Productions called The Sounds of the Canadian Rockies at a visitor center. Dad decided to get this one too. Although we felt Going to the Sun was better, there were still some good tracks.
Jasper National Park also has a town that shares its name. Our hotel for the night was Sunwapta Falls Resort Rocky Mountain Lodge and is located here. Mom says this was the best hotel we stayed at during the trip. I couldn't agree more.
Day 4
All of us woke up around 7 a.m. and had trouble falling back asleep. So we figured this was a good time for a walk around the lodge. Mom has always encouraged me to get up early because the air is fresh and crisp. It made for some wonderful memories even though we didn't go far. I could easily spend a week or two in the Canadian Rockies.
Yoho National Park also has beautiful views. An adjacent town called Field was no less scenic. Dad decided to take us to Lake Revelstoke to see the dam and the Columbia River. But soon he realized it was too far after looking at the map. We turned back after stopping at a roadside restaurant for dinner. Oh well... maybe next time.
On the bright side, the restaurant was a cozy little place. I really liked the atmosphere, and the waitress was friendly and attentive. From what I remember, the food wasn't bad either. :-)
Day 5
We went hiking in Kootenay National Park and visited the Paint Pots. Located near the Vermilion River, the Paint Pots are a group of springs that were once used as a source of ochre. It's so named because the water contains minerals that give it a variety of colors. Unlike the spring in Jasper, these were much quieter.
Our hotel was located in Invermere. Although not far, the journey took longer than expected due to traffic. To complicate matters, there were many slow cars. One guy had a bunch of trucks behind him and wouldn't let them pass. He finally exited the freeway — just as we rolled into town. Yeah... that didn't help much.
Titan A.E. was on one of the cable channels. It's a science fiction film that came out a year ago. I decided to watch it while my parents went for a walk after dinner. Despite the critical reviews, the movie actually lived up to my expectations.
Due to the high latitude, Invermere has long daylight hours in the summer. I'm pretty sure the sun didn't go down until 10 p.m. or so. Imagine my surprise when I checked the time!
Day 6
I woke up with an itch on my arm and thought it was allergies. But then I noticed they appeared to be bug bites. Dad reported it to management and asked them to send someone over. However, the guy didn't seem too concerned and only asked a few questions. He didn't seem to be doing his job. Dad wasn't satisfied with the response and plans to file a complaint soon.
Invermere is located very close to Lake Windermere. I enjoyed strolling along the shore in the morning — the atmosphere was peaceful as we were the only ones there. Sometimes it's these little things that make a trip memorable.
Mom found a place in Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park called Lussier Hot Springs and figured I'd be interested. Getting there took a while as it's hard to go fast on the gravel without damaging the car. Several other families were also here. We put our feet in the water and found it to be just the right temperature.
Fort Steele Heritage Town was our next stop. It happened to be a warm day — the perfect excuse to get ice cream at the café. Soon we arrived at the border between Canada and the United States. Of note is that there is a nearby duty-free shop. I got some maple leaf cookies because the price was too good to pass up. Although the cookies are delicious, they are also high in sugar.
We arrived in Spokane around dinner time and went to grab a bite. Our first stop was a Chinese restaurant in the suburbs. It seemed a nice place, but the menu only had a few choices. Mom had a bad feeling and wanted to go elsewhere. We still left a tip so as not to be rude.
Day 7
I was a little sad that the trip was almost over. However, there was still time to explore Spokane as we had a few hours to spare. Dad took us to downtown so we could check out the shops. One cool thing is that there are sky bridges that connect the buildings. Spokane doesn't seem like a bad place to live.
Soon it was time to head to the airport to return the SUV and catch the afternoon flight back to San Francisco. I got some rest on the plane as there wasn't much else to do. We picked up our car at the airport and got home around 6 p.m. after an uneventful drive. Dad suggested dinner at Mountain Mike's Pizza to save time. Going out to eat after a trip is always a nice bonus.
Conclusions
Canada is a beautiful place with much to see. All of us love nature and enjoyed the trip. I really liked Canmore and wish we got to spend more than one night there. Of course, the rest of the trip was great too. One downside is that Canada has a relatively small population — which means it can be lonely at times. But it's good to escape the busy city life once in a while.
Currently listening to: Going to the Sun by Orange Tree Productions
Wednesday, June 13, 2001
finished 9th grade
Summer has started for me. I can finally catch my breath after a busy school year. One thing for sure is that I'm not a freshman anymore. Hell yeah!
However, this felt like a long semester. It's probably because we did so much in recent months. For me, the hardest part is studying for finals. Hope I did well on them because the questions were quite tough. In any case, now's the time to relax and enjoy a well-earned summer.
On a side note, my dad is taking us on a trip to Canada in a few days. It's really exciting because we haven't been there in a long time. :-)
Currently playing: Wasted Sky
However, this felt like a long semester. It's probably because we did so much in recent months. For me, the hardest part is studying for finals. Hope I did well on them because the questions were quite tough. In any case, now's the time to relax and enjoy a well-earned summer.
On a side note, my dad is taking us on a trip to Canada in a few days. It's really exciting because we haven't been there in a long time. :-)
Currently playing: Wasted Sky
Sunday, August 6, 2000
back from Willits, CA
The weekend was pretty exciting as my parents and I went on a three-day trip to Willits. It was relatively short compared to our other summer getaways, but we nonetheless had a great time.
Day 1
Willits was relatively close at 180 miles from our house, so our itinerary also included a side trip to Mendocino and Fort Bragg. However, I'm not sure if the detour was worth it. While Mendocino was quite fun when we went there several years ago, the town didn't seem to have as many attractions as we remembered. To be honest, Fort Bragg wasn't that interesting either aside from the view of the ocean.
It was then time to continue on to Willits. The route took us through the scenic Jackson State Forest, making the drive very worthwhile. All of us were somewhat tired from the traveling, so we didn't do much in the evening besides going to a local grocery store for frozen dinners.
Day 2
As my family loves the great outdoors, the three of us went hiking in a nearby nature reserve after breakfast. There weren't many trails in the area, but the redwood groves were absolutely beautiful.
We took the Skunk Train to Northspur and back later in the afternoon. The round trip was just under 40 miles, but the leisurely pace at which the train traveled made the excursion seem like several hours. There was a guy on board that played bluegrass on the banjo, which was a nice touch. On top of that, I chatted with two cute girls on the train. Haha, I'm such a flirt.
Back at the hotel, Dad and I watched Deep Blue Sea before going to bed. It was an awesome movie, even though I had seen it before. This was undoubtedly the best day of the trip.
Day 3
Having had so much fun the day before, it was a little sad to realize that our trip was coming to an end. But there was still plenty of free time, so we spent much of the day checking out the local shops and restaurants, as well as some of the nearby scenic drives. It was well past dinner time when we finally arrived home!
Conclusions
The trip was pretty nice despite being so short. Although many of the places we visited were fairly mediocre, the awesome train ride totally made up for it. That was by far the best part of our vacation. I'm not sure if we'll go on another trip this summer, but at least I still have over two weeks before school starts. :-)
Currently watching: Deep Blue Sea
Day 1
Willits was relatively close at 180 miles from our house, so our itinerary also included a side trip to Mendocino and Fort Bragg. However, I'm not sure if the detour was worth it. While Mendocino was quite fun when we went there several years ago, the town didn't seem to have as many attractions as we remembered. To be honest, Fort Bragg wasn't that interesting either aside from the view of the ocean.
It was then time to continue on to Willits. The route took us through the scenic Jackson State Forest, making the drive very worthwhile. All of us were somewhat tired from the traveling, so we didn't do much in the evening besides going to a local grocery store for frozen dinners.
Day 2
As my family loves the great outdoors, the three of us went hiking in a nearby nature reserve after breakfast. There weren't many trails in the area, but the redwood groves were absolutely beautiful.
We took the Skunk Train to Northspur and back later in the afternoon. The round trip was just under 40 miles, but the leisurely pace at which the train traveled made the excursion seem like several hours. There was a guy on board that played bluegrass on the banjo, which was a nice touch. On top of that, I chatted with two cute girls on the train. Haha, I'm such a flirt.
Back at the hotel, Dad and I watched Deep Blue Sea before going to bed. It was an awesome movie, even though I had seen it before. This was undoubtedly the best day of the trip.
Day 3
Having had so much fun the day before, it was a little sad to realize that our trip was coming to an end. But there was still plenty of free time, so we spent much of the day checking out the local shops and restaurants, as well as some of the nearby scenic drives. It was well past dinner time when we finally arrived home!
Conclusions
The trip was pretty nice despite being so short. Although many of the places we visited were fairly mediocre, the awesome train ride totally made up for it. That was by far the best part of our vacation. I'm not sure if we'll go on another trip this summer, but at least I still have over two weeks before school starts. :-)
Currently watching: Deep Blue Sea
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