• Travels,  USA

    Peek-a-boo

    April 3, 2024

    Hey! I’m so excited to share our recent trip to Sarah P. Duke Gardens with you all. It was one of those perfect spring days where the sun was shining, and the air was filled with anticipation. The warmth of the sun and the clear blue sky set the perfect backdrop for our adventure.

    We had our hearts set on seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom. While they were playing a bit of peek-a-boo with us in the gardens, we were thrilled to discover a stunning display of cherry blossoms on the Duke University campus! The sight of the delicate pink petals against the blue sky was absolutely enchanting.

    Everywhere we looked, there were bursts of color and the sweet fragrance of flowers in the air. We couldn’t help but pause every few steps to take it all in.

    One of the highlights of our day was visiting the Duke University Chapel. Its intricate architecture left us in awe. We spent some time exploring the grounds, taking photos, and simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

    But you know what the best part was? It wasn’t about the cherry blossoms or the grandeur of the chapel. It was about being together as a family, sharing laughter and creating memories that we’ll cherish forever.

    Our stroll around the campus and gardens wasn’t even planned, but sometimes the best adventures are spontaneous. As we strolled hand in hand, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like these. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that bring us the most joy – like spending a beautiful day surrounded by loved ones in a place as Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

    After our unplanned stroll, we headed to Red Crab Juicy Seafood for dinner. I had been eagerly anticipating some large sea crabs, and my cravings for seafood were finally satisfied – from succulent shrimp to juicy crab legs, all seasoned to perfection.! The delicious meal was the perfect way to end our day.

    Sure, we may not have found what we were originally looking for in the gardens, but what we discovered was so much better: the beauty of nature, the warmth of family, and the joy of being present in the moment.

    I am already looking forward to more unplanned trips like this one, where the unexpected becomes the highlight of our day.

    Sending you all lots of love and sunshine from our springtime adventure at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Duke University campus, and our delightful dinner at Red Crab Juicy Seafood!

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  • Travels,  USA

    By The Lake

    March 30, 2024

    Our trip to Jordan Lake was a spontaneous plan, thanks to my brother-in-law and his cousin, who also live here in North Carolina. We decided to spend an afternoon there, and it turned out to be a memorable day. We packed our lunch and snacks, opting for Popeye’s, which was a hit with everyone. With our food and essentials ready, we headed out to enjoy some quality family time by the lake.

    The weather was scorching hot, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. I had a lot of fun, especially chasing after my energetic nephew. Though I have to admit, I did get quite a bit of sun. Running around in the heat left me feeling like I was baking in the sun!

    Mom had an interesting outfit choice for the day—she wore long sleeves, thinking it might be chilly. Unfortunately, she didn’t anticipate the warm weather, so she ended up quite uncomfortable. It was a bit of a funny sight, seeing her dressed for cooler weather in the blazing sun.

    Despite the heat and a few wardrobe mishaps, our afternoon at Jordan Lake was filled with laughter and good times. The delicious Popeye’s lunch, the beautiful lake, and the joy of being together made it a day to remember. I look forward to more spontaneous adventures like this with family.

    After our picnic, we went to HMart, an Asian grocery store. It was my first time setting foot in the store, and I was amazed by the wide variety of Asian groceries and vegetables available. After our grocery shopping, we headed straight to Rajha’s cousin’s house for dinner. I had no idea why we were going to their house; I thought we were just sightseeing. It turned out they had prepared a dinner for us.

    The meal was incredible, with so much food that I couldn’t even try everything. I particularly enjoyed the fish, which I focused on while missing out on some other dishes. This unexpected dinner added another layer of joy to our day, making the entire experience at Jordan Lake and beyond truly unforgettable.

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  • Travels,  USA

    My FIRST International Trip

    March 25, 2024

    Yes, we’re going to North Carolina, USA, finally to visit and spend some time with my nephew. Yeah, this is my FIRST international trip, and I wanted to document everything.

    We arrived at the airport really early at 12:30 am. Better to be early than miss the flight. We spent our time on the benches near the check-in counter until it opened. We hurried to line up as soon as the counters opened. They asked me to pay the travel tax, which I had not done because my sister said that it was included in the ticket. Turns out it was not the same tax mentioned on the ticket. After checking in, we were immediately assisted by the assistance service. Everything happened so quickly after immigration; we were already sitting on benches near the gate. The wheelchair assistance was a great help; there were no long lines in immigration, as they took us straight to our gates.

    Our trip was from Manila to Hong Kong, New York, and finally Raleigh. I will never forget what happened in Hong Kong airport. After being dropped off at the gate, I went to the restroom. When I returned, there were barricades on my way. But there was no other path, so I lifted it and walked through. A staff member approached me. I told her I went to the restroom, and Mom was sitting in the front row. Her approach was a bit odd.

    Another unforgettable experience moment was at the New York airport. My bag kept on going back and forth through TSA, which made me very nervous. It turned out to be my nephew’s J&J cologne I packed. We also had a long walk to our gate. I cannot imagine myself traveling alone and navigating the huge airport.

    Finally, we arrived in Raleigh. It was quick, and soon enough, my sister and her family welcomed us. I finally got to see my nephew—he’s the cutest, and I really miss him.

    After our mini reunion, we went straight to eat. I ordered shrimp, and there were so many in one order. I thoroughly enjoyed them. We went to Walmart for groceries after our meal and then went home.

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