• Travels,  USA

    By The Lake

    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.

  • Travels,  USA

    Strawberry Day to Remember

    We didn’t let the day pass without going strawberry picking! Rajha and my sister Judy were invited to attend an event, and of course, we happily tagged along. It turned out to be such a fun experience for the whole family. Almost everyone attending the event were Filipinos, which made it feel like a big family gathering, though I also spotted a few Chinese and a few Americans around. They gave us commemorative shirts and buckets to fill, which added a special touch to the day. Even with the sun shining intensely overhead, our excitement never faded as we walked through the strawberry fields.

    My nephew was especially thrilled—eagerly picking strawberries, even the ones that were a little too ripe or already starting to spoil. I noticed most of the berries were very ripe, but he didn’t mind at all. And when he saw my bucket wasn’t filling up as fast as his, he started putting strawberries in mine, proudly helping me “catch up.” It’s those small, thoughtful gestures that make the day feel extra meaningful.

    After we filled our buckets, it was time for a sweet reward: ice cream! And not your typical flavors—we got to try yellow squash, sweet potato, sweet corn, and blueberry. So refreshing, so unique, and honestly, so good! My nephew enjoyed every bite, his smile as big as the sun we spent the day under.

    Shortly after our ice cream break, we decided to head home since the weather forecast said heavy rain was coming. It felt like the perfect time to wrap up a day already filled with warmth, laughter, and love. Sometimes, it’s the little moments that leave the biggest mark.

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