The Necessities

When I go on vacation I like to stay in places that are at the same comfort level or better than my own home. (Thus you never see me camping LOL!)

So in Washington DC I thought staying at an Airbnb would be the best option for our four families. But my experience staying at this home was not what I had expected. Granted it was a 19th century three-story brownstone with an in-law unit in the basement. So it is a very old home but supposedly fully upgraded and remodeled on the inside. The pictures shown on the website did not exactly match up to the real thing. Specifically, cleanliness was an issue, as well as organization of household items, and functionality of essential amenities such as the AC, WiFi, dishwasher, and airbeds.

A few of the airbeds had leaks so we had to sort through which ones the girls could use. Overall, I was disappointed with the home especially with the price we paid for it but the owners were gracious, understanding and definitely listened to my concerns. And it didn't take away the experience that we had outside of the house.

But I am wondering... to those of you who use Airbnbs.. what is your experience like? Am I expecting too much?

The whole gang in the living room of the Airbnb

After DC we drove down to Williamsburg (2.5 hr drive), stayed one night there, explored Colonial Williamsburg and caught a flight to NY.

In NY, we stayed at the hotel chosen by Matthew's company: Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Our view from our 34th floor room was the TKTS Booth and stairs. Everything was clean, the AC worked well and the elevator system was AMAZING! (but the wifi was slow)

Also when we go on vacation, I do not want to do anything that resembles home-life and that means no cooking nor cleaning. I can definitely say I am a foodie so I will hunt and travel for good food.  I must say we had many delicious meals, most of which we just found through Yelp. (I love YELP!)

Georgetown Cupcakes.. the line was truly out the door and up the street

Beef stew at Shield's Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg was authentic and so so good!

Reren Lamen in DC Chinatown

Mai Thai in Georgetown

Laduree Paris Macarons in Georgetown

Breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts in DC Chinatown

Momiji Japanese in DC Chinatown

Gordon Biersch in Penn Quarter, DC

Take out and free delivery from Beau Thai in Shaw District, DC

The eating didn't stop when we got into NYC.. in fact our 'must-try good eats' list was far longer for NY than it was for DC.

First stop after dropping off our luggage at the hotel, Shake Shack at 9:45pm.. completely packed and the burger, fries and vanilla shake were to die for!!

THE BEST chocolate chip cookies ever! Line out the door at Levain Bakery in Upper Westside NYC... took the subway just to get these cookies. I would pay someone to bring me back a walnut chocolate chip cookie!

THE FRESHEST noodles ever! They make it in front of your eyes and cooked it right away. Very Fresh Noodle in NYC's Chelsea Market

BIGGEST bowl of udon I ever saw from Tsurutontan Udon Brasserie in NYC's Union Square

Literally ate on the sidewalk while people walked by but the pasta was fresh and delish at Song E Napole in NYC's Little Italy

One of the rare places where the BBQing smell did NOT get on my clothing! The fan was right on the food at Kang Ho Dong Baekjeoung in NYC's Little Korea.

Nom Was Kuan, TeRen Ramen, and Boba Guys from Canal Street Market in NYC's Chinatown

Jiggly sponge cake from Keki Modern Cakes in NYC Chinatown

Lunch at Ellis Island Cafe

Tonkotsu ramen from Totto Ramen Next Door in NYC's Theater District. Apparently Totto Ramen has two restaurants: one served only chicken broth; the other one, Next Door, sold only pork and veggie broth.  This hole in the wall sat only 18 persons max.

Our biggest splurge was Brooklyn's Peter Luger, known for their HUGE steaks. And it's cash only!!

Ciao Wood-Fire Pizza and Pasta in Ithaca

Are you hungry yet? LOL!

NEXT POST:The BEST Part

The Big Apple? More Like A Ton of Applesauce!

The other half of our trip was in New York where Matthew had a work conference to attend. We were thankful to be able to join him for the first time on one of his business trips.

Our hotel was right on Times Square where it was alive 24/7.

We were there on Summer Solstice when there was a Yoga Fest all day for a few blocks on Broadway..

Matthew attended the annual AIA Conference.

The city that never sleeps.. REALLY!

Riding the train to Grand Central Station

As we explored the city with the rest of my family, Matthew explored it on his own through chosen  work-related tours checking out the beautiful architecture of this city.

One of his highlights was to visit B&H Photo store, one of the largest photography stores in the country.

Wall Street

Our hotel was next to the Hamilton theater. Unfortunately we didn't get to see this musical since it was way out of our price range.

But we did get a peek of a star after their show ended as we were getting back to our hotel after dinner. This is Michael Luwoye who plays Alexander Hamilton.

We did watch Wicked. It was good but not great enough for us to have the show tunes stuck in our heads for days.

Lady Liberty

We added a Behind-the-Scenes Hard Hat Tour at Ellis Island where we got to explore the hospital, infectious and contagious disease wards, autopsy room, laundry room and staff home.

This tour was fascinating and brought to life the reality of entering into Ellis Island at a time so difficult for so many who were retained at this expansive hospital.

The Oculus, a glass and steel structure designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.. a 'wow' to my architect-family members.. for me.. not so much.. just looked like a whale skeleton

NEXT POST: The Necessities

Commercial Break - WW2

A surprising highlight in DC was when we encountered all these blocked streets near the museums. One of our many Uber drivers told us that Wonder Woman 2 was filming at the National Archives Museum.

A 80's riot during a protest in front of National Archive Museum

army men

Closed street to parked trailers

We hung around and tried to get as close as we can. Didn't see Gal Gadot nor Chris Pine but it was fun to see this being made and is probably a 20 second scene from the movie... I hope! We will see!

To follow where they are currently filming go to Instagram #wonderwoman2

Sound Of Music FCS Style

I'm a little behind on recapping school highlights. Hannah was in her first high school musical production as a junior higher.

She played a nun novice or a postulant, in FCS's production of The Sound of Music.

There were five performances and we went to every single one bringing many supporting friends and family.

Stephanie Louie and Letitia Chinn

The Santos Family already attend FCS.

The Lee Family

Uncle Don & Auntie Cheryl

Grandpa & Grandma Ow along with the Okazakis and Ngs

Grandma Ma and the Sams

Mrs Raboca (with her daughter Daniel portraying Louisa von Trapp) and teacher extraordinaire, Elaine Choy

The Wong Gals

Hannah loved the experience especially being with her besties: Michelle, Olivia and Janet.

Even though her role was very very small, we were thankful she enjoyed being in a musical and that so many loved ones came to see it. It was an excellent production and we look forward to 2020 for the next one!

Exploring the Other Coast

Since Hannah wasn't able to experience an 8th grade trip to DC/NY through her school like Emily did, I took it upon myself to plan an East Coast trip for her. We included my mom, brother, Park and sister-in-law, Hilda, and Emily's friend, Shawna and her dad, Willy.

Highlight Stats:
13 Days
6 States: explored 2; drove through 4; 1 District
1 Airbnb; 4 Hotels
3 Airlines
1 Metro ride; 6 Subway rides
21 Uber rides
2 Rental cars
689 Miles of driving
148,076 Steps
11 National Memorials
3 Government Tours
1 National Cemetery
10 Museums
1 College
1 Broadway Show
20 Restaurant Meals
1 Thunderstorm
15 Mosquito Bites
8 roadkills (7 deer and 1 black bear) and 1 car abandoned in the middle of the freeway
1 High School Friend reunited
1 Cousin's Family reunited

Lincoln Memorial

Reflecting Pool

Riding the Metro

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial- Emily & I weren't able to visit this the last time so I was so glad we were able to this time around.

Another addition was Ford's Theater where Abraham Lincoln was shot in his balcony seat and then taken across the street to the house where he eventually died.

I also was able to get a tour (through our congressman) of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where they print all our paper money and...

.... a tour of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

The International Spy Museum was not a free museum but it was very interesting and also connected some of the things we learned in the FBI tour.

DC's newest museum is the Museum of the Bible which opened in 2017 which utilizes the most up-to-date technology to showcase the Living Bible and it's importance and significance to our past, present and future.

Museum of the Bible

And YES DC has a Chinatown too, Mom.

We headed out to George Washington's home, Mount Vernon and took this beautiful shot before a thunderstorm rolled in ...

.. and completely drenched us.

We rented cars to drive down to Colonial Williamsburg, the largest live museum

My brother really wanted to check out the Armory

All of the docents are full-time masters or apprentices of their chosen crafts. It was amazing to see how they are recreating colonial life in the 21st century.

Willy learned how to make a shingle for the roof.

I didn't know they had this exhibit. Bummer I did not go see his works.

 Other places we visited but not pictured:
- Washington Monument
- Korean War Memorial
- Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- Vietnam Memorial
- Jefferson Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery
- Kennedy Gravesite
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Changing of the Guard
- Air and Space Museum
- Holocaust Museum
- Pentagon Tour

Highlights & Observations (not generalized but what I experienced or saw):
- DCers and NYers were polite, kind and considerate. I did not meet a rude person there!
- NYers cannot merge onto the freeway. They either completely stop or slow down.
- NYers don't pull to the right and stop when a active ambulance is behind them; instead they keep driving or speed up to out run them!
- The United States values those who died to serve our country and even posts a guard 24/7 to those who are unknown. They also value memorializing and preserving artifacts from history and events unlike some other countries we visited.
- Food is expensive but very tasty.
- Did not enjoy the heat, humidity and mosquitoes
- Recommend "Free Tours on Foot " tours
- Request governmental tours far in advance; at least 3 months

NEXT POST: The Big Apple

There is a Time for Everything

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to tear down and a time to build” (Ecclesiastes 3:) 

I taught  the 2nd/3rd grade combo class a Monart drawing of a chamleon

Today was my last work day as a substitute teacher at KHA. I’ve been at KHA for 10 years either as a full time teacher, long term sub or regular sub. As the elementary school temporarily closes for a season to get a reboot and overhaul, I am blessed to be given the opportunity to teach these students. It is always a privilege and honor to teach, guide and hopefully positively influence our next generation.  

Since I have taught in both public and private sectors, both have been a joy and a challenge. At KHA it has been so satisfying to tell kids that God loves them without suffering any reprimand or discipline to me. But one of my most favorite memories of teaching at a public school was when a Catholic believing mom of twin girls, who I have never met until that day, whispered to me that she was praying for a Christian teacher for her girls and was overjoyed that I was one of her girl’s teachers. To know that a parent was praying for me even before I arrived gave me a humbling and honoring feeling. Teaching is most certainly not an easy profession but I have to say, it is one of the most rewarding ones. 

#kimberhillsacademy #fremontcommunitychurch #teacherscanmakeadifference