The End

Well friends, this will be my last entry on this blog.
Tomorrow morning, I will be flying out to Korea.
The move is pretty much done. Dad came home earlier than I expected and we were able to get a lot done. There are just a few things I need to pack, but that will happen after I get myself ready tomorrow morning.
I have already established a blog for when I'm in Korea, it's: http://joanninkorea.blogspot.com
What a year this has been. I can't believe all the things that have happened since September . . . it all feels like a lifetime ago.
Well, now I'll be off to a whole new adventure; only this time, I don't have the slightest idea of what to expect. Maybe it's best that way.

Good-bye States . . . Hello Korea!

Texas with Cousins (Day 4) 8.8.10

Coming back from our weekend in Houston, we found a few unexpected guests who made themselves at home. . .

On the lawn, as if it was theirs! Well, I guess in a way it was . . .

Juan Carlos had me feed one, but she wouldn't come up to me. . .

Juan Carlos and his band of deer.

Well, there's 1 day left and I hardly took any pictures. We went to a water park about 10 minutes from where Omelia lives called "Der Schlitterbahn". It had all sorts of tube rides. I am not a fan of amusement/theme parks, but I did really like this water park.
After we got back, Juan Carlos and I tried to hand-feed the deer again, and it worked! It was so cool! Her tongue tickled my hand.
Then, I flew back to Maryland on Tuesday and got back into the whole moving out thing again.

Texas with Cousins (Day 3--Aug. 7. '10)

On Sabbath, we drove to Houston for a concert Juan Carlos (cousin Omelia's husband) was given VIP tickets for: The American Idol Live Tour Show.
I never watched the show (was never interested), so I didn't know who these people were, but I knew some of the songs they were singing . . . though I do prefer the originals . . . .
Anyway, here are pictures of when all 10 of them appeared on stage.

Now, back to New Braunfels.

Texas with Cousins (Day 2)

On Friday, August 6, us women went to Sea World. I was told the one in Florida was better, but since I haven't been to that one, I figured this was as good as any. It was pretty cool.

At the entrance

You know you're in Texas when the signs are in Spanish.

A little interpretation.

An outdoor marble.

More vegetation.

The entrance.

The entrance (from inside).

I like fountains (and it was about 100 that day).

The Shamu Show.

High-5

Spinning

"I did my job, now feed me!"

You can seriously get wet here. I didn't. I was disappointed.

Jumping and splashing.

Another spin.

Flamingos

The "Azul" show. It featured Beluga whales, pacific Dolphins, exotic birds, and acrobats.

That would be really cool.

Flipper!

A "fin-hand" shake.

Was that a kiss?

Look out below!

At an evening Shamu show.

"Shamu Rocks" I think is how it was called.

More flips.

Mom did the tricks, and the little one wants some of the profits as well.

Just chillin'.

Yay, Shamu!


There was other stuff we did (like wade in the wave-pool and get wet at a 3-D movie) but no pictures of those events were taken . . . by me.
Off to the next day!

Texas with Cousins (Day 1)

Well, as though travelling twice to DC with 2 different friends wasn't enough (before departing for Korea), now I flew down to San Antonio, Texas on August 5th to spend some time with a few cousins from my mom's side of the family. They've been wanting me to visit for years . . . literally. Funny how things don't usually work until the last minute.

Anyway, once I finally got to their home, they surprised me with a birthday party for me.

The decorated dinning room.

Not 1, but 2 cakes! Both homemade . . . I feel loved . . .

The birthday-party.

L to R: Stefanie (2nd cousin), Anais (cousin, Stefanie's mom), yours truly, Daniela (another 2nd cousin, Anais' and Omelia's niece), Omelia (cousin who lives in Texas), Juan Carlos (Omelia's husband).

Break with Monica (Day 7)

This was our most relaxing time of the entire break. I took Monica to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland. As sad and pathetic as it may sound, this was my 1st time here, as in, really visiting Ocean City (and I live about 35 miles/56 km west of it). Like being a tourist in my own backyard, interesting.

From the southern tip of the boardwalk, facing north.

Taken from a fishing pier, camera facing south.


Now, facing the sand/boardwalk/city in the northwest.

Trying to catch a few waves with my camera.

I must say, the breeze and air from the ocean was the absolute best part of this trip. It was so relaxing.

Yeap, that's right! I bet most of you didn't know this, did you?
This is as you exit Ocean City on Route 50. I guess the number/name changes as you drive towards Sacramento, but the road is the same!

From here on, there are no more pictures, but plenty of pleasant memories. This is the end of the pictures from "Break with Monica".