The Zoobic Safari

Have you been to Zoobic Safari? It is located at the Ilanin Forest in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines. Last month, we had an adventure to see the wild life - lions, tigers, ostriches, pot-belly pigs, goats, different species of birds and a lot more. we had so much that we took almost all of the animals. It was quite an experience!

Winter Travel in Texas

Barbecue in Texas!

Met Analyn through Ivy Sterling

My husband and I drove to Texas to spend the remaining months of the winter time. You see, after spending three months in Hawaii, we didn't spend a week in North Dakota. Instead, we decided to escape the cold winter from where we live. It is just too much for me and my husband. We love to go out once in a while and we can do that here. I was happy to see how people wear something nice and comfortable during the winter time here in Texas. I can even wear my summer clothes!

The Meyer's couple

Analyn and Me

For one week and five days we've been here, we have learned our way around. Plus, we meet a couple last Wednesday and we had so much fun! If ever we will move here in Texas, I know I already have someone that I know and would be my shopping buddy. How cool is that? Looking forward for more meetings and enjoy Filipino food with her.

Freezing Christmas

On the day of Christmas, hubby Winn planned a Christmas getaway. We went to Devil's Lake, which is north from our town and about 100 miles from our house. As we were driving going to the lake, we have seen some poor pheasants looking for some food in the cornfield. The cold wind was blowing onto my face and I can really feel how cold it was that day. We drove downtown Devil's Lake. All business establishments were closed as they celebrate also for the Christmas day.

We drove on a frozen lake. Driving on a frozen lake was a little bit scary. I was thinking that the ice will break and will go under the ice. Imagine, my husband's truck is heavy and I don't think I can swim in very cold water. We met some people who enjoyed ice fishing. After driving on a frozen lake, we went to Spirit Lake Casino and Resort to grab something to eat. They serve a buffet inside the casino. I lost a buck playing the slot machine. Pretty much, we did enjoy our simple Christmas getaway. We had fun and stuffed!

Minnesota, Here We Come!

This will be our 3rd time to visit the state of Minnesota. I am hoping to celebrate the Independence Day on July 4 and it is also my anniversary living here in United States. You see, I came here last July 4, 2007 and my port of entry was St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota. Now, I am going back to Minnesota again for the 3rd time. I am sure it will be a lot of fun because we will be celebrating Independence Day and my anniversary in the same state where I first landed.

I will bring all my luck and good memories with me while celebrating my anniversary in Minnesota. I am pretty sure that we will have fun and enjoy every bit of it. I am already thinking what would it be to celebrate Independence Day here in United States as well as celebrating my anniversary living here. Whatever it is, I will savor every moment and definitely will have more fun.

Exploring North Dakota

This time, we are about to discover the legendary North Dakota. I have been to North Dakota last fall and did my little shopping at Grand Forks. We also went to visit Fargo, the largest city of the state for sight-seeing. It was windy at that time and you can barely see any trees in the area because they said that Paul Bunyan must have cut all the trees from North Dakota. The state was a plain field rich in agriculture products. In the western area of the state, there are also some rocky hills and few trees around it.We passed the city of Bismarck, the state capital of North Dakota. We went around downtown for a little while and stopped in the city of Jamestown where we looked for a campground to retire from a very long drive. We stayed for about 3 days and 2 nights in Jamestown. Enjoyed everything in the town and in the campground. It was really indeed a nice place to be during summer time. The weather is cool, not really hot and the only problem is the mosquitoes attack. Better bring off spray or some lotion to protect the skin from the mosquito bite.

There are lot of things to discover in the state of North Dakota. The state has a lot of things to offer if you are just ready to explore it.I know, someday, next summer time, I am going to visit North Dakota again.

The Badlands National Park

It was really hot when we visited The Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Like us, many people are lured by the unusual rock formations. Others come to camp, photograph wildlife and search for birds and flowers. The Badlands are a place of extremes.

Badlands National Park in southwest South Dakota, United States preserves 244,000 acres (98,740 ha) of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. The Badlands Wilderness protects 64,144 acres (25,958 ha) of the park as a designated wilderness area and is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America.

We paid $15 for the entrance fee to see the magnificent rock formations of the Badlands. It was like nobody wants to live there because it was very hot and very dry place. We have seen some prairie dogs around in their underground holes. There is a rich and varied plant community in the Badlands, including the largest mixed-grass prairie in the National Park System. Wildlife abounds such as coyotes, butterflies, turtles, vultures, snakes, bluebirds, bison and prairie dogs and made Badlands as their residence. The Badlands will provide with endless pleasure and fascination.

Rediscovering the State of Montana

We're on 7th day of our summer trip and after camping for 3 days and 2 nights in South Dakota, we landed in the big sky of Montana. We are pushing ourselves to see as what the state of Montana has to offer. As we go through our summer trip, many things happened. Many unforeseen events that we really never knew could happen to us. Of course, there are days that we enjoy most of the time and sometimes, shit happens. We lost one of the bicycles we brought in our trip and the spare tire for the travel trailer. But still, we manage to enjoy and stay cool as what we really wanted.

This is our second time to see the beautiful state of Montana. Last year of August, we came from west to east and visited some towns in the western side of the state such as Missoula, Anaconda and Butte. My husband and I were fascinated by the great pine trees in the mountains, the rock formations in the mountains. And this year, we came across from east to west. We even visited the small town of Montana - Miles City, Forsyth, Melstone, Billings (the largest city of the state), Columbus (stayed in a campground), Bozeman, Belgrade, Butte, Terry, Glendive and even visited the state capital, Helena. We spent 6 days and 5 nights camping all over the state.

It was a wonderful and amazing trip to Montana. I even noticed that it is still cold, it feels like its winter time and I have to put my long sleeves on. I was fascinated by all the mountain ranges and the pine trees covering the mountains. I can still see some snows in the mountain brought by the winter. I would like to spend my summer time every year in the state of Montana.

Corn Palace in South Dakota

The Corn Palace is a multi-purpose arena or facility located in Mitchell, South Dakota. It is a popular tourist destination, visited by over 500,000 people each year. The Moorish Revival building is decorated with murals and designs made from corn and other grains. It also hosts the home basketball games of Dakota Wesleyan University.

Each year, the Corn Palace is redecorated sporting a new theme. The decorative materials for the Corn Palace are all native corn, grasses and grains of South Dakota. Approximately 20 local residents are hired each summer to redecorate the Palace. The process begins in the early summer when all of the grasses and grains are removed from the building and replaced in new geometric designs. There are 3,000 bushels of milo, rye, oat heads and sour dock being tied into bundles and nailed to the building. There are also 9 different colors of Indian corn used to create the mural pictures. Cal Schultz is a local artist and has been designing the Corn Palace murals since 1977.

We spent 3 days and 2 night in South Dakota. We visited the only Corn Palace in the world. It was really wonderful and amazing! The corn murals were fantastic. People from South Dakota are really creative, artistic and passionate for having a free-attraction place. It's a must-see palace!

Camping in South Dakota

It has been 3 days (Sunday-Monday-Tuesday) now since we went on a trip. For three long days, we have experienced a lot already. On the first day of our trip, we had a blow out on one of the tires on the travel trailer. Winn didn't notice it so we keep on moving on until a woman from St. Louis, Missouri told us about the tire. So, we stopped in front of the Gateway Arch to change the busted tire. After changing, we went to Sam's Club to buy a new tire.

The second day of our trip was pretty much smooth and easy. We just drove and keep on moving until we will reach our destination. We have driven about 900 miles. We went to Montrose, South Dakota and spent a night in a campground. It was a wonderful place where there's a lake where you could fish and very quiet. Camping is really one of the things we really wanted to do and will never missed doing it this summer.

We visited several places in South Dakota on the third day, such as the Corn Palace, The Badlands National Park, and few places in Rapid City. We ate dinner at Olive Garden Restaurant where we had a succulent meal. Tonight, we got us a campsite near Black Hills where we could set up our camper and retired for the evening.

The World's Best Place to Live 2008

No. 1: Zürich, Switzerland

Mercer score: 108*
2007 rank: No. 1
GDP: $300.9 billion (2007 est.)**
Population: 7,581,520 (total country); 347,517 (total city)
Life expectancy: 80.74 years

No. 2 (tie): Vienna, Austria

Mercer score: 107.9
2007 rank: No. 3
GDP: $319.7 billion (2007 est.)
Population: 8,205,533 (total country); 1,825,287 (total city)
Life expectancy: 79.36 years

No. 2 (tie): Geneva, Switzerland

Mercer score: 107.9
2007 rank: No. 2
GDP: $300.9 billion (2007 est.)
Population: 7,581,520 (total country); 185,000 (total city)
Life expectancy: 80.74 years

No. 4: Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.6
2007 rank: No. 3
GDP: $1.274 trillion (2007 est.)
Population: 33,212,696 (total country); 560,000 (total city)
Life expectancy: 81.16 years

No. 5: Auckland, New Zealand

Mercer score: 107.3
2007 rank: No. 5
GDP: $112.6 billion (2007 est.)
Population: 4,173,460 (total country); 1.18 million (total city)
Life expectancy: 80.24 years

No. 6: Düsseldorf, Germany

Mercer score: 107.2
2007 rank: No. 6
GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)
Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 581,858 (total city)
Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 7 (tie): Munich, Germany

Mercer score: 107
2007 rank: No. 8
GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)
Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 1,332,650 (total city)
Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 7 (tie): Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 107
2007 rank: No. 7
GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)
Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 3,700,000 (total city)
Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 9: Bern, Switzerland

Mercer score: 106.5
2007 rank: No. 9
GDP: $319.7 billion (2007 est.)
Population: 8,205,533 (total country); 122,178 (total city)
Life expectancy: 79.36 years

No. 10: Sydney, Australia

Mercer score: 106.3
2007 rank: No. 9
GDP: $766.8 billion (2007 est.)
Population: 20,600,856 (total country); 4,297,100 (total city)
Life expectancy: 80.73 years

Bangkok, Thailand Getaway

I was browsing my Multiply page when I came to view and reminisced our Bangkok getaway last May of 2007. After visiting me for the 3rd time in the Philippines, my husband decided to have a getaway in Bangkok, Thailand on May 26 - June 2, 2007. He told me that he wants to see what's in Bangkok. It's gonna be a one whole week of fun being together.

But actually, before he went to see me for the 3rd time in the Philippines, I already furnished everything, the tickets and tour packages that we needed there (in Bangkok). It seems like I was his Executive Secretary doing everything for my Big Boss. All I did was to wait for him at the airport the night he arrived, and that's 4 days prior to our Bangkok trip.

One thing also that we decided to have a getaway was not to wait too long and get bored for my US visa to arrive and so we are off to go and we had a blast! Everything was full of fun just for me and him. We really had fun! We experienced the elephant ride in the Elephant Village. We always go whenever there's fun and adventure. Its like we are discovering ourselves really well before we get into marriage and the rest is history...

The Yellowstone National Park

It was August of 2007 when my husband decided to take me cross-country around United States. I am still having my amazement moment the time I landed in the U.S. During my first month living in America, my husband showed me immediately 16 states (Kentucky - Tennessee - Indiana - Illinois - Wisconsin - Minnesota - Missouri - Kansas - South Dakota - Idaho - Montana - Oregon - Wyoming - Utah - Washington - Colorado).

I am really surprised as I imagined how big is the country of United States of America since it is called "united" with different states and different land areas and people too. Before, I only see them in the movies, TV shows or even in travel channel show. Now, I am almost there reaching the finish line of visiting all the 50 states. I thank God most of all for making this happen to enjoy the wonders of nature He created.

Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

We experienced to watched the Old faithful in this park and watched all the animals walking. I took a closer look of a female elk which my better half took a picture and we discover that there are so many activities that you can do in the park. We truly had fun and had a great experience @ Yellowstone National Park.

Remembering Biltmore House

Last April, we spent our spring break at Savannah, Georgia. We visited my Aunt Mhina (my father's sister) in her apartment. She's a teacher in a Middle School. After spending our quality time together with her for almost 4 days, we went to Asheville, North Carolina where we had an amazing tour to America's largest privately owned home. The estate is magnificent and beautiful. The vastness of it just goes on and on.

Biltmore house is a French Renaissance-inspired chateaus near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1888 and 1895. It is the largest privately owned home in the United States at 175,000 square feet. Still owned by Vanderbilt's descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age.

Have you seen the Richie Rich movie? Yes, you heard it right! Richie Rich movie was filmed in Biltmore House, North Carolina. I am lucky to see the Biltmore house since I have only watched them in the movies like Patch Adams, Forrest Gump and Hannibal to name a few. Completed in 1895, it's America's largest home that offers a glimpse into a world of elegance and grandeur.

A visit to Biltmore Estate opens up a world of stories, from what inspired the creation of this American masterpiece to the many people who have maintained and loved the place. The house is just breathtaking. It's a wonder that you have to see it for yourself.

Friday Madness

It's Friday again! We are about to go to visit my husband's son, Mark at Parkers Lake, KY. It's just 30 minutes away from Somerset, KY where his daughter, Theresa lived. I am so excited to see his grandkids again. I woke up early in the morning to pack us some clothes to wear for a day because after spending a night at Mark's place... We will go to Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee.

I am sure, it's going to be a lot of fun! I will surely enjoy bonding with the kids and have a good conversation with his daughter-in-law, Julie. It's going to be a whole day of fun for us in Knoxville Zoo. I am going to spend it with so much joy and laughters the way it should be.

We will drive for about 3 hours going there and while we're on our way, I wanted to make our driving hour happy and exciting. I know driving for about 3 hours sounds not fun at all because all we are going to see are the trees, rivers, the mountain and the lakes. But, as long as we are together, we will surely enjoy every bit of it.

Spring Break in Savannah, Georgia

The promise of Spring! Last Valentine's Day, we were suppose to visit my Aunt (my dad's sister) in Savannah, Georgia but she told me that she will not be able to enjoy with us because she's still busy in school. So, we decided to take it off on their Spring break since they have one week off from school. It took us 10 hours of drive from our house in Kentucky to her apartment in Savannah, Georgia. The long hours of drive was crazy... its been raining, the road was foggy and encountered a heavy traffic along the road in the big city of Atlanta but nothing can stop us for this road trip as we planned everything for the spring break.

We went on a road trip last April 5, 2008 and spent 4 days and 4 nights. My Aunt lives in a small apartment together with her 2 house mates. We felt really at home with them although they're just living in an apartment. They made us feel like a special visitor, my Aunt cooked sinigang na baboy (Winn's favorite Pinoy dish) when we arrived and we let our belly filled with that delicious dish. Everything went well the night we arrived.

The next morning, we went to the Baptist church to know more of my Aunt's co-teachers and some Filipino friends. We were introduced during their Bible Ministry and we were so glad how they welcome us there in Savannah, Georgia. After the church, we went to Tybee Island (Savannah's Beach) for sight-seeing. I wasn't actually ready to go to the beach since I wasn't in my "beach outfit". After the beach, we went to Tybee Island's Lighthouse and took so many pictures there.

The 3rd day of our Georgia visit took place in the 24 park squares of Savannah. We visited the Forsyth Park, the Fountain Park, the River Street, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and other Historic Houses in the park. Everything went well the whole day and there are so many tour buses in downtown Savannah for other tourist too. We really had fun as we joined other tourists to explore the wonderful downtown Savannah, Georgia.