Fargo Trip (part 4)

Day 13:
We got up in the morning, packed everything, stopped by the mall to say good bye to Uncle Eddie and Aunt Renita (of course had some of "the best lo mein ever", then we said good bye to my family and started driving home.
Since we wanted to visit Andrew's parents and sister in up-state NY by Saturday Afternoon, we didn't stop for any site-seeing. When we were driving through Minneapolis, we hit heavy traffic around 4pm. So, we stopped and had early dinner there. We went to Red Robin
. It's a restaurant that famous in burgers. We ordered the Towering Onion Rings as starter, it looked so tall and tasted awesome. Andrew had a burger of course, he said it was pretty good.


After dinner, we started driving again until 10pm, found a hotel somewhere in Wisconsin to rest.

Day 14:
We got up earlier than usual, had our Holiday Inn Express breakfast, and started heading to New York. On the way, we only stopped for bathrooms and McDonald's for lunch and dinner. Around 10:30pm, we tried to find a hotel in a small town in PA(forgot the name of the town), but several of the them were all full, so we had to keep driving until we found the next town. About 11:00pm, we settled down at Erie, New York. Again, we found a Holiday Inn Express. They only had a two rooms left, $150 a night. She said the suite has a queen size bed, 2 sofas... I interrupted her, " Do you have a cheaper room? I don't need the sofas..." she said," yes, we do , but it will be the same price of this suite. Since it is pretty late, the suite will be hard to sell, so I would just give us as a free upgrade." Thanks!!!" I said. When we walked into our room, we couldn't believe what we were seeing... the room was huge. It has 2 sofas facing a tv with a fireplace under it, a tiny kitcken sink with a mircrowave and a fridge, a very nice/big bathroom and a Jacuzzi. It's crazy! but we had to pay $150... We slept really well that night.

Day 15:
I got up around 9am to get breakfast back to the room, so when Andrew got up, we can had eat in the room. After I got back, we got a phone call from my in-laws saying that the security company called them(because they couldn't reach us) saying something wrong with our house's furance. It had happened before, so I called Jhy, my friend who has been feeding my cats while we were gone, to go to my house and turn off the furance. 15 mins later, he called me back and said my basement is flooded, the water was above his knees. We panicked! We were still 8 hours away from home. So we called my in-laws which were 3 hours away from my house and see if they could help. My father-in-law grabbed a pump and some tools and rush to our house. Since our plan was to visit Becky who flew from Phoenix, AZ in my in-laws house, we felt really bad that we had to go home to take care of the flood. But she has decided to go to our house to help us out and see us.
We got home around 7:30pm. The water was gone. everything was still wet, but we didn't see the 18in deep water. We found out that it was because the water heater was leaking. We had lots of stuff in the basement, most of them belonged to Andrew. I know he likes to keep everything, which was why we had so much stuff downstairs. I feel really bad that he has lost quite a lot of things that he has been keeping for long time. The flood also ruined our ping pong table which my in-laws gave us as Christmas gift couple years ago. We did use it a lot. oh well. The washer and dryer are still working and so does the big freezer. But everything else got very moldy.
That night, I finally got to spend sometime with Becky. She showed me her MS3 which is gorgeous. I was so jealous since hers was so pretty and I didn't even start knitting mine. We did have a good time hanging out. I really wish she lives closer, so that we can spend more time together.

Day 16:
With help of Andrew's family, we spent all day cleaning up the basement.

Day 17:
I checked the bank account and online billing. We got the electricity bill and it was double the cost we usually get. So I called UI and asked what happened to the bill. The staff told me that from July 1st, our daily usage has been trible than the regular usage. Ohhhh, the water heater started leaking and warming the basement water the day after the left for the trip, which means it has been leaking for 14 days... I can't wait to see the water bill!!!

Catching up MS3

Finally I have squeezed some time to start knitting my MS3. I have just started clue 2. I love the pattern, but not my knitting skill. The wholes are not very even in my stole, I am pretty upset about it. oh well, I just have to keep going, maybe it will be better later.


I have received a package today from WEBs. 12 balls of Reyonlds Soft Linen in Fudgsicle color and 12 balls of Berroco Pure Merino in Brick color. I ordered them in April, and they were back ordered until now. I ordered them with the Blue Sky Alpacas for Jasmine's wedding shawlette. I told them I need that yarn before June, so WEBs sent them seperately for me and I still got the 25% discount. Very nice of them.


Today, I went to Macy's to return these...


I was so looking forward to see Kelly in perso. And I was, still am, so upset that Kelly has cancelled her concert. It was supposed to be a little special thing for Anniversary this year. Oh well.... Next time.

By the way, here is the link to the pictures of the Fargo trip.
Click here --> Fargo Trip's Pictures

Fargo Trip (part 3)

Day 9:
After a little drinking from the wedding and going to bed late, getting up early for the Mt. Rushmore trip was giving me a bad headache. We all packed up and left the appartment around 9:30am. It was supposed an 9 hours drive if we didn't stop at all to arrive Keystone, SD. But on the way there, we stopped by couple places that we(I) didn't expected. First, we stopped by Corn Palance. Loooong time ago, the building was build with corn. But it got caught on fire, so they rebuilt again, and only use corn to decorate. It was pretty amazing, but if you haven't been there before, you haven't missed anything. Then we have decided to take a short drive in Badlands. I am glad we did, because it was awesome. Since we, except Andrew, thought we were going to be in the car all day, so we dressed way too comfortable to be in the pictures, if you know what I mean. So I may not show any pictures of us in Badlands later, haha....
We stopped by Wall Drugs too for dinner.
We arrived the hotel around 10:30pm local time. We stayed at Holiday Inn Express, the room was pretty good, very clean and neat. I want to specially mention how I felt in love with their down pillows and comforter. However, the front desk lady was a little bit rude to me and actually there is another story I will tell later.


Day 10:
Holiday Inn Express does have the best continental breakfast. I miss their cinnamon rolls rolls... Anyway, our first stop, of course, was Mt Rushmore National Memorial. Nice. Next we went to see Crazy Horse, nice. Then we vistied Big Thunder Gold Mine, nice. After that we went to Bear Country USA, it's a 3-mile drive through wildlife park. We did see some deer, wolves, bears and bears, and baby bears. Last stop, we went back to Mt Rushmore National Memorial for the lighting show.


Day 11:
We packed up again to leave Keystone, SD. Before we left, we went to Beautiful Rushmore Cave. We had a pretty nice walk in the cave. I was so glad that my mom didn't come with us, since I don't think her legs could handle the climbing inside the cave. While we were leaving Keystone, we took a longer way out to drive through some tunnels which face directly to Mt. Rushmore, and some pig tail bridges, pretty fun.
Then we drove west to see Devils Tower in WY. That is one cool big rock. We thought we were going to just stop there and take some pictures... but we ended up hiking for 1 hour and 15 mins around the Tower. It wasn't too hot, and the trail was pretty easy, even my mom could do without problems. (oh, I guess I forgot to mention that my mom's legs muscle got hurt, she can't stand for long time and walk up and down stairs).
Since we have visited Devils Tower longer than we expected, our travelling plan, which was going back to Fargo, towarding east, got a little delay. It was getting late and the closest town that we had to go to settle down was toward the west, we had no choice. When we arrived that small town, all we saw in the road and hotel were pickup trucks. Then we stopped at Day Inn to check the price, $150 per room per night, I was like "WHAT?? NO Thanks." I spent much less in Holiday Inn Express in Keystone, of course I didn't want to pay $15o for Days Inn. So we tried couple more hotels, and they were all fun. I asked a front desk staff in one of the hotels, she told me the price range of a room is around $150-$180 in that area, because there are lots of mines around and the miners apparently don't mind paying for that much to stay there for the job. Again, we had no choice but to go back to Days Inn. Well, at least it was a clean room.

Day 12:
On the way back to Fargo, we have stopped by the Painted Canyon. It's quite nice. Again, my mom thought we were going to be in the car all day again, she dressed comfortably again that not ready for picture shooting. haha... Then we went to Jamestown, ND for lunch. We used the GPS and found a Chinese restaurant, very handy. While we were in Jamestown, of course we had to stop by the National Buffalo Museum to see the World Largest Buffalo. It's huge. Height: 26 feet Length: 46 feet Weight: 60 tons.
After that, our SD trip was ended.

Let's come back to the recent. I was so tired of cleaning the basement(you will know why later, or you have already known), last night, I had a break. I didn't do anything but knitted. Finally I finish MS3 clue 1. I am catching up SLOWLY! will post pictures later. I also talked to Jasmine who just came back from her honeymoon in Italy. And she said she has gotten me gift from there, she got me yarn, YAY. I can't wait to see them. Thank you so much Jass!!

Please stay tuned for Fargo Trip (part 4)....

Another meme

I found these in Erin's blog...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Empress Phoebe the Infinite of Kirkby Overblow Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I was tagged for another meme by Costumechick. My pleasure do that.

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

Afghan/Blanket (baby sized)
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
CardiganToy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles -can't go back to straight needles now
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting - may be someday...
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money - I guess we all wish that
Button holes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dyeing with plant colors -there is a possibility...
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
Olympic knitting
Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
Knitting with DPNs
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks - after reading the explaination, I guess not
Knitting art
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener BO
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
Stuffed toys -for my cats, does that count?
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair -no way...
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Now I am tagging Becky, Jenn, and Octopus Knits. I don't know how many I have to tag, I could have tagged more, but I will same some for Jenn to tag next (the other Wednesday night SnBers). hehe... :)

Fargo Trip (part 2)

Day6:The first thing we did was to go the Uncle Eddie's restaurant to say hi to him and Aunt Renita and of course to have lunch. He makes the best lo mein in the America. I missed very very much.

Andrew stayed in my parents' house and played video games with my brother while I went out shopping with my mom. I missed shopping with my mom, she always has good eyes and finding good deals all the time. Then we took my family to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Yes, there is a Texas Roadhouse in Fargo. I know my parents don't like to eat out because they try to save money, but how could I let them miss the greatest steaks and ribs in town? And finally, I got to meet my brother's girl friend for the every first time at dinner.

Day 7(the day before Jasmine's wedding):

All four of us, the Leung's cousins had lunch at Uncle Eddie's house. Aunt Renita made Vietnamese food and Dennis(Jasmins's brother) made sushi. I am so glad that we could all spend some time together since we all live in different places. Jasmine is in Seattle, Dennis is in CA, Kaho(my brother) is in Fargo, and of course I am in CT.

After lunch, I got to meet the other bridesmaids in the manicure store. They were all very nice and kind to me that solved my "I don't know what to say to them" problem. At night, I got to meet all the groomsmen also in Donovan's mom house.

Day 8 (Wedding day):

I was jealous that Andrew could sleep until noon because I had to got up for the rehersal at 8am. Following the rehersal was the hair appointment at 10am. Then we all dressed up in Uncle Eddie's house because Donovan was picking up Jasmine around 1:15pm. That was a traditional Chinese process, the groom has to pick up the bride at her house. And the bridesmaid would give him some difficult tasks to do before they let him get in to the house and see the bride to prove how much he loves/wants to marry the bride. After all the fun tasks, we left the house and went to hall for the American trandition ceremony. After that was the traditional Chinese Tea ceremony(please ask me if you want to know what that is, or you can google it ;) ). Then the reception was followed. After dinner, everyone was hitting the dance floor, especially my dad. I have never mentioned to people before, my dad CAN dance. I will show his dancing video later, you really can't miss it!! I had a blast at the wedding. I want to thank Jasmine that giving me a chance to be part of her wedding.

After couple glasses of champaign and wine, I was OUT around mid-night once I got home.

There will be a Fargo Trip (part 3) later...

I haven't had a chance to knit at all, haven't even started the MS3, clue #4 is coming out this Friday, and I am pretty sure that I won't have time to start before that :( But I am trying to go to SnB tomorrow even I don't have any project that I can knit while listening and bitching...

My Fortune Cookie told me: Confucius say, do not eat shrimp on a Thursday, for there is no good to be found in it. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Fargo Trip (part 1)

Andrew and I are now I Fargo, ND.

Day 1, we started driving around 3pm in the afternoon, didn't drive much that day and stopped at Clarion, PA. When a little after sunset, we almost hit a deer on the road. If it wasn't because of Andrew's excellent driving skill, we would have totally hit it already. We stayed in Quality Inn, $70 a night, not so bad. People were extremely friendly in that town.

Day 2, we start driving around 11am, and arrived Joliet, IL. We found a casino there, which was interesting because the casino was on a boat. (it was actually an excuse to go to that casino). We stayed at the casino's hotel, $100 a night, kind of nice hotel, only over 21 years old can stay there. We saw no one in the pool and hot tub there, then we dropped off our luggages and then ran to the pool right away. We were by ourselves the whole time in the pool, which was pretty nice.

Day 3, we had some awesome donuts from the hotel, then we headed out to the casino right away. We won $70. yay!! Around 1pm, we started driving again. We have stopped at I80 the world largest truck stop in Iowa. That place is awesome. It has a shop that sells whatever the truck drivers need to custom their trucks. There is also a dentist, a barber shop, a theater, and some showers in the stop. Then while I was sleeping very comfortably in the car, Andrew got off the highway which woke me up right away. He saw a sign of Amana Colonies that he wanted to go visited. After we got off the highway, we saw a cop driving in the opposite direction from far away, passed us, U-turned behind us really fast, and had his light on. Andrew pulled over right away and was ready have a chat with him. Yes we were driving 65mi/hr on a 55mi/hr speed limit road, but "we just got off from driving 75mi/hr highway and we didn't see the speed limit sign, and we were also trying to visit the historic thing in your town, officer". Ok, the cop was very nice, he didn't give us a ticket, just a warning. He even gave us a very detail direction to the colonies. We were lucky!! After visiting that, Andrew has driven at the speed limit since. That night, we stopped at Altoona, IA. We saw a big sign say $49.99 a night at Motel 6. Since the night before we stayed in a kind of expensive hotel, we wanted to even it out, and stayed in a cheap one that night and so we went to Motel 6. After staying there for one night, I don't think I would never stay there again and I would not recommend to anyone. The hotel was made with wood. Andrew said the room was so tiny, it looked just like his college dorm. Only 2 super small and not so clean bath towels and one bar of soap were provided. I didn't even see any shampoo and stuff, not that I would use theirs since I have brought our own. I just didn't feel comfortable and clean in that room.

Day4, again, we started driving around 11am. We stopped at Rochester, MN to deliver a luggage to Andrew's co-worker and his wife who recently got a job at the Mayo Clinic. So they are moving from CT to MN. It was nice to see them. We had dinner together and then kept driving. Around 8:30pm, we have arrived Bloomington, MN. After having a "cheap hotel night" experience, we have decided to stay in Marriot that night. When we were checking in, we got some information of July 4th firework from the front desk person. After settled down in the hotel, we drove out to St. Paul to see firework. It was July 3rd that night, but they have had firework shows there for the whole week.

Day 5, what is in Bloomington, MN if you would ask. Mall of America of course! We were there around 11am, and spent 5 hours there just to walk around the mall once. We did stop by a couple of stores and the largest underground aquarium in the mall. We left there at 4:30pm, and then we finally arrived at my parents house around 9:30pm.

I didn't drive at all in these 5 days. Mileage of my car was ok, getting a bit over 30 mi/gallon. I didn't even touch my needles. I haven't started my MS3 at all. I did print out the clue, I just didn't have time. I can't knit in the car since I would get seasick. oh well, I guess I have to wait.

Sorry, there is no picture yet. I will post them as soon as possible.