Flying to Europe

We got lucky and got bumped to business class especially when we had a 4 hour delay due to smoke in the galley. The Luftansa flight had to fly back to Canada to fix the problem. I was able to put my swollen foot up (sprained my foot in Carbondale at a playground) and we were all able to stretch during this long flight. When we got to Europe, we picked up our new car lease - a Peugeot Trenday five door diesel car which we leased through Auto Europe. It was cheaper than renting a car - it included full insurance, unlimited mileage, roadside assistance, and very convenient pick up and drop off. If you need a car for more than 17 days, this is the way to go. The catch is you have to lease it while you are still in America. Different lease price for other countries.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin - Last stop before Europe

Brianna's highlight at Lake Geneva was when Rob Duboe took us tubbing with his girls, Bailey and Lauren. She loved it. Jim had a go too and got thrown off a couple of times. It was also nice to catch up with Rob and Aileen. Bailey and Brianna hit it off and we hope that it won't be another five years till we meet again.

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St Louise and the Lincoln Museum in Springfield

The Magic House, the Zoo, the Botanic Garden and the City itself were so much fun for me and Brianna. There were so many things to see and do and we found the people very friendly. We never knew St Louis had so many educational and at the same time fun things to see and do and in close proximity to Washington U. The City was pleasant with all the brick buildings and Washington University campus was very impressive. I hope to see the dog museum the next time we visit the city. One museum that I think is a must see for children is the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Brianna was into the story of Lincoln - the way the whole place was presented brought the past alive. It is a new way of doing museums - telling a story and making history interesting to the kids as well as the adults. It is a must see if you are passing by the area.

Carbondale Illinois

It was heartwarming to see Jim visit his home town of Carbondale. Being at the Burn's was like going home to family. Brianna loves Mrs Burns. She enjoyed her time with her - sleepover and talking till midnight, popcorn and Harry Potter, and girl talk (on fashion, jewelry, etc...). She tells everyone about Mrs. Burns and how she was called Barbie before Barbie was even invented (this is the doll that Brianna uses as a door stop).

Jim also attended his 30th High School Reunion which was well attended. I think they all had fun catching up with old friends. He even visited old neighbour Craig Bardo and his family, who still call him with his Chinese name Hou-Fu. The reunion made Jim happy, but the state of his old town made him feel sad. All things change with time. He found it was nice to share 30 years of life in a nutshell of a few minutes, to see how people turned out. Craig was the basketball star of Jim's high school but his days of dunking are over. He is happily married with kids and is lucky enough to see his brother and sister and parents often. Another old classmate Philip Cochrane was not so lucky: he was fighting cancer, but grateful for every reprieve medicine could give him.

We hope and pray to be at the next reunion in ten years. God bless everyone.

More Pictures of Chicago

July 6th at Linda Skitka's house

A nice night at Linda Skitka, Bill and Christina's place in Chicago.. Jim and Linda talked shop (that is Psychology research), while Brianna watched Mama Mia with Christina and Bill did some of the cooking. The weather was wonderful. Too bad the fireflies are camera shy. Linda's and Bill renovated their wonderful house with antiques and wooden furnitures. I love her kitchen especially with the stove faucet that folds right next to the stove on the wall. Great for filling up that big pot for cooking big meals. What a great idea not to carry the big heavy pot from the sink to the stove. Must have been a woman who thought of this. We enjoyed the patio fire by making smores (graham cracker, hershey chocolate bar with melted marshmallow sandwich) -perfect on the summer night.

Millenium Park

This is the first time we have seen this park. It was very pleasant walking around with the big sculptures, the water features, the botanic section and the big open theater (Jay Pritzker Pavilion). I love the big bean. Brianna enjoyed the giant water feature with the faces spitting water to get the kids wet while they play. I heard the apartments around the area cost around five million.

Museum of Science and Industry July 6th

The Museum was fun for Brianna and the adults. There was a Harry Potter Exhibition just before we saw the new Harry Potter movie. We are in front of the flying car and Brianna got to wear the sorting hat. I got sorted in the Slytherin. Cunning Gal I am.

July 5th Chicago

Jim and Mike Blue are catching up at Mike's house in Chicago. We get to see them once every five years. He still looks the same except for his kids look older and a lot taller from when we last saw them. Brianna was two and a half when we last saw them.

4th of July with family and friends at Mark and Nancy's

We enjoyed the soak in the pool on this hot day. It was a perfect send off for us. We even had someone play the bagpipe for us by the pool. My sister and her family and my mom was there to complete my day. I am happy that they were able to make it to Mark and Nancy's that day.

I had moving pics too big for downloading but I have Mark and Nanc captured for our home video. California has it so good in terms of weather.

Universal Studios - July 3rd

Universal Studios have added a lot of things the last 17 years. It has more rides now and exciting ones too. The children loved it but it also scared them especially Brianna with the earthquake one. This is Hollywood with the glamour, the excitement and stimulation overload. Chuck and Jen with Nolan took us there for our last hooray before we left for the midwest. I loved that I saw the set of "Desperate Housewives"

Carter Family- July 2nd visit

It was wonderful to catch up with Jerome and Tracy, and of course their kids. This two are blessed to inspire young minds and spirits to be the best they can be. It is true for my friends that if you follow your bliss everything else will follow and they have been blessed. Power to inspiring the spirit. We love your poems - we will be sure to share it with our friends in New Zealand.