Happy Birthday Hubby!


Before I begin my usual blog entry, I would like you to know that today is my husband’s birthday. I also want the world to know that I LOVE my husband and I wish him the best for the next 365.242199 days of his life! And don’t forget honey, to hurry up and finish your paper in time for the Ireland conference! Happy Birthday and May you have many more! *Muah!*~Your Loving Wife


Rogers and Eureka Springs, Arkansas


We had a great time in Rogers and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Click here to see our photos! We stayed at the Embassy Suites and went on a day-hike at Devil’s Den State Park. We walked the Yellow Rock Trail with an overlook scenic view and the Devils Den Trail with a waterfall and three small caves to explore. When you go, bring your flashlights. If you don’t have one, you can purchase one at the visitor’s center for $5.00. We all enjoyed the hike, and at nights, my husband enjoyed a restful night in front of the television while the girls go out for dinner and shopping! On our way home we stopped by Eureka Springs Historic Downtown. There are a lot of things to see with many cute restaurants, galleries, bead shops, and etc. If you want to go shopping, many small private shops don’t accept credit cards. There are only 2 ATMs in the area. Parking is not bad if you are willing to pay $5.00 for a day. We felt that a half day to one day visit in the historic downtown would be enough. Everyone there was really nice. The lady who managed the paid parking lot was especially nice. She only accepted cash payment and I only had a credit card. She told us where the ATMs were in town and said we could just pay her when we are ready to leave. This was an experience nothing close with Chicago’s parking personnel. As for food, it was not impressive, but what would you expect from a little town like Eureka Springs. I had a fish sandwich with fries and I’m sure they may have nooced it straight from the freezer. Prices were reasonable, and there are a lot of cute specialty shops to look through.


St. Louis, Missouri


Not long after returning from Arkansas, my sister Pam, asked me to accompany her to St. Louis where she had a modeling gig for the Budweiser Company. She often needs someone to come along her on these long driving trips to from her from falling asleep at the wheel. I thought it would be interesting to see how photography shoots worked. I got a chance to chat with different parties participating in these transactions and had learned that it’s not as “easy” as it seems. As for the models, they got it good. The only thing my sister complained about the job was too much smiling. “It’s hard work!” she said. It’s amazing she could say that with a straight face. It may sound like I’m exaggerating, but what would you say to just smiling for about a hundred bucks AN HOUR. Ya, see what I mean? Not only that, they had a lot of down time, chatting with each other, and the studio feeds them breakfast and lunch. Not the cheep hotel kinds, the Panera Bread quality food with awesome coffee. Anyways, my husband decided that he wanted to see me and drove from his school to St. Louis… just to be with ME! We had a Great time. Just me and him taking it slow, maybe walking around somewhere quiet. I wanted to see something interesting and Rana wanted to go somewhere that didn’t cost us any money. We chose to go to the St. Louis Zoo. Click here to see pictures of our day! Not far from the zoo there was a huge park with walking and biking track around a large body of water. With less than a five-minute walk from the zoo entrance is the St. Louis Art Museum. We didn’t have enough time to visit the museum, but that maybe our next stop, that and the Science Center and Botanical Gardens, next time we find ourselves in St. Louis. Despite all the activities in the city, we all didn’t like the city itself. Not only was the city mostly old and getto-ish, but the drivers all over town were insane. Rana and Sophie almost got hit twice at the intersections by drivers running stoplights and stop signs. The drivers were mostly impatient and you can often tell what they are shouting from their body language and facial gestures. I’m proud to say Kansas City, so far, is nothing close to that. I have to admit that Kansas City’s population has been growing a lot and it’s once “country friendliness” has becoming scarce. Now, when I’m on the road, I have consciously, attempted to be a nicer driver. With the “pay it off” concept, I hope my small actions would spread onto other drivers and perhaps salvage what’s left of Kansas City’s friendly folkness.


About the House again


Today, my agent called me while I was on my way to my internship at the art museum. “I have semi-good news” he said. He told me there was another buyer very interested in the house and that we should be expecting an offer over this weekend. “Oh ok,” I said in an unenthusiastic voice. “This is good news” my agent thought to make clear to me. I knew it was good news. In fact this was GREAT news, but for some reason at that time, I felt no excitement whatsoever. I was surprised at myself. What’s wrong with me? I should be grateful for the news. This was news that would make my day. Then I realized my immediate thought after hearing this was…Here we go again. Is this guy going to back out at the last minute too? I know this was all part of the house-selling game, but I was so devastated from last weekend’s prospective offer, I was not yet ready to go through the disappointment again…the volatile feelings of great expectations and excitement with a sudden drop straight down to the lows of all lows and grey skies. I feel so out of breath after these sessions. “Yay” I cheered in false exuberance. I really didn’t know what else to say but “Let’s just cross our fingers and hope that all goes well this time.” Now it’s the end of the day with the weekend nearing, I have had time to think the conversation over and over again, and each time I find myself getting more and more excited about it. But also each time I remind myself to calm down and just be patient and be ready to expect anything. So the best way in dealing with it, is to keep my mind occupied with other things going on in my life.


Switzerland Update


With all the things that have been going on with school and the sale of my home, I have not yet forgotten my original plan to visit the country through a biking tour. It is something I really want to do, but I need to make sure things are moving along here at home before I leave. My plans to live outside the country may have been stalled but it’s only because of unexpected opportunities that have arisen in just this past week. With my income tax return check safe in my checking account, an “ok” on my next investment project (which I have not yet told you because I don’t want to jinx it), a recent positive event (I’ll also tell you about that once it’s official, again don’t want to jinx it) and positive feedbacks on my home, I feel more secure in moving on closer to the Switzerland plan. I have checked the plane rates (I use Kayak.com) and emailed the biking company for detail information. We have set a date and all is left is to confirm our school schedules, and make clear on travel visas for Rana. US citizens don’t have to have a visa for Switzerland if visiting no longer than 90 days. India citizens are required visiting visas, however, a website stated a visa for non-US residents would not be required if the individual held a green card or permanent resident status within the United States. I wanted to make doubly sure, because my father and I almost had to fly back home shortly after arriving at the Hong Kong airport due to a visa mix up. As of now, we have planned for May 9th (Wed) for 7 days. Depending on where the bike trip begins, we may be flying from Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH).


As for now, I just take a keep breath and clear my mind… Don’t I have a final paper to work on for class? Oh! And I better moving on my parent’s tax returns!