.: July is Ending.. Yikes! :.

.:Annual J4 Wkend:.

This is the third year now that our friends from Philly came to MN to visit. We talked this year that perhaps next year we should all meet in a different city; just so we get to experience a new city together. BUT I doubt that is happening since they just find more and more reasons (esp food) to like MN more. This time it was Culver's. Yup, believe it. We went there alot during the weekend. 

Funny how much and bad we eat during our vacations! This time I gained 6 lbs! I went from 113 to 119 lbs. Thank goodness I have been pretty good since then and now I am back to 113 lbs. I feel good about my weight. I won't mind losing a few more pounds since Duong and I are planning to Chicago in mid-August. There are not eating limits when we go on vacation. I won't be surprised if that is where we spend most of our money during vacation. We are definitely having deep dish pizza, chili hot-dogs (even though I am NOT a fan or hot-dogs, yuck!) and chowing down in Chinatown!

Here is the MN - Philly gang J4 2011

We love to flex to show off our muscles! 

Oh, where did the summer go.. It's already almost over and I barely got to enjoy it. This summer has been packed with classes, work and doing things for other people. I really need to do more for myself (no, not just studying!). I didn't even get to post up my Summer Bucket List.

Here it is.

Summer Bucket List:

-Cherry of Spoon

-Hiking then have a Picnic

-State Fair in Stp

-Watch Sunset

-Watch Sunrise

-Spend a day in Downtown

-Spend a day in Uptown then Calhoun

-Visit Laura and her family in Austin, MN

-Road Trip to Chicago

I had to cut down alot since I recently realized that I really couldn't do anything til August (and when classes are over) unless it's on the weekends.

Trip OUT East with My Moma and Sisters

After my mom being hospitalized for 2-3 weeks last spring 2010, I promised myself I would take us GIRLS on a trip.... so here we are June 2011 to celebrate my MOMA's 50th B-day and my 26th B-day!

She's always wanted to see lights, casino and the ocean!!! Philly and AC had it all and I knew the cities well enough. I also choose Philly because I had friends there... It was rather selfish of me but I wanted to show my sisters and mom where I use to live and how life is like there. It was my comfort zone because I knew where I was going and what to do there. It required very little research and it definitely helped lower the stress level!

We had so many great moments and a couple not-so-good moments. But that's life, right. Not everything works out perfectly.. I personally believe that in every action or life decision we make, it comes with a lesson for us to learn. One of the biggest stress was my mom getting on the plane (also our flight getting cancelled 8 hours before take off). Planes are not handicapped friendly, nor are they bigger people friendly. And in my mom's case, it took some time and adjustment to make. She probably will not be flying for a while. Probably the next time she gets on a plane again will be for my destination wedding!
I wish we could have stayed longer but I had to get back for school. I was already missing two classes. Ka, my baby sister, wanted more more day in Atlantic City. It was so fun for her. I spent a great deal of money taking all four of us, but the moments and expressions from them are all PRICELESS! 

My sisters an I on the beach of Atlantic City, NJ

Bassetts Ice Cream 

Maggiano's Little Italy on 12th and Flibert in Philly, PA

We did the classic style family dinner and got so much food. It was delicious! 

This cheesecake was soo good! We also had the best waiter in the house! His service was amazing!

Moma, Matha and Ka @ Liberty Bell Museum in Philly, PA.

Us girls ventures to the LOVE statue.

Moma loved the boardwalk!

We stayed at the Showboat.

Showboat buffet was amazing!

You win a little and lose a little... 

It was soooo fun! I would definitely do it again (IN a HEARTBEAT)!