Photo source: Microsoft

Wishing all my friends, family and fellow bloggers and readers a very "Happy and Blessed New Year 2012. May the new year bring you peace, joy, good health & prosperity!"

Season's Greetings from the Yong family

Picture courtesy of Microsoft

Sesame Place Theme Park
by Adrian

Note: We are a bit behind in blogging so bear with us. The trip was taken on October 9, 2011.

It was at the end of the season and we decided to bring Brandon to Sesame Place Theme Park owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Yes, that's right the same owner that manage Shamu and friends. We have never been to SeaWorld so we did not know what to expect.

As it was the end of the season only a few attractions remained open. It was a mistake as there were too many people crammed into these few attractions causing chaos trying to line up for the shows. The staffs were very disorganized and did not direct the traffic well. We were very disappointed considering it is managed by SeaWorld. Parents were cutting lines along with the young ones. We were wondering what the parents are trying to proof to their kids!!! Cutting lines are fine...??? Oh well...!

Entrance

Sesame Street's characters in pumpkin form with Brandon and I

Countdown to Halloween at Monster Rock Theater

Elmo's World Live at Sesame Studio

The was a boo boo during the Elmo's World Live show. The timing was off and Mr. Noodle's nephew came out with the wrong voice over. For those who are not familiar. Mr. Noodle is a character introduced in 1998. Ever since, it always appear in Elmo's World segment.

Big Bird at the Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Telly monster, Bert and Ernie at the Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Cookie monster at Neighborhood Street Party Parade

Sesame Street trademark signage

Overall, it was a so so park. It was pricey, old, filthy (trash around eateries), confusing map, and poor service all over the park. We still prefer Disney Parks any time.

Thanksgiving 2011
by Adrian

This is the time to reflect what we have and not to take things for granted. With that said, we are very thankful of what we have.

The Meadowlands Pet Expo 2011
by Adrian

As I was refilling my fish tank filters at a pet store, I saw a flyer advertising for a pet expo few weeks ago. Thinking I would see lots of animals and fish, we decided to explore the expo today. The expo started yesterday (Nov 18, 11). Tell me whether it is worth it.

Alpaca

Some exotic animal I can't remember the name

Stare down German Shepherd

A Sumatran tiger eating half chicken

Dancing dogs no kidding...!

The stars of dancing with the dogs, Eddie and Henry

My favorite pet..! Gold fish..!

Different dishes for pet

Beethoven I mean a St. Bernard

Overall, I find the expo so so. They only have one tank of goldfish. Geez....! There were more owners with their pets than the animals itself. Oh well...! I suppose no more future visit from us.

Universal's Islands of Adventures
by Adrian

Note: This was the continuation from our Orlando trip.

It was the last day of our trip and we decided to pay Harry Potter a visit. We have been hearing people raving about it. It is the newest attraction to the park. The park was under construction when I was here eleven years ago. At that time, it was only Universal Studios which is next to Islands of Adventures.

Entrance to the park

Port of Entry

Seuss Landing gift shop

The Lost Continent

Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey

Hogwarts castle gates

Street of Hogsmeade (Look who passed out)

Hogswart Express

Owlpost is a system of sending messages or items using owls as the carriers. Besides the Owl Post Office, individuals and organizations with their own owls use them as their mail bearers. (Source: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Owl_post)

Butterbeer is a popular wizarding beverage described as tasting "a little bit like less-sickly butterscoth. (Source: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Butterbeer). Side note: It tasted like root-beer with a squirt of melted butter.

Three Broomsticks restaurant where Harry and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger enjoyed drinking butterbeer.

Glimpse of the food served at Three Broomstick

Chargrilled ribs, corn and potatoes

Cornish pastries and garden salad

Collection of wands which sells at $30 each

Marvel Super Hero Island

Cyclops projecting an optic blast pose

Princess Amoura and Sinbad

Overall, we find the park very exciting and fun. Unfortunately, we did not go to any rides since Brandon is too young for it. Perhaps on the next trip. Anyway, here are some tips from us. Just be ready to pay more for food and merchandise. Also beware of rude people as well. They will cut your line.

Unexpected Early Snow -White Halloween 2011 (Oct 29-30'11)
by Adrian

Early during the week, it was forecast-ed to snow on Saturday. Since it was forecast-ed to be accumulating one inch, no one took the warning seriously. I suppose it is very rare to have snow during October.

Wham.....! Did it hit us hard....! It was worse than hurricane Irene. Nobody factored in the fragile tree branches that would break easily. Well, as I have said it is too early for snow and the leaves have not completely fall off the trees yet. The treacherous snow landed on the leaves increased the load for the branches mixed with strong wind caused it to break.

Tree branches are over our area and we lost power since around 2pm Saturday (Oct 30'11). We saw branches on the cars and middle of the streets. We spent the night with camping lamps lighting our rooms with no heat. Imagine it was about 32F (0 Celsius) outside. Anyway, see for yourself the damages from the October snow storm.

Look at the sagging tree branches next to our shed

Broken branches on our front yard (Saturday)

Broken branches on our front yard (the next day)

More broken branches on the backyard

Road down our street closed due to broken branches

After about 24 hrs of no power, we finally had it back around 4pm the next day. We are very grateful there were no substantial damages to our property except a few broken branches that need to be cleared. Tennis elbow, back pain from shoveling the snow and a cut from cutting the tree branches .

Looks who is so happy. It also means Elmo's World is back.

Thanks for all your prayers and best wishes.

Disney Magic Kingdom Park
by Adrian

This is our second day at Orlando and also our second visit to another Disney Park. I have been to Disney Land (Anaheim, CA) twice and first time at Magic Kingdom (Orlando, FL). The Magic Kingdom's set up is very similar to Disney Land. Regardless of how many times I have visited the Disney resort, I still get excited. It reminded me of my childhood fantasy. Walt Disney has done an excellent job at creating a dream for a lot of people on this planet. See for yourself..!

Cinderella Castle iconic fairy-tale fortress that serves as the gateway to Fantasyland

Mickey Mouse's pumpkin deco on the Main Street U.S.A lamp depicting Fall is coming

A section of Main Street U.S.A

The Haunted Mansion

Pinocchio

Lilo and Stitch

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

Aladdin

Brandon enjoying the park

Family picture

Overall, it was a great visit even though we did not go for all the rides. We will definitely be back in a few years time. I strongly recommend you to check out the place.