Weekend Getaway - Tampa (Day 2)

The best part about the trip is neither the scenery we saw nor the activities we did, but the chance to live together with a loving American family:

Waking up by the aromatic smell of breakfast;

Chit-chatting over the kitchen bar (I really admire Nikole's mom's bold decision of returning to the campus after having kids and working hard for a passionate cause. An attorney-to-be!) ;

Flipping through high school yearbook on the bed;

Losing count of the countless decorations and collectives in the room; 

Swimming at the backyard (we didn't do that actually, but the pool looks awesome!);

Teasing the little cute one in the house;

Watching movie and playing games on the 65-inch TV;

Getting an adrenaline pump at the ice-skating rink, 

Preparing for an unglamorous fall that could take place any moment;

Shopping at a local mall which has a merry-go-round, and Auntie Anne (and Victoria Secrets);

Going crazy in the bankrupted Borders;

And coming back home with a heavy load, a light heart;

...and a big smile :D

Weekend Getaway - Tampa (Day 1)

My lovely Navigator Nikole brought Mandy and I back home over the weekend (yea, I know I still owe lotsa posts on Spring Break, New Orleans, Panama City, Daytona.... haha) 

Top of a multi-level carpark where we had a bird-eye-view of the Tampa Port and the Channel Side. 

The dome-shaped building is the Florida Aquarium.

Ice-cream at The Cold Stone. 

Strawberry Funnel Cake. 

Standing next to the world's largest bowling pin. haha. 

Love watching these brightly coloured trolleys roam around the city.

Street artist flaunting his pair of skillful hands. 

Done in 10 min! :D

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A relaxing evening stroll along the Tampa Bay, surely we're living a good, good life. ;) 

Tampa, the Pirate City ;) 

What a cute picture~! 

How I can stop myself from vandalizing it? 

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I can't ~! 

haha. 

Had a glimpse of the setting sun in the car. 

One here's of the lousiest raman I've ever tasted. Not worth the wait & money at all. :( 

Can't seem to find many good food in the USA.... 

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Mandy & Nikole playing Wii Boxing. 

I suck at video games. haha. 

Mandy got so excited about it and Nikole was definitely tensed up (just look at the i'm-not-gonna-let-you-win look on her face!) 

The loving pair of pets caressed and played with one another while we watch "The Tourist" on the 65-inch mega huge TV. 

I dozed off half way though... :P 

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That concludes our first day being with an American family and hanging out with an American girl in the American way. 

Sweet :)