This giant standing tall in front of Lauterbach's Tire and Auto Service on Wabash Street, along the Route 66 1926-1930, in Springfield, Illinois. The giant used to hold a large muffler. I am glad that the owner replaced the muffler with an American flag. These photos are appropriate to post following my 30th anniversary coming to America entry. It looks as if the Lauterbach Giant extends a warm welcome to America to all those seeking freedom and liberty in the new land. 
(Above photo of Ms. Green M. Liberty was taken in December 2007 at the Hershey Store in Times Square, NYC.)I have been thinking about what I would write for this post about our 30th Anniversary. One of the blogs I enjoy reading is from David Michael Bruno, http://www.guynameddave.com/, and he wrote, "these days when a person achieves something like the American Dream (let's just say that's moving solidly into the upper-middle class), his lifestyle changes. He becomes a cigar aficionado and also starts collecting fine wines. He starts driving a sports car or a luxury car, perhaps both. He buys a larger, flatter TV and pays for access to sports cable networks."
Well, I have not become a cigar aficionado or collecting fine wines (I don't consume alcohol) and though I love hockey and football, I would not pay extra for sports cable networks. We drive a sport car (well, the T-bird belongs to my husband) and recently purchase a 48" HD lcd tv with blue ray dvd player. With the current economy and the unknown future, I don't think we would ever move into the upper-middle class but I know we have achieved the American Dream.Here is what I wrote on January 10, 2008, "28 years later, did we achieve the American Dream? Compared to some people, we did. We have achieved the level of comfortable living, earned college education, being homeowners, professional employment, and most of all, watching my nephew growing up in a country with plenty of opportunities to achieve more and become better than previous generations. Compared to others, we are not millionaires, nor owners of international companies, not well-known politicians or leaders, not movie stars or even contestant on American Idols!
We have achieved the American Dream in our own way. There are still other levels we could try to reach. I am thankful for all the people who have provided assistance, extended friendship and helping hands. I know my Dad is smiling and saying, "Good work", as our family celebrate our 28th Anniversary coming to America. To my Dad, the foundation and the guiding light, Happy Anniversary. I sure hope there is plenty of chocolate ice cream in heaven for you to enjoy, Dad."
I left Viet Nam when I was 18.5 years old, so I have actually lived in America longer. I am always proud to be an American and I appreciate all the blessings we have received living in America. Earlier this year, my sister and I planned to visit Viet Nam but it did not work out. It just occurred to me that it would not be so terrible or a disappointment if I never go back to visit my birthplace. I had many wonderful memories growing up but there were also many unpleasant incidents that I would not care to remember.
Yes, I believe we are living the American Dream, by our own definitions of hard work, paying taxes, owning our homes, taking care of our families, being active in our community, performing civic duties, making contributions for the good of society and never take freedom and liberty for granted.
(PS: My anniversary celebration was dampened when my Patriots failed badly to the Baltimore Ravens, final score 33-14 Ravens. On the good side, yesterday the NY Jets advanced beating the Bengals 24-14 and the Cowboys eliminated the Eagles 34-14. What is with all the losing teams only getting 14 points? Next game is the Packers v. Cardinals this evening. Whichever team wins is fine with me as I like both Rodgers and Warner.)
I always thought these photos taken at Rockefeller Center in NYC of the giant toy soldiers playing the trumpet, tapping the drum, and smashing the cymbals, looking as if they were announcing the arrival of the New Year.
I finally completed organizing more than 1,000 photos from our Route 66 Adventure in October. It took a lot of time to review the photos, write down the images based on locations (Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri) and themes (gas stations, bridges, cafes etc.) or funny signs along the road for appropriate postings.
After a few turns around as we were not sure exactly where the Route was, we began the first of many stops on Route 66 visiting the restored 1898 Round Barn in Arcadia. The next stop was the 66 foot tall Pop Bottle at POPS (see photos in December 5th post). After Luther and Wellston, we stopped at Country Kitchen in Chandler for lunch. We spent a few minutes at Seaba Station, a former 1924 machine shop in Warwick. We saw many cast-off remnants of US66 in Depew, Bristow, Kellyville, Stroud, Sapulpa, but we did not see much of Route 66 in Tulsa. We probably missed a turn and did not have time to back-track - perhaps next time! We saw the Blue Whale in Catoosa, stopped by The Nut House near Verdigris for pecan fudge, encountered terrible slow traffic due to construction in Claremore and completely missed the World's Largest Totem Pole in Foyil. We did spent time taking many photos of the T-bird at the 1926 iron bridge over Pryor Creek in Chelsea. After White Oak, Vinita, and Afton, we decided to spend the night in Miami (pronounced My-am-uh), Oklahoma. The next morning, Saturday, October 24th, after breakfast, our first stop was Mickey Mantle boyhood home in Commerce. Waving goodbye to Quapaw, Oklahoma, we crossed the state line into Kansas. We spent the entire morning exploring the 13.2 miles of Route 66 in this charming corner of the Sunflower State. We took plenty of photos of the T-bird at the Rainbow Bridge, at a 1930s-era Phillips 66 Station now serves as Visitors Center and 4 Women on the Route cafe. Galena Museum was full of historical artifacts and a real nice person took the time to show us around the museum. We only wish we had more time!
The above sign welcomed us back into Missouri on Saturday afternoon. We drove into Joplin, then stopped for lunch in Webb City and took photos of the Praying Hands off Macarthur Highway 171. Our next stop was the 66 Drive In, a restored roadside theatre in Carthage. Of course, my husband took many photos of the T-bird at this Drive In. Precious Moments Park and the Chapel were closed when we finally got there early evening. After a drive around the Historic Square, saw the murals of The Battle of Carthage, the classic 1939 Boots Motel (where Clark Gable stayed in Room #6), we decided to take a room at Best Western Precious Moments Hotel. The next morning, Sunday, October 25th, we attended Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church, then took a scenic drive along the Spring River thru Kellogg Lake Park, passed the Gay Parita Sinclair Station at Paris Springs, spent a lot of time there and finally got back to Springfield, just in time for a big lunch. After that we took I-44 East all the way home since we were so overwhelmed with all the wonderful experience on Route 66, yet exhausted after four days of constant getting in and out of the T-bird, taking photos, meeting and sharing Route 66 memories with so many friendly and helpful people. We already planned our next Route 66 during Spring-Summer 2010 and will try to get as far to Arizona.
It is true that time flies when you are having fun. The last three years, I have had a lot of fun writing, learning from reading other blogs, sharing thoughts on serious matters and silly subjects, being part of the blogging community, most importantly, connecting with family and friends. Please join me in the celebration of my little silly boring blog, TOTA, turning three today, August 4, 2009. As previous mentioned, special thanks to Qaptain Qwerty for his help getting TOTA started in 2006. My blog would not have been "success and well-known" has it not been for the encouragement and continued support from the Qaptain! Of course, deepest appreciation to all my adoring fans and faithful followers, known and unknown. 
Recent visitors probably thought this blog is about a little doll named Benjamin, aka Babe of Brooklyn, aka Chubby Stanley (cousin of Flat Stanley). Well, it is summer and off-hockey/football seasons, so majority of this blog will be about Route 66 and Benjamin at roadside attractions on our weekend trips. Visit my sports blog at www.shorthandedgoal.blogspot.com if you wish to see photos from all the hockey games we attended and most recently, photos from Grand Haven, Michigan - hometown of Dan Bylsma, Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2009 Stanley Cup Champion. (We saw and took a few photos of Bylsma riding in the Coast Guard Festival Parade.) I am sure the readers did not visit my blog expecting wisdom or intelligent discussions on how to solve the problems of the current economy, unemployment, energy costs, health care, illegal immigrations, solutions for the Middle East conflicts, the wars around the world or touchy subject such as racism. Since I don't have all the facts or level of understanding on these issues, I would not wish to write and comment on these topics. I would not want to act like an idiot for making remarks about those involved and then try to blame others for pointing out my "foot in the mouth" moment! 
I finally read the instruction manual of my digital camera Sony DSC-W150 Super SteadyShot and learned how to set the Scene Selection to Fireworks mode. These photos were taken on Saturday night, August 1st during the celebration of Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. More about our recent visit to Grand Haven, more about Route 66 and of course, the ever smiling Benjamin, in upcoming posts. 
