JUST TAKING IT EASY

This is me, taking it easy and enjoying the free time (I would be the one sitting on the rock while others swimming around).  A few of my classmates have kids that are between 6 and 8 years old.  One person has a 9 months old baby.  Others work full time and carrying the same course load as I do.  They attended class and submitted assignments on time.  They don't expect special treatment or getting passing grade without doing the hard work.  I told them that I greatly admired them for their determination and how they managed to handle all the responsibilities.  I remembered when I was at Hunter College while working full time but that was when I was young and had a purpose and lot of goals in life than simply watching hockey/football games!

I still don't know how I did it - one semester I carried 12 credits while working full time.  Somehow I managed to earned a straight A's that semester.  It could be because I set goals to achieve a college education and a better future.  And I had to take care of myself since I did not have a husband back then.  Now I am a geezer, not much energy left, and I could live off my husband who has been very supportive.  After 30 years of working and paying taxes, I will try not to feel too guilty about taking it easy for awhile.  Besides, I would rather be working only if I was not "thrown-off" the bridge .......     

WILDLIGHTS AT ST. LOUIS ZOO

We went to the Zoo last night. It was our first time walking through the Christmas Light Display. The annual evening walk is opened from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thousand of lights were strung on trees, along the fences, throughout the grounds with many fun animated lightings.

It is a family event where the kids could listen to storytellers or ride the carousel. Parking is free and admission is $5 per person. The entire zoo is not opened so it takes about 30 minutes to walk around and see all the displays. The cafe is opened for those wishing to get something to eat or hot chocolate as it was about 35 degrees. It was a crisp cold night for the walk but it could be a bit freezing to the bones, even with hats and gloves.

We offered to take photos when we see families and most of the people were appreciated. It was nice to see the kids having a good time with Mom and Dad or grandparents. I used to think of my nephew and wishing he lived nearby so we could enjoy these activities together. From an experience that was "a bad idea" when we were in NYC last year, I finally realized that JL has grown up and no longer the child that would be happy just sitting next to me while I read to him. Sadly, he is more interested in computer games than interacting with his "Big Auntie". I finally learned to accept that the kind of relationship I envision and hope to built with my nephew is not what he might wish to have. It is a lesson of letting go that most parents have to do with their children. You do your best, allowing them to fly away and hope that they won't be those "boomerang" kids!

PUMPKIN FACES AT THE ZOO

These photos were taken from the Saturday when we were at the zoo. There were a lot of activities for the kids and they were excited when they saw these sort-of giant pumpkins. The zoo had to put the fence around these scupltures to keep the kids from climbing onto the pumpkins. Or sticking their little heads/arms/legs into one of the holes, got stuck and could not get out!

I bet these pumpkin faces are not as nice as the ones carved by the world-renowed artists, Benjamin and his young brother (but equally talented) Noah :)

Sunday, October 23rd - After Mass, we went for a Sunday drive in the country (to Farmington, Missouri). We stopped by St. Genevieve for lunch at Big Field Cafe. It was nice to see that the cafe was busy with both the locals and visitors. You could tell who were the locals because the owners recognized them and the subject of their conversation. We saw the before when the place was a mess, all gutted and now the after, how nicely the cafe is clean, inviting, decorated with art works from local artists. There is a gallery on the 2nd floor.

We were disappointed that the fall colors were not the bright red/orange, just the dull yellow, brown and a few red spots. It was nice Sunday drive in the T-bird, and that is good enough for us (well, more for my husband anyway!)

FRIDAY SKY - ST. LOUIS ZOO

After a sunny warm weekend, the temperature dropped into the mid-50s earlier in the week. In the evenings, when the Cardinals played game 1 and 2 of the World Series in St. Louis at Busch Stadium, you could tell the fans at the ballpark were cold! Later in the week when the Series moved to Texas, it was sunny and warm again. I don't understand why game 3, 4 and 5 would be at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. I thought game 5 would be in St. Louis, then game 6 in Texas and game 7 back to St. Louis. Well, what do I know about baseball anyway?

I could not resist and started buying candies for Halloween. Normally I would not get the candies until a few days before the 31st. I had to hide the goodies from my husband so he won't get into the bags before the kids show up. I also had to get rid of the candies quickly before I start eating them. The stores put out the candies with big signs of discounts. So I got a few bags this week, way too early, but I could not resist when it was a good sales.

This week I only went to 8am Mass on Tuesday and Thursday. I love seeing the school kids when they helped with the readings, singing and bringing up the gifts. I especially love listening to the 2nd graders. Their sweet voice always makes me smile. I need to get back to attending Mass everyday. When the cold winter comes with the snow falling, it would be hard to get out of the warm bed, early in the morning. I am sure the Sisters of Mercy would love to tell the story of how they had to walk in feet of snow, without snow boots, just to be at Mass!

THESE ARE NOT FROM ZANESVILLE, OHIO

Here are a few more photos from our recent visit to St. Louis Zoo. When I first saw the above "art work" I thought it was real. My husband explained that sometimes predators such as tigers or lions would carry their kills up high on the tree to avoid having to share with other lions/tigers that are freeloaders, too lazy to get their own food.

Then there was the above hyena that stood so still like as if he was posing. There were about five of us taking photos. Only after we started walking away that the hyena moved. I waited but he did not laugh or even grin to show off his teeth!

It must be after feeding time because these two big cats took a long nap and did not move the whole time we were there. I went back trying to take a good photo of them walking around but no luck.

I would like to visit the zoo during the winter, especially when there is a thin layer of snow. It would make an interesting photo of the above leopard with the snow on the ground as if it was laying on a white blanket. Maybe this winter I will finally go to the zoo instead of keep talking about it.

NO MONKEY AROUND (A NICE DAY AT THE ZOO)

Saturday, October 15th was a sunny and comfortable day. After breakfast, we decided to go to the zoo. It has been a long time since we were there. When we got to the parking lot, the entire town was there too because the lot was 99% full. Everyone wanted to be outdoor on a beautiful day.

There is no admission fee at St. Louis Zoo. The operating fund comes from annual property taxes paid by the good citizens of St. Louis County. There is however a charge of $12 to park in the lot directly across from the main entrance. There are plenty of street parking but you would have to either get there real early or willing to walk a few blocks which should be good for our "big fat belly" anyway.

When we were at Yellowstone National Park, we saw very little of wildlife. We saw many large herds of bisons, a dozen antelopes, a few deer and I thought I saw a coyote. I am not complaining because I would not wish to encounter a black or brown bear. I think seeing wildlife behind the cages at the zoo would be just fine for my education.

It was the first time I saw an okapi, a native of Republic of Congo. It looks almost like a zebra with a large brown blanket covering its upper body. It has a face between a dog and a mule. It might look like a zebra but its family tree is more related to the giraffes.

It was a good day to be at the zoo seeing the animals and watching the kids having fun from the OctoberFest activities that included face painting, making craft items and riding the train around the zoo.

Sunday, October 16th - The day began with NFL games countdown and all the intelligent discussions about the players, the coaches and current standing. The 49ers handed the Lions their first defeat of the season. The Packers are the only undefeated team. I can't wait for next Sunday when the Saints will be in town (hopefully the Rams will put up a good fight).

TUESDAY TWO - JUST TAKING IT EASY AT THE ZOO (SLEEPING "BROWN" BEARS)

It has been awhile since we went to the zoo. Last night I saw the documentary about polar bears and then from the travel channel about the brown bears in Alaska. Suddenly, I wanted to go to the zoo and see the animals. It always brings back wonderful childhood memory in Viet Nam when my parents took us to the zoo. I would ride the bicycle (two front wheels, a back bucket seat and two rear wheels) with my little sister CH or little brother VL (aka Qaptain Qwerty) in the back seat. When was the last time you went to local zoo and really had a great time there?