Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Our summer getaway 2014 - Charleston and Savannah

Tuesday 26 August, we arrived in the early evening at Charleston. We flew from Chicago, Antoine from Atlanta. And amazingly, it took us less than half an hour to wait and find each other. After a simple dinner at a Southern cuisine restaurant, Ming Ming insisted on visiting the hotel swimming pool at 10pm (9pm Chicago time).

And the first activity in the morning, even before having breakfast, was swimming again.


visiting the Holy City - Charleston, South Carolina. The name Holy City comes from the many churches (of all branches of Christianity) congregated in the city.

Market Street

We joined a carriage tour. The tour guide was an excellent story-teller, giving us an interesting account of the history and urban legends of Charleston, and his skill in driving the horses through town traffic was equally remarkable. 


the grand mansions of Charleston

the pineapples at the gate, used in the old days as a sign indicating the owners profession (traders who imported exotic fruits), continued to signify wealth and luxury here. 


cobbler stone street - slaves used to be punished and sold here.



a swing chair at the waterfront... Ming Ming's favorite spot.



Ming Ming signing the declaration of independence

in search for food

found an excellent sandwich shop that serves prosciutto

after some shoe shopping (Antoine only had business shoes), we headed back to the hotel for a small break..

East Bay Street... 


if the vegetation looks familiar, it is because most of them were imported from Southeast Asia.

Battery Point

Ming Ming took this pic.




sun set... 
We have a very good seafood dinner after that... our best meal, at Pealz Oyster Bar... 
Ming Ming ordered the best dish - Clams in white wine...

Monday, August 18, 2014

Ming Ming's first year on the Violin /明明奏琴----第一個年頭



I am planning to write something on the suzuki method of learning violin, as it created such amazing results but also becomes the hardest thing to do with Ming Ming every day.
We are pretty diligent students, practicing almost everyday. And Ming Ming's teacher Hilary probably sees Ming Ming as one of her best students. Still, it is hard to get a now six-year-old to practice everyday, sometimes I question if it is worth the fight. But before I come to the conclusion that it is not worth it, Ming Ming is still going to practice everyday, or almost.