Animal Kingdom

As we only did a few things in Animal Kingdom, this may not be a truly fair list. I am sure there are some things there that would be added to my favorites list. I might just list them too! As for now, here are a few of my favorite things in Disney's Animal Kingdom:

1. Festival of the Lion King

2. Everest Expedition

3. Dinosaur

4. Primeval Whirl

5. The Tree of Life

6. It's Tough to Be a Bug

7. early morning extra hour

8. Finding Nemo: The Musical (did not do this trip)

9. Khali River Rapids (did not do this trip)

10. Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

Pop Century Hotel

Having just returned from a trip to Disney World, it is hard to narrow down the top ten things I loved most. I will probably submit several "favorites" lists here. Today, here are the top ten things I loved most about our hotel, the Pop Century Resort:

1. the nostalgia brought on by the decor

2. the items from each decade in the main lobby

3. the stair wells at each wing

4. the Mowgli and Baloo statue

5. bus service to each park

6. Memory Lane

7. the Mickey Mouse towel

8. bus service to and from the airport

9. there was always something to eat

10. the hula hoops and sidewalk chalk for the kids while waiting for bus

Forbidden Gardens

We were able to visit Forbidden Gardens to see the replica terra cotta army and Forbidden City and learn some more about Ancient Chinese history. Here are a few of my favorite things we saw and learned:



1. the clay soldiers



2. learning more about the actual burial site of Emperor Qin

3. learning about the Forbidden City

4. walking through the model of the Forbidden City



5. seeing Ancient Chinese weapons

6. learning about Chinese architecture



7. learning about the city of Suzhou, it produces 96% of the world's silk

8. seeing shoes of women whose feet were bound, 3" long



9. the emperor ate with silver tipped chopsticks-the silver would react with any poisons in the food, turning the silver a different color



10. good tour guide

at the in-laws

I have been able to spend two days this week at my in-laws house. Today I had both my young nephews with me. They have never been to a place like this. It reminded me of some of my favorite things about their place:

1. five acres seems like a really big yard to a city kid

2. even kids can drive the tractor (riding lawn mower)

3. kids get to experience a little "danger" in a safe environment

4. fishing in a pond catching little perch is exciting for city boys

5. getting good and dirty

6. run around without a nagging mom (or aunt) right be hind you all the way

7. sliding down a fire pole from the loft in the barn

8. learning about plants in the area

9. they have some beautiful new bamboo

10. getting a little "pampered" in my older nephew's words

To Kill A Mockingbird

I just finished reading "To Kill A Mockingbird". This was the only book I liked in high school from the required reading list. That being said, I have not read it since then. I had forgotten much of it. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. told from a young kid's perspective

2. Atticus-he is the same in public as he is in private

3. Jem-watching this boy turn into a young man through the story

4. Scout-what you see is what you get with this gal!

5. Dill-full of imagination and fire

6. Calpurnia-the balancing effect she brings to the Finch family

7. Tom Robinson-just tryin' to do the right thing

8. Miss Maudie-doing what she can to help Jem and Scout grow up

9. Boo Radley-comes to the rescue when it really counts

10. There is just one kind of folks. Folks. Treating them badly is like shooting a mockingbird.

Lone Star Triathlon

Well, I did it! I finished the triathlon and had a great time doing it! Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. the goody bag

2. doing this with friends and family

3. my mother in law and daughter coming down to cheer us on

4. the END of the swim

5. the cycling route

6. the encouraging crowd and crew members

7. the announcer

8. GREAT weather

9. beating my time goals

10. I DID IT!!