Dallas Texas - The Lone Star State

Trip Start Jun 23, 2007

Trip End Jul 11, 2007

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Flag of United States Dallas, Texas, United States
Saturday, June 23, 2007

(23-06-07) DALLAS - TEXAS

Finally after more that 24hrs of travel, we arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Hard to believe but it was still the 23rd of June when we arrived in Dallas. That's the soul zapping and mind boggling trick the International Date Line will play on you if you so much as cross over it heading East. Yeah! we have gain an extra day!!! That's a cause to celebrate rite? Well, payback's a BITCH! as we later found out at the end of our saga.

My mum, May and her hubby Wade were there waiting for us with fervour, followed by a sharp enthusiastic soprano yapping from May's 9yrs old female Pomeranian, Nikki, an adorable sight. Lots of licks followed as I picked her up for the first time, oh! how my face needed that exfoliation after that 24hrs marathon flight. Wade drove us to my favourite haunt, Denny's, for supper. Ahhh! Real Meal at last! after all those sorry-excuse-of-a-meal call airline-cuisine. After supper, we headed for May's Home, err..., I meant Castle for the first time. We settle in for the night and boy!, did we sleep like a log that night.

Fire Place and TV Corner

(24-06-07) TRADERS VILLAGE and DINNER at MANNY'S

We woke to a sunny afternoon the following day, refreshed and ready to take on the world. May suggested to make a trip to Traders Village(a flea market of some sort) to scour for good bargains. Traders Village was a Treasure Trove. I bought some T-shirts and a pair of Crocs equivalent for only US10! and it served me well throughout the trip. I'm still using them today after 1 �year. Not forgetting our beloved pups back home, we custom-made two dog tags with their name engraved in the shape of a bone for them.

Traders Village

Almost closing time at Traders Village

Typical American Windmill

After a difficult effort to wean ourselves off from the lure of the Flea, Wade took us to Manny's (A Mexican Restaurant) for a sumptuous dinner and beers, which we ate to our heart's content. We called it a day after that.

Dallas Skyline

Negra Modelo

Mexican Dish - Yum!

Wade, Ling, Mum & I at Manny's

Nikki bouncing on the sofa

May & Ling at the Kitchen Counter

(25-06-07) GRAPEVINE MILLS and CRACKER BARREL

The following morning, Chef May and Chef Mom prepared us a hearty breakfast. Then off we went in search of day care centre and nursery for Emma.

Chef May & Chef Mum at work

Day Care Centre

Wade & mum negotiating a deal

The trip to the US will never be complete without setting foot on a Factory Outlet Store. There I came face to face with a Bison, a grazing beast that roam the Great Plains of the Americas. The highlight of the day was lunch at Cracker Barrel, an old country restaurant. This rustic country style restaurant is a must to try. Their specialty is deep fried catfish served with homemade buttermilk biscuit.

Grapevine Mills

The Bison

Ten Gallon Hat

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Wade & Mum waiting for their meal

1st time Ling is happy with a Cat, Catfish that is

(26-06-07) 6th FLOOR MUSEUM, AW SHUCKS DINNER and HELLO EMMA

That was the day that we virtually saw the assassination of President JFK through the eyes of Lee Harvey Oswald. The historical event took place on Friday the 22nd of November 1963. The shot was fired from the 6th floor of the Texas School Book Depository which has been made into a museum today to showcase that tragic event. We walked to the spot on Elm Street where JFK was shot and looked up to the 6th floor of the Depository. I immediately got goose bumps and expecting to hear 3 gunshots from the ghost of the past; I gotta stop reading those Stephen King's novel.

6th Floor Museum

From Elm St.

JFK SHOT! here

Evening came and it's time to fetch mum for dinner. May was in labour and Wade's at the hospital waiting for the stork to come flying by. Dinner at Aw Shucks was a delightful experience. The Crawfish and Catfish platter was surprisingly flavoursome. Crawfish also reminded me of the lyrics from the song Jambalaya.

Aw Shucks Din

Catfish Din

Crawfish Din

Back at Baylor Hospital after dinner, we all waited in great anticipation for the good news from Wade. Approximately 11pm CST, Emma greeted the world with a Mike Myer's Dr.Evil impersonation, so cute! Check out her 1hr old pics taken by yours truly. May was totally out cold due to heavy sedation but Wade was a jubilant dad. I dutifully informed all family members back home about the good news and everyone seemed to share this joyous occasion vehemently. Within the next hour, everyone back home got to lay their eyes on baby Emma's gorgeous face, thanks to the marvel of modern technology, the Internet.

Baylor Hospital

Jubilant Wade

1hr Old Emma

(27-06-07) EMMA 1 DAY OLD, ALLEN PREMIUM OUTLET, and JAKE'S

The next day, we took turns to hold Emma in our arms. The night before, she seemed so fragile and delicate. It's an amazing feeling to cradle a new life in your arms and let the fact that, the next generation is here, sink-in. Ling only muster up enough courage to gently touch Emma with 1 finger. No persuasion was sufficed to get her to carry Emma in her arms; baby might just melt away in her tight embrace...ha ha!

Then it's off to another Factory Outlet looking for more financial dent in out wallet. Finally, we rewarded ourselves with Dinner at Jake's. The burger there was colossal and worthy to be called, America's finest.

Allen Premium Outlet

ShopahoLing!

Jake's Burger

(28-06-07) FORT WORTH and GUN RANGE
Emma finally open up her eyes on the 2nd day to check out her surrounding or maybe she's just annoyed by our constant baby-talk to her. I bet she just wanna wring our necks and shut our babble to get some peace.

Blink! Blink!

Ling's Finger

May Back in Business!

Fort Worth is well known for it's Old Western Influence. We took mum there to experience the Cowboy Lifestyle and the herding of the Fame Texas Long Horn. An eye opening experience for us. Don't miss out the opportunity to eat all the ribs you can eat for only US$10, ...a steal!, by any measure. Not great but excellently priced.

We had late lun at IHOP (International House of Pancake). They serve the best value-for-money pancakes. There's a wide range of choice to choose from. Yummy!

IHOP

Mum Drooling

Pancakes anyone? No Way!

One of Wade's hobby is Guns. He owns a couple of rifle and a revolver. If you ask me, the best way to let off some steam is to go to the Shooting Range and fire off a few rounds imagining the target is your favourite nemesis. Of all the exciting things in life, nothing beats firing a sniper rifle and blasting away with the hand gun like Dirty Harry. Do you feel lucky? Or do I,... PUNK!? We had a good time at the Gun Range that Wade frequently patronized.