ten reasons why you would want to visit virginia beach.

so, i may be a little biased about virginia beach. why? because i live here. the navy brought my family here {from hawaii!} back in 1986. i basically grew up here. i graduated from high school here. i met my husband here. i am raising my family here.

this area - my area - of southeastern virginia is an amazing location filled with all kinds of things to do. this is an area that thrives from the tourism industry & is super proud of our military. virginia beach is the most populous independent city in the commonwealth of virginia {it's also the 39th largest city in the u.s. according to the 2010 census} and there is plenty to do when you're visiting...here is my list:

• surf, sun, sand - some locals may say that virginia beach has no waves, but that doesn't stop people from taking their surfboards & body boards out into the atlantic ocean on a daily basis! virginia beach is flanked by the chesapeake bay to the north & the atlantic ocean to the east. there is plenty of coastline for you to set your beach chair & umbrella. my family's favorite beach spot? sandbridge.

• sightseeing...on the water - where else can you book a tour to go dolphin or whale watching? if you're really lucky, you will see dolphins riding waves while at the beach. if you're really lucky, you'll see a whale breach the water while at the beach {trust me, this is rare, but we did see a whale on father's day 2010}. if you're too impatient to sit on the beach & wait for dolphins or whales, then book a trip with rudee tours. our local sciene museum - virginia aquarium - also offers boat excursions.
• deep sea fishing - if dolphin & whale watching isn't your thing, don't worry. there are plenty of charter boat companies that offer some of the best fishing the east coast has to offer whether you're out by the chesapeake bay bridge tunnel or out by the gulf stream. you can catch anything from spade fish to big eye tuna!

{a really bad cell phone picture of the spade fish my husband caught a couple summer's ago}

• seafood, seafood, seafood - if you are in virginia beach, you HAVE to eat seafood. i know, i know, there are people who are either allergic or don't enjoy it. don't worry, there's plenty of food for you to choose from. BUT, if you are a die hard seafood fan, virginia beach is a great place to chow down. seafood restaurants are plentiful and be sure to feast on blue crabs & oysters...both native to the area. my family's favorite seafood spot? margie & ray's.

• folklore & history - virginia beach was once princess anne county. the area is rich in history. if stories from the past & learning about the birthplace of a city is your thing, then visiting virginia beach is a good choice. you can learn about the witch of pungo, visit the francis land house, visit the old & new cape henry lighthouses, see the adam thoroughgood house, & tour the old coast guard station at the oceanfront. 
• catch a concert - whether it's a free show at the 31st street park, a weekend concert lineup as part of the american music festival, or a headlining, national act at the amphitheater...there is plenty of music to be heard in virginia beach!

• festivals & tournaments galore - once the weather warms up, it seems like there is a festival of some sort happening all the time in virginia beach. in may, pungo celebrates the strawberry with a festival. all summer long, different events associated with the neptune festival take place along the oceanfront. labor day weekend welcomes the american music festival. there are also sand soccer tournaments as well as the east coast surfing championship. seriously, there is always something going on in virginia beach.

• jet noise - virginia beach - and, quite frankly, the entire hampton roads area - loves the military. a large part of this area's population is made up of military families and the area is home to one of the largest naval bases. virginia beach is home to oceana naval air station and, every year, the blue angels come to visit as part of the air show. it's a loud, but fun time!
• amusements galore - ocean breeze...it's not just that refreshing blast of cool air you feel coming off the water, it's also a water park conveniently located minutes from the oceanfront. it's fun for the whole family. and, when you dry off, you can also check out motorworld & shipwreck golf. there are also amusement rides & miniature golf places scattered throughout the oceanfront. my family's favorite miniature golf location? jungle golf.
• something for everyone - do you want to golf? you can golf. do you want to shop? you can shop. do you want to hike? you can hike. do you want to kayak? you can kayak. there is so much to see & do in virginia beach. trust me.

my list of ten barely covers all that there is to see & do while visiting virginia beach.  the area is filled with sights, sounds, smells & tastes that will entice people of all ages.  visit us once and you'll fall in love. promise. 

disclaimer: i wrote this blog post while participating in the socialmoms & virginia beach tourism blogging program for a gift card worth $40. for more information on how you can participate, click here.

bizarre food? yes. good eats? hell no.

last month we took a trip out to california {i know i owe y'all a recap plus pictures...one day, i promise}.  my cousin was getting married.  

so, what does any chinese family do when they get together for any type of 

celebration or for just no reason at all?  

they eat.  

and eat is what we did.  the welcome/rehearsal dinner the night before my cousin's big day was nothing short of amazing {never mind the fact that it was served just a few hours after the crazy, fabulous buffet-style welcome lunch}.  the dinner was ten courses {or was it twelve??} of quintessential chinese cuisine including this:

the dish we ate looked very similar to the one pictured above except the veg served with ours was a 

different type of chinese green.

{source}

that, my friends, is abalone with...wait for it...sea cucumber.  can you guess which is what?  the abalone is the stuff along the outside of the plate.  the sea cucumber is the slimy looking black crap in the middle of the dish.    

yes, you read right.  i said sea cucumber.  i also call it slimy looking black crap.  some may love it.  i sure as hell don't.  have you seen what a sea cucumber looks like? {think diseased sex organ...yeah, i went there}

coincidentally, the article i took this pic from was about two people dying from sea cucumber 

poisoning. oh, my. 

{source}

so, if you're still wondering, YES, i ate it.  well, not all of it, but a piece of it.  my sister & i decided to man up together and try a piece.  i've seen my mother eat it before & we've been to quite a few family functions where it was served but we have never, and i repeat NEVER, wanted to try it.  until last month. what in the eff were we thinking?  don't get me wrong, we've eaten some crazy stuff, but chowing on sea cucumber is not our thing.  andrew zimmern, we're not.

anyways...

fast forward to the day after the wedding.  we find ourselves in san francisco at fisherman's wharf. after walking around snapping up pictures of the sea lions & alcatraz, the kids asked to go to the aquarium.  i'm pretty sure my parents & my sister wanted a break from us*, so adam & i took them. aquarium of the bay is a neat little aquarium tucked into one side of fisherman's wharf.  i saw it the last time i was in san francisco, but i never thought to check it out.  i'm glad we did this time.  the kids had a blast.  

of course, no family vacay is ever complete until one child calls you out on someone. 

preferably a complete stranger.

while riding in the elevator in the aquarium, the tour guide was telling the kids about the touch tanks.  she said there were stingrays, a leopard shark, starfish, anemones, and even a couple of sea cucumbers.  cue my seven year old son, aidan...

"um, so we went to a wedding this weekend & we ate 

chinese food.  

did you know that my mom and dad ATE sea cucumber the other day?  

they did.  it was gross."

{sorry for the crummy pic quality...i was using my not so fancy point & shoot.}

the people in the elevator with us were mortified.  the tour guide looked at me.  she looked at adam.  then, she politely asked us to remember to touch, and not eat, the sea cucumbers in the touch tank.   

um, no problem, lady.  trust me.  there is a reason the sea cucumber looks the way it does because i honestly don't know what in the eff would possess someone or something to want to eat it.  unless you're at a fancy chinese dinner**.  i'm just sayin'...

* how did i know they wanted a break from us?  my dad was at the ticket counter with cash in hand buying the tickets for us before we even got up there.  yep.

** i can say that because i'm chinese.  well, only half chinese, but still.

dreaming of the seashore.

soon, adam & i will pitch a tent...

park the truck here...



and enjoy a view like this...

{the pictures are all from our adventure on ocracoke island last year}

brain freeze.

this here post goes hand in hand with my vacay {day}dream & it's also dedicated to the l♥vely summer b.

when in playa del carmen, adam & i love to indulge in adult {alcoholic} beverages. a lot. it's funny, the buzz you get down there is nothing compared to the buzz you get drinking at home. it must be because the weather is warmer, the water is bluer & you're in the freakin' tropics. yeah, that's what it is.

we drink beer. we drink tequila {well, adam does}.

and, the one thing we both must have while we are in playa del carmen is a margarita. but, not just any margarita will do. it must be from babe's noodle bar. why? because it's like a slurpee, but for adults only. don't believe me?

if you slurp too fast, you will get brain freeze. that's not just a promise, it's a guarantee.

feeling {luna} blue

the boy & i have been through a lot in the last six months. and, while i'm sure what we're dealing with is far from over, i just feel like we've been stretched to our emotional limits. well, maybe not the boy because he is always cool, calm & collected {and i hate that about him!}. i, on the other hand, have a tendency to be a neurotic mess.

trust me.

which is why i think we need a vacay. a quick trip to our happy place.

sure, we'll be making plenty of trips down to hatteras island & ocracoke island this summer, but neither location can touch the beauty that is playa del carmen, mexico.

four nights with the boy.

{the boy...who isn't afraid to search for seashells for me,
playa del carmen, april 2006}

that's all i want. four whole nights. and, while i'd rather go as soon as possible, i'm thinking a nice, early november getaway would be lovely. it's far enough away to save up for, but close enough that we can start making arrangements now.

does our budget agree with my vacation plan? no. but, i'm sure there are a few out there {hint, hint} would would encourage us to indulge & rekindle some of the romance that has been lost due to stress, worry & work.

i'm feeling {luna} blue. i think the boy is, too.

vamanos. let's go!

Where in the World Wednesday

It's Wednesday & you know the drill...

To participate, post a photo of you anywhere in the world...whatever you consider travelling to be...and write a little blurb about it. Be sure to post your link on Classy in Philadelphia's blog and, while you're there, check out other WITWW links, too!

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Adam & I went to Mexico for the first time in 2000. We spent an afternoon on the island of Cozumel during a cruise stop. Since then, we've been to Mexico numerous times...mostly to Cancun & the Riviera Maya {and we always make a day trip to Cozumel}. Playa del Carmen is our favorite vacation spot and Adam & I love to go there whenever we can. This is a picture of us from our 2008 trip to Mexico. We were on a deserted beach at an ecological reserve near Tulum {and, no, we were not naked}.

---

This isn't normal 'par for the course' when it comes to WITWW, but I wanted to show you our view...


And, for some added fun, videos of part of our ride {the poor rental car!} through the eco-reserve...

Where in the World Wednesday...

I follow the Prep-E Girl's blog and she was talking about WITWW...what a fun idea! I have to play along!

Here's some info about Where in the World Wednesday -- who created it & how to play along:

Classy in Philadelphia is the brains behind the fun {I'm following her blog now, too! Yay!} Basically, if you want to participate, just grab the button above {you know, right click & "save picture as"...} and create a new blog post. In that post, put the WITWW button AND a picture of you somewhere in the world. Don't feel as if you need to post a pic from some fabulous vacay. I mean, seriously, next week's WITWW pic could be you getting ready to duke it out with someone over a Black Friday sale item. Seriously. It's called "Where in the World" for a reason. Besides, Black Friday sales ARE like an excursion. But, I digress...anyways, the photo can be from any of your travels...small, big, near, far. Then, you gotta go BACK to Classy in Philadelphia's blog & comment on her WITWW post & make sure you link back to her website in your comment so she can check out YOUR WITWW photo.

Ready? OK, let's play...

This is an old one! That's me & the hubs way back in 2002 {can you see the date in the photo?}. April 2002, to be exact...about a month & a half after we were married. Gosh, we were thinner back then. So much younger, too. Anyways, this is a pic of us {taken on a 35mm camera!} taken on the tender that took us from the Carnival Destiny to the port in St. Lucia.

Go play! Let's see YOUR "Where in the World" pictures...

Southbound on Route 12

I'm headed south on this road:

I'm headed for the seashore. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The weather is supposed to be perfect and the section of beach we are headed to is open to off-road vehicle use. I'm looking forward to a weekend of this:

We will be spending the weekend with good friends, enjoying the good weather, drinking good drinks, having a good time and making good memories. I cannot wait. This weekend is long overdue and the much needed time away will be greatly appreciated.

Try not to miss me too much while I'm gone - and whatever you do, be safe & enjoy your holiday weekend. Also, take time out to say thank you to the service men and service women - retired & active duty - who have fought & continue to fight for our freedom.

Psst...thanks, Catrina...I "stole" the pics from your Facebook page...I couldn't find my pictures from our trip last Labor Day weekend.

Hey...your phone's ringing...

Adam's cell phone rang at 6:40 this morning. Yes, it's Monday, but if it were any other Monday it wouldn't matter because any other Monday he would be working. However, when the phone rang this morning we were both still in bed. In bed at my parents house. My parents house that is just a little bit over two & a half hours away from our home...and our jobs. We took today off to spend some time with the kids and take them to Washington, DC for the day. Apparently, we took Adam's job with us.

It isn't easy being married to the boss. Vacations or any time off means never really getting a break from work...it just means that you aren't in the office. And, even though Adam's phone didn't stop ringing until we were sitting in southbound rush hour traffic on Interstate 95 this evening, we still managed to have a good day...phone calls about job-related issues and all. I'm not complaining...I'm just saying that for once it would be nice to not ever have to eat, sleep, breathe or discuss work while on vacation - with the kids or not - ever again. Besides, I'm sure it was really hard for Adam to talk about work-related issues while his son was playing with donkey poo at the children's farm area at the National Zoo. (more about the poop later, though)

The weekend in Mexico when we were all somebody...

Finally, after waiting a week, I'm sharing with you some pictures of our whirlwind weekend in Cancun at the Hilton. Enjoy!

The view from our room: Adam & Fred by the pool:

My sweetie (before he noticed his beer):

Adam wasn't smiling anymore after seeing this:

Yes, we all tried to fit in the jacuzzi tub in the bathroom...except for me. I just HAD to go outside and lean over the balcony to take this shot:

The view from mine & Adam's private balcony: Looking down on to the lobby bar area from the 9th floor:

Why, yes, room 900 is the Presidential Suite!

I wish my living room looked this spectacular!

Adam with Robert, our favorite guy at the Hilton!

The food on Friday night (we had a private party in our room both nights):

Show me the sushi!

Why do I always get stuck with the Jager shots?? I don't even like Jager.

I can't believe I'm posting this, but proof that Momlogic has gone international!
Me, Adam, Catrina & Fred (Catrina writes The Delima Dilemma)

These guys took great care of us all weekend!

Awww...

Saturday night's spread:

I think this pic sums up the weekend...fun, fun, fun!

Is this week really over??

You don't know how badly I am ready for this week to be over with. It's been ridiculous.

First of all, I cannot seem to shake the fatigue. That's mostly due to the fact that this stupid head cold has me up all night either coughing up a lung or shooting what I'm convinced is my brain out of my nose. My poor nose. So much skin has fallen off of it this past week that I'm surprised that I even have a nose left...ah, well, I guess it's just good and exfoliated. Of course, the drowsiness could also stem from the fact that I've been eating the Tussicaps prescribed to me like candy. Well, no, not really, but the codeine makes me feel all warm & fuzzy on the inside and really K.O.'s my cough.

Of course, this cold could just be some twisted punishment from God for picking up my sick child from school last week, but still keeping my wax appointment and vacation plans. Yeah. Daycare called (son only does half-day kindergarten) and said he was running a fever. I picked him up, drove back to work, put him in the care of the receptionist (who is also our cousin...thank goodness I work for a wonderful, family-oriented company!) and the proceeded to speed to my appointment at Spa Phoenix to get my brows waxed. Don't worry...all of you parents out there who are tsk, tsk, tsking me right now can rest assured that I called our pediatrician when I got back to the office (after a side trip to Arby's for my FREE lunch...hello!) and got him an appointment with the nurse practitioner that very same afternoon. The prognosis? Strep throat. What did I end up doing? I called my mother to warn her, picked up the antibiotic and then still got on an airplane the very next morning for Cancun.

This is why I feel as if I'm being punished.

But, the cold could stem from the fact that it was, oh, in the 40s when we left Virginia, in the 80s while we were in Cancun and then in the freaking 20s and snowing when we got to Atlanta. Nah. I was sick as a dog before we even got on the airplane...or at least close to it. I guess I'll stick with the punishment from God theory.

Anyway, as if being sick wasn't bad enough, how about having your five hour layover turn into a two & a half day layover? Yep. There was no way in hell we were going to get out of Atlanta. Not with the crippling snowstorm and all (how funny is it that the sun was shining just an hour after we landed in Atlanta...and our flight had already been cancelled). When we were finally able to get on a flight headed for home, I was:

• t-i-r-e-d -- I did not sleep at all while we were in Atlanta. No matter what I took or how hard I tried, sleep was not going to be my friend while we stayed at the Red Roof Inn.
• o-v-e-r it -- By Tuesday I was ready to be home. Heck, I should have been home. But, no, it had to go and snow BEFORE we even left Cancun.
• d-o-n-e -- Going back to work the very same day that you've returned from being out of town is never a good idea. Especially when you're sick, haven't had a shower and have been in the same pair of jeans for three days. Ew.

The only good thing is that once we got home the rest of the week did go by fast. And, now that I've seen my doctor I'm starting to feel a bit better. But, I'm still tired.

Who knew two days would do this to me? I'm turning into a weenie. Of course, whenever the quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed is greater than the total number of hours that you've slept, well, I guess it's to be assumed that you'll need some recuperation once the fun is all said & done. :)

I went to Mexico and all I got was...

• A really gnarly sunburn, but we lovingly refer to it as my racing stripe.
• A beer gut -- since I was only in Mexico for two days I figured that I would need to drink as many Leon beers as I could handle since I can't buy them here.
• The opportunity to BE SOMEBODY -- what do YOU know about Room 900? Yep...the Presidential Suite, baby!
• Some new friends -- East coast meets West coast and how about that random couple from Ohio?!
• A much needed vacay -- two days wasn't enough, but it did the trick!
• A pile of dirty laundry -- who knew I could go through THAT many shirts in a two day period?? Thank goodness I packed extra underwear, though...we didn't realize we would end up staying in Atlanta for two & a half days (so much for that 5 hour layover).
• A raging head cold -- and, NO, it's not strep. I do have good hygiene skills, people.
• A heat rash -- this is what sunburn does to me. Happy, happy, joy, joy.
• A dislike for discount motels -- thanks, Delta, for the fabulous accommodations...the Red Roof Inn in Atlanta was wonderful....NOT!
• Some great memories shared with great friends -- CALLATE!!

Pictures to follow....

The Quickie

After 2.5 hours of sleep, one sick child, a hasty packing job, one speeding ticket, a nearly botched check-in and a TSA search of my carry-on I can finally say that I made it to Atlanta safely.

There's an Egg McMuffin in my belly and Adam just downed two sausage buiscuts...and now we wait. One more hour to go and we will be on a plane bound for Cancun, Mexico. We will only be there for the weekend, but it is a much needed trip that Adam and I have both been looking forward to.

Desperately seeking summer...

I am over the cold weather.
I am over the colds.
I am over wearing a jacket & wool socks.
I am over the dry skin & runny noses.
I am over cranking up the heat.
I am over my gas bill.
I am over warming up my car.
I am over the howling winds.
I am over the wishy-washy weather forecasts.
I am over it being dark by the time I'm home from work.


I am ready for some warmth of a different kind.
I am ready for road trips to Hatteras.
I am ready for barbeques & horseshoes.
I am ready for humidity (I think).
I am ready for long, summer nights
I am ready for flip flops & pedicured toes.
I am ready for fireflies.
I am ready for sleeping with the windows open.
I am ready for tulips & daisies.
I am ready for seashells & sand.


I am desperately seeking summer.

I'll take one vacation...hold the kids, please!

Adam and I go on vacation together every year. It's only one week out of the year, but it's OUR week. The week belongs to no one else. It's a time for the two of us to reconnect and rekindle our romance. We get to relax, enjoy each other's company and forget about the stress that comes with working, owning a home, being a parent, etc. We truly enjoy getting away -- just the two of us -- and we both feel that it does wonders for our relationship and our marriage.

Do I feel guilty for leaving the kids to take a week's vacation with my husband? No.

Should I feel guilty for leaving the kids to take a week's vacation with my husband? No.

I love my children, but I also love having that time for myself and the hubby. Trust me, if you work for your husband (as I do) you need all the reconnecting and rekindling you can get!

Don't be hatin'!

That's right.

In 18 days, I'll be here:

That's a picture I took from one of my last visits to the Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort. It's from 2005, so the hotel has changed a little bit since then. Adam and I spent one drunken night there this past September when we visited his father for the day since we were all in Mexico at the same time. While Adam and I prefer spending our days on the beach in Playa del Carmen (about 45 minutes south of Cancun), I am no dummy and will NOT pass up a free vacation -- well, mini vacation (we're only going for the weekend).

I'm excited about this impromptu trip. Adam and I just cancelled our March Mexico trip. We just couldn't swing it with work, finances, etc...well, we COULD, but work would have been the problem. But, like they say, when one door closes, another one opens and, in this case, when one vacation is cancelled, another one is booked! :)

I have a feeling that Adam and I will be heading south for a day while we're down there. We can't go to Mexico without saying HOLA to our friends in Playa del Carmen...not when we would be so close. I'm just excited to get away. The trip is just FOUR days after our anniversary (aww) and we'll be going with Adam's father (he's the best!) and our friends, Catrina & Fred (their first visit to Mexico ever!).

Yikes...I guess now it's time to do my water fast, exercise a little and figure out all I'm going to cram in my carry-on. :)

Adding this to my library!

It's no secret -- Adam and I love Playa del Carmen, Mexico -- and I am sooooooo ordering this book:

http://playazone.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/recommended-reading-a-great-guidebook/

Anything and everything that can help make our March vacation seem closer than it really is is always welcome!

And, if you're thinking about making a trip to the Riviera Maya, then I suggest you check out this book as well.

Snow day!

So I may be jumping the gun a bit, but from the looks of the weather forecast, I think it is safe to assume that tomorrow is going to be a snow day for the kids. Even the Weather Channel is talking about it!
Snow days are rare in our neck of Virginia. Very rare. I can probably count on one had how many times we've had a significant snowfall here in Virginia Beach and I've lived here since 1986.

Of course, as excited as I am for the kids and the prospect of missing school because of the snowy weather (because Lord knows that back in the day I used to watch Don Slater on Wavy TV 10 like a HAWK whenever he talked about snow during the school year).......I'm semi-disappointed that tomorrow just might not be the first day back to school after the long winter break. I know, I know...it's silly of me to feel that way, but if your kids had a month off for the holidays and had been coming to work with you for the last couple of weeks you would be feeling the same way as I do. Trust me.

Nonetheless, it's still exciting to know that tomorrow morning there just might be a blanket of the white stuff covering the ground...I guess I'll just send the kids out into the parking lot to play when I bring them to work with me tomorrow. :)

Forget football...let's go to Playa!

So, I brought up an idea to Adam. Instead of season tickets, let's just go to Mexico. For the price of those tickets we could easily go to Playa del Carmen, Mexico at least twice this year. We have always gone for my birthday, so I asked Adam what he thought about going in March for his birthday.


He's considering it.

And they're off!

I kissed the kids goodbye and waved to my mother (a.k.a. Po Po or as the kids say "Paw Paw") as she backed out of the parking lot...they were off to Richmond to pick up my father who was on his way home from time spent in Mississippi.

They have been gone for about an hour and I already miss them!

Adam and I have been quite fortunate to have been blessed with quite possibly the world's greatest grandparents for our children. My parents do anything and everything for our kids (and us) and this includes keeping the kids for extended periods of time. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm passing off my children, but when long holiday breaks come about (like this winter break from school that doesn't end until the 20th of January) my parents step up and help us out.

Tomorrow, they will leave for Connecticut to visit my sister and her husband and also spend some time with the cousins who live nearby. I have heard rumours that my kids will get to play in the snow. How exciting! As for us...Adam and I will pass the time wisely, I hope! Aside from pouring ourselves into our work, it's my goal to get some work done around the house (i.e., paint part of the master bathroom), clean out the kids' dresser drawers, etc. We'll also be able to just act like carefree adults which is always nice to do every now and again.

I really do miss the kids, though. Ugh...and it's only been just over an hour! How am I going to last a few weeks?!