Day 13: The Longest Drive..(Jun 22)

Today is the day for the longest drive in our trip - from Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Virginia Beach - although Google Map estimated a journey of 10 hrs 20 mins, we took much longer - started off at around 6.00am (Central Time) and arriving in Virginia Beach around 9.00pm (EST). Total travel time was 14 hours! Why so long? Well, besides the usual break and eating stops...something else happened.....read on!

Certainly, Virginia appears to be the right place for loving couples!

 Here's what caused an additional one hour delay - I got involved in my first ever overseas car accident! Because of the tiredness in my driving, I drove too close to the car in front and did not brake in time when the traffic in front slowed down. The young driver was obviously, terribly upset and as for me, it was a rude awakening (a similar type of accident also happened back home about two months ago where I was also feeling tired). Thank God for the following:

• The traffic police responded really quickly - like within 10 mins, they were on the scene.
• The "dent" caused was too light to be classified as an accident, so the police officer did not even generate a case number because it does not meet the threshold definition of a traffic accident (though the toll truck was waiting for the possibility of business!).
• The emergency services of Hertz was helpful in providing the necessary insurance details. Am thankful that I bought the LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) insurance option at Hertz.
• Although the young driver was throwing a tantrum, the police officer conducted the whole matter professionally and calmly. 
• Finally, most importantly - no one got hurt (except my pride).

Upon check-in at Red Roof Inn, Virginia Beach - guess where did we head off to? Well, it was for a well-earned dinner at a Chinese take-away place (Fu Jian). Quality not bad! They even had a coupon special for those who spend more than $20! We ate to our heart's content. This longest drive certainly is a memorable part of our trip! Praise God for His Grace and Mercy provided along the way! 

Day 12: Father's Day Cook-Out (Jun 21)

After church, Shari prepared a special get-together for Dallas and his family to come celebrate Father's day. Dallas is a natural BBQ person and the ribs were just oozing out goodness!

Warm day - so, my wife and I could only last outside for a while before we head back to the house aircon again! The huge backyard area at Shari's home certainly is a great cook-out area!

The men team (L-R) : Dallas' son, Dallas, Dallas' son-in-law.

Day 11: Union University Visit (Jun 20)

Eliza giving her farewell to her ICC Media Prep friends - quite emotional - especially after the 10-day bonding and collaborative session. It has been a great time of learning and friendship!

Immediately after getting her back from the training center at the Moon's home at about 7.00am, we headed straight towards Union University which took about a 2.5 hour drive. Upon arrival, we were surprised that quite a number of families were also there for this Saturday's morning campus visit as well.

 The new library slotted to be ready by end of this year.

One distinctive about the dorm in Union is that each student has their own room space - combined in an apartment setting complete with kitchen facilities. Best dorm facilities seen thus far!

Bumped into Steve Beverly - one of the professors in the Communications Arts department. A passionate professor who is a veteran in the broadcasting industry. The media facilities here is not fantastic but quite decent. Financial scholarship of about $12,000/year possible considering Eliza's SAT results.

Ended the day with Thai Food in Murfreesboro. Not bad - better than the No.1 Kitchen down in Ohio. Good to have rice again! Cannot tahan eating bread everyday-lah!

Day 10: The Craving Begins! (Jun 19)

We cannot "tahan" anymore! On this tenth day of our US trip, our Chinese-Food-Craving and Longing finally took over and we just got to have some local makan! We went to this place called "No.1 Kitchen" but however, the quality was far from being number one - the fried rice was yellowy and powdery - but what to do? Just makan-lah! (Because of our tight schedule, had to bungkus and eat as we took the 6-hour drive from Shaunna's Ohio home back to Shari's Tennessee home. It is time to get back our other daughter - Eliza - from her ICC Media Prep which ends tomorrow.

We came to the conclusion that getting authentic American food is better than consuming Americanized Chinese food. So upon arrival in Murfreesboro, we decided to go for the local grill - Applebees - and had a good meal. Still, our quest for good and decent Chinese food remains...

Day 9: Ministry Visit to AiG (Jun 18)

Great to see Ken Ham again after our last encounter in the first ever All-Asian Creation Conference in Malaysia 2011. He was giving a relevance talk in Legacy Hall (converted warehouse space).

Finally... Eunice had a chance to see the Creation Museum! However, this is just a "sneak-peek" because we are here only for a few hours to meet up with Steve Ham and David Chakranarayan to discuss a few Answers Academy related ministry topics. (Eunice still had to spend 3 hours in the morning attending her Camp Freedom online class - of which Carl Kerby is one of the speakers!).

It was pretty amazing that we bumped into Ray Comfort's son-in-law, "EZ" (Emeal Zwayne) from the Living Waters ministry. He was there to spend some personal leadership time with Ken Ham. We are there with some personal leadership time with Steve Ham.

David took us to the Ark Encounter design studios where all the planning, artwork and layout is done. It really blew our mind to see the level of throughness and professionalism that is at work in preparing towards the launch of the Ark Encounter in May 2016! To be able to touch and feel Biblical history is certainly a faith-building experience. This Ark Encounter project will certainly propel the ministry of Answers in Genesis to the next level!

We look forward to returning to the Creation Museum again July 6-7 together with Eliza! It is going to be a wonderful family visit plus also a sneak peek into the Ark Encounter.

Day 8: Sick Leave at the Howat's (Jun 17)

Eunice still attending her Camp Freedom online class in the morning while I slept through the entire morning, shivering and moaning due to a bout of fever and cold. Felt too weak even to vomit! So, had to cancel the trip to Berea Colleage in Kentucky. All the driving is also tiring me out.... This holiday trip is quite different in terms of how the virus traveled from Eliza to Wai Bing and then to Eunice and myself - Looks like we have to postpone our ice-cream adventures for a while!

 Had a leisurely afternoon shopping at Kohl's (yes, finally got my pair of Levi jeans!). Got a very good deal with other stuff (Wai Bing's shoes, etc) using Shaunna's card plus an extra friendly staff who tried to give us as much discount as possible!

Was so happy to have received Eunice's second book - "A Spoonful of Sugar" - produced by Blurb and delivered to Shaunna Howat. Such an inspiration!