Flashback # 3

I believe that lasting friendships are bases for foundations of long-term relationships. I have reached a point in my life where I am realizing the value of my relationships with mom, my sisters, brother, cousins, other relatives and good friends.

By conditioning my mind with the basic principles I practice alongside a healthy attitude, I ponder on my past in a selective manner, the joys of happy times spent with people who matter most in my life. 

I am overwhelmed with sentiments as I am fortunate enough to travel to America and be with my sisters and brother in time to celebrate mom's 75th birthday.

Mom & I in HK layover

Landing in L.A.

My sister Gina's residence in Herndon, Virginia shall be home for this wonderful trip. 

The house is just about 10-15 minutes away from Washington Dulles International Airport. Herndon is an historic town that used to be the center of northern Virginia's dairy farming country. Being a major rail stop, the town has maintained its unique character and charm with many boutique shops and numerous restaurants.

Not withstanding my eagerness with anticipation because her husband Levi always makes efforts for each and every guest to feel welcome, both of them obviously delighted in having us around. 

Levi has been a wonderful brother-in-law in his own simple ways and in a rather no-nonsensical manner as he always just tells you anything like it is. I would very much choose to have someone like him around than other so-called 'relations' or 'wannabe' experts at being pretentious and insincere hypocrites demonstrating inconsistency in both their words and actions. Conversations with Levi usually range from lighthearted, amusing stories to meaningful and serious family matters. Regardless of the topics of conversation, time spent with him are always pleasant and entertaining.

Home in Herndon VA

Levi tries his best to be a perfect host to guests in the house. A few days after we arrived in VA, He took the family for a weekend trip to the "big apple", New York City. 

The Herndon house at Old Dairy Road in Franklin Farms soon after felt like some sort of a 'home away from home'. The area was somewhat a little cosmopolitan and wasn't too far from wining and dining establishments nearby at Arlington and Alexandria. Washington DC wasn't too distant too if one was fond of visiting museums such as the Smithsonian and other places of artistic or cultural interests. 

What I really liked about the house is the way all the other houses are considerably distant from each other. The spaces in between are green, lush with trees and bushes. Every day I go biking on a pathway that weaves through a "mini - forest" as my exercise. A pleasant way to keep in shape while chancing upon deer wandering in the midst of trees and thick foliage. 

Staying with family is always a priority whenever I travel around the country or overseas.