Rock N Roller Coaster

I had never been to the Rock N Roller Coaster before.




But last week we could not get enough of this ride! A few years ago, my son wanted to do it, but just could not work up the courage. This trip, we were all determined to do it! After debating about whether to use fast passes or wait in line, a lady handed us her three fast passes. The kids and I went through the fast pass line while my husband went in the single rider line. Our wait was cut in about half the time of the regular line. We opted to use the single rider line every time after that.

The pre-show gets old as you have to go in to watch a film of Aerosmith before boarding the ride. Once on, the countdown begins! You go from 0 to 60 in about two seconds! The first thing you do is a flip! This coaster is housed in the dark like Space Mountain, but is a much better and smoother ride! It is fast! There are street signs lit up by black lights throughout the ride. There are speakers in your seat's headrest playing Aerosmith songs throughout the ride as well. This is a great roller coaster that I did not mind riding over and over again.

That I'd like to see.

Hollywood Tower Hotel: Tower of Terror

I had never been to the Hollywood Tower Hotel before.



This "hotel" is also known as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, located in Hollywood Studios. Although I hate heights and I hate drops, I was determined to do this ride with my kids. (But I was SCARED!!-oh yeah, I don't like the dark either!) We went through a creepy room into a library to watch a video about the "hotel's history" (remember, Disney really sets the stage to get you psyched up for the ride.) We were then taken upstairs and loaded into "elevators" (there are seats to sit in.) It goes up and plays through a little scene where some folks were struck by lightning and the elevator plunged. There are some disorienting optical illusions and lots of use of dark. Then you go up and are dropped. Then, taken back up again and dropped. Also, the windows open up to the park, so you see the bright daylight and then pitch dark again-all very disorienting. But fun! I am glad I did it. I might even think about doing it again.

That I'd like to see.

GPS device

I've never been to use a GPS device before.

I knew that gps tracking devices were used to help locate vehicles. If a car is stolen, it is a device that will help track down and locate the car. But I did not realize that folks are using these devices to keep track of other folks. Those caring for aging parents may use them to help keep track of the movement of the elderly. Or perhaps your teen is about to get his/her driver's license and you would like to help keep tabs on where s/he is going for the first few months to help establish a trust factor. You can even rent a GPS device if you only need it for short term use.

That I'd like to see.

Disney's Pop Century Resort

I had never been to a Disney Resort before.

We just returned from a trip to Orlando where we stayed in Disney's Pop Century Resort.



We enjoyed our stay and the Pop Century had a lot of fun items to look at and to reminisce over. Each wing was set as a different decade from the 1950's through the 90's. At the top there were several sayings popular during those years. The stair wells were designed with different fads from those particular years. The 50's had bowling pins, the 60's had yo-yos, the 70's 8 track tapes, the 80's Rubik's cubes, and the 90's cell phones. It looks like they are building another wing. We think it will be the 2000's. Maybe their stairs will have iPods.




The pools are nice. There are playgrounds and kiddie pools too. A walk down "Memory Lane" has signs telling you about different happenings throughout the years. (This is a good place for joggers too.) The shuttle buses come through about every 20 minutes to take you to your different theme park destinations. There is a food court and a souvenir shop as well. We even had our towels folded into Mickey one night.



The only downside to staying here was that we felt the lack of options for food. We did not care for the food in the food court, but ate breakfast there every day. There were no grocery stores nearby to get stuff for sandwiches either (not that we had anywhere to keep the stuff anyway.) Overall, the hotel was a positive place to stay and we liked the convenience of catching a shuttle bus almost anytime we wanted to.





That I'd like to see.

Forbidden Gardens

I had never been to Forbidden Gardens before.

But this Friday, I was able to go.



I have known about this site for several years, but have never been able to visit before today. Forbidden Gardens is the site of a replica terra cotta army, a replica Forbidden City and other interesting artifacts of ancient Chinese history. In order to view the clay army, which is about 1/3 scale in size, you must go with a tour guide. The tour feels a bit rushed, but you can go on a following tour if you desire to get more photos. You will also see Chinese weaponry, architecture and the 1/20 scale model of the Forbidden City.




The terra cotta soldiers are reproduced in formation in front of a hill representing Emperor Qin's burial site. The infantry soldiers are lined up in a shallow pit, with the outer line facing the outside of the configuration. It is amazing to think about the original 6,000 clay soldiers, each with individual features and clothing, covering close to three football fields!

That I'd like to see.

Charleston, SC

I've never been to Charleston, SC.

But anytime I want to virtually get away, I can head over to Sue's Daily Photography . Sue is a very talented and experienced photographer. She has recently moved to Charlston, SC. Her daily photos are dripping with the sultry beauty of the South. From Spanish moss to homes, parks, orchids, alligators and wisteria , I can get a taste of the loveliness of Charleston without having to pack a bag.

That I'd like to see.

vertical spa

I've never been in a vertical spa before.

It sounds like a lovely addition to a home bathroom. The showering components and faucets are all installed without having to replace existing valve plumbing, either under the sink or in the shower wall. Pressure balance and preferred, accurate temperature are mainstays of this system. These include large and small body sprays, single and three function shower heads, hand showers and tub spouts. Up to four body sprays can be installed on the wall at desired heights.

That I'd like to see.

scuba camp

I've never been to scuba camp before.

I saw an ad in the paper for a local kids scuba camp this summer. There are five weeks worth of camp with an additional two weeks available for extra certification. The camps are five days and run 8-5 each day. The first three days will be in a pool with the last two days diving in a scuba park. The cost for the camp is $500 plus necessary equipment. Parents can attend camp with their kids.

That I'd like to see.

driving school

I've never been to driving school before.

When I was learning to drive, we took it at our local public high school. When my sister was in school, the private driving schools were becoming popular. Now though, driver's ed has been phased out of schools so kids must either take it at home or through a private driving school. I am interested in finding one in our area soon, as my son will start driving this year. I am a little afraid of what our insurance will be when he starts. I will have to check out the online car insurance quotes to find the best deal available.

That I'd like to see.

Presidential Park

I've never been to Presidential Park.

While trying to find out information about the "Spirit of American Statesmanship" statue, I came across another project of artist/sculptor David Adickes. Since I did not know that name of the statue in question at the time, I stumbled upon this article about some giant presidential heads that were being made to become an attraction known as Presidential Park. Adickes is lending 43 of his 18 foot statues to the new attraction. It seems as if the first five were brought in on this past President's Day to begin the project. This is not far from me, so I need to drive over and take a look at this!

That I'd like to see.

chair lift

I've never been on a chair lift before.

I have not visited too many places that even have a chair lift. We did go a couple of years ago to a small museum that had a chair lift and of course my son wanted to try it out, but since it was there for folks who really might need it, I told him no. I can of course see the fascination stair lifts would be to young folks, but for those people who really need to use them for medical reasons I can see how advantageous it would be. Right now, Jameson Medical is offering an installation special on stair lifts.

That I'd like to see.

city farm

I've never been to a city farm.

I was able to catch just a few minutes on PBS earlier today. They showed a city farm in Pennsylvania which is a new project to bring farming and organic produce right into the city. I love the idea. It was started by two locals and many other volunteers. They rotate crops regularly to meet the changing demands brought on by the seasons. They grow lovely looking produce that I know I would love to be able to get. They say they patterned their idea on city farms in Paris in the 1900s. They say that farmers in Paris grew their fruits and vegetables inside the city limits and had enough to help support their city.

That I'd like to see.

Sapia Networks

I've never been to Sapia Networks.

I just found out that they offer from 50-90% off the list price of new, used and refurbished routers and switches, as well as voip phones and other equipment. If you are looking for used cisco, juniper, foundry, marconi-fore or some other top brand equipment, be sure to check out the trade, sell or buy new options.

That I'd like to see.

Blast!

I've never been to Blast!

This is the American version of Stomp! And they are coming this weekend for one show only to the 1894 Grand Opera House in Galveston, TX.

Blast is hard to explain. It was born from the Star of Indiana drum corp. The pageantry brought to the stage by Blast requires not only top musical skill, but extreme athleticism as well. This quote may help you get a good feel for the show Blast brings to the stage:

"BLAST!, a celebration of movement and music, almost defies description. Born on athletic fields across the nation, it is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. A unique experience, BLAST! explodes the genre with the artistry of the theatre. Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe says, 'BLAST! doesn’t falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. It sent the full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause [with] the thrill of seeing sheer virtuosity in a different kind of art form. BLAST! is entertainment of a high order.'"


That I'd like to see.

Gift Card Lab

I've never been to the Gift Card Lab.

This lab is a really cool place to create and customize your own logo visa gift card! It's easy to give the perfect gift card gift. You simply enter the lab, choose the design you want on your visa gift card and then designate the amount you want on your gift card. You can even upload your own image for the design! Last, you personalize the gift card with your recipient's name and a message. It's that easy to give the perfect gift!

That I'd like to see.

Pune City

I've never been to Pune City.

This city located in Maharashtra India is the eight largest in India with a population of 5 million inhabitants. In wanting to find out about Pune City, since I don't forsee an actual trip there anytime soon, I can use the Pune City blog to take a virtual trip there.

This blog lists the interesting facts about Pune City. Learn about the food, the culture, the history, geography and climate, all without having to leave your own home.

That I'd like to see.

HDMI accessories

I've never been to get HDMI accessories.

In fact, I don't have any hi-def electronics. But my dad does! So when he is in need of
HDMI splitters, switches and accessories, he knows he can order them online. This way he can get them delivered right to his door. He can be sure he is getting brand new equipment with 100% safe shopping and a thirty day money back guarantee.

That I'd like to see.

Slovene-American Club of Spring Hill

I've never been to the Slovene-American Club of Spring Hill .

Since I have no ancestors from Slovenia, I may never have come across this blog. But no matter what your ancestry, everyone who loves polka, waltz and the accordion may want to check out this blog!

I enjoyed listening to the song that is most famous about Slovenia . Many think it should be the national anthem of Slovenia. I also really enjoyed getting to read the story of how the Slovenians got the "Greenest Country in Europe" . It seems this is God's own little piece of heaven.

That I'd like to see.

designer jewelry

I've never been to buy handcrafted jewelry.

When looking for gifts, designer jewelry is always a great option. And now getting handcrafted designer jewelery is even easier. Jewelry crafted by Wendy Culpepper is now available online. This is the designer jewelry worn by stars like Rachel Ray and Jessica Alba and seen on the cover of People and Glamour. There are some great gift sets at reasonable prices available online.

That I'd like to see.

Ancient China

I've never been to Ancient China.

I really cannot even remember studying it during school. This week I have started a study on ancient China with my kids. I did not realize that the name "China" most likely came from the first ruler who united the seven warring states, Qin ("Chin"). Even as we read over this the first couple of days, it did not hit me until we were reading something today that said it out straight-forward.

During this "Dragon King's" reign, many things were accomplished with his harsh laws and way of ruling. The Great Wall was started, using slave laborers. He also used these workers to build his terra cotta army to guard over his tomb (funny, since he thought he was immortal!) He built canals and bridges, unified weights and measures and coinage among the country. He unified the written language though books and Confucianism infuriated him to the point of burning books.

There were many advances and inventions in China that were not dreamed of until hundreds, even thousands, of years later in the Western world.

Each time we have studied an ancient people, I have been truly amazed at their learning and culture and realize just how much we owe to them.

That I'd like to see.

best acne treatment

I've never been for acne treatment.

But my son began having pretty bad acne last year, to the point that he really wanted something done about it before he started high school. We searched around for the best acne treatment and tried several things. It is not a cheap process, but it is worth it to my son. As of right now, his face has cleared up a lot. We hope using some of these products will help continue to keep his acne cleared up.

That I'd like to see.