Monday, September 28, 2009

July 4th 2009

July 4th coincided with my first quarterly valuation work, hence I had to work even though it was a public holiday. However, things weren’t as bad as I had two visitors during that weekend – Pei Ying and Wei Chieh.

On Friday night, we saw some fireworks on sale in Meijer. Since I haven’t tried one before, we decided to buy some and light it in a park not far from my place.

IMG_3553

IMG_3554

IMG_3558 

Orang-orang gila (orang gila-gila?) celebrating first discovery of fire…

On the 4th of July itself (which was a Saturday), we went to see the real deal near the Carmel City Hall. The place was within walkable distance, but I really should have driven there since it was raining and parking wasn’t that difficult to find. And did I mention that we had to carry our own camp chairs there?

IMG_3565

Such a wide pool. What a way to show off Carmel’s coffer.

 IMG_3569

Everyone’s well equipped and determined not to let the rain spoil the fun

IMG_3574 

Stalls making quick bucks

IMG_3583

Curly fries seasoned by rain

 IMG_3587

Wei Chieh forcing a smile despite all the “hardships”

And finally, the fireworks:

IMG_3670 IMG_3604 IMG_3609 IMG_3618 IMG_3620 IMG_3624 IMG_3639 IMG_3665

All in all the experience will be so much nicer without the rain…still it was a memorable July 4th.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Alden Dow House and Studio (Midland, MI) (6/20)

Alden B. Dow was the son of Herbert Henry Dow (founder of Dow Chemical Company) and student of Frank Lloyd Wright. He was an architect, and one of his most renowned piece of work is the Alden Dow House and Studio, located in Midland, Michigan.

We paid this place a visit on one fine summer day. There were 8 of us, and we went there in two cars (Billy and Wei Ping driving). We had a tour around the house, and it was extremely informative thanks to the friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.

In the afternoon, after having lunch at a pizza place in the town, we went to the Dow Gardens, which is developed by the same Dow family. Before heading back to Ann Arbor, we managed to stop by at Frankenmuth too. As usual, the pictures will do the talking:

Alden Dow House and Studio

 

IMG_3267  IMG_3402IMG_3291 IMG_3323 IMG_3342IMG_3331  IMG_3343 IMG_3344 IMG_3366 IMG_3370 IMG_3381                                                                      IMG_3383 IMG_3385  IMG_3394 IMG_3279

IMG_3452

IMG_3289

Dow Gardens

IMG_3508 IMG_3513 IMG_3467 IMG_3469 IMG_3414 IMG_3419 IMG_3431 IMG_3451  IMG_3463IMG_3460  IMG_3489 IMG_3497

Frankenmuth

 

IMG_3525 IMG_3528 IMG_3531 IMG_3514 IMG_3516 IMG_3519

I bet the photos are a little bit too talkative today…:P