A Vietnamese French Treatment

Today, I had my first French manicure and pedicure. Therefore I went to a nail studio that is run by Vietnamese immigrants. It was a quiet weird experience. Firstly, the pedicure was done. While the girl massaged, cleaned and did some akward stuff to my feet I sat in a massage chair. I did not know what scared me more. Nevertheless, I had a nice conversation with the lady next to me whom I have apparently met during my last stay. The girl who did my treatment has some relatives in Berlin, too. She told me of her visit in Berlin and the love parade. After my French pedicure was done, she took care of my nails. Due to their special consistence she had a hard time filing my nails. As I washed them she moaned a bit. After the nail polish had dried she charged us $ 40 instead of 30 bucks since they charge extra for French manicure. After this special treatment I felt refreshed and enjoy so much looking at my newly done nails. Now I know why some women get addicted to a good manicure. :)

Vonda's Party

Today, there was Vonda' s birthday party. Actually, her birthday was yesterday but since they took her out for supper last night we had her party today. It has to be mentioned that she was so excited about having birthday that she called in here at 3 a.m. thursday night.
Her party started at 7 p.m. and I was in charge to get some food for everybody. There was some marble cake with a nice icing (The picture was a little cheerleader.) and some ice cream. First, all her friends from the apartment place she lives at came by and celebrated with her. Unfortunately, most of them are diabetic and mentally disabled. Around 7.45 the rest of her family came by. It was really cool. The party was over around 9 p.m. . After that, we went home together. Now, she is asleep.
I guess this day was quite busy since we went to a Chinese "All you can eat" buffet after going to church.
It was a nice day and she enjoyed it a lot although nobody wanted to come to her little apartment. :) It was not sure until we finally got there.

Going to the zoo

Yesterday, Charlotte, Brian and me went to the Sedgwick Countt Zoo. It was a blast. Since the tempature went down a bit the animals were more active. First, we saw the apes playing and licking peanut butter off a pine cones. Big old ape got them both and did not want to share it with the baby ape. After watching them we went to the Australian animals. As we went to this district some perrots started talking to us. We said "Hello!" and they answered "How are you doing?". We played this game for some time but then wanted to go on. All the sudden the perrot started the weirdest laugh I have ever heard. We went on talking to them and laughing back. As we finally went out they told us "Bye!" After passing the South American district we went to the giraffes, hippos and rhinocerus. It was just their supper time so we saw them in action. They even know how to open their doors. There was also a giraffe baby, just two days old.
Afterwards we watched all the animals out of the "Lyon king". First, we saw the lions. A male lyon showed off his privates while his harem was far away from him. The next animals were meerkats and those special pigs ( I do not quite remember their name.). After that, I tried to get a photo of a meerkat standing on his hint legs. It was almost impossible. They stayed up as long as I did not have my camera out. As I had it out they had just gone down. I pleaded and asked them to stand up one more time. They actually did but as I was there, he was down again. :( After a lot of pleading again one got half way up. :o)
Then we went to see the gorillas. Finally, we got stuck at the cage of Tommy and Billy, the two biggest gorillas. There were also some Amish people. Well, those gorillas did not like their dresses. The whole time they were hammering against the window but just where those women stood. They always stopped on our spot and smiled at us. After half an hour they got so tired of those people that Tommy lifted a blanket, went to the window and held it right in front of his face in front of this woman. Therefore, he did not have to see her dress. Tommy was also flirting with Brian the whole time. It has to be said that those gorillas are gay. ;)
After that, there was not much time left. Therefore, we rushed through the North American district and the rain forest where we saw some beautiful birds, bats, flowers and monkeys.
Then we went to the snake house. Brian had never been so determined but in this moment. Earlier on, we had already watched a snake eating a rat. That was weird. I have never known that a snake is able to open its mouth so widely.
Finally, we had to get out since closing hour was about 5 p.m. and it was already ten after five.
It was really a blast with Charlotte and Brian. :)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Today, I went to watch "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" at the movie theatre with Elloise. The movie is based on a true story telling about a girl who is possessed by demons. A catholic priest tries to help her but he cannot get those spirits out of her. His lawyer tries to explain his behaviour and beliefs in the courtroom. This movie is interesting and thrilling. :)
Elloise was just sooooo cool. :) It has to be said that she is in her mid 70s and has some experience with the wija board as she was a child. Moreover, her grandmother told her stories about bad spirits that moved around things in a room, e.g. cutting off pictures and curtains in a house. Besides, those spirits had sent an axe after her as she left this cursed house.
Therefore, we went to this really recommendable movie together. There were just 4 people including us in this theatre. The movie scared me so much and she just sat there and watched it peacefully without even a slice of fear on her face. I almost jumped on her lab and it seemed to her that I was in her seat most of the time. In her opinion that was just a movie and the reality is even worse.

Wichita Museum of Art and the Botanica

Today, there was a busy day. After watching the last contestant on "Who wants to be a millionaire" I went downtown to the Wichita Museum of Art with Bill and Elloise. First, we went to the second store were we saw some terrific pictures of traditional U.S. American art. Then, we went downstairs to see an exhibition of photographies by Bert Stern who shot celebrity photos mostly in the 1960s for the Vogue magazine. It was really interesting. Following this, we watched a movie about the developement and use of stained glas. After an hour, it was getting boring so we went to have a snack at the museum's restaurant. After that, we finished our museum tour by looking at some abstract art pictures. Around 3 o'clock, we left the museum to head straight for the Botanica. There, we went in to see beautiful flowers, birds taking baths in a little river, all kinds of butterflies such as monarchs and bumble bees. Just before finishing our route, we saw the herbal garden. There were so many different flavours out there. I almost felt like being in my mom' s garden. Around 4.30 p.m., we were home and had something to eat.

Walnut Valley Festival

Yesterday, I went to the Walnut Valley Festival with a friend that I had not seen for 4 years. It was a blast. We saw many different concerts starting with some bluegrass music. Then we listened to the hammer dulcimers competition. As they announced the third place, we thought that they might mistake since the boy played so well. Nevertheless, we were stunned listening to the second place. There was a Asian boy that played some Asian tunes. It was just incredible. After all, we were speechless as we listened to the first place. Even the man who congratulated him was speechless because he had never heard a person playing so fast. We were all flabbergasted.
Following this, I bought some souvenirs and we went to the campground to get us something to eat since Henry's parents had their motorhome there. Then we took off to some concerts. Since it got too cold we decided to go back and get us a blanket. Fortunately, the guy who won the hammer dulcimer competion was his parents' neighbour. Therefore, I got some good pictures of him and his instrument. :)
Finally, we listened to some jazz music because this band found a trumpet player "just five blocks away". Then there was an Irish band. We did not listen to them a long time since we wanted to see the man that all people recommended us. The band that played before was awesome but he was kind of boring since he played a good tune but not a fast one. I was so tired. Therefore, I asked Henry to drive me home. There was the biggest challenge of the day. We are both not good in directions and were just able to remember that we parked at a fence. Well, there were a lot of fences. I guess it took us about half an hour to find his car. Then we drove home on "ghost streets". It seemed like as if we were the only ones out there. Finally, I was home at 1:50 a.m. . It was a really good day out in the country. :)

Kansas State Fair

Yesterday, I went with Charlotte, Mel and Brian to the Kansas State Fair. It was awesome. In the front, you could have some rides but they were kind of boring. We went further to see all those animals. First, we went into a hall full of rabbits. Afterwards, we saw horses and a petting zoo with lamas and goats.
Then, we went to see a man carving wooden sculptures with a chain saw. He made squirrels, a mouse an eagle and a lot more. Following this, we went to see some motor homes. They were so big that they could be some kind of a hotel. Then, we went through a lot of halls where they were a lot of selling stands. Charlotte was interested in a kitchen in rustical style.
Afterwards, we went to see a show with nine tigers which were colored in four different ways, a white, a light orange, an orange and a light brown one. These tigers were easygoing and did not quite feel like doing any show. Therefore, they had to be encouraged with some meat. Then, they ran backwards on their hindlegs. It was stunning. Afterwards, we got us something to eat since I was so hungry that I almost passed out. Beforehand, we went through a different hall where they exhibited vegetables, fruits, wheat and a whole lot more. We saw the winning pumpink that weighed 619,5 pounds. There were also fishes in an aquarium. Now, I know how a catfish looks like. :)
For supper, I got a prun dog, some corn and afterwards two dips of ice cream. Then, we saw an exhibition on dinosaurs and then to a veterinary for pigs and cows. A pig had just had her piglets and they have let me hold one in my arms. Unfortunately, I wanted to hold it like a baby and it started squeaking horribly loud. Therefore, I returned it soon.
We wanted to wait on a cow to give birth to her calf but since she was not due until midnight we decided to go on. Afterwards, we entered a hall full of ducks. Some of them had kind of a bad hair day. You ought have thought that all those other ducks were laughing at them.
Then, we strolled around for a bit and watched the people taking rides. We did not and decided to go home at around 9 p.m. .
I had then a good sleep. :)