Vacation, all I ever wanted . . .

As you can tell, I've been away. I took some time off after getting a number of work projects completed. I had opportunity to contemplate a few life issues. While going on a few weekend excursions, I was able to take in the local scenery and restaurants in the Hampton Roads area. I've been traveling to the Chesapeake area, and esp. Virginia Beach.

On Memorial Day weekend, I visited the Outer Banks NC (OBX). Although it rained frequently, it was such an awesome and blessed time. As much as I like the pulse of the DC city, I desperately needed a break from the area and the job. These areas represent such a quieter and sedated lifestyle compared to city life.

Here are a few places you may want to check out if you are ever in the Hampton Roads area. "C" and I checked out a local deli and concert hangout on the strip, called The Jewish Mother. They got great sandwiches and a few pasta dishes. If you got anymore room in your stomach, they serve some great desserts as well. Their individual desserts can feed 2 or more people.

They've been around since 1975. On the weekends, the restaurant hosts local musical talent. On a Friday night, a reggae band played while we ate dinner. You pay a small feel to enter the band area. Some other national bands have played there, eg, Dave Matthews Band. There is a little controversy about the owners. If interested, check out the restaurant website to read their take on the topic.

For Saturday lunch, we checked out a local favorite Vietnamese noodle shop "Pho 75". You know when it is a great noodle place, when you see actual Asian customers, esp families, at the restaurant. Not only do you see families at the noodle shop, but you see professionals, students, and military visitors as well. Two thumbs up! We started out with the traditional Vietnamese fried egg rolls. Then, I had the pho with beef cuts and beef tripe. What is so good is that you can get such a great meal for almost a mere pittance.

On Saturday evening, we checked out the Azteca Mexican restaurant in Norfolk. It's got a great atmosphere. I was greatly disappointed with the fare. Spanish rice was dry and tasteless. I'm a big fan of tamales and tacos. What was really weird --- tamales with (a taste of) jasmine spice. The interaction of the traditional Mexican hot spices with jasmine just did not go together.

I was hoping to get some surfing done, while I was out there. I had one occasion to get my surfboard wet, and it was too cold and the waves weren't behaving. Next time, I hope to get some surfing done in Nags Head, NC.

Today's scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 (New Living Translation)

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.