I always plan my annual trip to Virginia Beach every year on Memorial Day weekend for almost last 10 years. There is nothing I love more than sun, surf & sand. I love relaxing on the beach and I do mean...Relaxing, like sleeping under the sun near the surf on the sand. Virginia Beach is very special to me since I lived there during my time at the "Armed Forces School of Music" and spending alot of time teaching and producing Hawaiian Hula and Filipino Folk Dance Shows.I always start my search for hotel rates in January and lock the lowest hotel rate in for the Memorial Day weekend before or within February.
This year, I wanted it to be a bit more special due to all that was happening with my wife, Beng being on disability and out of work, her brain tumor radiation treatment, Aria being shuttled Tuesday through Sunday to the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre for her show, all of us working around on my sole income and myself trying to work in auditions through all this. It was much needed "Family Time" and relaxation.
Well....this year, we planned for our family friend, Regina to house-sit and take care of the cats while we were away for 3 days.
The Friday drive to Virginia Beach took 6 hours (It's usually a 3 1/2 hour drive) The hotel this year was no where "Seaside" as stated, but 10 blocks away from the beach. It was also one step up from being a roadside, sleazy motel that smelt like smoke. Strange, the front desk customer service was accommodating and friendly. Disgusted by the hotel room, we went to see the movie, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" at Lynnhaven Mall. It was an "Okay" movie.
Saturday's weather was absolutely beautiful for the beach. Though...I got seriously sunburned. What's new? I love sleeping under the sun and hearing the waves crash to the surf.
Unfortunately..."Black Sunday" rolled in. I asked Beng to hear my messages from my cellphone. There was an urgent message from our house-sitter saying that our 97 Honda is missing. She called the police and it seems the car was already in a high-speed police chase and the car was extremely "totalled" due to it being out of control, flipped in the air and landed upside-down. 3 of the joyriders were caught and apprehended, but the 4th gotten away. This is the second time our 97 Honda has been stolen and taken for a joyride. Ughhhh....
Right after receiving the urgent message and making a few phonecalls ourselves with the PG police department and our insurance company, Aria and I run to the hotel pool. Stupid me..dives in without taking out my cellphone or my wallet! Ughhhhhh...
Hoping to redeem the day, I decide we try "Carrabbas: Italian Grill" for the first time. Unfortunately...we found that this restaurant very disappointing! Sorry, Carrabbas fans.
My family agreed, "Carrabbas" was one grade up from opening up a can of "Chef-Boyarde" and a bit "too typical" out of all italian chain restaurants for my taste.
I guess we are just so spoiled from going to "Carmines" in NYC for Italian.
In conclusion, we even checked out early to return back to the confort of our own home and our cats.
