Visit Texas: National Video Game Museum

The National Video Game Museum in Frisco, Texas combines gaming and history in a fun and entertaining venue for visitors of all ages.

As soon as you enter, you're surrounded by gaming consoles of all types and eras - and you can play on them!

From a life-size game of Pong, to desktop gaming and virtual reality, there are all sorts of video games you can play.   It was neat to see so many kids play games from the 80s, like Duck Hunt! 

There are numerous set-ups throughout the museum so no single area is overcrowded with gamers or people waiting their turn.  

The exhibits also displayed so much vintage memorabilia, showcasing the evolution of video games.  

It was quite interesting to see how the industry moved from clunky hardware to more streamlined ones with such faster processors and amazing graphics.

Imagine if we all kept our old consoles and how much they would be worth today!

The only game I played - a typing game

With your admission, you get tokens to play in the arcade, which was full of retro games, many of which I haven't seen since I was a kid!

I didn't expect the National Video Game Museum to be as crowded as it was, but it was definitely a fun place to visit - and a nice trip down memory lane!

National Video Game Museum
8004 Dallas Pkwy

Frisco, TX 75034

Read More

Rental Car Recalls

Whenever we rent a car, the first thing I do once a car is selected is to check the VIN for any unrepaired recalls, as I once saw a news segment about it, and ever since, I make sure to check it.  I look for the VIN and type it into https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.  

Majority of the time, I'll get a notice like the below, that says "0 Unrepaired Recalls."

But there have been times where we plugged in a VIN to get an unrepaired recall notice.  It has happened three times, all at the same rental car company, coincidentally.  

The first time, almost 10 years ago, we easily swapped cars.  The second time, 2 years ago, the recall was for a child car seat latch, and since it didn't apply (we had no car seats), we felt the vehicle was safe to drive.

The third time (last year), however, the team members almost didn't let us swap the car.  The below was the recall notice, and even after advising the employee, she said "we don't see it in our system, it must've been fixed."  But as the recall notice clearly stated, "remedy not yet available."  

She reluctantly brought over another car, and oddly said that she couldn't keep bringing over more cars for us to check.  

Fortunately, the car that was brought over had no recalls, and I since learned that there is an actual law that prohibits rental car agencies from renting out cars with unrepaired recalls, when there is no way to eliminate the safety risk imposed (so she would have had to brought out another vehicle if the new one also had an unrepaired recall).

Check the VIN whenever renting a car, and be persistent in getting a new car if there is an unrepaired recall.  

And if you have any trouble, simply refer the employees to the Rental Car Safety Recall Law:  the https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1173.

Read More

Visit Arkansas: The Spark Cafe Truck

Located in the Walmart Museum, The Spark Cafe is known for their ice cream.  Since the museum is going through renovations, The Spark Cafe is currently operating out of a food truck!

Established due to Walmart founder Sam Walton's love of ice cream, The Spark Cafe features Arkansas-made Yarnell's ice cream, and also has exclusive flavors!  

Spark Cream

Spark Cream is one of the exclusive flavors - complete with Walmart colors of blue and yellow!

F-150

The other exclusive flavor is F-150.

Chewy Brownie

Sea Salt Caramel

We all loved the ice creams, and you can't beat the price (reflective of Walmart's low prices) - just $1.29 for a cup or cone!

 

Read More

Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau: A Feast For All Senses

I've been to many lūʻau, but I've never been to one with as many unique elements as Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau: A Feast For All Senses at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.  

I was fortunate to attend this amazing lūʻau as media during the Celebration of the Arts, where we were immediately greeted with lei, live music, and welcome drinks. 

After "dancing for our food," we indulged in typical lūʻau dishes, such as chicken long rice, ʻuala, and haupia.  There was pohole salad, which is not something I see at many other lūʻau, and although a poke station is not uncommon, offering it with ʻopae and ʻopihi is definitely uncommon at your typical resort lūʻau.  Note: These offerings were special for the Celebration of the Arts weekend, and differs from the regular lūʻau menu.

The Tales of the Kapa Moe show began, in which dance and song weaved into stories of our Polynesian ancestors.

Each performance told a story, and I loved the unique elements, such as the aerial acrobat performance representing a waterfall.  I've never seen such a performance at a lūʻau before!

The handmade costumes and props were unique as well, representing things like lava or a cloud, and they really helped to emphasize the story.

 
The fire knife dancing finale was so exciting! It's always mesmerizing to watch fire knife dancers, and this performance, representative of the perpetuation of the ancestors' heritage, was one to remember!

Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau really is a feast for the senses, and it's a wonderful and entertaining way to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture. 

Tales of the Kapa Moe Lūʻau: A Feast For All Senses

Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
1 Ritz Carlton Dr
Kapalua, HI 96761

Read More

Lunch at Straits Honolulu

When Straits first opened, my friends and I tried to stop by for drinks but the new restaurant was packed so we were politely turned away. I could instantly tell from the dark lighting and the loud music that Straits at night was fun and had a great vibe, but not for me. Straits during the day, however, is definitely more to my liking. 

The restaurant is spacious and quite pretty with beautiful natural daylight and the menu is kept simpler with lunch plates and specialty offerings. It's the perfect place to have lunch with the girls, but also suitable for a business lunch. Straits features Singaporean cuisine with a modern twist. We enjoyed the Hainan Chicken, a signature dish, as well as the Nasi Lemak plate and Laksa Noodle Soup. The food great and the service was excellent. Straits is also offering a brunch menu on the weekends.        

Hainan Chicken

Nasi Lemak with miso glazed salmon

Laksa Noodle Soup with rice noodles

Pretty dining area

Dining area and bar

Straits Hawaii 
1060 Auahi St. #4
Honolulu, HI 96814
Sunday - Thursday: 4P - 10P 
Friday & Saturday: 4P - Midnight
808-888-0683

Read More

Visit Tulsa: Braum's Ice Cream & Dairy Store

Braum's is an ice cream shop / fast food restaurant based in Oklahoma, with numerous locations throughout the state (and in other surrounding states too!).  

It was our first meal and ice cream stop while in Tulsa.  

Chicken Strips

I had Chicken Strips.  Paired with Braum's Dipping Sauce - it was a quick and tasty meal!  

Chicken Strips Dinner

The Chicken Strips Dinner came with fries, country gravy, Braum's Dipping sauce, a roll, and a cookie!  

Deluxe Bacon Cheeseburger

Frozen Yogurt

M&M Sundae

Cappucino Chunky Chocolate

Peanut Butter Cup

PB and chocolate is my fave combo, so of course I got the Peanut Butter Cup ice cream!

Braum's also sells groceries, so it's really a one-stop shop!  

Be sure to visit while in Oklahoma!
 

Read More

Fujiyama Texas

Fujiyama Texas - an interesting name for a Japanese restaurant. We asked our server what's the story behind the name, and our server said the owner liked the sound of it, even though he's never actually been to Texas!

The restaurant is known for "kushikatsu", or fried food on sticks, so my friend orders ....

Pork Belly udon! It sure did look good though, and it's a good option for those who want something non-fried.

I felt like I needed to try what they were known for, so I ordered the seafood mix Katsu set.

It came with shrimp, salmon, soft shell crab (my fave!), scallop and oyster. It was deeeelicious! They really know how to fry things. 

My other friend ordered the beef katsu - she gave me a piece to try and I can see why she likes it so much. The meat is super tender and moist! 

She asked for the Tojiru soup instead of miso soup - I had no idea she as doing, but she knows her stuff. The soup smelled really good and I wish I had swapped it too.  Next time I will!

 Fujiyama Texas is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even "midnight diner" (except Tuesdays), 7 days a week! 

____________________________

FUJIYAMA TEXAS
2065 SOUTH KING STREET
808-955-0738

Read More