February 18, 2009

• Miniatures = Great Fun

  Yesterday, Uncle Scott took me, my mom and Jack to Window on China, an amusement park in Taoyuan that hosts the second-largest collection of miniature structures in the world. The park's Chinese name, translated literally, is "Little People Kingdom," which I suppose wouldn't be a very politically correct English name , but is a more apt description of the park. I love miniatures, and this park has really detailed, life-like miniature replicas of famous places in Taiwan and China, as well as some landmarks from Europe and Egypt. There's also a midway area with rides and games (including a giant water slide/roller coaster that looked like so much fun ... alas, pregnant women are not allowed to ride on such rambunctious attractions), and, best of all (for a geek like me), there was a new Doraemon exhibit! I grew up reading comic books about Doraemon, a robotic cat from the 22nd century who is sent to the present day by his owner to protect the owner's bumbling great-great-uncle, who is a fourth-grader at the time. It's hard to explain, but I was hooked on these comics.

  Anyway, I'm not sure who had the better time at Window on China, Jack or I. He oooh'd, ahh'd, wow'd and whee'd at everything, and spent lots of time running around. Jack also enjoyed his first train ride at an amusement park. Here are some pictures:

  Jack looking down at a mini train station. Those are bonsai trees!

  

  The train station looks pretty normal-sized, but look at the people in the far left corner of the picture -- each structure was no taller than mid-calf!

  

  Uncle Scott shows Jack the high-speed bullet train. It really moved on the track!

  

  A little village in mini-China

  

  Jack and I by some mini cargo ships. The little cargo containers were very realistic -- they even had real company names printed on them. And, the loading docks really worked!

  

  Jack, Uncle Scott and I by mini-Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

  

  Mini Leaning Tower of Pisa! If you look really closely, there's a miniature Doraemon on the second level from the top. I thought it was fun that park workers hid little Doraemon figures in almost every structure at the park to promote the new exhibit

  

  Jack enjoying his first amusement park train ride

  

  Me with some of my favorite Doraemon characters! These, oddly enough, were all larger than life. Go figure

  

  

  

  

  

  My mom and I by the mini Great Wall of China (in the background)

  

  These miniature people really moved!

  

  Today after lunch, my mom, Jack and I met up with my good friend Emily at Sogo. Emily and I go all the way back to middle school, and she's actually my birthday buddy -- we have the same birthday, down to the year. We haven't seen each other in two years, so I was really excited to see her and have her meet Jack. Actually, last time we saw each other, I think I was also five months pregnant. Deja vu!

  Even Jack is happy about our reunion! My mom, me and Emily

   

  Finally, I have to share the picture below with you all. Jack saw my dad lounging on the chaise part of his couch the other day. The very next day, Jack climbed up on the chaise portion, stacked the pillows behind his head to his liking, and then leaned back on it. He watched almost a whole episode of Mickey Mouse playhouse this way, occasionally waving his hand lazily in the air. He even had his legs crossed at one point. It was too funny.

  Getting the hang of being a lazy man already!

  

  I have more thoughts to share about Jack and my newly formed Sibling Preparedness Plan for him, but this entry is long enough already, so I'll save those thoughts for tomorrow. Good night!

  • 8:18 am
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