Hockessin Athletic Club Group Fitness Launch (Guests are free! ) October 17 - 19

I'm a member of Hockessin Athletic club (HAC) and I saw a flier of up coming event.
There will be an event to launch group fitness on October 17 (Friday) through 18 (Saturday) and guests are free !

I like HAC because the facility is clean and new, and  they have great group fitness programs.
I often go to Zumba, Bike2mat (30min bike+ 30min hot yoga), core fusion, Pilates Mat.
If you like to resistance training, you should go Body Pump and Kettlebells.

They should update the info later on their HP or Facebook page.  Check them if you are interested.
Or, I think they will have normal schedule as usual.

Anyway,　I recommend to use steam sauna in locker room when you come. I love it.
Don't forget to bring a padlock to use a locker.

Not only this day, you can also get a One day pass from their HP and if you ask at the front desk, you might get a 5 day pass as well. Ask them if you are interested in.

Enjoy your fitness!!


Hockessin Athletic Club  (HAC)

100 Fitness Way, Hockessin, DE 19707

302-766-7482 

West Chester Restaurant Festival October 21, Sunday, Noon to 5:30

Coming a Restaurant Festival next Sunday at West Chester, Downtown West Chester Gay St., High St. and Market St.

This area is like a Kennet Square, and there are many restaurants and small shops.

A very tasty chocolpate shop, E'calat Chocolate is also in this area.

West Chester Restaurant Festival  

October 21, Sunday, Noon to 5:30    *Parking is $5 all day at West Chester garage

On the festival day,  more than 65 restarants, caterers and food vendors are there.

Also you can find nearly 110 arts and craft vendors and imformation booths.

Cooking demonstrations and discussions with the participants will be broadcast on QVC channel.

Check the website to get more information !!

If you are a gourmet lover,  you should also check  The Town Dish.com which is the source of this event information.
They have each area's web site like below at the bottom of the web site.
You can get more information about your area.

IWC Opening Party 2014

Here is the information about International Women's club this year!
  *This is from the news letter of IWC delivered 8/28/2014

★About IWC

The International Women's Club provides support and information about life in the United States for women coming from other countries, while also offering multi-cultural enrichment for all our members.

The IWC meetings are Wednesday and Thursday mornings, September-May, 9 am-12 noon at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Family Center, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE 19807.

★About Opening Party  on Thursday, September 11, at 10 am

On Opening Day, existing members will be able to renew their membership and new members may join our group. Remember, this year's annual membership dues are $60.

As it has been the IWC tradition, the Opening Day celebration is a time reserved for renewing old acquaintances, meeting new members, signing up for activities, events and registering for classes that will begin on Wednesday, September 17.

Some of the events that have been scheduled on the IWC Google calendar are listed below. Sign-Up sheets for many of these events will be at the Club on Opening Day. Please sign up and join the fun.

09/22 - Cezanne Exhibit

09/30 - First Nationality Event - A British Tea

10/06 - Lancaster Tour

10/17 - IWC 4th Annual Hoedown

10/25 - Children's Halloween Party - Kids and  Grandkids of members are welcomed

11/06 - International Food Festival - A one day event

12/06 - Children's Christmas Party

12/10 - Annual New York Trip

12/14 - IWC Annual Christmas Party

12/19 - Winterthur Tour              

★Important news for who has kids

IWC Will No Longer Provide Babysitting for 2014-2015
Due to a lack of interest, babysitting will no longer be provided on Club days. If needed we will, however, try to organize babysitting for members who would like to attend a class but have young children.

However, International Play Group Thursdays, from 10 am to 12 noon continues.

The International Play Group is a fun-filled opportunity for moms and children. You may bring your child to play with the children of other friends at IWC Children's Room every Thursday.

Big Marshalls and Homegoods shop at Concordville Town Centre

Ones of my most favorite shops in the U.S. are Marshalls and T.J.Maxx.
They are called "off price store" and there are many off priced goods all around the store.
I often go Marshalls at Kirkwood highway, but I found one at Glen Mills, PA and it's the largest I've ever visited. It's combined Marshalls and Homegoods shop.

Concordville Town Centre
   501 Town Center Dr,  Glen Mills, PA 19342
   610-459-9701
Since store is big, it has many stocks. So the possibility you may find your favorite will also increase. Fortunately, I found lovely oval dishes and bought them.

The price was $9.99.




Mostly off price shops sell very cheap, but sometimes, if the normal retail shops are on sale, you can get same product cheaper at normal retail shops or outlet shops. Just remember, not everything is cheap here.

Anyway, I love those off price shops to look around. Each shops have different products and it's fun to compare them. I don't buy often, because I will go back Japan in 4 years. So I don't want to increase unnecessary goods.  Japanese houses are very small, I can't keep many staffs in Japan. However, looking around off price shop is very fun! I can't stop it.

Tubing

I went for a "Tubing" last week. Tubing is going down a river in float.

Sickman's Mill Home  
Address:  671 Sandhill Rd, Pequea, PA 17560   Phone: (717) 872-5951



It takes about an hour to go down a river. The flow is basically slow, but sometimes there are shallow places and they catch your tube. Also, speed gets fast at some points. So you can enjoy some thrill. However, it's not dangerous. Even the small kids age about 4 years can enjoy it by connecting their tube with adult, or you can take your child together in your tube.

It will be more fun if you connect tubes with your friends or family.If you go alone, it's easy to get separate and very difficult to get together again.I recommend to chain for 3-4 people together. It makes to get direction easier and you can enjoy conversations during the Tubing.

Since there are holes at your seat so your bottom gets always wet. Depends on the flow, you will also get wet on your back. You should be well prepared for it. At the final destination, they will pick you up and takes you to the start point.There is a snack bar selling cheese-steaks and sandwiches and so on.

Besides this place, there is also Tubing place in New jersey.

 Delaware River Tubing 

Address: 1121 New Jersey 12, Frenchtown, NJ 08825　Phone:(908) 996-5386

I think Tubing is a very American way to enjoy great natures.

It' really fun to go with friends or family. I definitely go next year. I highly recommend it!!

Harry's Seafood Grill

About three weeks ago, I went to Harry's Seafood Grill in Wilmington.
It's located just behind the Wilmington amtrak station.

One of our lunch group member, arranged to have a lunch there.
She often come this beautiful restaurant with her husband, because the seafood and scenery here is very nice.

I got a Harry's 2 course lunch for $15. It's prefix and you can choose an antipasti and a main dish from each two selections.

my antipasti "sashimi"

omlets with sausage

the other  main dish 

Other than 2 course lunch, they have many menus. I saw many people had a sandwich or burger.
One of my friend ordered lobster sand. It looked nice.

Of course, we had desserts as well !! They have paticie and make desserts in the restaurant.

fondant chocolate

key lime mooth

???　I forgot　the name.

To our surprise, the second lady of the united states was there too!
She went through our table with some security guards.
I didn't notice, but one of our friend told us.

That means this restaurant is good enough to come American second lady.
Since the river view was very beautiful and the restaurant has a good atmosphere, I would like to come again when it's good weather.

The next door is food court. There are many small deli there, such as Sushi, Pizza, Thai food, and so on.
There is Harry's seafood grill's sister shop in the food court too.

The parking space become busy especially after 12 o'clock.
You had better go earlier to park your car smoothly.

Harry's Seafood Grill
Address: 101 S Market St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone:   (302) 777-1500

Metro Apartment Suite

As you know, the Hotels in NY are very expensive.
My parents came to see me last month, and we stayed in NY for 3 night 4 days.

To Look for 3 person's cheap hotel rooms in the NY is very difficult.
You might find cheap double bed rooms or single rooms, but rooms for three people are difficult.
Of course you can book 4 people's room, but I didn't want to pay so much for hotels, so I chose Apartment this time.
I found the apartment at Booking.com.
There were no reviews on the site when I booked.
Since the pictures on the web site and the location were good, I decided to book there.

Metro Apartment Suite　   38 West 31st street, New York City, NY 10001

I found many reviews one week before I stay there. Many bad and good reviews were on the site.
I was worried about my stay in there. After stayed the apartment, I understand both reviews.
I think I was lucky, because I booked small studio which was $647.37 includes tax for three night.
It supposed to have one queen size bed and one sofa bed, but my room had two queen size bed.
The room was enough big and clean. Also, having a kitchen in the room was great. I liked the room.

Bath room was simple

water pressure was fine

enough hangers

However, the service was bad.
Since it's just an apartment, you need to call the office an hour advance to check in.
I called 3 hours in advance, and I was late, but no one was there.  I called again and the parson was on the subway.

Fortunately, my room was ready, so I could enter the room before he arrive. But he kept us waiting for 30 minutes.
There was another couple who were same situation in front of the apartment. They told me they were waiting about an hour.

I didn't see anyone when we check in and out. Just took and left the room key on the table in my room. That's it.
I thought they don't prepare any towels, but there were four big bath towels in the room.
There were shampoo and conditioner and soap as well.
They sent me a mail,  they have rental towel 3 for $10. Now I think it's for replacement.

I asked to refill toilet rolls but they forgot it.
I think the apartments are maintained by young Korean guys, they are innocent, but careless.

Anyway, I don't know if I will be back to this apartment.  It was cheap and good location though.
I can't recommend this apartment hotel everyone but if you can speak English well, and have cellphone, and be patient, you can stay here.

I was satisfied with this stay,  maybe it's because I was lucky.

They can keep your luggage for $6-10 each at their office near Port authority.
It was very convenient to take Greyhound bus.
We went to the office by taxi in the morning and picked up our luggage before we took bus.

At previous stays in NY, I used Pod 51 and Hotel Azul, I will write about it some day.

Megabus will come back!!

Only after one month since I wrote the article, "Megabus abolished Megabus Abolished Newark, DE - New York Line",
it will come back from September 10th !!

I'm so glad that they restart the bus line again.
However, the schedule and price are not as good as before.
It seems Megabus fix the tickets price which leave 8:00AM  Newark, DE as $23.
The tickets return to Delaware is much cheaper than that though.

◆Departs Newark,DE

Monday-Thursday 12:30 PM,

Friday 8:00 AM, 6:10 PM, 

Saturday 8:00 AM, 

Sunday 1:00 PM,6:10 PM

◆Departs New York, NY

Monday-Thursday 5:30 PM, 

Friday- Saturday 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 

Sunday 4:30 PM, 5:30 PM

The parking in UD of lot #7 is $4 per day.  (visitor area)
You need buy permission online and print it out and put behind your car window.

I used to use Megabus for one day trip to NY all the time.
However,  now since the Megabus schedule and price have changed, I  prefer to use Grayhound Bus.
Grayhound have more selections of departure time and not so expensive, compare to new Megabus price.

Recently I realized, if you buy Round ticket, Grayhound will provide  some discount.
Also, if you buy more than one person's ticket together, you can also get some discount.

The parking right behind Amtrak station is $8 per 24 hours.
Sometimes it's occupied on weekdays, buy if you arrive earlier, you should find many space.
There are also another a little bit more expensive parking garages around the station.
About parking, refer my previous article "Wilmington Amtrak Station"

Anyway, I recommend to check both Megabus and Grayhound's HP, before you buy tickets.

Outlet Malls around Deraware

There are 4 outlet malls around Delaware. You can check exact place and address in "Delaware and its suburb useful map".

1.  Tanger Pennsylvinia Lancaster
　　Rockvale Outlets Lancaster

2.  Tanger delaware Rehobath beach

3.  Philadelphia Premium Outlets

As I wrote before, I like Philadelphia Premium Outlets the best.
It has the best selection of shops for women age above 25.

However, for young people, Tanger Outlet in Rehoboth beach seems  good.
Because there is Abercrombie & Fitch. They also have many small kids clothing shops.

The two outlet malls in Lancaster are good for family.
Since Lancaster is famous for Amish, you can enjoy both sightseeing and shopping.

Most products in outlet malls are cheaper than normal price. But sometimes, there are no difference as shops in normal malls.
You need to be careful and to compare prices well.

Philadelphia Premium Outlets

I wanted to go to Philadelphia Premium Outlets for a long time, and finally went there last Monday.

"Premium Outlets" group are all over the world, and I have been to one of them in Japan.

The structure and layout are almost same as Japanese premium outlets which I went.

There are three more outlet malls around Delaware. One is Tanger outlet in Rehoboth beach, and others are Tanger outlet and Rockvale outlet in Lancaster. 

In my opinion, Philadelphia premium outlet has the best selection of shops for women age above 25.

I didn't plan to buy anything, but I found  some nice bargain and bought them.
I will introduce what I bought and my observation.

1. UGG Sheepskin boots  $39.98 !!!!

This was at the final sale corner.
I thought pink is difficult to much clothes, but this pink is not so blight and I knew this is very warm and comfortable, since I  have different colour of this pair of boots.

Actually, I bought chocolate brown of this boots about $115 last winter, $40 is a huge bargain for sure.
Even though my real shoe size is 7,  I took them. There were only large sizes, such as 8, 9, 10.

SAGE sangria color

Half price from $79.97

Not only at UGG shop,  but also at another shoe shops has UGG products sale.

Only vivid color boots were on sale among annual basic products.  

Other unique designed products were almost half price if they still remain. 

2. Nike　Running T shurts $19.99, Short pants （Kids） $14.99

This is not super cheap but same as Marshalls and T.J.Maxx prices.
If you often buy XS size, you may consider to buy kids size.
Kids size products are always cheaper than adults.


3. Chocolate Shop

I didn't buy anything, but I recommend to buy this chocolate for gifts when you go back your country.　
Especially the left big packaged chocolate is easy to give away for your friends and colleague.

Buy3 get 2 free.  $25 each.

Good looking packages!

4. Le Creuset shop

Le creuset shop had a big summer sale. Everything in the store was 25%off.
There were also special sale products such as 40%, 30% off.
I was really wondering whether to buy, but I didn't buy this time.
Because I already have another type of useful pots, such as pressure maker pot, and Thermos pot.
Le creuset's pots are very popular and expensive in Japan. I will get it before I go back to Japan for sure.



In my opinion 3 hours or 4 hours are enough for look around this outlet mall.
It's not so big, but there are great shops.
I've never been to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in NY, but so far, this is the best outlet mall for me.



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Philadelphia Premium Outlets
18 Lightcap Rd,　Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 495-9000
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Bon Appetit Gourmet Food Shoppe

My acquaintance told me that there is a nice bakery run by French couple in Wilmington.
The bakery has nice baguette, and cakes are also delicious.
But he didn't remember the name of the bakery, only knew the place, which is on route 202 and same mall as Chuck E Cheese.
I could find the place by chance, and stopped by for lunch.

Actually, it's not a bakery like what I imagined.  It's a more deli place.
You can have lunch or tea cake there. Of course, you can take them out.
I ordered Mozzarella Special sandwich ($9.5) and it was very good.

Mozzarella Special

Sandwiches

Saladas

I like bread crispy and hard outside and  fluffy inside.
However, I couldn't check the softness of inside the bread this time, since it was sandwich.
They have more menus besides on the pictures.
Soup seemed delicious as well.  Next time, I will try a set pate on bread, comes with soup.

*********************************************
Bon Appetit Gourmet Food Shoppe
3629 Silverside Road, Wilmimgton DE 19810
(Talleyville Shopping Center)
302-478-4344

Be careful for the time!
Mon-Fri ：9：30-16：00,  Saturday：10：00-15：00, Sunday：Closed

Alapocas Run State Park & Free Summer Taichi Class

Delaware is surrounded so many greens and you might have gone through a park every 20 minutes while you are driving.

I'm going to have a simple introduction about the trail and free summer Taichi class.

I went to Alapocas Run State Park for the first time and saw a flier the picture below.
According to the flier, Gentle Palm Karate Academy offers free Taichi classes during summer.

Taichi is a kind of Chinese martial arts and it's also moving meditation as well.
It's not here, but I'm taking 24 method Taichi lessons in IWC and I enjoy it very much.   

Flier at  Alapcas ball fields

The purpose I visit the park is for running.
Since I applied for the Philadelphia Marathon, I need to practice as much as possible.
It's too hot to run in the daytime, so I was looking for somewhere cool for running.
Besides, this park is close to the International women's club, so it's convenient for me to run after club activity.

【Full page Map (PDF)】 

PDF shows distance of each trail.

Today I stared from Alapocas Ball Fields and run light yellow trail.
It was great run in the wood, because it was cool and the ground was much softer than asphalt road.

I was worried if I would get lost, but if you come twice, it will be OK.
It's great not only for running, but also for walking. I will definitely come again for running.
Besides Alapocas Run State Park, there are many parks in Delaware. You can check them at Wilmington State Parks web site.
They will have free concerts and some other events, don't miss them!

Travel to Niagara Falls

Last year, we went to Niagara Falls in beginning of July for 3 days and 2 nights.
There are three ways to go to Niagara Falls.



1. By car
   According to Google map, it takes 7 hours directly from Delaware to Niagara Falls.

2. By airplane ( To NY Buffalo airport or Toronto airport )
   Airplane costs a lot, and you need to take a long distance bus or rent a car after you get there.

3. Apply for the tour from NY or NJ
   There are many tour from NY and NJ, but going to NY or NJ takes 3 hours,
   and the time riding bus is almost same as Delaware to Niagara Falls.

My choice was to go by car.
Many American also travel by car, and it was the most reasonable way to go there.
We got so many bugs on the front of car though.


I minded these three points for the travel.

①Since it's a long drive, don't make a tight schedule so that we can spend a relaxing time there.
②The fall at Canadian side is greater than American side, so go American side first.
③Stay at falls view hotel one night, because we can save money to go by car.

Since the first day staying at Niagara falls was Independence day, I planned to book American side hotel.
However, the hotels in Canadian side were cheaper than American side, I booked  both night in Canadian side.

I looked for a falls view hotel first, and decided to stay at The Oaks hotel.
The hotel has a beautiful view and it has the cheapest falls view room around there.
Still, it cost $341 in total for a night.
Because both Canada and America are on the holiday season, it's the busiest time for Niagara Falls at the beginning of July.

I didn't care about inside the room, but I was worried about the view from windows.
Our room was on the 13th floor, and the view was amazing just like this.
We could see fireworks very well. I was very satisfied with the view from our room.

The hotel has prepared outlook space in the hallway of the 14th floor,  so that guests can look freely.
Even if staying at the lower floors,  you can enjoy a beautiful view and fire works there.

It's too expensive to stay two night at this hotel, I booked another cheap hotel before we stay here.
While we stay in the Oak hotel for the second day, we didn't plan special activities.
We stayed at the room to enjoy the view and reading books. We felt really relax.

I'm going to go Niagara Falls again with my parents in July.
I was wondering whether choosing the Oak hotel or Radisson hotel, I booked the Oaks hotel again.
Because Radisson hotel is a little bit far from main street.
If you stay at falls view room just one night, you should book on the day which has fireworks.

We also went for a winery of Niagara on the lake. I will write about wineries next time.
My friend told me about "Niagara Falls Adventure Pass Classic". I will buy it next time.

A Saving Tip of NY Metro Card

Subway is essential for New York sight seeing.
You can buy single ride ticket, but buying Metro card is convenient.
Metro Card is used by charging money and swipe before you enter subway gate.
If you charge $10, you will get a little bonus of 50 cent.
This is also one of the saving money, but today I'm going to tell you more basic tip.

Metro card itself costs $1. If you are an honest person, you might buy one Metro card each.
However, you don't have to buy each ! One card for one group is enough!!

New York subway is a flat rate of $ 2.5, and you need to swipe a card before you enter the gate.
When exiting from the gate, you don't have to swipe the card again.
This means, you can share the card with your group.

After the first person swipe and go through the gate, pass the card to the next person behind,
and the person who received the card can do same way.
It seems just a one dollar saving, but this can save time as well.
Because when the balance is low, it eliminates the time to charge each card.

Japanese technology "Washlet"

Have you ever heard "Washlet"? It's a toilet seat which is common in Japan.
I had a party in my house and what attracted my friends the best was this Washlet.
Whomever tried it told me I need this in my house too !!

There is a controller by the seat and you can use bide, and adjust the strength of bide.
It also has warm seat equipment, it's good for winter.
This Washlet is basic, but some types of Washlet has dryer and opens automatically when you enter the restroom.

Buttons explanation:  止 is stop, おしりis for Anus, ビデ is for ladies.　You can adjust the strength 弱<<<<強.

I brought this Washlet seat from Japan, but you can buy similar one in the U.S. too.
Search on amazon "Washlet", and you will find many kinds of them.
TOTO and Panasonic and Inax, Toshiba are Japanese brand.

You need to be careful one thing. If you or someone use tooo much shower before flushing, you can't flush.
Last time, my friends loved my Washlet so much and they tried a lot, there were not enough water in the tank.
Actually, there is no problem with normal use. You don't worry about it. It's just a funny story.

You might think, it's good idea that when you travel Japan, and bring back washlet for your house, but the wide of American pipes are different from Japanese.
American pipes are 3/8 inch, but Japanese pipes are 1/2 inch.
You need to get adjustment connector for that, and I did it.
I spent 5 hours for that, it was tough work.  So I recommend to buy here.

Yo'R So Sweet in Kennett Square

One of my friend asked me to go for a lunch together, and we went to eat crepe at Kennet Square.
The Market at Liberty place is on the main street of Kennet Square.
Some cafe and shops are inside the building, it's like a cozy food court, and "Yo'R So Sweet" is also in it.
There is a parking space next to the building, so you don't have to worry about parking.

They have two types of crepe, one is savoy, the other is sweet.
I ordered Thai Chicken,  inside of the crepe has lots of chicken, it was good size for lunch.

Thai: sauce is a little bit hot

sweet crepe

Ham and cheese are inside the crepe 

Sweet crepe is from $4.5, and the picture above is $6.5 and you can add 3 topping to their original crepe.
There is a coffee shop next to the hop, so it is good to have coffee together with sweet crepes!

I heard there are many good restaurant around Kennett Square, such as Lily Asian,
Half moon, El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria Moroleon, Two stones.
I want to try every nice restaurant during I stay in the U.S.

Newark Farmers Maket

Newark Farmers Market is a great place for both foreigners and locals.
Their vegetables and fruits are very cheap, and they have great lineups for import products.

Since the owner is Korean,  Asian food section is particularly rich in recent months.

So many seasonings

Gobou root and gingers 

Tofu is cheap here

Ｕｄｏｎ noodle,  deep filed tofu is my favorite!

Not only Asian foods, but also other international foods are here!!

Of course Mexican foods is major in this shop. They also have great selection of Indian spices.
Vegetables and fruits are very cheap, but you need to be careful when you chose.
Some are not fresh, you must have a good eye to chose products.

Fruits and vegetables are piled

For me, the day I go shopping for Newark Farmers Market is a big cooking day.
Because the vegetables and meats are better to be cooked as soon as possible.

Sometime, I put some vegetable just into refrigerator and 3 days later,  the mold was on the tomato and cucumber.
Many products are cheaper than other shops, but Not everything.
You need to compare each by yourself, especially Commodities long shelf-life.
But I can say Bananas are always the best price here.

***************************************
Newark Famers Market
2515 Kirkwood Hwy, Newark, De 19711
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