Mini Coopers

When they say that Mini Coopers handle like go-karts, they mean it! I got to test drive the whole line up on a closed track and they are tossable unlike any other car I've driven. I think they're the most agile cars next to the Lotus Exige and Elise. The track was really tight. I don't think any other cars would have even fit on their tight autocross course especially around the hairpin turns. Minis are a joy to drive. Other cars would have groaned and their tires would have screamed in protest if asked to do the same quick response lateral changes.

I drove the Mini Cooper, the Clubman, the convertible, and the "S" supercharged versions of each as well as the top of the line John Cooper Works. The JCW has 207 hp. It has the best handling too thanks in part to its high performance Continental tires. It was able to go around corners noticeably faster and with much less tire squeal compared to the regular Mini. It also has a nice growl to it when driven hard. The acceleration was much better than the regular car.

Even the regular Mini is a great handling car. I love the agility of these Minis. They are the most go-kart like of all the cars out there. They weight about 2500 pounds. If only they had about 300 hp, the Mini would be the perfect sports car. They would be fast and incredible handling. I do like a bit of neck-snapping acceleration with my lateral g handling. They also have a surprising amount of space, at least in the front 2 seats. I lot of people customize their Minis. Some of the Minis I've driven had pretty nice interiors.

Minis remind me of the time when I raced go-karts in San Diego. I was driving on a slick track and I was grinning from ear to ear as I drifted around corners. They gave me a driving sensation of the car being a part of me that I have not felt since then. I felt total control as I made power slides around corners. It was as if I driving was an art form. That's what I want my cars to feel like when I'm racing in and out of traffic.

Fortunately, the lines were really short when I went there in the morning. I was able to drive all the cars and still make it to the VBS meetings by 10:00 a.m. We were at church all freaking weekend and late into the night each night.

I've always wanted to drive a Mini and I'm glad I had a chance to drive it. Someone once told me that his Mini was more fun to drive than his Porsche. Now, I've had first hand knowledge as to why.

Sedona Arizona

We went to beautiful Sedona. Too bad it rained, because I wanted to camp there and stay there longer. From New Mexico all the way past Phoenix, Arizona, there was rain and lightning. That storm stretched for over 600 miles and lasted for over 8 hours while I was driving. I've never seen so much lightning before in my life. That was awesome.

We ate some delicious BBQ ribs in Sedona. That was a fun town to visit.

Sedona

After leaving New Mexico, we went to Sedona, Arizona. We were going to camp there, but it rained. We arrived in Sedona around 5:00 p.m. We drove straight to L.A. We got there around 3:00 a.m. After dropping everyone off, we got home at 4:00 a.m. After unpacking, I went to sleep at around 5:00 a.m. That was a long day and a long but fun week.

These are pictures of Oak Creek and Red Rock Canyon.

Heaven's Highway

A prayer garden in Glorieta. The Garden of Gethsemane was also in Highway to Heaven.

New Mexico

We had so much fun in Glorieta, New Mexico, we hardly slept. I think I averaged 4 hours of sleep a night.

Glorieta

Last week, James, Grace "Hye Jin", Jenny, Laura Kim, Eun Jung, Jonah, Tyler, Sarah, and I went to Glorieta, New Mexico. We went there for the National Sunday School Teachers' Conference.

We had a good time, but it was very tiring. We went there after working all day on Saturday for VBS preparations and all day of church on Sunday. Saturday, July 19 was James' birthday too. Sarah and I get to church before 7:30 a.m. to set up the equipment for the childrens' worship service. After all day of meetings on Sunday, we ate dinner at a Korean restaurant. We also stopped by the market to buy some food for our road trip. I think we left Los Angeles around 8:30 p.m. We drove my dad's Ford Explorer and arrived in Albuquerque around 11:00 a.m. We got to the Glorieta Conference Center around 1:00 p.m. Sarah, James, and I took turns driving there. Needless to say, we were exhausted. I think it took about $600 in gas round trip. We drove about 2,000 miles round trip. Laura Kim, Eun Jung, and the kids flew there. I'll probably fly next time.

On Monday, we registered and got our rooms. James and I shared a room. Sarah, Jenny, and Grace shared another room. We had dinner together. I think we all ate a lot of food. I felt like I was eating all day long each day. Jenny, Sarah, and I went hiking up a trail nearby on the first day. Jenny seemed to be in good shape. She says she likes dancing. I asked what was her favorite sport. She replied, "Walking fast. . .because I'm always late." Laura didn't feel well after walking for awhile because of the high altitude. It's 7,000 feet up there. Fortunately, she felt a little better afterward.

On Tuesday, Sarah, Jenny, and I woke up early to go hiking again. Then, we had breakfast at 6:30 a.m. We had classes and then lunch at 12:00. After some electives in the afternoon. We had dinner. Then, we had meetings. I was really tired. The others had meetings until 2:00 a.m. sometimes. I could hardly sleep, because I'm a light sleeper and can't sleep well in new surroundings. It has to be my bed and my room.

Wednesday, some of them went to Santa Fe. Sarah and I decided to get some rest.

Thursday, we had more classes and more meetings. Jonah found part of a fossilized animal jawbone. His mom didn't seem to pleased when he showed it to her. Jonah is pretty funny. He says things like, "You guys collect offerings so that the teachers can eat lunch at church?"

Friday, we finished our 12 and last class. We packed up, checked out, and left for Sedona, Arizona.

I loved the mountain air there. It wasn't nearly as hot as I thought it would be. Several times throughout the week, there were dark clouds and thunder in the distance. It rained a few times throughout the week. I loved the weather there.