Chicago Part 5: Chinatown
March 8, 2007
Craving for some authentic Chinese food, Rob and I took the train to Chinatown. The night before we searched online for the best dimsum place in Chinatown. I wanted to go somewhere that serves their dimsum in the cart, you know the real deal. And I found it! The place is called The Phoenix by Cermack Street. The food tasted great, sad to say much better than the dimsum you get here in Kuching, so much so I was so busy eating that I didn’t take any pictures. Figures huh? I had to fly all the way to Chicago to have great dimsum.
With my dim sum loving stud
There was a little park in the center of Chinatown with the 12 Chinese zodiacs and a brief description of each.
Yours truly with my Chinese zodiac, the bitch dog
The Dog sign says “Dogs are loyal, honest and extremely faithful to those they love. They can always be trusted to guard the secrets of others and therefore, make great confidantes. Dogs have sharp tongues but however have the tendency to be fault finders. When filled with righteous indignation, dogs can be most stubborn and unyielding. They make great leaders but also would be happy working as an activist or secret agent. A Dog is most happy with a Tiger or Horse.”
Sounds a lot like me. HEH
Rob with his cock rooster zodiac
The cock rooster sign says “The rooster is regal, resolute and resplendent (whatever that means). It extrudes extreme confidence and arrogance. Not accustomed to tact and diplomacy. Rooster people are very outspoken and direct and certainly would not be considered to be shy. With a keen eye for details, the rooster is a superb organizer with a nose for making money. Roosters would be quite happy in public relations and are most compatible with the bull and snake.”
As we left for the train station something caught my attention.
A corner store named “Penang. I wondered…..could it be…
YES! A Malaysian restaurant! I was all proud and excited. (More like, I acted like some sua pah lau who never seen a “Penang” restaurant in the US before).
Okay, gonna work on my thesis now.
Do stay tune for my next Chicago post on FOOD. *drool*
Chicago Part 4: Downtown & Blueman Group
February 28, 2007
A couple days before X’mas Rob drove us both downtown for some sightseeing. We had no plans other than watching the Blueman Group at 10pm. We made a couple pitt stops along the way to Briar Street Theater.
Evanston Dog Beach, where the dogs roam freely and swim. One of the few in Chicago.
The 30 minute ride to downtown Chicago was pleasant as there were not traffic jams. Rob picked the perfect time to go. The view of downtown mirrors the area where I stayed in New York. Lots of tall buildings with uniquely designed architecture.
I thought this house looks like the “Charmed” sisters’ house
Rock n’ roll McDonald’s
Rob parked by the road near the Sears Tower, the tallest building in America, formerly tallest in the world, because it was cheaper than parking in those big parking garages. We did some sightseeing by foot and eventually took the train to Briar Street for the show.
X’mas tree in the lobby of the Sears Tower
The Daley Center
Lots of lights on display at the Daley Center
Big tall X’mas tree, as always, at the Daley Center
The Millennium Park was a few minutes walking distance from the Daley Center. It has really cool sculptures of sorts. (Don’t mind me, I’m not artistically literate.) Standing in the entrance of Millennium Park itself are two gigantic screens of changing human faces of different race. I’m sure it means something but I’m too lazy to find out.
See the black shadow? That’s me and my purse. LOL
This is the back of a pavilion, an outdoor concert venue.
Cloud Gate
The Cloud Gate is probably one of its kind and the signature sculpture at Millennium Park. It reflects Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds, which would be clearer in the picture had it been taken during the day time. It’s more than 30 feet high and 60 feet wide. The cool thing about it is that there’s a high arch that allows people to go under the sculpture and touch the mirror-like surface and see their reflection back in different perspectives.
Better picture, with brighter lighting
After Millennium Park, we took a train to the closest stop where the show was. We ate dinner at a nice little restaurant, which I failed to camwhore in because I was tired and hungry plus I kenak (got) my monthly visitor there and then. Thank goodness I was prepared. 😛
We had tickets for the 10pm show so we took our time with dinner and walked around the area for a little while, but walking in the cold with stomach cramps wasn’t at all that fun.
The Blueman Group was spectacular! They consist of 3 blue men in black suits, banging and clanking on plastic pipes, steel etc. Their perfomances was just simply amazing, combining music, comedy and multimedia theatrics. It was truly a unique experience. The atmosphere created at their show kept me anticipating for more. I saw some videos of them in YouTube so you can do a search if you’re interested to know what kinda music they do.
No photo taking was allowed during the show so no pictures/videos of the show. Everyone in the hall had to take an oath. It was funny, there was a long screen of text on the stage and everyone had to read it. Surprisingly, Rob’s name came up on the screen as they joked that he needed to pay his credit card bills (because Rob paid the tickets with a credit card). Even birthday wishes came up on the screen. It was very cool.
Exhibit R
Before the show started, strips of paper was passed around and we’re suppose to tie it on our heads. I didn’t do it though. Everyone else looked so silly. Observe exhibit R above. 😛
I can’t really explain in words the show. I was speechless a few times during the show. It was so out-of-the-ordinary that by the end of the show, there was a GIGANTIC pile of paper in front of the stage. The Blueman Group made EVERYONE pull down (if I had to guess) over 100 rolls of (recycled) paper from the back row all the way to the first row.
Everyone had a chance to take pictures with the Blueman group when the show was done. I definitely did not pass out the opportunity.
Night-shot of the Rock n’ Roll Mickie D’s
Oh I forgot to mention that Chicago is not called the “Windy City” for nothing. It was SO windy and made the air COLDER!!!! I had long-johns aka warm underwear and a winter jacket on and I was STILL shivering outside!
Okay, I gotta go work on my thesis. Rob and I made a deal. 😀
Ta~~~
Chicago Part 3: Wilmot Mountain
February 9, 2007
Been busy getting ready for the new year, with the cleaning and tidying and whatnot. I’m SO behind on my trip posts. BLEH
Since it didn’t snow in Chicago while I was there, Rob drove a couple hours to Wilmot Mountain where there’s a ski and snowboarding area. We went on new year’s eve so the place was kinda busy. I enjoyed the roadtrip though, because I got to see a lot of the countryside e.g. farms, lakes, parks etc.
Farm homes
This is Lake Marie, one of my favorite pictures from the roadtrip.
View of Wimot Mountain with the sun slowly peeking out of the clouds
As you can see, the snow is melting off because it just wasn’t cold enough to snow.
I didn’t try skiing or snowboarding as I did not have the proper clothes and they require first-timers to take lessons and it wasn’t cheap. Even walking on the snow was “hazardous” with my boots. Kept feeling like I would slip and fall on my ass, like I did on the ice skating rink during the Winter WonderFest. HEH
And so….
The camwhoring starts…
I made a snowball!
See, it’s just crushed ice
Snow on my bare hands, I’m actually gritting my teeth cos it was SO cold
Robbie likes this picture a lot. I was enjoying the view when he called me. I turned around and he snapped the picture. So he’s really proud of it *roll eyes* HAHAHA
I was happily standing and “posing” for my pictures but Rob made me sit on the snow. Needless to say, my ass was freezing cold and wet when I stood up.
So, I made HIM posed for the camera. You will witness just how unbelievably weird and crazy we are.
Doggie in training
Berlagak! (Showing off)
I like this picture. Rob looks like a kid. Isn’t he cute?!
RRRAARRRRRRR or something like that
Yes, I’m attempting to pee like a dog.
We stayed and played for about 2.5 hours before leaving. I must say I was reluctant to leave because it was a lot of fun just playing in the snow. We had a little snow fight too. I tried to make a snowman but failed miserably because I didn’t know how!!!! We only had a pair of waterproof gloves anyway.
Saying byebye to Wilmot
Christmas with the Gilles’
February 4, 2007
Christmas with the Gilles’ was unconventional but very fun to say the least. We had X’mas dinner at Rob’s brother’s (Mike) place.
Alaskan King Crab…MMMmmmmMMMMMmmmm
Fried breaded shrimp…mmmmm my mouth is watering
There were other foods too like steak and potatos but I was too busy eating to take any pictures. Hahahaha
Debbie (Mike’s wife) made these cookies. They were DELICIOUS. Don’t they look GOOD? Damn, I’m drooling right now.
After dinner, all of us sat together to watch Ice Age 2: The Meltdown. It was hilarious and I love it!
Then, as soon as the movie ended, the camwhoring proceeded. We tried to get a family shot and it wasn’t easy since I had to position the camera in the right place and make sure everyone can fit in the frame.
First try. It looks weird with me on the side with my BIG ass sticking out…
Second try with Rob sitting on the floor. Still looks odd…
Third try. It dawned to us that Miss Big Ass ought to be in the middle. SUCCESS!
The “kids” (says Rob’s dad) by the tree
Rob’s parents
Maude – Mike’s St. Benard
Meet Buster
Packing up leftovers
I got ambushed with X’mas gifts from Rob’s parents. It was such a surprise. Rob told me that they don’t exchange gifts during X’mas so I wasn’t prepared at all. I ran out the next day to get gifts for them. Hehe *paiseh*
In case you’re wondering, YES that is a piece of chocolate!
Hope everyone had a good X’mas! (Yes I know it’s late.)