Legolalaland Discovery Centre in Chicago (well, Schaumburg, really)

So as I promised my kids we did go to the Legoland Discovery Centre today and we even managed to bring Cholo and Jesie! My husband got caught up at work so he told us to go ahead and just meet him there. Unfortunately it took him even longer than expected so he didn't make it until we actually got out, and the only participation he had was helping Kai assemble his tiny little Lego car with this tiny little driver (who, by the way, wore a helmet and safety glasses!). And buying us lunch. And buying them their gym shoes later on. Which pretty much took care of everything he made that day! Haha!

For those who have been giving the place bad reviews I don't really know what their deal is. Maybe they really are cheap, like I said yesterday, or they just have no appreciation for art, creativity or wild imagination whatsoever. Just thinking how much time these crazy people spent building Mr. Einstein alone so he could greet me at the door, with his tongue sticking out and his eyes rolling from one side to the other is in itself worthwhile of the entrance fee (yeah, my buy one get one free entrance fee!). Add to that that we got to ride the Dragon Ride twice, watch a 4D movie with Lego characters in it who didn't talk (somewhat a weird movie that's almost not kid-friendly), play at the playground, build with an endless supply of blocks big and small, and hey, take photos with Batman, Harry Potter and Mr. Krabs! For a good couple hours I didn't hear any whining and crying from my three kids. What better things can your $10 buy?!

To prove my point, here's a slideshow. Enjoy and leg godt!!!

My Big Plan for the Weekend That I Hope Happens

Ever promised your kids you're taking them somewhere fun over the weekend but you end up oversleeping (or uhm, feeling too lazy) that you settle for an activity that requires less effort (ie, ice cream, McDonald's). Well I must confess my husband and I are guilty! And I'm very embarrassed about it.

Which is why I'd like to make a big announcement that for tomorrow I plan on getting up early so we could check out the newly opened and first of its kind in the country Legoland Discovery Centre in Schaumburg, to put me in an even more embarrassing situation if I once again change my mind. The 30,000 square-foot "playground" promises a lot of family fun and entertainment but because it's so new I haven't really heard any reviews from someone I personally know.

I know coupons are always out there so I googled "Legoland Discovery Centre coupons" and I found buy one Adult ticket and get a Child ticket for free. Not bad, considering kids pay $15 apiece! I stumbled upon a few reviews while shopping for the best coupons (like buy one kid ticket and get the adult in for free maybe? Hey, it's the kids who really wanna be there in the first place!) and it's quite a mix of critics out there. What I noticed though is that people who complained simply complained about the entrance fees being too high. Maybe they paid full price. Maybe they're just cheap. I'll take that back if I ever complain about the same thing tomorrow.

Shoe and Handbag Madness Disease

This morning when I opened my inbox this little thing called a subject caught my eye--Labor Day Sale: Extra 30% off all sale items! If you were like me who does not make it a habit to regularly unsubscribe from annoying unsolicited emails, chances are this subject is not very unfamiliar this time of the year. However, one thing made it exceptionally good and tempting. The sender: eluxury.com!!!

These Dolce and Gabbana ballerinas caught my eye, originally $475, sale price $285.

I've been comtemplating on the thought of a Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Leopard Stole being my first fall splurge, but at $725 it really is a splurge. So to satisfy that leopard print craving these ballet flats might just do. Problem is, I also want these beauties:

A. Alberta Ferretti Woven Metallic Leather Flat, $550 sale price $330
B. Jean Paul Gaultier Camouflage Sandal, $725 sale price $435
C. Tod's Nuovo Matisse Athena Sandal, $395 sale price $238

Oh dear. Don't even get me started with the handbags.

Monthly Endorphin Injection

How's that for a title? But I can't take credit for it. This is actually what Amanda Gore calls her newsletter which I am subscribed to.

I first heard of Ms. Gore when I worked at Crate and Barrel. There was a convention for all store managers and copies of her lecture were made available to the staff for viewing. I'm glad our manager encouraged us to take the DVDs home and I've subscribed to her newsletter since then. It's always something I look forward to seeing in my inbox every month.

This month she talks about change and she entitled it, "Change or Die-- The Start is Hope." The article is pretty long to post here, but here are excerpts:

Neuroscience is essentially the study of the nervous system but recently it has been applied to the business world and linked with how people change and keep their brains young, creative and alert.

The great news is that our brains are not hardwired and set in concrete from birth on! We can change. From what I have read, it seems that there are 4 keys to change that lasts-- focus, attention, repetition and celebration! FARC for short! Add to that learning completely new and different skills and we have a recipe for rapid effective change and brain development!

...Dean Ornish, the most successful cardiologist in the world at reversing heart disease without surgery, says ‘people don’t resist change, they resist being changed’. His program starts with hope. His approach is to make dramatic life changes and the results that soon become obvious, are a source of hope that people can feel better and live a pain free, happier, active life.

Just like all of her materials this article is an excellent source of encouragement, hope, and yes, endorphins! It's a not-to-miss read and if you would like the full article please email me at windycitystine@gmail.com and I'd be happy to forward it to you. To subscribe to Amanda Gore's newsletter please click here.

First Day of School

New clothes, new backpacks, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and untouched notebooks, getting up early, butterflies in the stomach.... oh yes, the first day of school has come and the kids could not be any more thrilled. But wait, don't forget the 10 large glue sticks, 10 black and blue pens, 5 red pens, 5 highlighters, three boxes of Kleenex, two rolls of paper towel, three large hand sanitizers, four 180-sheet tubs of baby wipes, gallon-size Ziplocs, plastic sandwich bags and two dozen other things to bring... are you sure it's school you're sending your kids to and not a donation drive?

I asked for my mother-in-law's opinion of what she thought about the kids' lists of "school supplies" to bring and even she, a seasoned teacher, thinks it's outrageous! I wonder how we, as kids, survived before the days of wipes and hand sanitizers? Mind-boggling. I don't even remember using highlighters until I was in college!!!

Anyway, there's no use in crying over spilt milk, so let's look at some of the highlights of the day, shall we? Sebastian got his cousin MM's old teacher whom she called "mean" and had the "orange hair." Only two of his old Kindergarten classmates are in this class but they were among his favorites so he didn't mind. Quality vs. Quantity! He saw his other buddy Jotham but since they're not in the same class, "they'll see each other in the cafeteria." Wow, they sound so grown up already! And it's only the first day!

Marissa and Jesie (my husband's cousin) will no longer be classmates but they seem to like the classrooms they both ended up in. Jesie announces that Jenna (Marissa's classmate from a couple years ago) is back but she's in her class so "awwwww" for Marissa. All of the girls in Jesie's class love the Jonas Brothers but she doesn't, so the boys like her for that. How's that for a tip to other sixth graders?!

As for MM, "Can I be dropped off at Jesie's?"

Oh, kids!

Eye Creams and Aging, Mothers and Daughters

What is it about moms that you can never take their advice about everything for granted, important or not?

Just a few days after my birthday I receive a text message from Mom, and it went something like:

"Tin (my nickname), didn't you just turn 30? Start using eye cream to prevent your eyelids from drooping. Haven't you noticed that one of your eyelids is lower than the other? The folds are not even. I recommend Strivectin."

This is coming from someone who can't live any farther from me, literally from the opposite side of the globe, whom I see about once a year or two. Yet she speaks as if she was there by my side to witness me slowly age. And by the way, I turned 29, not 30!!!

But as they say mom knows best (in my case that's mostly true, just don't ask her about birthdays) so the very next day I hit the cosmetics department of Macy's. With the help of my coworker's mom who works for Clinique I grab a tiny jar of eye cream from Shiseido (what the...??!!!) and smear the preparation around my eyes. I guess if a salesperson tells you to buy from her competition you just have to listen. So I decided to purchase Shiseido's Benefiance Concentrated Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream but for good measure I also grab Clinique's Lash Power Mascara because it had me at hello, errr, its brush. Not even the tiniest lashes could escape it! Anyway, what's a beautiful eye without them long powerful lashes?

That night I sent Mom a text message to let her know that I took her advice and have promptly bought "The One." She wants me to try it for two weeks and see if it does me any good. So I am starting a photo collage to show my progress over the course of two weeks and share that with everybody. I could hardly wait to un-age!!!

Look What We Found at the Shedd!

Yes, we found him, his dad and their friend Dory but I'm not talking about finding Nemo. We found something more magical and marvelous at the lower level of the Shedd Aquarium...

WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES!! Who knew the Philippines could be this close to Chicago?!

But did you know that...

Yeah, well, that might be a given. But did you also know that...

Well, I sorta knew that too. But hey, here's another one...

Ah yep, I knew that too. But in case you didn't you learned something today. And you didn't even have to pay the $25 entrance fee, you lucky nosy creature!

Visit the Shedd Aquarium! Now through September 1st they are open daily from 9-6. Make sure you bring a Chicago City resident with you for a 25% discount. The Lizards and the Komodo King will be leaving on Labor Day so come see them soon. I was kind of disappointed that this Komodo Dragon didn't slobber as much as the one I saw on Discovery Channel, but I think he was gross enough. Haha! The Beluga whales were enchanting (call me weird but they remind me of unicorns!) and the penguins adorable I wanted to take one home.

View more photos of the magical Beluga whales here.

Meet My 29-Year Old Self

What could be a happier birthday than one spent with the family? Well I could think of one. A birthday that's celebrated with even more family members!

Last week I received a message via Friendster from my cousin's wife that they are flying to Chicago on Tuesday, August 5th. They've always known that I've lived in the US for quite some time now but because we never kept in touch they had no idea where exactly. But again, thanks to Friendster, they found me! I was very excited to know that they've picked a special day to visit the city. Not only was it my birthday, it was also my day off work so we were able to pick them up at O'Hare and tour them around for a bit.

But Kuya Jaymard was here about the food. He wanted to make sure he ate Filipino food during his stay, so for dinner we went to Little Quiapo, a buffet-type Filipino restaurant. Need I say we ate to our hearts' content? To top it off, aside from dessert we also had halo-halo and sago. Yum!!!

So aside from starting my new year by pigging out, what's there to expect? I'm not sure exactly. This morning when my six-year old greeted me a happy birthday, he asked me a very profound question. As soon as he gave me a kiss and a hug, he asked, "So Mommy, what changes now that you're 29? You don't look any different, but I hope you stay that way. I don't want you to look like a lola (grandma)." He would every now and then ask me these kinds of questions and each time I am taken off guard. I would usually say, "Oh baby, that's not gonna happen!" because I'm not about to complicate things for a six-year old. But I realize maybe the best way to keep my word is to stay as healthy as possible, physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. So I'm making that a goal (a major one!) for this year. For the rest of my life, I should say!

Thanks, Tita Susie, for the flowers. They're very pretty! :)

My 28th Year in a Nutshell

To celebrate my last day of being 28 I am making a list of memories and achievements of sorts I could go back to and say, "Ah yes, that happened when I was 28!" Here goes (not in any specific order)...

• I got to work for my favorite brand in the world
• I became an eBay powerseller (yeah, believe it or not, although I am losing that title soon because of inactivity, thanks to my new job. But I'm not complaining!)
• Was this close to winning the prestigious Chief Bag Officer title by being selected as one of the five finalists for the "America's Ultimate Bagaholic" contest sponsored by Bag, Borrow or Steal
• I acquired my very first Vernis (patent leather collection of Louis Vuitton)!
• Despite strong disapproval from my hairstylist because of my cowlick (haha!) I chopped off my bangs and actually got tons of compliments! (Last time I had bangs was in 4th grade!)
• This was the year I actually used the treadmill that's been collecting dust for two years!
• I went back home in the Philippines for the second time since I moved here, this time with a new member in the family, my bunso Kai
• ...It was then that I got to revisit the Banaue Rice Terraces
• ...and Boracay
• ...and see the breathtaking Sagada for the first time!
• I became an aunt for the second time with the birth of my (first) nephew, Inigo
• Started this amazingly awesome blog!!! I better not hear any objections. It is, afterall, my birthday in a few minutes!

And the list goes on but what I will forever remember is how good God has been to us this year. It's almost as if he played favorites because we would receive blessing after blessing even without us asking. So with a thankful heart I am celebrating my 29th birthday. Tomorrow! Let me enjoy the last few remaining minutes :)

Eli Stone Returns

I was really worried about Eli Stone not coming back after its first season. I personally do not know anyone who follows it except me and my six-year old. Seriously! But it's never too late to get Stoned. You could still view full episodes online by clicking here.

Please mark your calendar: Tuesday, October 14, 10/9c

I wanna make sure that this show is here to stay because seriously, I need to get over Ally McBeal and Felicity!

A Day Off? On a Saturday?!!!

Anyone who's ever worked in retail knows that getting a day off on a weekend, unrequested, is a rare phenomenon indeed. So I took advantage of this unusual occurence by seeing two very good friends and their families.

What we've planned to be a nice day on one of the Chicago beaches turned out to be a simple lazy afternoon at the Jacob residence in Bolingbrook. That meant plenty of good food to eat, lots of space for the kids to roam (and destroy) and an endless roster of movies courtesy of Ger. We later on realize that it was a blessing in disguise that our ambitious beach plan did not push through because of the Lollapalooza 2008 happening at Grant Park. I say ambitious because none of us has ever been to any of the Chicago beaches (we usually go to the Dunes in Indiana) and we all know how difficult it is to score a parking spot anywhere downtown, let alone by the lake. On a Saturday! In the summer!

I usually see Maris and Therese on (or around) very important dates like birthdays, Mother's Day and Christmas. So that means whenever we see each other we always have gift bags to exchange. Today was especially strange and funny in a way because we all got each other similar gifts and they were all in the same color palettes. This is one of those "Great minds think alike" moments!

But because Maris celebrates her BIG 3-0 on Wednesday, August 6th, Therese and I decided that we should get her something special that would remind her of us and her 30th birthday, so we got her a Tiffany and Co. sterling silver necklace with two little heart pendants. Two, as in me and Therese (Maris can be the chain--Haha!). What could be more perfect than that?! :)

Back home I continued to enjoy my precious Saturday by serving leftover for dinner. A dinner I didn't have to cook?! If I'm dreaming please don't wake me up! Oh wait, I changed my mind. Do wake me up because at 9pm I'm watching Eli Stone. It's a rerun but I don't care. Oh what a perfect way to end this day. I could get used to this.