Of Why I have been missing

Cho-to-ma-te!
Before you say "Aiyah, you always go missing one la. As usual only mar", allow me to explain why I have not posted for a period.

Two words. Spring break. One more word. Traveling.

For those who have forgotten what's a break, its a brief period of time where you take some time off from the mundane and back-breaking routine for a small breather.
Excerpt from WordWeb's definition:
Noun:
2. An unexpected piece of good luck. (Hmmm...something like that. But not really.)
7. A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something (Aha! Which is what I was doing for a week.)
If anyone reading this is currently seething with jealousy, envy and anger - don't. I am currently swamped up to my necks with assignments. That's another story for another day.

And nope. I didn't travel for one whole week. Don't have so much $$. Only for the weekends when the break started and when it was ending.
Went to Minnesota AGAIN, but this time with a different group of people. Hmmm ... come to think of it, all my trips to Minnesota has been with different group of people.
Then came back and work for a few days, and headed to Chicago with the lady and two friends.

Chicago is ... not a nice city to visit during winter. It's not called windy city for no reason. Seriously, taking a walk out there in the street with the winter wind blowing can only be torture. Not fun. To be fair though, the city is beautiful as always. The building there never fails to amaze me.

One thing though. Since I drove there this time, I finally really got a taste of Chicago's citizen's "courtesy". I don't know how many times I was honk-ed by the cabs over there just because I was slow by 1 second, when the red lights turn to green. City people. Now I know why I wanted to come back Des Moines so badly when I was over there for a week during summer 2007.
City's people courtesy. Nice.

Anyway, first thing we did in Illinois (the state) before heading to Chicago (the city) was shopping. Nothing much to blog there. Couldn't find what I wanted to find over at the outlet malls, though I did get a bag for my sis-in-law.

Headed to Chicago around mid-afternoon. We actually had our dinner at Chinatown before hitting the street. Here are some photos.

The group of tourists from Des Moines.

Trying on some Elizabeth Arden's lipstick. Not. (In Macy)

The Lady and a tower.

Disney store. Full of mouse, ducks, tiger, dog, pig and bear. Cute ones though.

When we finally couldn't take the cold, we headed to Signature Lounge, "the lounge Chicago looks up to". That's what they keep on saying when we were riding the elevator up. Heh.

Anyone visiting Chicago should definitely make it a point to stop by at the John Hancock Center.

Erm ... I know. A bit cacat after Photoshop.

And yes. Please shaddup about the Photoshop effect. I just thought the background was a little dull. Anyway, here is an unadulterated night view of Chicago from the Signature Lounge.

From top to down. *pheeeeeew* Long drop there.

Chicago city. On fire.

Burn baby. Burn.

By the lake.

Astounding view, no? For those who are there to take photos, I would highly recommend you to go to the Observatory instead of the lounge. The observatory is deserted most of the time, so you can take your time to set up your camera to whatever setting you want and take a thousand pictures without worrying that you are blocking the way. And trust me, the ticket to the observatory is much more worth it than having to pay for the drinks in the lounge. My two cents.

The lounge is not exactly bad. Just not my kind of place. I hate cramp-y place. Worst part of the lounge was that it was jam-packed with people - lots of noises, chattering, cam-whores. Well, I guess I just can't stand places with too many people. Or people mainly.

Millennium Park was next on our hit list after resting up for the night. Most of you probably know that the park is one of the main attractions in downtown Chicago from my previous post.

On the way to the park.

Me with The Lady in Millennium Park.

The Lady in front of a sculpture.

Due to it being weekend and everything else, we didn't visited much else places. That's it for most of my trip to Chicago.

Well, it has been an interesting trip. Especially since it was with two other people that doesn't share the same frequency with me. For the unknown, I have always like traveling alone. Either that, or with a VERY small group of people who share the same frequency. If you travel a lot, you probably know the trouble of getting decisions done when you're in a big group.

You: Eh, so now want to go where?
A 君：Anywhere lor.
B 君: I anywhere also can one.
Etc etc: Yeah. Me too. Anywhere also no problem.

...

If only there is a place actually called "anywhere" in every places we go.
And when decision has finally been made after an hour of dragging or so.

A 君: Wah lau ... what kind of place is this. So dirty one.
C 君: Ok la. I just can't take the heat. Damn hot ler. Why no air-con one.
Etc etc: Wah lau weh. Who say want come here one?

And everyone starts blaming each other for deciding to go to a place that proves to be somewhat disappointing.

If you're traveling with a group of same frequency of people, in a VERY small group, chances of the scenario above happening are probably nil to 0.000001% either because everyone sincerely enjoys the trip not because of the places, but because of the people there, or everyone just hold themselves responsible for whatever decision made.

Hopefully one day I will be able to tour Europe in that kind of ideal situation.