Dissed by Duane Wade!

Yes, you read the title correctly! The cousins and I went to Portillo's for lunch last week on 100 W. Ontario in Chicago and bumped into Duane Wade and his group. I remember we walked in right behind them and I already had an inkling that someone in this group had to be a professional athlete. As we waited in line to make the orders, Duane Wade's party went to the upstairs seating area...By this time, Monique and Lisa already made eye contact with the basketball star and Cau was anxious to meet him/shake his hand/take a picture. So that's what we attempted to do after lunch (we wanted to be polite and wait until he was done eating, then bombard him!). However, our efforts failed cause one of his friends did the paparazzi "heck no" wave. AUGH!

We did get a picture of his back though...He is the one in the white hat

Despite the rejection...We brushed our shoulders off and continued to introduce the city of Chicago to Monique. It was her first time truly exploring the city. We tried our best to follow the top ten things to do in Chicago: food, monuments, buildings, deep dish pizza, picture perfect tourist shots, and a baseball game. However tickets for the baseball game were hard to find due to it being Father's day weekend. No worries though, we opted to go watch Cirque Shanghai at the Navy Pier. It did not disappoint and I highly, highly recommend anyone visiting Chicago to see it! Prices were cheap too-- $13.50 for an adult!

A must-see show! The cast are all from China and they will be performing until Sep. 9, 2010. In the words of Lisa, all the performers are "true ninjas!"

Check out more from their homepage

Cloud gate, a.k.a The Bean

Because the Blackhawks beat the Flyers, the lions in front of the Chicago Art Institute are wearing the helmets of the champions! This hardly ever happens so I'm so glad we were able to get a picture of it.

View of the gorgeous buildings from the Navy Pier

Look at this cheesy goodness from Giordano's! Deep dish pizza!

Lisa won a radio contest for knowing her pop culture. She got a free t-shirt.

Photo shoot at the Pier next to the Ferris Wheel

After the walking tour of Chicago via the Magnificent Mile, we ended the day at the John Hancock sipping on some cocktails on the 96th floor. I was able to show Mo the view of the Chicago skyline at night from the women's bathroom. Best view of the city!

**Many thanks to Cau and Christine for housing us! And of course Lisa for being our sugar mama and organizer. ;)**

Top Ten Things You Must Do In Chicago

Top 10 Countdown:

10. When packing for Chicago, bring a heavy jacket, a light jacket, an umbrella, t-shirts and shorts, a winter scarf, and sunglasses. Basically I’m telling you that the weather is unpredictable in the late spring/summer. While at a baseball game in the middle of May, it started snowing. The next day it was so hot, I wore a t-shirt.

9. Visit the Navy pier/Michigan lake/beach. The “beach” may not rival California’s or Miami’s but it’s the next best thing. Sure, it’s only like a small strip of sand with no sea shells and 5inch waves, but on a beautiful day, it looks picture-perfect with the buildings in the background.








8. Shop along the Magnificent Mile. It’s Chicago’s “fifth avenue”, except with less people (who are nicer, I might add), less pollution, and a little less sales tax.

7. Go to McDonalds. It is absolutely fabulous. They have wireless internet, gelato (yes, Italian McDonald’s gelato), leather comfy couches, glass tables, and tiramisu. Tiramisu!







6. Have drinks at the John Hancock while staring at the skyline and the Sears tower. There’s no need to pay $20 dollars to enter into the Sears tower. Instead, enjoy a drink or two at the John Hancock lounge and enjoy the view from the 95th floor. The best view is from the woman’s bathroom. Sorry, guys.






5. Take a boat cruise. Chicago is known for their architecture. On the cruise you’ll learn about the modern buildings, post modern buildings and…Mmm, I forget the other types…Anyways, my favorite building was the “Champagne” Carbibe & Carbon building. The builders were pissed during the prohibition period of alcohol from 1920-1933 so they made a building inspired by a green and gold champagne bottle. I actually think it’s a lot cooler than the Sears tower.








4. Attend a baseball game: Sox or Cubs. Pick your team now because they’re rivals in Chicago.






3. Go to a jazz club and a blues bar (I liked “Chicago blues”). Three words: BEST MUSIC EVER.







2. Do the touristy thing and visit the attraction sites and monuments, especially the bean and Al Bundy’s famous fountain from “Married with Children”. It’s sorta sad that I only know the name of that fountain from the show. While there, take wacky pictures because you can. You’re a tourist and you can do whatever you want.












1. Eat out every night at new place. When my cousin Christine told me to visit Chicago, she told me that Chicago was known for two things: tall buildings and food. The latter kept my attention longer.