A Different Friday, Umami Burger

It's a Friday, a different kind of Friday. 

That's the Friday I bid goodbye to my babysitting kids.

Usually they are the one who cry, that day, the Nanny and I are the one who cried ourselves a river. 

Here I attach pictures taken with them.

Nanny Ela, Eloise, Paloma and baby boy Rocco.

These two girls

Knowing that I am leaving Chicago, leaving US for good, there are like a list of food and places I want to explore.

Umami Burger is definitely on the top list.

Finally today, this Friday afternoon, I have Bobo and Superstar to accompany me there. 

The weather is hot, sunny and dry, as usual for a summer day.

Business for a Friday afternoon.

Not too bad though (view from where I seated)

Menu

 Dessert Menu

After ordering our burgers, and a side dish, these are the sauces that are first served to us. 

Maple Bacon Fries -$6

Sweet potato fries with maple-braised bacon lardons, rosemary Aleppo salt, topped with chives

Oh yes, this is sinfully good, and totally worth the sin. I hope it could be much hotter. I like it hot lol.

 Manly-$12

house beer-cheddar cheese, bacon lardons, smoked-salt onion strings, and Umami house ketchup

I really like the idea that there are crispy onion strings to change the texture of the burger. Crispy and meaty (bacon a bonussssss), plus in-house ketchup to lubricate the whole burger. It's just kinda too big to munch though.

Umami -$11.50

parmesan frico, shiitake mushroom, roasted tomato, caramelized onions, and Umami house ketchup

First timer usually take Umami (just like me). Like how the patty is so thick and juicy, an U sign on the burger, generous amount of mushrooms with some in-house ketchup and sweet onion and gives the burger a sweet ends.

There are 11 types of burgers for you to choose from. You may order sides to match with your burger

• Small thin fries - $2 
• Regular fries - $4 
• Small potato fries - $3
• Regular potato fries - $5
• Salad - $4

 This is how you should eat a burger. It just makes everything taste better.

TRY IT.

Brazilian Wax- Skye Rose

I get to learn about Brazilian wax about 5-6 years ago at Strip Ministry of Waxing at The Curve when I went there for upper lip waxing. I did not ask the person about it, instead I went home and google about "Brazilian wax" and was shocked to find out that: PEOPLE DO WAX THEIR PRIVATE PARTS!

How did they do it?

Isn't it painful?

Oh yucks, you have to flash your private part to a stranger?

oh and the stranger will then touch your private part and remove the "bush"?!

Nop, I don't get the idea at all.

Back in September 2014, I decided to FINALLY try out Brazilian wax and search for it on Groupon and I found Skye Rose. I bought 2 Brazilian waxes for only $45! After my first experience, I told my roommate about it as we need to get ready for our "beach moment" at Cancun, Mexico. After our first time, we both agreed that it was actually not that scary, and the experience and service provided by Skye is great!

From there, we purchased a package of 5 for $75, which has no time limit for it. Do the simple math, it's only $15 for one time. STEAL!

These pictures are taken during my final waxing with Skye. I asked her if I can blog about my waxing experience with her and she agreed. *hooray*

Skye Rose's shop is located at South Wabash, Chicago. It's a cozy unit with 2 rooms. 

Usually, all the "clean and clear" work are done in this room. 

Simple decorations on the wall

A certified and licensed aesthetician she is.

Pricing and promotions for Summer 2015. If you are in her mailing list, she would send out great deals through there.

She is Skye, taking her job seriously.

Picture taken while she was waxing "IT"  Yup, I even told her "don't mind me" doing this and she was so cool about it.

Skye uses Gigi Milk Chocolate Creme Wax for all her clients. If you are new to this place, she would definitely ask you if are allergic to chocolate. My reaction was: wait, there's people allergic to chocolate?

Her answer was: yes some people do. 

If there's any unpleasant reaction when you eat chocolate, then you are most probably allergic to chocolate.

Skye makes me feel so comfortable during my first wax with her. That is why I went back for more. Sometimes people do not just seek for promotions and deals, if the service is not good, people would rather pay for more for a pleasant environment and service. 

LOL, this is our favorite picture. Picture taken while Skye is waxing for my roommate. 

Skye is definitely a easy-going person. She would chat with you and explain what she does so that you have an idea of what's going on. Look at her cheeky face, this is the kind of aesthetician you would want to have!

So the question now is: is it painful?

My answer: yes it is, I wouldn't lie. I was more in shock than pain when the first strip just went off. However, it is bearable. The professional knows what she is doing. Besides, the more you do it, the lesser the pain it is. 

I misses the great deals and experience with Skye Rose. Now I am back in Malaysia, it's time to search for a waxing place which I am comfortable with. Questions and comments? Leave it right below or drop me an email 

A Day Trip to Indiana

Indiana, the state which is an hour away from Chicago, Illinois. Finally get to have a road trip with my buddies. It was kind of impromptu, just a day of planning by Superstar and some touch up by me here and there. (Since I'm the one who love to critique people's hard work, and Superstar won't be fuss with me about this, ya ya ya?)

It's summer, need to wear a little less to let off steam; at the same time I can't bare to have the sun shine on my skin directly, and here I am wearing my "witch hat". 

4 hours of drive to Indiana, thought I could catch some sleep in the car but I was too paranoid of Superstar's driving and I literally turned into....

THIS. 

Haha! I think every adult has a little kid trapped inside, that's why adults can be immature too. *throwing tantrum mode on*. Did not mean to scare you all, after all there is an angel and devil in each person.

1. Cafe Patachou

First stop in Indiana, would be to feed the worms in our stomachs. Famous, local breakfast & lunch place called Cafe Patachou. Kudos to Superstar for this finding this place. It is indeed famous and filled with people enjoying the morning sun and air conditioned seating as well. 

Got a table inside but when I got out of the restroom, I could not see my friends at the table. I thought they have left me, that moment of panicky was as real as the feeling of a lost kid in a shopping mall. Then, the moment of seeing them was exactly like a kid who got reunited with her parents, both happy and angry. Happy to be back to familiarity, and angry at her parents' mistake.

Okay, back on track. Too much drama right there. I ordered myself a plate of "Full Bellied Pig". According to the menu "all proceeds benefit the patachou foundation, with the mission to feed after-school meals to at-risk and food insecure children". Love the idea that I'm feeding myself and others at the same time.

Layers of peanut butter and jelly, burned my tongue jalapenos, and of course bacon for $8.95++. To me, it's really a weird combination, but I really like it! Kind of missing this right now.

My choice of bread was whole wheat, with a cup of fruits.

A cup of latte along the way, to satisfy every bit of my taste buds; or I should say, I was just finding the familiarity, the happiness, the moment that I once had back in February 2015. 

Always love to see pets who hang out with their owners, such thug life.

After getting all satisfied, we hopped into our "soccer mom's car" and off we go to our first tourist spot of the day.

2. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Yup, even the picture says it all. The famous motor speedway, which reminds me of the movie "Turbo", tale of a snail who dreams to race at this Indy Motor Speedway, and somehow the universe is on his side. There was an event that day, could not enter without a ticket, guess a picture is sufficed.

3. Canal Walk and White River State Park, Indianapolis

Traced back to the early 1800s, it was for the interstate commerce; acting as a transportation link.

Today, this 3 miles loop walk is a place for tourists, walkers, bikers, segway-ians,  kayak-ers, pedal boat-ers. 

My super not impressed face because I could not fit myself onto the American Mastodont's trunk. Do you know this elephant is from the Ice Age? If you are interested in knowing more about it, you may step into the Indiana State Museum which is located somewhere along the walk.

Clearly we didn't go in due to time constraint, continue our walk down the canal and spotted some Quacks!

And also some cute Asian dudes. 

 Murals along the canal underpasses. This is one of them and captured it because I could so resonate with it. Don't we all used to do that when we were young? 

Spot the people who were queuing up to get on pedal boats and kayaks.

Leaving our marks here at Indianapolis.

An area that grows vegetables by a non-profit organization called the Growing Places Indy. There are signage for every plant: a yoga posture and descriptions of the benefits of each posture, energy center, color and benefits of fruits and vegetables. 

"Grow well, Eat well, Live well, Be well"

4. Circle Centre (Shopping mall)

We went into Circle Centre for Godiva soft serve, air condition and to make a wish from the second floor. I was planning with them on how are we going to do it, turned around and saw this girl already wishing hard. Snapped this picture without her knowing. Spot the Godiva soft serve on her hand. 

So we made our wishes and threw our coins down. Theirs landed in the water, and mine at the edge. I don't know if it is a good or bad thing. What is the possibility that a coin can land on the edge from the second floor? *perception*

5. Indiana Statehouse

South side of Indiana Statehouse

George Washington, first President of the United States.

On the East side of Indiana Statehouse: stood the Governor of Indiana from 1861-1867, Oliver P. Morton and the reliefs' statues

6. Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Located at the Monument Circle, this monument is to commemorate the soldiers and sailors from the civil war. 

Another highlight of the day would be a group of motorbikers, each showing off their unique motorbikes.

Coffin motorbike. *goosebumps*

First encounter with a policeman in boots. Woolala.

The joke of the day revolving around this squirrel. I shouted that this squirrel has golden fur. Better Half commented with a straight face: "this squirrel goes to salon". Bobo and I could not stop laughing about it. This has been something that stays in my mind even after a long time.

Look at that "dyed" golden tail. The only squirrel in US that can afford to go to salon.

Also spotted this Handlebar Indy Pedal Bar. Drinking and burning calories at the same time. I like the idea. 

7. BRICS Broad Ripple Ice-cream

Random stop at an ice-cream shop

Got myself half scoops of 2 flavors, didn't expect them to be this humongous!

Choco Choo Choo & Yellow Cake Batter for $4.14

And they melted very fast

Better Half looks intimidated by me

8. University of Notre Dame

 Mendoza College of Business

Notre Dame Law School

A skunk on the lawn 

[my shaky camera not suitable for low light]

Jesus statue right in front of the Golden Dome

Printed Venite ad me Omnes in Latin, it means Come to Me All

Golden Dome aka Main Administration Building (1879)

Basilica of the Sacred Heart

The earth is slowly shrouded in darkness as we made our tour around the university.

It was a mixture of purple and orange clouds, with a hint of pinkish and yellowish.

We call it a night.

Special thanks to Better Half, Superstar and Bobo for your company. This marks our final road trip in US. When is the next one? Because I am already looking forward for it. Will it be in the States? Will it be China, Malaysia or somewhere else?