New York Hall of Science review

My girlfriends and I scheduled a playdate at the New York Hall of Science, and we and our children had a wonderful time. There are lots of interactive and stimulating exhibits to see and explore. My son had a blast just walking around and enjoying the sights. Not much interest in the exhibits really, but the idea of a great time for him is "people watching" and "roaming-around-to-touch-this-and-that". Fair enough. :) The "Preschool Place" is where we stayed the most, because we have toddlers. It had a market area where the kids shopped and picked fruits and veggies (and pushed a shopping cart, if they were lucky enough to find one that was available); the check-out counter had a cashier station, conveyor, and scanner. Really cute. On one end was a special padded area for babies. The "Sports Challenge" exhibit was also a hit with the older kids. The mini water park in the Science Playground entertained our children and cooled them off, but I didn't like that we had to pay an additional $4 to get in (this is on top of the admission fee).

I signed on as a member and for the next two years, we'll have:
> unlimited access to the Hall
> free parking in the on-site lot
> admission to more than 250 other museums worldwide
> borrowing privileges from the Science Technology Library, and
> discounts on subscriptions to FamilyFun and Disney Adventures magazines.

I think it's worth it.

**************

Rating: 4 stars
Pros: friendly staff, interactive exhibits, indoor and outdoor cafe (you may bring food)
Cons: street parking if you are not a member (or pay $10 for parking), additional $4 to get in the science playground




mirror room & bubble fun in the hall

sports challenge

preschool place

preschool place

cold mist in the science playground

The Kids

Oh yes, The Years Are Short

'saw this video here. It's by Gretchen Rubin, a NY-based writer. Check out her blog and embark on a happiness project of your own.

Here Kitty Kitty!

Finalleeeeh! :) The 2G was mine! I'm demystifying the kitty party, if you had not searched about it yet.

Kitty party... Paluwagan... Jam-ia... Sou sou. Whichever way it is called, it's a means to save money. Here's more:

Kitty, in India (and this is according to Tarun), means a pot of money. The Dictionary of Indian English has this meaning:

kitty party: n. a meeting of women where chits are arranged or gossip is exchanged.
chit: n. a financial scheme in which a group of people put in a fixed amount every day/week/month and one of them gets to collect the entire amount by lucky draw each time.

Note: There's 10 of us in the group. 8 women and 3 men. The promoter (and promotor) coined it kitty party...as per Tarun. So yeah, technically, it's supposed to be a meeting of women. But hey, we're all women! Chits are exchanged. Check. Gossip is exchanged. Check. Unique drawings are held. Check. Kitty party all the way!

My mom has something similar in their school, and they call it Sou sou. I went, "su... what??" :P
Fine, count me in. :) The more "diversified" I am in my savings, the better. The Urban Dictionary has this to say:

Sou Sou
A savings arrangement where a group of people each pool an equal amount of money for a period time (month, two weeks, etc) and after that time is up, one person in the group gets all that money. They keep doing this till everyone gets their turn and receives that full lump sum at least once. It's not a pyramid scheme, no one loses as long as everyone's trustworthy and puts in their share. It's just a way to hang on to money by putting tying it up into something else temporary. This is popular with 1st-gen Carribbeans, South Americans, Africans, and maybe someother people. Just a way to save money up if you can't get a small savings account, aren't in a credit union, or don't want Tha Man all up in your business.

Note: My mom's group draws the monthly "winner" in the beginning of the Sou Sou. You'll know when to expect your share. You can also request (or switch) for a slot, if let's say you need the money by a certain month. With mom's help, I got the March money pool (I needed it for Andrew's birthday party). Aren't they great?

On to our Filipino version, the Paluwagan. I say, who hasn't joined one??? Same premise: contribute money to a pool on a monthly basis, and the lucky member for the month gets to enjoy the money. It's repeated until all the members get their fair share. I was teasing a friend of mine who didn't know about the paluwagan (or is it more like, patago) that was so "in" during our elementary and high school days. I told her, she probably didn't need to do it anyway. Meanwhile, there I was... often a part of the class savings program. I even got assigned the responsibility of keeping the money safe (which, let me tell you, now that I look back at it, was difficult to do during those years). Look, you got extra cash in your possession... you're young... wouldn't it be convenient to borrow some of it to buy stationery for your collection, or to get yourself a bottle of Denenes? You tell me! Nah. Let me pat myself on the back... good thing I was the responsible class VP and I was also a legionary... no hanky panky.

********

Okay. So back to my win. What do you say I now do with the money?

Tea... and the Kitty Primary!

4th Kitty Party was held at Sarabeth's. The thought of 'afternoon tea' thrilled the kitty hopefuls. I long wanted to experience a full tea service, not the typical before or after-meal tea in Chau Zhou or Silver Pond. You know what I mean... When Kathy voiced out the plan, I was looking forward to this monthly meet and then thought about the dress code. Darn, would dressing up be part of the plan? We were all relieved to know that it's going to be a casual afternoon tea treat. No white gloves. No chic hats. No lace and frills. Come as you wish.

It was lovely to have tea (& food) with friends. For $21 (+ tax and gratuity), we had tea sandwiches of ...Smoked Salmon with pickled onions & caper cream cheese, Chicken Salad with raisins, walnuts & dill, Radish and Cucumber with baby greens & chive goat cheese, Black Forest Ham with Brie cheese; complete with Sarabeth’s Scones, Cookies, Jams, and Clabber. Of course, you get your choice of Harney and Sons Tea. Add in the mix of stories, topics, gossip, news, updates, thoughts, and opinions that fly across each one of us in the group, and it truly becomes a fun weekend. Big bonus: getting the kitty. After each one of us got a bite of the delicious Martine's truffle (thanks to the host), it was determined that the winner for March is... Mel! --his is the only one with raspberry filling.

For April, incoming host Mel planned an elaborate Kitty Primary. Yup, check out the theme from this avid Hillary follower:

Email announcement: Attention: Kitty Pollsters!

Dear Super Delegates,

You need to vote for this new CNN/Pepper Poll-
1. Brunch or Dinner?2. April 12 or 19?
Your votes must be received by March 31 or else your vote will not count.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Senator Rommel

Congresswoman Pepper

Email confirmation: Kitty Poll Results!

Dear Superdelegates,

Not everyone has voted, however, it was a unanimous vote by the majority of those who voted already.
Here is the result:
It will be dinner on April 19, 2008.

The convention will be at:
Hill Country30 W 26th St between 6th Ave/Broadway

If you want to check their website: http://www.hillcountryny.com

Note: For those who haven't received their kitty, pls.think of the theme based on my two emails. This could determine your "momentum" in winning the prize.

Email reminder: Kitty Party this Saturday!!!

Dear Superdelegates,

This is a reminder that our convention for the kitty party is this Saturday, April 19 at 8 pm.
The convention will be at:
Hill Country30 W 26th St between 6th Ave/Broadway
If you want to check their website: http://www.hillcountryny.com.
(Ashton Kutcher and company had their after party here)

Note: I have counted all of you for the reservation. If you are bringing someone, pls. let me know the latest by Friday night. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your guest will be seated. The restaurant has a very strict reservation policy.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Senator Rommel

Congresswoman Pepper

************

Pretty cool! Come convention night, we helped ourselves to generous servings of ribs, chicken, sausage, pork brisket, and sides. I got the bbq sampler #1 for $25 (with plenty to take-home for my dh). Mel began the voting proceedings before the band started playing and we couldn't hear one another anymore. But first, a test of knowledge of our chosen candidate. "What is your candidate's date of birth?" -- aargh, if one of us just knew Barack or Hillary that well, we could've won the prized kitty nomination! Since we all failed the first round, we were subjected to envelope drawings and competing for state electoral caucuses. The verdict after three rounds: President Jo Ann! I wonder what her first official act would be.

Note: Obviously, I still haven't won the kitty. I will explain what this is all about when I get that 2G. :P

Funny, I get it!

Another email from A. Subject of the forwarded message was "New York is in the building." --I wonder why? :P

It said "only those that grew up in NY can understand the meaning of this", but I changed it to:

Long-time New Yorkers can understand the meaning of this:

THERE IS NO NORTH AND SOUTH. IT'S 'UPTOWN' OR 'DOWNTOWN.' IF YOU'RE REALLY FROM NEW YORK, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT OF WHERE NORTH AND SOUTH ARE...AND EAST OR WEST IS 'CROSS-TOWN.'

YOU'RE 35 YEARS OLD AND DON'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YOU RIDE IN A SUBWAY CAR WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SEATS AVAILABLE.

YOU TAKE THE TRAIN HOME AND YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE ON THE PLATFORM THE DOORS WILL OPEN THAT WILL LEAVE YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE EXIT STAIRWAY.

YOU KNOW WHAT A 'REGULAR' COFFEE IS.

IT'S NOT MANHATTAN...IT'S THE 'CITY.'

YOU CROSS THE STREET ANY WHERE BUT ON THE CORNERS AND YOU YELL AT CARS FOR NOT RESPECTING YOUR RIGHT TO DO IT.

YOU MOVE 3,000 MILES AWAY, SPEND 10 YEARS LEARNING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE STILL KNOW YOU'RE FROM BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND OR THE BRONX THE MINUTE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH.

YOU RETURN AFTER 10 YEARS AND THE FIRST FOODS YOU WANT ARE A 'REAL' PIZZA AND A 'REAL' BAGEL.

A 500 SQUARE FOOT APARTMENT IS LARGE.

YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT RAY'S PIZZAS.

YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND A P.A. ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBWAY.

YOU WOULDN'T BOTHER ORDERING PIZZA IN ANY OTHER CITY.

YOU GET READY TO ORDER DINNER EVERY NIGHT AND MUST CHOOSE FROM THE MAJOR FOOD GROUPS WHICH ARE: CHINESE, ITALIAN, MEXICAN OR INDIAN.

YOU'RE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN GOING TO TIMES SQUARE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK IS PERMANENTLY SET TO KNOW WHEN ALTERNATE SIDE OF THE STREET PARKING REGULATIONS IS IN EFFECT.

YOU KNOW WHAT A BODEGA IS.

SOMEONE BUMPS INTO YOU AND YOU CHECK FOR YOUR WALLET.

YOU DON'T EVEN NOTICE THE LADY WALKING DOWN THE ROAD HAVING A PERFECTLY NORMAL CONVERSATION WITH HERSELF.

YOU PAY 'ONLY' $230 A MONTH TO PARK YOUR CAR.

YOU CRINGE AT HEARING PEOPLE PRONOUNCE HOUSTON ST. LIKE THE CITY IN TEXAS.

THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT IS A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM, NOT AN HONOR.

YOU CAN NAP ON THE SUBWAY AND NEVER MISS YOUR STOP.

THE DELI GUY GIVES YOU A STRAW WITH ANY BEVERAGE YOU BUY, EVEN IF IT'S A BEER.

THAT'S NEW YORK, BABY! YA GOTTA LOVE IT.

IF YOU ARE A TRUE NEW YORKER (or just want to share this with folks), SEND THIS TO EVERYONE LIKE YOURSELF.

Have you heard of this?

I was reviewing the starred emails in my inbox, and I came across this message that was sent early last month. It was from my husband. :P

===========================================

The Man Rules­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally , the guys' side of the story( I must admit, it's pretty good).

We always hear 'the rules' From the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules!
Please note... they are all numbered '1' ON PURPOSE!


1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one! Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have NO idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really!

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh. Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

The NYC Papal Visit

I only learned about the Pope's U.S. visit about two weeks ago, and felt ashamedly ignorant that I didn't know of this news sooner. Papal mass tickets were granted through lottery, and I bet getting one felt like winning the lottery indeed!

Last Friday, A and I were glued to NY1's coverage of the Pope's departure from Washington D.C. and his arrival to NYC. Even if we were just seeing him on television, there was this overwhelming feeling of his holy presence that truly touched us. It's hard to explain. He exudes love, and warmth, peace, joy and blessing among others... you just feel like crying. And so we 'followed' him until he got to the United Nations building for his scheduled speech to the General Assembly. As it was getting close to 'tchukoy's nap time, I switched to his lullabye cd and missed the Pope's UN speech.

Saturday, I was scheduled to be in the city for the Young Child expo. I would then meet up with A, B, and Mama later during the day to attend M's 1st birthday party in Bayonne. The expo's venue was at the Hilton Hotel on 6th Ave. and 54th St. , a few blocks away from St. Patrick's Cathedral where the Pope was scheduled to celebrate mass at 9:15am. I was out of the subway by 8:40am, and as I walked towards 54th St., I saw many people headed towards 5th ave. Police had already closed several blocks of streets towards 5th, and only residents or individuals with tickets were granted access. (Now I regretted not bringing the camera that I saw on our dining table.) I wanted to photograph what I was seeing. I also felt excited to be in the same vicinity where the Pope was. Using my camera phone, I did get some low res pictures of that morning scene. Better than nothing.

By 11:45 am, I was out of the Hilton and in the streets of Manhattan... just wandering... and wondering where the Pope was at that time. I decided to go to F.A.O. Schwartz to see if I can add a toy to M's gift (we got her clothes). I don't know why I headed west towards 7th ave. when F.A.O. was on 5th. I turned the next block and headed back. I passed by Carnegie Deli, and some police barricades. A couple more steps heading east and lo and behold, I realized that the Popemobile's Motorcade route is along 5th! W-o-w! I'm gonna be where the action is. True enough, 5th Ave. was crowded, the 'fences' were filled, and people crammed the sidewalks. More and more people headed that way. The atmosphere was definitely festive. The crowd was enthusiastic. People seemed joyfully anxious. Smiles were often exchanged. I was thrilled at the thought that I may catch a glimpse of the Pope. I didn't know then what time the motorcade was going to start. I asked a cop, and he said he wasn't sure. Anyway, I was too happy to be walking up and down 5th avenue, taking "it" all in. I did a quick stop at F.A.O., but it was really quick. I couldn't take my mind off what was going on outside. Standing with the crowd, all I felt was peace, happiness, and gratitude. I felt so blessed.

A informed me that the motorcade starts at 1:15pm. He'll pick me up on the way to Jersey, and I was to head down to 36th and 7th. Awww... I won't see the Pope! I may have missed him, but I really felt him in my heart and soul.

Today, we heard the 11:30am mass in our parish church. Earlier, we watched the Pope's visit to ground zero. At 2:30, we tuned in to the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium. As spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic church, it is not surprising how Pope Benedict XVI has this power to connect to you... whether you are near or far.

Even if I didn't get to see the Holy Father in person, I will always remember his NYC visit to be a very spiritually uplifting experience.

Note: Picture, from the Archdiocese of NY.