Our Skydeck Experience

A repost. As originally published as a feature story in the centerfold of EV Mail News for the week of August 1-7, 2011.

http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-1-7-2011

The Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois is one of the tallest buildings in the world. In 2009, it changed its name to Willis Tower after it was bought by the Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. It was built in 1973 and was the tallest building in the world at that time until 1998, when it was surpassed by the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Willis Tower is still the tallest building in the United States today and it ranks the fifth tallest in the world.

© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

So understandably, it's one of the most recognizable structures in the famous Chicago skyline. Towering at 1,450 feet and 110 stories high, it's difficult to miss this famous landmark. In 1982, the building antennas were added to the structure increasing its total height to 1,704 feet, and by the year 2000, one of those antennas was extended to a total of 1,729 feet.

After living in Chicago for more than 6 years now, my family and I finally decided to play "tourists" as we visited the Willis Tower for the first time on the Memorial Day weekend, a U.S. holiday. It was Sunday, May 29, and the day started out to be stormy, foggy, cold and gloomy. But since we've already decided to do our "outing" that day, we proceeded no matter what the weather was like.

We began our "field trip" at Chinatown in Chicago where we had a huge lunch of Korean fried rice, ox tail noodle soup, lemon grass fried chicken wings, fried whole snapper with sweet and sour sauce, and three different kinds of smoothies for our drinks. I had a green tea smoothie, my husband chose his favorite, "ube" or taro smoothie, and my son got the biggest mango smoothie I've ever seen in my life! It came in this gigantic champagne chute-like glass complete with the long stem. It was a sight to see. All our smoothies came with tapioca pearls, of course. After lunch, we were so full we were literally leaning, tummy side down. It was just too much. Remember, gluttony is a sin. I will make sure to think of that until my next meal!

© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

Then we decided to drag ourselves to our next destination, the Chicago water taxi station from Chinatown to downtown Chicago. Downtown is nicknamed the "Loop" because of the loop-shaped train tracks circling the area. We went to the taxi pick-up station but because of the stormy weather, the water taxis were not operating on their full schedule that afternoon. We ended up taking the train instead.

After we got off the train, we had to walk a little bit going to the Willis Tower. I was already feeling butterflies in my stomach, anticipating the height and the experience we are about to have up there at 1,400 feet. And by the way, I'm a little scared of heights but just a little.

Then the weather started to let up, the gloom was beginning to fade. There was clear, cloudless sky and the rain finally stopped. By the time we got to the entrance of the building, we were happy that everything was falling into its perfect place. The weather was fine, the crowd was thin, and the line of people going up to the viewing place was short and quick. The viewing spot is at the 103rd floor of the building and it's fittingly called the "Skydeck."

When we arrived at the 103rd floor, it was already past 5 in the afternoon. It was the perfect time to go up since we could enjoy both times of the day. We get to see the view during the daytime when it's still light out and we get to wait to see the sunset later in the evening. I didn't realize though that we had to wait a little bit longer for the sunset that night because in the summer, days are much longer. Here in Chicago, at 8 in the evening, it still looks like it's 4 in the afternoon and the sun is still out in full force.

We took hundreds of pictures and we marveled at the sights and oohed at the great views. We were literally on top of the world. We can see up to four States from up there (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin). The cars, boats, trains and all moving vehicles down at the streets looked like matchbox cars. We couldn't even clearly see any people down there because they all looked like specks from where we are. It was such an amazing experience.

Then it was time to try out the famous or "infamous" Glass Ledge, however you want to refer to it. For me, it is infamous for its offering of a daunting "adventure." These all-glass, almost hanging ledges were opened to the public in 2009. It's like stepping on air or thin ice at 1,353 feet above the ground and 4.3 feet away from the walls of the structure. I was shaking when I made that first step into it but I had to do it for posterity's sake. I had to have at least one picture on that ledge but I couldn't even look down for more than 2 seconds because it was too scary! My husband and my son were just fearless. But I have to admit that it was also exciting.

© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

Then we started to see the transformation of the skies and the whole city from day to night. Despite the gloomy start we had that day, we were rewarded with the most glorious sunset. The sky was changing colors every minute. From clear blue, to dark blue with tinges of yellow and orange, then a dramatic change to different shades of red, yellow, orange, gold, amber and purple. It was an unforgettable sight.

People were going crazy taking pictures before the sunset was over. Although people were moving about and getting around trying to get to the best spot for photos, I noticed that everyone was hushed. The sunset has literally taken our breath away. And at 1,400 feet, the sunset lasted much longer that it would have been on ground level. It was simply spectacular.

© Copyright, MMD Images, 2011

In perfect sync with the gorgeous sunset, the city also started to light up for the night. Fluorescent lamps, bulbs, street lights, spotlights, building lights, and vehicle lights started to illuminate the whole city and beyond. The famous Chicago skyline was starting to don its evening attire. It was an amazing transformation.

We stayed for a bit longer to enjoy the sight which was a whole world different from the daytime view we just saw more than a couple of hours ago. We were transfixed with awe. It was a perfect ending to a not-so-perfect start of our day. And then, it was time to go home. We were glad we got to do the "Skydeck experience" and to add another adventure into our stack of memories that we will remember and will surely last for a lifetime.

Restless in Chicago

A repost. As originally published by EV Mail News for the week of July 11-17, 2011.

http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-july-11-17-2011

I have my own personal version of Sleepless in Seattle, I call it "Restless in Chicago." No it's not another movie, it's not even a title of a funny home video. "Restless in Chicago" is just what I was when we first came to this beautiful city.

I was so restless primarily because I didn't have anything to do. This was after the fact that we've already settled down in our new apartment, we've taken all the necessary steps to get IDs, licenses, forms, etc., which were needed for our new life and we've already found our way around the city by walking, by car and public transportation. Then now what? Of course, there was the mundane task of looking for a job but other than that, I had my hands empty. I was literally freaking out!

This is part of life of an immigrant in America. Being a stranger in a new place, with no friends and sometimes even no family around to keep company. It's no wonder several of us become restless. I simply needed something to do, anything! I just wanted to be busy like when I was still in Tacloban. But wait, what was I busy with over there in the first place? I can't even seem to remember but I know I was busy!

Oh there was my job and with my extended family all over the place that was more than enough to keep my hands full. Then there were church ministries I volunteer for each week, group meetings to join, outings to plan. Also fiestas and carnivals to visit, birthdays and weddings to attend, trips to the barrios just because. Whew! No wonder I was busy.

Then here's life in America. Please don't misunderstand what I'm about to say because I do love my job. I'm so grateful God has provided me and my husband with regular, full-time work when thousands of others don't have any. I appreciate the fact that everyday when I wake up I have somewhere to go, where I'm expected to be and where I'm needed to do my job. I also like the fact that I'm able to pay my bills and help provide for my family.

I've never been a lazy worker. Even in the Philippines I worked since after I graduated from college until we left for Chicago. I know how it is to work hard. But even after working some 12 years in the Philippines, I've never seen a career and job-oriented society more than America. They pay us by the hour and it's normal for people here to have 2 to 3 jobs at one time and to work extended hours. Almost all our activities and plans with family and friends revolve around our work schedules. That's cool I guess, but all I'm saying is I've never seen it quite in that light before. To quote my husband, "In America, I'm working hard. In the Philippines, I was hardly working!"

Funny as he makes it to be, it's quite true. As part of the saying goes, "All work and no play..." makes people restless too. Americans are very hard-working people which is a good value to instill in our children but I do believe there must be some balance.

I agree that we all should work hard and laziness should not be tolerated but we must never neglect the time to unwind as well. Even Jesus Himself, retreated away from the crowds and away from His ministry with people to have some time alone. Time alone spent with God His Father, to commune with Him and to revive His human well-being. People tend to burn-out like candles, get frustrated and be uninspired after long hauls of just work, work and more work.

In the U.S., with all its greatness, employers are not required to give vacation or sick time to their employees, although I should point out that most of them do give it anyway. I've watched a feature report on TV here in Chicago where they talked about how Americans have to be forced almost to take a vacation as compared with our European counterparts.

The French take their vacations very seriously. Travel experts say not to plan to go to France in the summer months because all the streets will be deserted because the shopkeepers, restaurant owners and basically everybody is away on vacation. And it's not just for the weekend, it's for a full five weeks of pure relaxation! Heaven on earth. Or close to it.

In the Philippines, we may not take our bakasyon to such extreme like the French but we do have our own ways. We have the siesta, merienda and the suroy. We do the istambay and the pahuway like beautiful pieces of work. The Pinoys have perfected the "art" of doing absolutely nothing which for some people is completely impossible. I believe these things make life a bit easier on everybody. A little rest and a short nap actually go a long way, experts say. They even call it "power naps." 

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." -Psalms 46:10

Slowly I noticed that my restlessness was beginning to fade away as the days went by. As my job started to make me busy, school projects and home works were piling up and as I find new friends to have fellowship with, life began to "happen." I finally found my equilibrium.

I began to realize God was teaching me something personal as well. He wanted me to find His joy in whatever circumstance I'm in. He showed me Bible verses which helped me to understand that restlessness is not from Him. He wants me to be still before Him, to rest in Him and to accept His peace that surpasses all understanding.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still." -Psalms 4:4

Now I'm restless in Chicago no more (that's how they say it here) or anywhere it is I might happen to be someday or sometime in the future with God's perfect will.