SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA 2023

One of the highlights of our family's US trip this year was our visit once more to Universal Studios. 

I know, I know, there are many more places to go in the US... BUT if you've been reading my weird blog, you'll know that if we're there, we cannot NOT go to Disneyland and Universal Studios (hopefully I'll be able to blog on those soon ha ha ha ha ha) as they are my favorite places, EVER.

ANYWHO.... 

I chose to post about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD because it's the newest attraction in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS the month we came. I'm not really familiar with the game but the boys, especially the hub, played a lot of this growing up so it's just important that we go.

And what SUPER time we had there!!!!!!! 

We're in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD CALIFORNIA!!!!!

THAI LANNA (BGP MARIANE'S US TRIP)

Hullooo! I'm sure by now you all know how much I L-O-V-E my silly little foodie blog and how I would only document personal experiences. For this post, I'm using ERICJAZ FOODIES to cope with the absence of my dear beloved BGP Mariane and have her share one of her unforgettable meals while in vacation in the US.

I'm missing her but I'm enjoying this blogpost too, so YEY!

  ============================ 

THAI LANNA

By Mariane R. Mina

Thanks BGP.

Fred, Pao Pao, and I are currently on vacation in the US and staying with my relatives from my mother's side in New Jersey.

One day, Ninang Min invited the family out for a lunch in THAI LANNA. My ninang said they serve delicious Thai food and wanted us to try it.

The sun may be out this lunch but the weather was still nice and comfortable.

It was good that we were able to get a parking space because the cool weather seemed to have prompted many people to go out.

THAI LANNA restaurant.

JAPANESE AND KOREAN BUFFETS IN THE US!

Just in case you have been following my blog (oh poor you), you would know that my Best Gal Pal forever and ever is BGP Mariane...

We are inseparable! A week CANNOT go by without us meeting up once or twice.

So you could just imagine my devastation when she left for a 3 month vacation in the US!!

Yep. Not a pretty sight.

It's funny because it's not like this is her first trip there. She and Manong Fred would always go every year. But do I get used to it?

That's a big N to the O.

Good thing that because of today's technology, BGP Mariane and I are able to communicate via video chat!

We would chat daily! At the start though I don't know how to properly take a screen cap. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Many times the boys would join in on the convo!

HOT N' JUICY CRAWFISH (LAS VEGAS)

Before our trip to the US, I downplayed our excitement by joking that THE YAPPY BUNCH will be having a very long trip to Subic, a popular tourist spot in the Philippines. When finally my ex-Facebook friends ("ex" because they have blocked me since then) figured out that we were really in Las Vegas, quite a number suggested that we try out HOT N' JUICY CRAWFISH.  The restaurant was actually a very popular seafood joint that served its entrees piping hot in plastic bags that you enjoy on the table (no plates!) and using your bare hands. Yes, it is very similar to California favorite BOILING CRAB or KICKIN KASIAN but of course, HOT N' JUICY CRAWFISH had its own unique flavors that qualified for a family pig-out session.

We definitely had an over the top and delicious lunch with the family at HOT N' JUICY CRAWFISH. Unfortunately though, I lost a lost of FB friends after I posted about it in Facebook since they still thought that it was in Subic.

Ha ha ha ha! Kidding!

I'm not going to say SUCKER though.

:P

HOT N' JUICY CRAWFISH!

OLIVE GARDEN

After watching our XMEN MOVIE , I told Kuya Nap and Ate Shiela that it will be our turn to treat them for an early dinner. It was only about 7:30pm but we were feeling a bit hungry even though we just ate some PANDA EXPRESS before the show. We also finished a bucket of pop corn (save for Kuya Nap :P) so I don't really know where this craving was coming from. 

Then I realized what it is.

It was the power of OLIVE GARDEN!

When it's time to eat at OLIVE GARDEN, it IS time to eat at OLIVE GARDEN. Your stomach will yearn for it and succumb to its power.

Why?

Maybe because in OLIVE GARDEN, whenever you're here, you're HUNGRY... este... family! :)

He he he he!

OLIVE GARDEN!!

OUR MEMORIAL XMEN MOVIE DAY AND MORE!

I was not really planning on including this in our silly little foodie blog but the Chinese Adonis said it was still something we did during our trip so it was best to record it in our "online diary".  Besides, there could be other people out there who love watching movies so much that they are also curious as to how theaters are in the western side.

And that would be only YOU and ME.

Naks! I guess if you DO read this entry, it means we are somehow kindred spirits. UUUUY! Just kindred spirits. Don't get your hopes up or anything. (#hottieproblems) 

BWA HA HA HA!

And that's what you call menopause.... Or second childhood... Or mental instability. 

Tee hee!

Anywho....

Fast forward photo

One of the movies we were all raring to watch since the franchise started was X-MEN DAYS OF FUTURE PAST.  By some stroke of whatever luck (good or bad) it started showing days before our departure right when we just got back from California.  It may seem silly to forego a sight seeing trip in and about Las Vegas (again) but the Chinese Adonis and I thought the kids might have fun watching a movie in the US.

Yes, we are a family who loves to watch movies. The whole experience of going to the theater and cuddling around while eating buttered popcorn is so fun for us.

So you could just imagine how thrilled we were at the thought of watching our much awaited movie with the kids in a different setting!

Good thing my cousins also loved the X-MEN series and agreed to watch with us. See? It was meant to be!

MCDONALD'S PLAY AREA (US TRIP)

The Chinese Adonis and I decided that whenever we're in another country, we would always check out the MCDONALD'S there.  You may think that we sold our souls to the "commercialized gods" but really if you think about it when you visit  a country's local MCDONALD'S you would discover different foods infused with their culture!

I remember in MCDONALD'S Thailand, there was chicken curry in the menu. In MCDONALD'S Hong Kong there was spicy chicken wings. In MCDONALD'S Rome I remember having this garden salad with a dressing I cannot pronounce. Of course, I need not go far from our Motherland as MCDONALD'S Philippines have spaghetti and fried chicken.

This foodie fact was actually a realization by Samuel L. Jackson (or was it John Travolta?) in the movie Pulp Fiction. There is actually a scene where they discuss how the Big Mac has different "personas" abroad.

Anywho, when we got back to Las Vegas I asked my cousin when we could drop by MCDONALD'S to check out what they are serving this time. Their menu is regularly changing and I remember the last time I was here, they had these MCSHAKE IT Salads that was similar to what they have in PEPPER LUNCH. My little lords, who are regular patrons of MCDONALD'S (not to mention kiddie crew members) were more than happy at our dining decision this morning because dear Mati remembered how big their play area was.

So off we went to have an early deal at MCDONALD'S Henderson in Las Vegas. I wonder what they have in their menu that is unique to this specific place of the golden arches.

MCDONALD'S!

MARIE CALLENDER'S

If there's one thing I should ALWAYS get a bite of when I'm in the US (and I mean ALWAYS okay? Let us not ease up on the importance of it) that would be a heaping forkful of MARIE CALLENDER'S famous pies.

If you haven't had a taste of this heavenly dessert that must've been baked by singing angels (named Marie?) then you are missing a chunk of something so sweet and true that could make your life oh so loverly.

Believe me when I say, that there are some pies and there are other pies, but when you are faced with a plate of MARIE CALLENDER'S, you would definitely know that it is THE ONLY pie that matters.  My preference would be similar to THE WOMAN of Sherlock Holmes but I will not dwell on that any further. I shall not let my reignited love affair with Benedict Cumberbatch get in the way of declaring my love for this pie (which I'm always seem to have a habit of doing).

Yeniway, while my cousin was busy preparing our WELCOME SHABU SHABU dinner in Las Vegas, I made myself useful not by helping out in the slicing and dicing. No way! Ha ha ha! Instead, I dragged my husband to MARIE CALLENDER'S nearest branch to get a box of their awesome pies.

Don't worry. A plateful of MARIE CALLENDER'S pies is more than enough contribution to any dinner. He he he he! That counts washing the dishes too!!!!

MARIE CALLENDER'S!

If you THINK that I'm already hiding a pie under that shirt, I might bonk you if I could reach you. That's just flab.... pure Jazzie flab. 

MARIE CALLENDER'S!!!

A SHABU SHABU WELCOME DINNER!

After our California vacation, we headed back to Las Vegas in a hurry not because we will be going to another casino or that we were missing my cousins.

We were so excited for a SHABU SHABU dinner!

Yep! Sorry. Ha ha ha ha! We love food too much that we have forgotten any form of human affection. Instead, we just focused on what's waiting for us at the end of the sin city's "rainbow" and that is, piping hot bowls of SHABU SHABU.

Yum! I'm sure you'd know by now that SHABU SHABU is indeed our favorite!  To THINK that we just came from Days Inn Hotel for a heavy breakfast and Arby's for our late lunch. Yes it may seem gluttony that we are rushing somewhere just for a taste of our delicious food but we don't care -- we are willing to shed what's left of human decency just to get a sip of that heavily flavored broth, crunchy vegetables, tender seafood, and chewy noodles.

I'm sure you'd agree with me once you see the spread that my cousin prepared for us. You might even purposely forget that you have a wife/husband just so you'd get the first bowl.

I'm sure that's what my husband did. And even son.

I lead such a sorry life......

Kidding! He he he he he! 

Familiar landmarks that remind us we were near LAS VEGAS!

When we got to Las Vegas, my cousin Kuya Nap was so busy preparing the ingredients for his special SHABU SHABU dinner. 

My cousin is not really a chef but like us, he LOVED to eat. It's always a great day when he cooks because he is such a whiz in the kitchen! 

ARBY'S

While we were in the US for summer, my husband was on the verge of tears as he craved to eat an all meat sandwich with layers upon layers of beef. He always saw those thick "man-wiches" on television but was getting frustrated that he can't find what he was looking for after 2 weeks.

Finally while we were en route to Las Vegas, we saw that there was an ARBY'S restaurant during our stopover. I had this before and recommended it to my husband if he would like to try it. He was actually unfamiliar with ARBY'S but I told him that they served the type of sandwiches that he'll love. So even if he really wanted to eat at Panda Express to have his favorite orange chicken, he agreed for a quick bite at ARBY'S.

When it was over and done, let's just say my ears got painful hearing him rave over and over again how delicious his beef sandwich was.  It was ALMOST one of those times when I wanted to say "I told you so" but I'll just play the model wife  this once and keep quiet. He he he he he!

Besides, it was not really a "heroic" deed for me since I also wanted to have a big beefy bite at ARBY'S! 

ARBY'S!!!

OF TURKEY LEGS and MR. CUMBERBATCH

So sorry for not writing on my blog for the longest time. I know I may be talking to a blank wall here but it doesn't hurt to address a question that may be asked by imaginary people or something.

ANYWHO, just in case you WERE wondering, Well not only was I busy with work (yep even if it doesn't look like it)  but I was also nursing this terrible migraine that may have something to do with my enormous forehead.

Well not only THAT. Since I ran out of television shows to watch, I went back to savoring (yep I will use that word) SHERLOCK HOLMES season 1 and 2. And you know what happened the last time I became a "Cumberbabe". Well... let's just say that I used the same lines as above when I made a blogpost about my obsession with Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch. He he he he!

Oh and congratulations dear Benedict for winning this year's Emmy for best actor in a mini-series or movie! I told you, you could do it! (Tee hee!)

Oooh la... la! (grabbed from Emmy.com)

Now on a totally different note (and I mean TOTALLY), when you do get a chance to go to a US theme park, for the love of all delicious things on earth, PLEASE do not miss having a TURKEY LEG.

A TURKEY LEG? For a snack in a theme park???

Yes I actually found the idea very absurd at first. I mean I grew up thinking that a fat and juicy TURKEY was only supposed to be served during special occasions, case in point, Thanksgiving. Since we don't have that in the Philippines, my family would sometimes have it for Christmas. But to walk in a congested sunny theme park while biting on some TURKEY LEGS is truly unimaginable for me. That is, until one time we were in Disneyland California  and this family beside me was feasting a TURKEY LEG while we were waiting for the parade to start. The aroma emitted from the smoked TURKEY LEG made my mouth water and even at the risk of being called out as a  gawker, I still kept on staring while they tore the meat from that blasted TURKEY LEG and got all greasy hands in the process.

Homer drools... GWRRRKKKKK....

From then on, it became my mission to have that fat and juicy TURKEY LEG. However, my desire to bite into that meaty flesh took a while due to severe long lines and/or unavailability in the following theme parks that we went to.

At last, when we were in SEAWORLD, there was a decent line for that much revered TURKEY LEG and finally I was able to take a big bite out of it.

And wow... there were no words...

I wonder though if dear Benedict's warm embrace is as yummy as that TURKEY LEG?

Tee hee! 

Lining up for my TURKEY LEG!

SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

The last leg of our "theme park tripping" in the US is SEAWORLD. It was really not included in our itinerary but we were so nearby with LEGOLAND that it would be great to spend another day in it. Besides, I remember the wet fun that my sister and I had there before that I'm sure the little lords will love it there as well.

And so it was set....

We're going to SEAWORLD BABY!!!!

Could Shamu do this? HUH???

SEAWORLD!!!!

DAYS INN AND SUITES

When we were plotting our itinerary for our US trip, we decided that since we'll be going to LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA, we should be dropping by SEAWORLD too. So that meant that we needed a place to stay for 3 days and 2 nights!

We knew some people in San Diego but we didn't want to impose on anyone. Besides, we may even be too tired to chat or do the usual niceties that it would indeed be better if we just stayed in a simple and safe hotel by our lonesome.

With that, I remembered the last time Mati and I were in Minnesotta, we stayed at DAYS INN AND SUITES. We had a very comfortable experience there that I immediately checked it out. I found the place perfect for us because not only did it get some online raves on comfort and cleanliness but it was also situated in a safe neighborhood that was near SEAWORLD!

So in an instant, I clicked, I booked, and I paid. Hopefully the DAYS INN AND SUITES in San Diego will give us a wonderful stay such as in Minnesota. 

DAYS INN AND SUITES!

future shot

When we got to DAYS INN AND SUITES, Yub checked in at the lobby for us as the kiddies were already asleep in the car.

LEGOLAND WATERPARK (CALIFORNIA)

If you have plans to go to LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA, pretty please make sure that you also make time to spend the day in LEGOLAND WATERPARK.

When we had an overnight stay in LEGOLAND HOTEL, we each received 2-day park hopper tickets that we really did not think much of. We just thought, "Okay cool, we'll get more time to go around in LEGOLAND". But while we were walking around the theme park, we came upon LEGOLAND WATERPARK and peeked inside --- what the kids saw made them ecstatic! They loved swimming and to do so in a vast water park influenced by their favorite LEGO shows is a dream come true.

So with that, we decided to check out early from LEGOLAND HOTEL to spend the whole day in LEGOLAND WATERPARK.  At first the little lords were fretting that we had to wake up early then check out from what is already their favorite hotel in the whole universe. But a step in LEGOLAND WATERPARK's big pool painted instant wide smiles on their cute little faces that lasted for the whole weekend. 

If your kiddies love swimming and LEGO, for the love of Benedict Cumberbatch (???), take them to LEGOLAND WATERPARK! The shrieks of fun you'll hear while everyone is swimming will definitely be worth the travel and extra payment for the entrance.

Sorry for the Benedict Cumberbatch inclusion. I'm re-watching Sherlock Holmes now. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

LEGOLAND WATERPARK!!!!

LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA

When we were in the US for Andrei's 7th birthday, the original schedule was to just see his idol Jaws in UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD then go to the happiest place in the world, DISNEYLAND. But then dear Mati saw that there was a LEGOLAND in California that we just HAVE to go to. With that, we changed our itinerary in an instant.

One of the great things about our trip to LEGOLAND was that the weather was very cloudy and quite cool. In addition to that "plus factor", there was not a lot of people in the theme park (possibly because we went on a weekday). Because of that, we all walked comfortably without getting bumped on and had many repeated rides because the lines were not that long.

So yes, we were all glad that we made this little change in our US trip. The kiddies swore that this was the best place ever that my husband and I couldn't be more happier for them.

Oh and everywhere we go, whenever we get to talk to somebody, we would always say,  EVERYTHING IS AWESOME (coining the famous phrase from the Lego Movie).

And you know what, because it really was.

OH YEAH! We are at LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA!!!!

It's a dream come true for my little lords!!!

BRICK RESTAURANT (LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA)

While I was at LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA, the kind front desk lady asked if we would like to get BRICKS' special package only available upon check in: $60 for 2 adults and 2 kids. The regular price for the buffet was around $25 each for adults and $15 for children, so this was a pretty good deal. At least we don't have to look for somewhere to eat in this unfamiliar part of California when it's time for dinner. 

So after getting settled in our pirate themed room, we went downstairs to have dinner at BRICKS FAMILY RESTAURANT!!!

LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA STAYCATION

Fast forward pic at LEGO LAND HOTEL!!!!

During our US trip to celebrate Andrei's birthday, the initial plan was to just have a hotel staycation in Las Vegas then Disneyland and Universal Studios. It has always been our fool- proof itinerary so we were sticking to it when we fly there with the kids.

Then lo and behold, Mati was surfing his Facebook page then found something so exciting for him and Andrei that he immediately posted about it.
           

              

Call me clueless and useless but I really did not know that there was a LEGOLAND RESORT in California. All the while I thought the US counterpart of this popular franchise was in Florida so I did not bother researching about it (told you I'm useless). So I was so grateful that my ever smart Master Mati was able to discover this LEGOLAND RESORT and posted about it way before our departure date.

And so it was set: We will be having a LEGOLAND HOTEL staycation as per my little lord's wishes. Like with the other staycations and foodie trips, I told my husband that I will be shouldering this one since I already gave my much appreciated "yes" to the boys. It may mean that I will have to cut down a bit on shopping and/or eating out for those 2 months but I was SO fine with it.

Of course at the end of the day what's important is to make long lasting memories with your little ones...

PLUS, I have something to blackmail them with for 2 months! BWA HA HA HA HA HA!

"Fetch my slippers BOY!"

Duh. I'm kidding! :) 

Early Thursday morning we woke up early to drive out of Los Angeles.

LEGOLAND HOTEL was somewhat near San Diego so it will still be an hour or two drive going there. 

And finally... we're HERE!

LEGOLAND HOTEL!

KICKIN KASIAN

I remember that one of the "MUST TRIES" I listed before flying out to the US was to have a meal at their popular seafood restaurants where the the main entrees are served piping hot inside a plastic bag.

HUUUUWAAAAT? Inside a plastic bag??? How lazy could an establishment be???!!!

Hold on, wait a minute, just take your kapeng mainit... That is actually the beauty of these famous new restaurants! You pick the kind of seafood that you want (be it crab, shrimps, crawfish, etc, etc) and choose what sauce it will be swimming in (if there's chicken, will it do the "breast stroke"?? Teee hee). Then voila, these beauties will be served on your tables inside these special plastic bags where the seafood is all steaming hot and saucy.

Afterwards, prepare for an awesome kind of seafood carnage!

That happened EXACTLY after our fun Hollywood and Ripley's Museum trip (SEE HERE). We were supposed to eat at THE BOILING CRAB, another popular restaurant of the same theme, but the wait list was going for 2 hours and we were hungry. Luckily my hottie niece Gayle suggested that we try out KICKIN KASIAN which received a lot of good reviews and the wait was not that long. We were so thankful that we moved to KICKIN KASIAN because after our meal, we were all licking our fingers from all the buttery sauces and heaving wonderful sighs of happiness. Such gluttony bliss!

DEFINITELY worth heeding the call of all that hype! Can't wait to get my hands dirty like this again! 

KICKIN KASIAN!

Let's go! We're hungry!

OUR HOLLYWOOD AND RIPLEY DAY!

After going for 2 straight days in theme parks (DISNEYLAND  and UNIVERSAL STUDIOS), and looking at two more to cap the week (check it out soon!), the Chinese Adonis and I decided that Wednesday was going to be our "rest day". We were really just planning to sleep until noon, watch some TV, and wash our clothes. But then, our butts realized we still haven't been to some of the prime spots in California so we needed to get up and roll out!

Yes. Our butts do the thinking for us since they DO the deciding factor whether we move or not.

Anywho, my cousin Ate Baby and hottie niece Gayle took us for a mini-Hollywood day and more. We were really supposed to do this, this, and this, but because of dinner plans we just went for that, that, and that. So even if the tour did not go as planned, the YAPPY BUNCH still had a lot of fun and unforgettable time.

Case in point, the Chinese Adonis saw Adam Sandler in the flesh!

Yep!  Believe it... or not! :)

ERICJAZ FOODIES with the little lords in HOLLYWOOD, Los Angeles!

When we got to HOLLYWOOD, LA, Mati immediately saw a favorite and ran up to his idol.

A FAST FOOD MORNING

While we were in Los Angeles for our US family vacation, I wanted to eat at some fast food restaurants but there was no time because of our very crazy theme park filled schedule. The reason for our craving was, in the few times that we were able to watch TV, we saw that CARL'S JR and TACO BELL had new mouth watering grub that is not available (yet?) in the Philippines!

So with that, my very hot niece woke up very early  and got a lot of fast food goodies for us!!!

Yohoo! Now this is what I may call the "best" unconventional breakfast there is!

While I was still snoozing, my niece Gayle went out early to buy these goodies for us!

If you're wondering who was taking the pictures, it's my dear Chinese Adonis who I kicked out of bed for this. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!

"Eat Like You Mean It"

Oh yes we certainly plan to!

According to my husband, everything was still piping hot from the bag of fast food goodies that he was controlling his cutie pie self from reaching out and getting one.