USS Requin Submarine SS-481 in Pittsburgh #CarnegieScienceCenter

My kids and I have been inside a military ship when we explored the USS Lexington in Corpus Cristi, Texas but we have never been inside a submarine so when we went to Carnegie Science Center, the most fun part for us is being inside USS Requin.  My husband is a retired sailor  so he has been into many ships  and  also part of  the  Navy team  who repaired many submarines  during his active duty times.  But for us, it was a real treat especially that my husband  explained to us  how things works inside a submarine.

If you want a uniquely immersive experience, try to go to Carnegie Science Center and explore the USS Requin Submarine! If you come aboard to this  submarine, you will have the chance to learn how 80 men used their expertise, humor and sheer ingenuity to carve out a rough and adventurous life during Requin's lengthy defense and scientific missions.  Some of which are still classified to this day according to the information I have read.  This state-of-the-art  submarine was battle ready when she set out just days before the end of World War II.   USS Requin holds the distinction of being the Navy's first Radar Picket submarine.

The USS Requin was located adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center building by the Pittsburgh River.  It brought a lot of memories for my husband who spent  20 years in the Navy  and  worked on submarines  when he was in Guam.

Here's what it looks like inside the  submarine.  Come aboard and enjoy the tour.  Everything is  very small.  I have high respects for submariners for getting used to live in a small spaces like this.

I think that what would make  it better for the whole experience  is if Carnegie Science Center would schedule a tour for the visitors and assigned  a Veteran submariners  to  explain things.  We were just lucky that my husband was a  sailor and he knows a lot of stuff about it  which helps us understand  things.  

There was a young kid  assigned there but all he did was say hello and that was about it.  Considering the admission fee that the  CSC collects to visitors, they should at least give  them more information about the subject, just saying.

Oh, we met this old guy as we were leaving and he said that he used to work in submarines but we were out the door when he showed up so we couldn't really ask him questions.  Well, my husband tried to talk to him but he got the feeling that  he just want us to be out ta there lol.  Oh well, we didn't need anyone to explain us things anyway because of my husband but what about others who doesn't  have ideas about submarines?

Overall, it was a great and fun-learning experience especially for  our children.

WorldWide Free Shipping at TMart

I have been seeing a lot of bloggers  raving  how good their experiences were in shopping online over at TMart.  I was going to submit a proposal to them for a possible product review but I never got to it.  Luckily, they contacted me  via email and  told me that they want to collaborate with me through my blogs.  So I agreed and this is the first product that I got from them, a 5-tier shoe rack.

 Assembling this shoe rack is very easy.  Everything that you need is  in the box  and the instruction is very simple and very easy to follow.

 I thought that it was going to be flimsy because  the sides are plastic but I was wrong because it is  so sturdy and very stable when I put  our shoes in the racks.  Finally, I have an additional shoe rack to organize our  shoes in an orderly manner.

Here's  the full description and specification of this  shoe rack

This shoe rack features unique design and elegant appearance, increase beauty for your home. It is made of high quality material, provide longer service live. It is suitable to put and display different types of shoes, with good usability. According to the need, it has been divided into different storey which can hold up to full-size pairs of shoes shoe rack is a nice way to store the shoes! 

Features

• The perfect workmanship finished of the Shoe Rack are full complement any decor
• Captivating designs and superlative materials for these Shoe Rack, so meticulously crafted
• Made of high quality material, provides perfect protection
• This Shoe Rack are also a great gift for your family
• This Shoe Rack in the interior is also quite good, which will provide perfect protection for your power line
• These Shoe Rack are very lightweight and easy to move
• These clear Shoe Rack can be a good assistant for you

You can buy this shoe rack for $24.91 because it is on sale from it's original price of $27.99.

TMart is a great place to shop for your home needs  including   Closet Organizer, electronic products, video games, home and garden products,  clothing, and a lot more.  They ship worldwide so you can pretty much show at their website   no matter where you live.  Oh, did I  tell you their FREE shipping offer?  Check them out, just visit www.tmart.com!

Disclaimer: The author of this blog was NOT financially compensated to write this review. Opinions expressed is not in anyway influenced by other factors. The product/s mentioned above was provided for FREE for evaluation purposes.

Carnegie Science Center #Admission

We went to Carnegie Science Center on March 8th. Our daughter love anything that is science related so this a perfect place for her to explore. Even the little man enjoyed it too as he has  seen different kinds of robots.

From  Sunday-Friday, it opens at 10:00 a.m.  until  5:00 p.m. and  on Saturday, 10:00 a.m.  and closes at 7:00 p.m.  According to their info, the  Carnegie Science Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and for Steelers home games with 1:00 or 4:00 p.m. kickoff times.

The admission at the Science Center cost $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for children (3-12).  The tickets for Omnimax Films and Laser Shows are priced separately, and can be purchased alone, or in a discounted combo package with Carnegie Science Center admission.  IOf you are a member of

Carnegie Museum, you get to  enjoy free admission and discounts on Omnimax tickets.

A television crew was in the  entrance when we came so we slid off  as discreetly as we could so  we won't be ambushed with an interview lol.

Upon payment, you will be handed out the  wrist bands as employees checked them when you get in their section.

Our first stop was the rest room so while my husband was inside, I asked my Burritos to pose for me.

There are so many interactive things that children can learn from.  I will post them individually  when  I get the chance.

Here's the full view of it from the river side (photo isn't mine)

image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Carnegie_Science_Center.jpg

The Carnegie Science Center is located on the North Shore next to Heinz Field, just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh.   Visitor parking at Carnegie Science Center and Highmark SportsWorks is $5 per vehicle for non-members. Member parking rates are $3 per vehicle. Non-visitor parking is $5 per vehicle.  You would think that the parking would be free since you have to pay the admission but no, you have to pay it separately.  

RoboWorld Sketchbot #CarnegieScienceCenter

One of the many features that my kids loved at Carnegie Science Center's  RoboWorld is the Sketchbot. The Sketchbot at roboworld can  create a masterpiece together with you. 

Featuring an ELAU Delta 3 Robot P3 and Pittsburgh-based Integrated Industrial Technologies (I2T) software, the Sketch Robot recreates an image created by visitors in a matter of several minutes using 1,600 marbles, highlighting the speed and accuracy possessed by existing robots. Integrated Industrial Technologies, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based company that provides industrial control and automation products and services to markets worldwide.

This is what Ms. Burrito have sketched.

You can see how fast the  Sketchbot can  create the sketch you have  created from the board.

It's amazing how robots can  do stuff so accurately.
Shadow Shots

Find the Best Cruise Offers for Your Family: Top Tips

If you’re trying to plan your family holiday for this year, a cruise offers a fun filled, convenient holiday whether you’re a small family of 3 or a group of 30. Simply unpack your belongings once, and explore a variety of diverse locations - or never leave the ship and enjoy the luxury features, it’s up to you! Now, cruise ships are literally like the theme parks of the sea with all of the features they have. You’ll find adult relaxation areas for you to take a breather, while there are many children’s entertainment areas and water sports for the kids to expend their energy. Plus, if you can get a great deal on the cruise, it’s cost effective too! Many cruises offer meals all inclusive, accommodation, and entertainment for less than £100 per person per day. Here are some top tips on finding the best cruise offers for your family - you’ll be glad you did!

Book Now and Plan Your Trip in Advance

This month is the month when cruise companies like www.cruise1st.com.au offer some of the most competitive deals. Look for the perfect deal for your family now and book as early as possible in order to get a great deal. Some cruise lines even offer more early saver discounts to reward you if you book early! By booking months ahead of travelling, you can rest assured knowing that you’ve got the absolute best deal. 

Families often need a specific date, especially if they have work and school commitments. It’s definitely better to book early and secure these dates to make sure you can go on the trip of a lifetime. 

If you’re worried about staying in separate cabins or the cabin being too small for your family, some cruise ships offer something called quad cabins that can comfortably fit more than 2 people. These upgraded cabins and suites often fill up quickly, so it’s best to book early so you can get the most suitable cabin for your family. Families that have small children will probably want to avoid booking a balcony cabin for peace of mind and safety reasons. Adjoining inside or oceanview cabins are probably your best bet. You could possibly even get a better deal when booking an adjoining cabin rather than a suite.

In the past, people used to book their cruises 3-4 months in advance. Now people are booking 5 months in advance or sooner. You shouldn’t leave it later than this, especially if you’re looking to book in a high demand period like summer or the school holidays. It depends on where you’re planning to go, too. People taking a cruise around the Caribbean might book their holiday sooner, as there is less planning involved. People who cruise to Alaska usually book about 6-7 months in advance. Use your common sense when booking a cruise. Are you picky when looking for a holiday? If so, that means you should start looking and booking sooner. Do you have special requests when it comes to your cabin? Do you need multiple cabins close to one another? If so, the only way to get it just the way you want it is to book early. 

Plenty of reasons for you to book your trip well in advance!

Look For Features that Appeal to Your Interests

A lot of major cruise companies are drawing in potential customers by adding something called ‘value-adds’ to their seasonal deals. Onboard credits are a good value add on because you can use those however you like - on a shore excursion for you and the kids, spa treatments for mom, or beers for dad. You could even use onboard credits to pick up souvenirs from the gift shop! If a deal offers a value-add like onboard credits, you might want to snap this up ASAP in order to enjoy the great extras. 

Other features to look for that will save you money include unlimited drinks packages, and unlimited pop packages for the kids. This is massive value when you consider just how much you could end up spending on beverages for the family every day - this could exceed £50 per day for a family of 4! 

Some cruises even offer promotions where kids sail for free, so keep an eye out for those.

Deals often change week on week, so if you start looking early, you can afford to wait a couple of weeks before booking until you find a value add-on that you like the look of. 

See If There are Special Discounts

Many cruise lines will offer discounts for older people, military workers, police officers, and union members. If you fall into one of these categories make sure you tell your cruise agent, and they might just cut you a great deal! 

Look at Airfare

You might find a wonderful deal on the cruise of your dreams, only to realise that the airfare to the port city is extortionate. When you choose a cruise, look for port cities because adding on airfare like this can get very expensive, especially for a large family. However, some cruise agents do offer discounts when adding airfare on to your cruise so make sure you ask if there are any discounts when you call to book your cruise. 

Go For Value Over Price

Rather than booking the cheapest deal you can find, look for value within the deal. If you only pay £40, per person, per day, yes the price is great - but if the cruise doesn’t offer anything within your family’s interests, what’s the point? A bad holiday is a waste of money, regardless of how cheap it was. Consider all of the amenities and make sure the cruise ship offers everything you need as a family. 

You don’t need to spend an absolute fortune to get your family the best cruise deal out there. Look for a great price, paired with amazing amenities, activities, and location in order to get the perfect trip for you. Keep an eye out for value add-ons and special discounts to get an even better deal!

Photo taken from Flickr

RoboWorld #CarnegieScienceCenter

One of the parts  that our children love at Carnegie Science Center was the ROBOWORLD.  The Roboworld let the children learn how robots sense, think, and act as you explore dozens of interactive exhibit stations. 

My  son was fascinated how the  robot can  perfectly shoot Hoops with its basketball-shooting industrial arm. 

On the third   photo, my daughter was chatting  with an intelligent robot in this world-class robotics exhibition.

You can also play hockey and have a chance to beat a robot at air hockey. You can even have your picture taken with C-3PO from Star Wars like this of  Ms. Burrito.

Roboworld is an unprecedented showcase of binary brilliance, powered by The Grable Foundation.

We spent most of our time  on this part because there were so many activities that the kids can do.  Will share some more photos next time.  Thanks for dropping by folks.

Shadow Shots