Take A Photo With Elvis In Las Vegas

 Taking a picture with Elvis in front of the Vegas sign

So when you think of Vegas what do you think of?  I'm pretty sure Elvis is near the top of the list!  Before actually visiting Las Vegas, I always had an image in my head that Vegas was like the movie Honeymoon in Vegas, and that Elvis impersonators just come flying out of the sky every night.  Unfortunately Elvis does not fly, and he is not parading around every street corner.   I wouldn't be surprised if those newly legalized drinkers visiting Las Vegas for the first time don't even know who Elvis is!  Heck...I was at a wine bar a few weeks ago and a Rolling Stones song came on and I squealed with excitement, and in true CeCe fashion I started rocking out.  Meanwhile two of my friends are looking at me oddly and say, "Who the hell is this?"  I scream while jumping up and down, "It's THE ROLLING STONES!  How do you not know them!" SAD FACE! Anyways...I digress, basically if they started playing Elvis in a Las Vegas night club many club go-ers may stop and wonder who was blasting through the speakers.  My last two Vegas visits I have seen more impersonators of the guys from "The Hangover" than Elvis.  Times are-a-changin' folks.

So while visiting the iconic Las Vegas sign I saw an Elvis impersonator helping take pictures of a wedding party.  I got extremely excited and whispered to a friend that we just NEEDED to take a picture with him!  We asked him if he could be in a group picture with us since our friend was in Vegas for her (surprise) Bachelorette Party.  He of course said yes!  After he took the pictures he walked over to the side and started smoking.  Oh Elvis!  Well we couldn't stop there, the sole purpose of a Bachelorette party is embarrassing the future bride!  So we asked Elvis if he could sing for our friend, and again he willingly did so.  Vocally he was nothing like the real Elvis, but we'll take what we can get!  Viva Las Vegas!

Date Accomplished:  December 5th, 2009

See Cirque Du Soleil In Las Vegas

The Cirque Du Soleil "Star" in Toronto, Canada!  I spotted it while walking their "Walk of Fame."  Cirque Du Soleil started in Canada.

Show One:  My first Cirque Du Soleil show didn't actually happen in Vegas, but I couldn't give up the opportunity to see a show called Kooza.  It was a traveling Cirque Du Soleil show that was making a stop in San Diego.  One of my friends got an amazing discount so a few of us decided to go.  I think tickets were only $30, and their really wasn't a bad seat in the house.

The preshow was already entertaining, and I loved how they kept the audience participation at a high.  It was pretty amazing, and despite the name I actually didn't think it would be so circus'y (yeah my friends and I created that word after watching it).   The dancing was mediocre, but the acts were unbelievable.  The poor souls sitting in front of me were probably sick of me saying, "Oh my god...this is crazy." I just couldn't believe that humans were capable of doing the things they did!   I am convinced that the people that created Cirque Du Soleil were high on drugs and very bohemian! 

Show Two:  Fast forward a few months later.  I was planning my big weekend birthday getaway in Las Vegas and made a list of all the things I hadn't done my other 10+ visits (which amazingly was a lot....but then again Las Vegas is always popping up with new hotels and things to do).  Well...obviously watching a Cirque Du Soleil show appeared nearly at the top of the list.  My friend visiting from Australia was up to going as well, so then during the Summer I decided to search for a show.  That probably was the most difficult part since Las Vegas has so many to choose from!  It all ended up to price point, I was on a budget, my friend was on a budget, and luckily as I was searching for shows I came across a deal to see Mystère for $50!  Unreal!  Most of the other shows were easily over $100! 

 The Entrance to Mystère

So we lined up, and the line was well out into the casino, but as soon as they started letting people in the line went fairly fast.  Just like the first show I saw they had people entertaining the audience before the show.  The set looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint as to why it did!  Again, just like the first show I was in utter awe of the talent that I witnessed.  Heck, I can't even master getting out of a bus without spraining it, and here I see people climbing poles with ease, bending body parts in ways I didn't know they ever could, and people twirling in the air as if they had wings and could fly. 

 After the show

The show was completely worth it, and I can't wait to see more Cirque Du Soleil shows during future Las Vegas visits.  I desperately want to see The Beatles one, and I hear a Michael Jackson one is making its way around the country.

Fast forward again a few weeks later, and I am sitting at home watching Knocked Up for the fifth time.  It gets to the scene when they are in Vegas and high on drugs watching Cirque Du Soleil.  I'm sitting there thinking, "Wait a minute....I remember that character...wait a minute....that's Mystère!"  Yep...I just made a reference to "Knocked Up." 

Date Partially Accomplished: March 12th, 2010
Date Accomplished:  October 24th, 2010

Have A Frrrozen Hot Chocolate At Serendipity

I loved the movie Serendipity.

After watching the movie I knew I had to visit the restaurant, and it may or may not be because I was hoping to have a dessert date with John Cusack.

As I was searching for things to do in Las Vegas in December, I surprisingly discovered that a Serendipity opened up near Caesar's Palace.

"OH MAHHH GOSH!  We have to go!"  I told my friends.

Because my friends love me, they willingly agreed. Perhaps it wasn't quite ice cream weather outside, but who am I kidding?  It's ALWAYS ice cream weather.

Also how cute are the pink Christmas Trees lining the perimeter?  Sold, sold, sold.  I'm going in!  Oh my, the color pink threw up inside too.  They sure do love pink.

While waiting for our seats we were handed menus.  Serendipity not only offers their famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolates (in various flavors), they also offer food like burgers and sandwiches. 

Burgers, Shmurgers...... I came for the frrrozen hot chocolate! A drinkable, yet edible delectable dessert. 

I apologize greatly if my facial expression completely turns you off from this drink.  I probably had brain freeze.  Two straws are the biggest risk factor for brain freeze!

I loved it so much that I came back less than a year later (coincidentally wearing the same scarf), but this time trying an Oreo flavored frrrozen hot chocolate.  How lovely that the Serendipity movie poster is behind us?

Obviously, I haven't visited the NYC location....but one day I hope to visit the original.

Date Accomplished:  December 6th, 2009

Take A Photo With The Las Vegas Sign

Las Vegas is a mecca of bright neon lights and everything flashy, so it's only fitting to be welcomed into the city by a sign that represents everything about Las Vegas (okay maybe not EVERYTHING).

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign was created in 1959 and is located in the south end of the Las Vegas strip. 

After over a dozen visits to Vegas, I finally was able to visit the FABULOUS sign.   It was more easily acheivable for many visitors to take a photo with the sign after an adjoining parking lot was built south of the sign in 2008.

The photo above is during my SECOND visit to the sign with my cousin.  We both laughed when we saw each other that day after coincidentally matching our outfits.

Date Accomplished:  December 5th, 2009

Go Out In Public In My Pajamas

So I used to be one of those people that would get so dressed up just to do something simple like going to the bank (I think that was the LA influence in me).   I've always been a bit self conscious, but my old roommate was one of those, "Who cares what people think!" kinda personalities.   So while we were in Las Vegas we decided we wanted to do some shopping.  We were staying at the Monte Carlo in the middle of December, and were absolutely too hungover to change out of our pajamas.


My friend says, "Let's go out in our pajamas!"  I say, "But I have penguin pajamas on!  Everyone will definitely be staring at me, not you!"  Well she finally convinced me to do it, and we headed downstairs to the shops at Monte Carlo.  After a few glaring stares, it phased me, "Who really cares?  It's not like I'm ever going to see these people again?!?"  So I kind of just let all my insecurities aside and had fun with the fact I was shopping in Vegas with my pajamas on!  We were in one store and I started dancing and singing in the store, hence the photos above.  I'm kinda looking forward to my next pajama-rama adventure.

Date Accomplished: December 6th, 2009

Smoke A Cigar

I'm not a smoker, but I have always wanted to smoke a cigar during a special occasion just like they  do in movies.

I wasn't planning on trying to blow smoke rings, or look cool doing it.  I hardly think anyone's first time smoking could ever look cool.   It looks more like people are suffering from an infectious deadly cough.

During our first day in Hawaii we had walked by a few cigar shops.  Both my friends are also non-smokers, but we toyed with the idea of getting a pack to celebrate our time in Hawaii.

Everyday after that we walked by more cigar shops, always mentioning how we wanted to try smoking a cigar.

On our last full day in Hawaii we walked towards Waikiki Beach.  We passed by another cigar shop, this time we stopped in front of the door and my friend said, "Okay, it's our last day here, should we finally buy a pack?"  I said, "Let's do it!"  We bought a pack, walked to the beach and found a table overlooking the ocean to smoke our first cigars.

We reminisced about the fabulous trip we just had, and we didn't hack a lung while doing it.  I didn't smoke my entire cigar, but I was surprised that I only had one small coughing spell.  I guess I may have looked cooler than I initially thought!

A few months later while in Las Vegas my friend bought a pack of chocolate flavored cigars.  After an evening of drinking we sat in front of a bar and I smoked my first flavored cigar!  I enjoyed it a lot more than the one in Hawaii.  It must have been the "chocolate."

I have no intention of making smoking cigars a habit, but I wouldn't mind doing it again when it seems appropriate, like when traveling in Cuba!

Date Accomplished:  April 25th, 2006