Whoops, there was a SERIOUS absence on my part there. I'm back! I will...probably blog more!
The biggest, most possibly life-changing event that has happened in my life lately has been yet another move. I moved for the third time in maybe 13 months, and this time it was a big deal. I moved in with my boyfriend. I spent a heck of a lot of time and thought and angst, condensed into about a week to make the decision, before I made the move. I'm glad I did.
There are tons of things I could say about the whole shebang, but one thing keeps coming to mind...I live in suburbia now! I have not lived in anything resembling a suburb since I was four, and even then it was more of a small-town neighborhood. Where I live now isn't hard-core suburbia for sure, no housing developments named after trees with cul-de-sacs and dead ends and new trees, but the BF still calls it "lovelyland."
And, despite my usual antipathy towards suburbia, I really like where I live! There is one serious reason: I am close to EVERYTHING. Specifically, a Target, a Joanne's Fabrics, two grocery stores, and a good pizza place. I can walk to church if the urge strikes me, even if the walk is long. I'm pretty close to the smaller mall in the area, which has a movie theater. I could use a closer ice cream shop, but this whole region seems to be bad at ice cream shops. I think it's the winters.
Overall, the move was a really good idea.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Food in NYC
Food is often my favorite thing to pursue no matter where I go, and it might have been the highlight of my trip to NYC (other than being with the BF and hanging with my friends). Overall, I had some pretty enjoyable food, so I thought I might share what and where I ate. Unfortunately, I suck at pics, and have...none.
John's Pizzeria, Times Square: reasonably priced and very tasty brick-oven pizza in what I think used to be a church. Somehow, they made plain cheese pizza taste complex and interesting.
Haakon's Hall, Morningside Heights: The owner and chef showed up at the door, recognized my friend, and kind of talked us into coming in (he was also very friendly). I had a "Grace's Fallen Souffle" which I think was really a flourless chocolate cake, and was delicous whatever it was. Cute little restaurant, reasonable prices, nice atmosphere.
Mysterious pizza-by-the-slice place in the financial district, gotten on the go with the BF, not really worth talking about.
Magnolia Bakery: As previously noted, overcrowded, full of tourists, overpriced. I might have bought other things if I could have gotten to the counter, but it was so packed I just grabbed some cupcakes from the self-serve area. They definitely were tasty, especially the light buttercream, but I hope the ones kept behind glass are moister - these ones were a little dry.
Mi Floridita, Broadway and 125th: According to online reviews this is supposed to be Cuban, but it calls itself a tapas bar and the food I had there I could have ordered in Spain (it would have been better in Spain, but it's been a while since I had anything close). My fried calamari was especially good, and overall it was great to eat things I had been missing. Sadly, the Flamenco dancers the signs promised never showed up.
Cafe Frida: My girlfriends and I tried to go to the Shake Skack for lunch, but it was packed and we ended up next door instead - luckily! This was an adorable little Mexican place, reasonably priced (except the $11 guacamole) and the food was quite tasty. The service was also very good. I had a quesadilla with chorizo, though I kept enviously eying my friend's omlette (they were still serving brunch).
Shake Shack: After Cafe Frida we headed over for ice cream, and I nearly died of pleasure while eating a "concrete" (flurry) with hot fudge and chocolate truffle cookie dough.
The Hungarian Pastry Shop: I bought the best cream puff of my life here, and also something tasty called a pyramid cake. And something tall and chocolatey and kinda mousse-like, and also tasty. Overall, it's a good thing I don't live nearby or I would be bankrupt and obese.
Lyla's Cafe, Morningside Heights: Little French-American cafe - very cute. I had a "croque madam" which had a sunny-side-up egg on top of a ham sandwich. Since I love eggs, that is a great idea, but the sandwich under it was mediocre. I STILL regret not getting the crepes.
Tom's Restaurant: Famous for being the outside view of the Seinfield diner. I was pretty underimpressed. My pancakes tasted like meat, my bacon was undercooked, and the waitress kept grumping at us in what might have been Yiddish (though I'm not sure I've ever heard Yiddish...she would throw in just enough English that we could get the general idea).
John's Pizzeria, Times Square: reasonably priced and very tasty brick-oven pizza in what I think used to be a church. Somehow, they made plain cheese pizza taste complex and interesting.
Haakon's Hall, Morningside Heights: The owner and chef showed up at the door, recognized my friend, and kind of talked us into coming in (he was also very friendly). I had a "Grace's Fallen Souffle" which I think was really a flourless chocolate cake, and was delicous whatever it was. Cute little restaurant, reasonable prices, nice atmosphere.
Mysterious pizza-by-the-slice place in the financial district, gotten on the go with the BF, not really worth talking about.
Magnolia Bakery: As previously noted, overcrowded, full of tourists, overpriced. I might have bought other things if I could have gotten to the counter, but it was so packed I just grabbed some cupcakes from the self-serve area. They definitely were tasty, especially the light buttercream, but I hope the ones kept behind glass are moister - these ones were a little dry.
Mi Floridita, Broadway and 125th: According to online reviews this is supposed to be Cuban, but it calls itself a tapas bar and the food I had there I could have ordered in Spain (it would have been better in Spain, but it's been a while since I had anything close). My fried calamari was especially good, and overall it was great to eat things I had been missing. Sadly, the Flamenco dancers the signs promised never showed up.
Cafe Frida: My girlfriends and I tried to go to the Shake Skack for lunch, but it was packed and we ended up next door instead - luckily! This was an adorable little Mexican place, reasonably priced (except the $11 guacamole) and the food was quite tasty. The service was also very good. I had a quesadilla with chorizo, though I kept enviously eying my friend's omlette (they were still serving brunch).
Shake Shack: After Cafe Frida we headed over for ice cream, and I nearly died of pleasure while eating a "concrete" (flurry) with hot fudge and chocolate truffle cookie dough.
The Hungarian Pastry Shop: I bought the best cream puff of my life here, and also something tasty called a pyramid cake. And something tall and chocolatey and kinda mousse-like, and also tasty. Overall, it's a good thing I don't live nearby or I would be bankrupt and obese.
Lyla's Cafe, Morningside Heights: Little French-American cafe - very cute. I had a "croque madam" which had a sunny-side-up egg on top of a ham sandwich. Since I love eggs, that is a great idea, but the sandwich under it was mediocre. I STILL regret not getting the crepes.
Tom's Restaurant: Famous for being the outside view of the Seinfield diner. I was pretty underimpressed. My pancakes tasted like meat, my bacon was undercooked, and the waitress kept grumping at us in what might have been Yiddish (though I'm not sure I've ever heard Yiddish...she would throw in just enough English that we could get the general idea).
NYC
Last weekend the BF and I took a semi-spontaneous trip to visit his brother and two of my former roommates in NYC. Overall, the trip was very good, despite exhaustion, heat, and a 12 hour head cold we both contracted. A list of what we saw:
1. Central park, by bike: hella lot more crowded than I had imagined, though I don't really know why I didn't expect that. Good idea though, to have a park in the middle of a big city like that.
2. Times Square: definitely overrated, and flashy, though I was tired and hungry at this point and might have been less inclined to appreciate things. Lots of tourists.
3. Columbia University: Kind of seen by default, since his brother works there and lives right by it. Exactly what you would expect an Ivy League in a city to look like.
4. Statue of Liberty: Seen from afar, smaller than expected, but still striking. It was neat to think how it's been such a symbol to immigrants.
5. Ellis Island: Interesting, even though we did all the exhibits backwards (accidentally). I was seriously distracted by preservation and display issues in the exhibits, because I am a nerd and just took a preservation class.
6. Financial district: I think the BF was disappointed that we couldn't actually see much, due to security. We almost got in trouble for taking pictures of the Fed. There is a picture somewhere of me grabbing the bull....by the balls.
7. Ground Zero/site of the World Trade Towers: We didn't linger, and I didn't want to. Big construction area.
8. St. Paul's Church: across from Ground Zero. Somehow we missed George Washington's pew. Cool old cemetery.
9. Other Episcopalian church in the financial district whose name I cannot currently remember: pretty!
10. Magnolia Bakery: after I led the BF on a death march to get there. Overcrowded, full of tourists, tiny, overpriced. But tasty!
11. Lots of subway: The BF and I got pretty good at navigating the subway system. This might have been the easiest city to navigate I have ever been in.
12. Metropolitan Museum of Art: Big! I would have liked to spend a lot more time there. I don't think I appreciated anything as much as I would have if I had more time to explore it, relaxed. Also, the Francis Bacon exhibit is NOT about the Sir Francis Bacon, and scared my pants off.
13. Grant's Tomb: because it was so close to the BF's brother's apartment. If I lived in that neighborhood I think I would have picnics there.
14. Cathedral of St. John the Divine: I just love cathedrals. This was nice, though Episcopalians seem prone to mumbling in services. Ok, this one was beautiful.
Next up: the food!
1. Central park, by bike: hella lot more crowded than I had imagined, though I don't really know why I didn't expect that. Good idea though, to have a park in the middle of a big city like that.
2. Times Square: definitely overrated, and flashy, though I was tired and hungry at this point and might have been less inclined to appreciate things. Lots of tourists.
3. Columbia University: Kind of seen by default, since his brother works there and lives right by it. Exactly what you would expect an Ivy League in a city to look like.
4. Statue of Liberty: Seen from afar, smaller than expected, but still striking. It was neat to think how it's been such a symbol to immigrants.
5. Ellis Island: Interesting, even though we did all the exhibits backwards (accidentally). I was seriously distracted by preservation and display issues in the exhibits, because I am a nerd and just took a preservation class.
6. Financial district: I think the BF was disappointed that we couldn't actually see much, due to security. We almost got in trouble for taking pictures of the Fed. There is a picture somewhere of me grabbing the bull....by the balls.
7. Ground Zero/site of the World Trade Towers: We didn't linger, and I didn't want to. Big construction area.
8. St. Paul's Church: across from Ground Zero. Somehow we missed George Washington's pew. Cool old cemetery.
9. Other Episcopalian church in the financial district whose name I cannot currently remember: pretty!
10. Magnolia Bakery: after I led the BF on a death march to get there. Overcrowded, full of tourists, tiny, overpriced. But tasty!
11. Lots of subway: The BF and I got pretty good at navigating the subway system. This might have been the easiest city to navigate I have ever been in.
12. Metropolitan Museum of Art: Big! I would have liked to spend a lot more time there. I don't think I appreciated anything as much as I would have if I had more time to explore it, relaxed. Also, the Francis Bacon exhibit is NOT about the Sir Francis Bacon, and scared my pants off.
13. Grant's Tomb: because it was so close to the BF's brother's apartment. If I lived in that neighborhood I think I would have picnics there.
14. Cathedral of St. John the Divine: I just love cathedrals. This was nice, though Episcopalians seem prone to mumbling in services. Ok, this one was beautiful.
Next up: the food!
Cake!
I am finally getting around to posting the picture of my final cake for the Wilton level 2 class. I have to say, I LOVED this class. I'm going to seriously miss not having my weekly cake time. If I can, I'm going to take level 3 in December, so stay tuned for more cakes!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
There's an alien playing drums in my skull
It must be related to the weather or something, but for the last two weeks or so, I have been in a state of nearly-constant migraine. I think I'm slowly losing my mind. I can handle the pain, usually, until it gets to the point when I can't do work anymore, and then I just get frustrated. I don't really have any reason to blog this, other than the fact that I want to gripe. Auuuughhhhhh.
Sadness
One of the low points of ALA that I didn't mention in the post below happened Sunday evening. My father called me to tell me my grandmother, his mother, had passed away. It wasn't a surprise, since she had been very sick for over a year and had been in hospice for a few weeks, but it was still upsetting. She was a wonderful, brilliant woman, and I didn't realize how much I appreciated and admired her until she was gone. I often hope I will be like her when I'm older.
As my mom pointed out, not only have we lost an amazing woman, it's also the end of an era. She was definitely the catalyst and focus of the family on my dad's side. Christmas will be especially hard - I'm sure we'll all get together like we always do, but it will still be because of her. Just this time, it will be because she's gone, not because she's there.
I've found myself trying to not think about her, and maybe not about death in general. I'm not sure what's making me so uncomfortable, but it's been more difficult than I thought it would be, considering that we all expected it. I suppose I might just be mourning.
As my mom pointed out, not only have we lost an amazing woman, it's also the end of an era. She was definitely the catalyst and focus of the family on my dad's side. Christmas will be especially hard - I'm sure we'll all get together like we always do, but it will still be because of her. Just this time, it will be because she's gone, not because she's there.
I've found myself trying to not think about her, and maybe not about death in general. I'm not sure what's making me so uncomfortable, but it's been more difficult than I thought it would be, considering that we all expected it. I suppose I might just be mourning.
ALA
I know, I know, I'm a terrible blogger. I've been meaning to write about a few things, I just haven't gotten around to it.
First: ALA. For my non-librarian readers, that's the American Library Association. I went to their annual conference in Chicago this year, for my first ALA conference. I was paid for by my employer at the university, so I had to work at our booth in the exhibition hall and attend a meeting for work. I still had the chance to attend sessions and see the other exhibits. So, here are some thoughts, highlights, and lowlights of the weekend:
First: ALA. For my non-librarian readers, that's the American Library Association. I went to their annual conference in Chicago this year, for my first ALA conference. I was paid for by my employer at the university, so I had to work at our booth in the exhibition hall and attend a meeting for work. I still had the chance to attend sessions and see the other exhibits. So, here are some thoughts, highlights, and lowlights of the weekend:
- NEIL GAIMAN. Clearly, a highlight. Mr. Gaiman was at the conference, signing books and speaking at a session. I missed the first signing and was in a meeting for the second signing, but I managed to get to his panel session about censorship and comics. He was everything you would expect, rougish and British and disheveled and very smart. Then, I discovered that a very good friend had waited in line for THREE HOURS and got me a signed copy of The Graveyard Book. Mr. Gaiman doodled a little gravestone with my name on it, and I continue to be thrilled.
- But, that brings up something I would definitely tell other new attendees: plan everything. I missed things because I didn't know they were happening. Sure, I looked at the schedules and picked out things I wanted to go to, but I definitely didn't do all my homework on the conference, and I think I could have enjoyed things more if I were better prepared. ALA can be very overwhelming, and it's easy to miss things.
- The exhibit hall can be interesting, but is definitely less useful for students. We can't buy things, and the vendors aren't usually too interested in trying to give us their pitches. There was also a definite tension between vendors and librarians, and it was usually very obvious if a person was one or the other.
- Chicago - I really like Chicago, and I wish I had the chance to see more of it. I was usually incredibly exhausted and busy by the time I was done, and I know I enjoyed the restaurants and the sights less than I would have otherwise. But, I did eat some interesting places, so here's the rundown: Lou Manati's: Deep dish pizza, definitely disappointing, despite being recommended to us. Chicago Diner: vegetarian, and thus I'm not really qualified to judge. I'm sure it's good if you like that type of thing. Bin 36: We just had appetizers here, but they have some seriously tasty cheeses. La Madia: Stone-fired pizza, absolutely delicious. I was in bliss. Giordano's: Chicago stuffed pizza: also very, very tasty, though really filling!
- Other high points: hanging with my lovely friend G on our last night in Chicago, eating pizza, shopping at Lush, drinking champagne in the Hancock Building, mint-hot-fudge sundae at the Ghiradelli shop.
- Low points: being exhausted, being overwhelmed by people and social events, missing my awesome boyfriend an unexpectedly huge amount.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)