Spring showers

I think it’s safe to say winter is over in NYC, even though we had the strangest occurrence of snow flurries earlier this week. With the exception of that funky weather, temperatures have steadily been above freezing for a while now. Let’s hope it starts warming up soon!

It’s currently raining so I can’t go out for my Saturday run.. I think it should clear up by tomorrow though, so I’ll be celebrating Easter Sunday morning running along the East River. Doesn’t sound like a bad way to end my holiday weekend.

I haven’t posted in a while but no worries, it’s not like my life’s been crazy lately. Let’s see.. what HAS happened? Friends have visited in the past couple weeks and it was nice to see them. And in preparation for 10k runs around Central Park this summer, I’ve been running outdoors a few times a week. It turns out I like running (as long as it’s outside). I HATE running on the treadmill. I can never stay on it long enough because I get so bored! I don’t run a lot, like 3-4 miles a couple times a week. I take Peanut with me sometimes but it’s hard to maintain a long, non-stop run with him because he likes to pee on everything. It’s easier than I thought to run 3-4 miles, though. I run on the East River running path so I set my distance based on landmarks. I usually run from North Cove in Battery Park City to somewhere in the Lower East Side and back. Okay, hm, I just realized I’m probably running ~5 miles instead, round trip. Hm, not bad!

Check out this view from Battery Park.. what a clear day for a run!! I didn’t go that day because I had ran the day before. Anyway, you can see the Statue of Liberty on the right!

Let’s see.. what else is going on.. Oh, well I’m going to Scotland and London @ the end of this month! I don’t know if I’ve told everybody that. Mommy, Daddy, I’m going to the UK this month. Whoops, sorry I didn’t tell you sooner (or on the phone). I’m going with Rachel!!! We’re going to Edinburgh for a few days and then staying with her cousin in London. Flights were CHEAP. I’m excited. Anyone have any UK tips? Please share!

So the rental market is declining (thank GOD!) and since my roommates and I live in the Wall Street area (a not-so-high-profile area to live in Manhattan) and we don’t want to leave it, we’ve decided to live together another year. We’re not staying in the same apartment, though. For the price we’re paying, we can definitely find a bigger place in the same area. I’m excited! I’m thankful I have great roommates. Here they are with Peanut.. haha, I hope they don’t shoot me for posting this on my blog.. eek!

Peanut is good, by the way. He’s the same crazy little nut. I used to sneak him into my office building (pets aren’t allowed) but I got caught one day by the jerk doorman!! “Excuse me miss.. you can go but your puppy can’t.” WHATEVER! Besides that, he’s doing well. He’s so smart, it amazes me. Oh he’s so cute! I made some space for him on my windowsill so he can stare out the window when we’re home.

What else is new! Oh, I’m YELP ELITE now! So awesome. Yelp, if you’re not familiar, is a social community-driven review site for local doctors, restaurants, bars, etc. Yelp appreciates honest reviews from its users and if a member’s reviews are consistently helpful and entertaining, the member may be awarded elite membership. Yelp elite events are pretty awesome. Free appetizers, booze, etc. The last Yelp event I went to was an off-Broadway show! FREE TICKETS! So awesome!!!! I encourage everybody to become an active Yelp member! www.yelp.com

Anyway, I should go brave the light rain and take Peanut on his morning walk now.

<3

E

Seasons in NYC.. and Britney Spears (!!)

Because of global warming, NYC hasn’t really had REAL seasons. It’s either summer or winter. This transitional phase right now is not spring, it’s like a warmer winter. Does that make sense? I know there’s a difference because I’m not living each day in my Uggs anymore.

Anyway, I saw Britney Spears last night. I went to her concert at the Prudential Center in NJ and, OH MY GOD, she was *AMAZING*!!!!!! Her show was SOOO good, you guys. She was beautiful, too! And YES, she actually DANCED and SANG.. just not the entire show. She sang “Everytime” live. OMG her show was sooooo great!!!!! I bought a tshirt (hahahaha) and some other Britney merchandise.

Not much else is going on over here. I’ve just been working a lot (as per usual). No complaints there. Peanut is well. He’s currently stretching next to me.

Oh, I lost my blackberry. This is the FIRST TIME I’ve lost it. The first blackberry I had was defective, I broke the second one AND it got stolen when I got back from Jamaica and yea.. I left the last one in a cab. This will be my 4th blackberry SINCE JULY 2008. What is going on??!! I know I usually change phones every year but this is getting ridiculous. Good thing I have insurance; replacement fees are $50 versus the $400+ retail price. Unfortunately Asurion has made $100 off me (so far). I need to be more careful with my things!

Anyway, I have to get going.. gotta stop by the farmer’s market in Union Square to pick up some things for dinner tonight. I’m making BBQ RIBS. Holler!

Grocery Shopping in NYC!

Because of the sub-zero temperatures this winter (and the insanely biting windchill), I’ve traded nights out @ bars for nights in cooking dinner and watching movies. So, instead of spending my money on clothes, dining out and many, many cocktails, I’ve been buying quality groceries instead.

I LOVE grocery shopping. HUGE grocery stores are among the handful of things I miss about suburban life. New Yorkers aren’t blessed with Albertson’s and Safeways and Ralph’s around the corner. We have Food Emporium, Gristedes, Morton Williams, Whole Foods, and (one of my recent discoveries) Amish Market, just to name a few. There are also convenient bodegas scattered throughout each neighborhood. But these grocery stores (save Whole Foods) pale in comparison to the ever reliable, incredibly convenient, well-stocked and very LARGE suburban supermarkets. It’s not the same weaving through each aisle here in New York. Regardless, I’ve compiled a short list of tips should you ever find yourself searching for the right groceries in the Big Apple.

1. Typically high quality and expensive products found at Gristedes and Morton Williams are cheaper, YES CHEAPER!, at Whole Foods. There’s this jar of Swiss fruit preserves I really like and it’s usually $6-7 at Gristedes or MW. It’s less than $3 at Whole Foods!!!!

2. Similarly, extra virgin olive oil (of which I go through insane amounts) is much cheaper at Whole Foods.

3. Canned vegetables and legumes are cheaper at Gristedes and MW. It’s even cheaper if you go to Trader Joe’s, if you can withstand that crazy, hectic mob. Frozen vegetables and fruit are also cheapest at TJ’s. BTW, if you don’t know this already, there is only one TJ store in all of Manhattan. That explains the mob.

4. Sure you can go to Associated and buy discount groceries but don’t forget that it’s marked down for a reason! The sell-by dates are usually imminent at Associated, so be sure to use your fresh groceries immediately!

5. The same goes for groceries bought around Chinatown. You’ll find cheap bushels of baby bok choy, garlands of garlic for $1 and exotic assorted Asian vegetables and fruits. But because everything is RIPE, make sure you buy only what you need for that day.

6. The best quality seafood and meat are obviously found at fish and meat markets. The caveat is that the prices reflect the quality and the service, so make sure your wallet is nice and fat. Otherwise, I’d trust the seafood & butcher counters at Whole Foods and the Amish Market. Fresh is best! Sometimes I like to get my fresh seafood from Chinatown. It’s RIDICULOUSLY cheap. I cooked what I needed that night and froze the rest.

7. Farmer’s markets are good for fresh, cheap and great quality produce. Just be sure to carry cash.

8. Fruit from carts and stands around the city, particularly East Village and Union Square, are usually pretty ripe and cheap as well. Sometimes they’ll give you something extra, like a free mango or a couple tangerines along with your original purchase of grapes. Sweet deal.

Anyway, hope this helps.. as if any locals read my blog anyway.

Happy shopping!

<3

E

James Nguyen

October 22, 1984 – February 7, 2009

God.. what can I say? You’re SUCH a sweetheart, one of the funniest guys I know and such a gentleman. Jamer, I miss you. Thank you for everything, seriously. All the memories, the advice, the banter, all the laughs!, all of your tech help, the cookies.. EVERYTHING. You’re such an amazing person.. one of my favorites, hands down. I’ll be home soon.

<3

E

It’s freezing!

Literally! At the moment, it is currently 25 degrees but because of the wind chill, it feels like 19 degrees. Actually, it was much worse earlier this week; at one point, it felt like 6 DEGREES. SIX!!!!!!!!

Acclimating to the winter season has been.. challenging. I’ve been LIVING in my Uggs, which are good for warmth but they have no traction so I slip on icy sidewalks all the time! My closet is now full of long sleeves and cardigan sweaters (love!) and I even bought Peanut some booties. I think Peanut had a smoother transition from fall to winter, actually. I think he LIKES the snow! He ran around in it earlier, it was really cute. I really should videotape him running around with his booties, it’s soooo adorable. He’s so funny!

NYC is really beautiful covered in snow. I reeeeeally need to take some pictures so I can share them on this blog but DUDE, IT’S COLD. I’d much rather stay indoors for the time being.

I can’t believe January’s almost over!!!! Months have been flying by so quickly, it’s ridiculous. Pretty soon it’ll be Spring and I’ll be complaining about my allergies and then the humidity will sink in and I will be complaining of hot flashes. But warmer months = reason to travel!!!! So what’s next for this little traveler? Hm, I’m not too sure yet.. I want to go to the UK for Easter but if that doesn’t work out, I’d like to go to Berlin & Prague. I don’t know if traveling right now is the responsible thing, though. I’m so addicted, it’s disgusting. TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL.

Besides anticipating travel adventures, I have other things to look forward to–I have some friends visiting soon. Good luck, guys, it’ll be cold. I have to remind everyone that you MUST bring a decent overcoat, preferably one that covers your butt. People tend to forget about that! Your butt gets cold, okay!

Hope everyone is doing well on this long weekend.

<3

E

Viva Espana!!

Spain was AMAZING. Barcelona, Zaragoza and Madrid are beautiful cities and I enjoyed every second of it, despite any mishaps that occurred along the way.

First stop: Barcelona (December 25 – 29, 2008)

I arrived before Justin so I was able to explore the city on my own for a couple hours. I’m lucky that I got the last bit of sun before the rain set in!

After settling in (and to ease my travel woes), I decided to lose myself in the city and go barhopping–probably not the best idea for someone who doesn’t speak a lick of Spanish.

Then Justin arrived and we tried to go around the city but everything was starting to close. It was Christmas Day after all and Spaniards also celebrate Boxing Day (which is the 26th).

The morning after, we went to La Sagrada Familia. It’s amazing! The nativity facade is rather intense. The entire temple is scheduled for completion around 2026 & construction started in 1882.

The rain hadn’t stopped so after lunch (tapas, of course!), we siesta’d through the afternoon. We visited the Magic Fountain of Montjuic later that evening before heading out to a couple bars.

Gaudi’s work is all over Barca; Casa Batllo was closeby to our hostel.

We went to La Boqueria for brunch. It’s huge (TWSS!!) and it’s so vibrant! I fell in love with their setup and arrangements.

Next stop was Gaudi’s other beauty–Parc Guell. God, trekking up was such hard work. The street leading to the park’s entrance is incredibly steep and they even have sets of esclators towards the top of the street. This park was BREATHTAKING. I didn’t know anything about it except for the view and the Gaudi houses so I was thrilled when we came across the Roadway in the Park (aka where Melrose & Caridee had their ANTM final competition!!!). And of course we had a quick photoshoot.

We had incredible seafood paella for dinner (thanks J) but um, there was a bit of a misunderstanding on the menu.. I’m afraid something was lost in translation. Kids, please behave while you’re in Spain or you’ll be roasted in your own juices.

And then after manymanymanymany drinks, we made it out to a club. Oh, discotecas. It was PACKED. And Justin, really, thanks for putting up with me and making sure I didn’t run away with some Spanish man. HAHA. What a good friend.

I slept in the next morning but we finally made it out to the Gothic Quarter. It is stunning. UGH, Barcelona is so BEAUTIFUL–even the graffiti is romantic!

We got lost (which I seriously think is the best way to get to know a city) and stumbled upon a few interesting plazas before heading out to the port.

I think we pretty much did everything we could in Barca (excluding the Picasso Museum) so we decided to leave a day early and take a day trip out to Zaragoza. It was the best possible city to visit since it’s between Barcelona & Madrid. We hopped on a bus and approximately 3 hours later, we were left on our own to navigate another Spanish city. This time with less English speakers! It was a real testament to Justin’s HS Spanish (I, of course, was a complete dead-weight but my terrible French came in handy a few times.. kinda, not really).

Second stop: Zaragoza (December 29 – 30, 2008)

Zaragoza was beautiful also. It’s a small city so there weren’t many sights to see but we did see the Basilica de Nuestra Senora and the Mercado Central (which was not as big or vibrant as La Boqueria but it did have suckling pigs).

Best part of Zaragoza was our hotel! It had a bidet!!!!! And amazing views from the window.

Last stop: Madrid (December 30, 2008 – January 1, 2009)

After an unfortunate misstep, we got to Madrid late. We were hosted by the wonderful Peter & Claire, who are studying abroad. Thanks again, guys! Oh and I LOVE MADRID. It has that city feel that I crave; it reminds me of NYC!

The next day was basically MY only full day in Madrid so we did the few touristy things we could–walked through Parc Retiro, visited the Prado Museum and went shopping in Salamanca.

After returning to the apartment (where the 4 of us were stuck in a 3.5 by 3.5 elevator for 30 minutes between the 1st and 2nd floor!!!!), we joined Peter and Claire’s friends to celebrate NYE in Puerta del Sol, which is kind of like Madrid’s version of Times Square. OH MY GOD, it was amazing. The tradition is to eat grapes at midnight, by the way, one for each bell chime (12 total). What an interesting way to bring in the new year. And yes.. we all wore wigs (which we bought in nearby Plaza Mayor).

The wigs were a HIT!

Midnight! Time to eat grapes!

OMG what a great vacation. I think I may have to go back to Madrid because I didn’t get enough time to immerse myself into the city but besides that, it really was FRICKIN AMAZING. I love Spain! It was a great experience. And Justin!!!! Sorry for my work-hard-play-as-hard-as-humanly-possible attitude and thank you for everything!!! Seriously, when you come to NYC, I’ll take care of it all so you can be as crazy as you want. And I owe you some amazing home cooking, right?

Happy 2009 everybody!

<3

E

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a good one!

<3,

E

Quick Update

First off, I’m alive! My blog is not dead! I just don’t have time (or pictures) to post anything!

Secondly, hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! Mine was easy; we ordered from a Thanksgiving to go menu. Easiest Thanksgiving meal ever!

Just a glimpse of the Jamaican pictures to come (hopefully before I come back with pictures from Spain!)–

<3

E

I’m back!

I’m back from Jamaica!! It’s been a crazy week and I don’t have time to post my adventures (or pictures) @ the moment but I assure you that will all happen soon!

Big news: I’m going to Spain for Christmas and NYE!!!!!!!

<3
E

A couple tips!

I’ve had a lot of visitors in recent months and each time someone visits, I have more and more tips to share!

1) Dress COMFORTABLY. I know it’s Manhattan and there is pressure to look effortlessly fashionable and chic but DUDE, you walk everywhere in the city!!! Think twice about bringing those new boots! I’d suggest bringing your most comfortable pair of sneakers. And if you’re hard-headed (ladies, this means you and your cute heels!), either keep some band-aids in your purse for those blisters or invest in some Dr. Scholl’s pads.

2) Learn how to hail a cab! Not all cabs are available for service. Make sure you spot the cabs in which the identification number on the hood is lit, and ONLY the identification number! If the ID is not lit, then it is occupied; if the entire thing is lit, including the words OFF-DUTY, then there ya go! Cabbie’s on a break!

3) Familiarize yourself with the subway system. Not only are there different lines, there are different trains! Make sure you know the express trains (i.e., the NQ on the NQRW line) from the local trains and all the stops. Note: the metrocard also works for the bus!

4) Carry the necessary seasonal items with you. For spring/summer, it’s always good to have a bottle of water. In the fall/winter, bring a scarf!

5) Walk efficiently and don’t hog the sidewalk! I HATE when tourists do this! YES, I know, oo look, high rise building. PLEASE MOVE! Nothing irks me more than a group of tourists walking side-by-side.

6) Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. New Yorkers are helpful and friendly!

7) If you’re on a budget, do not be surprised if your hotel room is roughly the same size as the master bathroom at your house. Spacious housing is generally difficult to come by unless you’re a $money-maker$!

That’s it for now! Hey, it’s my birthday tomorrow, yay!

<3

E