Coming to work today, it started snowing! Ok, so they were teeny flakes and the didn't stick, and you only knew it was snowing because the drops sort of fluttered down making a sinusoidal curve - moving with the wind instead of just straight down. But snow! Sorta fun! And it's cold, but not too cold today. There are a lot more leaves down now by work - more bare trees. And on the way up colors aren't bright red and yellow anymore - now more rusty and darker. But still pretty :-). Ah, fall.
Check out my LONG post below about the weekend...
P.S. Why is it that I'm addicted to all things bad for me? Everything baked really - breads, cookies, muffins, sweets - carbohydrates basically :-).
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Holly and I are moving to South Africa together and opening a Cupcake shop
I had a FABULOUS weekend! Did you expect me to say that? :-). I was really due for a great weekend. Seriously. Friday was sorta a darker day for me, but Saturday and Sunday - Jenn was BACK! I'm so thankful. Saturday I left my house and didn't return for 15 hours! And this despite the frigid cold this weekend. Sunday I had some great times in the city too, although not for as many hours :-).
So - I left you Friday at the coffee shop. I don't know why Fridays aren't so good for me. I think it's just been tough here at my 3rd place - after the move. Home isn't really homey and work is work, so I don't look forward to much besides mealtimes. But anyway - I went to a show lined up for me by nice people - yay a NY in! I really wasn't much up for it by myself, but I went - walked almost 2 miles down there. Club called Knitting Factory. Unforuntately I missed the first bit of Ingrid Michaelson, but I really enjoyed her show! She was quiet - most songs was just her singing simple emotional songs with a guitar. She also played keyboard, so she won me over :-). And she had a band - the were with her some of the time. And she was funny - just talked to the audience a bunch too. Fun. So I was allowed to stay for the 2nd show later that night, so in the mean time I went to a Korean restaurant around the corner that was recommended. Holy cow! Korean food's awesome. This place was awesome. I had some really tasty ginger tea - with real ginger. I had a dish that was very tasty - don't know the Korean name (4 3-letter words), but it was sort of a stir-fried squid and vegie dish with a red chili (hot - made my nose run) sauce. Some thin noodles on the side. So yummy. And kimchee on the side - fermented cabbage with some hotness. I forgot to mention earlier, but one day in Union Square I was given a book of Korean fairy tales, and in there there was a fairytale that explained how kimchee came about :-). I indulged and got green tea ice cream too, for dessert :-). Highlight of the night. Then went back for the 2nd show, although had to stand for an hour waiting which was annoying. But heard an "instrumental metal" band called Grail. Very interesting. The drummer/guitar guy was hot. They had 3 guitars and drums, and some synthesizer thing that reverberates song for 2 minutes after it actually hits the microphone. Loud stuff, but good beat. People head-banded a bit. No words. Interesting stuff. Enjoyable. What struck me was the 180 from the 1st show. The headlining band didn't go on until 12:30 and I listened to a song (similar to Grail's sound), and left. Tired. It was so frigid, but the subway wasn't stopping when I tried to go down there, so I walked back for 30 minutes. My legs were numb I swear. So, I can't do less than 40 it turns out :-).
Slept in Saturday, but during my night out Friday, got a call from Holly that said she was coming into the city for the day Saturday! So awesome! Holly is my childhood friend from Salt Lake. We basically were raised together. Her Mom - Morrena - basically helped raised me when I was young - she had my bro and I while Mom worked. I had a lot of fun at their house, and they are awesome people. Funny memories - sledding down the stairs on sleeping bags, and us jumping off the washing machine into piles of clothes (where Holly knocked out her 2 front teeth). Yeah - childhood :-). So I was so excited when she said she was coming in - she's now nannying in Connecticut. So she called when she got in, and woke me up :-). But I went to meet them. Her and her friend were doing a food tour of the city. How could I not join? They wanted to try a bunch of places that they'd heard were fabulous and different. First I'll tell you where we went, then impressions :-). So I met them first at "Rice to Riches" - an awesome rice pudding place. It was like ice cream - they had 25 flavors and toppings and all. And they were very creamy and tasty. I got egg nog :-). But they had rocky road, pumpkin, cheesecake, french toast, caramel, chocolate chip, you name it! Rich and tasty. And they had really funny signs around like "Eat as much as you want, you are already fat!". Cracked me up. They even mail-order rice pudding. Then we stopped by Dean and Deluca - specialty grocery shop. Very cool place! Along the way we got Holly a hat, scarf, and gloves at booths on the street - she was cold :-). I got some neat hugging people salt shakers on the street too :-). Then we headed to Katz's Deli which I've wanted to try. It was really crowded but we managed to get a table and order pastrami and corned beef sandwiches and fries and rootbeer. Pretty tasty, although the meat was a bit fatty. At this point Holly's other nanny friend also joined us. Then we all went to Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop together. Besides Starbucks - I might've been to that place the most of any other in the city! 2 of the girls got hot chocolate, and Holly and I shared 2 desserts which was too much. We got hazelnut cream crepes, and chocolate pizza with peanut butter and marshmellows :-). Holy cow sugar rush. But so tasty.
So impressions. It was so fun! So good to hang out with girls and just gab. And Holly and I haven't met for like 7 years, and haven't really been in touch much since I moved away from Salt Lake 16 years ago :-). But we totally hit it off! Had so much to talk about and got along so well. She's such an awesome person - she inspires me. And she totally reminds me of her Mom - with some of her facial expressions and laugh. She said I remind her of my Mom too :-). And I have the same voice as I did in kindergarten - how funny! How people are ingrained on your memory. So she nannys and does cooking - wants to go to culinary school. She told me even when we were young, she was the right brained person and I was the left (good at Math), and nothing's changed. Why is it that everyone remembered my past better than I do? But that's awesome still. So we caught each other up. We talked about boys - about being "menaces" for not being married already. Pressure is worse on her because she's Mormon. But still. We agreed we have days where there is so much we want to do and see and travel everywhere and we aren't ready to settle down yet; then there are days where it'd be nice to have a husband and think about kids. Shared experience! So fun to relate and just talk about life and not have to eat alone! I just can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits. And it was crazy to hear about the nanny life which is totally different than mine. Taking care of other's people kids sounds tough. Although Holly has it pretty good - free room and board, free food, free Lexus to drive, free trips over holidays to London, Costa Rica, Italy. :-). But you are at the whim of the parents. How different than my life. I tried to explain my life - I hope they got it. They did like that my field is FULL of men, although I tried to explain that too :-). Funny. And Holly and I reminisced about Salt Lake. How long has it been since I've done THAT?! I miss people I can reminisce with - especially that far back! And we totally bonded over travel! Oh we love it. Hence the title. Holly's lived in South Africa and volunteered with orphans there, and has a ton of friends and even people she calls family there. So she wants to go back and live there (sometimes), and heck, I wouldn't mind either! Sounds like a beautiful place, even if people say it's dangerous. More adventure! And the cupcake shop is Holly wanting to do something culinary and work for herself, so I told her how hot cupcakes are, and that's going to be her new business :-). I'll help - and sell coffee there too :-). MMmm coffee. Anyway, it was a fabulous day of a lot of good food. I have pictures - I'll have to deal with them soon :-). But awesome day! We capped it off with some shopping at a funky store, and then parting. I was sad to see them go!
So I was up for more adventure after that, so I took a subway to Columbus Circle because they had a neat light show thing in Time Warner Shopping Center Building. Lit up stars that change color to music. Beautiful! I took some pictures of that too :-). And enjoyed an eggnog latte. Hung out until I met friend Mo who wanted to grab a late dinner. So we ended up at Jules Bistro that has live Jazz and French food. The live Jazz was awesome, except it didn't last long. The food was hit or miss. Mo got a good wine, and we had an awesome cheese plate with 3 cheeses. Wish I could remember the ones that weren't brie. Mo got grilled calamari and hated it, but it wasn't fried and it was chewy. They were out of the scallops which we both wanted. So I got veal and Mo got a white fish. The veal was chewy and the fish was not flavorful, but I got a side dish of gorgonzola gnocchi which was very awesome! So yeah... But nice to be out with a friend again, just hanging. Mo keeps telling me he'll miss me. It's sad - I can't wait to go home, but I'm really going to miss here too. This city has some awesome things that I've gotten used to. I love that it's a late night city and people are young and out all the time. I love walking everywhere, I love the neighborhood's personality changes. So many neat things. And I feel I know the city now - have walked everywhere, and taken almost every subway :-). Fun times. So I finally treated myself to a cab home because I was sick of being cold :-).
Sunday! I think my endorphines were high from yesterday. Got up late, but got going right away. Did a Pilates 52 minute workout at home because 41 degrees and rainy isn't really exercise-enticing. Then showered, and went out for brunch - at like 2:30pm :-). Went to the West Village to a place called Cornelius Street Cafe which my carpool guy recommended. Got the brunch combo - yum. Coffee, blueberry lemon muffin, a mimosa, and an omelette with red peppers, onion, mushrooms, and cheese. Love brunch! Although I realize I never get pancakes or french toast - things like that - because I can make them at home. Note to self - when I get back to Austin, make these things for myself! So I wandering walking for awhile and shopped! Holly had inspired me - I bought a neat funky winter hat for myself - sort of crocheted with various greens and it has a small bill. Cute :-). Picked up some gifts for people for Christmas - think I really scored. Got a New York hoodie for myself which I had been wanting. Hope the brown one is ok, and wish the arms were a bit longer, but it's all good. I made a deal with the Indian shopkeeper becasue I was in there for so long :-). So I wandered down Bleecker and found cool shops. I like the little shops and street fairs better than the big expensive stores people shop at along 5th Ave or Broadway. That's just me. Think I got everyone's Christmas pretty much figured out. Awesome :-). And had fun shopping. Broadway is a great street for funky shopping. Then I crossed over for a second to Little Italy and got a cannoli treat :-). Had been wanting to do that. Found myself a neat Empire State keychain. Geez do they sell so much touristy stuff! It's insane. So basically walked around forever. Hate t hat it gets dark so early! Finally ended up back at Union Square after 7pm. I'd been wanting to try this beer at a local brewery that I'd seen advertised - Smiling Pumpkin Ale at Heartland Brewery. So that was my last stop - and they were out of the beer! What? I was sad. But it's me, so I called and found another of their locations that had it :-). So after heating up leftovers on the stove (I'm getting good at that) and eating a quick dinner of Korean food and garlic knots, I headed out to Empire State Building area for beer :-). It was a great atmosphere - I actually stayed there for an hour and a half watching New England play Buffalo on TV. Yay TV! Pumpkin Ale was good - pretty mild on the pumpkin. Then I tried another one - Bavarian Black Lager which was caramely and awesome :-). Chatted with this guy at the bar next to me from Pittsburgh who loved the Steelers. Apparently they were beaten by the Jets today which was amazing. It was nice and relaxing. I didn't want to leave! But the Patriots were just bowling over Buffalo who was sucking... Anyway - so my internet connection at home dropped - can't find my usual one and all the others suck. I hate this! So I brought my computer and went to a Starbucks to do internet-stuff for awhile. Love that that is just easy :-). And Starbucks is still packed at midnight in Union Square :-). So although today was too short, I had a great day :-). Now I'm getting antsy about doing everything before I leave - one more weekend! I found out there will be a Christmas Market in Union Square starting next week!
So, that was my fabulous weekend and now I need to go to bed! Happy Thanksgiving week!
So - I left you Friday at the coffee shop. I don't know why Fridays aren't so good for me. I think it's just been tough here at my 3rd place - after the move. Home isn't really homey and work is work, so I don't look forward to much besides mealtimes. But anyway - I went to a show lined up for me by nice people - yay a NY in! I really wasn't much up for it by myself, but I went - walked almost 2 miles down there. Club called Knitting Factory. Unforuntately I missed the first bit of Ingrid Michaelson, but I really enjoyed her show! She was quiet - most songs was just her singing simple emotional songs with a guitar. She also played keyboard, so she won me over :-). And she had a band - the were with her some of the time. And she was funny - just talked to the audience a bunch too. Fun. So I was allowed to stay for the 2nd show later that night, so in the mean time I went to a Korean restaurant around the corner that was recommended. Holy cow! Korean food's awesome. This place was awesome. I had some really tasty ginger tea - with real ginger. I had a dish that was very tasty - don't know the Korean name (4 3-letter words), but it was sort of a stir-fried squid and vegie dish with a red chili (hot - made my nose run) sauce. Some thin noodles on the side. So yummy. And kimchee on the side - fermented cabbage with some hotness. I forgot to mention earlier, but one day in Union Square I was given a book of Korean fairy tales, and in there there was a fairytale that explained how kimchee came about :-). I indulged and got green tea ice cream too, for dessert :-). Highlight of the night. Then went back for the 2nd show, although had to stand for an hour waiting which was annoying. But heard an "instrumental metal" band called Grail. Very interesting. The drummer/guitar guy was hot. They had 3 guitars and drums, and some synthesizer thing that reverberates song for 2 minutes after it actually hits the microphone. Loud stuff, but good beat. People head-banded a bit. No words. Interesting stuff. Enjoyable. What struck me was the 180 from the 1st show. The headlining band didn't go on until 12:30 and I listened to a song (similar to Grail's sound), and left. Tired. It was so frigid, but the subway wasn't stopping when I tried to go down there, so I walked back for 30 minutes. My legs were numb I swear. So, I can't do less than 40 it turns out :-).
Slept in Saturday, but during my night out Friday, got a call from Holly that said she was coming into the city for the day Saturday! So awesome! Holly is my childhood friend from Salt Lake. We basically were raised together. Her Mom - Morrena - basically helped raised me when I was young - she had my bro and I while Mom worked. I had a lot of fun at their house, and they are awesome people. Funny memories - sledding down the stairs on sleeping bags, and us jumping off the washing machine into piles of clothes (where Holly knocked out her 2 front teeth). Yeah - childhood :-). So I was so excited when she said she was coming in - she's now nannying in Connecticut. So she called when she got in, and woke me up :-). But I went to meet them. Her and her friend were doing a food tour of the city. How could I not join? They wanted to try a bunch of places that they'd heard were fabulous and different. First I'll tell you where we went, then impressions :-). So I met them first at "Rice to Riches" - an awesome rice pudding place. It was like ice cream - they had 25 flavors and toppings and all. And they were very creamy and tasty. I got egg nog :-). But they had rocky road, pumpkin, cheesecake, french toast, caramel, chocolate chip, you name it! Rich and tasty. And they had really funny signs around like "Eat as much as you want, you are already fat!". Cracked me up. They even mail-order rice pudding. Then we stopped by Dean and Deluca - specialty grocery shop. Very cool place! Along the way we got Holly a hat, scarf, and gloves at booths on the street - she was cold :-). I got some neat hugging people salt shakers on the street too :-). Then we headed to Katz's Deli which I've wanted to try. It was really crowded but we managed to get a table and order pastrami and corned beef sandwiches and fries and rootbeer. Pretty tasty, although the meat was a bit fatty. At this point Holly's other nanny friend also joined us. Then we all went to Max Brenner's Chocolate Shop together. Besides Starbucks - I might've been to that place the most of any other in the city! 2 of the girls got hot chocolate, and Holly and I shared 2 desserts which was too much. We got hazelnut cream crepes, and chocolate pizza with peanut butter and marshmellows :-). Holy cow sugar rush. But so tasty.
So impressions. It was so fun! So good to hang out with girls and just gab. And Holly and I haven't met for like 7 years, and haven't really been in touch much since I moved away from Salt Lake 16 years ago :-). But we totally hit it off! Had so much to talk about and got along so well. She's such an awesome person - she inspires me. And she totally reminds me of her Mom - with some of her facial expressions and laugh. She said I remind her of my Mom too :-). And I have the same voice as I did in kindergarten - how funny! How people are ingrained on your memory. So she nannys and does cooking - wants to go to culinary school. She told me even when we were young, she was the right brained person and I was the left (good at Math), and nothing's changed. Why is it that everyone remembered my past better than I do? But that's awesome still. So we caught each other up. We talked about boys - about being "menaces" for not being married already. Pressure is worse on her because she's Mormon. But still. We agreed we have days where there is so much we want to do and see and travel everywhere and we aren't ready to settle down yet; then there are days where it'd be nice to have a husband and think about kids. Shared experience! So fun to relate and just talk about life and not have to eat alone! I just can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits. And it was crazy to hear about the nanny life which is totally different than mine. Taking care of other's people kids sounds tough. Although Holly has it pretty good - free room and board, free food, free Lexus to drive, free trips over holidays to London, Costa Rica, Italy. :-). But you are at the whim of the parents. How different than my life. I tried to explain my life - I hope they got it. They did like that my field is FULL of men, although I tried to explain that too :-). Funny. And Holly and I reminisced about Salt Lake. How long has it been since I've done THAT?! I miss people I can reminisce with - especially that far back! And we totally bonded over travel! Oh we love it. Hence the title. Holly's lived in South Africa and volunteered with orphans there, and has a ton of friends and even people she calls family there. So she wants to go back and live there (sometimes), and heck, I wouldn't mind either! Sounds like a beautiful place, even if people say it's dangerous. More adventure! And the cupcake shop is Holly wanting to do something culinary and work for herself, so I told her how hot cupcakes are, and that's going to be her new business :-). I'll help - and sell coffee there too :-). MMmm coffee. Anyway, it was a fabulous day of a lot of good food. I have pictures - I'll have to deal with them soon :-). But awesome day! We capped it off with some shopping at a funky store, and then parting. I was sad to see them go!
So I was up for more adventure after that, so I took a subway to Columbus Circle because they had a neat light show thing in Time Warner Shopping Center Building. Lit up stars that change color to music. Beautiful! I took some pictures of that too :-). And enjoyed an eggnog latte. Hung out until I met friend Mo who wanted to grab a late dinner. So we ended up at Jules Bistro that has live Jazz and French food. The live Jazz was awesome, except it didn't last long. The food was hit or miss. Mo got a good wine, and we had an awesome cheese plate with 3 cheeses. Wish I could remember the ones that weren't brie. Mo got grilled calamari and hated it, but it wasn't fried and it was chewy. They were out of the scallops which we both wanted. So I got veal and Mo got a white fish. The veal was chewy and the fish was not flavorful, but I got a side dish of gorgonzola gnocchi which was very awesome! So yeah... But nice to be out with a friend again, just hanging. Mo keeps telling me he'll miss me. It's sad - I can't wait to go home, but I'm really going to miss here too. This city has some awesome things that I've gotten used to. I love that it's a late night city and people are young and out all the time. I love walking everywhere, I love the neighborhood's personality changes. So many neat things. And I feel I know the city now - have walked everywhere, and taken almost every subway :-). Fun times. So I finally treated myself to a cab home because I was sick of being cold :-).
Sunday! I think my endorphines were high from yesterday. Got up late, but got going right away. Did a Pilates 52 minute workout at home because 41 degrees and rainy isn't really exercise-enticing. Then showered, and went out for brunch - at like 2:30pm :-). Went to the West Village to a place called Cornelius Street Cafe which my carpool guy recommended. Got the brunch combo - yum. Coffee, blueberry lemon muffin, a mimosa, and an omelette with red peppers, onion, mushrooms, and cheese. Love brunch! Although I realize I never get pancakes or french toast - things like that - because I can make them at home. Note to self - when I get back to Austin, make these things for myself! So I wandering walking for awhile and shopped! Holly had inspired me - I bought a neat funky winter hat for myself - sort of crocheted with various greens and it has a small bill. Cute :-). Picked up some gifts for people for Christmas - think I really scored. Got a New York hoodie for myself which I had been wanting. Hope the brown one is ok, and wish the arms were a bit longer, but it's all good. I made a deal with the Indian shopkeeper becasue I was in there for so long :-). So I wandered down Bleecker and found cool shops. I like the little shops and street fairs better than the big expensive stores people shop at along 5th Ave or Broadway. That's just me. Think I got everyone's Christmas pretty much figured out. Awesome :-). And had fun shopping. Broadway is a great street for funky shopping. Then I crossed over for a second to Little Italy and got a cannoli treat :-). Had been wanting to do that. Found myself a neat Empire State keychain. Geez do they sell so much touristy stuff! It's insane. So basically walked around forever. Hate t hat it gets dark so early! Finally ended up back at Union Square after 7pm. I'd been wanting to try this beer at a local brewery that I'd seen advertised - Smiling Pumpkin Ale at Heartland Brewery. So that was my last stop - and they were out of the beer! What? I was sad. But it's me, so I called and found another of their locations that had it :-). So after heating up leftovers on the stove (I'm getting good at that) and eating a quick dinner of Korean food and garlic knots, I headed out to Empire State Building area for beer :-). It was a great atmosphere - I actually stayed there for an hour and a half watching New England play Buffalo on TV. Yay TV! Pumpkin Ale was good - pretty mild on the pumpkin. Then I tried another one - Bavarian Black Lager which was caramely and awesome :-). Chatted with this guy at the bar next to me from Pittsburgh who loved the Steelers. Apparently they were beaten by the Jets today which was amazing. It was nice and relaxing. I didn't want to leave! But the Patriots were just bowling over Buffalo who was sucking... Anyway - so my internet connection at home dropped - can't find my usual one and all the others suck. I hate this! So I brought my computer and went to a Starbucks to do internet-stuff for awhile. Love that that is just easy :-). And Starbucks is still packed at midnight in Union Square :-). So although today was too short, I had a great day :-). Now I'm getting antsy about doing everything before I leave - one more weekend! I found out there will be a Christmas Market in Union Square starting next week!
So, that was my fabulous weekend and now I need to go to bed! Happy Thanksgiving week!
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