The last week in August, Dennis and I decided to take the week off and have a STAYCATION. We mapped out what we wanted to do and followed through with all of it without a hitch.
Monday - Unfortunately, Dennis had to work. Boo! So I slaved over a hot stove during the day cooking him dinner - shrimp cocktail and bacon wrapped scallops as an appetizer, shrimp fra diavolo over whole wheat pasta served with garlic bread and a spinach salad, with vanilla ice cream with berries for dessert. It was an overwhelming success! We topped off the night by staying in and watching a movie.
Tuesday - TKTS line at the South Street Seaport to wait for American Idiot tickets, lunch at a fancy taco stand in SOHO, dinner at Mermaid Oyster Bar in the West Village, and then American Idiot on broadway - it was really great. I would highly recommend it to any Green Day fans.
Wednesday - Dennis came to Bikram Yoga with me (more will be posted about my hot yoga adventures in a later blog). It took us a few hours to recover aka shower, eat, rest, and cool off. Then we stayed in and watched a movie on this rainy day. Once the weather cleared, we headed out to an outstanding southern restaurant in midtown.
Thursday - Went to the Met to check out some art work and spent an extra long time at the Musical Instrument section looking at the evolution of the French horn. Checked out the Big Bambu exhibit on the roof - 45 feet above the roof of the Met, we walked through a sculpture of ocean waves made entirely from bamboo and nylon ropes. Enjoyed some lemonade on the roof deck and took in the view. Headed to Union Square for marshmallow milkshakes and burgers at The Stand. Spent time in the Union Square Park. Took the Staten Island Ferry to a minor league baseball game and lucked out with a double hitter(SUPER FUN and SUPER CHEAP = win!).
Friday - Brunch on the Upper East Side then Pizza for dinner in Little Italy followed by a viewing of The Godfather II on a school rooftop (we brought our own canollis and a bottle of wine).
Saturday - Tour of the Brooklyn Brewery followed by an entire day of drinking and Scategories. Called it an early night with some Pinkberry and a lovely evening walk on the Upper East Side.
Sunday - A quick and uneventful trip to the ER where I was checked in and released in 2 hours (a table got dropped on my foot at the Brooklyn Brewery - and I had to make sure nothing was broken before I iced/taped up my toes and loaded up on Advil). Made breakfast together and congratulated ourselves on a successful fun-filled Staycation :)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of...
This morning I walked out of my apartment to a line of trailers, a full lighting crew, and racks of (probably really expensive) clothing and accessories all along 72nd Street. My street. A bit annoyed, i headed to the bus stop to wait for the crosstown bus.
Upon arriving to work, trucks, party vans, and a huge red carpet filled 65th Street. Right in front of my office. I scoffed and quickly walked into Juilliard.
As I sat at my desk to start the day, I wondered how many New Yorkers walk by movie sets, TV shows that are filming on the streets of the city, red carpet events, etc. and just pass them by. In our bubbles, on our way to wherever we're in a hurry to go, we just miss these interesting happenings. We don't think about the dreams that are coming true just feet away from us.
Have I become a jaded New Yorker? Am I just busy and can't be bothered? Am I immune to the glitter and smoke of the industry?
I think it's that I've become a true New Yorker - used to amazing things happening all over the place. Dreams come true every day. And while I might stop by a red carpet event to peer at the stars or take an extra long time waiting for a light to change to watch a movie being filled, I will try my hardest not to look like a cheesy tourist. Not to get sucked into the crush of people milling around the streets. I wouldn't want to give myself away.
Upon arriving to work, trucks, party vans, and a huge red carpet filled 65th Street. Right in front of my office. I scoffed and quickly walked into Juilliard.
As I sat at my desk to start the day, I wondered how many New Yorkers walk by movie sets, TV shows that are filming on the streets of the city, red carpet events, etc. and just pass them by. In our bubbles, on our way to wherever we're in a hurry to go, we just miss these interesting happenings. We don't think about the dreams that are coming true just feet away from us.
Have I become a jaded New Yorker? Am I just busy and can't be bothered? Am I immune to the glitter and smoke of the industry?
I think it's that I've become a true New Yorker - used to amazing things happening all over the place. Dreams come true every day. And while I might stop by a red carpet event to peer at the stars or take an extra long time waiting for a light to change to watch a movie being filled, I will try my hardest not to look like a cheesy tourist. Not to get sucked into the crush of people milling around the streets. I wouldn't want to give myself away.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Just Dance
August - I learned how to Belly Dance!
After seeing a belly dancer shimmy around the restaurant on Andrea's birthday, we were inspired to try our hand at belly dancing.
We signed up to take a class and off we went. Me, Andrea, and Melissa (Andrea's roommate), met in Columbus Circle and headed up to Serena's Studios. It was a strange space with an eccentric woman sitting at the front desk. Middle-aged, crazy hair, too much make-up, the body of a former dancer - she was exactly the type of person I expected to see. She took our $12 fee and we headed into the studio.
The class demographic was mixed. There were a few trained dancers, a sprinkling of 30 somethings, 1 or 2 heavy weights, but most of the class were in shape 20 somethings looking for a new, fun workout. We took off our shoes and warmed up.
Our instructor had long hair, a flat stomach, and a great attitude - very funny. She was a great instructor. The class could keep up with her and she made us feel like the room was a safe space - This was a good thing since I felt quite foolish learning some of the moves! Some of the moves we learned - snake arms, the belly roll, chest pushes, and hip swivels. Obviously, these are not the actual names of the moves but you get the idea.
Melissa was struggling at first but did a great job of keeping up - she had not taken dance before so I'm sure it was a bit of a challenge. Me and Andrea managed to hold our own. The three of us will definitely take another stab at belly dancing. It was a lot of fun and a great work out! (Plus our goal is to work our way up to the intermediate class where they show us how to use hand cymbals!).
After seeing a belly dancer shimmy around the restaurant on Andrea's birthday, we were inspired to try our hand at belly dancing.
We signed up to take a class and off we went. Me, Andrea, and Melissa (Andrea's roommate), met in Columbus Circle and headed up to Serena's Studios. It was a strange space with an eccentric woman sitting at the front desk. Middle-aged, crazy hair, too much make-up, the body of a former dancer - she was exactly the type of person I expected to see. She took our $12 fee and we headed into the studio.
The class demographic was mixed. There were a few trained dancers, a sprinkling of 30 somethings, 1 or 2 heavy weights, but most of the class were in shape 20 somethings looking for a new, fun workout. We took off our shoes and warmed up.
Our instructor had long hair, a flat stomach, and a great attitude - very funny. She was a great instructor. The class could keep up with her and she made us feel like the room was a safe space - This was a good thing since I felt quite foolish learning some of the moves! Some of the moves we learned - snake arms, the belly roll, chest pushes, and hip swivels. Obviously, these are not the actual names of the moves but you get the idea.
Melissa was struggling at first but did a great job of keeping up - she had not taken dance before so I'm sure it was a bit of a challenge. Me and Andrea managed to hold our own. The three of us will definitely take another stab at belly dancing. It was a lot of fun and a great work out! (Plus our goal is to work our way up to the intermediate class where they show us how to use hand cymbals!).
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