Random Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts I've meant to post, with none being substantial enough for its own post:

1) I am STILL sick. For those of you counting, I got sick the weekend before Halloween. It's all related to my sinuses, allergies, and a wonderful asthmatic cough that has developed. And let's not forget the antibiotics that destroyed my stomach as well as my sense of taste and smell. At one point I was on seven medications.

2) My newest favorite snack and/or meal: Greek yogurt with honey. I can't even begin to tell you how delicious this is. You can buy the pack with the honey on the side, but I just buy the huge tub of Greek yogurt (fage brand is my favorite) and add honey on my own. The whole milk yogurt is so creamy but fattening, so I go with the 2%. Don't try the fat free - it is too tart and thin. The greek yogurt is a little more like sour cream, so much better than the Dannon-type yogurts!

3) I am in dire need of a new computer, ready to chuck this one out the window. I have to suffer though until I have the funds. On the horizon: a MacBook. I cannot wait!

4) What ever happened to the Christmas Season lasting until the Epiphany? I'm so frustrated: they put Christmas stuff out by the end of October, and by 8pm on Dec. 25 there is an abrupt end to everything! Why not start the Christmas season later (i.e. after Thanksgiving like it's supposed to be), and then gradually fade out of it after 12/25 so that by January 6 it's all finished?

Merry Christmas

Wishing Everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Wintry Mix

In the past few years, it seems more and more that the metro area is getting hit with what is known generically as a "wintry mix." What is a wintry mix, you ask? Basically, it is a fancy way for the weather people to say, "you might get some rain, some sleet, some ice, maybe snow. Have fun on the roads." What strikes me most of all though is the relative frequency of these mixes. By far, these 'wintry mixes' are outnumbering good old-fashioned snow storms, and seem to be so recent an occurrence that we're puzzled by them. When we're little, we learn that it's sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy out. Within the first few weeks of learning a foreign language, you learn how to say "it's raining" and "it's snowing (il pleut; il neige). You don't learn how to say: we will be in the midst of an ice storm.

I grew up in the 1980's - that legendary decade that besides for terrible fashion and music sense, gave New York a series of mild winters. I rarely had snow days; snow was not a regular form of weather until the early 90's. Back in the early 2000's, I remember being hit with nice, big blizzards of SNOW. Now, for the past two or three years, it is just ice storm after ice storm after ice storm. It hurts and scratches my face - you can't even remotely spend time outside like you could if big soft flakes of snow are swirling around you. It's much worse on the roads than snow. It doesn't make anything look pretty. And the worst, we don't get snow days!

Review: Cafe Cluny

In a city full of different characters, with different interests, tastes, budgets, etc., it can be tricky sometimes finding a dining locale that seems to be just the niche you're looking for. Some restaurants cater to a 'younger' (read: immature) crowd, others to a loud crowd, others to sloppy, casual beings, and still many others are filled with pretentious, snobby people. So imagine my enthusiasm when I stepped into Cafe Cluny and realized that I was amongst normal people just like me. People who put care into what they look like, but in a down-to-earth sort of way, people who are not obnoxious (something very important in Manhattan restaurants where you're crammed into a very small space with your fellow diners...). Just a nice change. A likely explanation is the restaurant's location: nestled in the sideways streets of the West Village, amidst cobble-stone streets, brick-faced buildings, and tree-lined streets.

The service was great; the waiter offered recommendations and was extremely attentive (he even came around regularly to pick up my empty sugar packets!). We were not rushed and allowed to sit back and savor our coffees long after our brunch was eaten. And of course, the food was very good too. Granted, we weren't exactly adventuresome, settling on a cross between a blt and an egg sandwich. But the egg was fluffy, the tastes melded together well, the toast was toasted to perfection. And the fries were delicious! I would definitely recommend Cafe Cluny for brunch.

A Milestone

In about 15 minutes, I will be celebrating my last birthday in my 20's. Technically, I have almost 24 hours until I am 29, being born at 11:17 pm. Nevertheless, ahead of me I have only 366 days (thanks to '08 being a leap year) to answer "how old are you?" questions with the word "twenty---". No worries, I'm not entering some third-life crisis. It's actually the opposite: each year I find more happiness and confidence within myself, and I am certain that the years ahead will continue to get better and better. Looking back, I have very few and very minor regrets. And hey, the 40's are the new 30's and the 30's are the new 20's so I've got nothing to worry about! It's just strange to be edging out of my identity as a twenty-something year old and preparing for the thirty-something years. On this milestone, it seems appropriate for me to share the wise words of Bob Dylan - the very song that my Uncle Gerry would be quoting from if he was still here to guide me through my milestones:

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Today, we had our first snowfall of the season. Along with it came the inconveniences: icy roads, rescheduling plans, bringing out the snow boots. But of course, along with it also came the beauty of snow-covered trees and houses. There was a break in the snow, and I headed out with my camera to get some shots. Some of my favorites were seeing the colors of late summer and fall (flowers still in bloom, foliage) covered in snow. I hope you enjoy!