chapter five

Where doth the time goeth?

2007-11-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a really long, long, loooong time since I've posted anything on my blog. My apologies to all of my readers (hi mom). So now it is turkey season and they've started to play Christmas songs already (seriously cut it out) and I haven't posted anything since July. What the hell happened to me? Well, let me think. I get really lazy and I'm not really good about making journals. All of the diaries that I've every had (maybe 2 in my life time) have only max 3 entries in them. And that was during my glorious teenage years so it's mostly teenage dribble about how horrible life is, people I loathed, etc....typical right?

So what have I been up to you ask? Oh boy I've been up to a lot. Let me recap:

JUNE:

I was part of Kimmy's bridal shower where Sam helped me make a really cute movie from all of her photos (circa 1980-present)
Celebrated Sam's birthday at Ninja New York restaurant where we were served by
clowns......j/k we were served by ninjas man!
Participated in Freehold, NJ Relay for Life to support Dave and his family.
Went to Will and Lindsay's wedding to see them get married at the Cloisters (lovely)

JULY:

Spent the fourth with Theresa and Joseph, ate their yummy food, and watched the New Pornographers in the rain. I got a kick ass tshirt :)
Sam got to go on a bachelor weekend w/Jason and Dave and go canoing and camping at Harper's Ferry....I wasn't allowed, even though I am closer friends w/Jason and Dave. It was always me, Sam. Don't you forget it you friend snatcher.
Walked around Edgewater Park and got to see the underside of the George Washington Bridge. Pretty nifty.

AUGUST:

Went to see Erasure...yeah I said Erasure....at McCarren Park Pool. Really cool venue in an old, huge pool.
Went to the ballfields at Red Hook in Brooklyn for some really yummy Latino food and check out the waterfront. Cool warehouse buildings!
Took part in Kim and Jason's wedding (my fourth tour of duty) which was nothing but beautiful.
Helped my friend from work, Anna, move into her new place and ate at Song

SEPTEMBER:

Holy moly....I went to my 10 year high school reunion. WHY? I touched base with one friend from school and a lot of people didn't show up so maybe next time I don't show up either! Not that I particularly even remotely enjoyed a minute of high school at all. Thanks for making my life miserable guys!
Studio 1 bbq at my boss's farm in upstate New York. Cute farm.
Went to a string of bbqs.
Took part in planning the 6th floor party at my office. Pretty cool...red lights, black curtains, and awesome food....we had a whole roasted pig! Yummy.

OCTOBER:

VACATION YEAH! Spent a week in Vancouver, Mt. Rainier National Park, Portland, and Seattle. Witnessed my friend Shannon get married to her moon god, Philippe. Ha, had to put that one in, since his parents were hippies.
Halloween + Geraldine's birthday. I was a TGI Friday's waitress but some stupid people didn't seem to understand. People....

NOVEMBER:

So far, I went to Wisconsin for this hotel project that I've been working on. Two have been built in Green Bay and Appleton (middle of nowhere) and they're really nice. Got to go to the Milwaukee Art Museum by Calatrava. Oh wow, breathtaking it is!

I went to Disneyworld!

2007-06-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've been quite a bit behind with my posts, so here are a few (late) photos of my trip to Disneyworld with Sam and his friends, Justin and Kate. Justin and Kate had a timeshare down in sunny Orlando and they were looking for places to have their wedding (Tampa 2008) so they invited us to join them. I haven't been back to Disney since I was a kid in elementary school and it was me, my cousin Jiyoung, my mom, my aunt from Japan and her youngest daughter. It's gotten a lot bigger since then.

We went for four days about a month ago. Here are some highlights:

First day (and only day) at Epcot Center.

Is that somewhere in Mexico? That temple sure looks small. No....that's just the Mexican pavilion in Epcot. I got some awesome Day of the Dead figurines. It's funny that these were the only countries exhibited in the "World Showcase":

Mexico
Norway
China
Germany
Italy
American Adventure
Japan
Morocco
France
United Kingdom
Canada

An entire exhibit in the Japanese pavilion about these cool old tin robot toys. Sam was like a kid in a candy store. They were pretty neato (sorry Rachel Ray moment).

Here we are at the Seas (it's like a mini aquarium). Next we rode the Seas with Nemo & Friends and rode a "clamobile" through elaborate sets and screens to help Nemo's friends find Nemo.

End of day 1. We had dinner at Friday's because we were starving and didn't want to look around too long. It's your typical Friday's, but they had an awesome balloon sculptor come around the tables. From left to right: a silver chopper, red teddy bear, yellow monkey, and a blue kitten. End of day one

Day 2.....MAGIC KINGDOM! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was ridiculously crowded and all of the baby strollers created so much traffic. Some of the kids sleeping on the Disney strollers were all sprawled out in weird ways that the parents looked like they were carting around dead carcasses. It makes sense though. Who wants to carry their kids around all day long in 90 degree heat? Not I.

We got to speed around a track with cars that couldn't get off a track. It was still fun. Although somebody kept tailgating me and tried to bump me from behind! Sam!

The updated Pirates of the Carribean ride. More PC and now with new animatronic Johnny Depp. He looked and moved very realistically, more so than the older robots. After seeing the movie you can definately see scenes taken from the ride. After every ride you're always dumped into the ride's giftshop. I wonder if you can buy the Johnny Depp robot? what?

Day 3 at Universal Studio. We only had time to do one and not the other half of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure. That one had more thrill rides but this one was still pretty fun. It had all of the 3D movies, and rides that made you feel like you were in the movies. I recommend Shrek 4D, that was funny. Don't ride Jimmy Neutron, that made me a bit queasy.

I couldn't believe that they shut down the Back to the Future ride and were replacing it with something else! They still kept the Delorean out front, but now it's out of place sitting by its lonesome self. *sniff*

Me about to be chomped on by Jaws. Do I look like chum? After we took pictures we rode the ride which was a bit cheezy, but still it was fun. I found it fascinated when stuff got blown up and destroyed, after our boat passed the set, stuff would just jump back into position for the next boat. I liked that part the best.

The best ride of Universal Studios had to be Revenge of the Mummy! It was an enclosed roller coaster but there was a lot of variety in the ride. They had an amazing sequence where the ceiling lit up on fire and the effect was unbelievably cool. And then there were parts where you were speeding along a track in the dark. If I remember correctly your car also turned sideways and went backwards. It was too short of a ride, but if there are no rides I'd recommend riding this one several times!

Ah, the Mummy giftshop. Ridiculous? Or regal?

I thought this was a funny scene so I had to take the picture. That's Kate and future hubby, Justin. We decided to rest on this fake grass amphitheater at Citywalk which is like the entertainment hub at Universal Studios. It has a bunch of restaurants, stores, and the parks surrounding this artificial waterway where guests from certain resorts can take ferries straight to Citywalk. After this we headed to Emeril's restaurant. It was pricey and the food was good, but it could have been better for that price.

I wanna leave Bennigan's

2007-06-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

This has got to be the funniest thing I've seen lately. If you've always wanted to know what Eddie Vedder is singing, click on play! Here are the actual lyrics

Coney Island and alumni weekend

2007-05-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

Sam and I went to Coney Island several weeks ago to see his creative director, Fred (aka The Great Fredini), swallow swords at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow for Alumni Weekend. It was actually a pretty fun day and it was warm and sunny. I've been a bit behind in downloading all of my photos, not to mention that my USB ports are busted and I don't want to bother getting my cheapo computer fixed (probably a new motherboard).

Anyway, It was a pretty short ride to the Coney Island stop from my apartment and as we exited the station there was this cool mural across the street.

We stopped by Nathan's for lunch, but neither of us bothered to get a hot dog....instead, I got chicken strips and Sam got deep fried ocean platter.

Here's Tyler Fire (fire eater), Thrill Kill Jill (contortionist/sexpot), and Eak the Geek (tattoo man) persuading us to see the Sideshows by the Seashore. This is where we saw The Great Fredini swallow swords, as well as a guy eating lightbulbs, one of the original Oompa Loompas (Jimmy), and the rest of the alumns.

Ahhh....the Wonder Wheel. We rode the non-swinging car since I just wanted a peaceful relaxing ride. We got some views of the beach and surrounding neighborhood...the beach looked ok (i don't know if i'd swim in the water) and the area was very...GRITTY. It had it's charm though....I am a bit of a fan of crumbling brick facades, old warehouse buildings, factory machinery, and general urban decay. I guess I feel uncomfortable when all of my surroundings are so damn new. Must be why I love mountains since they've been around forever. But I digress...

The last ride of the day, the Cyclone, or ye olde rickety wooden roller coaster from ancient antiquity. So it's not that ancient and it's not a ride for your gramma either. It wasn't necessarily that the ride itself was scary...ok maybe it was a bit scary. But I think it was more fear of death by flying off the tracks during the tight sudden turns. And damn does that thing shake! It was fun and I survived....but barely. I got a huge bruise on my forearm from the lap bar.

All in all I had a fun time. I never got the chance to get my cotton candy, but there's always next time. Unless the next time I go it looks like this! Yowza....wtf? It's so commercializeds...and feels like Times Square or Vegas like the author mentions. I don't see why revitalizing Coney Island entails completely changing the character of it. Why does everything that's new have to be so damn neat and tidy? What's with the high rises too? And there's EEK again.....they keep popping up everywhere! Honestly, I'm still glad that I didn't accept a job there.

R-chitecture Rocks!....more like raps

2007-05-17T19:54:00.001-07:00

Here's a great clip of my favorite kid show 321 Contact...next to Mr. Wizard. This one features R-chitecture!

You = my happiness....I = yo mama

2007-04-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I've actually done this birthday thing for myself. It's scary how right these silly zodiac/numerology things can be....but it's so funny when it's really off too.

Your Birthdate: January 24

You understand people well and are a natural born therapist.
A peacemaker, people always seem to get along when you are around.
You tend to be a father or mother figure to friends, even to those older than you.
You enjoy your role, and you find that you are close to many people.

Your strength: Your devotion

Your weakness: Reliance on others for happiness

Your power color: Lilac

Your power symbol: Heart

Your power month: June

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Amazing Stevie Wonder drum solo

2007-04-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

Stevie Wonder at his most awesome! I can't embed the actual video but check it out on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCZv7786KY

The Shins at MSG

2007-03-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, March 14th, the Shins played their biggest live show at Madison Square Garden and they were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! The songs were performed really well, the background visuals and light fit the mood of each song perfectly, and I got to share this wonderful experience with Sam. So you can say it was a pretty perfect evening....except that I couldn't get a tshirt or vinyl because I didn't have any cash. Well at least I have the memories...and photos :)

Here's the set list from the night thanks to Yo55arian's blog site:

Sleeping Lessons (extended)
Australia
Pam Berry
Phantom Limb
Kissing the Lipless
Mine’s not a High Horse
Girl Inform Me
Girl on a Wing (acoustic style)
New Slang
Saint Simon
Girl Sailor
Turn on a Square
Gone for Good (unfortunately not acoustic!)
A Comet Appears
Know Your Onion
Turn on Me
Caring is Creepy

Encore
Pressed in a Book
Someone I Care About (a cover of a Modern Lovers song)
So Says I

Opening band...Viva Voce. The female guitarist was pretty bad ass and quite versatile with the four or five different guitars she switched around.

At last, the Shins! Loved the graphic and lighting....and especially loved James Mercer's shirt and tie. He means business :)

da Shins...

Hopefully I'll be posting some short video clips from the concert.

I like you for your personality

2007-03-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

Take this personality test....are you a new wave puritan too??

My personality:

mood - sofisticat
fun - conqueror
habits - new wave puritan
love - love bug

Sunset Park

2007-03-18T18:04:00.000-07:00

So, finally I have finished painting my apartment and putting shelves and pictures up. It's a little 2 bedroom apartment in Sunset Park at the corner of 41st Street and 5th Avenue which is at the corner of the park that gives the neighborhood it's name. The park slopes up and at the top of the hill you are standing at the highest point in all of Brooklyn. You can actually see over the building to lower Manhattan and even the Statue of Liberty...look carefully.

I have a roommate, Meg, who happens to be a friend of Sam's from SVA. She just got starter fish for her tank in our living room and we're hoping to have a housewarming pretty soon. It's cozy and soon I'll be posting pictures whenever I clean up my room and take them! My parents are visiting this weekend so it'll be really soon.

open your heart to me!

2007-02-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

CANDY HEARTS: Brains need love too.

Score: 100% (10 out of 10)

Ok, so Valentine's day was yesterday....I'm a genius because I got 100% correct. How much do you love your brain??

Welcome fellow new Aquarian, Riley Louis Patterson....whoohoo

2007-02-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Dave and Meredith for making it through 11 hours to bring Riley Louis Pattereson safely into the world on February 5, 2007. 7 lbs 10 oz and 22 inches. Another Aquarian...yes! We are taking the world by storm. I think he looks like mommy, no?

Look at that adorable sleepy face!

Here's Riley with his daddy. Meredith, I thought you would rather not have your I-just-went-through-11-hours-of-grueling-labor pictures up. Hmm.....well now he kinda looks like a mini-Dave here.

Your Birthdate: February 5

You have many talents, and you are great at sharing those talents with others.
Most people would be jealous of your clever intellect, but you're just too likeable to elicit jealousy.
Progressive and original, you're usually thinking up cutting edge ideas.
Quick witted and fast thinking, you have difficulty finding new challenges.

Your strength: Your superhuman brainpower

Your weakness: Your susceptibility to boredom

Your power color: Tangerine

Your power symbol: Ace

Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Poor narcoletic poodle

2007-02-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

I know exactly what he's going through...especially at work after lunch!

pee wee!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

This episode was so funny....Peewee stole the show!

A scary reality

2007-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

I finally saw Al Gore's film this past weekend, even though I really wanted to see it when it first came out in theaters. It's just mind boggling to think how we've screwed up things so royally for our planet. Being a pessimist, I'm afraid we're all doomed. DOOMED I SAY!

We need a miracle. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I should continue doing architecture. My job requires to create objects that sit on this earth for long periods of time and consume lots of resources.

*SIGH*

Well, we're slowly trying to make things better with sustainable architecture. But is it too late??!

genius choreography

2007-01-31T18:24:00.000-08:00

ok go's a milion ways

you've probably seen it a billion times, but i still love it!

Letter from Iraq

2007-01-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a letter from my cousin, Tim, who I grew up with when we were kids. He's like my little brother, unfortunately because of college and grad school I lost touch with him in the past few years. However, I've been trying to get back in touch with him. While I was in grad school, he apparently joined the Marines and has been stationed in Iraq since September.

Jeannie,

What's going on? Thanks for the awesome package you guys put together. Your timing was perfect - 1. It arrived on the 26th of December, but it's not your fault. Mail wasn't sent to us during 24-25th so it probably would have came right on Christmas.

The LED light you sent was something that everyone has and mine died recently. Only bad part was it's a white light. We're not allowed to use white light outside the wire but I use it back inside the base at night which is good considering we have no electricity half the time. Funny thing is we live right outside the Dam, which powers 1/3 of Iraq. Go figure.

Thank you for the DS. At first I couldn't find any games and I was thinking what a tease! Thanks for the instructions cuz I was lost on how to play.

So how is everyone? What's the new family gossip going around? You getting married anytime soon? Marriage...crazy. The last memory I have of you was going to that club in DC my freshman year. Lots changed huh?

Things out here are pretty decent. We finally have hot showers (Porta-Johns turned into showers...) since it's 20-30 degrees F everyday. I live on a lakefront so the wind is always kicking. I live inside a shipping container with 3 other roomates (10 ft x 30 ft box). How chow everyday even though the week's menu is always the same. Sunday steak, Monday hamburgers, Tuesday Spaghetti, etc.

I got a lot of stories to tell when I get back. I'd tell you now but OPSEC (Operational Security) means I can't tell you any real details. All I can say is I'm BUSY, "wink wink." Don't tell my folks though, they'll freak out if they knew the truth. It's crazy out here.

Thanks for the package, prayers, and overall support. I really appreciate everything and hope this letters finds you well. Write back when you got time. It takes about 2-3 weeks for mail to come and go so this letter will probably reach you mid-late January. Take care and thanks again.

- Tim

PS: Thanks for the stamps but outgoing mail is free. Holla!

I'm back

2006-12-14T11:40:00.000-08:00

So sorry I've been away. Not that anybody really is reading this. I have been lazy about writing posts. Forgiveness please! Ever since I moved out of SOHO over a month ago back to Jersey I haven't felt much like writing. Well there have been moments, but by the time I get home after work I get in a lazy funk.

So, today I took the day off because I'm recovering from my cold that I caught while I went down to UM last weekend to help my old roomie, and friend, Ali with her thesis. And as of yesterday she is done. Can I get a WOAH ALI? Woah......Ali! Finally we've all escaped the bitter bondage that is (was) architecture school. Tonight I am going to dinner with Sam in the city and we're going to see the musical, Chicago, with his mom and her coworkers. They seem to get nice perks at her office.

Here's a listing of the major/minor events that happened in my life as of last Halloween:

Friendly visit from Kim, Jason, Ali, and Patty. Wonderful weekend in SOHO full of laughs and EATING :)

11.31.06 (Halloween) - I spend it with Sam, Shannon, and Philippe at the 6th Avenue Halloween Parade and they get engaged.....FINALLY. now she can stress out about something other than school :P Sam and I didn't go to prom together, but we managed to stay within the 80's theme.......introducing the totally rad 80s business power couple! Unfortunately everybody said I looked like Connie motherf'ing Chung.

Wii!!!!!!!!!!!! Sam stood in line for a couple hours before I joined him for the rest of the full 6 hours he waits at the Nintendo World store to get the Wii. We got Zelda: Twilight Princess, Rayman Raving Rabids, and Wii sports which comes with the console. I gotta say, all these games are really great. Zelda has a great story and is a really fun adventure. Rayman is just so wacky and fun. My mom is addicted to Rayman and Wii sports bowling.....she's gone pro.
Thanksgiving - Sam and I spent a lot of time in traffic and a lot of hours in the kitchen as well. My grandfather, parents, aunt + uncle, and cousin, Jiyoung were there at the feast and I do believe we cleared off our Chinet plates in record time this year.....what was it, 10 minutes perhaps? Indeed we stuffed our faces full of ham, turkey, sides, and oh yes plenty of galbi and kimchee. We went to Kathy's birthday party at Modern in Georgetown on Saturday night and I got really really drunk. It was really fun though and I loved seeing my friends (well some of them) again after not seeing them for a while. Did I mention that my mom let us stay toether in the same room? Wow....so I think she'll be cool with us moving out together.
Happy holidays to our troops overseas! I spent the last week putting together a humongo care package for my cousin who's a Marine and stationed in Iraq until May. We grew up together as kids and he was always like my little brother. A bunch of my other cousins chipped in and we hope he enjoys all of our gifts! If you know somebody who's away from home serving the military, send them something so they know they're loved! I don't like the idea of our troops still being there, but I have to support Lance Corporal Timothy Ahn. We're proud of you, Tim, and pray you come home soon and safely!

I'm going to prom!

2006-10-19T20:46:00.000-07:00

Sam is taking me to the prom this year....how exciting. Even though it's 10 years too late, we are going as an 80s prom couple for halloween this year. I already put an order in for an 80s wig and now I just have to find a nice poofy dress. Can't wait.

Here's a website for some totally rad 80s makeup looks. Now I just need some white pumps, maybe some fishnet stockings, and definately some lacey long gloves.

My first apartment

2006-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

I just started living the dream starting on October 9....living in SOHO in a HUGE 3 br artist's loft. My apartment is situated in a great quiet street, on Mercer, near all the great shopping! According to Sam, he believes that the entire loft is about 4,500 sf in total. The artisit own pretty much the entire 2nd floor and rents out the front half of her floor to $3,500 a month. Here are a few shots:

Dining space. The bridge goes from one lofted bedroom to another.

Cooking space.

Creative space. The third lofted bedroom is located by the studio.

One of two exterior courtyard spaces.

It's really difficult to capture the space well because the spaces are so vertical. I will put up some more images sometime soon. These photos don't do the place justice. It's not a high-end well designed loft...but it's a very cozy comfortable place with a lot of character.

Unfortunately like all dream, they all come to an end. I will be moving out by November 5th since the owner will be returning from her workshop and exhibition.

apple booty

2006-10-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything. Alas, the past few weeks I've been feeling kinda dumpy, frumpy, lumpy, slumpy...plain ol umpy. Thankfully I have such a wonderful boyfriend, Sam, to cheer me up.

This past Saturday we went to see Fearless at the Multiplex Cinema at Edgewater. It is billed as Jet Li's final martial arts film, which is a little sad since his best films are in Chinese. Anyway, I'm not going to talk too much about it since I don't want to spoil it. I enjoyed it because there was some good action...I LOVE kungfu fights using weapons. I took one month of kung fu in college because a friend taught classes there. That was some pretty tough stuff man. Anyway, I didn't have the time to pursue, but i'd definately be interested in taking it again sometime. Just so I can learn me how to use them weapons!

On Sunday, Sam's mom suggested that we get off our lazy butts (even though we cleaned the entire house the day before) and go pick some apples. So we found an orchard in Warkwick, New York called Masker's Orchard. Oh, that place was sheer madness. Insanity I tell you! First off, don't go on a weekend...especially one that's really beautiful with wonderful warm weather and blue sky. That's when everybody from New Jersey (including us) drives up with family in tow, up to Route 17 and jam up the single lane highway all the bitter way to the entrance of Masker's Orchard. Once we entered the orchard the place was littered with parked cars, families, and apple carcases strewn over the ground. Boy was it fun.

We met up with Sam's friend, Candice, who was also really enjoying herself. She left with no apples and dumped the ones she picked on us. Here I am with my bag of apple booty! ARRRR...

Despite the chaos, we came out with a bag of some green appples, macintosh, and empire. We also left with 2 half gallon jugs of apple cider. Tastes exactly like their radio station says....like liquid apple!

Welcome Morgan Danyel Brooks

2006-09-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Finally, Morgan has arrived...and isn't she cute?! Congratulations to the proud parents, Ana and Danyle.

Here are the stats:

Born - Friday, September 8, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
Weight - 7 lbs. 13 oz.
Length - 20 inches long
Hobbies - napping, posing for photo opps, lounging on the couch with Daddy, shopping with Mommy

Your Birthdate: September 8

Watch out Donald Trump! You've got a head for business and money.
You'll make it rich some day, even if you haven't figured out how yet.
A supreme individualist, you shouldn't get stuck in a corporate job.
Instead, make your own way - so that you can be the boss.

Your strength: Your undying determination

Your weakness: You require an opulent lifestyle

Your power color: Plum

Your power symbol: Dollar sign

Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

HMMM.....lucky! This baby's already set for life. Bachelors in Business by age 16....MBA by 18...multi-billion global corporation by 21st birthday. So Morgan, let me design you a nice house, or your corporate headquarters!

Music obsession for the time being....gypsy punk

2006-09-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

So I really enjoyed the soundtrack from Everything is Illuminated. Turns out the actor who plays one of the main characters is the lead singer for a band called Gogol Bordello, who sings the song "Start Wearing Purple" at the end credits. Gogol Bordello is a somewhat weird but audibly pleasing (to me) fusion of punk and Eastern European gypsy music, hence the name gypsy punk. Eugene Hutz, the lead singer (great mustache) is originally from the Ukraine and the band was formed in New York City. You can read about them on Wikipedia.

I've been without a music obsession for a while. Before I started grad school, I was getting reaquainted with the Beatles, I've always been obsessed with New Wave and 80s, then the whole indie rock stuff (which I still love), Rolling Stones, punk (the original GOOD stuff), Brazilian musicians, etc etc etc. So, on top of all that music I am adding gypsy punk. I think it's so fresh and fun and all-around good stuff.

So here is the video for "Start Wearing Purple." Kinda kooky eh? I love it :)

Here's a link to another band from the Everything is Illuminated soundtrack from Russia called Leningrad. You can download their songs for f-r-e-e. Everybody likes that!

Dinner date at Yuca Bar

2006-08-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

I met up with my good friend, Patty, from undergrad tonight at Astor Place around 7pm. We met by the sculpture of the cube turned onto its corner. Deb Oakley would probably have loved this sculpture, but who cares.

We walked around the East Village in search of a Turkish restaurant which we did not know the name or location of. Without luck and growling bellies, we decided to eat at Yuca Bar. It proved to be quite tasty and it was a perfect night to eat outside. Patty had the Churrasco grilled skirt steak and I had the oh-so-delicious guava BBQ short rib with yuca fries. Hooray yuca fries! Holy moly they were good. Thick cut and crispy like nobody's business. Patty got major food envy, so I happily shared some of them with her. We also had glasses of sangria and shared the Warm Chocolate Cake cortadito. To quote Rachel Ray...YUM-O! It gets better and better as you dig into it once you get into the gooey, warm, chocolately core.

It was really great to see Patty and reminisce about old times, gripe about the architecture profession, and talk about all the concerts that we will be going to. Can't wait....I've been wanting to go to some concerts now that I'm finally free from the shackles of grad school.

So once we finished dinner, we started walking back towards the NQRW line past all the too cool hipsters in the area. As we were chatting we happened to pass by a group of these cool guys, one of which said "Don't they look smart." So why did he say that? Just because I happened to be wearing a collared shirt with sweater vest and we both wear glasses....does that make us smart looking? I guess so.

I was told the same thing before when I used to work at Crate and Barrel back in college. I've been wearing glasses full-time since I finished high school. I remember always being asked by customers where they could find this or what was good about that, even though there would be another sales associate right there. My one coworker said it's probably because I'm asian....and then of course glasses don't help. They probably thought my eyes got so bad from reading all those books by candle light (not from watching too much tv).

I am so smart....SMRT.

Good movies I've seen lately

2006-08-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of good movies that I have seen recently and thorougly recommend:

Little Miss Sunshine
Absolutely hilarious comedy with great characters!

Everything is Illuminated
This one was chosen during a stroll through Blockbuster. Again, really wonderful, funny characters and bittersweet story.

Capote
Excellent film about Truman Capote and the story behind his final novel. Another amazing character, this time from real life. Beautifully shot and acted.

Groundhog Day
A timeless classic with Bill Murray in his prime that I had to introduce to Sam who hadn't seen it yet (?!). Rise and shine, campers! And don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.

Wallace & Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Who can resist a Wallace & Gromit movie. Really funny and the rabbits are just adorable.