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auburn vs alabama in nyc




















Setting: Chirping Chicken on 77th and Amsterdam, dinner tonight

[background: I've given Brendan two Auburn shirts over the last few years. One mysteriously went missing for almost two years, and was recently found after I had given him shirt #2. I frequently tell Brendan he should wear the shirt more often - who wouldn't want to wear a shirt that represents such a great alma mater?! When I suggest this, his response is usually the same: "I don't want people to comment on the shirt since I didn't go there.." I always say that won't happen since, afterall, I wear my Auburn shirt all the time and no one comments.]


Random man (enters Chirping Chicken): Sir, I'm going to need you to leave... for wearing that shirt.

Brendan (looks up, confused, points at me): It's her shirt!!

Me (thinking): did that seriously just happen? Did someone comment on the shirt the first time he's ever worn it out?!

Random man (points to his hat... crimson with a white script Alabama 'A'. Continues to stare, doesn't say anything)

Brendan: She went there, I didn't.

Me: Sir, I grew up in Tuscaloosa and I can tell you which shirt he'd rather be wearing! (smile)

Random man: Did we really kill your tree?

Me: YES. As a matter of fact, you did.

Random man: I thought that was a made up story. (continues staring at Brendan)

Me: Nope. Mr. Updyke was actually arrested for that. And, I saw the trees and they are definitely dead.

Random man: Ok. Did you two meet at Auburn?

Me: No, we didn't.

Random man (smiles, walks away)

Brendan (smiles at me, points at the shirt): Never again..


This is a rivalry that runs deep, no matter where you are! So glad I'm a part of that, even in NYC.

automat

As I mentioned, my mom and GG are coming to visit this week! I'm so excited about their visit; my mom usually visits each year around this time, but GG hasn't been to the Big Apple since she was 16 (sorry to give away her age, but that was 1942!!) and her dad was in the Navy stationed in Brooklyn. She's been telling me the story of her visit for as long as I can remember. - she tried cheesecake for the very first time when she was visiting, and she got it out of an automat!

I mentioned this to Katherine on Sunday night and she knew exactly what I was talking about from her love of old movies! Check this out:



I've done some googling to find out whethere there are still any automats left in NYC. I found this one place called BAMN, but it looks like it closed in 2009. If you know of anything, give me a shout.

it's all rosy

I wish that were actually the case. Instead, it's been rainy and dreary all day in the Big Apple and I've been lying in bed since 6pm with a horrible head cold. These are the kind of days I make use of the beautiful flowers when I pass on every corner around the city. They're enough to brighten my day!


olde good things

As you saw, I spent most of my weekend organizing and cleaning my apartment, but I ventured out quickly on Saturday afternoon for a neighborhood dinner and, along my walk, I found this store: Olde Good Things. I've seen it many times (they drive a truck all around the city advertising their store with the coolest & craziest things on their truck). I stopped by the window and peeked in since they were already closed. I've got to go back soon...afterall, it is 'the most interesting stores in New York City'.

Cool mirror, huh?

opening night


Last week my money became one of the $476 millions of dollars in ticket sales for the final movie in the 8-film Harry Potter series. We waited in line with the thousands of other people to see the midnight opening of the show, and, boy, was it ever worth it (and, boy, were the fanatics out)! I had a long and tiring day on Thursday and actually contemplated skipping out on the 12:01 am showing- gasp, but would have regretted that decision terribly. Our group turned out as normal (minus Maggie, plus Julie) at the theater by my apartment and enjoyed the last time of watching a midnight showing together!  

rainbow city

Believe it or not, there was actually a place in New York City called Rainbow City! It was an art exhibit at the end of the newest addition to the Highline, and of course I had to see it. I went last Friday (the exhibit ended on Tuesday) with a coworker and we had a blast. We both agreed we could have stayed in Rainbow City forever, even though there wasn't much too it. Then we walked partially down the Highline which provided some great views. Rainbow City got two thumbs up from me!




she came, she saw, she conquered


And...then she left, which was the saddest part. One of my roomies from college, Katie, came to visit in NYC this past weekend and we had a blast! We went to Mexican Radio, a delicious newfound Mexican spot in Nolita, on Friday night for dinner, then Alice's Tea Cup for Saturday brunch before our Cirque du Soleil extravaganza on Saturday afternoon. Then (in the only fitting way) to end such a wonderful weekend, I made sure we stopped in for a Shake Shack dinner on Sunday night. We had such a good time traipsing around the city and spent 95% of our time laughing. She promised she would come back again before 2 years, so I am going to hold her to that!

and, celebrate we did!

Last Friday night (June 3rd) I mentioned that a celebration was in order. And, boy, did we celebrate! We went to only the best Mexican restaurant I've visited in the city yet. That says a lot because I've tried a lot of them... After we accidentally intruded on a private rehearsal dinner party for Candace and Cameron (or so the chocolate said) that was nearing its conclusion, we went up to the counter of Tacombi and bought tickets for our tacos.


Then we chose between one of two food trucks where we picked the taco combination(s) we wanted and watched as it was prepared right in front of us.


I sadly only got two tacos... I wanted more. And another grape soda because it was the best I've had. But, I held strong and saved room for dessert. It was a good thing since we quickly migrated to the Billy's Bakery across the street after dinner.


To add to the delicious food and anniversary event, we chatted about our most memorable (for better, or for worse...) times in the city over the past 1, 3 and 4 years (Kat, me, LA & Pamela, respectively). If only we could do this every Friday night...

june 3rd

Today is June 3rd and that's a special day in my mind. I have a brief recap of the providential meeting [here] that I wrote about last year. 4 years ago TODAY I met Katherine and Pamela in Central Park. Then I went to my first Redeemer church service that night. Then... well, the rest is history.


This picture is circa 2007 when we were just 5 interns making our way in the big city. Now fast forward 4 years. We are (almost) all back in the city. Amy J hasn't returned yet, but we're all still holding out and hoping. So, "How are we going to celebrate this monumental anniversary?", you may ask. At an indoor taco truck in Nolita! How else?

sprinkles in manhattan

...finally!!!


Yesterday my sweet coworker Sandi surprised me in the office with Sprinkles cupcakes after her afternoon meeting. I've heard about Sprinkles from my friends on the west coast (ahem, Caylen) but have never had them for myself. Then last week, Kyo was raving about how delicious they were. And, of course, I can't let a new cupcake place come into town without giving it at least a try! They were delicious and completely held up to their rep. Sandi was snapping pics and emailing them to me the whole time she was in the store, now I just have to make it over to see for myself!

next stop:



I had heard about the opening of Doughnut Plant a few months ago, but hadn't made the effort to go yet. Last week after a delicious, authentic Chinese dinner at Grand Sichuan with some friends, I happened past the Doughnut Plant on my walk to the subway. I can't believe I haven't been here yet! Beautiful doughnut pillows fill the walls. And as you can barely see here, a beautiful ceramic mosaic doughnut-designed slab makes up the bench seating. It's small, but it looks worth the trip. 

kyo & tim noble

I can't believe it's already been two weeks since the beautiful Alder Manor wedding in Yonkers, NY! As mentioned earlier, the wedding was a blast. The couple was so beautiful. The flower girl ran her own show. And Brendan wore a blue-with-pink polka dotted tie (which was, obviously, my favorite). A group of 8 of us rented a mini-van (that seated 7) and made our way north, just outside of the city. The pictures just keep coming...but I think this might finally be the last of them! Well worth the wait - and continuous stream - if you ask me.




too close for comfort

I made a scary discovery today - there is a Baked by Melissa only one block over from my office! They sell cupcakes the size of a quarter, which are way more deadly than they sound because I could eat 10 of them in about 10 seconds. My favorite flavor is tye die because it looks so pretty but tastes so normal. The flavor is vanilla cake with vanilla icing, but looks very rainbow-esque. Now, my self-discipline comes into play...



a good soho lunch


Last Saturday's excursion included a trip down to Soho for lunch. Brendan had been raving about this place called Torrisi that had "the best Italian sandwiches in New York".  He got an Italian sub and I got chicken parmigiana sandwich. I have to agree it was pretty good. The restaurant was tiny, but had a good atmosphere and vibe. If you're in the neighborhood, you should try it out!