California dreamin'

It's days like today when I truly miss California. It's cold. With no hope of warming up, and me slowly counting down the time where I have to head back out into the miserable New York cold...that I miss California. I miss the sun hitting my face and warming me up. I miss those pesky Santa Ana winds. I miss driving down PCH with my windows rolled down and the sea breeze. I miss that break from whatever cold weather there is in California, breaking and heading down to the beach (in March!) I miss sitting out doors to enjoy my starbucks, and walking on the beach.

California, I miss you! But, we'll have to wait till April to see each other.

My first gig!

Well...sorta. My first photo gig. One of Giancarlo's bands, Be Your Own Pet, played a show here and I was fortunate enough to get some shots. Pushing through a mass of 17 year-olds, ducking two stage dives, and three bruses later.. these are some of the shots that I got. I think I'll stick to travel photography in the future.

Hey Jude

Annyong ha shimnikka (Hello!)

Snow day!

The view from my window this morning:

Check it!

If you need a good laugh... check this out:

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

I guarantee it will keep you entertained for hours.

Grey Dog's

If you find yourself in New York City, in the winter (or what is sorta winter-like) and you want to have that "neighborhood" coffeehouse feel, then I recommend this little gem down from Union Square, Grey Dog Coffee. GC and I like to go around the city in the afternoon and find little places to nosh. We can't spend money so we'll split something and usually get a coffee.. our little "going out" without dealing with the expensive nature of the city.

Last night we split the Quiche of the Day which was more like a slice of pie than a quiche, and I can't tell you what was in it other than it just melted in your mouth. Another thing that I need to learn how to cook!! (still working on the whole no-shake with the camera ha.)

We sat inside, with the rain starting to come down outside, taking pictures, eating Quiche and drinking coffee... getting ready for May (hint, hint) It's moments like these that I think I will miss the most.

________________________________________________________
Grey Dog Coffee- 90 University Place (at 12th street)
http://thegreydog.com/

V-day!

This year was my year to plan Valentine's day... and since GC and I have a lot of expenses coming up in May (full announcement to come in April!) we decided to hang low this year... which means I get to practice cooking! I made a picnic in my empty living room and attempted to make it something fun for us.

I'm not a good cook. I don't claim to be a good cook. I know a few staples here and there, but I've found that in my downtime, I love to watch the Food Network. Not that I can ever cook half the stuff that they make, but I love the idea that it's all right there. So this year, I thought I'd try something new, and I cooked Paella. If I believed in former lives (and I don't) I would believe that I was once a product of Spanish family. I love tapas, paella... anything and everything from Spain. Paella is a spanish rice dish that incorporates peppers, chorizo, shrip, chicken, any kind of meat that you want, with any kind of vegtables that you want.

The recipe was simple enough and I made a few little hor d'oeuvres to hold us over until the paella was done (spanish olives with crostini and sundried tomato goat cheese, and shrimp cocktail) However, in the rush to get everything set up, I forgot to get pictures of the creations...although I included a sample paella photo haha. All-in-all it was a great evening. I had more fun setting everything up than anything else!


Now, what to cook next....

Say what!?

The best work out EVER!!! Now let me add in my disclaimer.. I'm NOT promoting a career choice of "stripping," but I have to admit, it is a great workout (all in good fun, of course)

The past weekend I was in good 'ol San Fran with the pouring rain. I attempted to be the trourist because I got in a few hours early on Friday and I wondered around the city, but the weather had a different plan for me. With the rain pouring down, and my pants soaked (and me unprepared with my fancy footware) I ended up at 3 different Starbucks (fully loaded on my non-fat, sugar-free mocha's, extra caffeine- please) and got my culture on at the San Francisco MOMA. FYI.. The MOMA has a great photography exhibit that I got lost in for 2 hours! Sadly, no cameras were allowed. I've been to the city so many times, but not once I have been able to be a tourist. Go figure! But that wasn't the reason I was out there.. it was for Jenn's bridal shower and Bachelorette party. It was a whirlwind weekend, filled with everything from the crate and barrel spring '08 catalog, stripper poles and drag queens. Now I'm officially counting down the days till the wedding!!! (April 5th, T-65 days!)

Here are some fun shots.. more on flickr & kodakgallery