It was right next to Madison Square Park which had an outdoor Shake Shack. My friends and I got tasty burgers that, in my personal opinion, are way better than In 'n Out. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm eating in New York?
A smaller group of friends went to this amazing chocolate restaurant. Willy Wonka is alive and his name is Max Brenner. I got a waffle dessert with bananas and ice cream and chocolate. It came with my own little bowl of chocolate covered rice crispies. Delish!
Another night I went to Times Square to eat at John's Pizzeria. It's been the best pizza I've eaten yet. If you notice in the picture I'm wearing red pants! I just bought them that day along with a yellow pair of Toms. They'll be fun and comfy to wear around the city this summer.
And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for. Well, some of you. I got to spend all day at Long Beach in Long Island. So beautiful and sunny...
...yet such painful consequences. I am now a bake lobster. Every move is painful. At least I'm not the only one. As you can see, my other friends have a rosy glow too.
On a final note, I wanted to say thanks for your comments! I really appreciate them. Keep 'em coming!
This is the said sample room in it's original, disastrous state...
...piles and piles of fabric, tile, and wallpaper everywhere!
After a massive overhaul with the help of all five interns, it became relatively organized. You can actually see the table.
And since I have been drafting, I've been able to claim a desk for myself. I have my laptop (with the Beatles for my background of course), some inspiration photos on a bulletin board, and drafting supplies. I actually have a nice view of a church from my window, which you can't see because it's raining.
I forgot to add one last thing! And of course it's about food. I ate a most delicious cupcake from Crumbs on Saturday. Mmm good!
We took the Path (aka the train to New Jersey) and felt really smart figuring it out all by ourselves. We had a great view of the Manhattan skyline from across the Hudson.
The real reason why we went to Jersey was for the bakery on Cake Boss! Wow that place has gorgeous cakes. We didn't actually go inside because the line stretched down the street for two blocks. But I got a picture!
For lunch, we found this tasty Malaysian place (shout out to Shenli!) and I got curry soup, coconut rice, and some sort of chicken goodness. Mmmm good!
We took the Path back to the World Trade Center Memorial that is under construction. You couldn't see too much of it. I can't imagine just how chaotic and terrifying 9/11 would have been there...
Since we were in the area, we checked out the New York Stock Exchange building and went all the way to the tip of the island. But it started pouring so we decided to run down in the subway to catch a trail up to SoHo. But that plan didn't work out because it was still pouring when we got there. Change of plans #3: Dylan's Candy Bar, a three-story candy store (heaven on earth) with all sorts of goodies. On the top floor they have a little restaurant of sorts. You can order a Nutty Fluffy Jammy (aka a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with marshmallow fluff) and we just had to try one! And they were so tasty! I brought home a little menu so I can try some of the combinations.
Going to the candy shop was perfect because it meant that when we got to Serendipity 3, we hardly had to wait. That was a miracle because it's usually takes two hours to get in. Serendipity 3, in case you didn't know, is a pretty famous restaurant known for its frozen hot chocolate (there's a movie about it with John Cusak). Here I am with my own frozen hot chocolate. It was huge and so good!
On our way home, we strolled through the Central Park (to walk of the exorbitant amount of food we consumed that day). I saw Strawberry Fields. Its a little portion of the park with a memorial for John Lennon (from the Beatles). So for the rest of the way home I was humming, “Strawberry fields forever…” A great ending to a great day!
{Belvedere Castle in Central Park}
Once we exited the store, they had the Cake Boss Cafe with some tasty (and overpriced) treats. I had to try something because I love that show. Sometime while I'm here, I'm going to Buddy's shop.
After trying (and failing) to get cheap tickets to Phantom of the Opera, we headed to Macy's for some shopping therapy. THE Macy's. It was extremely overwhelming but when you're in New York, you have to go.
We walked back to our apartment to change into some more layers and then headed out to see X-Men: First Class. Although the tickets were horribly expensive, I am paying for the experience to be able to walk out of the theater onto Broadway in the Big Apple. While I need to be wise with my money, I can't be a Scrooge and miss out on once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Goal for next week: balance. Work vs. play. Spend vs. save.
There was this famous piece that was pretty cool. You might have heard of it: Waterlilies by Monet. :)
I saw my most favorite vase, the Savoy Vase, by Alvar Aalto. So great.
This piece called Broadway Boogie Woogie was one I learned about in a class and I am in love with the name. There were a lot of pieces that we learned about in the museum.
Strolling around today in my tennis shoes made me feel like a tourist and I don't like standing out like that. Thanks to my investment in these shoes, most days are less touristy and more classy. I basically live in them now. Thank you Banana Republic for making beautiful, cushy shoes that match everything I own.
Wandering around the MoMA was wonderful. The slower pace was great and the temperature was refreshing after the hot, humid day. Once we emerged from the building (almost 4 hours later) we walked past Radio City Music Hall to Rockefeller Plaza for some lunch/dinner and Tri Tip Grill. Oh man the sandwich I got was meaty and amazing. I love chain restaurants in New York! While we walked through the building, I thought of Tina Fey on 30 Rock (though I don't watch that show...).
After that, we wandered down to the Lincoln Center (where we have church) and found this place that has free concerts on Thursday nights. While we were waiting for the concert, we saw the buildings for the New York City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, and Julliard. They are all really beautiful. We discovered some good deals so we can actually afford to go to those places, so you'll be hearing about those adventures at a later date.
The concert was a violinist and his accompanist, who performed music from Spain (and some Debussy). It was glorious and inspiring and free! They were both graduates from Julliard. Before the concert, the announcer person listed all of the awards and recognition that Julliard alums received and it was pretty impressive (but as she was talking, all I could think of was Lady Gaga and how I heard she studied piano there, I think).
After the concert, my friends and I danced through Central Park. So random and so great. Well, my first week of work is over and the weekend starts tomorrow. I'm super excited to play and we have lots of great plans I can't wait to tell you about.
...the Dakota, where John Lennon (from the Beatles) and Yoko Ono lived until he was shot outside it. I've probably walked past it three times already. So cool!
For dinner tonight, we ate at Dallas BBQ and it was delicious! Everyone ordered something smothered in delicious BBQ sauce. I will probably still be full tomorrow.
The office colorful, bright, and open. I'll have more pictures later. I met Celerie Kemble and most of the other designers that work in the office. It's very similar to the environment at school, first off, because it's is all ladies. Secondly it is similar because everyone feels like family. I'm excited to get to know everyone and find my place in the office.
I met one of the other interns (there are about four or five total) and was able to run some errands with her. She's really friendly and while we were running around, we walked through this garden that is above the streets (I can't remember its official name) and saw a great building by Frank Gehry! Although I am completely exhausted, it was a nice first day.
It totally looks like it right? :)
We made it to church (which is in the same building that the Manhattan Temple is in) right next to Lincoln Center. The people I've met so far in the ward are really friendly and nice.
I just can't get over the set up of the place. It's the temple and the chapel in the same building! But separated by different floors. Going to church today was wonderful. In a place that's so overwhelming and different than anything I've ever experienced, it is so comforting to know that going to church is the same. The same format with the same doctrine and the same spirit. That's something I love about being a Latter-day Saint.
After church we got together with some friends from the ward to make dinner all together. Remember the picture of our teeny tiny kitchen? Emily and I cooked chicken alfredo in that. Something was on each of the four tiny burners, inside the tiny oven, and covering the two feet of counter space. Everyone was happy so they must have liked it!
All of us went to this fireside about loving your neighbor, a discussion about the LDS and Jewish religions. A rabbi and a public relations rep for the church spoke and then had a Q and A afterward. It was very insightful. After the fireside, we went to an apartment of some friends in the ward for dessert. I made oreo truffle balls that turned out really well (but I just remembered that I forgot the plate at their house).
Ashlee, Emily, and I got delicious Lebanese food. Here's my falafel sandwich. So good!
At the festival, we met up with some friends and went down to the water to see the skyline.
For dinner we met up with my aunt and uncle at the St. Regis. Their place was gorgeous and I especially loved the bathrooms.
We strolled down 5th Avenue to Tao, a restaurant with great food and a great atmosphere. I don't know what my uncle ordered for us, but everything was delicious. We had Buddha chocolates for dessert. I wish I would have taken a picture.
On our walk home, we went through Central Park and found a place that has free dance lessons Saturday night. We have plans for next weekend! We walked all the way home from 55th Street and passed Cafe Lalo, as seen in You've Got Mail. :)
