Okay, Sara got mad at me for forgetting to write a very integral part in the last entry. We took the N train to Coney Island and we sat right across from Toofer from 30 Rock (Keith Powell). It was awesome because it was super awkward; Sara and I stared at him the entire time and didn't say a word to him. Then we whispered about whether or not it was really him. I also took a photo of him, creepily, with my iPhone. Let's just say the iPhone definitely invites users to take photos of people without their consent or knowledge. Anyway, I'll post the photo at some point, but it was definitely him.
Vassar has been fun and a nice change of pace from NYC - a lot more hanging out and lounging around than being crazy. This morning, Kendal and her roommates made waffles and they were delicious. Nothing too crazy has gone on. We are planning on watching Hamlet 2 tonight. Tomorrow we will be going to NYC to hang out with Holly and Ari.
Showing posts with label new york city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new york city. Show all posts
06 September 2008
05 September 2008
SEAGULL FIGHT!
Thursday, Sara and I went to Coney Island and Chinatown. It was our last day together and we kept it pretty low key. All of the rides were closed at Coney Island, so we just ate Nathan's hotdogs and sat around on the boardwalk. The best part was when the seagulls were fighting. It was actually kind of scary because they were attacking each other, but still very amusing. It reminded us of Boy Fight from Arrested Development. We went to Chinatown for dinner at a place called Hong Kong Station, which was amazing. It's exactly the way Chinese noodles should be sold. I can't wait to go home to the Bay Area and eat more Chinese food.
Today, I took the train out to Poughkeepsie to visit Kendal. Upon getting here, she gave me a tour of the campus. It's pretty much what I imagined an East Coast college to be like. At night, there were fireworks to celebrate the new freshman class and new school year and Broken Social Scene played. They had an amazing set (but no encore) and the drummer handed me the setlist at the end. Overall, a great start to Vassar.
Today, I took the train out to Poughkeepsie to visit Kendal. Upon getting here, she gave me a tour of the campus. It's pretty much what I imagined an East Coast college to be like. At night, there were fireworks to celebrate the new freshman class and new school year and Broken Social Scene played. They had an amazing set (but no encore) and the drummer handed me the setlist at the end. Overall, a great start to Vassar.
04 September 2008
Conan growled at me
Yesterday was a great day. I didn't go to the Bronx Zoo in the morning, as I had planned, but I went with Sara and her mom to brunch at Georgio's Country Grill. Everything was incredibly good, but I think the best thing was Sara's yogurt ice cream. It tasted like homemade vanilla ice cream. I can't even find words to describe it; it was just the best thing ever.
After brunch, Sara had to take her mom to the airport, so I got some time to go shop on 5th Avenue by myself. I wandered through tons of stores (Zara, Armani Exchange, JustCavalli, etc) and stared at some amazing window displays at Sak's.
When Sara got back, it was time for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I'm not a regular watcher, but I do enjoy Conan. We got to 30 Rock early to pick up our tickets and wristbands, then we shopped around because they wouldn't let us loiter in the hallway. Let's just say this was very different than sitting on the street for hours in front of the Colbert studio. When 4:15 arrived, they moved the audience upstairs into lines where we waited about 30-45 minutes. Finally, when we started to move, it was like a maze through 30 Rock. At all these different points, NBC Pages (like Kenneth from 30 Rock!) were ushering us around the building -- pointing at walls we should line up against, separating us into groups for the elevator, gesturing usdown different hallways. When we finally got off the elevator to the outside doors of the studios, that's when the ticket letters (they use letters instead of numbers) didn't matter. So, I rushed to the front with Sara behind me and we were seated in the FIRST ROW. There was a stand-up comic to warm up the crowd, but he didn't talk forever, like the one at Colbert (although the one at Colbert was definitely funnier). Conan came out before the show to say hello to the audience. Note: Conan is not as pale in real life. When he came out he shook my hand (I was the first hand!) and other audience members hands. Then, at one point while talking to the audience, he growled at Sara and I. In reference to his luck with the ladies, and his sexual tension with a particular male audience member. If you watch Conan from September 3rd, you can see Sara and my yellow shirt behind the producer when Conan does his opening monologue bit about current news.
After a wonderful time at Conan, we hurried back to get ready for L'atelier de Joel Robouchon. Let's just say -- best dinner ever. I took photos of the food and Sara and I were just dying while we were there. Definitely the most posh place I've ever been to. The guy sitting next to Sara was on Good Morning America at some point this week (named Max). The guy sitting next to me was a regular customer and everyone knew him. Sitting at the counter was actually really fun because you got to see them plate and all the waiters would come by and chat with you. DELICIOUS (and we paid the price for it).
We had bought tickets earlier in the day for Top of the Rock and we were worried that we wouldn't be able to make it there after dinner. However, Sara and I were amazing and got there in time! Once again, Top of the Rock was another maze to the top of the building, but once we were at the top, the New York skyline at night was so awesome. I took a lot of really cool photos and if you ever go to the Top of the Rock, check out the Target sponsored room.
Wow, that was long.
After brunch, Sara had to take her mom to the airport, so I got some time to go shop on 5th Avenue by myself. I wandered through tons of stores (Zara, Armani Exchange, JustCavalli, etc) and stared at some amazing window displays at Sak's.
When Sara got back, it was time for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I'm not a regular watcher, but I do enjoy Conan. We got to 30 Rock early to pick up our tickets and wristbands, then we shopped around because they wouldn't let us loiter in the hallway. Let's just say this was very different than sitting on the street for hours in front of the Colbert studio. When 4:15 arrived, they moved the audience upstairs into lines where we waited about 30-45 minutes. Finally, when we started to move, it was like a maze through 30 Rock. At all these different points, NBC Pages (like Kenneth from 30 Rock!) were ushering us around the building -- pointing at walls we should line up against, separating us into groups for the elevator, gesturing usdown different hallways. When we finally got off the elevator to the outside doors of the studios, that's when the ticket letters (they use letters instead of numbers) didn't matter. So, I rushed to the front with Sara behind me and we were seated in the FIRST ROW. There was a stand-up comic to warm up the crowd, but he didn't talk forever, like the one at Colbert (although the one at Colbert was definitely funnier). Conan came out before the show to say hello to the audience. Note: Conan is not as pale in real life. When he came out he shook my hand (I was the first hand!) and other audience members hands. Then, at one point while talking to the audience, he growled at Sara and I. In reference to his luck with the ladies, and his sexual tension with a particular male audience member. If you watch Conan from September 3rd, you can see Sara and my yellow shirt behind the producer when Conan does his opening monologue bit about current news.
After a wonderful time at Conan, we hurried back to get ready for L'atelier de Joel Robouchon. Let's just say -- best dinner ever. I took photos of the food and Sara and I were just dying while we were there. Definitely the most posh place I've ever been to. The guy sitting next to Sara was on Good Morning America at some point this week (named Max). The guy sitting next to me was a regular customer and everyone knew him. Sitting at the counter was actually really fun because you got to see them plate and all the waiters would come by and chat with you. DELICIOUS (and we paid the price for it).
We had bought tickets earlier in the day for Top of the Rock and we were worried that we wouldn't be able to make it there after dinner. However, Sara and I were amazing and got there in time! Once again, Top of the Rock was another maze to the top of the building, but once we were at the top, the New York skyline at night was so awesome. I took a lot of really cool photos and if you ever go to the Top of the Rock, check out the Target sponsored room.
Wow, that was long.
02 September 2008
One word: Amazing.
I was on my own today, but I got around just fine. In the morning I went to the Met (Upper East side). I managed to see everything I wanted to see in 4 hours. Roman and French sculptures, Expressionism, Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Modern art -- all great. I loved the Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Matisse rooms. I also bought some souvenirs!
The only thing I had planned for today was the Met, so I left myself time to head over to The Colbert Report (Upper East side). I waited in the standby line starting at 3pm and by 4:15pm, I was the first person on the standby list! Eventually, I got into the studio, which was followed by a lot more waiting. However, all this waiting was worth it! Once Colbert ran into the studio, it was amazing. He did a Q&A out of character before taping the show, where he sang to us. Then, the show began. He would do lots of hilarious, small things during the commercial breaks. He threw out free Wriststrong bracelets, but I didn't get one. Now, I'm going to watch The Colbert Report on TV to try and spot myself in the crowd.
Even though I did less things today, I'm still extremely tired! Waiting in line really took it out of me. Next entry: Conan!
The only thing I had planned for today was the Met, so I left myself time to head over to The Colbert Report (Upper East side). I waited in the standby line starting at 3pm and by 4:15pm, I was the first person on the standby list! Eventually, I got into the studio, which was followed by a lot more waiting. However, all this waiting was worth it! Once Colbert ran into the studio, it was amazing. He did a Q&A out of character before taping the show, where he sang to us. Then, the show began. He would do lots of hilarious, small things during the commercial breaks. He threw out free Wriststrong bracelets, but I didn't get one. Now, I'm going to watch The Colbert Report on TV to try and spot myself in the crowd.
Even though I did less things today, I'm still extremely tired! Waiting in line really took it out of me. Next entry: Conan!
01 September 2008
Art and Chocolate
Day two was much more relaxed than Day 1. The morning was spent on the internet and watching tv. After lunch, we went to the MOMA (Midtown). The Dali Painting & Film exhibit was amazing. It was an entire floor filled with Dali paintings -- including The Persistence of Memory -- and Dali films. I was surprised because I wasn't aware that Dali was a filmmaker, but his movies were very surreal (like his paintings) and well made. I would love to spend more time with his films in the future. The paintings and sculptures on the 4th and 5th floor of the MOMA were great. Liechtenstein, Warhol, Magritte, Matisse, Monet, a Van Gogh (Starry Night was not there), and more. There was also a great exhibit called Berlin Street Scenes.
Unfortunately, while I was at the MOMA, I broke my Oktomat. It's not completely a lost cause, but the camera definitely has some issues, ones that I would definitely consider manufacturer issues. I think it will be fixable with some tape and screw drivers but I'm still a little bit pissed because I've had it for less than a month. Unfortunately, because I'm on vacation (aka not in San Diego), I can't return/exchange it with Amazon. It ruined my time at the MOMA a little bit, but I still had a great time because of the wonderful art.
For dinner, we went to Max Brenner (Union Square) and Karen joined us for dinner, along with Sara's friends Raebekah and David. WOW, so much chocolate. They had a small "real" food menu, but the dessert menu was huge and filled with chocolate-y goodness. They also had these pipes running all over the restaurants that were for these chocolate machines, very much like Willy Wonka. The chocolate fondue was excellent! The flame got a little out of control at the end, but it was still fantastic.
Tomorrow, I'm on my own. Sara and her mom are going to the US Open for tennis. I'm planning on going to the Met, waiting in the standby line for The Colbert Report, and meeting up with Karen after her first day as an NYU graduate student. I think I'm ready to take on the subway by myself. After all, how hard could it be?
Unfortunately, while I was at the MOMA, I broke my Oktomat. It's not completely a lost cause, but the camera definitely has some issues, ones that I would definitely consider manufacturer issues. I think it will be fixable with some tape and screw drivers but I'm still a little bit pissed because I've had it for less than a month. Unfortunately, because I'm on vacation (aka not in San Diego), I can't return/exchange it with Amazon. It ruined my time at the MOMA a little bit, but I still had a great time because of the wonderful art.
For dinner, we went to Max Brenner (Union Square) and Karen joined us for dinner, along with Sara's friends Raebekah and David. WOW, so much chocolate. They had a small "real" food menu, but the dessert menu was huge and filled with chocolate-y goodness. They also had these pipes running all over the restaurants that were for these chocolate machines, very much like Willy Wonka. The chocolate fondue was excellent! The flame got a little out of control at the end, but it was still fantastic.
Tomorrow, I'm on my own. Sara and her mom are going to the US Open for tennis. I'm planning on going to the Met, waiting in the standby line for The Colbert Report, and meeting up with Karen after her first day as an NYU graduate student. I think I'm ready to take on the subway by myself. After all, how hard could it be?
31 August 2008
Upper East, Upper West, Greenwich, Midtown...
Today was my first "day" in New York City -- at least day time. The first thing we did was take the R to the 6 train to get to the Upper East side. While riding the 6, I fulfilled a life long dream of riding the 6 while listening to Jennifer Lopez's CD "On the 6." Surprisingly enough, the song I picked finished withing the exact amount of time I was riding the 6. Fate? I think so.
For brunch, we went to Sarahbeth's in the Upper East side, which was amazing. It was this adorable little brunch place with quite a few old people. Sara and I decided that you can tell if a brunch place is good depending on how many old people you see there. Old people know their brunches. I was going to take a photo of these 3 old ladies, but Sara said that would be ridiculous and forced me not to. The food was delicious; I had Crispy Potato Waffles (think latkes, but in waffle shape and fluffier).
Afterwards, we walked to the Guggenheim. It was much bigger than the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice (at least in my opinion). They had this great exhibit on Louise Bourgoise and their permanent collection was fantastic as well (Pollock, Van Gogh, Manet, etc).
After spending a few hours at the museum, we went in search of the Belvedere Castle in Central Park -- too bad it took us forever to find it and possibly longer to find our way out of Central Park. Finally, we ended up on the Upper West side. We didn't really explore, as we were on our way to Greenwich/West Village.
I had a list of things to do in the West Village -- eat at Bamn, hang out in Other Music, and move the giant cube. Too bad none of them happened. The food at Bamn actually looked kind of gross and Other Music was closed. People were sitting around the giant cube, so that didn't happen either. We also went on a long hunt for a bathroom. Finally, we ended up at S'mac for dinner. Delicious, although I probably should have gotten the Nosh size.
Tomorrow will be busy as well and Sara's mom is coming.
For brunch, we went to Sarahbeth's in the Upper East side, which was amazing. It was this adorable little brunch place with quite a few old people. Sara and I decided that you can tell if a brunch place is good depending on how many old people you see there. Old people know their brunches. I was going to take a photo of these 3 old ladies, but Sara said that would be ridiculous and forced me not to. The food was delicious; I had Crispy Potato Waffles (think latkes, but in waffle shape and fluffier).
Afterwards, we walked to the Guggenheim. It was much bigger than the Peggy Guggenheim in Venice (at least in my opinion). They had this great exhibit on Louise Bourgoise and their permanent collection was fantastic as well (Pollock, Van Gogh, Manet, etc).
After spending a few hours at the museum, we went in search of the Belvedere Castle in Central Park -- too bad it took us forever to find it and possibly longer to find our way out of Central Park. Finally, we ended up on the Upper West side. We didn't really explore, as we were on our way to Greenwich/West Village.
I had a list of things to do in the West Village -- eat at Bamn, hang out in Other Music, and move the giant cube. Too bad none of them happened. The food at Bamn actually looked kind of gross and Other Music was closed. People were sitting around the giant cube, so that didn't happen either. We also went on a long hunt for a bathroom. Finally, we ended up at S'mac for dinner. Delicious, although I probably should have gotten the Nosh size.
Tomorrow will be busy as well and Sara's mom is coming.
30 August 2008
Baltimore
I'm at the Baltimore Airport for a layover. I have another hour before I board and I'm extremely excited about arriving in NYC. I'm a little nervous about getting myself to Penn Station but I'm sure I'll figure it out. There's no way it will be more difficult than traveling around Europe. In general, I hate flying. However, the flight to Baltimore wasn't that bad. I guess in comparison to the flight from SF to Rome it is quite short. OK, that's it for now since I'm on the iPhone.
15 July 2008
part 2
So, I've decided to make my study abroad travel blog into a travel blog, in general. All of my adventures in new places and in new cities will be posted and updated here. Stories, photos, who knows what else will be here -- maybe I will finally make a video.
Next up: New York City- August 30 to September 8
Next up: New York City- August 30 to September 8
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