Pumpkin Lattes and Colorful Changes

Autumn brings about so many fun memories for me...apple picking, pumpkin carving, dressing up for halloween, Mom decorating the house with fall decor, and of course my favorite- all the foliage...but my latest and tastiest find is the Pumpkin Latte from Dunkin Donuts. It is absolutely perfect and completes my "autumn experience"!

I know in a previous post I mentioned how much I don't like D&D, but I take it back! All summer I got iced coffees from D&D, and realized it's only in NY that I for some reason become a coffee snob and go elsewhere. Back in NJ, Starbucks is more of a luxury that I treat myself to once in awhile, D&D is the usual.

Don't let autumn pass you by without taking the time to sit and watch the leaves turn, with a Pumpkin Latte of course!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns".
- George Eliot

(this post has nothing to do with nyc, oops...except that I was in nyc when I drank my latte so that counts)

Come sail away with me

It was a warm, windy night, perfect for having wine and cheese on a sailboat along the Hudson, right?! Well, that is exactly what a few friends and I did on this particular night. The owner of the sailboat picked us up in this tiny motorboat along pier 40, and brought us to his sail boat where there was a spread of cheese, crackers, grapes, and wine waiting for us.
This was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable nights I've had in awhile. There was something so peaceful about lounging on a sailboat, talking and laughing the night away with good friends. I never thought something like this would be a part of all my other NYC experiences!

First day of freedom

I have so much time now that school is out! How exciting. On this relaxing day (which was a few weeks ago, I am so behind in this blog oops!) I started out by doing some yoga at Yoga to the People with Sam (I finally got my own yoga mat!). It was such a good workout, so intense, yet relaxing at the same time. Next, on my stroll to meet up with a friend for lunch, I browsed through the $1 books at Strand Bookstore. I continued to my new favorite spot for lunch, Bowery Bar and Grill, aka B Bar. I've passed this place a lot and have wanted to go for awhile because it's gorgeous inside, so I am glad I finally went! I actually happened to go there 2 more times that same week. I love finding places that have gardens in the city, and this one was beautiful. What a great spring day in the city!

Cinco De Mayo at a pub?

So, I really wanted to go to an authentic Mexican restaurant with salsa dancing for cinco de mayo, but instead I went to Josie Wood's Pub and Restaurant...not exactly Mexican. But because I was with some amazing classmates, it made up for it. This pub is right on NYU campus, and has become a favorite...all the teachers came here to celebrate being DONE with our junior education classes, and of course, to celebrate cinco de mayo.

I like this place because it's not your typical "nyc bar", it's something you would find in a more suburban area, very down to earth, which I love. My favorite part about this place....playing pool (those are my opponents in the picture)

Delicioso Cuban Restaurant

Cabana Nuevo Latina
Danielle, her husband Sam, and I went here to celebrate her 21st birthday. The food was amazing, and so was the view. It's on the 3rd floor at Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport.
The picture is the view from our table...breathtaking!

Sincerely, John Steinbeck

"It is an ugly city, a dirty city. Its climate is a scandal. Its politics are used to frighten children. Its traffic is madness. Its competition is murderous. But there is one thing about it-once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no other place is good enough"

Hi God

Their is something about the sky in the city that is absolutely magnificent. I came to the conclusion it is because of the lack of nature all around me, so when I look up, I am just amazed at its beauty!
When I am in dire need of some nature, I look up as I walk, take a deep breath as I stare into the sky, smile, and say hi to God. I love those moments, until I bump into someone…

coffee coffee coffee!

Since moving to the city, I rarely go to Starbucks anymore, their are a lot more tastier and hip coffee shops to go to!
Here are my top coffee spots...

Think Coffee- this is where I spent my mornings last semester after an 8am class, waiting for my next class to begin. My favorite- large coffee in their huge white mugs...nothing like drinking coffee from a mug! Great music, lots of seating, chill environment (check out the picture), good for reading. They also have great tea...but I'll save tea for another blog.

Oren's Daily Roast- I buy my coffee beans here, they grind them for you, and are delicious! My top pic- Oren's Special Blend which is sweet, full-bodied & smooth, with a little dark roast flavor.

Mud- I don't particularly like their coffee, but the atmosphere is the coolest...I could spend the day here. They also have really tasty salads and sandwiches, a perfect spot for a quick lunch (you have to sit all the way in the back to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere).
check it out! http://www.themudtruck.com/spots.html

The Grey Dog's Coffee- on university place, has good coffee and serves it in big mugs- my favorite...but their is never anywhere to sit.

Bagel Express on 25th and 3rd- a typical bagel shop, with amazing iced hazelnut coffee! Just down the street from me, so it's perfect for a quick fix on a hot day.

Dunkin Donuts: gross! Their are about 3 within 2 min walking radius from my apartment, but I've only been to one of them, and threw the coffee out because it was so gross. I don't consider myself a coffee snob, but D&D has by far the worst coffee!

Fruit stands

I love those fruit stands that are all over the city. Apples are my favorite so when I have the craving for one, I can always fill it…for just 75 cents! There’s nothing like a “fresh and clean” piece of fruit from the fruit guy on the street…(where do they get that fruit from anyway?)

I just did a search to find out where they get the fruit from...no idea! But I haven't got sick from it yet, so I say, enjoy this tasty convenience of living here!

Silence is not a good thing...

About 2 weeks ago I was walking off the Shuttle from Times Square to Grand Central, and I realized it was SILENT. It was during rush hour! I was so confused, and looked around. Their were so many people all around me, but no one was talking, making eye contact, smiling, waving, or saying hi. Instead people had their eyes either down, focused straight ahead, or were on blackberries, ipods, cell phones etc.
This kind of disturbed me...no wonder it can get so lonely here despite all the people! Their are constantly people all around us, but we choose to ignore them and think only about ourselves. Why can’t we, as New Yorkers, chat on the subway with each other? Why do we have to be silent, leaving us only to our thoughts? It drives me crazy, and makes no sense. Take a minute to smile at someone, say hi, or start a conversation with someone, even if it’s just small talk! Who knows, maybe you will meet your future spouse, make a new friend, or learn something interesting about someone. People have some interesting life stories, why not listen to them? You could make someone’s day by just saying hi and smiling. I am speaking to myself here too, I sometimes get caught up in the "don't talk to me and I won't talk to you" mentality...and it's time to break it and be nice!

Becoming a New Yorker

Even though I have lived in the city for almost 2 years (minus summers), I still don’t quite feel like a true resident in the sense that I still get this amazing "wow I live here" feeling! I think that's okay, and maybe most new yorkers get this in the first few years of living here?
I still get a rush of excitement as I look out my window, or walk around Washington Square Park enjoying the 15 different bands playing. Maybe expressing how much I love living here isn't the "cool NY" thing to do, but I don't care, I wanted to share!

I must say, I have become much more of a local then I used to be, for example when someone asks me for directions on the street, I usually can direct them in the right direction, pretty exciting considering I was clueless a little while back! I must look live a city dweller if tourists choose me to ask for directions! Another sign that I am a local is my dislike for places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Columbus Circle. The bright lights, broadway shows, and crowds of people looking up are just not for me. Now the only time I am near times square is to take the shuttle to grand central to catch my 6 train home! Not to mention it's not the safest place to be these days...you never know where the next terrorist will be lurking, but I'd stay away from the crowds.

Listening to your conversations

Overhearing conversations while riding on the train or bus, walking to class or sitting in the park, can turn an ordinary ride/walk/sit into something pretty entertaining (or annoying!). But something I recently realized is that now whenever I am on the phone in public I have become self-concious of my conversation, assuming people are listening to me (not that my phone convos are very entertaining).

While you wait for the train...

Next time you are waiting for a train in the subway, stand on the yellow line, facing the direction of the train, and watch all the people pop there heads out, in anticipation for the oncoming train that isn't there yet. It’s hilarious in a crowded subway to see how often people do this, as if looking for the train down the track will make it come faster. But I have to admit, I caught myself doing it too, and I don’t really know why! It’s just something to do while you wait for the train.

For a slight rush...stand as close as you can to the yellow line as the train passes you. I usually get scared and back up before it speeds by, but on rare occasions I stand strong, letting the wind blow my hair wildly as the train passes just inches from my body.

Becoming One of Those Bloggers

So, here I am, sitting at my computer, writing for fun! Who would have known? I never thought I would be one of those bloggers…I always wondered why people thought the world wanted to know their every thought and opinion! Well, I've overcome my blogging prejudices and decided to create one.

My blog has a purpose- to share the vast stories, thoughts, questions, ideas, facts and pieces of advice I have from my beautiful, exhilarating, curious, adventurous, and sometimes mundane life in the city.

Even if no one reads my blogs (besides my Mom of course), maybe it will be the beginning of a new hobby? (as if I have time for that...but I'll talk about time and NYC later) We’ll see how it goes!