NYC Series: Grand Central Station, Central Park, and the Met

(Continuation of this post)

After getting done with the Library, I went to the Grand Central Station to see the comings and goings of New York City.

It was neat to finally see if after seeing it in so many films. Afterwards, I met up with my sister for brunch at Bareburger.

On my way I passed the Chrysler building so I took a quick snapshot of it:

After our brunch we took a long walk around Central Park, even though it was so cold out. Even in winter, Central Park is still gorgeous, all dolled up in its frosty glory.

 

Any Gossip Girl fans recognize this?

Or maybe this side of it?

See the Boathouse from 27 Dresses?

Bow Bridge

On top of Belvedere Castle

Next we went to the Metroplitan Museum of Art.

 



Inside the Met!

 

 

One of the cool exhibits

On the steps of the Met oustide.

All three places were exactly what I hoped it would be. By the time we finished, my sister and I were so famished that we had an early dinner at Barriere, one of her fave restaurants, then rested the rest of the evening before we went out again for the night life!

NYC Series: Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and the New York Public Library

Last Saturday, I woke up early to take advantage of my time left in NYC. Since the Empire State Building is so iconic, I decided to make it my first stop. If I thought Seattle was cold, it was nothing compared to the frigid winter air of New York! Still I trudged along and walked from my sister's Manhattan apartment.

Walking up towards the Empire State Building

But right as I got there, a bus load of asian tourists got off. These weren't just any asian tourists. They were pushy asian tourists. For a moment I debated whether or not to just come back later, but wasn't left with much of a choice as I was swept into the crowd. Eventually I made it up to the top and was greeted with a wonderful view:

It was so cold, but worth it!

I spent awhile there just taking it in before I left. Upon exiting a snapped this photo from the lobby:

I quickly got into a cab then headed to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library.

Front view of the New York Public Library

Back view of the Library

Unfortunately for me, I had an hour and a half before the library opened so I filled it with a walk around Bryant Park. It was a small but quaint park with an outdoor rink.

Outdoor rink at Bryant Park

After awhile and unable to deal with the cold, I ducked into Le Pain Quotidien, a cute cafe nearby to crab some coffee and a croissant for breakfast.

Afterwards I headed to the library and immediately loved it. The building was just beautiful! Just take a look of the photos below!

Entrance

Looking upwards at the ceiling.

Entrance view from the second floor.

Hallway to one of the wings.

Walking up to the second floor.

My favorite room of the Library.

Stairs

Lamp and window

Door detail

The Library had a neat exhibit about children's literature too.

If you ever find yourself there, check out the gift shop too. They have some neat stuff. I got myself a necklace with an Emily Dickinson quote and got Michael a ring with 15th century poetry (poesy) on it.

If you missed the first part of my NYC series, you can check it out here: NYC Series: A slice, Houston Hall, and Greenhouse .

NYC Series: A slice, Houston Hall, and Greenhouse

This past weekend was definitely one to remember spent in New York City visiting my sister! Yep, yep! Michelle Tran found herself in the big apple and boy was it a shock! This week I'll be posting a series of my NYC adventure, so stay tuned all week :)

Last Friday evening I arrived at Penn Station around six p.m. The first thing I noticed? People. Tons of people everywhere. At 4'11'', I craned my neck trying to find the exit to the street. Once I got onto the street, suitcase in tow I tried my best at hailing a cab. It was nearly impossible. Turned out it was market week. So when this guy on a bike comes around with an attached carrier seat and says that he can give me a lift, I agree to it because I'm freezing and I felt kind of bad for him.

So I get in. Right away I could tell that it was a BIG MISTAKE! This guy's weaving in and out of the streets and I realize I, or my luggage could fall out at any moment. Not to mention I finally noticed a sign on his bike that says $3 per minute (which is a rip off, a cap is cheaper and warmer!). Immediately I tell him I want out, I rather walk. So when I get out and try to pay for a six minute ride that only got me down three blocks ($15 dollars plus tip), his payment device wouldn't work. I should also mention that before I agreed to the ride I told him that I didn't have cash, only a card, which he said he was fine with. So when his device wouldn't work he started to blow up on me demanding that I pay up. Was it my fault his device wasn't working? No, right? I offered to buy him something to compensate, some food nearby and what not, but he's still upset that I didn't go through the whole ride. His voice started to rise as he inched toward me. I did the only thing I could think of: I grabbed my suitcase and ran.

What a great welcome to the city. Please note my sarcasm here.

But I tried not to let the incident bog me down or the fact that I was stupid enough to get trapped in the scam. Putting my feet to work I walked to my sister's apartment completely wide-eyed as I tried to take in the shock of the city compared to the Boston Suburbia where I had spent the days prior.

Quick shot of the lit Empire State Building as I walked by.

Finally I made it and was so stoked to see my sister! It's been almost two months since I had last seen her. Since I was starving she immediately took me to Vezzo where I got to experience the NY style pizza, or "slice" as they say. Granted it was at a restaurant and not a street vendor, but it still counts, right?

It was delicious! Half meat lovers (my sister's choice) and sweet italian sausage with basil (my choice).

It was so great to catch up and see how great my sister was doing in just a few months since she's moved there. By the way she talks and enjoys the city, I could tell she's found a home here.

Afterwards, she and her friends showed me the night scene. First we went to Houston Hall in the West Village for a few drinks.

Next we went to Greenhouse close by and ended the night by dancing the rest of the night away. It was a small jam-packed club with a great vibe with the multi-colored lights and hanging glass decor.

It had been a while since I had gone out to dance which made it such a great way to start off the memorable weekend and almost made me forget about my earlier haggling incident with the biker.

Stuck in a Snow Storm

So funny thing yesterday. I spent my evening writing and got hungry in the middle of it. I ordered room service and decided on cheese and characters, thinking that it would be just a small plate. But jeez was I wrong! They gave me a whole platter that seemed to suit a party of six!

I felt a bit terrible for wasting the majority, but holey crow, why are these portions so huge?

Anyway, I woke up this morning, opened my curtains and everything was draped in white! And I'm talking inches thick. The storm everyone has been talking about finally hit the greater Boston area. The schools were canceled, and so is my conference for the day. I'm officially experiencing my first snow day as I watch the white little flecks completely pour down from the top floor of my hotel window. It's strangely beautiful, yet scary at the same time. Earlier after breakfast, I headed outside thinking maybe I could take a walk in it. Within seconds I was coated in little flakes, and my non-snow shoes sunk quickly into the snow. Bad idea, so I quickly went back inside and grabbed some hot tea! The storm is more enjoyable by simply watching it from a warm room instead of participating  in it I realized.

At least I know I have a lot of time to write and read today. Though, in the back of my mind I'm slightly worried that when the next storm hits on Sunday, I may be stranded at the JFK airport.

Holding Out For A Hero

Lately I've been so  o b s e s s e d with Ella Mae Bowen's "Holding Out For A Hero."

I've had it on repeat while writing just because her voice is kind of what I imagined my protagonist to sound like: sincere, open, and vulnerable. Not to mention I think my character is holding out for a hero herself, though she doesn't want to admit to it. 

This song also conjures up a scene in my head that I've been looking forward to writing. And I just love how music can do that to you. How the sounds and lyrics can paint pictures and a story just like how words on a page can. It's absolutely magical what words and sound can do.

Let it snow!

Just about two months ago I saw snow, now on the east coast I get to see it again! As I write this, I'm sitting in a booth at the hotel restaurant beside the window watching it fall down with dinner and pinot noir.

Here are some photos I took earlier today:

After my first official day of my business trip, I realized it wasn't how I expected it to be. For one, I'm the only one from the west coast; second, I'm the only one staying at the hotel; and third, I'm the youngest person at the conference. 

It's kind of a bummer because it all just feels like I'm at a rehab facility. I can't really go anywhere since I'm in the middle of suburbia. So I'll be spending five days in the same place. I'm in class all day listening to lectures. Then of course, there's the three meals a day, the feeling of complete loneliness as I share my breakfast and dinner meals completely alone, and then just staying in my room for the rest of the day.

I'm going slightly crazy by myself that I can't imagine what it feels like for other people who travel often for work with even longer durations. It kind of makes me glad that I don't travel for work. Perhaps it would be different if I were in a big city instead of just another suburban town, but who knows. Not much time for play when most of the day is work!

Superbowl party of one

I landed in Boston, and I hardly got to see it. But what did I expect right? I am on a business trip. Isn't it strange that traveling makes you fatigued even though you're really not doing anything but sitting on your bum? Well that's how I felt when I got to my hotel. I went straight to the restaurant below and ordered a bit too much. Of course my eyes were bigger than my stomach so everything I ordered I left unfinished. 

Pinot noir, oysters, seafood risotto, and decaf coffee to go with my dessert (toasted brioche topped with fresh strawberries, vanilla bean gelato, and dark chocolate infused balsamic reduction). Yummm!

All of which I enjoyed while watching the second quarter and the halftime show of the super bowl.

Afterwards I went back to my room to finish watching the game, and lo and behold, the Seahawks won! What a lame week to be away from home when so much is happening!

Go SEAHAWKS!

Anyway, well done Seattle. I’ll always remember my first year in Seattle as the year-they-won-the-super-bowl-which-I-was-out-of-town-for.