Company Fun

     Last week, one of the companies that I am working with this summer hosted their summer cocktail party at the Gramercy Park Hotel.  The rooftop was beautifully decorated, and even though it was humid and rainy, they were able to close all of the windows and turn on the air conditioning, allowing us to enjoy the view but not sweat all over the place.

     The best part of the night was that we got to play trivia.  We were divided into teams and then played two rounds of questions.  After the first two rounds, the top teams faced off--one of which was mine.  Unfortunately we lost, and while the first place winners were awarded $50 gift cards, we got chap stick...

     Aside from our disappointing finish, I had a wonderful time with friends and co-workers.  It was great to see everyone in a different and much more festive setting.

Rays of Sunshine

   

View from Rare Bar

     This weekend was absolutely beautiful weather wise.  Saturday was sunny, high of 75, and breezy.  It was so nice out that I walked from 34th to 74th without realizing just how far I had walked.   I then put a towel down in the park and tried to get a little bit of a tan.  I just got a new bikini bottom from Cacao Bikini, a company based in Australia who specializes in cheeky bikini bottoms.  And anyone who knows me, knows that I love to show off my rear end.  The suits are a bit pricy, but the quality is top notch and they are very comfortable!

     After spending a few hours lounging and reading, I walked home and spent a little time cleaning my apartment.  I also took a nap because my schedule of working long days and then partying is starting to catch up to me after four weeks… I was actually sick this week but managed to bounce back after chugging some OJ and going to be early.

     Saturday night I met up with a couple of W&L friends at Rare Bar.  Rare is very close to me but I had never been and was very glad I did go last night because the views on the roof are amazing.  I'm such a sucker for rooftop bars and restaurants because I love to be outside and see the NY skyline.  After Rare we went down to the Standard Biergarten and then I went to meet up with some work friends at Ace Bar.  I ended up staying out pretty late last night and did not get home until after 5AM!  I also tried out the $.99 pizza place by me and was thoroughly impressed. I will definitely be making some trips back…

     Because I went to bed so late, I also slept very late today… and by sleeping late, I mean that my friend woke me up when she called me at 11:30.  After waking up, I called my Dad and thanked him for being the best ever, and then headed out for a walk around town.  I am very interested in exploring the Murray Hill area and look forward to trying new restaurants around me.  I then walked towards Union Square to check out at bakery that I read about having good chocolate babka.  On the way I developed a strong craving for a bacon cheeseburger.  The line for Shake Shack was obviously way too long, so I continued onwards hoping to run into some kind of burger place.  I happened upon New York Burger Co., a place I have never heard of, but was pleasantly surprised.  And they have the cutest little bags for their french fries!

     Breads Bakery did not disappoint.  When I lived in Great Neck I used to always visit a place named Bruce's, a place that my Dad used to even visit when he lived there.  Sadly, Bruce's closed last year and so since then I have been on a hunt for comparable babka to the one Bruce's made.  And I think I have found it.  This babka is a bit hard and crisp on top, but then very soft and gooey in the middle.  I had to remind myself twice that eating the entire thing in one night would be regrettable.

Time to go watch the season finale of GOT!!!! 

Happy Sunday :)

P.s. on Friday, on my walk to work, I went through Grand Central and saw a bunch of police officers and their dogs. I inquired as to the gathering and an officer told me it was for the dogs graduation from police training! Too cute. 

Weekend Update

I know this is a bit late, but I got slammed with work this week, not to mention, it was our country's birthday.

This past weekend was quite eventful. Friday after work I took advantage of the MoMA's free Friday admittance and walked around my favorite museum. I especially love looking at the extreme abstract art--something about the simplicity of the shapes seems to let my mind release from the past week of work. I couldn't stay long though because it was so crowded that I started to get annoyed by all the tourists and people taking pictures.

I had some friends come over Friday night to get ready to go out and then we headed to the Hudson Terrace for some rooftop dancing. It was a crazy scene: packed with sweaty men and women, dancing, drinking, thumping music, and great views of the water. Oh yeah, and we got sweet glow stick things. The DJ was really good too--DJ PHRESH. (love the spelling). This was my first visit to a rooftop party and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Vodka Sparklers

Saturday morning I woke up early(ish) and headed to Columbia for swim practice--at 9AM it was already hot and humid--not a good omen for the day to come. After swimming I went home, made a gourmet bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, and then got showered and changed. Ash and I met up with Emma and some of her friends at a place called Pranna. Emma had been here before and was raving about their "Sunday brunch/dance club" and so I had to try it.  Some how, Moe and Emma know this club promoter that gets them into all these trendy places for free. I need to learn how to meet these people. We sat down at a large booth and were immediately greeted with endless mimosas. Then came the food: banana crepes, quiche, salad, french fries, buffalo wings, and more. All free. We ate and chatted for a while and then Ed (club promoter) said we were moving into the next room. This next room was basically a dining room transformed into a afternoon club. There was a DJ playing never-ending pop music and a guy sitting next to him playing a drum? That was strange but also cool I guess. We sat at our new table/booth and were greeted with more mimosas and then waitresses started bringing out bottles of vodka with sparklers. It was like a scene from one of those posh parties that only the super rich go to where they bring out the champagne to you with sparklers. I don't mean to gush or anything, but it was too cool. We danced and drank for the next couple of hours and then all decided to go home and take quick nap.

Dodgeball

We later reconvened for the night at a bar called McFadden's in midtown. One of our friends has a birthday in June, and apparently if you were her friend, you got half priced drinks the whole night. Awesome. It was also "Dodgeball" night at the bar, so all of the bartenders were dressed up as either of the gyms in the movie--the sporadically got on top of the bar to dance to songs and pour shots all around. It was hilarious. The bar played classic songs that everyone could sing along to like Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, and Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy. Cheesy, but perfect. After a good amount of time there, we headed down to the Meatpacking District and hit up one last bar before calling it a night.

Emma may have spilled her drink...

Sunday was spent mostly indoors since it was oppressively hot. My biggest accomplishment for Sunday was painting my finger and toe nails.

Week Late Weekend Update

  I apologize for my tardy post about my last weekend, but I have been beyond busy.  My weekend started off on Friday, as work came to a close at 4.  After work, I went out to eat at a great Italian restaurant called Pescatore with my friend Mona. I highly recommend it. After stuffing my face with grilled mahi mahi and chocolate molten cake, we went to see Midnight in Paris. I also HIGHLY recommend it. For anyone who has a knowledge of art history, Paris, the 20's, or even English writers, you will love this movie. Woody Allen has still got it. After dinner and a movie with my gal pal, we went back to her apartment and enjoyed a much needed, restful nights sleep.
  Friday may have been a relatively mild night out, but Saturday night definitely made up for my lack of adventure. I began my Saturday with a morning swim practice at Columbia, went home to shower and change, and then made my way back into the glorious NYC. I walked by the dyke parade and met my friend Emma and her friend Moe at the NY Public Library. We walked to Qdoba and they used their coupons to buy copious amounts of cheap tex-mex. After some food we went to Moe's apartment in Brooklyn.

  For $500 a month, Moe has got an amazing apartment, so jealous. Not to mention, the view form his roof is breathtaking. Just look at my facebook pictures for further proof. As the night went on, lots of Moe's/Emma's friends showed up and we all hung out on the roof. Around 12:30, we left to go to a gay club called Sugarland. I have never been to a gay club before, but it was an experience. Not to mention the gay marriage bill had been passed the day before... We didn't get home until 5 AM. I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late; at W&L we go out at 8 and I'm usually in bed by 12!
  4 hours later we were waking up and getting ready to head to the gay pride parade! One bacon egg and cheese bagel and a quart of ice cream later we had made our way to 5th ave. I had on idea what to expect from this parade, but it far exceeded all of my expectations. I even got to see my swim team march by in their Speedo's and water guns! Next year, I am going to be IN the actual parade, preferably on top of one of those party busses...