Day 4: Movin On Up

Yes I am still blogging about NYC, bear with me, I love this city, I could gush about the lights, energy, food, parks, subways, musicals, FOR-EV-ER! 

The fourth day of our trip was Wendy's last, and we literally spent it getting lost in Central Park. After Bow Bridge, I'm not sure how we missed the 5th Ave and the Met. Just passed it by, ended up closer to the Upper West Side. We trekked back and forth, guided by paper maps and google maps. By the time we found ourselves back on the Upper East Side, Wendy was pooped and went back to the hotel for a conference call. I, not wanting to waste any moment in this glorious city, went to the Met, solo. I zipped through the exhibits, admiring the pieces of Picasso, Manet, Monet, Matisse, Warhol. I could get lost in this museum ALLLLL DAY. I am a fan of the Met's Costume Institute (aka honoring the history of fashion and costumes), and I was super bummed I missed the opening of their spring exhibit "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations," by just a week. And I missed the famed gala opening the exhibit by days, which reminds me Miss Wintour, I'll be changing my address, so please forward next year's invite to my new apartment.

After the Met, Wendy and I went back to Soho for some shopping and had dinner at Mario Batali's Otto Enoteca Pizzeria (the first restaurant I ate at on my first trip to New York in 2006). For dessert we headed to the Momofuku Milk Bar in the East Village. It was everything I've ever dreamed of, best dessert I have EVER ate. I had a piece of Crack Pie, and it totally lived up to it's name. I don't even know what is in it, but I love it, sugary, butter, I'm hooked, I dream about this pie like I dream about Bubbies Mochi Ice Cream, Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs, Kauai Kulolo, Cherries Jubilee from Hy's, and a shave ice from Waiola. I sent my sister their signature Corn Powder, so she could make me some. I also had a jug of their pretzel milk, it was salty and sweet, but really rich. 

After that we headed back to hotel, so Wendy could pack, our trip was finally coming to an end. 

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Random notes:

• Congrats to my man Michael Phelps, most decorated Olympian EVERRRRRR! Rio 2016, just for the relays! Do itttttt!
• Currently obsessed with all things UK. Well I've always been obsessed with the UK, Royals, wizards, double decker buses, The Beatles, The Who, Downton Abbey, McQueen, KMoss, the accents, I think the only thing I'm not a fan of would be fish and chips. I want to visit London so, so, so, sooooooo bad. With Japan next year, I have no idea when that would be possible.
• It's summer, other than the Olympics and glee reruns with no cable I've got nothing to watch. My coworker suggested I start watching Merlin, the BBC drama that shows on SYFY in the US. I saw it on Netflix, but never taken to it. Three episodes in, I'm hooked. Those knights.... DAMNNNNN.
• Anniversary Sale is finally over, FINALLY!

My love for the Olympics, me visiting sites of the Vancouver Winter Games in 2010.

This guy. <3

It's that time again... time for the Summer Olympics. I la-la-la-lovvvvvvvve the Olympics, especially the summer games, I think it's because I have no real connection to the winter games (come on, I'm from Hawaii, ice palace is the closest thing we got). The summer games has basketball, soccer, indoor and beach voleyball, track & field, gymnastics, and my favorite... SWIMMING. I'm excited to cheer on my man Michael Phelps and his quest to become the greatest olympian EVER! Get it!!!!!! I know Ryan Lochte is the favorite now (the guy is ALL OVER THE PLACE).

I feel like London was my chance to actually watch the Olympics in person. I remember when it was announced and David Beckham showed up in Beijing. I thought there's your 4 year goal, get to the Olympics. But life happens, and here I am, blogging about the Olympics instead of watching it as it happens. I know Rio is out of the question, but hey 2020 I'm shooting for you, hopefully in Tokyo or somewhere in the states. Last night's opening ceremonies was the first time I didn't watch the opening ceremonies from the start (I started watching somewhere near Micronesia). It made me miss working for the sports department, being "forced" to watch the Olympics because what else is there to watch in the middle of summer other than MLB?!? This year I'll be working throughout the games, unable to watch my favorite events and athletes, thank goodness for Twitter, Instagram, and phone apps.

I can pinpoint my love for the Olympics to 1992. Prior to that I do not recall much, I don't remember Mary Lou Retton or Greg Louganis. My first memories start with the Dream Team in Barcelona, I'm not sure what basketball lovin kid wasn't watch the greatest group of NBA players on one team take on the world. I can't believe that was 20 years ago, makes me feel real old. 1996 in Atlanta brought the Magnificent Seven and Michael Johnson, I was so obsessed with gymnastics that year. In 2000 it was all about swimming and Ian Thorpe. I think that was the year I also took notice of our US Men's Soccer National team. 2004 started my love for Mr. Phelps, and my bitter disappointment of our men's basketball team (seriously BRONZE?!?). In 2008, it was about Michael Phelps again, Shawn Johnson, and Natasha Kai and women's soccer. It was so cool seeing someone you knew, actually in the Olympics! I can't wait to see what unfold's at this year's games!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh hello there. It is nearing the end of July, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Found a new apartment and roommate, sadly I'll be leaving my beloved Wedgwood for Greenwood (which is really close to Greenlake! Yayaya!). Also you are reading Northgate Nordstrom's newest BP. Personal Stylist, how bad ass is that promotion. I'm super excited in my new role, and I am definitely up for the challenges that this job entails. I'm nervous but looking forward in growing with this company. We are currently in the middle of Anniversary Sale, and I am dead tired. But I told myself I need, need, need to update this blog, for the sake of all 3 of my readers.

Day 3: Expect the Unexpected
For those who are close to me, know that I am a planner. I'm that girl who loves to write everything down in my trusty Moleskine planner, which I carry with me 24/7.  I love itineraries, lists, planned events, r.s.v.p.s, reservations, especially when there are a million things I want to do or accomplish in a day. So when I didn't get reserved tickets for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon beforehand, I simply 86 listed that from my to do list. But I think the comedic god's were smiling on me on this day and blessed me with one of the best days of our trip...

• The day started out with a morning walk to Grand Central Terminal.
• I had to get in a Serena Van Der Woodsen moment, standing at GCT, fresh off the train from boarding school.
• Then it was off to Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, I think this is the closest I'll get to the famous Napa chef for awhile, so I had to take it. And it. was. amazing. So amazing that I went twice on this trip.
• The day was supposed to be a shopping/Chelsea High Line day. But an impromptu trip to the NBC studio store to check out FRIENDS memorabilia led to some guy asking us to ask Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda a question on the Today show. A spot on national TV, so down.
• On a whim, I asked the concierge about tickets to LNJF (late night with Jimmy Fallon), and he gave us stand by tickets number 48 and 49 (I for sure thought we were not getting in), but he did say if we wanted to see Jimmy practice his monologue it was free, and some guy would be passing out tickets in 10 min. SOLD.
• After some shopping, we returned to NBC studios for monologue practice. I was in heaven, I've been a Jimmy Fallon fan since the SNL days, dream come true. After monologue practice, there was only a 20 min wait until we had to see if our stand by tickets could let us into the taping, so what the heck, we've already wasted most of our day, let's go for it.
• Ughhhhhh.... long line, it's hot, and this is a lot of waiting. I really don't think we are getting in, just about ready to give up. And we just found out tonight's guest is Captain America himself, the devilishly handsome Chris Evans. Oh well it was a good run.
• "They have to let us in, we are young, exotic asian looking," I jokingly say. Waiting, waiting, and more waiting... feeling hopeless. Then we are approached by some guy holding a clipboard, "Do you guys like Tom M.... and Ben Harper?" I didn't get the first guys name, but I pretty much yelled, "I LOVE BEN HARPER." Startled, the guy says, "Great, we need people to stand in back of him on stage, while he performs, you guys up for that?" Uhhhhh, yeah we are! We. Are. In. 
• The taping went great, you could totally see us on TV, Jimmy did a comedy bit that he went into the audience, so there are some great shots of me and Wen (see instapic above of Wendy). Chris Evans, hot as ever. Performing with Ben Harper was Tom Morello, guitarist from Rage Against the Machine, (holy moly, floored), stood directly behind ?uestlove, from the legendary Roots band (double floored). Best day of my life (after seeing Nick Jonas on the first day). 
• After the taping, still couldn't believe what happened to us. We went back to our hotel for dinner. Then for dessert, we headed to Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes and pastries. And decided to people watch beneath the lights of Times Square on the famous read Duffy stairs. It was the perfect ending to the most awesome blessful day.

True story.

Oh P.S. totally saw Giuliana taping the beginning of E! News. Starstruck, but not as starstruck as seeing Nick Jonas. ;)

Manhattan Views

The BK

 

 

 

 

Day 2, Brooklyn

• Early morning, full day ahead. Nice sunny weather perfect for sightseeing.
• Wendy and I walked the Brooklyn. Amazing views of the bridge, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, overcrowded with people. 
• Hung out in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and ate ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
• Took the subway back to the city.
• Walked from Union Square to Washington Square Park.
• Fell in love with Greenwich Village and NYU campus. James Franco teaches a course? Sign. Me. Up.
• 7 p.m. reservation to see Ground Zero. The new towers are amazing as are the ginormous memorial pools. It brings back so many memories of Sept. 11. The memorial and the buildings aren't finished yet just a reminder that we are still rebuilding over 10 years later.

Sunrise views.

  

 

Sunday bloggin twime. Finally, finally working up that seniority and was scheduled a Sunday off. HOLY MOLY! So to celebrate a blog for you all (as in all three readers). Over a month later and I am still on a New York City high. There is just something about the energy, and everything is completely true in Jay-Z's song, Empire State of Mind... "New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, these lights will inspire you..." You feel like everything is at your finger tips. You feel motivated to get out there and see everything the city has to offer. It really is one of my favorite places in the world. Here's why...

yellow cab, gypsy cabs. the energy. subways. central park. the upper east side. street art, street carts. architecture. bright lights. BROADWAY. fooooooood. museum mile. brooklyn. shopping. high fashion. new fashion. brick roads. the high line. hip-hop. hustle bustle.

Day 1. SEA--->JFK, Midtown explorin
Highlights:

• Took a red eye, got in JFK at 6 a.m.
• Breakfast while I took photos of Tiffany & Co. 
• Stood in line at Al Hirschfeld Theatre to get tickets to How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. 
• Bought my Metrocard.
• Met up with Wendy and her friend Shaun, and his friend Dave. 
• Visited Bryant Park for the first time. A little paradise in the middle of midtown.
• Went to the New York Public Library, saw the reading room, that photo is of me and Wendy on the staircase that Carrie stood on in Sex and the City the movie.
• Oh, ran into Nick effing Jonas. Shit just got real. Best day of my life.
• Burgers and fries at the Shake Shack. Two thumbs up, but overly crowded.
• Saw How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Impressed with Nick Jonas, pretty entertaining but not as epic as Rent.
• Bar hopping in the Lower East Side.
• Pau, it was a hella long day.

Next up... Day 2. Brooklyn Bridge mission.