School Spirit?

So being the year of learning how to enjoy my life in New York, I decided to become more involved at school, and what better way then to join clubs on campus. So I started with something a bit educational and signed up for a international relations course with a club component that involved traveling to Washington, D.C. with my new delegation. It's something I did in high school and loved so I figured I would give it a shot in college. First off, its way different on the college and international level and second off, it's so much harder! It was all worth it once we won a bunch of awards in D.C. and I got to meet some really interesting people and made some new friends on campus. The second thing I've done has been shocking, even for me. I might have join the typical college club, I'll give you two hints; its all about sisterly love and has to do with something greek. Yes, me of all people, before you roll your eyes, I already did that, once I started to learn more about it and the group I really started to like everyone involved and really enjoy going to all the events. Its only been three months and I'm already exhausted by everything, isn't it time for thanksgiving break yet?

A Foodies Kind of Club

Since my mom, grandma, and cousin were still in town, we decided to have a fun girls night at Ajna Bar, formally known as Buddha Bar. We walk down a long dark hall into the bar area, and waited for our table over cosmos, we were one of the first reservations of the night at 8 o'clock so it was a bit quiet, but the restaurant was so fun to walk around and look at, we didn't really mind. The restaurant is also used as club space on the weekends and for events so, its quite the scene after midnight. It is an Asian fusion restaurant, with a great sushi menu as well as some French influence. The food was pretty good, but due to its club atmosphere, hard to enjoy over the noise and hard to see due to the dark ambiance. Since it had just been my cousin's birthday they did a huge dessert with sparklers, which was really the highlight of the meal. Overall it was entertaining, but not delicious, I would definitely go back and sit at the bar and people watch though.

Back To Basics

Since my mom is in town, we went to one of her new favorites in Los Angeles thats from Manhattan. Fig and Olive is well-known in the city and its Meatpacking location is fun to sit and people watch on the weekends. The concept is great, simple and fresh ingredients with classic pairings and beautiful plating. I also love they they have a whole part of the menu designed to let you taste a little bit of everything. Since part of their title is olive, they have many different types of olive oils for you to try that they bring over and they all have such distinct and bold tastes. I had this amazing fig, prosciutto and gorgonzola with aged balsamic crostini that was just outrageously amazing. Then we tried a few different chicken and lamb dishes that were so interesting and delicious. After a very large meal we decided to walk it off through the streets of the Meatpacking District and do a little window shopping at DVF and Christian Louboutin, just window shopping...

‎"Having a strong desire or being successful does not mean that you are going to feel great all the time. No matter how enlightened I become, I will not be positive all the time. You have to understand the swing of the pendulum. It must swing back and forth. The only other alternative is to sit still in neutral, which is precisely what most people do."
-Thomas D. Whillhite

Amazing Eataly

I officially don't understand how New Yorkers stay skinny with places like this around. Eataly is a gourmet Italian market with four restaurants inside. With a coffee bar, a gelato section, a wine and cheese tasting area and a pasta and butcher counter, theres a ton to choose from. The four restaurants are themed with a vegetarian, meat, seafood and pizza menu. I first went with my mom and sat down and ate at the meat restaurant and had the most amazing ribeye of my life. I then went back with my cousin and some friends and grabbed some cheeses and prosciutto and of course fig jam with a fresh baguette and we sat in Madison Square Park and had a little Eataly picnic. Since then I've been back just to grab an espresso and wander through the aisles of specialty foods, including a whole sections devoted to imported olive oils, where the serious foodies hang out. This is definitely must see place for both tourists and New Yorkers alike.

Third Times A Charm

Junior year, can't believe I'm already halfway done! I have so many goals and hopes for this year that are different from the past times. My main goal is to enjoy every minute of this year and stress less. I want to work on myself and my relationships and making new friends here in New York. I am going to get more involved in school and work less. I have learned a lot this summer and I want to use that to move forward and make this the best year yet! I am so excited for this year, its time to have some fun!

Summer In Pictures

End of summer dinner

Sounds Familiar

Much needed downtime

Perfect Maui Sunset

End of school year toast!