Saturday, January 28, 2012
Weekend beats
Happy weekend, everyone! What better way to get revved up than to listen to some upbeat street music? Took this video on NYE in NYC, which explains the colorful party hats that everyone is donning :)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A MFA-inspired art therapy session
It was free admission at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) on Martin Luther King Jr's day and for the first time, my friends and I managed to walk through the entire museum in midst of the hoards of people crowding each and every exhibit. Of course the crowd density at the MFA does not hold a candle to the crowds at the Shanghai Art Museum or NYC Museum of Modern Art, so I was lucky enough to talk a snap of photos of the artwork without having some random person's limb or puffy parka peeking in the corners.
We went to the MFA with the intention of checking Degas Nude exhibit. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I confused Degas with Dali - you know, the guy that paints the melting clocks. So I walked into the exhibit, expecting artwork that falls under the same category of Impressionism. Sure enough, that was not case. As the title of the exhibit indicates, it was literally nude women...taking baths and drying themselves with a washcloth, or women being tied up in a war during the 1800's. Not to seem prude, but I was a little overwhelmed by the nudity (mostly because it was so gory) while also underwhelmed by the duplicity of the artwork. There must has been 20 different versions of "Woman taking a bath" and "Woman drying with towel"... I think I got the point, Degas.
Moving on, I quickly realized that I appreciate Contemporary Art the most. I am most impressed when an artist plays with different materials, combines traditional with modern, and creates puns. Below are some of my favorites. Inspired by the breadth of artwork seen at MFA, we immediately headed over to Nicole's apartment. With a canvas purchased at Blick in tow, we let our creatives juice flowing and it just went on from there! I felt like I was bad in middle school, when I had a short-lived aspiration to become an artist!
We went to the MFA with the intention of checking Degas Nude exhibit. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I confused Degas with Dali - you know, the guy that paints the melting clocks. So I walked into the exhibit, expecting artwork that falls under the same category of Impressionism. Sure enough, that was not case. As the title of the exhibit indicates, it was literally nude women...taking baths and drying themselves with a washcloth, or women being tied up in a war during the 1800's. Not to seem prude, but I was a little overwhelmed by the nudity (mostly because it was so gory) while also underwhelmed by the duplicity of the artwork. There must has been 20 different versions of "Woman taking a bath" and "Woman drying with towel"... I think I got the point, Degas.
Moving on, I quickly realized that I appreciate Contemporary Art the most. I am most impressed when an artist plays with different materials, combines traditional with modern, and creates puns. Below are some of my favorites. Inspired by the breadth of artwork seen at MFA, we immediately headed over to Nicole's apartment. With a canvas purchased at Blick in tow, we let our creatives juice flowing and it just went on from there! I felt like I was bad in middle school, when I had a short-lived aspiration to become an artist!
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| MFA Contemporary Art |
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| Art Therapy at Nicole'splace |
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| Top left: My masterpiece (acrylic on cavas), Right: my inspiration - Chilhuly "Lime Green Icicle Tower", Bottom Left: Close up of the "Lime Green Icicle Tower" |
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Restaurant Review: Myers and Chang
Lo siento for being MIA. Just been busy pursuing the fine, fit, and fabulous life, with an emphasis on the fit, working out is both time consuming and physically draining!
Today marks the start of a traditionally week-long celebration of the Lunar New Year! Unlike the past couple of years, I did not celebrate back home in New York City and watch the Chinese New Year Parade because of inclement weather. Instead, my friends and I rang in the Year of the Dragon by heading over to Myers + Chang (M+C) to enjoy their modern take on dim sum. It has a trendy, hipster, yet casual diner vibe that is confusing at first, but the funkiness that adds to their appeal. Contrary to how dim sum is traditionally served, where middle-age women shout broken Chinglish while pushing carts of dim sum to the diners' tables in crowded chinese restaurants, M+C serves dim sum a la carte and the diners check off the desired quantity of each dish. Their incredible attention to the freshness of all the ingredients and combinations of flavors in every dish is what brings me back to M+C. I consistently find myself exclaiming that their food look so simple yet the bold flavors indicate the complexity of each dish. I also make mental notes to replicate their dishes back home, such as the mussels in lemongrass broth... only the latter has yet to happen.
Some pointers: (1) the dim sum portions are pretty small and pricey, so think quality over quantity...and do what my friends and I did, walk over to Chinatown to sample some cheap treats at the Chinese bakeries; (2) dim sum is only served on Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am-5:30pm; (3) jasmine green and white or brown rice are complimentary; and (4) alternatively, you can get the best bang for your buck during M+C 's "cheap date nights" on Monday and Tuesdays - pre-fixe $40 options for the table of two!
Top to bottom:
thai ginger chicken with rice vermicelli, nasi goreng with pork and pineapple, and fried egg, dan dan noodles with spicy peanut sauce, sweet potato fritters with chinese sausage, crispy salt and pepper calimari, wok-charred brussels with caramelized onions, and M+C's adorable collection of Maneki Neko aka Lucky or Money Cats
Today marks the start of a traditionally week-long celebration of the Lunar New Year! Unlike the past couple of years, I did not celebrate back home in New York City and watch the Chinese New Year Parade because of inclement weather. Instead, my friends and I rang in the Year of the Dragon by heading over to Myers + Chang (M+C) to enjoy their modern take on dim sum. It has a trendy, hipster, yet casual diner vibe that is confusing at first, but the funkiness that adds to their appeal. Contrary to how dim sum is traditionally served, where middle-age women shout broken Chinglish while pushing carts of dim sum to the diners' tables in crowded chinese restaurants, M+C serves dim sum a la carte and the diners check off the desired quantity of each dish. Their incredible attention to the freshness of all the ingredients and combinations of flavors in every dish is what brings me back to M+C. I consistently find myself exclaiming that their food look so simple yet the bold flavors indicate the complexity of each dish. I also make mental notes to replicate their dishes back home, such as the mussels in lemongrass broth... only the latter has yet to happen.
Some pointers: (1) the dim sum portions are pretty small and pricey, so think quality over quantity...and do what my friends and I did, walk over to Chinatown to sample some cheap treats at the Chinese bakeries; (2) dim sum is only served on Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am-5:30pm; (3) jasmine green and white or brown rice are complimentary; and (4) alternatively, you can get the best bang for your buck during M+C 's "cheap date nights" on Monday and Tuesdays - pre-fixe $40 options for the table of two!
thai ginger chicken with rice vermicelli, nasi goreng with pork and pineapple, and fried egg, dan dan noodles with spicy peanut sauce, sweet potato fritters with chinese sausage, crispy salt and pepper calimari, wok-charred brussels with caramelized onions, and M+C's adorable collection of Maneki Neko aka Lucky or Money Cats
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Ethnic Comfort Food
First things first, I am a complete foodie at heart. I have waited hours (e.g. Ippudo and Magnolia Bakery) for delicious food and rarely do I have any regrets about it. Similar many of the other adventurous foodies out there, I am interested in trying the latest cuisine and cooking with obscure ingredients. This post showcases some of my favorite non-traditional comfort foods. And it just so happens that my more memorable comfort foods are served family style or typically shared with friends, which always results in a fun dining experience as well :)
Peruvian Cuisine
Clockwise: Roasted Chicken Breast, Corvina fish ceviche, and Salchipapa - grilled beef sausage and french fries. (Pio Pio Peruvian Restaurant)
Indian and Afghani Cuisine
Clockwise: Chicken Tikki Masala, Roasted Eggplant, Spinach and Paneer (Mela); One of many infamous Halal Carts in NYC; Chicken and Rice with extra white sauce and sriracha sauce - the only way anyone should order
Chinese and Japanese Cuisine
Clockwise: Dim sum (China Pearl Restaurant), Rice Porridge with Fried Dough (Congee Village), and Non-conventional tuna, salmon, and yellowtail sashimi tacos (Haru)
Clockwise: Roasted Chicken Breast, Corvina fish ceviche, and Salchipapa - grilled beef sausage and french fries. (Pio Pio Peruvian Restaurant)
Clockwise: Chicken Tikki Masala, Roasted Eggplant, Spinach and Paneer (Mela); One of many infamous Halal Carts in NYC; Chicken and Rice with extra white sauce and sriracha sauce - the only way anyone should order
Clockwise: Dim sum (China Pearl Restaurant), Rice Porridge with Fried Dough (Congee Village), and Non-conventional tuna, salmon, and yellowtail sashimi tacos (Haru)
Friday, January 6, 2012
Latest Fashion Obsession: Infinity Scarf
On a whim, my friends and I stopped by Anthropologie in Chelsea Market and I was immediately drawn to this infinity scarf. I've never owned an infinity scarf before and I always thought that they were not very appealing since they are not versatile as my $5 pashminas purchased in Chinatown. I decided to make the purchase because it was 75% off (who doesn't love a good deal?) the scarf is 100% silk, has two distinct and vibrant patterns, and it's such a great way to add some pizazz to any outfit!
I managed to identify three ways to wear this scarf but I typically resort to wearing it as a double loop. Pardon the "myspace-ness" of my pics. Posting pics is still a work in progress for me!
Top to bottom:
Scarf worn as a shawl, Scarf as a single loop, Scarf as a double loop
I also recommend that you check out this video by Wendy Nguyen for other great suggestions on how you can wear any scarf!
I managed to identify three ways to wear this scarf but I typically resort to wearing it as a double loop. Pardon the "myspace-ness" of my pics. Posting pics is still a work in progress for me!
Top to bottom:
Scarf worn as a shawl, Scarf as a single loop, Scarf as a double loop
I also recommend that you check out this video by Wendy Nguyen for other great suggestions on how you can wear any scarf!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Cheers to 2012
Had a fantastically relaxing and enjoyable week-long vacation in NYC. It was full of reunions, delicious food, and memorable conversations. My friend, who lives in Chelsea, hosted a NYE party that had all the components of a perfect event: jungle juice, balloons, top 40 pop music + MJ, and friends! The "sorority girl" side of me came out that night and things got a little cray cray toward the end, but overall, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
Top to bottom:
My good friend Jaime and me, party showdown, and my bf and I showing some NYE spirit
Top to bottom:
My good friend Jaime and me, party showdown, and my bf and I showing some NYE spirit
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