Sunday, September 28, 2008

I heart blog tag

I'm not positive I actually was blog tagged, but I just don't care. It's always fun talking about myself. So, in response to the ever darling Mackenzie, I give you:

Alisa's Blog Tag--I kind of wish she had come up with a better name.

10 Years Ago I:
Was a sophomore at Utah State University in the beautiful metropolis of Logan, UT. Man, I love that place. I was a Resident Assistant in Snow Hall. This means I probably had a crush on a few of the freshman boys on my floor. I was also discovering how awesome not going to class was while preparing for the bitter winter ahead. I've reflected upon my college days a lot lately, especially now that I'm a student again. Some things I've outgrown: wearing pajamas to school (this is how you spot the freshman), never studying and doing homework (core classes in undergrad much easier than grad school), staying up for days at a time (how can anyone stay awake after 11?), ramen and cereal (okay, i still survive on cereal), the list goes on...

5 Things on Today's To Do List:
1. Strategy Homework
2. Accounting Homework
3. Finance Homework
4. Statistics Homework
5. Economics Homework

5 Snacks I Enjoy:
1. Apples
2. String Cheese
3. Cookies
4. Pudding Snack Packs
5. Raw Cashews

5 Things I Would Do if I were a Millionaire:
1. Pay for school
2. Buy fancy shoes
3. Buy an apartment in the West Village
4. Buy a house north of Grand/west of Central on Alameda
5. Take pastry chef classes

5 Places I Have Lived:
1. Sandy, UT
2. Greeley, PA
3. New York, NY
4. Alameda, CA
5. Seoul, South Korea

5 Jobs I Have Had:
1. Holiday Gift Wrapper
2. Waitress
3. Bar Tender
4. Temp
5. Babysitter

I Tag:
Gnu and Whitney--I want a post from each of you
Ms. Peachey
Melanie
and Ashley--I swear she said she was going to start a blog--now's her chance!

Rules:
Each of you need to answer these same questions. Mackenzie said that she would leave a comment on my blog letting me know I'd been tagged, but she didn't (thus I may have not been tagged but hate to be left out therefore pretended like I had been)...I don't think I will do that either, I don't want you to hate me or anything. Anyway, then you are supposed to post the blog and let me know. I religiously check all of your blogs so you don't have to let me know if you don't want. It's basically like the blog version of awesome chain mails. Have fun!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Treat Tour Stop #3

The Little Pie Company





Today on the tour I headed up to the area between Chelsea and Times Square. It was an adorable street. I enlisted the help of a fellow Berkeley-ian. Meet Laura:



Brother Marostica was quite excited when he learned I was moving out to New York...I do love all of the Marosticas. Laura and I enjoyed our delicious pie.



The conversation focused on how much Berkeley kicks New York's butt. To be fair, New York totally kicks Berkeley's butt in many other aspects that we also discussed. However, it was nice to get someone to sympathize with me on the lack of space everywhere--people are always in your face and touching you. We also greatly miss the Berkeley ward.

On to more important things. The pie was delicious. Mark's list included recommendations at all locations. So, according to the list, I tried the Sour Cream Apple Walnut. Very tasty. Laura and the Mudslide pie which was super rich. I want to go back again and try the key lime and Southern pecan. I guess I'll have to wait for visitors!

Friday, September 12, 2008

My First Visitor

It's official. I've had a visitor. Natalie, from such fame as being my life coach, came to New York for business. I remember when I used to have a job. Business travel was great when you weren't somewhere cool (New York) and got to visit friends (me) for free! Unfortunately, Natalie is so super busy that I got to spend a total of 1 hour with her.



Here she is standing in my apartment, which she said was surprisingly larger than her hotel room. I doubt it. She did laugh at all of my space. We then took a walk around union square, down to campus and Washington Square Park and then back up to 14th Street through the Village. Of course we stopped at Mrs. Fields on the way back. (We met working at Mrs. Fields way before the bankruptcy thing).

We strolled, talked about boys and had a lovely hour together. Then she caught a cab and went back to her hotel to work. I went back to my apartment to do more homework. Hope you enjoyed your stay Natalie!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

A Case of Mistaken Identity

As you all know, I often get mistaken for someone younger than I am. I've noticed that as I get older, the bottom age gets a bit older as well. For instance, it's been about 2 years since I was asked if I was old enough to sit in an exit row. And it's been about 4 years since I was mistaken for an unaccompanied minor. (Not all cases of mistaken identity have occurred while traveling--these are just the two examples I thought of quickly).

I can never really expect this phenomenon to end. I'm sure I'll always be mistaken for much younger than I am. First of all, I've got those Lloyd genes that keep me looking young. Second, the chubby cheeks. Third, the youthful personality (read: immaturity). The list goes on.

However, I may have secretly hoped that starting business school would eliminate these instances. Business students are professional and respected, etc, etc. Unfortunately, not everyone got the memo.

I was unaware that you have to be 18 to by Nyquil. I bought some at Walgreens yesterday. The cashier rang me up and looked at my kind of funny. The she said, "You're 18, right?" I replied, "Yes." She kept looking at me funny so I then said, "Do you need to see my ID?" I took it out of my wallet and handed it to her. She looked at it and a look of shock and embarrassment crossed her face. I'm probably the oldest person she's ever carded.

And no, this isn't the first time I've been mistaken for someone much younger in the last three weeks since my move to New York. And yes, I know I will be grateful when I'm old....everyone tells me this. I have my suspicions though. Honestly, I'm not complaining, just sharing the funniness that is my life.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

In Other Food Scouting News...

New York is definitely lacking in the delicious Mexican food; however, it tries to overcompensate for it in the fine, delicious cupcake (and bakery goods) segment. I heart cupcakes and am living in the mecca land for cupcakes. To aid in my cupcake tour of New York, my dear friend Mark gave me a list of places to check out. I've decided to visit each location on the list. Every Saturday I will go to a new place. (every Saturday may be defined loosely as Saturdays that I actually get around to waking up and leaving my apartment). Look out for future posts with other tales of cupcakes and treats.

Treat Tour Stop #1: Two Little Red Hens





It was a sunny Saturday afternoon (note this was last Saturday since this week's Saturday was rainy as you will read later on), we ventured up to the Upper East Side and quickly found the shop.

Per the recommendation, here I am with my friend Young enjoying a Lemon something--Lemon Cloud was recommended but the only lemon cupcake was named something else. A delicious lemon cupcake with lemon curd filling. The second recommendation: Brooklyn Blackout. A chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate pudding. Very delicious and very rich. I'm pretty sure both Young and I were unable to finish both halfs of cupcakes before getting sick.

Treat Tour Stop #2: Levain Bakery

I realized that I forgot my camera when I was already in the subway. So, rather than spending $2 to leave and re-enter, I decided to take mental pictures and bring cookies home to take pictures of later.

I ventured up to the Upper West Side this time. Rain was in the forecast which meant that the weather was balmy hot and humid. It was gross. Growing up in the dry west, I really can't do humid well. I've spent a fair amount of time over on the Upper East Side, but not the West. It's adorable. At least the few blocks I saw along 74th. Again, I quickly found the bakery.

Already a small line was forming, good sign. I got in line and wished that they had air conditioning inside their little bakery. It was hot. I tried to look over shoulders and between people to make sure I knew what I wanted by the time I got to the counter. I hate being that guy who holds up the line festering on the decision at hand, especially when there is a line. I hate the people at Ici (in Berkeley) who wait in line for an hour just to get to the front and have to taste every single flavor of ice cream before taking another 10 minutes deciding. Take a chance, man! Anyway, after looking at the options, I knew I'd have to get multiple cookies. They have four flavors: chocolate chip walnut, double chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and chocolate peanut butter. Since I'm against all shriveled grapes, I chose one each of the other three and was on my way.



Since it wasn't raining yet, I decided a stroll through the park would be very New Yorkey of me. It was. In fact, some out-of-towners who spoke Spanish asked me if I was American and if I lived here. I replied with a nod. Then they said I should be really proud to live somewhere so beautiful. I am proud to live here. However, I don't really think that I can take credit for the beauty. Oh well, guess they think I can. So, I'm just letting you all know, I'm the reason New York is so great!

The rain started slowly so I headed to the subway. Humidity picked up and I wanted to pass out while waiting for the super late subway. I got to my stop and did a mad dash to my building. It's like 50 feet away and I was drenched. Yay torrential rain!

I got home, took pictures and have been snacking on the chocolate chip cookie. It's pretty amazing.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

I miss you Romero and Sons

Oh, how I miss you Romero and Sons. I miss you so much. So, so much. For those of you non-Alamedians, let me explain. Romero and Sons is the local taqueria on the island. I have no idea what else is on the menu besides the chile verde super burrito (a large feat for anyone to master) and the child's chile verde burrito (the perfect size to avoid the 'i hate myself' stuffed feeling). This is not all folks. Amigo (the guy who works there and has a crush on Mackenzie) not only knows us, but he knows what we order. It's wonderful not having to repeat back the same order every week. Yes, every week. And finally, it is so h-ing delicious is going to make me cry right now just thinking about it. Yummmmm. So delicious.

Enter New York City. The city that never sleeps. The center of the universe. One (myself) who think that finding equally amazing burritos for the same affordable price would be no big deal. I was wrong. I've yet to scour the entire city, but to date my research has come up short. First of all, finding a dive taqueria is not easy. Luckily, I received two menus under my door from "local" tex-mex joints. Tonight I decided to check one out. I google mapped them both and chose the closer of the two. I live on 14th Street. The restaurant was on 24th Street. This should have tipped me off. 10 blocks is not worth it--unless it was Romero and Sons. Second, I walked in and it smelled like Chinese food. Again, I should have just turned around. Third, everyone there was Asian. Now, I have nothing against Asians--I love them, truly I do. But my concern lies in the fact that they may not be the best resource to make my Mexican burrito. With all of these red flags starring me in the face, I walked up to the counter and ordered a chicken burrito with no guacamole or tomatoes--yes, that is correct I hate both of these things yet love Mexican food. I gave the lady $5.85 and waited. She put food in a bag and set it on the counter in front of me. I asked, is this mine? She replied with a grunt. Assuming this was yes, I picked it up. Then they all yelled at me for taking somebody else's food. This would never have happened at Romero and Sons. Only Mackenzie gets embarrassed there when Amigo flirts with her. (Sorry Mackenize, I love you!!) Honestly, I was relieved because what was put in the bag was tiny. Two bites would have completed that meal. I'm not a big eater, but I can do more than two bites. I wait another minute and a large burrito is wrapped in foil and given to me.

I get home and ride the elevator up with a fellow Californian who is on a similar quest to find good Mexican. He too has been unsuccessful to date. I get to my apartment, poor myself a glass of water and open the burrito. It's wrapped like a taco. That's right, stuff is spilling out the sides. I have to eat over the sink to avoid sleeping with my food later (it's a tiny apartment where the bed functions as all furniture--see the pictures from the previous post). Needless to say, I will not be trekking the 10 blocks north again to enjoy that burrito again. I wonder if I'll even finish the second half now residing in my fridge.

Well, congratulations on surviving the long post with no pictures. For your efforts, I give you this:


Look at me and that 'go get 'em' attitude. I'm off to my first day of school. Yesterday was my first day of school. Luckily I only had two classes. Today I was not so lucky as I had three classes. Monday will be even worse with three classes and one of them being like 3 hours long....yuck!

For some reason, I hate myself. In registering for classes, I consciously decided to get all of the "hard" classes out of the way first semester to be able to therefore enjoy the rest of time at school. How did I ever think this was a good idea? Usually, I'm one for ignoring the "hard" situations in hopes that they go away. Could it be that I'm growing? Doubtful.

Well, because of this moment of insanity here is my schedule: Finance, Accounting, Statistics, Economics, Strategy. Now some would say, that's not bad, you're a wimp. These are the other 50 or so people that have my exact same schedule (yes, we see a lot of each other). To them, I stick out my tongue and say I do marketing. That's usually enough for them to get a knowing look on their faces as they nod in understanding. It's going to be a fun semester!!