Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts

Wandering Tales | Met Museum - China: Through the Looking Glass

Met Gala is a big fashion and celebrity charity event that happens every year. But being the not-so-updated fashion wise person that I am, I wasn't really aware of the event until a few years ago. All I knew of it then was "some fancy thing at the museum where a lot of celebs dressed up really nicely for". Now that I know, the news about who wears what and who attended the gala seem even more noticeable especially with trending stories and blog coverages.

The actual exhibits never caught my attention until this year's China: Through the Looking Glass. Part of the reason why I was interested this time 'round was due to the photos that were being shared by my friends on Facebook. Another was because I am a little bias towards Chinese and Asian things.
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue

MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue, Guo Pei MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue, Guo Pei
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue, Guo Pei
Dresses designed by Guo Pei
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue

MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue, Anna May Wong, Chinese American actress
Hall dedicated to Chinese American actress Anna May Wong
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
Many floral inspired fashion
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue

MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
Antique perfume bottles
Big screens playing movies based in ancient China
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue, Jean Paul Gaultier
Hall dedicated to Qipaos
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue MET Museum, China: Through the Looking Glass, New York, Vogue
Hall displaying Chinese royalty dress juxtaposed with royalty-inspired couture pieces
I wasn't sure what to expect prior to my visit to the Met Museum. The name could suggest a ton of things that the exhibit could be. I was pleasantly surprised and excited to see all the fashion, costume, and historical pieces utilized together to represent a part of a country and it's culture.

It is hard to deny that the haute couture pieces were amazing pieces. Where else and when else would a typical person be able to see high fashion designs in such close proximity?

But I was equally excited to see that some of the items were actual costumes that actresses wore in movies from decades ago. Even though I haven't seen any of the movies that were featured in the clips, I love to see behind the scenes type of stuff.

If you haven't visited yet, China: Through the Looking Glass will run until mid-August 2015 Labor Day, September 7.
If you've been already, do you have a favorite from the exhibit

End of a Chapter

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center outside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

I know...it is super cliche. Nonetheless, graduation really does signify the end of one chapter in life. For me this commencement meant the end of my undergraduate years. Whether or not it is the end of my educational life is question to be answered further down the road.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, New York

Something that I have said constantly on this blog and just in general: time sure does fly by. It didn't feel like 4 years had passed even though it was staring me right in the face.

June 3, 2011, I was attending my Freshman orientation and getting my college ID card.
June 3, 2015, I was attending my graduation as a Senior for an undergraduate degree.

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York
Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York

Witnessed by closes friends & family members (+ thousands of other people) during such a surreal moment of life.

Many classmates talked about how commencement wasn't anything special, especially since our names wouldn't even be called. But just being in the stadium with fellow excited graduates & knowing that family members could physically see this moment in time was enough for me. Nothing like being in a cap and gown to finally feel like you've made it. (Of course it would have been great to be personally and individually acknowledged but it wasn't realistically possible.)

Baruch College, Barclays Center, Barclays Center inside, 2015 Commencement, undergraduate, graduation, New York, confetti

While I can't be more happy that the days of school-related cramming, exams, projects, and sleepless nights are over, there are a new set of worries ahead waiting. Before graduation was in sight, I had already (tried) adopted the idea of letting the future play out as things come. Sure people get further with defined goals and everything but I guess that's just not how it happened for me? Maybe I'll share what happens/will happen to me after graduation in another post. I will be one heck of a story!

Restaurant Week | David Burke Kitchen

I don't know why but I have always had the notion that Restaurant Week would be too fancy for me to experience. When Bestie C asked if I wanted to go to a participating restaurant last week, I was intrigued but a bit hesitant. (But really more the former than the latter.) The $25 price tag pretty much sealed the deal. Still pricey? Yes but when comparing it to the restaurants' usual pricing, $25 for a 3 course pre-fix meal is a darn good deal. When else will I get to try these types of foods right?

David Burke Kitchen was Bestie C's pick. It's located at what seems like the edge of Soho in a quiet area that is a quick walk away if you're already near Soho. The restaurant itself was pretty big with various table sizes to fit big and small parties alike. We were seated at one of the smaller, more intimate tables since it was just the two of us.

Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen
Grapes & Vinegar-y carrots
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, appetizer, Lobster Dumpling Soup
Lobster Dumpling Soup
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, entree, Hanger Steak Frites
Hanger Steak Frites
Restaurant Week, Restaurant Week 2015, David Burke Kitchen, dessert, Mocha Mousse Bar
Mocha Mousse Bar (& Toasted Coconut Tart in background)
If I am to be honest, I had somewhat high expectations. Restaurant week, fancy place (in my books), and great food were three things that automatically linked in my brain. Question now is did this meal disappoint? Mostly no.

The highlights for me were the appetizer and desserts. The Lobster Dumpling Soup was light but flavorful and both desserts were indulgent and delicious. Bestie C and I both agreed that the Mocha Mousse Bar was the better of the two, but I also really liked the Toasted Coconut Tart if it was sans the pineapple garnish. My entree of Hanger Steak Frites was just alright (additional cost to the $25 for this particular entree). The flavor was definitely there. The steak bit was too tough and chewy for medium cooked beef. Of the entree, the thicker cut fries were my favorite—crispy yet soft and well seasoned. I like the sweets we had so much that I would probably want to visit David Burke Kitchen just for it!


I think this coming week is the last official week of Restaurant Week - Winter 2015 edition. There is an overwhelming number of restaurants throughout NYC that are offering $25 lunch and $38 dinner menus. This may sound crazy but Bestie C and I've already got 2 more places we're planning to go to before the week is over. Hello more consistent workouts for the next bajillion weeks!

Has anyone been to a restaurant week before?
Any gem finds that I should add to my To Try list for the future?

Korea Diary | Leaving & Arriving

Let the journey begin! (Cheesy, I know ^^ Bear with me here)

This series will probably be a whole lot more detailed than anyone will be ever interested in reading, but hey I want to remember every little bit of it.

I'll be primarily writing everything in time order. Sometimes things may seem oddly organized, however, it was really just how the day played out.
Our flight to Korea was on 6/21/2014 at 12:50AM, New York time.
We were arriving a few days before our Jeju-trip day to get adjusted.

I did very very last-minute packing the entire day prior to our departure. Since our flight was at midnight and would arrive in Korea early morning on the 22nd, I took advantage to shower and put on a fresh set of clothes before flying off. Luckily for me, I was able to eat one last home-cooked meal before I left for my 50 days away.

Funny story~
My mom told me to remind my dad a day or so before our flight that we would need a ride to the airport.
I didn't think he would forget such a big day.
You know...his "little" girl/only daughter going away from home practically all by herself for the first time...
But lo 'n behold, his response was "What? You need to go to the airport?"
Oh dad...

After eating, my parents and I went to collect Bestie C and her dad. Then off we went to JFK International Airport. While waiting on line to retrieve our boarding passes, I was really paranoid about whether I would be charged extra for my suitcases being overweight and/or oversized. (I measured my suitcases only AFTER buying it to find out the dimensions were indeed over the said allowance for Korean Air. Plus, I was not confident with my suitcase weight measuring method.)

By the time we got to the counter and I put my check-in bag onto the weight/conveyor belt, I didn't ask the guy helping us about my worries nor did he say anything to me about the topic. Either I was nervous for nothing or he was nice enough to turn a blind-eye! ;)

Entering JFK New York

Even though we had a midnight flight, there were a TON of other flyers at the airport as well (but we were there a couple hours early).

Just as we got on the TSA check-in line, we already had to say our good-byes. My mom was surprisingly rather cool about the whole thing, said "bye" and continued to WeChat away with her friends. I think I did get a bit teary-eyed (knowing me...I most likely did). Since my dad had to mind the car after dropping us off, I don't remember getting to see him before we got further into the security line.

Landed ICN South Korea

Thankfully our flight was on time and it took more or less a total of 14 hours to reach Incheon International Airport.

I really wanted to keep the jet lag to a minimum since we were landing in the early morning. (I've had jet lag from just going to California before!) I made sure to keep myself awake at the beginning of the flight, watched most of "Secretly, Greatly", and had a long sleep at the end. Even though I was really exhausted in the beginning, the schedule was definitely worth it when we arrived.

Despite having a middle seat, it didn't feel too bad considering I only got up 2-3 times the whole flight. It was a bummer that there was no pretty view to see out the window. A majority of the time we were asked to keep our blinds down. But even if we were allowed, it wouldn't have made that much of a difference. The path the plane flew had us mostly in darkness anyways.

I was a bit flattered when the flight attendants thought I was Korean the whole flight. When all the non-Korean passengers received a Customs/Immigration slip to pre-fill, I received none. Ultiamately had to ask for it when we were close to landing. Not really sure how the misunderstanding happened as I answered most of their questions in English. I did make out some of their basic questions but they also asked it in English most of it time...Eh who knows?

Arrival ICN South Korea

At ~4AM, Korean time, we were finally able to leave the plane! Good thing Bestie C has been out of the country pretty recently. I would have been a paranoid mess and take me a while to figure out the exiting procedures required to officially enter a foreign country.

Wandering Tales | Bear Mountain

Besties and I had to make those getaway plans we always talk about happen before two out of us four parted for the summer. Since there was only a small time frame available, we were able to squeeze in a 2-night 3-day trip to Bear Mountain State Park (just a 1.5-2ish hour drive from NYC). I forgot how we concluded to doing something naturey but it was a much needed break for all of us regardless of where we were going. I think most city folk usually go to Bear Mt. for just a day-trip. But we really wanted to get away without being that far since it was our first trip together. Plus there is always the whole family-worrying issue.

Although we toyed with the idea of staying somewhere through AirBnB, we ended up booking a room at the Overlook Lodge at Bear Mountain. It wasn't too bad price-wise and it was where we wanted to be. Our plan was to hike until we were all hiked out (at least that was my plan for the trip).
Bear Mountain Overlook Lodge Entrance
Bear Mountain Stone Cottages
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain
In the end we didn't get to climb all the way to the top or hike the longest trail. But...the point was we did something we don't normally get to do. It didn't help our plans when the weather decided to be gloomy and rainy during our stay. Ehh, what can you do about mother nature? Next time! I'll get to the top, just you wait.

Palisades Mall
Palisades Mall
Palisades Mall
There really isn't much to eat at or right by Bear Mountain so we made a trip to the nearest (I think) mall to grab dinner. Sure, go and call me a city girl but this was the biggest mall I have ever seen. It had amusement rides and everything!

The Cheeesecake Factory
Palisades Mall Cheesecake Factory Steak Diane Herb Crusted Salmon Palisades Mall Cheesecake Factory Chicken Costoletta Palisades Mall Cheesecake Factory Pasta Da Vinci
Steak Diane and Herb Crusted Salmon, Chicken Costoletta, & Pasta Da Vinci
First time at the Cheesecake Factory! I have heard of the name here and there before but was never too interested in it, except to try their cheesecakes. The meals weren't too shabby. I wished there was one in NYC...

Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Onion Outback Steakhouse Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Bloomin' Onion & Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Outback Steakhouse Outback Steakhouse Porterhouse
Soup, stuffed potato, & a porterhouse
Eating at Outback is also another first. Even though there is one close to where I live, I never had the chance to go. I don't remember the meal being anything extraordinary. Probably was one of the better steaks I've had. But this doesn't mean much since I haven't many steaks before. All that I remember is this meal was very too filling, even after a day of hiking. Oh my poor stomach! It always has to handle whenever I overestimate what I can and can't eat.

Wandering Tales | Brooklyn Botanic Garden

What...? It's been 3 months already?!
Anyway...let's just say excuses are the same ol' same ol'.
I am determined to get back into some kind of a routine!

Let's begin from where I left off at way back in May/June.

------------------------------

I finally made it to see the cherry blossoms this year. Woot woot!
They are just as pretty as I thought they would be. Even though I am not usually a fan of pink-colored anything, these are definitely an exception.

cherry blossoms Brooklyn Botanic Garden
cherry blossoms Brooklyn Botanic Garden
cherry blossoms Brooklyn Botanic Garden

cherry blossoms Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry blossoms Brooklyn Botanic Garden
It seemed that towards the end of the day the Botanic Garden was preparing for some sort of event. There were white folding chairs being placed under the cherry blossom trees. Perhaps there was going to be a wedding or something of the like there? What a great idea if it was!

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

repurpose Hurricane Sandy Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Built out of the debris from Hurricane Sandy

tulips Brooklyn Botanic Garden
black hero tulips Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Black Hero Tulips
tulips Brooklyn Botanic Garden

bonsai tree Brooklyn Botanic Garden
I can never get over how cute bonsai trees look!

terrarium Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Has anyone had terrariums before? I've seen a few terrarium DIYs here and there lately and am slightly interested. The problem is I seem to not have much luck with greenery...at all. Even the cacti and succulents I had last year didn't make it past the one year mark in my house.
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