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?

Wandering Tales | Snowy Getaway to Camelback Mountain

Even though NYC didn't get hit quite as hard as predicted by this recent storm Juno, it was enough to make me want to stay inside for a couple days. I was nice and cozy under blankets & got my Doctor Who binge on. (TV watching = great break activity in my books.)

But still, nothing like a winter storm and the start of a new school semester to get me missing this past winter break. I want to say I didn't do much this break but if I listed it out it's probably not true.

One of the more fun events this month was the mini-trip the Besties and I took in the beginning of this new year. It was a pretty last minute getaway but we were able to finally find the time to go snowboarding together.

Camelback Mountain Resort
Disclaimer: None of us knew a thing about snowboarding or skiing prior to the trip.
Since our first ever lesson was in the afternoon, we headed out of NYC later than normal. We arrived at Camelback Mountain just in the nick of time and was instructed by Billy for about an hour on the basics. He was super patient with all of us. But it's safe to say that I was pretty nervous and never wanted to volunteer first out of the four of us during the class.

Camelback Mountain Resort, food, pulled pork sandwich
By the time lessons were over we were all pretty hungry and filled our tummies in the food court like area at the resort. The food wasn't great or anything but it filled the belly.

Camelback Mountain Resort, snowboarding Camelback Mountain Resort, snowboarding, gear, rented
The most fun I had was practicing on the small learning slope at night. There weren't as many people there and was therefore way less hectic—definitely helps with easing the nerves. After a bunch of falls, I somehow got the hang of things and was able to stop without falling down. The main problem I had at the end was not being able to control myself while going downhill. I would begin with my right side in front and end with the left, fully 180° turn and all unintentional. If only Billy could have seen me then! Otherwise, I came home pretty much the same as I went: bruise- and (pretty much) pain-free.

Chateau Resort, moon, trees, night
Chateau Resort, Camelback Mountain view
We ended up booking a room at a (very) nearby hotel via Groupon at the Chateau Resort. There was a nice view of the slopes outside and we got to experience snowfall during the trip, although fake. It will take a few more snowboarding trips before I have the guts to take the chair lifts to the higher slopes.

Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubing entrance Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubing ticket
Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubing slope
I was pretty hesitant at first with the whole snow tubing idea when I saw the hill we would be going down.
Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubing lift
Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubes Camelback Mountain Resort, snowtubing
After going down the slope a couple times I wish we were able to stay for even longer. But it doesn't help that the snow tubing area opens late and gets pretty busy just a couple hours after opening.

Otherwise a few tips to anyone else who's never been snowboarding/skiing/snow tubing before & a reminder to myself for future snowboarding trips:
  • layers, layers, layers!
  • waterproof pants and gloves are a must
  • better to have those hand/toe warmers than not

Something a little different from my typical posts...
I've had the GoPro for a while now and haven't given it much love recently. But I made sure to pack it for this trip and managed to get enough footage (with the help of Bestie S) to make a short clip. Hooray for video keepsakes!

If you have, how long did it take for you to get the hang of things?
If not, do you have plans to give it a try?
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