the big apple...

had a meeting last week in new york city. it's been a while since i'd been there, so it was great to be in the city again, see friends and family, and just walk around.

- spam-alot with clay aiken (i know you're jealous). seriously, the teeny-boppers in the crowd were almost as entertaining as the show itself. actually, no, the show was really, really funny. there were a few scenes where i cried i was laughing so hard.
- magnolia bakery for cupcakes...i never thought i'd say this, but i miss sprinkles!
- turkish food for lunch with my second cousin jarin...haven't seen her in 4 years! good to catch up, and the food was gooood.
- dinner with my cousin tony at the tasting room...he alway takes me to fancy schmancy places, and this place did not disappoint...amazing food, amazing wine.
- walked around the city with jin, my host...we tried to go to the guggenheim, but it was too crazy, so we just ended up walking around, and yes, we shopped. um, tax-free? what else would we do?
- saw be kind, rewind...great movie. i think i love michel gondry...
- fried chicken at bon chon, a hip (too hip for me) korean place for fried chicken...i have to admit that when jin first said it was fried chicken, i was like, um, i just came from the south. but it was good...more like tong dak, but definitely a different spin.
- redeemer, and then chinatown for dim sum and lychee ice cream. it was freezing outside, but it's just too good.

had a great time...the weekend was way too short!
in other news, i'm heading back to africa, but this time for 2+ months...looking forward to it, but it ended up happening sooner than i thought. still catching my breath from the past few weeks, but it'll be good.