Black Friday

shoppers running into a store under an opening gate on Black Friday

Black Friday is here!!! Whether you’re interested in electronics, clothes, or appliances, all will receive a heavy discount.

There are some that are against it, especially when sales now start the day of Thanksgiving. Those people believe we should be at home, celebrating with family, and not bothering about selfish wants.

I’ll admit, I have participated in Black Friday. Yes, I stood in line for a good two hours for that 150 dollar 49 inch TV, along with a PS4.

I mean come on!!! Some of these deals are just too good to resist! I for one believe you can do both. You can enjoy thanksgiving dinner with your family…after you buy items that you’ve wanted all year long. Its a win/win situation in my book.

But let’s keep our dignity folks. No shoving, screaming, or hair pulling. You don’t wanna wind up on YouTube under “Crazy Black Friday Fight”

Personal battles

a card that says "I can be fighting a battle inside, so unless you stepped in my shoes, don't assume anything about me."

“When I was 15 years old, I was hit by a car. After my physical recovery, I noticed that I was scared of the smallest things. I was even scared to cross the street alone. I feared my life, and was not expressing my thoughts to anyone. I was getting nightmares and flashbacks of the incident. When I turned 16, I was already in High school. I was being bullied for countless reasons. Wearing a headscarf was one of them. But I was always smiling. I felt that the best way to express my feelings was to take them out on myself. They were negative emotions so they lead to negative results. I was harming myself both physically and mentally. I think it was my junior year of High school where I was doing things to keep me awake to prevent nightmares, and consuming substances I had no business in taking. Eventually, when my mom found out what I was doing, I was sent to doctors, therapists, and later, to a rehabilitative center. I was there for 2 weeks. I would attend sessions with other people who have different personal problems. There I was diagnosed with PTSD at it’s primary stages. After my time at Rehab, I needed time to readapt. But I was at a great recovery stage. I would still attend therapy, but not as often.

I’m 22 years old now. I am unable to say that I completely recovered, but I discovered a new person in me who is more caring, sensitive, and happy. There are times where I can be over sensitive, but that is all part of the process. I’m happy. But I learned that a lot of people are not, which deeply upsets me.  Some people just don’t understand what others are going through, and that’s okay, but they say anything to anyone at anytime, and that’s not always okay. I can be fighting a battle inside, so unless you stepped in my shoes, don’t assume anything about me. People say I care too much, but I say that I care enough, because I have no idea what others are going through, and they don’t know what I went through. I’m thankful for what I’ve been through and what I’ve learned., and I have learned a lot. ”

Name: Anonymous

Life Under

 

I’m not an animal lover but I do love fishes and dolphins. I think they are such loving creatures, well some. You’ll be surprise to know that I had a dog as a child and sure we loved each other but from a distance(lol). I also had a fish tank with fishes growing up as well and even into my teenage years. Loved them so much that I used to read and talk to them. How crazy is that?

The New York Aquarium is an amazing site to see. So many beautiful fishes even the eels are amazing to look at. In the summer there’s usually a dolphin and seal show which will have you in awe. On Fridays its pay as you like until 3:00pm. Its a definitely must see, you wouldn’t be disappointed.


a large white fish swimming“Poetry is like a fish: if it’s fresh, it’s good; if its stale, it’s bad; and if you’re not certain, try it on a cat.”   Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 7:01pm

-Osbert Sitwell

a school of fish swimming“Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticism.”  Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 7:02pm

-George Eliot

two glowing fish“Love is like the five loaves and two fishes. It doesn’t start to multiply until you give it away.”  Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 7:03pm

-Unknown

a large orange fish“Fishes live in the sea, as men do on land: the great ones eat up the little ones.”  Surf Ave Brooklyn 7:04pm

-Pericles

silver fish swimming by green plants

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”  Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 7:09pm

-Soren Kerkegaard

a shark under water“No one else can make the same contributions to the world that you can.” Surf Ave Brooklyn, NY 7:32pm

-Unknown

Happy Thanksgiving Day

a table filled with a feast of food

Image by: DESSART//

Whether if it is the time we spend with our loved ones, the abundance of great food, the season of giving, or simply getting in the holiday spirit, but Thanksgiving Day no matter when you celebrate it holds such an incredible meaning. For Americans, the fourth Thursday in November, is when we celebrate this sentimental holiday. We all have our own traditions for this holiday. My family’s traditions tend to vary each Thanksgiving from attending the parade to planning our Black Friday shopping.

It is also the season of giving and the City University of New York (CUNY) has a program dedicated in aiding the less fortunate by way of book drives, food drives, and toy drives that benefit families to receive support in items they cannot readily afford on the daily basis. CUNY Cares is hosting a toy drive that will donate new toys to thousands of New Yorkers who are currently relying on the city’s homeless shelters to still have the chance to enjoy the holidays.

Thanksgiving is also surrounded by the limitless amount of excellent tasting food that encouraging the gathering of our friends, family, and loved ones. Here are some recipes that are guaranteed to impress your guests this Thanksgiving:

Baked Apple Roses

apples shaped like a rose

Image by: DilettaManfredi

Ingredients: (yields six roses)

-4 apples, cored and halved (leave the skin on)

-Juice from 1/2 lemon

-3 Tbsp fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, etc.)

-2 Tbsp water (plus more for apple soak)

-1 sheet of puff pastry

-Cinnamon, to taste

Instructions:

– Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

– Put apple slices in microwave safe bowl. Fill bowl with water and juice from half a lemon. Use enough water to make sure apple slices are covered by water. Microwave for 3 minutes. This will soften the apple slices and make them more pliable for rolling up.

– Next grab a sheet of puff pastry. Flour your board and roll out the puff pastry enough to make 6 strips at 3 inches wide.

– In a bowl mix your favorite fruit preserves with a couple tablespoons of water. Then spoon out the preserves in the center of the strip of puff pastry.

– Next place the apple slices long ways halfway on the strip. Keep adding slices until you reach the end. Then fold the puff pastry over the bottom of the apple slices.

– Roll up the puff pastry and place in a greased muffin tin.

apple slices in a muffin pan tin

Image by: Ksenia Bobrova

– Bake the apple roses for 35-45 minutes.

– Pull out of oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Recipe adapted from TipHero

 

Pumpkin Maple Soufflés

a plate of four souffles

Image by: Smorgasbite

Ingredients: (yields four soufflés)

4 eggs, separated

3/4 cup canned pumpkin purée

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for drizzling

Pinch ground nutmeg

Salt

Directions:

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, whisk together yolks, pumpkin, syrup, nutmeg, and pinch of salt until well combined.
  2. In large clean bowl, whisk egg whites to soft peaks. Transfer heaping spoonful of whipped egg whites to the yolk mixture. Stir vigorously to incorporate. Then, pour the yolk mixture gently into whites, and fold gently with rubber spatula until just incorporated.
  3. Pour soufflé batter into six 6-ounce ramekins on small rimmed baking sheet. Place in oven, and immediately reduce temperature to 350°F. Bake until puffed up and golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately, with extra warm maple syrup on side.

Recipe adapted from SeriousEats

Despite the wonderful food that can be made through the holidays such as the recipes above, the holidays are meaningful for some many reasons. But the most important, and particularly my favorite, part of the holidays is showing appreciation for your loved ones or close friends who are thoroughly cherished for simply being in your life. We all have a special person or persons, if you are lucky, who are the driving force to motivate your spirit, support your dreams, and love you for who you truly are. With that being said, I am wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition?

Subway Wi-fi!

an excited woman using her phone in the subway

Bored while waiting for the train underground? Wish you could send a text, check your email, or roam the internet?

Well, it looks like your dream might becoming true….depending on where you are of course. While not available everywhere, some train stations are offering Wi-fi.

The MTA has expanded their Wi-Fi service to 21 underground stations in the Bronx, and 16 additional Manhattan stations.

Officials with the MTA and technology company Transit Wireless, announced the expanded service at the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium station on Thursday. It’s one of the stations that now have Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi and cellphone service were already available at dozens of stations, mainly in Manhattan.

Your area still doesnt gave service? Well don’t worry, cause service is scheduled to be available in all underground stations by 2017!

Night Time In Fall

It’s gets very beautiful at night in New York, however during the fall it is even more beautiful during the night. During fall the days are relatively shorter than the nights, thus there’s quite a lot of time for the fall to show its magical colors at night.

The colors may not be as vibrant and visible as during the days. But it is still indeed breathtaking and enjoyable to witness. Especially during the fall, the sky displays a variety of wonderful colors illuminating the sky every night. It gets really spectacular, it’s like the sky is trying to send a message or it wants to show its feelings. Nonetheless, it’s just such a nice phenomenon to see. Moreover, the lively way the lights of the city contrast with the night is something amazing that also take place in the fall. It makes going outside even for a stroll worth every seconds.


strung lights across a city street at nightBrooklyn

 

strung lights across a city street at nightChinatown – Manhattan

 

a bridge walkway at nightManhattan Bridge – Manhattan

 

a hand held through a break in a wire mesh fenceManhattan Bridge – Manhattan

 

 

 

Soup Dumplings make their mark in Downtown Brooklyn

the Yaso Tangbao food shop

Image Credit: Downtown Brooklyn

After going to school and working in Downtown Brooklyn for over three years, it’s hard to find good, authentic, and tasty Asian foods (in my opinion).  Approximately a month ago,  Yaso Tangbao made their print in Downtown Brooklyn located on a relatively quiet, but very commercial block between Fulton and Willoughby Street. Yaso Tangbao is a counter-serve, fast-casual dumpling restaurant.

I waited about a week after it opened to finally try it because I wanted to hear feedback from my colleagues and on Yelp first. I went on a Friday afternoon with my boyfriend for lunch and it was quite crowded! There are a few communal tables along with benches for you to sit and eat, as well as smaller tables ideal for two people, and counters with seats. The service is pretty quick and the staff here are very friendly and nice too.

dumplings

The main star of the restaurant are the soup dumplings or xiao long bao. Yaso Tangbao offers two types of xiao long bao – one with pork ($8.50) and one with a mixed blue crab and pork filling ($11.00). My boyfriend and I tried the pork xiao long bao and truth be told, I wasn’t expecting them to be as good as they. The soup dumplings were freshly-made, each one squirting out a rich and savory broth and a chunky pork filling. It was absolutely delicious and goes well with the soy and vinegar sauce.

a noodle dish

 

We also tried the chicken curry pan-fried noodles, but it wasn’t really what we expected. The noodles were on par and crunchy! The sauce and chicken on the other hand wasn’t on par. There wasn’t much taste to it and the sauce was watered down. I don’t think we would order this again.

All in all, we enjoyed our experience at Yaso Tangbao. The xiao long bao are phenomenal and I would definitely return just to try them again. I highly recommend Yaso Tangbao if your in the area and don’t know what to do for lunch. This is definitely a spot/restaurant worth checking out.

What new restaurant/cafe have you tried lately?

The Dedication

I love sleeping in late on a weekends when I don’t have work or school. I mean like who doesn’t right? However I do get up quite early most weekend mornings to photograph the sunrise. Its no easy task for me since I tend to silence my alarm, suck my teeth and grumble to myself but believe it or not within a few minutes my feet are planted flat on the floor and I’m wide awake. Only dedication gets me out of that bed and the results are always worth it.


 

sunrise behind a city bridge“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”  Lenox Hill Manhattan, NY 6:49am

-Buddha

 

sunrise behind a city bridge“True love is like ghost, which everyone talks about and few have seen.”  Lenox Hill Manhattan, NY 7:00am

 

the ocean at sunrise“Your location doesnt change your identity.” Fort Tilden Queens, NY 7:31am

-Joel Osteen

 

a person at the ocean at sunrise“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creatig yourself.”  Fort Tilden Queens, NY 7:37am

-George Bernard Shaw

 

the Brooklyn bridge at sunrise“One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”  Dover St Manhattan, NY 7:52am

-Unknown

 

the Brooklyn bridge at sunrise“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.”  Dover St Manhattan, NY 7:55am

-Unknown

 

Video: BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

I show and tell how to get beauty on a budget. This one is not just for the ladies. Guys, you can also do buy inexpensive items or get free products too! (i.e.: skin care, body wash, razors. Check out the tips….


Questions to the Viewers: What are other ways to be frugal? | Has anyone tried my method and have something to share?

New York City Skyline

It is never tiring to admire the beautiful skyscrapers that make up the New York City skyline. NYC is widely known for its skyscrapers and they attract millions of people each year to come visit and enjoy the sublime view they display. Those skylines give New York City its identity and set it apart from other cities in the world.

There are many sights that are worth visiting over and over anytime ones gets the chance. Each sighting is a different story, it’s never the same depending on the perspective you are looking at them or also your state of mind during at the moment. There are many places you can go to have a perfect views of skyscrapers such as parks, on a bridge or on a roof top. But each places give its own unique perspective of a skyline and they are all special in their own ways. Wherever you go admire the beauty of NYC skyline, you will be satisfied.


 

a city skyline by water with cloudsManhattan Bridge – Manhattan

 

a city skyline by water at nightBrooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn

 

a city skyline by a bridge with cloudsBrooklyn Bridge – Brooklyn