The Colors Of Autumn

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Jean-Luc

From September 21st to December 21st in a period of two months, we are being awed by the beautiful season of Autumn. This transition from summer to winter is purely magical, it is the time when the leaves of trees change in color and in tone and the leaves of deciduous trees are ready to fall at any given moment and when also the temperature drops considerably.

This change in color adds an unique vibrant flare to Autumn, and it turns the environment to a spectacular sight .During this wonderful season, is when many people love to go outside to enjoy nature and be mesmerized by the beauty of Autumn. Due the fact that It makes for such a wondrous sight to human eye, it is considered one of the best seasons of the year for many.

red fall leaves Brooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn

a stone path under fall tree leaves Brooklyn Bridge Park – Brooklyn

Brooklyn Bridge Park -Brooklyn

My Food Bucket List

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Jessica

I’ve written several posts regarding of foods I have tried and foods that I liked, but I haven’t written about foods I want to eat one day, some day, but haven’t. I have a board on my Pinterest dedicated to random foods I hope to try one day also known as my bucket list and today, I’d like to share a part of my food bucket list with you.

Image by All Recipes

I’ve tried a lot of different mac and cheese in the past years, but one type I’ve never had that I absolutely want to try is lobster mac and cheese! I imagine it won’t taste any different from a crab mac and cheese, but lobster mac and cheese would probably be slightly sweeter because of the meat. This is definitely something I need to try soon as it’s been on my list forever!

Image by Kung Food Panda

As a New York City born individual and foodie, believe it or not I’ve never tried the famous pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen before. I have passed by Kat’z many times, but never had the opportunity to go in to try the food and experience the atmosphere. I definitely need to get the ball rolling with trying out this iconic spot!

Image by chew haven

I love Shake Shack! I’ll never forget the first time I tried their Shroom’ burger which was absolutely heaven. I learned that Shake Shack has a more magnificent burger, more magnificent than the Shroom’ burger. The burger is called “Shack Stack” which is a cheeseburger and a Shroom’ burger topped with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce. That sounds really amazing and I so need to try this.

Image by Cook Your Dream

If you don’t already know by now, I am a huge ice cream lover! I’ve tried many flavors, but there’s one flavor I always see and hear about, but never tried and that’s Pistachio ice cream. I’ve always been curious about how it tastes and if it tastes nutty like peanut butter or almond ice cream.

Image by the food joy

I’ve heard of Magnolia Bakery before, but never visited the bakery nor have I really tried their foods. One item I heard that Magnolia is really famous for is their banana pudding which consists of layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy vanilla pudding. Doesn’t that sound delicious? I’m not a huge fan of rice pudding or pudding in general, but I would make an exception to try this banana pudding.

Well these are the top five items on my food bucket list I definitely want to try by the end of this year or at some point when I feel courageous enough or have time. You can definitely check out the rest of what I want to try by clicking here.

Are there any foods you would like to try, but haven’t? If so, what are they?

The Morgan Library & Museum

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Konyca

Did you know Jp Morgan was not only a financier but also a collector of books, historical manuscripts, old drawings and prints? From this fond hobby he built what is known as The Morgan Library and Museum. Not only does it include books but it is also used as a research library.

Its quiet a master piece. It has an ancient European feel to it. I urge to go check it out, its free on fridays from 7pm-9pm.

an ornately painted ceiling “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 7:11pm

-Salvador Dali

closed-off bars “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 7:27pm

J.P Morgan

ornately-painted ceiling “The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the buts you use today.”
Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 7:37pm

-Les Brown

“The wise man bridges the gap by laying out the path by means of which he can get from where he is, to wehre he wants to go.” Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 7:38pm

-J.P Morgan

“Love will find through paths where wolves fest to fear.” Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 7:43pm

-Lord Byron

“Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character.” Murray Hill Manhattan, NY 8:11pm

-Les Brown

7 Steps to Run a Marathon – Congratulations, TCS New York City Marathon Winners!

Posted on November 2, 2015 by AmoniB

On November 1, 2015 about 50,000 people traveled from Staten Island through Brooklyn and ended in Manhattan for the annual TCS NYC Marathon. This 45 year old marathon started as the Central Park race, it has grown exponentially being open to anyone over 18. Let’s congratulate the running and wheelchair race winners:

Mary Kietany a woman running a marathon

Stanley Biwott

a man running a marathon in a three-wheeled wheelchair

Tatianna McFadden

Ernst van Dyk

Here is 7 steps to prepare for participating in the upcoming marathons:

Check and monitor your health: You should know your capabilities. Check in with your physician and make sure your are able to participate. If you aren’t in shape ask what you can do to perform at your best.
Do research: Explore the marathon. Make sure you know the time you have to finish the race and and the route in which you will take. Know the course, what will be provided, and the map in and out. Sometime if you go in groups or with an organization you will be able to be sponsored or ask for donations for your supplies, time off and training. Now, after you register for the event months to a year in advance lets finish to prepare.
Dress for the part: You don’t have to get the most expensive brand clothing and running shoes, however, they must have good quality. You need to be able to have items that will be able to sustain weather conditions, which includes the environment and the sweat and heat from your body. Your clothing should be able to handle the stress while you train and race on the day of your marathon run or roll. If you buy something and it messes up soon after, return it and consider reading reviews before purchasing over the advice from some sales person.
Eat healthy: From day 1 of your training make sure you have a good amount of carbohydrates, protein, grains, fruits, veggies, and of course, LOTS OF WATER! You can consult with a trainer and make sure you are intaking the right amount of food for the amount of exercise you will now endure.
Do many trail runs: Part of your training, which includes exercise and a healthy diet, will be actual doing trail runs. Your researched the route now use it. Run, or roll, with a partner, or many, how you would on the day of your marathon even. Im sure the first time may be rough and you will be out of breath. But as you continue to practice it will become second nature and be as easy as pie.
Avoid injuries: Keep yourself safe. Try not to sprain anything or continue working through an injury. Get injuries checked out and handle them as soon as they occur. Make sure to take breaks and return to training when they heal. Stretching can help.
REST: Try not to over exert yourself. make sure you have adequate sleep. There isn’t a cure for tiredness except sleep. Not coffee, not an energy drink, and not cold air. If you are tired your body will shut down on you, so avoid that from happening.

Enjoy and do you research for the marathons to come.

Image Credits in order:

Mary Keitany Nyc by Acrb using the CC S-A (Share Alike) 3.0

Stanley Biwott during 2013 London Marathon by Chmee2 using CC S-A 3.0

Ernst F. van Dyke in 2014 Boston Marathon by Gr5 using CC S-A 3.0

Tatyana McFadden alla Maratona di New York del 2011 by Caricato da OttawaAC using the Creative Commons (CC) by 2.0

Happy Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Shawn Brumell

an illustration of a scary castle

Tomorrow is Halloween!!! Time for trick-or-treater’s, dressing up, horror movies (check out Hocus Pocus), and to be scared out of your mind.

Not sure what to do? Well here are some haunted houses you may want to check out if you have time.

1. Headless Horseman in Kingston, New York features a haunted hayride, corn maze and 10 haunted houses. It’s been ranked America’s #1 attraction by Hauntworld.

2. BLOOD MANOR returns with a depraved appetite for gore and a twisted thirst for blood, in the same creepy location, 542 West 27th Street (between 10th & 11th Ave). With louder screams, scarier dreams and more thrills for each moment in its fun filled darkness, BLOOD MANOR makes your nightmares come to life.

3. Times Scare is New York City’s only year round haunted attraction. This state of the art haunted house has been built in the same rooms which years ago were stalked by one of the east coast’s most notorious killers. A killer who claimed a victim in the very venue! Now, if you dare, groups are taken on a one of a kind tour through this cutting edge haunted experience that is guaranteed to scare even the bravest of visitors… possibly to death!

So be safe, enjoy, and try not to eat to much candy!!!

The End To Historic Season for NYCFC

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Jean-Luc

Well if you didn’t know about NYCFC (New York City Football Club) you are really missing out but don’t worry it’s New York’s soccer or football (as the majority of fans prefer to call it) team so it will always be there.

Seeing them play for the first time was one of the best moments in my life, building up to the game I could feel the excitement in the air among the fans. Finally March 15, 2015 on game day everything exploded, the atmosphere was electric as NYCFC fans rushed into Yankee Stadium’s gates to witness history. You could have tell that New Yorkers haven’t been this enthusiastic for so long, everybody had excitement written all over their faces. Once I got inside, the stadium was packed, a record number of more than 43,000 fans were there for the historic home opener. I was overwhelmed by the energy throughout the stadium, It’s not something you see everyday, that thousands of people are gathered in a stadium cheering for a team for the first time ever.

Many wondered if fans were going to constantly come for other games throughout the seasons, but me I knew they would have show up because for many of us supporters NYCFC is more than a team it is a big family. What make the experience so great and worth going back over and over to Yankee Stadium, are the fans. Soccer fans are one of the main reasons that make soccer the best sport and most popular in the world. The atmosphere at the games is what keep bringing more and more people, it’s something you definitely have to witness. Yankee Stadium haven’t been excited for such a long time, but now the fans are lighting the place up every single game.

The love that I have for NYCFC, made me take a role as Zeusnycfc as a way to be more than a fan and actually support the team in more active way. Every game I have a lighting bolt in my hands ready to strike the opponent team when they pose a serious threat to NYCFC. It is all fantasy of course, but many fans love the idea and enjoy seeing me in the bleachers being as Zeus supporting NYCFC. NYCFC fans like me are just happy that New York City finally have a soccer team that we can cheer on every week. Every game we pack Yankee stadium and the atmosphere at the game is magical. I experienced 7 months of excitement, love, hope, courage, and made me proud to call myself a true New Yorker. So as long as Yankee Stadium is the place for me to see NYCFC play, I will love it to the core and consider it as my second home.

Yankee Stadium – The Bronx

a stadium field with a crowd Yankee Stadium – The Bronx

Pain is temporary

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Mandy Mei

“Pain is temporary. It may last for a minute, or an hour or a day, or even a year. But eventually, it will subside. And something else take its place. If I quit, however, it will last forever.” – Eric Thomas

“There were several tremendously difficult times in my life when I was ready to call it quits. One time that I can recall that everyone can relate to is during my time in City Tech. I was taking 6 classes during the summer and the work load was extreme. There were days I would only get an hour or less of sleep. Wake up, write a report, study math, and other class work for two months straight but I kept telling myself this quote. Pain is temporary, because I knew that at the end of all the pain is the success I need.”

Name: C. S. Jones
Age: N/A
Major: N/A

Looking Up

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Konyca

Its amazing how all living things has similar characteristics as to humans. Like a dog when he’s sick, he sort of behaves like us humans; gives you the sad face, less movements. You get the picture right?

Trees, they also are similar to human beings. We both need oxygen to survive and water and sunlight. Without these necessities survival is impossible. By now you should understand how important they are to our everyday lives. Needless to say, these trees can be so beautiful when blossoming as well as falling; the leaves that is. The colors it produce are magnificent. Even its trunk and branches can have some interesting texture, shapes and sizes.

To say this, the next time you step outside, look at a tree. No! I mean really look at it. You may find something really interesting about it.

“Ideology separates us. Dreams and anguish bring us together.” Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY 5:31pm

-Eugene Ionesco

“Tress are poems the earth writes upon the sky.” Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY 6:03pm

-Kahlil Gibran

“And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs tour course.” Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY

-Kahlil Gibran

“Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.” Bushwick Brooklyn, NY 11:53am

-Unknown

“A tree lives by its roots. Change the roots and you change the tree. Change the trees and you change the forest.” Flatbush Brooklyn, NY 1:55pm

-Unknown

A Piece of Cake

Posted on October 26, 2015 by briannavasquez

Image by: The Cakatier at Sugar-Daisies

In this modern age of desserts, we have become in awe of the creations that can be made with just a few wimple ingredients that can create edible masterpieces. With shows like Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes, we were shown just how special cakes can become with intricate detailed work that can impact the lives of many others. As many of you already may know, I want to be a pastry chef. I am also extremely fascinated by the concepts of specialty themed cakes. Many techniques that are used can be implemented even for home bakers to surprise themselves in making their own specialty cakes. Although the ingredients and recipes are simply, it essentially is based on the intricacy and articulation of each item produced.

There are so many variations of themed specialty cakes that make each one even more valuable due to the time that was spent to put it all together. Each cake has its own secret that makes it possible to make it a timeless work of art.

Fondant is the most used product in specialty cakes as it creates a template for the cake, it can be purchased already made or can be homemade. It is like a pliable sugary dough that is used to cover the cake to create a smooth texture or appearance. It can be colored and applied as needed depending on the intended design.

Image by: Sasa

an inside look at the ramen noodle cup themed cake

Image by: Sasa

Rice Krispy Treats are used for structure as it is sturdier to build with as it will stand well. It is very pliable but after it hardens can keep its shape. Modeling chocolate is better than fondant for this reason because it has more stability as it hardens where fondant stays in a somewhat pliable stage, if it hardens especially by extreme cold it will eventually crack whereas modeling chocolate will not. Modeling chocolate is simple made by melted chocolate and heated corn syrup which is then allowed to set before use. Isomalt is the boiling of sugar and water to make a glass candy look. It is usually used to make the appearance of coral reefs (if colored), ice, or glass.

a themed cake of beers being iced in a wooden bucket

Image by: cliffordcakes

Finally, there are gravity defying cakes that can be difficult to understand in terms of its production but it uses inedible pieces in order to make it possible. Usually, items like balloon sticks or PVC will be used to have a greater sense of structure and can vary based on the weight of the cake and the piece that needs to defy gravity as the choice of structure must be able to hold the piece up without the threat of falling or crushing the cake.

a topsy-turvy themed caked of towering sweets

Image by: Avalon Yarnes

Specialty themed cakes, although they may be beautiful, are complex and need a lot of thought in order to bring it all together. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the CUNY CUE Conference and preceding the event, I went to the meeting to discuss some ideas with the OpenLab’s The Buzz. I thought it would be fitting to bring a cake but I wanted it to be epic and evoke the sense of CityTech pride that would still cater to the meaning of the event.

a themed cake of a coffee cup and a tablet

Image by: Brianna Vasquez

With the help of my sisters, I was able to create a beautiful cake although the perfectionist in me only saw the imperfections of the cake, everyone was amazed. My sisters and I were relieved as we had put in so many hours to complete the cake that the positive reaction was worth every second of frustration and dedication to fulfill the potential of the cake we had wanted to create.

Donald Trump For President……?

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Shawn Brumell

Donald Trump making an angry face

When Donald Trump first announced he was running for president, many people, myself included, laughed it off as some joke. No one really believed that he stood a chance. Well, it looks like us doubters may soon have to eat our words.

Twenty-two percent of Caucus Republicans said Trump has a 50-50 shot at becoming the Republican nominee; the same percentage said he has a 30 percent chance at winning. The rest of the respondents were divided, with the majority saying his odds are still less than 50 percent. But more than 8-in-10 GOP respondents said those are better odds than they gave Trump a month ago.

Can you imagine a world where Trump is president? Honestly, the thought alone scares me. Whats more horrifying is the fact he is being supported by so many people. How can a man that has put down numerous cultures and women, actually be doing so well? What does this say about these people?

If by some chance Trump is elected president, then Canada here I come!

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