New York City - Day One

Hello friends!

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

We got into NYC about three hours late after a hellish bus ride, and decided to pass on the nap. We met our friend at her moms place on the upper west side, then drove (yes, in a bmw. In NYC) back to her place in the east village (!!). So incredibly cool! Feeling spoiled :)

We walked through central park, saw a group of buskers who were hilarious, and then saw Bloomingdales and ate some forty carrots froyo. If ever you are in the area, you have to try it! The small is huge. I wouldn't want to see a large...

We had a nice dinner at our friends place, trying to mitigate some costs ;)

We went bar hopping after a session on her rooftop, hit up Solas, Bowery electric and then Le baron, which was a trendy bar and danced the night away!

We hit up Pommels frites for the best fries of life.

We're off to walk around and then hit up a yoga class. Loving life!

NYC – Nap (While) You Can

Howdy!

That’s what Americans say a lot, riiight? Eh?

Well, we have officially arrived in New York City and are headed to our friends’ mom’s place in Manhattan. The bus was a bit brutal, but thankfully uneventful.

Crossing the border in the middle of the night on a bus is not something that I wish on ANYONE, but at least I am now standing on the streets of the Big Apple!!

NYC - stands for Nap (while) You Can ;) 

 

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Since we didn’t get much sleep on our overnight bus, we’re going to go crash for a couple of hours to nap and then head out for our first day as tourists :)

Have a great Friday! I will be back tomorrow morning with our first day’s adventures!!

Heading to the Big Apple

Good afternoon everyone! Hope you all had a great lunch!!

Heading to the Big Apple

Well, the surprise is out – I am heading to the Big Apple, New York City, tonight for an extra long weekend :)

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I haven’t been in years! I decided to go visit a friend of mine who is from NYC, that I met at McGill, who has returned to her city since graduating to work. I don’t get the chance to see her very often, so I’m super pumped that I am going to see her so soon!

I’m taking the overnight bus with a friend of mine from Montreal tonight, so I’m heading that way after work today to meet up with her and have some dinner. And some vino so that we can pass out on the bus ;)

I am super excited! Although we don’t really have anything planned yet, I want to run through central park and take a yoga class while we’re there. And, of course, go out on the town to go dancing!!

Lunchtime Run

I have been busy every day during lunch at work, so I decided to head out today for a lunchtime run since I will be sitting on a cramped bus. All. Night. Long.

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I came back to a salad beast – I didn’t have time for breakfast this morning, but forced myself to throw this together for lunch today. I am probs going to be going out to eat quite a bit in NYC, so I want to get in as many greens as I can now!

Well, I am super duper excited for the upcoming weekend. They are calling for rain alllll weekend, so I have brought my puddle boots and rain jacket, but I am secretly hoping that it doesn’t rain at all!

Fingers crossed.

See you all on the flip side!

Falling Asleep to 30 Rock

Good morning friends! Hope you are all doing well :)

Breakfast

I had another oatmeal-on-the-go this morning – I was busy packing and organizing last night, and I clearly didn’t give myself enough time this morning...I fell asleep watching 30 Rock. A colleague lent me the second season, and hot dang is it ever highlarious! So entertaining.

I also forgot to put this monster away in his bedroom. Even though he was frolicking outside allll day, he still had energy when I got back from work. 

His new favourite game: pounce on the grasshopper.

We put him in the back room with his kitty litter and food during the night since he is still too small (although probably ferocious enough) to be outside by himself all night. 

 He is vicious, but he is just so dang cute. Loaf him. 

Dinner

I had a bit of a strange dinner last night. I had some left-over trout to fry up, and we still have billions (not an exagerration) of garden tomatoes and a couple of ripe avocados...so I just kind of threw them all together. 

 

The trout was a bit too fishy tasting for me, so I added it to my tomato-avocado salad and added a dollop of spicy salsa (I wanted to add lemon, but had none left!) It looks pretty gnarly, but tasted freaking amazing! Kept me fueled through my pack/organize whirlwind!

 

 Kit was obviously lurking on the table, trying to get a piece of fish. Crazy guy haha.

Well, I’ll be back this afternoon with a BIG surprise for the weekend – have a great morning!!

Daily Motivation: http://toneitup.com/blog.php?Motivation-Monday-Allie-s-Story-5890

Goodbye Lunch

I went out for lunch with my team at work today to send off a lady who has been here for just about 3 years, who is moving on to another position. She is a wonderful colleague, a good mix of bubbly and sarcastic, who was my go-to for anything. She seriously knows everything. For serious.

It is sad to see her go, but I know that she will have fun in her new position!

We usually go to the same place every time we do something like this, but we decided to check out a new restaurant called Brut Cantina Sociale.
 
I had the duck confit veggie wrap with a side salad. So flipping good. I decided to leave my camera at the office since, well, everyone would totally call me out on taking a picture of my food!! Not ready to explain myself ;)

Anywho, now that I’m all stuffed like a little turkey, I’m going to go for a wee little run tonight to make up for it.

Hope you all have a wunderbar night! Any fun plans?

Food for thought: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16058471/list/13-Ways-to-Keep-the-Peace-With-Roommates 

Chicken Wings and Pierogis

Morning friends!

I hope all is well with you this morning :)

I stayed at a friend's place last night, and the air was so strange on my walk into work from the bus. It seemed like it was going to rain, but its just super misty...like water is just kind of appearing in the air. Crazy cray.

 Jaunt In Ottawa

I went to go meet a friend in Ottawa after work last night, and although it looked like it was about to pour rain outside, it turned out to be a beautiful night, so I walked for about 2 hours over the course of the night. Good times.

 

Ah, Parliament. I never get tired of your beautiful buildings.

Rideau Canal

My fav home in Ottawa, now a B&B

Chicken Wings and Pierogis

When we arrived at my friend's place, her boyf had made us chicken wings (spicy goodness) and pierogis. I can never say no to a carb and protein feast ;)

Her cat Sylvester LOVES Greek yogurt

Breakfast

My friend made me breaky and coffee while I was in the shower this morning. She is sooo wonderfullll. Such a great surprise!

Her Momma's homemade raspberry jam. Spread on toast. Not eaten on a spoon, I swear.

And a wonderful fruit smoothie! I haven't had a smoothie for breakfast in such a long time...loved it :)

Have a great day everyone :)

Skyping Egypt

Hello friends!

I hope you are all having a wonderful afternoon :)

I am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t start pouring rain outside – I am going to go meet a friend downtown for dinner, and I completely forgot to bring my rain jacket! Rookie move.

Skyping Egypt

I had a good long Sype date with my Momster today at lunch. I went to a nearby café with my laptop, got myself a chai tea, and patiently waited to connect – it was my first time seeing her face since she left! It feels like it has been a lifetime since she left, but it felt like no time as soon as I saw her :)

I know, tacky. But I can't help it!! Miss my Momster <3

They are living in a gorgeous apartment, with golden gilded furniture and chandeliers. Yes, not one, but MANY chandeliers.

Here’s a fuzzy pic of their place. Looks gorgey!

Anywho, the latest update is that the Egyptian Ministry of Education has decided to put off opening the International Schools there, which were supposed to open this week. My Mom is going to be working at one of the International Schools outside of Cairo, and my little sister is going to be attending the same school, so this means that they all of a sudden get two whole weeks to do what they want.

And what do they do?

They are going to Greece!!

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I am so unbelievably jealous excited for them!!!! From pyramids to the Acropolis, they are having a great adventure already :)