"They're men!"

DAY 13
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Remember my recent Halal Food post? I'd actually written the draft a few weeks ago. I was in Chelsea and had a delicious meal of chicken and falafel over rice at the stall beside Bed Bath & Beyond. That same day, I decided to explore the Upper West all the way up to West Harlem and Washington Heights, just to see and know what's out there. It was a hot summer day anyway, and as such, I enjoyed hopping on the bus for AC.

Anyway, while waiting for the M4 bus, I met an elderly woman who was probably in her late sixties. We got to talking about clothes (she liked the silk romper I was wearing) and we had a pleasant conversation about keeping a young-at-heart disposition and accepting that eventhough one can stay as optimistic about aging as possible, the body eventually weakens, and so forth. (You see, it's not uncommon in New York, to have these random conversations with strangers.)

Later on I found out that this American woman was of French and Swedish decent, and she had a son who married a Brazilian woman whom she didn't like and who later on divorced her son (a pilot) after getting her green card.

"My son should have listened to me," she said.

"Oh! Your son should marry a Filipino!" I chirped. "We take care of our husbands."

"No, no...no Filipino. They are men and they get the surgery to look like women."

At that point I just burst out laughing, and the woman didn't seem to take offense. Talk about a comedy moment! By then the bus arrived and we both got on it, and when she reached her stop, we sent each other off with well wishes.

Trader Joe's

DAY 12
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

The original(?) Trader Joe's in Union Square.

So, I finally was able to do some decent grocery-shopping. By 'decent' I mean buying good olive oil, salad greens, eggs, and so forth. The newly opened Trader Joe's branch in Chelsea proved to be a fulfilling stop.

The original Trader Joe's in Union Square (steps away from Whole Foods) is known to be quite tight with long lines leading to the registers. But, most people and TJ fans claim that the queues move quite fast—and I agree. However, the new bigger branch was a breath of fresh air: One could linger and ponder purchases without having to go elbow-to-elbow with other shoppers, or feel the pressure to move along quickly because somebody has to pass through the narrow aisle you're in.

Ironically, I'd never gone to Trader Joe's the first time I'd lived in New York. Perhaps I was a Whole Foods purist, up until recently when a friend told me how much cheaper everything was at the former. AND SHE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE SPOT-ON! This evening I had a limited budget, yet, I'd managed to squeeze in said good bottle of olive oil, some cooked lemon pepper chicken fillets, milk, body wash, etcetera. Amazing.

The only sad part I see so far about the new Trader Joe's in Chelsea is that a
Barnes & Noble bookstore used to occupy this block.

Photos courtesy of dnainfo.com and besenretail.wordpress.com.

OOPS

DAY 11
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

I was so exhausted last night that I literally fell asleep in front of the computer as I was about to blog. Hence, I've just missed Day 11 of the 30-Day Blog Challenge, sigh.

I realized as the days have gone by, that it's a little more challenging to do this, now that I actually have a day job. But, that doesn't mean I'm giving up AND I am so not complaining. I love, love, love the recent turn of events, and, when the right time comes, I'm going to write about it for sure.

Meanwhile, the blogs must go on!

Taco Mix

DAY 10
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Exhausted tonight, but before I go to bed, let me share with you a recipe for taco seasoning. I know I've just recently blogged about the Endless Summer truck (Day 3 of the 30-Day Blog Challenge), but thought I'd post this photo I took a few months ago when I first tried making the mix. Nothing beats the homemade version, with the most important reason for me is the guarantee of absolutely no MSG, as most ready-made packets have. It IS a lot of ingredients, but super easy to put together once you have everything on hand. One batch lasts a long, long time; and, you can use the spices for other delicious things (and if you're building a spice rack, this is a good way to start). Enjoy!

TACO SEASONING MIX
(Courtesy of http://busycooks.about.com)

Make your own taco seasoning mix to control the ingredients for better nutrition.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup instant minced onion
* 2 Tbsp. chili powder
* 2 tsp. paprika
* 2 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes
* 1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
* 1/2 tsp. dried marjoram
* 1 Tbsp. salt
* 1/4 tsp. pepper
* 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
* 1 Tbsp. instant minced garlic
* 1 tsp. ground cumin

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with wire whisk. Spoon mixture into a tightly closed container and label as "Taco Seasoning Mix". Store in a cool, dry place. Use within six months. Makes 6 packages (about 2 Tbsp. each) of mix. 2 Tbsp. equals 1.25-oz. pkg. purchased taco seasoning mix.

To make Taco Filling:

Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef (I used tuna) in large skillet over medium heat; drain grease. Add 1/2 cup water and 2 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning Mix. Reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes enough filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

Great Salad Days

DAY 9
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

At my new job, I've noticed that everyone seems to eat healthy—which is not unusual in a city where one could buy fresh strawberries, cherries, and blueberries on the street while walking home; and where delis have salad and sandwich bars that cater to the most discerning lunch crowd (low fat here, soy there).

My seatmate (who was actually my boss at another job) shies away from dairy with the exception of ice cream and cheese every now and then. My new boss packs her own organic salad for lunch (an excellent reminder to start organizing and planning my meals to bring to work), and another coworker has the physique of a longtime runner (or regular gym-goer).

It's actually easy here in New York to get fit and fab. Not counting the daily commute wherein one rushes for the trains and constantly watches out for traffic lights when crossing the street, it's hardly ever a challenge to get moving out here. Come winter time, one would rather be huffing and puffing rather than stay sedentary, frozen. As for fitness opportunities other than walking or running, do a quick Google search of "yoga in mid-town Manhattan" and watch multiple balloons come up on the map.

The only challenge probably is cashflow—organic food tends to be pricier—but then again, exercise is free, and buying fresh produce, going to the supermarket, and making one's own meals is still far less expensive than takeout.

Food Stall Foodie

DAY 8
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Like tacos, Halal food isn't exactly photogenic. But, trust me: it's good.

I love how in Manhattan you could be having breakfast at a quaint cafe, and by afternoon you're enjoying a five-dollar late lunch on a street as buses and cars whiz by.

I was pesco-vegetarian during the whole time I'd lived here before this second move. So, I totally missed out on New York street food, only discovering (vegetarian-friendly) falafel late in the game and around the same time I was leaving the city.

Since I've moved back again and have long reintroduced chicken in my diet, I've gone to a handful Halal food stalls: the one across the Diamond District on Sixth Avenue; the post-work dinner haunts near the Hilton midtown; the one on Third Avenue near the Rodale office. And, my favorite one so far was the one in Chelsea, the cart on 18th St. beside Bed Bath and Beyond. I ordered my usual half chicken and half falafel over yellow rice, lettuce, drizzled in yummy garlic sauce with hot sauce on the side. And, this particular one came with a side of chickpeas in some thickened brown sauce (a first among all the stalls I've tried); it was good.

Tip: The servings are pretty large, so save the rest for another meal by transferring leftovers in a sturdy plastic container that you can refrigerate without spilling. Note that the sauces and spices may cause said dish to spoil rapidly. If it starts smelling funkier than it's supposed to, DO NOT EAT.

Library Hours

DAY 7
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

As a freelancer I'd recently taken to getting work done in one of the libraries midtown. And now that I've just started working full-time in an office again, the library remains a resource for me to get up to speed on the work and blogging that I still do whether or not my weekdays are occupied. (Oh, I can't wait to talk about recent developments in my NY job "exploration"; things have taken an AMAZING turn! Hint: It's like being beauty editor again!)

Anyway, I have to thank my friend John Reyes (shameless plug: If you need a PR associate for your company, he has an unbeatable work ethic!) for showing me this particular library. You see, the one where they shot the Spider-Man movie is more like a museum. And, after experiencing a little bit of rudeness a few years back (I forget the details, something about having some takeout food in my purse), I never set foot inside again. Only to find out a few weeks ago that about two blocks away, is a friendlier, cozier Mid-Manhattan Library featuring six floors of working and reading space. The fourth floor has complimentary Wi-fi and a laptop charging station; along with rows and rows of computers one could use for free.

Americans are truly lucky to have this public resource available to them up to seven days a week, thanks to a few branches that are open even on Sundays. The Mid-Manhattan branch in particular, has even extended its library hours by opening earlier in the morning and closing later in the evening (up to 11pm!) on certain days, on top of already being open seven days a week. To quote from their tagline, "You can never have too much Library!"

Walk this way. One of almost a hundred libraries in New York.

Point of View

DAY 6
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

One word: amazing.

I'd recently been invited to a dinner party hosted by one of my good friends and her boyfriend, and was greeted by this spectacular view upon entering the apartment along the water's edge in Brooklyn. I'd barely made it through the niceties with the hosts and owner of the lease because my gaze immediately wandered off to the horizon, totally in awe. The furniture and decor were also very streamlined and tasteful. And, that kitchen! Sigh, which only reminds me, I need to get back to writing about food and actually cooking AND baking. My poor All My Sugar blog!

Anyway, photos. (I know, I know—my latest posts have been short, and more...picturesque! But, hope you're enjoying the 30-Day Blog Challenge.)

Lounge in style.

Hosts Mark and Pat in that lovely open kitchen.
(Mark holds regular eat-in parties where guests take turns cooking each night.)

"From another point of view..."

Matching the decor in one of my favorite Kate T. dresses.

A cute and cuddly cat named Moneypenny.

Dear friends, Nicole and Kat.

There was food, lots of it—pasta, bread, chicken barbecue...

For The Weekend

DAY 5
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

What a week! Well, it's Friday and I'm turning in early for the night. But, before I do, let me mark today's blogging checklist and leave you with a thought from yesterday:

"I never ever want to lose this sense of wonder. I always want to be impressed by the littlest things."

Call it a resolution, or even a simple realization—a reminder to always be thankful.

Beach Glamour in the Hamptons

DAY 4
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Singer Deborah Cox serenades the crowd at the Benefit Luncheon

before the Beach Glamour event.

What better way to kickstart my first weekend back in New York than a trip to East Hampton, in no less than Lily Pond Lane—home to industry bigwigs and celebrities like Martha Stewart (sigh), Billy Joel, and Jerry Seinfeld.

Beach Glamour in the Hamptons was one of two events—the other being a benefit luncheon—held on June 26 at the Reginald F. Lewis estate in honor of the late business tycoon, lawyer, and the first African American billionaire. Mr. Lewis had paved the way for other men of color brought up in "tough" environments to excel in the fields of business and law.

I was fortunate enough to have been invited to assist in some PR and publicity work for the event, thanks to Carissa Villacorta who chaired the evening's festivities. I was also honored to meet the every gracious and delightful Mrs. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who has continued her husband's lucrative business ventures and philanthropic efforts (funds raised at Beach Glamour have been given to the RFL Museum in Baltimore).

The unbelievably gracious, Mrs. Loida Nicolas Lewis (wife of the late Reginald F. Lewis), and
O, The Oprah Magazine editor-at-large Gayle King.

I have never met anybody so warm and genuinely accommodating as Mrs. Lewis; I was so impressed by how engaged she was in every conversation from lunch until way past dinner—on her feet and welcoming all the hello's while expressing heartfelt thank-yous like nothing I've ever witnessed before. Truly amazing. Consider me a Loida groupie. If in my life I ever reach that status of wealth and influence, I would very much like to emulate her. When one is blessed, one must be generous not just with money but also with non-quantifiable resources such as time, empathy, and effort.

Now, no words can fully express how beautiful and breathtaking the estate was, so let me show you photos to tell the rest of my weekend story :)

The RFL Beach Glamour evening programmes.


The sprawling RFL estate in East Hampton.


One goes out the patio/backyard and sees this.

The canopied cabana set-up in the backyard.

We were all on our feet for most of the day, but, this was a fun breather for us to pose and smile.
From left to right: Michelle Newson of Onederland Events, moi, publicist and project chair Carissa Villacorta, KasalNY's Lyna Larcia-Calvario, and PR assistant Genevieve Santos.

Taco Truck

DAY 3
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

While living in Brooklyn, I'd noticed on the way home people lining up at this one taco truck parked along Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. In New York, they're apparently called grease trucks (feel free to comment if I'm wrong).

After buying that necklace I wrote about before this from Charles St. George's street stall, I decided to finally go ahead and give these tacos a shot. And, I wasn't disappointed. Mexican food isn't exactly the most photogenic cuisine, but to give you an idea, the Endless Summer truck had a menu of soft tacos with a variety of fillings such as beef, chicken, fish, and even vegetarian (it's NYC, after all!). Each one is served with a drizzling of sour cream and cheese, along with some homemade guacamole and a lime wedge. One serving is pretty small yet substantial.

So if you're ever in the mood for some authentic street food, you'll find many in the city. But, if straightforward, no-frills tacos are your thing, you'll have a good reason to hop, skip on the L train sometime soon.

Hungry patrons of the Endless Summer taco truck fall in line along Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

Street Beads

DAY 2   
of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

Colorful baubles around the corner.

I was walking home one afternoon and came across this necklace laid out on a table on the street. I didn't have enough cash with me and I didn't even have much with me at home, either. I had this $10 bill from my dad that I'd just been keeping in my travel suitcase, and a few bills in my wallet—just enough for food for the weekend.

Now, I've never ever been the type to forgo food for fashion (after this purchase though, I still had a little left to enjoy a soft taco that night). In college, I couldn't believe how possible it was for a friend of mine to choose not to spend her allowance on food and opt to shop for clothes instead. I'm also not one to buy items from Gucci, Fendi, or Prada on a whim, and friends would attest to my story that the only time I would consider finally buying a Gucci bag or anything from the brand (I own a single item from them, my mom's gold watch that she gifted me with for my "something old" before the wedding) is a few years from now, when I can pay CASH for the item. And one more thing: I have to buy it in Rome.

During my first trip to that city with the most breathtaking architecture bursting with rich history, I told myself that when I turned thirty, I would go back there and go through the whole designer bag shopping experience—from going inside the store, selecting the merchandise, and purchasing the item that calls out. Also, having the shopping bag with me, the carrying sack...the works. (But, if you want something a little less tedious than flying across the miles and more immediate, check out Bluefly.com for designer finds. I've only shopped there once when a friend asked me to get her these Christian Louboutin net pumps a while back, and the experience was overall pleasant.) I didn't get to fly back to Europe by the time my 30th birthday rolled around, but, the plan more or less has stayed the same since: "When in Rome..."

So, going back to the necklace, it simply called out because ever since I decided not to buy this chunky gray glass beaded necklace at TopShop years ago, I'd only grown more fascinated with big baubles of the costume kind, and this particular piece pretty much fit the bill and I just had to have it.

And, if you're curious, I got to chat a bit with the 'store' owner, Charles St. George. As it turns out, he's a liver cancer survivor. With a new lease in life, he's made it his livelihood to purchase accessories wholesale and peddle them in this fashion. I say that's one stylish and special way to get by.

That's Charles St. George of Street Boutique. He's a cancer survivor, so show support by buying!

30-Day Blog Challenge, Round 2 (Big Apple Edition)

DAY 1

of the 30-Day Blog Challenge

The first 30-day Blog Challenge I did was inspired by a few online resources I'd read on giving one's blog a boost. But, for the most part, I was in the middle of my sabbatical and was caught between a dilemma of not wanting to be idle and not really having a full-time job to keep me that busy. True, I was still doing my online copy editing work for a luxury hotel group, along with my weekly beauty column, and of course, this blog. Yet, I had nagging thoughts of, "What am I doing now?" and I wasn't quite ready to get back into the daily grind of office work. I was also still recovering from a lumpectomy and had a wedding coming up in a couple of months—not exactly the best time to make new major decisions in terms of one’s living situation.

So, I started the 30-day Blog Challenge. Oh, now I remember: I'd also read a former boss's blog about how one can create a habit by doing something for 30 days straight (the original theory, I believe, was 21 days). I was toying with the idea of getting up daily at 5am and doing some morning workouts. The early-morning thing never quite materialized but I did manage to complete all 30 days of blogging (read it here or visit the spin-off site, 30-dayblogchallenge.com). What a challenge, indeed!

It's been a year since and I'm truly happy about having done that first round because so much has sprung from that Challenge: from the blogging series for Cosmo.ph, to my own baking blog at Yummy.ph, the online home of Yummy Magazine. I also did the Inspiration Series here at Ny Minute Now. Along the way I also discovered some online revenue streams; if you look at them individually, they’re not much, but they somehow add up. Now, I have some ongoing and upcoming writing and editing work online, assignments that are actually capable of letting me afford to mull about and explore the city while I await my next full-time job, which is just so amazing. I couldn't be grateful enough.

In celebration of all of that, and so it begins. In the words of former Good Housekeeping Philippines editor-in-chief Jing Lejano in a recent comment, "Clang, clang! Round 2!"

Watch this space and thanks in advance for reading!

Stop Complaining!

I love how people in New York are so blunt and straightforward, traits not necessarily always welcome in other parts of the world. (Oh, don't get me started on how often I've been berated for speaking my mind.)

I've been feeling very sluggish and sleepy these past few days, not uncommon when I'm gearing up for deadlines. So, I decided to get some work done in the library instead of moving back and forth between the kitchen table and bedroom of my temporary home, not really accomplishing much.

Now seated in the library, again, I couldn't escape the feeling of sleepiness. I couldn't concentrate. A gentleman who'd just sat next to me heard me heave and exhale loudly and uttered, "That bad?"

I replied, "I'm just so sleepy, and I have all these deadlines."

"Stop complaining."

Oh boy, did that wake me up! I thanked him profusely and sat up straighter.

You've got to love New Yorkers.

Time Out, New York

Concrete jungle where dreams are made...if you have the stamina and chutzpah.

One day in 2008 I lay in bed thinking, "What if I never had to work? What if I didn't have to get up everyday to be somewhere?" It was around fall, I was working as a proofreader and copy editor at J.Crew, and the prospect of another cold, bone-piercing winter had long lost its appeal. And, I was simply...tired. From the time I was 20 until I moved to New York at 27 to pursue my publishing dreams, I never stopped working. I never had that year off college co-eds usually take after graduation to "explore and look around," only because I was lucky to have found the perfect job match off the bat, working at Seventeen Magazine when it launched in Manila in 2000. (I did get to go on yearly US vacations though.)

Yet, it's true that we gravitate toward the things that we want and have a hand at making them happen. By December of that year, I'd lost my job and had to quickly pack up my apartment; stashed meaningful and useful items in storage, donated the rest of my belongings to the Salvation Army, and off I was to Denver to recuperate from the whirlwind that was New York Round One.

Fast forward to 2010: I've made three trips back and forth between Manila and Denver; vacationed in beautiful beaches; had a lovely destination wedding (with a beach-side reception); cooked and baked my heart out; blogged and wrote about food and musings on life, love, and career (and got paid for it at times!); spent quality time with family, flying/boating to far-flung places; took on lucrative freelance projects (to help finance the above), and more.

I couldn't have asked for a better sabbatical.

While I agree that a certain amount of stress can be beneficial (studies show that a little of it actually helps you perform better), too much can be detrimental not only to your health, but also to your productivity and morale.

So, if you're feeling the onset of a burnout, I highly recommend taking some time off. True, you may have to cut back on certain things (I've had to give up living in NY full-time to ease the pressure of rent and other expenses) but, in the bigger scheme of life, it's absolutely worth it.

That said, I'm now back in New York, recharged and ready for Round Two. With my freelance plate full, I no longer dread having to work at a new job requiring me to be somewhere everyday—no matter the weather, whatever the season.

Old and New Quotes to Live By

Here's a quote from Lara Parpan, editor-in-chief of Women's Health Philippines:

"Seize the moment. When I run, swim, bike, dance, or even write this blog, it’s a celebration of my body and my mind being intact and functional at this very moment. I cannot ask for more. I am already blessed. I live life fully, right here, right now."

You can read Lara's full blog at Femalenetwork.com, where she wrote a very detailed post about aneurysms ("Why I Dance Like A Madwoman," July 2, 2010), what they are, the best way to spot them, and habits to kick or adopt to help steer clear of them.

Speaking of quotes, I've come across two other meaningful ones from my most recent Long Island weekend:

"Never take no for an answer. Mr. Lewis lost three big deals, but he never lost the game."
—Millenium Membership Awardee Londell Williams at the Reginald F. Lewis Benefit Luncheon held on June 26, 2010.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
—Teddy Roosevelt, quoted by the priest during homily at Sunday mass.

Posting photos from last weekend's spectacular East Hampton (working) getaway very soon. In the meantime, Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Photo by John Reyes.