dead.

my laptop is dead. It turns on, but the monitor is black. I can hear it working, but the monitor still remains black...I think it's the video card...using R's Mac right now...but but but

ALL OF MY PICTURES ARE ON MY LAPTOP! :(

I surrender

There are days where I just feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.

Today was one of those days.

San Diego-a-go-go...in New York!

Just came back from a refreshing long weekend in New York spent enjoying the company of my good friends (from back "home") and exploring some good eats around town. Conclusion: There is not enough time to eat all the good foods offered in this city.

At Xie Xie (not your average Vietnamese sandwich shop)...this is my friend C's Sweet Glazed Pork sandwich


My Vietnamese BBQ Beef sandwich...it was epic:


My friend works in front of a building that has a DESSERT TRUCK parked out in front!!! AMAZING. How she doesn't eat from the truck every single day at every single chance she gets never ceases to amaze me. Here is a pumpkin whoopie pie...bite size. Not too sweet, but hits the sweet spot nonetheless:



We spent some time at MoMA, though we didn't get a chance to look at the Tim Burton exhibit (it was sold out!)



We were puzzled by the works of Marina Ambrovich:


There was a lot of naked bodies involved with her exhibits. We even ventured through the one exhibit which had us walk inbetween two naked women in a hallway. I was afraid that I was going to graze them. While our one friend N just looked one of the women straight in the eye while walking inbetween them. How brave! You can't imagine how uncomfortable it made me feel...

Back to the food...At Inoteca in East Village...an assortment of bruschetta:


Considering this was a tapas restaurant, we left feeling quite satisfied. This was the octopus and garbanzo beans:


Prosciutto panini:


Thai Delivery from Land Thai...I'm blown away at how many things can be delivered in New York. I feel like I would never leave my home. All this food for $60!


A ginormous chocolate chip walnut cookie from Levain's bakery. The dough pre-baking was the size of a baseball. It was beautiful:


We also went to the Spotted Pig for brunch:


My cubano sandwich:


C's burger with roquefort cheese and shoestring potatoes (the neverending MOUND):


N's corned beef and hash with poached eggs:


Mini Cupcakes from Baked by Melissa...I AM OBSESSED with mini cupcakes! I had the red velvet and also a mint chocolate chip one:



Saw an awesome performance called Streb Slam in Brooklyn. A combination of gymnastics and dance and acrobatics...it was cool to say the least:



Also ate at Otto's:
Ramp's pizza:


BUCCATINI AL' AMATRICIANA (hollow spaghetti and crispy pork cheek):



Also had an anchovy pizza:


For dessert I had a triple gelato...Olive Oil, Guiness Stout (OH SO GOOD), and Pistachio!

Spring into Spring...

with a Burger Bar Party!

This is actually from a few weeks ago, but living in San Diego, are there really seasons? :P hehe

Check out the view from our friend's new condo in Little Italy. She has a kick ass community roof top BBQ area in the building:




Yummy vanilla bean cupcakes from Trader Joes, complete with sprinkles:



I sneaked a small piece before eating my lunch (don't tell my mom!)


More yummy goods from Trader Joes...the broccoli salad:


Hey, where are the burgers??? After all, it was a burger party, right?

An assortment of toppings for the burger bar:


More toppings:


I loaded my turkey burger:


It was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday...friends, food, good times :)

San Diego-a-go-go...The Naked Cafe

Oh my god...YUM!

The Naked Cafe is my new favorite breakfast joint.

Blackberry-Banana pancakes:
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I'm ready for my closeup:


The Yin and Yang (roasted potatoes, black beans, avocado, jalapeno peppers, tomatoes and salsa served with a tortilla):


It really hit the spot.

The Big Buff Breakfast burritos:


The Transcendence Wrap with a big heap of quinoa:


Dear Naked Cafe,
I will be back for more!
Love,
Me

My Sweet 16

Had our first "training" (ie, ridiculously long) run this past Saturday where we ran 16 miles. We ran through five coastal cities in San Diego (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas and Solana Beach)...such a scenic and beautiful run! I wish I had brought my camera. Saw the ocean for miles and miles. Helped to take my mind off of the fact that we were putting on some serious miles on our legs.

My pace group sped off into the distance (they always run faster than the actual pace set for the group!), so I ended up running about 9 miles alone! I really should have just waited for the pace group behind me so that I would have people to run with, but I just wanted to keep going.

Man it was tough. It didn't help that I had to go straight into work, because I was in dire need of a nap. Also discovered that I have a knot in my calf. How do you get a knot in your calf?

I can already tell that the last 10 miles is not going to come easy. But I will not give up!

Make yourself at home

Luci's making herself right at home on our new sofa...Glad she approves :) Gotta keep the lady of the house happy!