Friday, June 29

♥ New York For The Very First Time


I'm currently sitting at Starbucks, studying for Microbiology, and mesmerized about the times in New York! City  years ago!!!! I recently went there for my vacation (will post on that later), but I still remember my FIRST TIME THERE in 2008. Since then, everything had changed--the people, the attitude, the jobs, and the relationships. I wish I can go back in time and experience the simplicity of life and joy that I once had!

Enough about me, here is a little guideline or sheet-cheat (things to do) in the city that doesn't sleep! Have fun! But first step, get yourself a decent guidebook, a street map and a subway map.

If you are a first timer, here are a list of things to do:
  • Downtown (Wall St. Area)
  • Staten Island Ferry and Ferry to Ellis Island
  • Wall ST.
  • Ground Zero (also Century 21 for some shopping)
  • Trinity Church
  • St. Paul's Chapel
  • South St Seaport (half price TKTS booth there too)
  • Battery Park (memorial to WTC is located there right now)
  • Chinatown 
  • Little Italy (old St. Patricks Cathedral)
  • Empire State Building (go to top)
  • Ground ZeroStatue of Liberty & Ellis Islad (take ferry from Battery Park & you can do this the same day you go to ground zero)
  • MOMA and/or Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Buy half price tickets to Broadway show (buy @ TKTS booth on Broadway)
  • Visit Strawberry Fields / John Lennon area in Central Park
  • Instead of the ESB do Top of the Rock. You can buyt advance timed tickets - so no waiting - and IMHO the views are better.
  • NBC Studio Tour 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 49th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, 212-664-3700
    See where Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, The Today Show, and more are taped on this must-see tour at 30 Rockefeller Center ($20 adults, $17 seniors and children 6-12).
  • Gray Line Sightseeing Tours New York City, 800-669-0051
    If you want to see a lot of NYC in a small amount of time, Gray Line offers several tours that will give you a good look at New York City and show you many of the top sights. This is a great way to experience NYC without the hassle of scheduling activities yourself or making up a list of things to do. 
Day 0: Getting ready to fly out to JFK

Day 1: We were already lost, but managed to get to places (somehow)

Day 2: Met up with some old friends

Day 2: Explored the night life of NY

Day 3: Unexpected weather!!!

Day 3: The Statue of Liberty

Day 3: Being a tourist!

Day 3: Our last day :(


Also, I came cross this one website about the expactions and the reality of NEW YORK!!!!!
 I thought this is so true and wanted to share: original site Buzzfeed

Moving To NYC: Expectations Vs Reality

When we move to NYC, we think our lives will be luxurious and decadent because of what we've seen on TV. But eventually we all realize living in the city can be a bit hard, and sometimes even gross. So before you move here, take a look at what you're getting yourself into and for a completely realistic portrayal of the best city in the world, check out Don't Trust The B In Apartment 23 when it premieres Tonight, at 9:30/8:30c on ABC. 

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Monday, June 18

♥ Day 2 In Montreal


Their Location:
 387 Rue Bernard Ouest  Montreal, QC H2V 1T6, Canada
Create a place with a soul is always a goal that never seems to end

Their Concept
We always try to keep our delicacy touch since the opening of Maiko Sushi in 1997. Our priories always have been the atmosphere, the welcoming and the little gestures. But fineness and beauty of our dishes; also the decor and quality of service are part of a higher standard.

Their Team:
The Chef Maiko with sous-chefs and staff are truly grateful to count on their culinary lovers 
to push them to go way beyond.

Truite Sashimi


Scallop With Uni Sauce

The Scallops, topped and baked with Maiko's secret sauce

Fish eggs! Delicious

Lobster Rolls

The Rolls embedded with baked lobsters
Lobster Tails 

Foie Gras

Pan-fried "foei gras," Maiko's Style, served on sushi with fresh and 
delicious blueberries, strawberries, and lychee

Agedashi Tofu

Golden Brown Friend bean curds, topped with Bonita flakes and green onion, 
dipped in Maiko's tempura sauce


Friday, June 15

♥ Montreal: Third Time's The Charm


 View of Montreal from St-Helen Island - Photos by Meantux

 Parc Arrington, Montréal - Photos by appaloosa

Palais des Congrès de Montréal - Photos by Caribb

 Mc Gill Avenue, Montréal - Photos by appaloosa

 Notre-Dame church, Montréal - Photos by Caribb

Old Montréal, Montréal - Photos by Caribb

My first vacation stop started in this town called Montreal. This time is going to be my third visits, but still love it. Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the fifteenth largest in North America. French is the city's official language and is also the language spoken at home, followed by English. I felt in love with the city, the people, and especially the food. And I would totally live here if I have the opportunity.


Let's start the vacation with some french cruise ...
(and how I gained 15 pounds in 2 weeks)

Address: 740 william . Montréal . H3C 1P1 . T 514 397 7737 . F 514 397 8760

The Kitchen Is Open: Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight | Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. 

The Concept: In addition to entertaining, contemporary cuisine, Le Local restaurant offers a unique urban concept. Located at the heart of Old Montreal, in a building that still resonates with echoes of the past, the restaurant boasts a spectacularly large dining room and terraces which can seat up to 160 people. An interesting blend of rustic and modern, the stunning decor combines concrete, steel, brick and glass to breathtaking effect. Here is the link to the Menu

 Pierre (My BEST BEST "GIRLFRIEND") and I ate at "Le LocaL"

The waitresses/waiters walked around with a basket of breads to greet the guests

Salmon Tartar With Truffle Oil and Lime Juice 

Best Salmon TARTAR EVER! The truffle oil really made the taste to pop out.
 Too bad I can't eat this everyday :(

Cheese ravioli, duck confit, shiitake and arugula
Also, the best DUCK RAVIOLI that I've even eaten ...

Kooyong Massale Pinot Noir : Can't forget about the wine for our main course
Sea Salt: The most purified sea salt that I've have ever experienced at a restaurant

Cote de Boeuf

The meat was tender with pieces of fat
The salad was so delightful 
And the sauce was to die for

This dish was humongous -- it can easily fed 5 people

The french knows it all! Even the smashed potatoes are better

Large lobster roll, white bread with cheese curd, lobster “des Iles” with mayonnaise, 
Iceberg lettuce, grilled red pepper, fries and/or salad  with Extra Poutine 

The lobsters were embedded in the bread! I was not too fond with the bread--not crunchy
and more on a harder side-- but the abundant amount of lobsters made up for the lost

Yummy Poutine!!! A little greasy and fat, but it was worth the extra calories

And for dessert ...

Yummm ...

Ice cream popsicle were very refreshing after all of those fatty meat!

Thank you Philip (left) and Pierre (right) for showing me around and taking me to delicious dine-ins