I finally had a chance to explore our neighborhood after over 3 months of living here! haha. I am sooOOoo happy to announce that today, while meandering through Park Slope (aka "the Slope"), I stumbled upon TWO hidden European bakeries that serve *MACAROONS*.
Almondine Bakery
I was with my girlfriend and I fortuitously spotted Almondine Bakery while walking down a row of brownstones. It was a super late lunch/early dinner/snack (at 4pm haha). I quickly ordered a ham/emmental quiche, black currant macaroon, and a rocher (giant hazelnut truffle.. kind of like ferrero rocher but bigger and badder).
The quiche was delicious -- tasted just like what we had in Paris! In fact, the pastry chef and cashier checker are French - that is authentic enough for me:P It was so tasty that I had to get a slice for Chuperman to try as well. He loved it. Unfortunately, Chuperman has come down with a nasty cold. He has been coughing and coughing and coughing... hope he gets better ASAP, esp since my parents are flying in tomorrow night for Thxgiving!
So back to Almondine... the black currant macaroon was delightful. Ok, wasn't as good as say La Duree of Paris but really good for it being a different continent. My friend got the lemon macaroon and she loved it.
The rocher was insane. Hard to pick out of the 3, what my favorite snack was haha... life is rough..
So I felt pretty guilty after a calorie-laden splurge of a snack... so to make myself feel better, I traversed the brownstone lined streets of Park Slope, wondering (not wishing tho) what it would be like to live in a brownstone. Even though living in a brownstone is the ultimate dream that many new yorkers share, especially in Park Slope - coming from OC, I just can't see myself living in a brownstone, indefinitely, with kids and a car. Don't get me wrong, I love the beautiful historic architecture and the charm of old new york brownstones, but I just can't stomach all of those stairs up to the front door. With a double stroller or carrying bags and bags of groceries, this would be a nightmare. Also, brownstones don't typically come with attached garages. So, you pay like $5M (especially if you renovate - im making up the figure, but u get the idea) for a brownstone and you still have to park your car on the street, that's IF you can find a parking spot. I really don't think that's worth it. That is why car service is very popular for brownstoners. Also, I heard that some brownstoners also have butlers! now that is old school.
Zana Cafe
SO anyway, walking back home I stumbled upon yet another bakery that serves macaroons!! This one is totally under the radar. They don't even have a website nor is it yelp-reviewed. Enter "Zana Cafe". Apparently, Zana Cafe was a result of a bitter divorce. A couple that had a Parisian bakery in the Slope got divorced, then the wife went and opened Zana Cafe. So the bottom line is that Zana cafe has MACAROONS! And they are quite tasty as well. I also got a few dark choc lacey almond cookies and a fudge walnut brownie. In all fairness, I was thirsty and got a diet ginger ale to counteract my ridiculous sweet-tooth hahaa... I should really go back and take pix of this place and be the first to post on yelp!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! May you and your loved ones be blessed abundantly during this Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
...in Brooklyn and alive!
this post is still alive.. (though barely).... it's easier for us to post pix on fbook;)
I cannot believe that it's been almost 3 mos since we moved to NYC. It has been an absolute blur. Life is rather hectic on a daily basis - trying to juggle 2 babies, maintaining the apt, and part-time work from home - but super fun when we're able to get out of the apt and explore the city.
Living in NYC is a nice change of pace from OC. I really appreciate how much of NYC is authentic, original, and historic. I feel like ppl here are more "real", not saying that OC peeps are unreal - but the general feeling is that ppl in NYC are more "raw", natural, ambitious, and are survivors in the city that im deeming " city of the survival of the fittest". I feel like OC peeps are overall more into aesthetics and definitely more laid-back.
The Kids. We essentially moved when Micah was just 9 wks old and Jacob was 20 mos. Fortunately Micah has been sleeping through the night and is better at sleeping during the day. The thing is with Micah is that he ALWAYS spits up after each feeding, which equates to endless laundry and endless mopping. As much as I love Jacob, I can't even begin to tell you how difficult he's been behaving around us and when we go out. Can we say TERRIBLE TWO'S and he's not even 2 yet. Poor big brother - he's been teething big time, adjusting to big bro role, adjusting to apt living, and switching nannies. It's a lot of change for jacob but he has fun whenever we're out and about in the city. Overall, we're embracing the change and glad to be here =D
A few things that I'm diggin' in the city:
* GOOD EATS: awesome food that seems to be everywhere. so far i've been lucky enough to eat/hang out in the east village, soho, chelsea, flatiron, park slope, midtown, etc etc.. in fact, two of our fave restaurants are located right in our neighborhood! a colombian restaurant and an italian restaurant -- yummz
* open air markets/street fairs
* endless places to go with or without the kids... we've taken the kids to a few of ny's most bad-ass parks like Central Park and Prospect Park, also the New York Aquarium at coney island....next up, Children's Museum..
* the 4 seasons (hotel).. haha i wish.. i love the fall here and can't wait to see jacob play in the snow! i went to umich for college and endured 4 long harsh winters...
* convenient to meet up with friends here since NYC really ain't that big. luckily i have college friends and other friends that live in the city. pretty much, NYC is like a giant playground for me (when i can manage to get out of the house).
* walkable city: i dont have to hop into my car as much. so far, i've walked to the optometrist and pediacian's office -- super convenient
A few things that rub me the wrong way:
* broken glass on sidewalks - during the first wk within our move here, i took jacob on a stroll wearing flip flops and felt a prick on the bottom of my right foot, knew it was glass, and luckily didn't step all the way down! it wasn't a big deal but still.. i've even seen broken glass at the playground!! grrr...
* grocery shopping ain't so great here. i have to drive through ghetto brooklyn to get groceries at Fairway, which is actually a pretty nice grocery store in it of itself. It's a hybrid of Trader Joe's/Whole Foods/Berkeley Bowl. i try to limit my outtings for errands. plus, the produce here is subpar compared to CA. fruits and veggies cost 50% more.
* grumpy east coast ppl.. not a lot of ppl here are friendly. occasionally i'd get a "hello" or "hi". well after living here for almost 3 months, i can see why ppl ain't so friendly. the city isn't the easiest place to live, especially New york city. the trains can be slow, ppl can be rude, ppl are always in a rush, there's always a long que for something, it's tough to run errands, driving here is insane, traffic on the bridges gets dicey, etc.
A few things that I miss about Cali and the suburbs!:
* S P A C E --> SQ FOOTAGE!!! when both babies are screaming, i want to just cry but can't b/c im so beat and calloused. our apt is modern and new, but is small and echo-ey.. which brings me to my next pt..
* CARPET. i miss stepping on carpet. it's all about wood floors in the city, which is fine. but i also miss my carpet. carpet is not only soft on feet but also helps to absorb a lot of noise. get's pretty frickin loud in here between 7-8:30pm, coincidentally during the bebes bedtime. im pretty sure our floormates can appreciate all the craziness.
* ATTACHED Garage. lugging groceries between our car which is parked in a separate garage 3 doors up is a big pain. i have to use a dolley to go back and forth. did i mention to get to the garage i have to manually open these big side-by-sde iron gates, walk 20 yards, then manually open the garage with my hands?! and we PAY extra for this. i know, im such a suburban princess. the alternative is street parking, but then we'd have to deal with double sided street cleaning. meaning, we'd have to repark the car a few times a week. i dont' think so.
* Parking lots. it's the city - what can u expect, there are none in manhattan unless u want to pay like $10/hr or something. although, on wkends manhattan has free street parking:) during the first month, i was too scared of taking the subways for fear i'd get lost haha.. so i actually drove into the city, which is much more challenging haha. but hey, i prefer to drive. however, now that im okie with taking the train - it's not too bad.
we live in brooklyn, which is a considered a "suburban" borough compared to manhattan. it still requires strategic planning when going out, esp with the bebes.
It can be pretty darn humbling and daunting living in the city with 2 babies. It's such a drastic lifestyle change for me. It really makes me realize what I had in OC is completely fantasy for most ppl. I had absolutely nothing to complain about in OC. I was well insulated by my family from the real world.
I think God had us relocate to the city for a reason: so i can finally grow-up, experience the real world outside of my wonderful bubble in OC, and finally stand on my 2 feet - without the coddling from my parents. The umbillical cord has officially been cut!
Park Slope Mother's Group
Fortunately, I've been blessed with a good network of friends here. Most of them are old college buddies but I've also gotten around to joining a mother's group. It's a small mother's group with day care. So it's great that I can take Jacob for his weekly playgroup while fellowshippin' with other neighborhood moms going through the same stuff. Wonderful group of moms btw. All very smart, tough, and caring.
We are reading Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary E. Demuth.
I really like this particular chapter titled "A Haven".
"How do we create a haven where we protect our children from the snares of our current culture?"
22 months Jacob
9) Laugh hard - but not at another's expense.
10) Practice God's presence. living life joyfully, even doing the most mundane things like washing dishes.
hope everyone is doing well!! and sorry for being MIA!!
I cannot believe that it's been almost 3 mos since we moved to NYC. It has been an absolute blur. Life is rather hectic on a daily basis - trying to juggle 2 babies, maintaining the apt, and part-time work from home - but super fun when we're able to get out of the apt and explore the city.
Living in NYC is a nice change of pace from OC. I really appreciate how much of NYC is authentic, original, and historic. I feel like ppl here are more "real", not saying that OC peeps are unreal - but the general feeling is that ppl in NYC are more "raw", natural, ambitious, and are survivors in the city that im deeming " city of the survival of the fittest". I feel like OC peeps are overall more into aesthetics and definitely more laid-back.
The Kids. We essentially moved when Micah was just 9 wks old and Jacob was 20 mos. Fortunately Micah has been sleeping through the night and is better at sleeping during the day. The thing is with Micah is that he ALWAYS spits up after each feeding, which equates to endless laundry and endless mopping. As much as I love Jacob, I can't even begin to tell you how difficult he's been behaving around us and when we go out. Can we say TERRIBLE TWO'S and he's not even 2 yet. Poor big brother - he's been teething big time, adjusting to big bro role, adjusting to apt living, and switching nannies. It's a lot of change for jacob but he has fun whenever we're out and about in the city. Overall, we're embracing the change and glad to be here =D
A few things that I'm diggin' in the city:
* GOOD EATS: awesome food that seems to be everywhere. so far i've been lucky enough to eat/hang out in the east village, soho, chelsea, flatiron, park slope, midtown, etc etc.. in fact, two of our fave restaurants are located right in our neighborhood! a colombian restaurant and an italian restaurant -- yummz
* open air markets/street fairs
* endless places to go with or without the kids... we've taken the kids to a few of ny's most bad-ass parks like Central Park and Prospect Park, also the New York Aquarium at coney island....next up, Children's Museum..
* the 4 seasons (hotel).. haha i wish.. i love the fall here and can't wait to see jacob play in the snow! i went to umich for college and endured 4 long harsh winters...
* convenient to meet up with friends here since NYC really ain't that big. luckily i have college friends and other friends that live in the city. pretty much, NYC is like a giant playground for me (when i can manage to get out of the house).
* walkable city: i dont have to hop into my car as much. so far, i've walked to the optometrist and pediacian's office -- super convenient
A few things that rub me the wrong way:
* broken glass on sidewalks - during the first wk within our move here, i took jacob on a stroll wearing flip flops and felt a prick on the bottom of my right foot, knew it was glass, and luckily didn't step all the way down! it wasn't a big deal but still.. i've even seen broken glass at the playground!! grrr...
* grocery shopping ain't so great here. i have to drive through ghetto brooklyn to get groceries at Fairway, which is actually a pretty nice grocery store in it of itself. It's a hybrid of Trader Joe's/Whole Foods/Berkeley Bowl. i try to limit my outtings for errands. plus, the produce here is subpar compared to CA. fruits and veggies cost 50% more.
* grumpy east coast ppl.. not a lot of ppl here are friendly. occasionally i'd get a "hello" or "hi". well after living here for almost 3 months, i can see why ppl ain't so friendly. the city isn't the easiest place to live, especially New york city. the trains can be slow, ppl can be rude, ppl are always in a rush, there's always a long que for something, it's tough to run errands, driving here is insane, traffic on the bridges gets dicey, etc.
A few things that I miss about Cali and the suburbs!:
* S P A C E --> SQ FOOTAGE!!! when both babies are screaming, i want to just cry but can't b/c im so beat and calloused. our apt is modern and new, but is small and echo-ey.. which brings me to my next pt..
* CARPET. i miss stepping on carpet. it's all about wood floors in the city, which is fine. but i also miss my carpet. carpet is not only soft on feet but also helps to absorb a lot of noise. get's pretty frickin loud in here between 7-8:30pm, coincidentally during the bebes bedtime. im pretty sure our floormates can appreciate all the craziness.
* ATTACHED Garage. lugging groceries between our car which is parked in a separate garage 3 doors up is a big pain. i have to use a dolley to go back and forth. did i mention to get to the garage i have to manually open these big side-by-sde iron gates, walk 20 yards, then manually open the garage with my hands?! and we PAY extra for this. i know, im such a suburban princess. the alternative is street parking, but then we'd have to deal with double sided street cleaning. meaning, we'd have to repark the car a few times a week. i dont' think so.
* Parking lots. it's the city - what can u expect, there are none in manhattan unless u want to pay like $10/hr or something. although, on wkends manhattan has free street parking:) during the first month, i was too scared of taking the subways for fear i'd get lost haha.. so i actually drove into the city, which is much more challenging haha. but hey, i prefer to drive. however, now that im okie with taking the train - it's not too bad.
we live in brooklyn, which is a considered a "suburban" borough compared to manhattan. it still requires strategic planning when going out, esp with the bebes.
It can be pretty darn humbling and daunting living in the city with 2 babies. It's such a drastic lifestyle change for me. It really makes me realize what I had in OC is completely fantasy for most ppl. I had absolutely nothing to complain about in OC. I was well insulated by my family from the real world.
I think God had us relocate to the city for a reason: so i can finally grow-up, experience the real world outside of my wonderful bubble in OC, and finally stand on my 2 feet - without the coddling from my parents. The umbillical cord has officially been cut!
Park Slope Mother's Group
Fortunately, I've been blessed with a good network of friends here. Most of them are old college buddies but I've also gotten around to joining a mother's group. It's a small mother's group with day care. So it's great that I can take Jacob for his weekly playgroup while fellowshippin' with other neighborhood moms going through the same stuff. Wonderful group of moms btw. All very smart, tough, and caring.
We are reading Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture by Mary E. Demuth.
I really like this particular chapter titled "A Haven".
"How do we create a haven where we protect our children from the snares of our current culture?"
1)Let kindness reign: parenthood is a balance of both kindness and truth tempered by grace. kind words make a haven. kind words welcome repentence and relationship. avoid harsh words.
2) Welcome hard questions. Jacob doesn't even know how to make a phrase yet - so i'll wait until he can complete a sentence to welcome any hard questions haha.
3) Be There: spending quality time with kids and being available to them. this one seems kind of obvious but hard to do if the mom has to work full-time, etc.
4) Limit media: for me, it's easy to put jacob in front of the tube to buy some time. i think an hr a day should be okie. sometimes i really an hour to feed micah, clean up, or eat.
5) Play Outside: going to the park, camping, hiking, fishing, biking, walking , skating -- all these activities connect us to each other and help us to experience God in a shared encounter.
6) Weep & Rejoice: parents should strive to dress our children's hurts with bandages of attentive empathy while celebrating our children's victories.
7) Cherish childhood: Through toddler tantrums and being covered in Micah's spit up most of the day, I told Chuperman that no matter how hard it gets with the kids, that I'm going to savor each day with them. maybe not the whole day but at least part of the day. There have been a few times during the past few wks where i just completely hit a wall and had it with living here. I really miss how easy everything was in Cali. But then I realized that this is just a phase. It will get better as the kids get a lil older. I just have to stick it out.
So back to cherishing childhood -- It's a great feeling to watch Jacob gleefully run through a bed of fall leaves and to see Micah coo and smile at me with those chubby cheeks of his.
Motherhood has definitely been challenging for me these past few months, especially in the city, but I'm trying to cherish their childhood as much as I can.
2) Welcome hard questions. Jacob doesn't even know how to make a phrase yet - so i'll wait until he can complete a sentence to welcome any hard questions haha.
3) Be There: spending quality time with kids and being available to them. this one seems kind of obvious but hard to do if the mom has to work full-time, etc.
4) Limit media: for me, it's easy to put jacob in front of the tube to buy some time. i think an hr a day should be okie. sometimes i really an hour to feed micah, clean up, or eat.
5) Play Outside: going to the park, camping, hiking, fishing, biking, walking , skating -- all these activities connect us to each other and help us to experience God in a shared encounter.
6) Weep & Rejoice: parents should strive to dress our children's hurts with bandages of attentive empathy while celebrating our children's victories.
7) Cherish childhood: Through toddler tantrums and being covered in Micah's spit up most of the day, I told Chuperman that no matter how hard it gets with the kids, that I'm going to savor each day with them. maybe not the whole day but at least part of the day. There have been a few times during the past few wks where i just completely hit a wall and had it with living here. I really miss how easy everything was in Cali. But then I realized that this is just a phase. It will get better as the kids get a lil older. I just have to stick it out.
So back to cherishing childhood -- It's a great feeling to watch Jacob gleefully run through a bed of fall leaves and to see Micah coo and smile at me with those chubby cheeks of his.
Motherhood has definitely been challenging for me these past few months, especially in the city, but I'm trying to cherish their childhood as much as I can.
22 months Jacob
not quite 5 months old Micah. 18lbs!
8) Read: read to your kids! i try to read to them whenever I can. it's usually during bedtime or naptime. and as they get older im gonna have them read good books. good books teach lessons, not by preaching buy by unveiling a well-told story.9) Laugh hard - but not at another's expense.
10) Practice God's presence. living life joyfully, even doing the most mundane things like washing dishes.
hope everyone is doing well!! and sorry for being MIA!!
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