Bye Sam!

My roommate, Sam, moved to Portugal yesterday for the summer. Sam will be gone until August 25, 2008 and I’ll have to live all by myself. For most people it’s a dream come true, for me it’s boring beyond belief. I don’t like having to live without my friend!

In other news…I went on a sailing trip this past weekend, it was awesome. We started out in Stamford Connecticut and wrapped our way down the sound into the East River and through Manhattan. I got to go under all the bridges (one of my favorite things to do) including the Brooklyn Bridge. Sadly, none of them compare to the beauty of going under the Golden Gate Bridge, which I find one of the most amazing experiences in life. Everyone should do it at least once. However, the Manhattan skyline totally beats any other sky line I’ve ever seen from the water including Vancouver, but I may be biased because I have a love for New York like no other city in the world.

After sailing down the East River we came out of the mouth to the Statue of Liberty, which is amazing. Every time I see it, I always think about what it meant to all of the immigrants. The sight of the statue of liberty was a sign of hope, new beginnings, a fresh start, and most importantly freedom. It’s too bad it’s now just a landmark. But nevertheless it’s still amazing. We ended our sail off the coast of New Jersey where we camped on the boats for two nights and drank several bottles of God knows what…anything we could get out hands on. haha. On Monday we did the trip in reverse.

What an awesome weekend. Well deserved, and lots of fun!

Quart...a waiter?

I decided against what I thought was my better judgment to take up a second job here in the city. Starting tonight, I will be waiting tables two nights a week at this amazing little restaurant called Quartino. It’s a vegetarian wine bar (all the wines are organic/biodynamic) on the Northwest corner of Bleeker and Hudson next to Vons.

It’s a great little restaurant, one of my favorites in the entire city so I’m stoked to work there. The best part is my shift doesn’t start until 7:00PM, which is great because I finish my regular job as a publicist at 6:00PM.

I was really hesitant about taking a second job, but I do need the money. My first thought was yes, and then no, and then yes, and then no, and then the job presented itself a third time and I took it as a sing. Plus I love working in restaurants and I dearly miss it.

If you’re ever in New York, come in and have a glass of wine, if you’re a resident, I better be seeing you soon.

It’s Friday and I’m exhausted. It’s been one of the longest weeks ever, not because anything was extraordinary or excruciating, but just because a lack of sleep and too much to do is the perfect combination for exhaustion.

Last night I went to this great little restaurant called Brick Café, which is about four blocks form my house. We sat at this great little table outside and had an amazing bottle of wine. What type of wine it was…I have no idea. I should probably start paying more attention to that sort of thing, but when you’re with people who like wine…they never let you choose anyways, so why bother? I do know however, that I really like French wine, especially French White Wine from Quartino (my roommates restaurant).

Today it’s cold and rainy in New York; it’s actually really cold, and pouring to tell the truth. I never understand the weather here in NYC, its different every day and for the past two weeks it’s been changing everyday. Its either a) beautiful, warm and sunny or b) freezing cold, windy, and pouring cats and dogs. Too bad California doesn’t get more rain, I know it’s in dire need of it.

Here’s to a good weekend, my roommate Sam is moving to Portugal next Friday (I’m sad) so we’re having a vegetarian goodbye party back at the house this evening. That should be fun. Sam’s getting a tattoo today, of a fish. I’m excited to see it when I get home. I’ll leave you with that for now….hope all is well in the land of your mind.

Egypt is nothing short of mouth watering delight!

Alright, so you’re weird, I get it. I’ve always gotten it, I think that’s why we’re friends.

Talking about Egyptians, I live in a Middle Eastern Neighborhood. The locals call it either Little Morocco, or Little Egypt. All I know is that the streets are lined with Hookah bars, even the coffee shops have people smoking Hookah at 8:00 in the morning.

All the grocery stores, the liquor stores and even the laundry mat have cute little ladies with surreys on. My favorite is the lady at the laundry mat, I wave to her ever time I walk by. She’s Awesome, I really like her.

Anyways…I live in an amazing restaurant area, the only problem is they’re all ethnic, so most people won’t like them. But if you’ve got good taste, and love food, there is no better place to live in all of New York.

There is this tiny little restaurant on the reverse side of my building (if I sneak through the alley way (where we put our trash) and through a whole in the fence and through the alley way on the other side of the building I exit next to this amazing restaurant.. Its called the Kebab Café, and it’s probably has the best damn food in the world. Seriously, and even better it’s really cheap. Its $7 for a Kebab steak sandwich (well Pita) filled with really good grilled vegetables, sauces, and other unrecognizable Egyptian garnishes. I can’t believe how good it is. I’m slightly stunned to tell the truth. After talking about it so much, I come to find out its a world famous restaurant. Ranked top ten by the travel channel. Its nothing more than a whole in the wall place that has two tables, but It’s as good, if not better than every other restaurant in all the world.

Holy Cow!

This cow is as large as an elephant. And it's real!

I'll Eat Dodge Ball for Breakfast

So it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged, and for those of you who read this I apologize. I’ve been really busy since I’ve been back in New York and haven’t found the time to type about my day/experiences.

I’ll start with my new found/old but starting again hobbies:

1. Kickboxing. They put a kickboxing gym in down the street from my house, and one day I was walking by and I stopped and looked in the window. I then proceeded to keep walking, only to find myself turned around and walking back. I then looked through the window again and by this time the receptionist knew she had a deal in the making. She came outside to greet me and tell me about the studio. I thanked her and walked away. Two days later, I found myself back in the studio purchasing 15 weeks of classes. Wow, didn’t see that coming, but it’s a lot of fun, and a pretty good workout. You can never argue this point: “The best investment a person can make is in their body”.

2. Sailing. I’m joining a NYC sailing club tonight. I’m going in front of the board after work to give a short presentation/speech as to why I want to join. Hopefully they’ll let me in. I have no doubt that they will, I’m a good sailor, and it’s what I like to do. No, scratch that…it’s what I love to do. Plus, it’ll be a great way to make new friends.

3. Dodge ball. Last night I went to the New York City Dodge Ball Championships and it was AWEOSME! I had so much fun. I tried to sign up/join, but the season is over and doesn’t start up again until September, but you can bet in September I’ll be there! It’s exactly like the movie, only better!!!

So long Grandpa Wayne.

Well...I'm in California, but not for a good reason. My grandfather had a stroke this last Friday. It's not good, in fact its horrible. Today we decided to take him off of life support, but we're waiting until tomorrow to do it so all of his friends and family can come and say goodbye if they choose to.

He's an amazing man, my best friend. I love him dearly and he impacted many peoples lives in a very positive way.

I love you grandpa, I always will.
All my best.
-Ren