I've been 30 for a week! I returned from Bermuda yesterday, had a slice of cake today and uploaded these pictures.
I have some great friends who helped me celebrate 30 in style!
Caprica
14 years ago
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Twas the night before 30...
And I'm up in my house, packing for Bermuda thinking, "Should I bring this blouse?"
It's my last night in my twenties!!! I have been packing for Bermuda, but mostly I have been finishing work projects since I'll be on vacay for a week. In my downtime I was thinking about this past year. What did I do? What changed? Would I do anything differently?
There is a lot that remained the same and honestly, probably won't change in my 30s. For example, my glasses. I've had the same glasses since 2007. Though maybe I should look for new frames this year. And while my hair has gotten longer, it's the same color and still slightly layered. I keep saying that I'm going to get highlights, but...eh...I don't know if I'm feeling it. I continued my daily workouts at NYSC and maintained my weight.
But my twenty-ninth year was far from ordinary.
So excuse all the "I"s, but what can I say. I was busy 29 year old!!
So...
Twenty-nine was WAY more than fine. I am thankful to have had another year and blessed that it was a great one. I eagerly look forward to my flirty thirties!!
It's my last night in my twenties!!! I have been packing for Bermuda, but mostly I have been finishing work projects since I'll be on vacay for a week. In my downtime I was thinking about this past year. What did I do? What changed? Would I do anything differently?
There is a lot that remained the same and honestly, probably won't change in my 30s. For example, my glasses. I've had the same glasses since 2007. Though maybe I should look for new frames this year. And while my hair has gotten longer, it's the same color and still slightly layered. I keep saying that I'm going to get highlights, but...eh...I don't know if I'm feeling it. I continued my daily workouts at NYSC and maintained my weight.
But my twenty-ninth year was far from ordinary.
So excuse all the "I"s, but what can I say. I was busy 29 year old!!
- I got a new position within the Library and became the coordinator of membership for Schomburg Center.
- I started booking work as a voice-over artist, earned a little extra cash here and there and tapped into the actor still hiding out within me.
- I carved pumpkins!
- I made Thanksgiving Dinner (including a turkey) all by myself!
- I found zip-up high boots that actually went over my calves! Thanks Tahari and Marshall's...hahaha
- I kept my New Year's resolution to make a new entree each month...sort of. Sadly, in September I missed making something new, but I'll make two new things in October to make up for it.
- I made a ridiculously good pepper steak...courtesy of my New Year's resolution. :P
- I made Hummingbird cupcakes and they were delicious too...this had nothing to do with my resolution. :)
- I raised $$ for one of my favorite organizations, Dress For Success. I knew my friends and family would support me, and I exceeded my goal.
- I had fun dating Mr. Meet Up, then we stopped speaking and now we're speaking/dating? again, but he lives in another state...sigh. (I know, I should figure this out. But the 29 year old in me is chilling. The 30 year old me will tackle this. ha!)
- I got in a pool, wearing a bikini, while celebrating another 30 year old in Las Vegas. The pool and the bikini were two firsts for me.
- I went to CUBA!
- I learned to make some truly flavorful black beans and rice...Havana was my inspiration.
- I attempted to learn to swim. (I could do a whole other post about this. But let's just say my 2nd instructor bounced, I'm getting my $$ back and I'll try again next summer.)
- I got dressed up, took myself out dancing and then ordered room service while in DC for work.
- I wore leggings, without covering my booty!
- I found seashells at the sea shore. Basically, I went to Virginia Beach and actually found the beach enjoyable.
- I bought a co-op!! (Yeah. I need to post about this, but rest assured, this blog will take a new form, and perhaps a new look, and I'll tell you guys all about it then.)
So...
Twenty-nine was WAY more than fine. I am thankful to have had another year and blessed that it was a great one. I eagerly look forward to my flirty thirties!!
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| I've come a long way since this first birthday... |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
You're never too old...
To carve a pumpkin!!
Alright, it's common knowledge...I'm almost 30. That doesn't mean I'm too old to carve a pumpkin. In fact, I think the older you are, the more fun it can be. As an adult, you don't have to stick to basic shapes and boring faces simply because your juvenile hands aren't skilled or because you don't have the patience to create a masterpiece out of a gourd.
So last year was the first time I carved a pumpkin. My friend and former colleague, Amy, invited me to her annual pumpkin carving party. I decided to ask my arts and craftsy friend, Jinyoung aka JYC, to attend with me. It was an interesting experience, with a lot of hard work and fun involved.
This year JYC hosted her own pumpkin carving party. It was a small affair with me, JYC and her two friends from grad school in attendance. We only had two pumpkins because one of her friends from grad school was a novice, so we shared and split the work. The process was the same: cut a hole or star shap in the top, pop it off, scape the guts, stencil your design, and start carving. Since we are "experienced" carvers (ha!), we decided to go for a more advanced design. Her friends also chose an advanced design. I think one of the pair wanted to compete with us, and that was a mistake.
They weren't as meticulous in carving, hacked away pieces that should have been left in tact, and thenwet home before they finished! But they seemed to be having fun, and we were laughing and chatting the whole time, and that's all that matters. In the end, my and JYC's pumpkin came out nicely. Even their pumpkin didn't look so bad. Of course JYC did some clean up work after they left.
So I left my carving tools at JYC's because we plan on doing this again next year. Who wants to join us?
Alright, it's common knowledge...I'm almost 30. That doesn't mean I'm too old to carve a pumpkin. In fact, I think the older you are, the more fun it can be. As an adult, you don't have to stick to basic shapes and boring faces simply because your juvenile hands aren't skilled or because you don't have the patience to create a masterpiece out of a gourd.
So last year was the first time I carved a pumpkin. My friend and former colleague, Amy, invited me to her annual pumpkin carving party. I decided to ask my arts and craftsy friend, Jinyoung aka JYC, to attend with me. It was an interesting experience, with a lot of hard work and fun involved.
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| JYC and I were scraping out the guts...it's cold and slimy in there. |
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| TADA!! |
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| Looks even cooler with a candle. |
This year JYC hosted her own pumpkin carving party. It was a small affair with me, JYC and her two friends from grad school in attendance. We only had two pumpkins because one of her friends from grad school was a novice, so we shared and split the work. The process was the same: cut a hole or star shap in the top, pop it off, scape the guts, stencil your design, and start carving. Since we are "experienced" carvers (ha!), we decided to go for a more advanced design. Her friends also chose an advanced design. I think one of the pair wanted to compete with us, and that was a mistake.
They weren't as meticulous in carving, hacked away pieces that should have been left in tact, and thenwet home before they finished! But they seemed to be having fun, and we were laughing and chatting the whole time, and that's all that matters. In the end, my and JYC's pumpkin came out nicely. Even their pumpkin didn't look so bad. Of course JYC did some clean up work after they left.
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| Our ghoulish creation is on the right. |
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| Even theirs looks cool in the dark. It had the potential to be really creepy. |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Today I am...
Six days from 30
A week away from cruising to Bermuda
Going to carve a pumpkin
Wearing leggings!!!
Leggings!
About a month ago, I spent four days at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington DC, I was there because the Schomburg Center had a booth in the exhibit hall. This was my first time attending, and on the whole the conference appears to offer the following things to attendees (and crasher)s:
In the exhibition hall, a little way across from the Schomburg booth there were a group of ladies selling wrap dresses. Throughout the duration of the conference these women changed outfits at least ten times a day. They would start off in a wrap dress, then change to a jacket and matching head wrap combo, then put on a different wrap dress...then sashay a little bit to draw an audience. It was fascinating. I asked one of the women the cost of these dresses, because while I didn't like the print all of the time, it was cool that the dress could be worn in many different ways. She told me the prices ranged from $135 - $255!!! Umm...the dresses were cool, but not at all worth that much. My colleague and I thought, they must be silk. So I decided I was going to go up and feel the fabric.
As I approached the racks one of the women who was staffing their booth said, "That top is bad!" I thanked her. Then she said, "But why don't you have on leggings with it?!?!" Now, I've never worn leggings, and I'm a fundraiser representing a Library, leggings are NOT appropriate. But I said, "Oh, I don't wear leggings, I've got big legs and I don't think I can pull it off. I feel uncomfortable." She proceeded to lift up the skirt of her wrap dress to show me her legs, which, of course, were in leggings. She was a Plus-sized lady, though I would say, my legs might have been larger and more curvy. Another woman overheard our conversation and said, "With your size, you feel uncomfortable?" I smiled, and said, "Well maybe," felt the dresses' fabric, which most certainly wasn't silk, and moved on.
But I began to think, why not try wearing this outfit with leggings. What will it be like? So I resolved that I would purchase some leggings and trying wearing them with this "bad" jacket.
While I was in DC, after my obligation to staff the Schomburg booth was completed, I took a stroll to Forever 21 to purchase my leggings. Let me just say that finding leggings is not a simple process. You have to determine which thickness is needed, whether hardware, like zippers or studs, are wanted, or, if given the fall and their popularity, jeggings should be purchased instead. Also while I was searching for the right leggings, I started noticing how many women, from ordinary shoppers to Forever 21 employees, were wearing them. I got a little stealth and took some photographs.
What I hope you also can see is that many of these women are not what I would call "petite." So I guess I shouldn't have been feeling uncomfortable.
After going up and down the three floors of the store, I settled on three styles to try on. They ranged in price from $8.99 to $18.99, and later I tried on a pair of jeggings for $23.99. In the fitting room I did an underwear test. If I bent over, could someone see my underwear (the color, not he pantie line) through the legging. If they could, then those leggings were OUT! Needless to say, the cheapest pair was a little too thin...more like tights. So I left with a pair of $14.99 leggings with zippers by the ankles. And jeggings, while these were the thickest of them all, which is good, they also were the tightest -- they were cutting off the circulation in my calves!
A week or so later, I took a trip to Virginia Beach with Nicole and her two best friends from high school. I told Nicole that I was going to use the time in VA to wear the leggings with that jacket. On our last evening there, we decided to go out to dinner and eventually settled on a seafood buffet. Perfect! My jacket wasn't really casual, but the leggings were. So, a seafood buffet (a casual dining experience with not so cheap foods), was ideal. ha! Of course I'm thinking too much about this now, and wasn't thinking at all about it in this way then. Basically, all I cared about was whether I looked like a fool and if my booty didn't look ridiculous. Nicole said she could see the line of my pantie, but I smoothed it out and pressed on. hahaha
So you be the judge! Was the lady at the CBC correct? Does this jacket look better with leggings. Should leggings be my pant of choice going forward?
The one thing I can say with certainty, is that the next time I go to a buffet, I will wear leggings. My stomach expanded and I didn't have to unbutton my pants. The jacket felt more snug around the waist, but those leggings felt great! hahaha
- Opportunities to attend sessions and lectures on topics that relate to the state of Black America(ns)
- A chance to rub elbows with "somebodies" and "wanna be somebodies"
- Tons of people watching/glaring/ogling
- Shopping for Black art, Black books, Black Sorority & Fraternity stuff...basically anything Black-related
- PARTYING...PARTYING...PARTYING
In the exhibition hall, a little way across from the Schomburg booth there were a group of ladies selling wrap dresses. Throughout the duration of the conference these women changed outfits at least ten times a day. They would start off in a wrap dress, then change to a jacket and matching head wrap combo, then put on a different wrap dress...then sashay a little bit to draw an audience. It was fascinating. I asked one of the women the cost of these dresses, because while I didn't like the print all of the time, it was cool that the dress could be worn in many different ways. She told me the prices ranged from $135 - $255!!! Umm...the dresses were cool, but not at all worth that much. My colleague and I thought, they must be silk. So I decided I was going to go up and feel the fabric.
As I approached the racks one of the women who was staffing their booth said, "That top is bad!" I thanked her. Then she said, "But why don't you have on leggings with it?!?!" Now, I've never worn leggings, and I'm a fundraiser representing a Library, leggings are NOT appropriate. But I said, "Oh, I don't wear leggings, I've got big legs and I don't think I can pull it off. I feel uncomfortable." She proceeded to lift up the skirt of her wrap dress to show me her legs, which, of course, were in leggings. She was a Plus-sized lady, though I would say, my legs might have been larger and more curvy. Another woman overheard our conversation and said, "With your size, you feel uncomfortable?" I smiled, and said, "Well maybe," felt the dresses' fabric, which most certainly wasn't silk, and moved on.
But I began to think, why not try wearing this outfit with leggings. What will it be like? So I resolved that I would purchase some leggings and trying wearing them with this "bad" jacket.
 |
| At the CBC standing next to the Wilbourne Sister's mannequin. |
What I hope you also can see is that many of these women are not what I would call "petite." So I guess I shouldn't have been feeling uncomfortable.
After going up and down the three floors of the store, I settled on three styles to try on. They ranged in price from $8.99 to $18.99, and later I tried on a pair of jeggings for $23.99. In the fitting room I did an underwear test. If I bent over, could someone see my underwear (the color, not he pantie line) through the legging. If they could, then those leggings were OUT! Needless to say, the cheapest pair was a little too thin...more like tights. So I left with a pair of $14.99 leggings with zippers by the ankles. And jeggings, while these were the thickest of them all, which is good, they also were the tightest -- they were cutting off the circulation in my calves!
A week or so later, I took a trip to Virginia Beach with Nicole and her two best friends from high school. I told Nicole that I was going to use the time in VA to wear the leggings with that jacket. On our last evening there, we decided to go out to dinner and eventually settled on a seafood buffet. Perfect! My jacket wasn't really casual, but the leggings were. So, a seafood buffet (a casual dining experience with not so cheap foods), was ideal. ha! Of course I'm thinking too much about this now, and wasn't thinking at all about it in this way then. Basically, all I cared about was whether I looked like a fool and if my booty didn't look ridiculous. Nicole said she could see the line of my pantie, but I smoothed it out and pressed on. hahaha
So you be the judge! Was the lady at the CBC correct? Does this jacket look better with leggings. Should leggings be my pant of choice going forward?
The one thing I can say with certainty, is that the next time I go to a buffet, I will wear leggings. My stomach expanded and I didn't have to unbutton my pants. The jacket felt more snug around the waist, but those leggings felt great! hahaha
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
SWIMWEAR!!!
Swimming and swimwear...
SWIMMING UPDATE - My instructor from my second lesson has agreed to continue teaching me. However, when I went to my lesson this past Wednesday, again the instructor was nowhere to be found. I'm am about to go off on the Harlem Y swim coordinator because she never told my instructor that she was supposed to continue teaching me...ARGH! If this incompetence continues I'll be complaining. Hmpf!
Anyway, I wanted to write this post to talk about something that has really been bothering me for the last few months...SWIMWEAR.
Prior to going to Vegas, I bought an animal print bikini from Victoria's Secret. I didn't know that I would be going to Vegas at the time, but it was on sale (always a plus for me), I liked it, and decided to make an impulse purchase. But one of the things I liked the most about the bikini that it was very similar to a bra top, and by that, I mean that it had a band and cup size AND under-wire...cool! It'll be just like wearing a bra. I had a some bottoms from a tankini that I had purchased and wanted to find a pink bikini top to match. So I set out to find one in my usual stores( Target, L&T, Gap etc.) that were full of swimwear for the summer Little did I know that actually going to the store and purchasing a bikini or swimwear with a band and cup size and under-wire would be easier to say than actually do.
And this is where my confusion and frustration that's bordering on anger comes from. When looking specifically at bras, women are hard pressed to find them without under-wire. Even A cups have under-wire. Under-wire is so standard when it comes to bras that in recent years I noticed a great push to emphasize when a bra didn't have it. There seemed to be a whole "No Wire" movement underfoot. But as a whole, under-wire (and padding) still dominate.So please tell me, why does the bathing suit industry decide to forgo using under-wire? Everything about the bra industry is about push-up, padding, under-wire, and smooth lines... But in swimsuits they use bizarre padding and strange cups that barely cover, not to mention material that gives and moves every which way. Under-wire and a little extra support is appreciated and hell, needed!! How are little flimsy pieces of lycra supposed to support and shape the girls? HOW?
And what the devil does S, M, and L mean when it comes to breasts? This is not the current measurement for choosing bras, so why am I choosing a bikini top based on this measurement? Why are the established rules for choosing a bra getting thrown out of the window when I am essentially getting the same thing in a bikini top? So I'm left having to order bikini tops from catalogs and the web because the only under-wire bikini tops in the stores have ugly old-lady prints, as if women who want under-wire aren't youthful!! Don't I deserve the opportunity to try my bikini top on before purchasing it?
Ok...breathe. Clearly I could go on and on about this.
So, in the end I do now have three cute bikinis. This one is my latest. I'll be wearing it on my cruise to BERMUDA! 
Friday, August 27, 2010
Save the Date - Shayla's 30th Birthday Party
Save the Date - Shayla's 30th Birthday Party
Yep, Save the Date for my party. I typically keep it simple and small -- a little pizza party, bowling, dinner and karaoke -- but this time I'm doing it a bit bigger! The soiree will happen a little later in the evening, I'll wear a nice dress, do some dancing and of course, have CAKE!!!
Get ready y'all...
Yep, Save the Date for my party. I typically keep it simple and small -- a little pizza party, bowling, dinner and karaoke -- but this time I'm doing it a bit bigger! The soiree will happen a little later in the evening, I'll wear a nice dress, do some dancing and of course, have CAKE!!!
Get ready y'all...
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Swimming and...
So I'm not even going to waste time apologizing for not having written in awhile. If you've read this blog or know me, you know that I'm not a consistent or prolific blogger. I trickle... When I have something to share, I'll share it. And guess what? I've got something to say!
At 29 years and 10 months old, I am finally learning how to swim!!
Here I am in the locker room...
After a search for an appropriate swimming swimsuit proved fruitless, my mom pulled out one that she had planned to wear for aqua aerobics. Surprisingly, I liked it. It's sleek and unlike the swimsuits I bought prior to my trip to Vegas, which aren't really meant for swimming, I don't run the risk of flashing anyone. So with my swimming outfit taken care of, I decided that I could learn to swim. ha!
Yes, I strolled over to the Harlem Y, signed up for eight lessons and thus far I have had two. The first lesson was cool. I had to put my face in water, which freaked me out a little bit because I had NEVER done that, but after taking many deep breaths, eventually I dunked my head in. I did some kicks and used a "noodle" to kick across the shallow end and then...I began to feel sick. Like, "I need to vomit!" sick. I asked if feeling nauseous was normal and my instructor thought it was nervousness. But it wasn't. So I jumped out of pool. And yes, I did get sick, but not in the pool, thank goodness. There was a class with two little girls, and I had visions of them saying, "Ewww..." and the pool needing to be closed. I had to spare them and myself the trauma. Later that night I diagnosed myself as having motion sickness. And for my second lesson, my dad bought me earplugs, which were supposed to help.
I went back the next week for lesson #2 and did even better. I had a different instructor because mine didn't show up. I found out today that she doesn't work at the Y anymore. It would have been nice if the Y had told me instead of my having to investigate, but I digress. This new instructor had different techniques that really resonated with me. I was dunking my face in and blowing water out of my nose with relative ease...it was cool! I was working on gliding and getting more comfortable in the water. Felt a little queasy by the end, but didn't get sick. My dad thinks I might be swallowing the water. But wouldn't I know if I was doing that?? Ah well, on to lesson #3...
At 29 years and 10 months old, I am finally learning how to swim!!
Here I am in the locker room...
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| Don't I look like a swimmer... |
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| Then I display that I clearly don't know what I'm doing... |
Yes, I strolled over to the Harlem Y, signed up for eight lessons and thus far I have had two. The first lesson was cool. I had to put my face in water, which freaked me out a little bit because I had NEVER done that, but after taking many deep breaths, eventually I dunked my head in. I did some kicks and used a "noodle" to kick across the shallow end and then...I began to feel sick. Like, "I need to vomit!" sick. I asked if feeling nauseous was normal and my instructor thought it was nervousness. But it wasn't. So I jumped out of pool. And yes, I did get sick, but not in the pool, thank goodness. There was a class with two little girls, and I had visions of them saying, "Ewww..." and the pool needing to be closed. I had to spare them and myself the trauma. Later that night I diagnosed myself as having motion sickness. And for my second lesson, my dad bought me earplugs, which were supposed to help.
I went back the next week for lesson #2 and did even better. I had a different instructor because mine didn't show up. I found out today that she doesn't work at the Y anymore. It would have been nice if the Y had told me instead of my having to investigate, but I digress. This new instructor had different techniques that really resonated with me. I was dunking my face in and blowing water out of my nose with relative ease...it was cool! I was working on gliding and getting more comfortable in the water. Felt a little queasy by the end, but didn't get sick. My dad thinks I might be swallowing the water. But wouldn't I know if I was doing that?? Ah well, on to lesson #3...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Oh Snap...I haven't posted since April
I knew I was a bad blogger. And I actually was discussing this with Maya L a few days ago. But I didn't know I was this bad. Damn, it's been months. How have y'all been?!?
I have a lot that I want to share, but the main (i.e. the quickest) thing is that for the past 6 months I have actually kept my New Year's Resolution to make a new dish/meal each month. I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it in June, but I drew inspiration from my recent trip to Cuba (yep...I did go!) and decided to make some black beans or Frijoles Negros, which I ate over some white rice.
So I'm sure you're thinking, "How hard can it be to make black beans, Shayla?" And you know, it's not hard to throw some beans in a pot, but it isn't the easiest to have flavorful and tender black beans. I searched Foodnetwork.com, RecipeZaar.com, Recipes.com and even came across Tasteofcuba.com, which I plan to reference for some other dishes. But after all of that, I used the recipe on the back of the can of Goya black beans that I purchased.
I followed the recipe exactly, but added some chopped tomatoes because I had some in the kitchen and instead of letting it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, as they directed, I let it simmer for about 30 minutes. At the end of it all, I was impressed! My black beans actually tasted authentic. The best part, my mom gave them two thumbs up. She ate them over rice and went out and bought a roast "Latin" chicken from Fairway. Without actually knowing it, she was eating a Cuban meal!
Anyway, I hope to post again before I turn 30...but at the rate I'm going...who knows. hahahaha!
I have a lot that I want to share, but the main (i.e. the quickest) thing is that for the past 6 months I have actually kept my New Year's Resolution to make a new dish/meal each month. I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it in June, but I drew inspiration from my recent trip to Cuba (yep...I did go!) and decided to make some black beans or Frijoles Negros, which I ate over some white rice.
So I'm sure you're thinking, "How hard can it be to make black beans, Shayla?" And you know, it's not hard to throw some beans in a pot, but it isn't the easiest to have flavorful and tender black beans. I searched Foodnetwork.com, RecipeZaar.com, Recipes.com and even came across Tasteofcuba.com, which I plan to reference for some other dishes. But after all of that, I used the recipe on the back of the can of Goya black beans that I purchased.
I followed the recipe exactly, but added some chopped tomatoes because I had some in the kitchen and instead of letting it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, as they directed, I let it simmer for about 30 minutes. At the end of it all, I was impressed! My black beans actually tasted authentic. The best part, my mom gave them two thumbs up. She ate them over rice and went out and bought a roast "Latin" chicken from Fairway. Without actually knowing it, she was eating a Cuban meal!
Anyway, I hope to post again before I turn 30...but at the rate I'm going...who knows. hahahaha!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A Lunch Adventure
Yesterday, Misha and I met up for lunch in Harlem. We originally planned to go to Tea and Things of that Kind, a new tea place/restaurant on Adam Clayton Powell and 137th, but when we met there at 1pm it was closed. For some bizarre reason, they open at 2pm on Friday. YET, on Thursday they open at 11am. And on the other days there are different opening times. *sigh* So, we couldn't eat there and proceeded down the street to check out a Mexican place.
On the way to the Mexican place we passed by a soul food place, Mischelle's, that looked clean and had a little seating area. We thought, this might be promising, but decided to keep walking further down the street. We got to the Mexican place, and they were closed too! *shaking my head*
We kept walking and came across Muddy Waters Cafe. It was cute in the sleek, modern dark brown wood and stainless steel kind of way, but seemed more appropriate for grabbing a quick bite, or enjoying a coffee, not for sitting down and having a chatty lunch. The menu wasn't that extensive either, so we decided to move further down the street, but noted the cafe as a place to check out. I need to make more of an effort to leave my desk for lunch, so I think I'll be checking out Muddy Waters soon.
We proceeded down the street, and decided to check the times for Gospel Uptown. Of course, they too were closed for lunch, but we got a good look at their menu and added it to a list of places to check out.
So after covering over 10 blocks of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, we decided to return to Michelle's. There were some lunch deals listed for $6, but I didn't like the side items and one option just came with dark meat chicken, so I had to choose something else. I opted for the Fried Chicken Breast with Macaroni and Cheese and Collard Greens ~$13. Misha chose Fried Tilapia with Rice and Peas and Collard Greens ~$14.
We took our seat and proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait. I wasn't starving, but if I had been, I would have be truly angered by the wait. I was just annoyed this time. Take out orders were heading out the door, so we assumed they must have had a lot of those to do, which was why ours was taking so long But they weren't out picking the collard greens from the garden, or making home made pasta for the Mac and Cheese, so what was the hold up? It doesn't take that long to fry fish and chicken.
Our food finally arrived and the first thing I noted was that for $13 I should have had more mac and cheese on my plate. But fine, I probably didn't need much more than what was given and would likely still be satisfied. I cut into my first piece of chicken and found it to be ok. It wasn't dry, but the batter wasn't that flavorful. Misha noted that collard greens looked a little dry and after we sampled them we realized that also had NO FLAVOR. The greens tasted like they had just been cooked in plain water and that's it. Where was the seasoning??? My mac and cheese was ok, but also tasted very simple -- like only one cheese had been used, plus the pasta was a little too soft. I tried Misha's Tilapia and it tasted just like Flounder to me. I had never had Tilapia before, so maybe it's similar, but I hoped they weren't trying to pull a fast one. Anyway, we did our best to spruce up the food with hot sauce, ketchup, and salt and pepper, but that was only a temporary fix. And then, I cut into my second piece of chicken breast and what did I see??...PINK and BLOODY JUICES!!!! ILLLLL!!!! I showed it to Misha and she confirmed...it looked pink. Why? Why? Why? So on top of their food being bland, they were trying to give their patrons salmonella poisoning too.
I got up and showed them my chicken. They took it away and proposed giving me a new piece. I said I didn't have any time to wait and just wanted my Mac and Cheese. The front desk person came back again and asked me if I had 12 minutes. I said No and that I had waited enough as it was. Then they offered to give me fish...I said fine. Out comes the fried catfish, which at that point I didn't even want and it was bland as hell too! I mean, come on Mischelle (who, by the way, wasn't back there cooking, though I believe she made an appearance and apparently is the person who drops off the take-out order) get your act together. Catfish batter should have some seasoning, and chicken should be cooked!!
I finished my side items. Misha picked at, but left the majority of her food on the plate and we bounced., completely unsatisfied and borderline disgusted. During the meal Misha made the astute comment that while it seems that every black person could feasibly open a Soul food restaurant just on the basis of their being black, that does not mean they actually know how to cook Soul food. And that if Soul food restaurants like Mischelle's persist, people might begin to think that their constitutes GOOD Soul food.
To the owner(s) and chef(s) of Mischelle's in Harlem, 1st, you are not Harlem's Finest Soul Food Bistro and 2nd, I, I who barely cook, could show you how to do Soul Food. At the very least I should be your taste tester, Lord knows y'all need one.
My culinary Harlem quest carries on and I hope to continue to avoid food poisoning along the way...sheesh. :/
On the way to the Mexican place we passed by a soul food place, Mischelle's, that looked clean and had a little seating area. We thought, this might be promising, but decided to keep walking further down the street. We got to the Mexican place, and they were closed too! *shaking my head*
We kept walking and came across Muddy Waters Cafe. It was cute in the sleek, modern dark brown wood and stainless steel kind of way, but seemed more appropriate for grabbing a quick bite, or enjoying a coffee, not for sitting down and having a chatty lunch. The menu wasn't that extensive either, so we decided to move further down the street, but noted the cafe as a place to check out. I need to make more of an effort to leave my desk for lunch, so I think I'll be checking out Muddy Waters soon.
We proceeded down the street, and decided to check the times for Gospel Uptown. Of course, they too were closed for lunch, but we got a good look at their menu and added it to a list of places to check out.
So after covering over 10 blocks of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd, we decided to return to Michelle's. There were some lunch deals listed for $6, but I didn't like the side items and one option just came with dark meat chicken, so I had to choose something else. I opted for the Fried Chicken Breast with Macaroni and Cheese and Collard Greens ~$13. Misha chose Fried Tilapia with Rice and Peas and Collard Greens ~$14.
We took our seat and proceeded to wait...and wait...and wait. I wasn't starving, but if I had been, I would have be truly angered by the wait. I was just annoyed this time. Take out orders were heading out the door, so we assumed they must have had a lot of those to do, which was why ours was taking so long But they weren't out picking the collard greens from the garden, or making home made pasta for the Mac and Cheese, so what was the hold up? It doesn't take that long to fry fish and chicken.
Our food finally arrived and the first thing I noted was that for $13 I should have had more mac and cheese on my plate. But fine, I probably didn't need much more than what was given and would likely still be satisfied. I cut into my first piece of chicken and found it to be ok. It wasn't dry, but the batter wasn't that flavorful. Misha noted that collard greens looked a little dry and after we sampled them we realized that also had NO FLAVOR. The greens tasted like they had just been cooked in plain water and that's it. Where was the seasoning??? My mac and cheese was ok, but also tasted very simple -- like only one cheese had been used, plus the pasta was a little too soft. I tried Misha's Tilapia and it tasted just like Flounder to me. I had never had Tilapia before, so maybe it's similar, but I hoped they weren't trying to pull a fast one. Anyway, we did our best to spruce up the food with hot sauce, ketchup, and salt and pepper, but that was only a temporary fix. And then, I cut into my second piece of chicken breast and what did I see??...PINK and BLOODY JUICES!!!! ILLLLL!!!! I showed it to Misha and she confirmed...it looked pink. Why? Why? Why? So on top of their food being bland, they were trying to give their patrons salmonella poisoning too.
I got up and showed them my chicken. They took it away and proposed giving me a new piece. I said I didn't have any time to wait and just wanted my Mac and Cheese. The front desk person came back again and asked me if I had 12 minutes. I said No and that I had waited enough as it was. Then they offered to give me fish...I said fine. Out comes the fried catfish, which at that point I didn't even want and it was bland as hell too! I mean, come on Mischelle (who, by the way, wasn't back there cooking, though I believe she made an appearance and apparently is the person who drops off the take-out order) get your act together. Catfish batter should have some seasoning, and chicken should be cooked!!
I finished my side items. Misha picked at, but left the majority of her food on the plate and we bounced., completely unsatisfied and borderline disgusted. During the meal Misha made the astute comment that while it seems that every black person could feasibly open a Soul food restaurant just on the basis of their being black, that does not mean they actually know how to cook Soul food. And that if Soul food restaurants like Mischelle's persist, people might begin to think that their constitutes GOOD Soul food.
To the owner(s) and chef(s) of Mischelle's in Harlem, 1st, you are not Harlem's Finest Soul Food Bistro and 2nd, I, I who barely cook, could show you how to do Soul Food. At the very least I should be your taste tester, Lord knows y'all need one.
My culinary Harlem quest carries on and I hope to continue to avoid food poisoning along the way...sheesh. :/
Thursday, April 22, 2010
6 Months to Go!!
Given that I'm officially 29 and a half today, how can I not do a blog post. I've got six months to go until the big 3-0. This is made even more real for me because today I also purchased a ticket to Vegas to celebrate Nicole's 30th!
So I'm going to be doing Vegas, staying at Mandalay Bay, in June. And hopefully doing a side trip to Cuba right afterwards. Keep your fingers crossed that I'll have more to say about that in a later blog post.
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I'll be cruising to the Bahamas, with a stop in Florida, on the Norwegian Jewel for my birthday in October.
I've got the travel bug and want to celebrate with my other almost 30 year-old friends, even if they aren't planning a trip...have a party, invite people over for dinner, go to the spa, whatever, just do something special!
Carla, Rita, Maya, Maya...start planning! Consider that an order ladies!! ;)
And if any of you out there want to go to Florida and the Bahamas with me, give me a shout. HOLLA!
So I'm going to be doing Vegas, staying at Mandalay Bay, in June. And hopefully doing a side trip to Cuba right afterwards. Keep your fingers crossed that I'll have more to say about that in a later blog post.
I'll be cruising to the Bahamas, with a stop in Florida, on the Norwegian Jewel for my birthday in October.
I've got the travel bug and want to celebrate with my other almost 30 year-old friends, even if they aren't planning a trip...have a party, invite people over for dinner, go to the spa, whatever, just do something special!
Carla, Rita, Maya, Maya...start planning! Consider that an order ladies!! ;)
And if any of you out there want to go to Florida and the Bahamas with me, give me a shout. HOLLA!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
To internet or not to internet…
A few weeks ago I was talking to Maya about the possibility of getting the ability to check my email and get internet on my phone. Just considering something like that made me feel like a traitor and heading down the slippery slope toward the land of Blackberries and iPhones. I work at a non-profit and no one needs to contact me at the drop of a time and I check email enough as it is. Plus, I always liked the idea of being internet and email free for at least a few hours of the day when I was away from my desk at work or not at home.
So why am I changing my mind? First, I’m trying to get my voiceover career moving and it seems like in the VO industry, if I wait too long to return an email, the job could be gone and offered to someone else. An agent she said a guy took three hours to respond to her inquiry about a job and that was too long. Three hours was too long?? Damn. If she had called the guy she probably would have had a more immediate answer, but I digress.
Second, recent events have led me to see the light about the benefits of having internet access and email on my phone. This past weekend I chilled with JYC in Queens. I wasn’t checking my email a lot or anything, but I knew I could if I wanted. I went back to Mt. V on Saturday evening and tried to get on the internet to do my usual (email, FB, Gchat) and the internet wasn’t working…gasp! It was late, so I shut down the comp and decided to try again on Sunday. Sunday morning rolled around, and I tried once more to get on the internet and again, NO LUCK! ARGH!!! Clearly something was going wrong. I texted JYC and Maya to let them know I didn’t have any internet and that I was feeling out of sorts. There was no Pandora, no Hulu....no Blogger. I actually had an idea for a blog post (these ideas don’t come that frequently) that I had to put on hold because I didn’t have the internet.
I contacted Verizon and began the process of getting our internet going again. I cut off the power on the router, hit reset using a paperclip, waited to see if the light would change from yellow, pardon me, “amber” as the Verizon folk say, to green, and in the end they determined that it was “problem with my router.” I questioned this because coincidentally, my mother had upgraded our internet only days before. She hadn’t gone on the computer for three days and didn’t know that the internet wasn’t working. Can you believe it?...she went a few days without even bothering to turn on her comp. But I was completely reassured by Verizon that it was purely a coincidence that my internet wasn’t working…yeah, riiiiight. I was told that I was going to get a new router by Tuesday and everything would be working fine once I set it up.
Well, it’s Tuesday night, the new router came in, I hooked it up and surprise, surprise…it didn’t fix a damn thing. I’m writing this post in Word, then uploading it, so really it's Wednesday now. I can only assume that Verizon is working tirelessly to fix this problem.
I can’t tell you how incapacitated I feel when at home without internet. I wanted to check the hours of a store, thought about printing a coupon, actually wanted to do some work from home and of course, check my email and I couldn’t…I can’t! And I don’t like it one bit. So it’s settled, at age 29 I will creep into modern times and get internet access on my phone…I think it’ll cost me an extra 10 bucks a month. Notice, I’m not getting a BB or an iPhone. I don’t like the look of BB’s and I don’t want Blackberry thumb. As for the iPhone, I just don’t really do Apple stuff. I’ve never had a Mac or an iPod, so the iPhone means little to me, but maybe I'll be singing another tune in a few years. In the meantime, I’ll settle for a regular phone that lets me check email and do some websurfing. I’m trying to decide which one to get, so feel free to let me know which one seems more my style. :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Harlem Days
As many of you know, I now work uptown at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Since moving back to NY in 2005, This is the first time I've worked outside of the midtown/40s blocks. There were some adjustments made to my commute and I had to get an unlimited metro card again (not happy about that added expense) but overall, I'm happy to be working up there.
I came across my grandparents' birth certificates and saw that my great-grandparents, lived in the same area, and at one point, down the block, from the Schomburg. My grandparents were Harlemites up until my father and uncle were toddlers, before they moved on up to Mt. V, so it seems appropriate that I'm getting to know the area that my dad's side of the family called home for a good portion of their lives.
The first way that I am trying to get to know Harlem is through my stomach. So I'm just going to talk food ...
Harlem is a VERY dangerous place for food, especially, if you like Soul or West Indian food. I feel like you can't walk two blocks without encountering a Soul, Fried Chicken or West Indian place...cuisines that I happen to really enjoy. When I'm feeling hungry and I haven't brought my lunch to work, I have to resist the urge to get macaroni and cheese or a beef pattie, and I'm frequently left craving a Cosi Sandwich or soup from Hale and Hearty. But then again, I manage to get a sandwich for $5 bucks or a whole meal from one of the soul food buffet places (not Mannas...I'm through with them...see below) and spend at a maximum $6, so it's balances out, sort of.
These lunch time challenges made me eager to find good lunch places in the Harlem area, and if I'm trying out lunch, I should find good dinner places too! (I'll talk about dinner in a later posts) This quest to explore Harlem began when I started working up there in November and continues today, so I'm going to bring you up to speed.
Oui, Oui Crepes and Pizza - They had just opened when I stopped by in November, and I wanted a crepe, but the guy who makes the crepes wasn't there. So I got a slice of pizza. It was mediocre, but now that they've been open for awhile I'm going to check them out again soon. Hopefully the crepe maker will be there.
Spoonbread - I've gone there multiple times. The first time I got the chicken salad sandwich, fries, a slice of cake and punch. Based on that order, I hope you understand why I say it's dangerous to have lunch in Harlem. The sandwich was really delicious and tasted like my mom's chicken salad. I don't remember the cake and the punch was just spruced up fruit punch. But the two other times I've gone to Spoonbread they haven't even had the chicken salad. How hard is it to have chicken salad everyday? And if it's difficult, make it a special, not a regular menu item.
Manna's - Probably the most prevalent Soul Food buffet franchise in Harlem has a location down the street from the Schomburg. On the whole their food is fine, but I got their macaroni and cheese twice and both times it was SWEET. Mac and cheese should NOT be sweet. So I'm done with them.
Jacob's - I heard from one of our volunteers that Jacob's was opened by a guy who was a chef for Manna's. It's another soul food buffet place. I was nervous that their mac and cheese was going to be sweet, but it wasn't so they are my go-to buffet place.
Trattoria Amici - Misha and I made a lunch date and strolled down Lenox and paused by the door to consider this place. At first we thought it was closed, but an eager young guy, who actually was the chef, greeted us with a smile and convinced us that the restaurant was indeed open. I got the penne a la vodka and thought it was really tasty. I wish it were a bit cheaper, but it was good. I've gone back a few other times because the chef, Modu, is friendly and they have $5 drinks during happy hour. I'm not eating cheese right now, so I need to stay away from Italian places, but I'll go back at another time for lunch and try something different.
88 Chinese Restaurant - I hadn't had Chinese in a while and needed something without cheese. My colleague recommended this place and I was pleased with what they offered. The lunch special is good. For $5 I got my usual, Broccoli with Garlic Sauce and plain Fried Rice, and Chicken with Rice Soup. I wasn't blown away, but I certainly wasn't disappointed. It wasn't oily and had a nice sauce. When I'm in the mood for Chinese I will turn to them.
Oh and there is a place across the street in Harlem Hospital. I was a little nervous about eating there, because I didn't expect anything in the hospital to taste good. But they make very very delicious grilled chicken wraps. I round out my sandwich by adding some onion rings from a Halal truck that manages to park itself right in front of the Schomburg everyday. A grilled chicken wrap with a side of onion rings...yum yum yum yum yum...my preferred lunch time meal.
Ok, those are all of the places I've visited for lunch. For all of this week I'm going to be brown bagging it to work, but there are many more eateries to try. Slowly by surely I'll get to know the neighborhood, one meal at a time. :)
I came across my grandparents' birth certificates and saw that my great-grandparents, lived in the same area, and at one point, down the block, from the Schomburg. My grandparents were Harlemites up until my father and uncle were toddlers, before they moved on up to Mt. V, so it seems appropriate that I'm getting to know the area that my dad's side of the family called home for a good portion of their lives.
The first way that I am trying to get to know Harlem is through my stomach. So I'm just going to talk food ...
Harlem is a VERY dangerous place for food, especially, if you like Soul or West Indian food. I feel like you can't walk two blocks without encountering a Soul, Fried Chicken or West Indian place...cuisines that I happen to really enjoy. When I'm feeling hungry and I haven't brought my lunch to work, I have to resist the urge to get macaroni and cheese or a beef pattie, and I'm frequently left craving a Cosi Sandwich or soup from Hale and Hearty. But then again, I manage to get a sandwich for $5 bucks or a whole meal from one of the soul food buffet places (not Mannas...I'm through with them...see below) and spend at a maximum $6, so it's balances out, sort of.
These lunch time challenges made me eager to find good lunch places in the Harlem area, and if I'm trying out lunch, I should find good dinner places too! (I'll talk about dinner in a later posts) This quest to explore Harlem began when I started working up there in November and continues today, so I'm going to bring you up to speed.
Oui, Oui Crepes and Pizza - They had just opened when I stopped by in November, and I wanted a crepe, but the guy who makes the crepes wasn't there. So I got a slice of pizza. It was mediocre, but now that they've been open for awhile I'm going to check them out again soon. Hopefully the crepe maker will be there.
Spoonbread - I've gone there multiple times. The first time I got the chicken salad sandwich, fries, a slice of cake and punch. Based on that order, I hope you understand why I say it's dangerous to have lunch in Harlem. The sandwich was really delicious and tasted like my mom's chicken salad. I don't remember the cake and the punch was just spruced up fruit punch. But the two other times I've gone to Spoonbread they haven't even had the chicken salad. How hard is it to have chicken salad everyday? And if it's difficult, make it a special, not a regular menu item.
Manna's - Probably the most prevalent Soul Food buffet franchise in Harlem has a location down the street from the Schomburg. On the whole their food is fine, but I got their macaroni and cheese twice and both times it was SWEET. Mac and cheese should NOT be sweet. So I'm done with them.
Jacob's - I heard from one of our volunteers that Jacob's was opened by a guy who was a chef for Manna's. It's another soul food buffet place. I was nervous that their mac and cheese was going to be sweet, but it wasn't so they are my go-to buffet place.
Trattoria Amici - Misha and I made a lunch date and strolled down Lenox and paused by the door to consider this place. At first we thought it was closed, but an eager young guy, who actually was the chef, greeted us with a smile and convinced us that the restaurant was indeed open. I got the penne a la vodka and thought it was really tasty. I wish it were a bit cheaper, but it was good. I've gone back a few other times because the chef, Modu, is friendly and they have $5 drinks during happy hour. I'm not eating cheese right now, so I need to stay away from Italian places, but I'll go back at another time for lunch and try something different.
88 Chinese Restaurant - I hadn't had Chinese in a while and needed something without cheese. My colleague recommended this place and I was pleased with what they offered. The lunch special is good. For $5 I got my usual, Broccoli with Garlic Sauce and plain Fried Rice, and Chicken with Rice Soup. I wasn't blown away, but I certainly wasn't disappointed. It wasn't oily and had a nice sauce. When I'm in the mood for Chinese I will turn to them.
Oh and there is a place across the street in Harlem Hospital. I was a little nervous about eating there, because I didn't expect anything in the hospital to taste good. But they make very very delicious grilled chicken wraps. I round out my sandwich by adding some onion rings from a Halal truck that manages to park itself right in front of the Schomburg everyday. A grilled chicken wrap with a side of onion rings...yum yum yum yum yum...my preferred lunch time meal.
Ok, those are all of the places I've visited for lunch. For all of this week I'm going to be brown bagging it to work, but there are many more eateries to try. Slowly by surely I'll get to know the neighborhood, one meal at a time. :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I'm BAAAACK!
Yeah, it's been awhile since I've blogged. *hanging head in shame* Blogging has always been difficult for me. If any of you read my other blogs, you know this. And once Maya stopped hounding me, it was like I had a free pass to chill, hence the months long hiatus. But...I'M BAAAACK!
I started thinking about why I had not been blogging. And the answer is clear...I was busy! Here's a quick run-through of what's been going on since my last post...
I was promoted to a new position at the Libs, I was dating Mr. Meet Up (some of you might remember him from "What Would Matthew Say?"), and I was trying to really dig in and get my voice-over career going, in addition to other random activities...blogging just wasn't fitting in. Plus, you know me, I like to tell and share stories and frankly, I didn't think that I had any good ones, or at least not ones that I should be writing about in a blog. ;) Anyway, I realized this blog is all about me and my journey to 30, and I don't need any special stories.
So...I'm a little over four months into 29 and moving full steam ahead toward October 22nd! There have been some challenges and disappointments these last few months, but this happens and I know great things are on the horizon. In fact, I've already got great things to report...
On February 22nd, exactly eight months to the big day, I booked a cruise going to FL and Bahamas, and I'm trying to plan another trip before then because I don't need to wait until October to take a vacation. So I hope to go to Europe with a friend, and hopefully see my Granny in MS at some point too!
Oh and I've been cooking! *gasp* I made a New Year's resolution to cook at least one new dish per month. Yes, only once per month. I've had people roll their eyes or turn their noses up to say that wasn't a big deal. But I don't cook at all and would sooner make a sandwich than turn on the oven, so cooking a new dish per month is BIG. Thus far, I have not broken my resolution. In January I made a pasta dish with red peppers, broccoli and parmesan cheese. I just went in the kitchen and threw some stuff together...it wasn't too bad, but didn't knock my socks off. But February was a knock out month for me -- I made two - two - new dishes, and an old standby, my ground turkey breast roll. Of my new dishes, one was a tuna pasta salad, which required the use of the blender (!) to make a red pepper puree sauce. My second new dish was a smothered pepper steak courtesy of Emeril. I had never worked with beef before, but I had my gloves and got clearance from my mom that some of the beef will be that red raw-looking color and other portion brownish (I thought I had been sold bad meat). Anyway, the dish was sooo flavorful and the meat very very tender. If you eat beef, you need to add this recipe to your repertorire.
Well, I think that's enough from me. I've brought you up to speed and there's only more to come...more recipes, more travel plans and more NYC explortion...spring is coming so I've got to get to know my new neighborhood -- Harlem awaits me! Stay tuned..
I started thinking about why I had not been blogging. And the answer is clear...I was busy! Here's a quick run-through of what's been going on since my last post...
I was promoted to a new position at the Libs, I was dating Mr. Meet Up (some of you might remember him from "What Would Matthew Say?"), and I was trying to really dig in and get my voice-over career going, in addition to other random activities...blogging just wasn't fitting in. Plus, you know me, I like to tell and share stories and frankly, I didn't think that I had any good ones, or at least not ones that I should be writing about in a blog. ;) Anyway, I realized this blog is all about me and my journey to 30, and I don't need any special stories.
So...I'm a little over four months into 29 and moving full steam ahead toward October 22nd! There have been some challenges and disappointments these last few months, but this happens and I know great things are on the horizon. In fact, I've already got great things to report...
On February 22nd, exactly eight months to the big day, I booked a cruise going to FL and Bahamas, and I'm trying to plan another trip before then because I don't need to wait until October to take a vacation. So I hope to go to Europe with a friend, and hopefully see my Granny in MS at some point too!
Oh and I've been cooking! *gasp* I made a New Year's resolution to cook at least one new dish per month. Yes, only once per month. I've had people roll their eyes or turn their noses up to say that wasn't a big deal. But I don't cook at all and would sooner make a sandwich than turn on the oven, so cooking a new dish per month is BIG. Thus far, I have not broken my resolution. In January I made a pasta dish with red peppers, broccoli and parmesan cheese. I just went in the kitchen and threw some stuff together...it wasn't too bad, but didn't knock my socks off. But February was a knock out month for me -- I made two - two - new dishes, and an old standby, my ground turkey breast roll. Of my new dishes, one was a tuna pasta salad, which required the use of the blender (!) to make a red pepper puree sauce. My second new dish was a smothered pepper steak courtesy of Emeril. I had never worked with beef before, but I had my gloves and got clearance from my mom that some of the beef will be that red raw-looking color and other portion brownish (I thought I had been sold bad meat). Anyway, the dish was sooo flavorful and the meat very very tender. If you eat beef, you need to add this recipe to your repertorire.
Well, I think that's enough from me. I've brought you up to speed and there's only more to come...more recipes, more travel plans and more NYC explortion...spring is coming so I've got to get to know my new neighborhood -- Harlem awaits me! Stay tuned..
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