BBG: Desert Plants

Ever since I discovered that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers free admission from 10am - noon on Saturdays, I've gone every weekend that I've had the chance. It's been really interesting to chart the blooming progress of the various flowers/trees/plants as spring slowwwwwly arrivedand every time I go back there is something new to see.

I've raved about their permanent collections before (like the always-weird and wonderful Bonsai Museum) but I've only recently started to become slightly obsessed with their desert plants. Growing up in Ohio (or the East coast in general) doesn't afford you much exposure to desert life so I think I'll always be fascinated by cacti, succulents and every other strange, pointy or surprisingly soft desert plant.

During recent visits I've been particularly enamored with the colors — soft shades of minty green, subtle gradations, lilac purples or the occasional pop of an orange or red flower against the bright green cacti. Speaking of cacti, I had no idea that there were so many varieties, although it's hard to beat the name or shape of the "Bunny Ear" cactus.

Also, and this might sound totally strange but, every time I enter the desert section of the conservatory I find myself immediately noticing (and remarking) how wonderful it smells — I don't know if it's a combination of the dry air or the plants themselves, but if that is how real desert smells then I should book a trip to Arizona very soon. The closest I've ever come to real desert is two trips to Las Vegas, although I know that probably doesn't really count.

Maybe it's not actually a great idea to put me into a real desert environment considering the fact that in addition to the constant smelling, I just can't resist touching everything I see. The more dangerous-looking the plant, the more I feel compelled to just grab it, with one exception being the succulents — they might not look dangerous but they DO look squishy and I want to just poke and squeeze them until the end of time.

Astoria Park

Two weekends ago, after checking on the cherry trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (they were finally blooming!) I wasn't ready to head inside for the day, so I wound up in Astoria Park in Queens. I had read some stupid Buzzfeed article about hidden gems in Queens (maybe it wasn't so stupid, especially considering the source...) that mentioned Astoria Park so I put it on my list of places to check out.

I'm a total sucker for a good bridge or skyline view, and a waterfront walk and Astoria Park has all three, plus an extra bridge just for good measure. At the south end of the park is the Triborough, aka Robert F Kennedy bridge, and at the north end is the Hell Gate train bridge. Both are nice to look at, but the arching pink Hell Gate is definitely my favorite of the two.

The Hell Gate opened in 1916 and is so named because it crosses the Hell Gate, a strait of the East River between Queens and Randall's Island. Consequently, Randall's Island also has great views of each bridge, which I first discovered when Jim and I went there for the world's saddest fall festival last October.  There is also a great view of the Manhattan Psychiatric Center on Randall's Island, which opened in 1863 and was once the largest psychiatric hospital in the world.

Astoria Park is quite large, with athletic fields, playgrounds, ample parking, large lawns and a nice waterfront walkway that spans the whole length. There is just something about sitting or walking underneath an enormous bridge that feels special to me. I'm fascinated with all of the different viewpoints I can get of a particular thing — bridge, skyline, building or otherwise — and it was neat to see places like Randall's Island or upper Manhattan from the "other side."

You can't really walk along the shoreline, which is probably a good thing because from what I could tell the "beach" was made up primarily of bits of broken glass (bottles mostly). I've actually never seen so much sea glass (river glass?) in one place before but the green, white and brown pieces sure were pretty, even if not entirely sandal-friendly.

I didn't have to read the Buzzfeed article to know that Queens is full of gems, hidden or otherwise. Every time I go there I have a great time and discover something new (to me) and totally awesome. I don't know if I'd like to live there sometime in the future, but I'm constantly thankful that all of its delights are just a short train ride away.

Friday Food: Sylvia's

Last week I went with a group of friends to Sylvia's in Harlem for dinner. I had never really had soul food before, but I couldn't think of a better place to dive into the delicious world of fried chicken and collard greens than at Sylvia's.

Sylvia Woods, the "Queen of Soul Food" opened her titular restaurant in 1962 and famous diners have since included Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. I decided to take the "when in Harlem" approach and order chicken and waffles. The chicken can also come smothered, aka covered in gravy, but I opted for the unsmothered version which, from what I saw, was definitely the right decision.

Turns out that there's really nothing special about chicken and waffles — it's literally just a piece of fried chicken and two waffles, but there's something about the combination of foods (each delicious in their own right) that is just so good. I'm not a huge fan of mixing my foods, so I kept them mostly separate, but I will say that I didn't hate the pieces of chicken that accidentally got syrup on them. I haven't had much fried chicken in my life, but this was probably the best I have had. I ordered the all white meat version and it was crispy and juicy but not at all oily.

I would love to return for their Sunday Gospel Brunch, which judging by the amount of amps sitting around has got to be a great show. I don't know if I'm quite ready for the collard greens yet, but if all soul food is as delicious as chicken and waffles then I have no idea why I waited so long.

Tulips

I never really paid much attention to tulips before I moved to the city, but now it's almost impossible not to notice them. They're everywhere now — in the medians, in sidewalk planters, in window boxes and throughout the parks and gardens around the city. I've kind of become obsessed with them, and every time I think I've found a favorite, I walk by another color or variation that is even better.

There are ones that look like roses, spiky ones and striped ones, ones with ruffles, miniature ones and ones that are impossibly tall. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say the darker the better; there's just something about a dark purple, almost black flower that I really love. Dark tulips always remind me of a Victorian funeral and are a little bit morbid — kind of the direct opposite of every other hopeful and bright spring bloom. Two years ago while I was visiting the city (and the Conservatory Gardens for the first time) I fell in love with the dark purple tulip and I'm still not over them.

I always thought that tulips had a very brief blooming season, but they seem to be sticking around for longer than I would have expected. There are even some in the Conservatory Garden that haven't reached their peak yet — I've been checking on them a few times a week since the beginning of April and they just recently started to come to life. I'll definitely be sad when tulip season is officially over and my daily commute gets a little less colorful.

Coney Island: Opening Day 2014

A few Sundays ago Jim had a friend visiting the city from the UK. It was her first time in New York (and the US in general) and we were having drinks at an amazing rooftop bar when I casually mentioned that Coney Island's opening day was in two days. She said that she was interested in checking it out, and Jim and I never pass up an opportunity for an adventure, so on Sunday morning we met up for our first beach visit since last year. It was a little chilly near the water, but it was brilliantly sunny and actually felt as if the longest winter ever might finally be coming to an end.

The crowd was kind of sparse, which was equal parts great (no lines!) and kind of sad (support Coney Island, people!). Sometimes the best part of a visit to Coney Island is just imagining what it must have been like in its heyday. Once again I find myself wishing for the ability to step in and out of different time periods — to be a part of an opening day celebration when Coney Island was the place to be would be a total dream come true.

But, being there in 2014 was not without its perks — we were all ready to buy tickets to the Wonder Wheel when we were waved through the line for a completely free ride (and no waiting!). I had heard that they were letting the first 100 people ride the Cyclone for free, but I'm still not exactly sure how we were lucky enough to snag a spot on the Wonder Wheel. I have only ridden the Cyclone once — more akin to a car accident than normal roller coaster — but the Wonder Wheel is always fun.

There was a juggler on stilts and a DJ on the boardwalk, but that was about it for the "festivities." My favorite part of Coney Island is always just walking around and taking photos and this was the first time I'd been back since I got my new camera. There is always something new to discover or see, but I make sure to get my fortune from either Zoltar or Grandma before I leave.

Jim and I have already made plans to return for the Mermaid Parade in June, which has been on my to-do list for years. I'm also excited to go back when it's warm enough to actually lay on the beach, although it should surprise no one to say that I'm not exactly a beach person. I can't think of a better place, however, to try to bring back those old-timey wool bathing costumes — preferably something in a red-and-white stripe — than the weird and tacky, sometimes sad, but always fascinating Coney Island.

Friday Food: McSorley's Old Ale House

A few weeks ago Jim and I finally went to McSorley's Old Ale House, the oldest "Irish" tavern in New York. McSorley's has been on East 7th Street in the East Village since 1854 (although apparently this date is debatable) and women weren't even allowed inside until August of 1970.

The place is exactly how you want an historic tavern to be: packed with memorabilia like engravings of Teddy Roosevelt, photos of John F. Kennedy and at least one stuffed jackalope, all of which looks as if it was hung when it actually reflected current events. Abraham Lincoln drank there, as did Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Woody Guthrie and Hunter S. Thompson.

There is sawdust on the floor and everything has a thick layer of dust that is equal parts gross and completely appropriate. The place was crowded and all the tables were full so we just stood at the counter, which ended up being great. We stood right under a chandelier draped with dusty wishbones — allegedly left by men going off to war (WWI, II, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.). The men that returned claimed their wishbones, so the ones that remain are sacred, sad and did I mention very, very dusty (although apparently the health department suggested that they be cleaned recently).

At McSorley's they serve two kinds of beer: light and dark, and that's it. You order "one" and you actually get two — there is one size and I'm still unclear clear on how to order if you just want one glass. I have never been a huge fan of beer so I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't be able to finish mine but I needn't have worried. I not only didn't hate it, but I actually really enjoyed it — so much so that I ended up ordering us another round. I thought I'd just order "one" round so we could each drink one more glass but I somehow ended up with a total of four beers.

They serve food, which I'd like to try eventually, but we had dinner plans so we left after about an hour, slightly tipsier than when we entered. I love the atmosphere and the history of McSorley's and it was definitely one (or four) of the most enjoyable drinks I've ever had. The lack of options was so refreshing and there was absolutely zero pretense which I really appreciate. McSorley's doesn't have to try to be cool because it already is cool, and has been for 160 years.

My Tenth Month as a New Yorker

April was the first month during which I actually started two separate Facebook albums to accommodate all of the photos I took on my various trips and adventures. I only spent two of the four weekends in New York, but that didn't stop me from making the most out of them. The other two were spent in Texas and Ohio visiting friends and family, which was wonderful but also served to remind me just how much I really adore being able to call New York my home. I also had four days off during the week for Passover, which is a delightful perk of working at a Jewish organization.

The city definitely started to come to life during the past month, even if it has happened much slower than normal and there's still quite a bit still left to bloom. Spring is the last "uncharted" season in the city for me — I've spent two winters, part of summer and one entire fall here thus far, but my spring trips were few and far between and I left at the beginning of March last year. I went to the Brooklyn Botanic garden twice in April and I've still yet to see the cherry esplanade in bloom — if their map is to be believed it still has a few days or even weeks to go before it reaches its peak. I'm definitely trying to make the most out of this prolonged blooming season and surprisingly I've yet to pet spring to death although I'm sure it will happen soon enough.

A few more highlights from my chilly but colorful April:

I randomly walked by a phone kiosk ad that I designed on the Upper West Side  /  Jim and I went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and found that not much was in bloom but the Bonsai Museum was a delight as always /  We went to Tom's in Brooklyn, and admired their naturally occurring rock speakers   /  I visited the First of three cemeteries of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue and stumbled on another cemetery in Manhattan that I didn't even know existed.

I continued my love affair with the bubble-makers in Washington Square Park and watched as hundreds of people celebrated International Pillow Fight Day  /  I crossed the no. 4 stand-alone diner off my list and saw Ice-T as we were leaving / I participated in the Big Egg Hunt all over New York and braved the crowds for Macy's flower show  /  Jim and I got coffee and photo-boothed (his first!) at the Ace Hotel.

I went to the last of the three cemeteries /  I continued to be oddly obsessed with pretty manhole covers around the city  /  Jim and I walked the High Line  /  I met Jim and his friends from the UK at the most amazing rooftop bar where we watched the sunset over the Empire State building and drank embarrassingly expensive cocktails  / I crossed the last stand-alone diner off my list - Star on 18 /  I went back to the High Line where the wildflowers were just starting to bloom.

I finally found my favorite egg- one made from street signs in TriBeCa  /  I spotted an ad I designed in the TriBeCa Trib  /  Jim and I took his friend from the UK (it was her first time in the US!) on a tour through Central Park where I spotted the best group of tourists and some delightful blooms  /  We went to opening day of Coney Island, rode the Wonder Wheel for free and I ate my first Nathan's of the season.

I finally got to see the New York Marble Cemetery and we had a drink (or four) afterwards at McSorley's Old Ale House  /  I had a few days off for Passover and went to Tom's in Brooklyn for pancakes and coffee, and then back to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to check on the blooms— the cherry trees were breathtaking  /  I visited the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which is always perfect.

The Empire State building was lit up like an Easter egg  /  I went to Texas for Easter weekend to spend time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and their incredibly adorable new rescue dog, Penny  /  We stopped to take photos in a field of bluebonnets, dyed Easter eggs, visited the flower mound in Flowermound and I had my first-ever Butterbeer (it was kind of gross/good?).

As soon as I got back from Texas I dropped off my luggage and headed right back to Queens for the 50th anniversary of the opening day of the World's Fair, where I tried (unsuccessfully) to get into the New York State Pavilion and discovered even more remnants of the fair  /  The cherry trees along the reservoir in Central Park finally started to bloom  /  I went back to LaGuardia once again on my way back to Ohio with some recent library scores  /  I made cookies for 427 Design's open house party  /  I managed to squeeze in a cemetery visit during my short Ohio trip, to Glendale in Akron.

I definitely teared up a little landing back in New York when I realized I was home /  I spotted (and smelled) my first lilacs of the season in Central Park and made the Conservatory Garden part of my morning (and evening) commute  /  I waved hello to the lone yellow tulip in the Park Avenue median of tulips every day on my way to work and ate my lunch under the blooming cherries  /  I had my first-ever chicken and waffles at Sylvia's in Harlem and loved it.

I have a lot of fun plans for May and the rest of the summer and I'm hoping that the weather cooperates. I'm planning on heading back to the BBG this weekend to check on the cherries and I definitely need to make time for the NYBG as well. I read a blurb in New York Magazine that warned of the Farmers' Almanac prediction that New York is going to "feel like Louisiana" this summer which I'm alternately dreading and looking forward to.

I can't believe that my one year New York-iversary will be here before I even know it — it feels like just yesterday I was booking my one-way ticket without a job or a place to live. Well, now that I've been here longer than it would have taken to fully gestate a real life human being I think it's safe to say that I couldn't have dreamed of a better outcome — it's all so much better than I ever imagined, and improbably getting better every single day.

Spotting Spring

Although it's almost May and it currently feels as if it could very well snow again, spring has managed to force its way into the city, slowly but surely. My daily commute includes a nearly 2.5 mile walk across Central Park, where I have been able to witness the day-by-day changes to the cherry trees, tulips, daffodils and other blooming delights.

Everything has been quite delayed due to the crazy winter we had (are still having?) and I was afraid that I would miss the best blooms while I was out of town, but we're still a few weeks away from the peak. Whenever I can get moving early enough, I walk from my apartment on the west side to my job on the east side, walking along the reservoir which is lined with cherry trees (my favorite).

If I really get an early start I have time to walk through the Conservatory Garden, and I brought my camera with me the other day in hopes that the field of tulips had started blooming. Unfortunately they were still entirely green, but the daffodils, magnolia trees and even the lilac (my favorite scent) have already made an appearance.

The Conservatory Garden is one of my very favorite spots in the park and I still haven't gotten over the fact that it's a regular stop in my morning commute. I do wish they had a bloom map like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has for their cherry trees so I wouldn't be continually afraid that I was missing something, but there's always something nice to look at no matter when I stop by.

After leaving Central Park I still have a few east side avenues to cross before I arrive at work, and the Park Avenue tulips have just started blooming. In one median in particular there is one lone yellow flower amongst all of the bright pink ones and I make it a point to say hi to it each morning as I pass. I can't say that I'm not getting impatient for the warm weather to stick around for good, but I'm enjoying this prolonged blooming season, and I'm trying not to miss a single blossom or bud. I might never be rich enough to actually live on the park (or Park Avenue) but getting to walk through/past them each morning is pretty amazing.

Remnants of the New York World's Fair Part 2

I've written about Flushing-Meadows Corona Park and the remnants of the World's Fairs before (I first went in January of 2013 and then again in January of this year), but the more I visit and the more I read about the fairs the more obsessed I become. Lucky for me this year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the 1964 World's Fair so there's been even more to see and read about than usual.

Last Tuesday was the anniversary of opening day and they decided to allow people into the New York State Pavilion for the first time in years. I actually had the day off because it was the last day of Passover, but I was flying back from Texas in the morning so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it. I dropped my luggage off at my apartment and headed right back out to Queens, but by the time I got there they had stopped handing out tickets and had closed the line. I later read that more than 2,500 people showed up to see the Pavilion and the wait ended up being hours and hours long.

I was initially bummed that I wasn't able to get in, but it looks like they were only letting people step in a few feet and I don't think there's really much left of the terrazzo New York State floor map after all of these years. You can see inside of the Pavilion just by peaking through the gates and if you look hard enough you can even see the old elevators that used to be hanging from the observation towers — they're just laying in a heap on the ground, rotting away like much of the rest of the Pavilion.

I spent the rest of the day walking around the park and discovering remnants of the fairs that I somehow managed either not to notice or hadn't known existed during my previous visits to the park. There are the art deco-style water fountains and the spacey/curvy benches, futuristic sculptures and granite markers for the pathways with awesome names like the "Avenue of Science," "Court of the President" and "Eisenhower Promenade."

I will never get tired of just walking around the park and soaking up the history and it was especially nice to be there on the anniversary of opening day. The blooming trees provided a gorgeous backdrop to the always-impressive Unisphere, although I was disappointed that the fountains weren't turned on — could there be a better reason to have them on than the 50th anniversary?

On May 18th there will be an actual World's Fair Anniversary Celebration in the park which has been on my calendar from the moment it was announced. I can't wait to eat a Belgian waffle in the same spot in which they were first introduced, and if I squint hard enough (or they finally turn on the Unisphere fountains) I might actually be able to convince myself that I'm back in 1964, if only for the day.

Texas / Ohio

I'm finally back in New York after a whirlwind two weekends. On Easter I visited my sister, brother-in-law and niece in Texas, and two days later I went to Ohio to visit family, friends and former co-workers. I had a great time in both exotic locales, but I legit teared up when I touched down at LaGuardia because there's nothing like back-to-back trips to the south and mid-west to make me appreciate the fact that I get to call New York "home" even more than I usually do.

While in Texas I hung out with my incredibly smart, hilarious, beautiful and sweet 11-year-old niece — we dyed Easter eggs and I found myself being jealous of every single brilliant egg she made and wondering how I could be so lucky to be related to such cool people.

We even made like proper Texans and ventured to a bluebonnet "field" to take photos, because I think it's against the law not to — the people taking selfies and dragging around props were completely fascinating. We saw empty frames (to stick your head through, of course), lots of matching denim and even a tiny pink Cadillac because nothing says "wildflower field" like a motorized plastic model of a classic car. The people watching definitely trumped the actual bluebonnets themselves, although they were pretty and the closest I'll probably come to an actual flower field until I can make my way over to Holland for their tulips.

On Monday my sister took me to Denton, Texas which is a super cute town with a great candy shop, vintage shops with wonderful signs and a great used book store that I would probably still be browsing if I hadn't had to catch a flight back to New York the next day.

Two days after getting back to New York, I headed back to LaGuardia, this time on my way to Ohio. On Friday I spent all day at my former place of employment, 427 Design, making cookies and helping them get ready for their annual open house party. I wasn't going to let a silly thing like "moving to New York" let me miss the best party in my hometown.

The theme for their 8th-annual open house was 8-bit and I made some very simple "pixel" cookies in New York, packed them in my carry-on bag and iced them in Ohio. It was a great way to see all of my very favorite Ohioans at once, and I hope I'm always able to return for future open houses.

It was also wonderful seeing my dad, uncle and grandparents and I even spent some time in my old bedroom, which my dad has turned into an office while preserving all of my angsty-teenagery hand-painted wall quotes and the crazy color scheme.

This was the first time I had been back to Ohio just to visit since I moved to New York — no moving or packing up all of my possessions, insanely teary goodbyes or cats on eight-hour car rides to complicate matters, and it was nice and blissfully stress-free. My home town may always be in Ohio, but it was equally nice to return to New York, because — to cheesily quote my favorite movie of all-time — there's no place like home.

Friday Food: Stand-alone Diners Parts 4 + 5

Last weekend I finally crossed the last stand-alone diner off my list when I ate at Star on 18 in Chelsea. The week before, I had eaten at no. 4, the Market Diner in Hell's Kitchen. Of the two, the Market Diner was definitely the more interesting (at least aesthetically), although Star on 18 had better food and exceptional service.

The Market Diner is on 11th Ave between 43rd and 44th streets and is open 24 hours. Not only does the Market have outdoor seating (like the Square Diner) but they also have dedicated parking, which is such an odd sight in Manhattan. The inside is also suspiciously spacious and they could probably fit twice as many tables if they squeezed them in like most New York restaurants are so fond of doing.

The decor is part diner, part 60s Howard Johnson and is a little space-agey and a whole lot of orange. They had real flowers on each table, which was a nice touch (no fake dew drops here), and the egg-and-cheese sandwich I had was quite good.

I was totally enamored with the huge 'diner' sign, until I started to walk away, turned around and saw that the opposite side was even better— the beautiful script 'market' and silvery blue, white and red color palette is the stuff all of my diner sign dreams are made of.

Oh, and Ice-T was waiting for a table when we left, which makes it the only diner of the five where I had a bonafide celebrity sighting — I didn't say anything because I'm a New Yorker now, but I did wait outside for 20 minutes awkwardly staring at him and deciding whether or not I should approach him (because of Law and Order of course, not his rap career).

Star on 18 was the most disappointing of the five diners, architecturally speaking, and if I hadn't been looking for it I would probably have never given it a second glance. Apparently they at least used to have the word 'diner' accompanied by illustrations of traditional diner foods painted on the side of the cement building but it looked as if it had been freshly painted (it also used to be blue).

The inside is loaded with traditional charm, with a counter, stools (with backs!) and rows of booths. The painted windows were a nice spring touch, and from where I sat I had a nice view of the High Line. Our waitress was wonderful and the food was a notch above average diner fare — the eggs weren't greasy, the bacon was crisp and my waffle came with a cup of real, infinitely spreadable butter (no frozen or impossible-to-open packets).

I'm sort of sad that I've eaten at all five of the stand-alone diners on my list already, in the way that I get sad when I finish a good book. I'm also sad in a different way that there are only five stand-alone diners left in Manhattan to begin with, and that there probably won't be anymore opening anytime soon (if ever). Luckily all five are definitely worth revisiting and there are four other boroughs (and a lot more "regular" diners in Manhattan) to keep me in waffles every weekend.

BBG: Cherry Blossoms 2014

Two years ago this week I saw the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for the first time ever. In fact, it was my first time really seeing cherry blossoms en masse and I was instantly enchanted. I wasn't able to see them last year because I was back in Ohio, but I've been looking forward to cherry blossom season ever since.

Well, this year I managed to schedule two back-to-back weekend trips (to Texas, then Ohio) right during what is usually peak blossom season. Thanks to the crazy cold/long winter that we've had the blooms are definitely delayed, and I'm hoping that I can still catch them at peak bloom after I get back. I didn't want to take any chances, however, so I knew I had to find a way to see whatever had started to bloom before I left. I had yesterday (and Tuesday) off work because of Passover (the joys of working for a Jewish cultural institution) and although it was cold — it actually snowed  again Tuesday night — it was brilliantly sunny so I went to check on the cherry trees at the BBG.

Not a single tree in the cherry esplanade is in bloom yet, but thankfully a handful of other trees around the garden have gotten an early start. I took so many photos that I was actually fearful of filling up my 32 gb memory card, but I just couldn't stop myself. Every time I walked two feet the view was even better than the previous one and the light was so beautiful that I couldn't put down my camera.

I'm certainly not an expert, but there are at least a few different varieties of cherry trees at the BBG — from white and pale pink to brighter, almost fuchsia blooms. They come in different sizes and configurations, some trees have weeping branches (my favorite) and some have twisty black limbs that contrast with the pale blossoms in the best way.

Especially after the winter we've had this spring feels well-deserved and very much overdo. I can't really even convey how happy it made me to be walking around and under such incredible beauty, but words aren't really necessary or could ever be adequate in situations such as these — good thing I maxed out my computer hard drive with photos documenting nearly every single blossom I came across.

I'm going to try to make a return trip at the beginning of May and hopefully catch the rest of the late bloomers, but I won't feel as if I've missed out if for some reason I can't make it. I doubt they'll be in peak bloom for the Sakura festival next weekend, although that's definitely something I'd like to check out next year.

I'd also like to plan a trip to DC for their cherry blossom festival even if I fear that I might actually die of happiness if I actually make it there during peak bloom season. If I do, just dig a hole, throw my body in and plop a cherry tree on top — I don't know if I believe in reincarnation, but there are way worse things to come back as than a crazy beautiful blossoming cherry tree.

Bubbles

A few weeks ago I ended up in Washington Square Park during in the middle of a wonderful, wandering Saturday (after eating at the Square Diner and visiting the smallest cemetery) and ended up spending a few hours completely fascinated by a woman making enormous bubbles. I've seen the huge bubble makers before — in Central Park mostly — and I never cease to be amazed at every single bubble.

It's quite a simple set up, but of course the bubbles are so unique every single time that it never gets boring. It's also fun to watch people interact with the bubbles, although I do get annoyed that they attract bratty kids who like to pop them immediately after they're made.

I have found, however, that if I wait around long enough I'll eventually see someone get soaked by a popped bubble or if I'm really lucky I'll witness a particularly overzealous kid slipping and falling in the residue, which makes me feel as if there might be a tiny bit of justice/balance in the world (he was totally ok - I'm not THAT much of a monster).

This was also the first time that I'd watched a bubble maker (that sounds weird but they're not bubble blowers because they just sort of let the wind do its thing) since I got my new camera, so I went a little crazy trying to capture the perfect bubble photo. There were a ton of other people trying to do the same thing so I didn't feel too awkward, and I certainly fared better than the guy I saw get totally soaked trying to get a close-up shot.

As far as street/park performers go, the bubble makers are definitely some of my favorite — far less obnoxious than the "IT'S SHOWTIME" guys but still not quite as impressive as the person I saw (also in Washington Square) playing a full-size piano or the guy in Times Square who walks around with a cat on his head. Mozart and I really need to step up our game, but until then I'm content to watch other people's crazy talents and occasionally photograph them (or better still, photograph the people photographing them with their iPads).

BBG Bonsai Museum

A few weekends ago Jim and I went to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden because I convinced him that the daffodil hill must be in bloom. Well, it was a total fail because only about four daffodils were actually in bloom and I said more than once "yeah but just imagine how beautiful they'll be when they finally do appear." The garden is free from 10 am - noon on Saturdays, so I can't really complain. There's always something interesting to see, even if nature doesn't always cooperate with my expectations.

My favorite part this time was the bonsai museum, which I think was being worked on when I went last year, but now is really fantastic. It's occupies a small space in the conservatory, which is fine because bonsai trees are teeny tiny and completely adorable.

Apparently their collection of about 350 trees is the "second oldest in the country and one of the largest on public display outside Japan, with as many as 30 specimens on exhibit at any given time." Bonsai trees really need no frills in their display to make them interesting, they're totally cool just on their own.

One of the trees on view when we went was almost 300 years old, and another almost 200. The art of Bonsai is just kind of baffling to me and they never cease to blow my mind a little. I have a really hard time actually believing that they're real and the fact that they are just seems impossible to me.

And really it's kind of cheating because everything looks better in miniature. Is there anything cuter in nature than these teeny tiny neon green pine needles growing on this teeny tiny pine tree? Nope.

First and Third Cemeteries of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue

After I visited the smallest cemetery in Manhattan and noticed that it was called the "second" cemetery of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, I did some investigating Googling and discovered that there are actually three separate burial grounds associated with the Congregation of Shearith Israel. Once I also learned that both the first and the third cemeteries were still in existence, I knew I had to "collect all three," and this past weekend I did just that.

All three cemeteries are in Manhattan — the first is at 55 St. James Place near Chinatown, the second is on West 11th in Greenwich Village and the third is on 21st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Chelsea. The first cemetery dates back to 1656 and is the first Jewish cemetery in the United States (the Congregation is the oldest in North America). It's larger than the second, gated (and locked) like the other two, and raised above sidewalk-level so I had to stand on my tip-toes to get a good look.

The first cemetery is definitely one of the oldest burial grounds that I've ever visited. Although the exact location of the original cemetery is not known, it was established at its current location in 1683 which is still about 200 years older than most of the cemeteries that I've seen. It actually holds the distinction of being the second oldest cemetery in Manhattan, after Trinity Churchyard on Wall Street (and only certain parts of that cemetery are older). Over the years the land has been chiseled away by city expansion and erosion and sadly a lot of the bodies have been disinterred.

The third cemetery was in use from 1829-1851 and is in such a modern/trendy area of town that it definitely looks out of place. There is a Trader Joe's directly across the street, which I'm sure is not what the initial residents had in mind, but being so close to such delicious (and cheap!) food isn't a bad way to spend eternity, if you ask me. It also appears to be the largest of the three, and is the one in the best condition (a plaque on the fence mentions a recent restoration).

The grounds look well-kept, although a lot of the stones are falling or have fallen over and some are in multiple pieces. It was a little hard to see from far away, but it even looks as though one of the pathways in the back is actually just fallen tombstones, lined up one right after the other.

I was kind of annoyed that all three were locked, and I wonder if they're ever really open to the public (from what I have read it seems as if at least the first one is open for a prayer ceremony around Memorial Day). Part of me is thankful that the gates/locks help to preserve the historical sites, but part of me just really loves wandering around cemeteries and looking at the headstones up close. A lot of the stones are worn to the point of being unreadable, some have Hebrew inscriptions and some are separated from the others by miniature fences of their own.

It's still hard for me to believe that I had no idea these three cemeteries even existed until a few weeks ago. I'm constantly surprised by how often I discover something new (to me at least) in this city, especially within the less-than-thirty square miles of Manhattan, alone. I like having a project or a list to complete, so the completionist in me totally loved the thrill of discovering a "set" of cemeteries, and being able to visit them all so easily. Of course just as soon as they had gone on my list I checked them off, but that's the fun of a city like New York — I'm sure there are plenty of other interesting places waiting to be (re)discovered right around the corner.

The Big Egg Hunt

Last week the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt started here in New York and it's kind of touristy, kind of for children and kind of totally my jam. There are more than 250 egg sculptures "hidden" around the city, each done by a different artist. Once ten people "crack" an egg (via the app) it appears on an egg map — you can only crack eggs by scanning the QR codes on their stands or via the app if you're within a certain distance.

The variety of the different eggs (and the fact that they're all a common shape) reminds me of the Cow Parade, which was going on when I first came to the city 14 years ago. 14-year-old me was kind of obsessed with those cows at the time (even if they seem super tacky now) but that extra dose of nostalgia makes me enjoy the egg hunt even more.

I'm not taking it super seriously because there's no way I'd ever be able to see all of them, but this weekend the weather was beautiful and any reason to walk around the city is a good one. So far I've "cracked" eggs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madison Ave. and the Upper East Side, Rockefeller Center, Little Italy, Soho, the Flatiron District, the East Village and Grand Central Terminal.

I've been trying to capture the eggs with some hint to their location, especially when they're in front of a recognizable (and eternally photogenic) landmark like the Empire State Building or the Flatiron. It shouldn't be a surprise that I like the New York-themed ones, and I have a few on my list of must-sees that I haven't found yet like the Statue of Liberty-esque one, the one made from street signs and the one covered in pennies.

To my delight, I discovered that I was close to Martha Stewart's egg on Saturday, but it was inside of an antique store that had closed by the time I arrived, so I couldn't get a good photo of it. Surprisingly, it wasn't my favorite of all the eggs I've seen — I like the ones that are little statues, like Humpty Dumpty or the Ralph Lauren Cowboy. My two favorites so far, however, have been the neon one from Stamberg Aferiat/Tsang + Vilanova and Chris Carnabuci's 3D Aphrodite (which is so perfect for the Met).

It's fun to happen upon a egg in the wild without specifically seeking it out, and unlike the cows (which seemed to be around forever) they're only on display for a few weeks before they're auctioned off for charity (current highest bid: $95,000 for the Jeff Koons gazing ball/seal walrus egg, on display in Rockefeller Plaza).

It's kind of fun to watch people go a little crazy when they find an egg (and I will never not enjoy watching people take photos with iPads) but I'm trying not to feel kind of embarrassed to be participating as a 28-year-old New Yorker because it is fun and silly and a little ridiculous — which, like I said, is totally my kind of thing.

NYBG: Orchid Show-Part Two

Even if you really hate orchids (is this actually anyone?) there are still things to see at the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show that aren't orchids. I have been to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory many times in the past year and I'm still finding pieces to swoon over in their permanent collections.

Everywhere you look there is something new and interesting and completely strange because plants are probably aliens and more often than not, kind of freak me out.

There are leaves with spots, leaves with stripes, furry, curly plants that look like monkeys' tails and flowers with colors so bright that they don't even look real. The desert collection is always full of weird and prickly things and I decided recently that if I were a type of plant, I would definitely be a cactus. I love the subtle gradations and colors in the succulents and cacti especially, and I always have to resist touching, squeezing or otherwise fondling even the most dangerous-looking ones.

Some of the plants are so perfect that they look plastic; others smell fantastic or are so strange looking that I can't possibly figure out their purpose in the grand scheme of things. I never skip the permanent collections when I go to the garden, since there is always something new to discover, and sometimes I end up enjoying them more than the main exhibits.

I really never considered myself a plant/flower person until I went to my first orchid show last year, but now I'm continually fascinated. Nature is a weird and wonderful thing, and even though I still may not be able to grow or nurture a plant to save my life, at least I can go visit hundreds (thousands?) of them whenever I start to yearn for something green (or pink, or purple, or orange...).

My Ninth Month as a New Yorker

I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record with these month recaps, but guess what? March was pretty awesome. In fact, my life is pretty much all-around awesome. I don't say that to brag or to sound like some sort of super human who is above sadness or failure or general unhappiness — I most definitely am not that. But, I'm also just really, really happy — in New York, at my new(ish) job, with my friends, with the adventures I've taken and the ones I have planned.

Sometimes, I catch a glimpse of my reflection as I'm walking to work in the morning and I realize that I've essentially become (or am very, very close to becoming) the person I've always wanted to be. It's a really odd realization actually, and sometimes it's downright scary to admit to yourself that you're happy — it can feel too fragile, too precarious, too intangible.

I have always had a hard time living in the present. I'm always looking back on what I've done or planning for the future. I still struggle to live in the moment, but I'm actively trying to force myself to be present, to be thankful and alert and to allow time in my schedule for aimless wandering. I made the choice more than ten months ago (and in some ways, long before that) to start actually living my life the way I had always only ever dreamed about. It's a strange feeling when your real life and your dream life start to align, but I don't want to miss one second of it.

A few highlights from my very happy March:

I walked by one of the few remaining free-standing phone booths  /  I creeped on Kathleen Kelly's apartment from You've Got Mail before returning to Cafe Lalo for my first "meal" after being sick  /  I took a Sunday walk across Central Park to the East Side, where I picked up Ladurée macarons (my first!) for an Oscar party  /  I met Grace at the Lexington Candy Shop for lunch (and a very necessary milkshake).

I fell in love with the skull-themed tombstones at Trinity Churchyard cemetery in lower Manhattan  /  I walked around downtown and spied on the new World Trade Center (but I didn't sneak to the top)  /  I explored the Lower East Side before taking a tour at the Tenement Museum /  Jim and I had our first (and second) knishes at Yonah Schimmel, in business since 1910/  Daylight Savings time allowed me to walk home through Central Park and finally catch beautiful sunsets again.

Mozart continued to be the sweetest animal on the planet  /  I took a warm, sunny bench nap in the de Blasio's backyard  /  I attended a lecture on urban cemeteries and then found a skull bead on my walk to work through Central Park the next morning  /  A brochure I designed was printed  /  I continued to discover amazing and different manhole covers — this one was across the street from my apartment  /  I explored Trinity Cemetery and Mausoleum, the only active cemetery left in Manhattan.

I found an awesome coffee shop in Hamilton Heights and had a life-changing almond cookie  /  I tricked Alisha into taking a windy adventure with me to the Little Red Lighthouse and signed up for Walk MS to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society /  I walked past the most amazing apartment building every morning (a former cancer hospital)  /  I totally scored in the dollar section at the Strand  /  I visited the oldest tree in Manhattan  /  I discovered the prettiest manhole cover in the middle of a lawn in Central Park.

I tried to walk to work as much as possible and found out it was nearly 2.5 miles each way  /  Jim and a co-worker of mine took a candlelit ghost tour of the most haunted house in Manhattan, the Merchant's House  /  I crossed another stand-alone diner off of my list /  I spent a wonderful, wandering Saturday checking out flea markets, watching a bubble-maker in Washington Square Park and visited the smallest cemetery in Manhattan.

I got my fortune from a sidewalk Zoltar in the East Village  /  Trent, Jim and I went to the Orchid Show for a glimpse of spring  /  Jim, Katie and I were tourists for a night and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square (we made reservations)  /  My friend Melissa visited from Ohio and we walked the Brooklyn Bridge in the rain (her first time!) and ate pizza with ziti on top  /  I spent a lazy Sunday lounging with my favorite gray lady.

I'm going to go out on an optimistic limb and say that I think this winter is FINALLY coming to an end due to a forecast that has the temperature in the 50s for the foreseeable future (much appreciated). I already have a few trips planned for April — Texas to see my sister and then back to Ohio for a weekend — and my to-do, to-see, to-eat and to-read lists just keep getting longer and longer. I am totally loving my new camera and I can't wait to finally see (and photograph) my beloved cherry blossoms again. Even though it snowed yesterday, spring is so close I can taste it — and it tastes like a Cadbury Egg, which coincidentally, I am eating as I type this.