New York

I went to NY for 3 days for a work meeting, some prep, and hanging out with old friends.

I LOVE New York. I want to move there! There's just a thrill in the air. Mischief. Excitement. I love admiring the old buildings, the character of the subways, and exploring the creative little cafes, and street vendors, and shops. Its peppier than Shanghai. And more grandiose than SF. Maybe it was the blend of brilliant summer sunshine and blue skies? Sigh.

Saw  http://www.denguefevermusic.com/"> Dengue Fever . "A six-member band from Los Angeles who combine Cambodian pop music and lyrics with psychedelic rock."

Saturday brunch at M. Wells in Long Island was something delicious.

Dinnner at Katz Deli, (see photo of HALF a sandwich)!!!  It was pouring and I was lost, but shared my umbrella with a nice lady who was an event planner. 

Dinner at Cheese Pub- which was had basically a cheese bar!!!! Expensive but awesome. Melts in your mouth! And the decor was like barn meets cafe- with swing out milking stools under high rustic tables. SO cute! Loved it!

We also happened to stumble across Frends With You Rainbow land. Imagine me jumping up and down with glee! It was big and colorful and amazing! The characters reminded me a lot like katamari (a video game abotu rolling a sticky ball to pick up things) The cement had bright stripes on it, and Big cartoony airfilled things floating and spinning in the breeze. It was like they were alive, and bopping around like I would expect any real live cartoon thingy to act like. The tower shaped one we went into was dark with lots of glow-in-the-dark stickers inside. My legs were sore like rubber after 5 minutes of jumping. It was at the end of the Highline, an old elevated railroad track converted into an urban garden, beautifully landscaped with native flowers and plants, integrated with vestiges of the railroad tracks. There was installation art pieces as birdhouses, lawns to lounge on, and the plants glowed brilliantly in the evening moonlight. http://www.friendswithyou.com/blog/rainbow-city-the-high-line-

the kitten

As we left our compound Sunday morning, the neighborhood was already
bustling with grammas, carts, and kittens. KITTENS?! Inded two very
small kittens were wandering the sidewalk, unbeknowst to them, many
humans were awkwardly and adoringly dodging them to save their lives.

These kittens were tiny- like 1-2 weeks old. You could scoop 'em up in
the palm of your hand. And put them in your pocket. Their legs were
wobbly, and would fall down every few steps. They were curious and
unafraid to weave between parked motorcycles and human feet.

I couldn't help myself! I was melting already because of the Shanghai
summer, but these little guys were just too adorable. We stopped to
watch (aka rummage for my camera) and one of them came up to Timon's
foot, smelled it, then climbed ontop, his whole body sitting on
Timon's foot (flip flops). Then he hugged Timon. awwww! The kitten
wrapped his paws around his ankle and tried to climb up Timon's climb,
unsuccessfully.

I was still "aww"ing and rummaging in my cavenrous purse at this
point, when the kitten found a new interest and my camera came to
slow. That's my story of the kitten.