CassiPad.

If you're a friend of mine on Facebook, you'd know that I was contemplating getting an iPad. After thinking for a month, visiting the apple store plenty of times, and researching online I knew I wanted one. I was especially thinking about my backpacking trip in Asia. At 1.5 pounds I knew that the ipad was perfect for backpacking. I would have a bunch of books, a way to upload my photos and post on my blog!! However, my parents told me that it was too dangerous to bring abroad. With that in mind I decided to wait on my purchase.

These past two days, I was working at our conference in Times Square where I was even more tempted to buy an ipad because one was being raffled off but I was not eligible to win! I even talked with my coworkers about buying one and they kept egging me on to get one. Funnily enough a lot of my friends on Facebook said not to get one. My cousin even said "you'll just have to return it later". Little did i know that after work today when i visited that same cousin 2 blocks away at work that he would approach me with a big brown box. I was confused at first, then he said it was my grad present. I didn't want to guess that it was an ipad because Annabelle and i had too high of expectations for our intern farewell presents (praying to get iPads). I opened the box slowly and voilà. My prayers were answered. I almost cried. My cousin got plenty of pictures of my excitement.

Yayyyyy!!!

Just got the brown box from Ryan.

Opening the brown box, expecting shoes...

AHHHH! It's an iPad! 

You tricked me, Ryan!

Woohoo!

Posted from my iPad!

I Hold the Key to the City

Two more weeks left in the city where dreams are made.  Last week, I was bestowed the "key to the city" by the Mayor.  Just kidding, but I was bestowed a "key to the city" by my intern! There is a new art project in NYC called... "Key to the City" resembling the real key to New York city that Mayor Bloomberg holds.  This art project begins with a ceremony for two people to exchange keys, unlocking several doors, safe-boxes, gates, etc around the 5 boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx, and Queens.

The real Key to the City.

My idea was to unlock everything in the guidebook, however, I think it's proven more difficult that I imagined. I have only unlocked one thing... a box on a lamp post in Bryant Park...and to turn on and off the light. Fun! While each thing is very random, I feel like a part of the City (if all the other things I've done haven't made me feel this way, ha!)

There was a cute little ceremony in the middle of Times Square where you bestow they key to a friend, partner, stranger, etc and why. Mine was to my "little apprentice" Maria. There is a gated patch of turf in the middle of Broadway where you sign the huge book of participants and recite a little note...

The ceremony in the middle of Times Square.

Turning on and off the lamp in Bryant Park.

While I may not visit every site, I know that I will make an effort to go to the Mayor's house next, next Wednesday (only open one day of the week), and open his master bedroom closet. Yes, the key opens his closet. Ha!

On Wednesday night, I met up with my movie promoter friend at Tenjune since he had Jonah Hex private screening passes for me.  I didn't realize the number people that are out on Wednesday night! This truly is the city that never sleeps.  I guess I've been such a hermit these past few weeks that I didn't realize it. Anyway, I got 4 screening passes...  Sadly, the movie sucked! I wasn't expecting it to be any good as Rotten Tomatoes' reviews were 0% of 100%... it didn't really leave room for optimism.  After an hour and half of boredom, my friends and I decided to hop over to "Karate Kid" as it was starting in 30 minutes.  Can I just say it was FABULOUS. No one ever believes me when I say that, but they just have to watch it themselves.  Yeah, people complain that it's not Karate per se, but that's not the point.  The story line is about a kid who wants to learn Kung Fu, and he does.  Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan were amazing in it.

No                                                          Yes

Last night, I went with my friends to an outdoor movie in Washington Square park, a nice pastime to enjoy the summer nights. It was a french film hosted by the french embassy called "huit femmes" or "8 women".  It was hilarious and I was surprised how much french I understood.

Another highlight of my week was getting cheap shoes! I love knowing people in retail! I got 75%+ off of shoes! The pair on the left were in Cosmopolitan magazine... and I got them for $40 (originally $120, lots of discounts!)

Not much else happened this week, I actually avoided film sites due to the really hot weather.  Our AC was broken too for the week, so it was deathly hot in our apartment, considering we are so high up too  and heat rises!

Hopefully I have more adventures in the next two weeks!

Medium Raw & Bionic

These are my final weeks in New York City, and I'm trying to go out with a bang! Since I got back from California, I haven't really done much until yesterday. Monday, I went to get my Chinese visa. You can read all about my adventure on my new blog http://chaosEXPOsed.blogspot.com.

Anyhow, I was alerted by PulseJFK that my travel hero would be in town for a book signing. Anthony Bourdain!! It's funny because my mom was the one who introduced me to his TV show, "No Reservations", and I used to watch it occasionally, but ever since my year abroad in China, I have been yearning to watch anything about Asia.  Whenever his show is on and is about any Asian country, I am hooked.  His satirical persona and addiction to food is also so...well, addictive.  I enjoy the fact he takes the back roads and loves street food.  As much as I love Samantha Brown, her style of traveling is not for me... well, maybe on occasion.

So, yesterday, I took a long lunch break and went to the Border's on Wall Street. To my surprise, the line was wrapped around the whole 2nd floor. Yes, I was surprised! Also, after posting that I met him, I was surprised at how many people responded.  Not as many as for Matt Damon, but I didn't realize he was such a superstar! All I know is that he is an inspiration for me, and I am excited to read his new book, and take his travel tips from his blog!

Guess how long I waited? TWO HOURS. I was there early too! Finally at 2pm, I got to shake his hand and tell him never to wear his Blackhawks shirt again. He replied "I'm not even a hockey fan!" Funny too, since he should be representing New York! Anyhow, I told him that I was visiting his favorite country - Vietnam, a country on which he filmed TWO episodes on his show. His response made me so happy... "I am very jealous of you!" ...O.M.G! Anthony Bourdain admitted he was jealous of me! Does he realize how many people want his job...LIFE!? I'm sure he does, but yes to hear those words were music to my ears. 

Pissed the picture is blurry.

Signing away.

Unhappy about his shirt. Grr.

Autographed signed book.

It's funny. Bourdain was the first "celeb" I have an autograph from AND a picture with. 

This morning, I headed over to 59th & 5th, where CBS was filming their Early Show. I received tickets about a month ago to the Christina Aguilera episode taping. The line was really long but I still got a pretty good position near the stage.  I can always complain about something, but I really had nothing to complain about.  I met some really cool people in line and chatted with them about traveling and got some good pointers about backpacking by yourself. One girl might actually be in the same area when I'm there! Anyhow! It started raining so the show was off and on, but it was great to see Christina perform live. 

First outfit.

She changed into her raincoat when it started raining. Cute!

She sang a few of her old songs like "Genie in a bottle", "Beautiful", and "Fighter", then she sang from her new CD Bi-on-ic - "Not myself tonight". I was too close to the drums to really hear what she was singing, but the music was great. 

Annabelle and I were able to rush back to the office for the Intern Farewell Lunch. Had a yummy lunch, and got to talk with all of the new summer interns. Also, we got our farewell presents - a gift from Tiffany & Co! How New York of them! I feel like Holly Golightly :)