julie and greg got married

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Note: Before looking through the pictures, please understand that I was not the official photographer, which is why a) the majority of the pictures I took were at an angle (I refuse to get in the photographers way or give anyone another camera to look at) and b) I have no pics of just Julie and Greg. Those happened after I had already left for the reception.


This is the only picture I’m going to comment on. Can you see just how much Julie’s dad loves her? I love this picture because I feel like it comes pretty dang close to capturing everything I felt looking at them.

Okay, and maybe this one. The man you see on the left is not Greg, but Julie’s brother, Rob. Julie and this brother are particularly close. Due to the fact that the wedding was in Boston and Rob lives in Alaska, he was not going to be there. Well, a little sibling scheming took place (unbeknownst to Julie and her parents) and Rob showed up in Boston late Friday night. We were all excited to see Julie’s reaction when she saw him. Seriously, it wouldn’t have been better if someone had scripted and directed the scene. Julie walked into the room in the temple, totally oblivious. Her mom tried to make her look. Nothing. Then, suddenly, she saw him. She stopped breathing momentarily, walked out of the room, and began to sob–think Emma Thompson at the end of Sense and Sensibility, right after Hugh Grant comes back and explains that he is not married. Yes…it was just like that. We were all in tears by the time she came back into the room. 

a little boston preview

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My darling friend, Julie, got married on Saturday. Unfortunately, because I’m not obsessed with Photoshop, it may take a while to get all of the pictures up. In the meantime…here are two that I decided to really play with. I love it!

In addition to more photos, I’ll have more to say as well. But for now, let me just say that it was probably one of the most perfect weddings I’ve ever had the privilege of attending.

the flavors of india

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Tonight, I took a cooking class. This is the second one I’ve taken in my life. (I don’t count cake decorating as cooking in case you were wondering.) Anyway, I found this darling little culinary studio while searching online (how did we live without Google?). It’s called Miette. and located exactly three blocks from my apartment. It’s owned by Chef Paul who used to be the chef at Tartine (for those of you familiar with the fabulous West Village establishment). He’s a classically trained chef (meaning in the French tradition) from Belgium and the one in the chef’s jacket below. The class, however, was taught by Chef Rati…the teeny little Indian woman throughout my photos.

As opposed to the soufflé class I took last summer, this was not hands on. However, it was a demonstration of an entire meal (or two). It was also an education in Indian cuisine.
One of the interns in my group this summer is Indian and we have had a few conversations about the diversity within India in terms of religions and regions (the two go together). The cuisine tonight was from both the north and the south.

Delicious Tandoori Chicken…you can see it marinating above. Did you know the red color in Indian food is actually food coloring? I didn’t.
I also learned that you should always grind your own cumin and coriander. I have been using pre-ground cumin as long as I’ve known what cumin was. Now that I have smelled and tasted the fresh stuff…there’s no going back.
Did you know that curry is not actually a spice? No? Curry in India refers either to “sauce” or curry leaves (pictured above). And curry leaves don’t smell anything like what I thought of as “curry”.


Wine was actually part of the class…too bad I’m not a drinker.
So, the key to Indian curry (sauces) is in the browning of the onions. Now, I looked at this pan and thought, “There’s no way those onions are going to brown…unless they burn.” Guess who was wrong. Amazing. It took a while, but we were also quadrupling the recipes.


And here are the onions, along with a number of other ingredients, beautifully browned and ready to be added to the beef (which, incidentally, is not eaten in the north of India…only the south) that was cooking away in the oven.

You might be wondering what vermicelli noodles are doing in this post. South Indian Noodle Pudding – like rice pudding, but smoother.
Little Thai chilies to spice up the Beef Curry (meaning “sauce”).


The Beef Curry…I know this doesn’t necessarily look appetizing in this picture, but I promise you it was delicious!
Curry leaves.

Um…the Tandoori Chicken was so good. So. Good. I learned all kinds of tricks. 


The coconut concoction for Fresh Green Beans with Coconut. 

P.S. There are Indian names for all of these recipes, but I kind of like the straight forward translations…and I’m guessing the Indian names aren’t any more exciting; they’re just in a different language.

I hope you can tell just how beautiful the green bean dish was. The beans were perfectly cooked. And the coconut, though it looks like it might overpower the dish, was so subtle…just a great texture really.

My meal…minus the lentils that didn’t cook all the way through in the amount of time they were supposed to. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of them, but they were so good, as well. Of course, with a recipe called Creamy Spiced Indian Lentils, I wouldn’t expect anything less.

And finally, my little cup of Noodle Pudding. A perfect dessert for a lovely evening.
The best part of the whole evening was that, at the end of it, I knew I was coming back for another class in two weeks. Stay tuned. There’s more to come, but this time from China! (Not me in China, of course, just the cuisine…for now.)

dear you…inspired by the dearth of dear you posts in recent months

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Dear tourists, visitors, and otherwise ignorant temporary residents of NYC,

It’s pretty basic. In fact, even in London, where they drive on the left it’s the same. When you are on an escalator, if you’re not walking, you should be on the right. I don’t care if you do have luggage. Put it in front of you. Put it behind you. I don’t really care, so long as you aren’t blocking the left side of the escalator where the rest of us are attempting to walk. 
Sincerely,
A girl who really and truly wants to understand how you don’t know that

Dear NY Cab Drivers,

You suck. I cannot believe that you are actually licensed to operate vehicles!
With much fear and trepidation for the ride I have to take to JFK tomorrow,
Chloe

Dear non iPhone users,

If you’re not going to buy an iPhone or some other such phone that allows you to figure out where the crap you are on a map, you better just figure out how to read a regular map and use it. It’s annoying. 
Love,
A girl who is never lost in New York

Dear Crazy Neighbor,

Stop smoking pot. Stop drinking. Stop sleeping around. Seriously. I can hear how miserable you are on a daily basis. All you do is fight with the flavor of the week. I don’t really care. My fan blocks out the noise. But really, how are you this stupid? I just don’t get it.
Oh, and can you get all your friggin’ bottles off the landing. It looks so trashy!
Best of luck…crazy chick,
Chloe

Dear Restaurant Week,

I want to thank you for introducing me to so many great places…however, my arse isn’t exactly the uber fan that I am. In fact, you may want to go away for a little while. Just a thought. Can’t wait to see you next summer!
Love,
A girl who has finally just accepted that she will never be skinny because she likes food way too much (although she’s still hoping to lose some serious weight…because she does want to be healthy)

Dear 18-200 mm Nikkor Lens,

I love you! 
Love,
Chloe

Dear Tina,

I love my hair. I may not be able to afford to eat this week, but I’m thinking it was worth it. I also loved just how New York you are…I know some people might take offense to you telling them that the color and cut of their hair isn’t working, but I loved it – although I suppose the fact that you prefaced it by telling me what great hair I have naturally probably didn’t hurt. I also really appreciated the fact that your preference is to get my hair to a color that only requires twice-a-year maintenance. It made the cost a little more bearable.
My hair thanks you and I thank you.
Sincerely,
Chloe

Dear body,

I know that I don’t let you sleep enough. I know that I push you and push you and push you. But really, this whole flu/cold thing you are trying to make happen…could you just let it go already? I only have three more weeks in New York and it is really cramping my style.
Love,
The girl who has been with you for 31 years and thinks you really ought to no better

i’m a crappy blogger

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I seriously have so much to say. And so many fabulous NY things to share. But no time to do it. As it is, I’m averaging between 4 and 5 hours of sleep a night and if I try and add blogging in…well, let’s just say it’s not a great idea. 

So, here we go, bullet point style:
  • My friend, Kari, is in town from Arizona. I have been playing the role of tourist (and really, just because I cross the street when I’m not supposed to and get upset when people stand on the left side of the escalator does not mean I’m a native). We have had a great time. Circle Line Cruise around the island, night time bus tour, etc.
  • I saw Wicked for the third time. I still love it! Probably my favorite musical of all time. Admittedly, I didn’t get chills this time like I did when Stephanie Block played Elphaba, but it was still amazing.
  • Taking full advantage of Restaurant Week…although the restaurants are probably winning since I keep ordering off the regular menu. If
  • Saw (500) Days of Summer…fell in love with this song (two versions…one live, one not):
  • Had my mid-summer review with my boss. So far, so good. Hopefully it stays that way, although today was rough…I had serious ADD.
  • Speaking of internship, I’m over halfway through. It has been an incredible experience. I’ve been given some really amazing opportunities. I’m loving the company. I’m loving my boss and the three other women in my little space. I love the building in which I work. 
  • London might be where I’m living next fall…it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t that be amazing!!!
  • I have no money to show for my internship, but lots of pictures and lots of…pounds? Yes, I am eating my way through NYC and loving every minute of it.
  • I’m starting to get excited about seeing all of my school peeps, but the thought of leaving New York really is starting to break my heart!
I’m tired. It’s past my bed time. That’s all for tonight.