you want me to cook!?

Carrie Bradshaw had the right idea: the kitchen should be used for storing clothes, shoes and handbags, not for cooking.  That's why we have phones.  Tonight I tried to attempt 2 goals.  The first was to push myself to do something outside of my comfort zone.  The other goal was to learn how to cook.  I succeeded in going outside of my comfort zone, however my cooking skills might have gotten worse, rather than improving.  

I've seen people make chicken cutlets a million times.  Chicken, eggs, and breadcrumbs.  Easier said than done.  I'm not sure where I went wrong--probably when I decided that it would be a good idea to cook alone.  I cleaned the chicken, put oil in the pan, and dipped the chicken into the correct flavoring.  And then I put it in the pan.  Big mistake.  The oil went flying out, stinging me all over my arms.  Then I smelled the burning.  The bottom of the chicken was starting to burn, and as I went to flip it over, the oil kept jumping onto my skin again.  My first two pieces of chicken were un-edible.  I threw those pieces away, and decided to try again.  I cut my chicken in half to make it thinner, and then went through the whole process again.  This time the chicken cooked all the way through, and didn't burn as much.  I considered that a success, until I sat down to eat.  The chicken had no taste, and the breadcrumb part kept falling off.  

People thought I never learned how to cook because I wasn't interested.  That's not true at all.  I am terrified of raw meat.  Senior year of high school we took a cooking class.  One day we had to make Sloppy Joe's.  Did you know that to make Sloppy Joe's you need to stick your hand into the raw meat and squish it up?  I put on my rubber gloves, stuck my hands into the meat, squeezed and then screamed.  It was the most disgusting feeling ever.  From that day on I refused to touch raw meat--packaged or not.  

But now I am 26 years old, and I thought brave enough to try and cook chicken.  Going outside of my comfort zone? Check!  And it was exhilarating.  I'm proud that I can finally say that I've attempted to cook raw meat.  Learn how to cook?  Epic failure.  Not sure what I did wrong, but it didn't taste right.  I'm sending out a public warning now, if I cook it, don't eat it.  

(101/1001)

Last week a sorority sister told me about a challenge she gave herself almost three years ago: 101 goals to complete in 1001 days.  I was immediately fascinated by this idea and started writing down my own goals.  Once I had a few of my own, I went onto my friends blog (http://lostdrgnfly.wordpress.com/101in1001/) and looked through her goals.  I will admit I stole some of her ideas.  Now that I had my 101 goals, I decided to look up the date in 1001 days.  July 10, 2016.  MAJOR PANIC ATTACK!!!  In 1001 days I will be 29 years and 7 days old.  It's not that I am scared of getting older, it's just the idea that so much is going to be different in 1001 days.  Who knows where I am going to be physically and mentally in my life.  I tossed and turned all night thinking I needed more life changing goals.  Thankfully when I woke up the next morning relaxed and confident with what I wrote.  On July 10, 2016, I will (hopefully) have a better grip on life, of who I am and what my passions are.  I've reread my list dozens of times getting excited to attempt to complete each goal.  I am also excited about the stories I will have.  Here is to the next 1001 days:  I hope every single day is filled with excitement, laughter, love and courage to be the person I am going to be in 1001 days.

For inner peace:

1. Take a week off from Facebook (0/7)
2. Write a letter to myself on day one that I will read on day 1001
3. Watch a sunrise (0/1)
4. Identify 25 things that I like about myself (0/25)
5. Write down 5 good things a day for a month (0/31)
6. Observe Shabbat once every three months (0/10)
7. Blog twice a month (0/66)
8. Put my clothes away immediately after wearing/washing every day for a month (0/31)
9. Clean out my car once per week (0/143) 

For my body:

1. Get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night 2 weeks in a row (0/14)
2. Wear makeup every day for a week (0/7)
3. Wear jewelry every day for a week (0/7)
4. Go on a bike ride (on my own bike) 
5. Go to a yoga retreat
6. Go to the gym at least 3 days a week for 2 months (0/24)
7. Go running 3 times a week for a month (0/12)
8. Try a spinning class (0/1)

For my entertainment:

1. Go on a hot air balloon ride
2. Go skydiving
3. Build a sand castle
4. Build a snowman
5. Go to 25 concerts (0/25)
6. Watch 25 new movies that are recommended to me (0/25)
7. Go to the opera 
8. Go to a psychic
9. Find one new town to explore every month (0/33)
10. Host 3 dinner parties (0/3)
11. Visit a museum once a month (0/33)

For my travel obsession:

1. Go to Disney World
2. Go on an African Safari 
3. Attend the 2015 World Fair in Milan
4. Revisit Costa Rica
5. Take a road trip somewhere
6. Visit one new state a year (0/3)

For my inner explorer:

1. Spend a day at the beach
2. Learn Hebrew
3. Go on a weekend hiking trip
4. Scrapbook my travel experiences 
5. Attend one sorority alumnae event per month (0/16)
6. Visit at least one friend in a different state every six months (0/6)

For the left side of my brain:

1. Learn to drive a standard car
2. Sign up for different classes
3. Complete 1000 piece puzzles every three months (0/10)
4. Complete a book of crossword puzzles
5. Pick one persons blog and keep up with it

For the right side of my brain:

1. Participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
2. Read for 30 minutes a day everyday for a month (0/31)
3. Read 25 books that friends recommend (0/25)
4. Scrapbook my college experiences 
5. Scrapbook my post-college experiences 
6. Take an art class
7. Sign up for a dance class
8. Take a photography class
9. Take a photo of the same places every month for one year (0/12)
10. Take one photo and share it online everyday for a month (0/31)

For my future:

1. Join dictionary.com's word a day mailing list to increase vocabulary
2. Write down everything I spend money on for 1 month, then make cut backs.
3. No shopping for one month
4. Push myself to do something outside of my "comfort zone" once a month (0/33)
5. Pick a stock and invest in it
6. Live in another country for at least 6 months

For strangers:

1. For every goal I don't complete, donate $1 to charity
2. Host at least one charity event each month to raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (0/33)
3. Volunteer or do charity work at least once a month (0/33)
4. Start a charity organization
5. Give a compliment to at least 3 strangers every day for a month (0/33)
6. Do something for a stranger at least once a week (0/143)
7. Join the postcrossing.com project and send at least 10 postcards (0/10)

For my tummy:

1. Try 101 new recipes (0/101)
2. Learn how to cook (including meat/chicken/fish)
3. Try 1 new baking recipe every other month (0/16)
4. Go to the farmers market
5. Try 25 new wines and rate them (0/25)
6. Try 25 new beers and rate them (0/25)
7. Learn to grill meat
8. Eat fruit every day for a week (0/7)
9. Attend a food festival 
10. Learn how to make sushi
11. Host or join a cooking club
12. Replace one meal a day with a salad for a month (0/31)
13. Take cooking classes
14. Eat breakfast every morning for one week straight (0/7)
15. Cook dinner once per week (0/143)

For my passion:

1. Create a Vision Board
2. Get certified as a travel agent
3. Get a job as a travel agent
4. Start my website
5. Blog about the people and places I love
6. Take journalism/writing classes
7. Find indie theaters in NYC and share them with friends
8. Go through all my stuff, and get rid of what I don't need.

For those I love:

1. Send birthday cards in the mail to 15 people (0/15)
2. Give 5 "I saw this and thought of you" gifts (0/5)
3. Send holiday cards
4. Go on a picnic
5. Send out thank-you notes in a timely fashion
6. Call one friend once a week via telephone or Skype (0/143)
7. Reconnect with 10 friends that I haven't spoken to in a long time (0/10)
8. Donate to 10 friends' charity walks
9. Inspire one friend a month to try something new (0/33)
10. Host a holiday meal (0/1)

Happy Spring =)

We just changed the clocks, and spring is only days away.  Time Out New York has put together their list of 101 things to do in spring.  Here are the few things that I have picked out.  For the complete list, visit: http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/101-things-to-do-in-the-spring-in-new-york-city-2013.

Chow down at Smorgasburg

Feeling hungry?  On Saturdays you can visit Williamsburg's East River State Part and on Sunday Brooklyn Bridge Park (at Tobacco Warehouse) for different food stations.  Vendors come from all over to offer fresh farm foods.  There is also a bar within the market.  In May or June they will be expanding their beer selections.  For more info visit: smorgasburg.com. 

Picnic in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5

Brooklyn Bridge Park is finally up and running!  For the past few years I have walked over the Brooklyn Bridge seeing the empty land, wondering when they will do something with it.  Now there are wooden tables and 22 barbecue grils (no permits needed!).  There are also two tetherball poles.  So put on a bikini, grab a beach towel. food and something to hide your alcohol in!  It's time to tan while looking at the magnificent view of NYC.  

Mingle with mixologists at the The Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Interested in cocktails?  May 17- May 21 is the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.  The five days are filled with lectures, conferences, parties and bar crawls.  Tickets for events go on sale on March 15 at noon, so make sure to look at the schedule and see what you want to do!  Visit manhattancocktailclassic.com.  

See rock-star fashion at the Met’s “PUNK: Chaos to Couture”

Last year it was Alexander McQueen, this year it is PUNK.  The exhibit will examine rebellion meeting high fashion.  There will be about 100 designs on display, including artifacts from punk-rock scenes.  The exhibit will have pieces by more than 30 fashion designers, including John Galliano, Helmut Lang, and Gianni Versace.  Make sure to get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art between May 9-August 11.  

Stop and smell the cherry blossoms at Hanami

No need to go to Washington DC to see the cherry blossoms.  Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see their 220 cherry trees.  The Garden offers tours on Wednesday at 1pm and Saturdays at 11am, or explore on your own!  Head over between March 20-April 20. 

Celebrate Grand Central's Centennial

Happy 100th birthday Grand Central!!!  At 11am and 2 pm from March 25-31, Heard-NY will be performing throughout the terminal.  There will be 60 dancers from the Ailey School dressed in tandem horse costumes.  They will sporadically come together to perform choreographed pieces accompanied by live harpists.  

Make a day of it in Beacon

Hop onto Metro-North and head to Beacon, New York--in Hudson Valley.  Take a day trip and start at Dia:Beacon.  It is a contemporary-modern art gallery built inside a former Nabisco factory.  You can also awlk along the river and find a restuarant.  Before heading back to the city, make sure you visit Hop- a high-class beer spot.  It has over 150 craft beers, and more on tap! 

See things another way at "Topsy-Turvy: A Camera Obscura Installation"

The new Madison Square Park public art is in!  From now until April 6 head into the darkened room and you will see the surrounding trees and building projected upside down.  

Go wild at Pillow Fight NYC

Saturday April 6 is New York City's annual pillow fight.  The location is still to be announced, but get your friends ready!!  Also, any pillows that survive the fight will be donated to homeless shelters.  Please do not bring feather-and down-stuffed pillows just to keep the mess to a minimum.  

Record Store Day

This year will be the sixth annual celebration of independent music shops.  On April 20 more than 25 vinyl stores across the city will be participating.  Check recordstoreday.com for info on specials and events.

Groove at a roller-skating jam on Saturdays (and Sundays)

I can't skate, but I sure do love watching those who can.  Starting in April, on Saturdays and Sundays you can find the Central Park Dance Skaters Association in the heart of the park.  Bring your own skates, or rent them (two hours- $15, four hours- $20, all day- $25).  There will be one section for those not-so-good skaters, and another section for people who actually know how to skate.  There will also be a DJ there.  

Give the gift of a good read for World Book Night

Last year, the city and the rest of the U.S. and U.K. celebrated World Book Night.  Volunteers signed up to hand out donated special editions of beloved novels to strangers who might not have access to literature.  This year on April 23, promote literacy by targeting a group of needy readers and sharing some great novels.  Visit worldbooknight.org to sign up.

Get a sneak peek at future movie hits at the Tribeca Film Festival

Who doesn't love to see movies before they are out in theaters?  This year is the 11th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival in NY.  Tickets go on sale April 15 for the general public.  Make sure to check out the website and see what's playing!   Visit: tribecafilm.com/festival for details.