Chicken and Waffles

Yes, you read that right. Chicken and Waffles. And no place better to eat them than at Sylvias in Harlem. After a quiet Saturday Brooke and I went to Sylvias in Harlem to get some good ole Soul Food. We've been waiting all summer to go to this place, and we finally did. A great last hoorah!

For dinner I had fried chicken and waffles. I could feel my arteries hardening... but it was sooo yummy.... I just couldn't stop eating it.

So. If you ever go to Sylvias, this is how you do it right.

First off, enjoy the delicious cornbread to start. Then, order chicken and waffles. Skip ordering your lemonade though... It's 2.50 and Country Time. When they bring out your meal, cover your waffles with syrup and pour some of their famous hot sauce in a saucer on the side. Then, proceed to cut your chicken, dip it in hot sauce, then get some of that yummy waffle on the same fork. Put it all together and what do you get? Soul food....

Harlem

Home.

Two weeks from today I'll be closer to home than I have been since April 15. I'll be livin it up in Utah for a week, back in Ephrata for a couple, then onto Rexburg. Here's what I'm looking forward to during that time... in no particular order.

1. FAMILY
2. FRIENDS
3. Kneaders Bakery and Cafe
4. Riding in/ driving a car
5. Sleeping in my own room - might very well be for the last time... ever.
6. Barb & Eds
7. Leavenworth (hahahahah)
8. BYU-Idaho
9. My new job with University Communications
10. All my clothes I left back at home (I had to think of a #10)

Favorites.

I've had a spectacular summer. It's been everything I could have hoped for and more. I'm grateful for all my new friends, experiences and the growth I've experienced this summer as an individual. Here are my top ten from this summer (no particular order).

1. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
2. Shakespeare in the Park
3. Billy Elliott
4. The beach
5. WA D.C.
6. Delicious bakeries
7. Fox & Friends concerts... Plain White T's, Sister Hazel, Augustana, etc.
8. American Ballet Theatre
9. Monday movies in Bryant Park
10. Delicious food

What I won't miss...

This is horrible to say, but there are a few things about this city that I won't miss after I leave here in a couple weeks.

Can you believe it??

Two weeks from today! Flyin' out for Utah.

Here's my three least favorites about New York City...

One. The smell... dirty city streets are definitely not my thang.

Two. Hot summer dayz... I'm confident in the fact that I've perspired (it sounds more lady-like than sweat) more this summer than I ever have in my entire life.

Three. Metro Cards... I've had three go out on me this month. Don't ask. It's a touchy subject.

I was going to do ten, but I couldn't think of anymore past number three... See following posts for what I'll miss most, my favorite summer events, and what I'm looking forward to when I go home.

weekend.

Saturday Brooke and I ventured down to the Financial District to go see a few sights. We ate at the Sandwich House for lunch, visited Trinity church, the Wall Street Bull, The Smithsonian National Museum of the Native American, and Battery Park. Afterwards we headed uptown to enjoy some Baked by Melissa - unbelievable small cupcakes that aren't particularly worth the cost - while sitting in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria hotel. We acted like we belonged, therefore people assumed so. We also made a pass through Tiffany's to pick up some jewelry brochures.

This weekend we also enjoyed the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens as well as some Venezuelan food (Arepas Cafe) and french dessert (Balthazar).

No big.

Photos below.

Trinity Church

Yoda

Movie Makers Paradise

Arepas

Balthazar

This is Amateur Night!

Ever heard of Ella Fitzgerald? Smokey Robinson? Michael Jackson? Then you have the Apollo Theater to thank.

The Apollo Theater in Harlem is one of the most famous music theaters in the United States. And last night? Brooke and I went! We got to Harlem around 7:00 p.m. and got our tickets for the show. The theater was soon jam packed with people.

They started out with their opening show - the house band and a soul train dance off.

Then came the kids division of the competition. My favorite was a number with two kids - "Alter Ego" and their rap routine. "Put your hands up! SQUEEZE! Move your muscles to the beat!"

Last was the adult division. The audience has ultimate power over who gets eliminated in this round. And sadly... one got booed off the stage. Oh well! That's why they call it amateur night.

If you ever have the chance to, go to a show at the Apollo. It changes lives.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Best. Night. Ever.

I could have died then and there. Fifteen feet from Dan Radcliffe? Yes, please.

Saturday morning Brooke and I got up early to go get rush tickets for How to Succeed in Business Without Really trying featuring Dan Radcliffe and John Larroquette. We got to the theatre around 8:30 a.m. and the line was already down the block. I thought for sure we wouldn't get tickets! Brooke counted and there were 98 people in front of us. Each of which would be able to purchase 2 tickets per person. But the line continued to form behind us, so we stuck it out. Finally when the opened the doors at 10:00 a.m. it took about 30 minutes for us to reach the ticket booth. I was shocked when they said there were rush tickets available for that nights performance. Box Tickets! So stoked!

We made it to the theatre moments before the play started that evening. The orchestra played the overture, a harness was lowered into the orchestra pit, and minutes later, Dan Radcliffe was raised in a harness onto the stage. The crowd went WILD! And when I say they went wild, that is THE understatement of the year. We kind of all grew up with this kid watching him on the big screen. And now? In person!

The play was so amazing! I'd recommend a trip out here just for that play alone. Radcliffe and Larroquette made the perfect team to make the play what it was.

Harry Potter, Thank you for an awesome evening. :)

Expelliarmus!