Rain and Patsys

I don't think I've ever fully understood the concept of a monsoon until now. Today after work I went down to Union Square to meet Brooke and do a bit of shopping and have dinner. After strolling around in DSW for a little bit, we decided to go have dinner at Patsys Pizzeria. It was only about four blocks away. We got to the door of the store and saw it was raining.

"Eh, it's only a few blocks. We'll be OK."

Mistaken.

MONSOON

We screamed as we ran down the street, clothes soaked. dripping. By the time we got to Patsys, my shoes were soaked through and the entire left side of my body looked as if someone threw a bucket of water on me. Brooke and I got our pizza and went home. Epic fail.

The story behind the pizza - My brother Riley gave me a very important assignment for while I'm out here: Try as many pizza places for him as possible and report back. Well, Riley. This is my report.

Patsys Pizza was decent, but not the best I've had so far. The crust was crispy on the inside, but wasn't done enough for me towards the middle. The sauce was good, but too much mozzarella and not enough basil. *DISCLAIMER* It might have been better if I'd have actually eaten it at the parlor rather than carrying it clear from 14 st to 110th. Just sayin.

Levain Bakery

I wouldn't blame each and every one of you if you think all I do is EAT.... But I swear I don't. Really. My most noteworthy activities happen to involve food. (Really.)

So today after work, Brooke and I stopped at a little place called Levain Bakery. It's so tiny, we got all the way down to the other end of the block before we realized we had missed it. Levain is a small basement store. It felt as if I was walking right into the kitchen. The baking equipment must have been no less than 7 feet from the door. My old roommate and friend Jessica recommended this place and told me to eat the cookies. Seriously. And now, I am recommending it to you. Eat the cookies, seriously. I guarantee this place has the best cookies I have ever tasted. But, they are pricy - $4 each.

Introducing dark chocolate with peanutbutter -

and chocolate chip walnut.

Just another day...

The main difference between New York City and Rexburg, Idaho: there is always something to do.

Today was yet again a great Saturday. We woke up early, got ready and went to the beach for the morning. After four hours out at Brighton Beach and freezing under a cloud covered sky, we decided it was time to leave. After getting cleaned up at home, Brooke and I headed to the International Cultures Festival on 6th Avenue. We goofed around there for a while - tried on sunglasses, jewelry, hats, ate some chicken and pita bread (that wasn't very good), and our favorite part? Fresh juice - Strawberry and Watermelon juice. So yummy! After the festival we walked over and wandered around the Plaza for a little bit pretending we could afford to even lick the floors. We ended the day with a stroll through lower Central Park. What a beautiful Saturday. Check out the photos below...

It's Mr. Pregnant - Check him out on Youtube

This is for you, Dad

I saw a racoon for the first time today. He was a little shy...

Juniors Bakery

What are you to do a night after the theatre, but go across the street and share a slice of Juniors Cheesecake? There is absolutely nothing better.

This bakery is located on 45th street between 7th and 8th avenues. They have a main sit down restaurant, but also a separate walk-up bakery as well. Brooke and I shared a slice of the Raspberry Swirl which is traditional cheesecake with raspberry.... swirled in. I've also tried the Devils Food Cake which is layered cheesecake with chocolate and chocolate cake and more chocolate. I prefer the Raspberry, if you care. But this place is great! Try it.

Family Legacy?

What is cool about the name "Booth"? Well, there's all sorts of cool things about the name. Let's list them...

1. First and foremost, John Wilkes Booth. Not exactly cool to possibly be related to the man responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, but hey?
2. When we go to get a seat at a restaurant, we can legitimately ask for a booth for a couple of Booths
3. We can potentially name children names such as Phonecia and call her "Phone Booth" for short
4. On Halloween we can all dress up as ghosts and call ourselves "The Boooooths"
5. And last, but CERTAINLY not least, we have a theatre named after our family right on Broadway

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen. I present to you, the Booth Theatre.

Billy Elliott

Today at work, I had the brilliant idea of trying to get Student Rush tickets for Billy Elliott. I thought it would be impossible. You see, for this show, SR tickets are only made available two hours before curtain. So I checked with my roommate Brooke to see if she would go with. After work around 6:15, curtain was at 7:30, I decided it was worth the shot. I hurried across Time Square, pushed through all the tourists over to 45th in order to check for tickets. Low and behold!!! They had TWO LEFT! I was stoked. I called Brooke and told her the good news.

I personally think Billy Elliott was a FANTASTIC musical! The music is spectacular (composed by Elton John) and the dancing and acting are amazing. As an audience member, I went from emotional highs of not being able to wipe the smile off my face, to sad, heartfelt lows. The main character in this play is a 12 year old boy. And kudos to him. I wish I could do something amazing like this. Sing on Broadway? Maybe one day... :)

Tunnel to the unknown...?

I have found my new favorite place. I don't know if I want to tell you where it is, because then you may steal it... I discovered this little safe haven on the way to work last week. It's a little courtyard nestled in between two buildings between 48th and 49th. Woops, just gave it away! :) The rock wall is about 12 feet high and has a waterfall running down either side with a glass tube and bridge running through it. This morning I left for work 20 minutes early to make time to sit here and read my book for a bit. It was so relaxing and the sound of rushing water successfully masked the sound of busy NYC traffic. Start of a new morning tradition...? I think so!