20 Miles? Easy!

I got my first real "adult" bike this past weekend. A Jamis hybrid with road tires. Isn't she a beauty?!

So, after a few rides this past week, I finally, despite my terrible cold (who gets a cold in the summertime?!) went out with J for a 20 mile ride on Saturday. Yes, you read that right -- a cool 20 miles.

Better yet, I was tired after the 20, but not exhausted and not in pain. I even went to bootcamp this morning and had no issue. AWESOME.

Looking forward to pushing a little further next time. LOVE IT!

Love assesment

"I believe there are two types of love. Healthy and unhealthy. Unhealthy love is being powerless, selfish, and enabling. It has no boundaries. Unhealthy love is unconditional and yet contingent. It is immature, irresponsible, and dependent. Unhealthy love is urgent. There is a desperation behind it which produces manipulation and compromise of self. Unhealthy love is a pissing contest, a tug of war, a mute silence, and a kick stand. It is obvious. Unhealthy love promotes the false self and stunts growth. It is a drug.

Healthy love is a choice. It is something you decide to give as a gift. It has conditions, that shape the self and strengthens the other. Healthy love is feeling powerful and independent. Is is grilled cheese and vegetable soup on a rainy day but not every day. Healthy love is patient, kind, and accepting. Healthy love requires a tremendous amount of responsibility which involves communication on all levels and constant reflection. It is building trust, having faith, and holding a commitment. Healthy love promotes growth and two strong containers. Healthy love is rare." -- Angry Therapist

Been a really rebuilding almost-year for me. Lots of news, lots of self reflection, lots of tears (I cry at everything, it's my fatal flaw).

Poland was a very illuminating trip and I think we're all now looking at the parts of ourselves that were lit to now reflect.

We'll see what we all learn and how we can grow through this.

Coffee Guy

The coffee stand guy outside my building infuriates me in a way that only a high-strung NY'er could get bent out of shape. He is SO. UNBEARABLY. SLOW.

All the other coffee cart guys fly through their orders, they know their "regulars" and begin getting their orders done as newbies futz to get out the right change for their muffin. These coffee guys are great -- fast, reliable service -- and in turn, they sell out of most of the items in their cart.

As for the guy on 50th & 3rd. I appreciate the fact that he relaxes through his morning, but I constantly pass him in the morning because I can't think to wait for 3 people in front of me at the rate he moves. Doesn't he know he loses business everyday? I know I'm not the only one who passes by.

I know, I know, anyone reading this would tell me to relax, but that's just not the way I do it in the morning. Efficiency is key...

And so summer begins...

Bean is a great sunbather.
















Got to spend a really nice weekend out in 06880 for Memorial Day. Justin was in Asia (currently in Beijing) so it was just me and the family.

Funny, with the holiday weekend can the official start of warm weather, perfectly timed with my 'changing of the closets.' Works out well b/c now I am shorts and flip-flop ready.

Per usual, looks like this summer is ramping up to be quite busy. Items on the docket thus far:

June:
- Ithaca, NY for Justin's 10 year reunion
- Chicago for work (both Justin & I)

July:
- POLAND!
- Greece (work)

August:
- NYC wedding (Justin's friends Matt & Irina)
- Greece (work)
- Vermont weekend

Here goes summer!

Proud Date

Justin won a Starmine Financial Times analyst award this past week. He was picked as the best earnings estimators in his sector. I tagged along as his +1 at the honors dinner at the NYSE. Very proud of him...

Trucking through the month

It's been a pretty brutal month. High high's, low low's. Feel like the world has just been keeping me on my toes. Maybe I'm just tired from all the travel...

In the middle of all the trips, Justin hurt his back, I had a little health issue all my own (I'm back to being a-ok, amen!). Justin leaves for a week-long whirlwind Asia trip on Saturday (missing Memorial Day). I feel like I finally just got home and now he's off. He said it today, "I feel like we haven't caught up from the last trip." I agree.

Next week, I've filled my schedule with plans to keep me busy. I'm also back to doing Bikram Yoga for a month (first session was last night and boy was it tough...). The week will go quickly.

Few shots from the past week:

Alexis was in from Chicago. Got to have brunch with her at The Standard, then caught up while walking on the Highline. Was good to reconnect.

Justin and I went to an impromptu amazing Sunday night dinner. Tried out a great sushi place '1 or 8' in Williamsburg. We did the Omikase and then supplemented with some extra items. AMAZING meal.

And finally, looking to the summer ahead. Looking forward to opening the "summer party in a box."

Musings

I'll have you know that strange pork was quite delicious. Will have to wait 'till my next trip to the Chinese restaurant in Piraeus to try the famous 'onion explodes the pork.'

Also...

Did you have any idea that chincillas had such cute little feet/paws? (Taken at a pet store around my hotel).

Finally, through a blog I was reading, I got directed to Sarah Kay, a noted spoken word poet's speech at the TED Conference (link) . In true Laura fashion, the speech made me shed a tear (or two). What a beautiful poem she starts and ends with, and her speech, not bad. I've never been a poetry person, but after listening to her speak, I'm immediately interested -- not necessarily in writing or reading aloud anything I would create but to hear more. To be moved to shed a tear is no passing matter. We'll see. On that note, I videochatted with the boyfriend this evening. Video chat is an amazing thing -- AMAZING. It's made these long trips a bit more bearable. Video-talking is so much better, and at the end, I don't feel as far away from him.

Anyway, he's mentioned in passing that he big into poetry in college and even took a poetry class at NYU as an adult, while he was working. This is a side of him I know absolutely nothing about. I think my interest comes off as poking fun (which it really isn't). So I tell him about the video, and how it made me think of him. Hoping this would spark a "I should read you some stuff i wrote" conversation to which he then mentions that there's a poem about me in his top drawer of his nightstand -- the nightstand that I organized for him. The fact that I immediately can't go and run to read it is killing me.

Ugh... and so the countown begins. Heading home on Friday (120 hours until I land, but who's counting??)

Bouzoukia & Cape Sounion

Yesterday I was invited to a colleague's Name Day party (i'm back in Greece). Seeing as my Friday night plan was treadmill, reading and room service, I signed on for the party.

The party was great and then I got invited to go to a Bouzokia. Sadly in all my time in Greece, I hadn't had a proper Bouzoukia experience. I was in.

Boy was it awesome. Greek music, throwing flowers, being overserved, dancing on stage and next thing I know I'm getting dropped off at my hotel at 7:00am -- just in time for the breakfast buffet to begin. Poor waiter in the restaurant, having to deal with me first-thing in the morning. He deserved a medal...

I'm terrible when I'm hungover. On the rare occasion I over do it, I always feel extreme guilt and then counteract it by overplanning.

To that extent, I woke up and immediately showered and left to catch a tour of Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon is. Whole this was a 4 hour excursion.

Was a great little day trip -- nice to see something new, outside of Athens/Piraeus. Some photos from the trip:

From the road as we headed around the last bend to the Cape

Love the wild anemones that were growing all over

Greeks, similar to other Europeans follow the "common sense" guide. If you walk to the end of an area, look down and realize it's cliff, stop walking. In the states, we have signs, railing and warnings for everything -- as if you wouldn't know a cliff is dangerous...

Sounion's mascot is the local grouse. I had no idea they made such a funny noise. They were all over the temple area, caw'ing away like they owned the place. So cute. This was the famous 'welcome' grouse.

Few shots of the temple. So beautiful...

You just can't get tired of these vistas

I can't remember a time where I've seen water glisten as beautifully as it did today...

Anyway, we'll see what tomorrow holds. Think it's going to rain so it might just be a lazy Sunday here in Piraeus. For now, it's off to bed.

Luck of the Pick

I won my March Madness pool this year. Yes, me. Ironically, this is the year I only watching one full college basketball game prior to March Madness. Amazing, right? Goes to show you that sometimes blind luck is really the best.

So, with my winnings I decided to purchase something totally unnecessary and very un-sporty. Tada:

Fendi Selleria Boston bag

Bought this bag last week and have been toting it all around Greece with a big grin slapped across my face. Who knew a little bright green leather could make me so happy. I’m in love…

2011 -- Year of the Utensil?

Work has me going to Greece for approx 27 days, cut into three trips of 9 days with just enough time in between trips to do my laundry and get over jet lag. We’ll see how this all goes. So, while I have some down-time here in Piraeus, I thought it was time for a quick update. Let's talk something near and dear to my heart -- FOOD.

Titi (Aunt in Spanish) Vangie was in town a few weeks ago. She’s a really amazing woman and as I’ve gotten older, I really enjoy spending time with her. I took a trip to Spain with her last year which was nothing short of magical. I was going through a real transition period and the trip brought clarity and calm back into my life. I can’t thank her enough for that...

Anyway, so Titi was in NYC for a conference and I had the pleasure of her inviting me to join her at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon,over at the Four Seasons. YES!

Over the past 5 months, I’ve been blessed with some of the most amazing meals of my life at 'noted' places like Per Se, Taillevant and Joël as well as some highlight meals at WD50, La Grenouille and Luger’s (just to name a few). I don’t think I’m much of a foodie, but looking at this list, 2011 might be the year of the utensil for your truly. As long as that doesn't translate 2012 being the year of the elastic pants, I should be ok...

Anway, back to Joël and Titi -- the conversation was great, the wine was awesome (their extensive wine list came on an iPad and included great write ups on each wine, the vineyard and the vintage. Really a unique way to present the information. I bet you see more restaurants doing this soon...), and the food was divine.

Rather than doing the tasting menu, Titi and I picked some items off the menu -- some to share, some that we couldn't think to share and we'd just order until we were happy. Honestly, this is probably the ideal way to order. With the plates we picked, plus a few gifts from the kitchen, it ended up being one of those 'lifetime' meals.

Photo highlights and write ups as best I can remember:

Amouse bouche: oyster with chive and butter reduction. Spring vegetable custard topped with asparagus reduction and lemongrass foam

We sat at the counter which gave us a gallery seat of the kitchen. The chefs hard at work, their precision plating all the dishes was mesmerizing. I also just love something like a "casual" bar seating at a place like that. Bar-eating is always a more intimate experience with the kitchen...

Sweet spring Scallop with baby chive and spring vegetables, crème reduction

Ravioli stuffed with ricotta and quail egg, morels and pea puree sauce

(gift) Pettipoise of spring onlin custard, with bacon and spring fruit, topped with pea puree

Pan-Seared Sea Bass with lemongrass foam and baby leeks

Crispy Langoustine Papillote, Basil Pesto

Free-Range Caramelized Quail Stuffed with foie gras, black truffle potato purée

Seared Foie Gras, Sautéed kumquats

(gift) Pre dessert: mint sorbet with wine gelee, grapefruit foam and shaved vanilla

Le Sphere: Sugar sphere filled with Champagne crème, mandarin oranges and sugar flowers. This was their "signature" dessert and it was equally delicious as it was beautiful. They blew a sugar "glass" dome and then filled it with champagne whipped cream. I mean, do I have to go on?!

(gift) Le Tendance Chocolat: chocolate cream, bitter chocolate sorbet and oreo cookies













Can't explain how delicious it all was. What a lucky girl I am. Thanks Titi Vangie.

Cheers to a continued 2011 -- The Year of the Utensil.

Refocusing

Considering that I’ve gone 6+ months w/o a post, I thought it was about time for a bit of a revamp. So, what is this space, it’s just going to be my catch-all for things that I want to share but don’t necessarily have a forum.  We’ll go from there…