A bit of Chicken Noodle Soup & Ice Cream on the Side and for Dessert, a Gypsy Cab

Brooklyn Bridge from Seaport

Hi Friends!!

Brooklyn, Hi!

         What an interesting weekend this has turned out to be! I completed my first full week of my internship at the National Down Syndrome Society on Friday and decided to go have dinner with my friend, Alyssa, on the upper WEST side (not to be confused with the upper EAST side-- clarification later). Needless to say, I am still learning the subway system. Not thinking, I went in on the side of the tunnel that said downtown. I caught my mistake and had to pay an extra $2.50 to switch to uptown, which was across the street. Then, getting on the subway, I quickly realized that the train I was on goes to the Upper EAST side, which is a Central Park away...Hopped into a cab, which was not yellow, only to find there were gypsies driving. Not really, of course, but really. Attempted to get out of the car, only to find I couldn't without paying and narrowly escaped. No big deal. People driving black "taxis" aren't really taxi drivers, friends. Alyssa's parents were only a tid bit worried for my safety and had the poor girl come pick me up in their own car. Alyssa's mom even thought I was having the conversation about being in a "gypsy cab" with the driver right there...Alyssa's father then proceeded to tell me the reputation these guys have, but I'm writing on this blog, so you know I am A-okay. ANYWHO, made it to Alyssa's around an hour later than expected and went to a fine Italian restaurante for pasta alla vodka. Yum Yum! Although, I make the same dish at home and yes, my recipe for vodka sauce is a bit better (see below).

Anyways, if you ever have traveling questions in the city, I've probably learned the hard way about what's the right way. Therefore, don't ask me. But you know I learn by living, and no one can tell me otherwise!

Entrance to Bodies the Exhibition

Saturday, OH...what a terrible day! I woke up early Saturday morning only to find I had a 102 fever and the chills like no other. My throat was sore and I was achey. What the heck? I had great plans for the day, but I sadly had to cancel on my friend, Casey (sorry).  Finally got my fever to go down about noon and I walked to the nearest Cafe (my favorite one, actually) and bought chicken noodle soup with ginger ale on the side. Truly, sick food. I came home, did laundry, continued to have a fever and then fell into the deepest sleep imaginable until this morning...

Beautiful, old NYC firehouse

Ah, this morning! Woke up and magically reappeared out of bed-- rested and fever-less. Who knows what knocked off my feet yesterday. Must have caught something from the "gypsy cab", which I'm sure is as politically incorrect as you can get, but I got the term from a true New York native. I got up, cleaned the room (because TODAY was THE day for the roommate who never appeared). I went shopping at the Loft and bought a dress because I had a $20 off coupon and then a girl who I met in the Cafeteria (who said you can't make friends while eating by yourself?), texted me and we decided to go to the Bodies Exhibition. I had heard SO much about this exhibition and at the steep price of $23, I was expecting the bodies and their organs to physically speak to me about their diseases and functions. This place was amazing though and I HATE that there was someone always watching because I would love to show you pictures. But alas, you're just going to have to come visit me, aren't you? My favorite exhibit was the baby exhibit where you could see what a baby in the womb looks like from 5 weeks to 42 weeks. Amazing. 

From outside my dorm room

Did you know babies have 300 bones and grown adults have 206? Or that a healthy heart beats 60 times per minute? Or that lungs of those who smoke are literally polka dotted gray and black? 

We then were starving and had walked a total of more than 6 miles to get to the museum and back, so we ate at a restaurant I've been eyeing called Jack's on University Place. Yummy! They had a wedge salad, so you know they had my heart!

Job Update: I did get a follow-up interview for Crumbs Cupcake Shop, butttttt I decided to take the Haagen Dazs position because it was sooner rather than later and they could work around my trip to North Carolina in July and my wonderful OC coming to visit!! So I start training tomorrow! Would you like sprinkles with that?

My funny for the weekend (Thanks Hannah Sacco): A baby dancing to my favorite song

Also, Carol King has come up probably 12 times in the last 5 days, so this is ode to Carol King who plays sometimes on Pandora. Hit it, Carol

Pause the music at the bottom of this page, first.

More updates tomorrow.

Also, UNC Dance Marathon summer projects are going well, which makes me permanently happy. :-D

P.S. Vodka Sauce Recipe (Add veggies because it's Summer... I like Zucchini/ Red pepper, but add squash or onions or broccoli or all of them together)

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can canned peeled and diced tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I leave this out because I do NOT like spicy)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt better with oil; add onion and saute for 8 minutes or until transparent.
2. Add tomatoes and cook for 25 minutes or until almost no liquid remains in skillet; stir frequently.
3. Increase heat and add cream, vodka and red pepper flakes; boil for 2 minutes or until thickened to sauce consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
5. Bring sauce to a simmer and pour over pasta; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve.

FTK. Peace. Love. NYC.
Carrie