Knockoffs Make Good Art

My professor says a great photo is a verb.  So, for our first journalism assignment of the semester he sent us out and said photograph your New York.  I'm sure most NYU students would capture the Washington Square Arch or snap a photo of Bobst's facade.  But for me, the City means Chinatown and all its glorious, touristy knockoffs. So, I took my new Nikon DSLR out in hopes of making the neighborhood proud.   I took a whopping 223 pictures in just an hour, but here I've narrowed it down to my favorite 10.  What do you think?  

So many cuddly hats can be found on Canal Street 

Anyone needing a new phone case? 

Keychains with your name on it always make for good souvenirs 

Paper lanterns make me happy!  

Take a bite out of these strawberries 

I've got my eye on you

It's Super Bowl Time

Whether it be the Ray Lewis' deer antler allegations or the controversy behind the Harbaugh battle of the brothers, there's no denying the 47th Super Bowl Prep was filled with dramas.  So, come Game Day fans had had enough; they were just ready for some football.

After Alicia Keys' pregame performance, the Baltimore Ravens took the coin toss over the San Francisco 49ers, electing to defer to the second half.  Interesting fact: apparently, more money is put on who will win the coin toss versus all the other Super Bowl bets combined.

Early in the 1st, Joe Flaco fired to Anquan Boldin for a 13 yard TD.  Ravens were first on the board, up 7-0 following the PAT.  But, the 49ers lessened their lead with a FG following an amazing 24 yard pass from Collin Kaepernick pass to Vernon Davis.  For the most part though, penalties and turnovers were killing the Niners early in the game.  Perhaps all the pressure was finally getting to Jim Harbaugh's usually disciplined team?

Baltimore took another touchdown in the 2nd.  After a 75 yard drive, the Baltimore offensive line found themselves deep in the red zone.  Flacco passed to Dennis Pitta, and the Ravens secured an 11 point lead.  It marked Flacco's tenth touchdown of the postseason.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, the Ravens were on their own 44.  Flacco fired deep to Jacoby Jones.  Without any opposition, Jones ran for nine, straight for the endzone.  Touchdown Eagles, and the extra point was good.  They'd close off  the half, up 21 to 6.

Being an NYU student, I can't tell you how many times this week I've heard "apparently there's some football game at the Beyonce concert."  Well, I think it's safe to say she didn't disappoint those who watched the game for only her performance.  It all started with a pyrotechnic silhouette of Beyonce.  Donning a skin-tight, super short, black, leather and lace leotard number, the always beautiful Beyonce took the Halftime stage belting a mashup of her best tunes.  If nothing else, her Super Bowl performance taught us there's no need to settle for just one Beyonce.  And, midway through Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams made a surprise appearance, reuniting Destiny's Child for a few minutes.  But, not to be out down, Beyonce kicked them off the stage in the middle of "Single Ladies."  I think it's safe to say her lip syncing accusations are behind her.

Just seconds into the 3rd, Jacoby Jones ran from endzone to endzone.   Talk about adding something to your highlight reel!  With a 109 yard kickoff return, he increased the Ravens lead by 22.  

At 13:22 in the 3rd, the lights went out in New Orleans.  Half the Mercedes-Benz Superdome went dark with a power outage, halting the game's momentum for a good 35 minutes.

That awkward moment when the power goes out during the biggest television program of the year...

After action was resumed it didn't take long for the Niners to score.  Talk about your power shift.  In less than five game-time minutes the Ravens 17-point lead decreased to five.  Fearless with the football, Collin Kaepernick fired to Michael Crabtree for 31 yards in their first touchdown of the game.  From the looks of it, the power outage was just what San Francisco needed.  On their next drive, the 49ers found themselves first and goal.  Frank Gore ran for six, and another seven points were theirs.  Add in a successful field goal, and when the third came to an end the scoreboard read 28-23.  Ravens were up but not by many.

It all came down to the fourth.  On the quarters opening drive, the Ravens were first and goal, but they refused to run the ball, giving up their touchdown attempt for a measly field goal.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, the 49ers were 2nd and 7 at the 15. Kaepernick ran for the touchdown, but his throw for two was no good.  The scoreboard reading 31-29 in the Ravens favor.

The Ravens next drive ate away at the clock, ending with a FG in their favor.  Justin Tucker, the rookie from Texas, delivered the goods, increasing their lead 34-29.

Late in the fourth, it was 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 40.  Gore got the ball and just kept on running.  He was knocked off at the seven, but it'd be good for a first down deep in the red zone with two minutes left in the game.  But the 49ers just couldn't deliver.  Once the ball was back in Baltimore possession, the game was done.

Ravens would take Super Bowl 47, and John Harbaugh would win the battle of the brothers.

And just because you've read this entire post...

Birthdays are the Best

Happy Everything--Birthday Style

Most people would say turning 22 isn't nearly as momentous as the year before, but that didn't stop my friends from being wonderful when it came to Birthday celebrations!  

As the clock struck midnight (and I officially became an old lady), they met me for drinks at our favorite Chinatown bar, Winnie's.  Seeing as how the first few minutes of both my 21st and 22nd were spent there, I'm making it an official birthday tradition.  Crowded around a table as karaoke music blared all around, they sang "Happy Birthday" as we nommed on a mini cheesecake and drank Hawaiian Punch Surprises. 

From Little Cupcake Bakeshop, this sweet treat was certainly delicious!   

Because I have the world's worst work schedule, I had to forego your typical dinner and drinks, instead forcing my friends to join me for an early morning birthday brunch at Spring Natural.  

Sweet Joanna didn't want to ruin the curls...too darn funny! 

Talk about love; so many people joined me for mimosas and Mayan Eggs at 11am on a Saturday morning!

Such a Great Show! 

Then, it was off to Time Square to for a showing of "Nice Work If You Can Get It."  Featuring flappers, cute costumes, song and dance numbers, and Ferris Bueller himself, by far it was on of the cutest shows I've ever seen.  Seeing as how it's Broadway Week, our tickets were discounted 2-for-1, but I'd recommend a trip to the Imperial Theatre for all.  

A quick stop off at home came next.  A Skype date with my mom was definitely needed so I could open my way to big pile of presents.  She has this crazy tradition where she gives us the same number of presents as the year we're turning.  So, 22 strawberry and cupcake clad gifts were waiting for me to open.  Of course, all of them were very sweet and thoughtful, with many geared to post-graduation apartment living.  But my favorite would have to be my new Nikon DSLR camera!  I guess that means my days of Blackberry photos will come to an end. 

Strawberries, Cupcakes, and Polkadots--If my momma doesn't know me! 

Work came after presents.  Yesterday was Groundhogs Day, and the Knicks were hoping what'd been happening on the court would keep going and going.  Winning their last three match-ups, they were hoping to pull off a fourth last night against the LA Kings.  So of course,  WABC needed an intern to watch the game and cut the highlights.  That's where I came in.  At one point in the 1st the Knicks were down by 12, averaging 1/13FG.  But, once Amare Stoudemire took to the court, the Kings had no hope.  Threes were flying, and at one point the Knicks led by more than 50.  Ultimately, they secured the W 120-81.  

And, like all good single NYU girls, my night ended at a gay bar.  Nestled on the corner of 2nd and 4th, the Boiler Room features cheap drinks and pool tables.  All good things I'd say; unfortunately, no drag queens can be found here.  

Feeling Like a Real Reporter

Seeing as how it's my last first day of school, I find it quite fitting that my professional journalism headshots are in.  Macon's own Johnny Mullis of JOM III Gallery is the wonderful photographer behind the pictures.  He took so many; it was literally the hardest decision of my life choosing the top 3.

Let's just hope someone in the sports world will like them and offer me a job!

Obviously, this is my super closeup picture.

And this is my "look at me I'm a professional in a cute blazer" look

While this one says "I love my curly hair, and you should too!" 

Thoughts anyone?
It's only a few more months until I start applying for actual positions with these positions, so any insight would certainly be useful!

NYU's 14th Study Abroad Site

It's the day before my last first day of school ever.  So, how will I be spending my final few hours of freedom?...in RA Winter Training.  Cue an afternoon of repetitive policy reviews, bulletin board brainstormings, and endless eye rolls.  Really, the only redemption for the senseless sessions is spending time with my Laf family.  32 strong, they're some of the most wonderful people I've ever met!

Claire, Cody, and Ryan are our creative types.  And while every hall may pokes run at how far our location is from campus, at just a moments notice the three of them turned the running joke into the most epic video roll call imaginable!  Enjoy!

Trip to the MoMA

With my last few days before the start of my final college semester, I've been to both the Met and the MoMA.  So, I guess you can say it's been a week filled with priceless pieces.  Although I'd walked through the Met's antique rooms gallery more times than I can count, before yesterday, I'd never seen contemporary works like Edward Munch's "The Scream" or Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans" in person.  Obviously, there's quite a few pieces there that I just don't understand.  Despite the  fancy frames, I'm not sure a white canvas with pencil scribbles deserves all the hype.  But, after just one trip to the MoMa, I think it's become a new favorite. 

Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans: Personally, I'm a tomato soup kind of gal.
The 32 cans were right in front of the museum's cafe; rather fitting I'd say. 

Sigmar Polke's Spiderman:  Basically, I loved this picture just because it reminded me of my little brother.  

Jackson Pollock's Number 1A, 1948:  Anytime you can see a Jackson Pollock painting it's a good day.  The quintessential abstract artist, his works may not be appreciated by my parents, but by far they're my favorites.  Plus, have you ever tried to make your own splatter painting?
 It's the most fun you'll have creating art! 

Edward Munch's The Scream:  I'm proud to say I resisted the urge to stand in front of the paining and make a similar face.  It was tempting though.  

Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night:  For years, a print of this painting hung in my high school art room.
So, it was certainly surreal seeing it in person. 

Siemens & Halske AG's Telephone:  A rotary telephone may not seem like it deserves a place it an art museum, but I was certainly glad to see it.  

The Whistle Stop Cafe

The sign literally says it all!  

After my month long hiatus from New York eating, I've come to a very important conclusion:  in the South, if you don't know how to cook something just fry it.

With less than 24-hours remaining until I'm airport bound, my mom and I decided the best place to eat today's lunch was at the most Southern place around...Juliette's own Whistle Stop Cafe!  We've driven by the tiny city more times than I can count, but never before had we made the trip to the cafe across from the railroad tracks.  The original movie setting for Fried Green Tomatoes, the restaurant's known for its famous appetizer of what else, fried green tomatoes and special radish sauce.  Paired alongside sweet tea served in mason jars, they were obviously a must.

All the hype is definitely true!  I'm a fried green tomato connoisseur, and those are some of the best yet.  

It looks so old timey, but the actual cafe wasn't made until 1991.  

As for our actual lunch, we both had Powermans cheeseburgers and delicious french fries with homemade barbecue sauce.  Talk about a filling meal!

Now, the cafe's interior isn't super fancy--just your typical Georgia joint decorated with old state license plates, animal heads, and hand painted signs.  But, it's quite quaint and country cozy.  And, the little town surrounding The Whistle Stop is home to many antique stores, a honey shop, and a small town opry stage.

So, the next time you Maconites find yourself with a free afternoon, make the trek to Juliette!  But, be prepared the cafe's only open from 11am-4pm.