December 31, 2012

Cusco


On the second day of our trip, we flew to Cusco, known to the Incas as the "naval of the world". Millions of tourists flock to this beautiful city, as it is also the gateway to the famous Machu Picchu. The above photo was taken near the Plaza de Armas of a church built after the Spanish conquest. Cusco is over 11,000 feet above sea level and I was definitely feeling the altitude. The walk to lunch was quite difficult for me, even though the restaurant was only a short distance away from where we were staying. Nevertheless, we still toured the Incan ruins of Písac in the afternoon, guided by the nicest person I think I have ever met. Nevermind that he only spoke to us in Spanish! Wilson, who also speaks Quechua,  drove us around the Sacred Valley and guided us through the remains. I can't believe that my sister and I got by on this entire trip on our high school Spanish! 


Above is an herb called muña, which Wilson said among other uses, could also help with altitude sickness. Looking it up afterwards, it is part of the mint family and is most often used for its carminative properties. 

We also stopped by an animal sanctuary on our way to the ruins where we saw llamas, alpacas, condors, pumas, and parrots (which were featherless-- so sad). Many of the animals had suffered a lot of trauma (used for entertainment or for material for jewelry/accessories). Part of how they are able to care for the animals is funded by the arts and crafts of the Andean people in the region, who use the wool of alpacas to make fibers and textiles. They showed us how they use natural material for their dyes.

Anyhow, I was a little worried about choosing Peru as our travel destination after being in Lima. But Cusco and Písac were so beautiful-- pictures can only convey so much-- and despite our fears of walking around wheeling oxygen tanks, it turned out to be a perfect day (how often can one say that??) Now I think I left my heart there and can only hope I will be able to walk through those paths sometime again in my life.

This will probably be my last post of 2012. Best wishes to you all for a very happy new year!

December 30, 2012

Lima

First day in Peru we toured around the Colonial City of Lima and walked along the coast of the Miraflores district. My first impression of the city is that it reminded me of Manila, Philippines, where I was born. Spanish- influenced, cloudy and gritty, and obvious distinctions between economic classes. We caught a brief glimpse of pre-Incan adobe pyramid Huaca Pucllana and moved on to colonial Lima Centro. We took a walking tour of the Iglesia de San Francisco monastery and catacombs, which hold the skulls and bones of some seventy thousand people. Talk about haunting.

As I was planning out the trip, I had read that if you only have a short time in Peru, one could skip Lima altogether. Although I'm glad I got to see the city, next time (hopefully there will be a next time) I will take that advice and opt to spend more time exploring other areas of the country. Next post will be on Cusco!

December 19, 2012


Socks my sister knitted for me. I'm sure it took many hours of work-- look at how small the stitches are! Absolutely gorgeous. Handmade gifts are the best.

December 9, 2012

King No More



I'll refrain from posting the sad photo of the big punch that knocked the Pacman out last night.

Anyhow. Happy to have weekends again, now that the Smorg markets have ended for the year. Been a lazy, rainy Sunday. Going to watch Lincoln now-- first movie in months. Yay!

October 30, 2012

Across the street the entire window blew in. Haven't left the apartment at all yet, but from what I can see around us not much else damaged. However, can't say the same for the surrounding areas. Greenpoint, Red Hook, parts of Manhattan-- all a mess. Half the city without power, subway system flooded, people stranded throughout the night... Oh, and NYU Hospital had to evacuate their patients in the dark, staff carrying very sick people down 9 flights of stairs. That was about midnight and I was staring at my Twitter feed in shock and awe at the pictures. All this time on my hands but not really able to sleep or help or do much else.

A tweet I just read: "Now normal to reach first for a cell phone, not a candle, for the light and the comfort of knowing you're not alone." So true.

October 28, 2012



Sunday markets canceled, everyone's preparing for Hurricane Sandy. We got a few more delicious drinks from Juice Well, who up until this week shared our kitchen with us. Cleaned out the patio so nothing flies away (all that's left is my lettuce outside.) Reading. Making more quince sauces while they're in season at Greenmarket-- and who knows what the storm will do to all the farms upstate and in NJ.



October 5, 2012



Neil's been busy cooking every day and night to prepare for the weekend markets. Meanwhile, I've been trying to make the meals for us to eat at home, with help from my grandfather. Lots of vegetables, mushroom, fresh eggs-- all from Greenmarket, which I go to on my lunch breaks. A little sad to see summer peaches and berries go, but at the same time, I feel like our bodies are trying to adjust to the changes in the weather and aren't really craving those refreshing types of foods anymore. Instead, abundant leafy greens, sautéed in lots of garlic, root crops, warming soups and drinks are what I crave. And lots of apples and pumpkins and squashes! Loving fall.



October 4, 2012

Not much activity recently (online, that is) but... I'm still here! Will be back soon!

September 19, 2012


Morning calmness at the Vendy Awards on Governor's Island this past Saturday. That was before it got crazy busy! Personally, there's no way I would want to spend an entire day waiting in line over and over again (guess I'm no longer a "foodie!") but I sure don't mind being on the other side prepping and serving. It was exciting and nerve-wrecking in the weeks and days leading up to the event... but it was all worth it!! 

September 3, 2012

Mini watermelon, mini bell peppers, & white peaches from Greenmarket today.

August 13, 2012



Today I had breakfast in Ithaca, drove through the finger lakes, had a good lunch and amazing sorrel ice cream at a winery in Niagara, and then Chinese food for dinner in Richmond Hill, Ontario near our home. Stuck on songs that start with "T"s during the drive... This Charming Man, This Year's Love, Thunder Road, Time to Move On, Tonight, Try, Tupelo Honey. Now sleeping on the floor under my grandmother's portrait-- which is oddly comforting. Thankful for a nice day. Goodnight.

August 12, 2012

Didn't know where to put these guys, so I left them beside a wall. See how they're struggling for light!!

What a week. A bit stressful at work,  it's been busy considering it's summer. Learning how to assist in colposcopies, I made a mistake with the doctor I was working with. Then, yesterday our employee kept making mistakes-- like giving meat to vegetarians.

Sleep eludes me.

I'm up before the sun rises every freakin day no matter what. It's Sunday!! And I'm driving home to Toronto later today. About time I have a nice break from work. Two whole weeks! Doesn't matter that I'll be spending half of it taking care of family affairs. Thinking about stopping half way and staying in Ithaca overnight as it's hard to do a 9-hour drive by myself straight through. Anyhow, it's going to be very nice to leave NYC. I've had enough, sick of the city, sick of everything.

August 8, 2012

Wild Blueberries

From Mountain Sweet Berry Farm at Union Square Greenmarket today. Feel so lucky to be able to eat these-- they'll only be around for another week or so!

August 3, 2012

We have a guest over this weekend. Rico is his name and he's very lovable.

July 31, 2012



 An hour of Radiohead. Enjoy.

July 30, 2012

Love-in-a-mist. Beautiful name for a beautiful flower. I've been neglecting my garden lately, but everything still seems to be doing fine. My basil is huge-- not quite sure if that's good or bad. Still full of flavor but I'm going to have to harvest more often. I use some every couple of days but they keep growing!


July 29, 2012

July 11, 2012

Tea I drank today:

-Earl grey hot chocolate
-Lemon verbena with honey
-Black milk bubble tea
-Yerba mate

July 8, 2012

Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.

July 4, 2012



Really thankful for the day off to rest and catch up with things I normally don't have time for anymore... like having a nice breakfast! And gardening, shopping at the Greenmarket for myself and not just for the business, watching movies, and eating dinner at home.

June 25, 2012



My poppies... here today and gone tomorrow. But beautiful while they last.

June 10, 2012

Thirstea at Smorgasburg

... the best bubble tea in the city!

June 9, 2012


Great day at the Smorg. Come and visit us next week!