Laundry

So yesterday I discovered one of the most wonderful parts of life in NY. Since the apartments are all too small for washers and dryers, almost everyone (if you live in the Donald's penthouse, I bet you have a washer/dryer, but most everyone doesn't) has to go to the laundromat. So I hauled my bag to the laundromat yesterday and said, "I need this washed." They put it on the scale (mine was 31 pounds because I hadn't done laundry since I moved!) and charged me $.75 per pound. So it was $25 plus $2 to sort for a grand total of $27. Plus, they use their own detergent so you don't have to buy that either. The machines are $2 per wash and $2 per dry anyway, so I'm going to be spending at LEAST $20 to do my laundry plus the cost of detergent, so for another $7, I can avoid doing something I loathe! And the real kicker, they'll pick up and deliver! So I never even have to leave my apartment, all I have to do is bag it up. It's WONDERFUL!

Coyote Ugly

So I was just out and about walking the neighborhood and I discovered that the Coyote Ugly bar (of Tyra Banks movie and copycat bar in Vegas fame) is literally a block and half away from my apartment. There was even a lady in cowboy boots and a skimpy top dancing on the bar. This neighborhood just gets cooler and cooler!

Hottie Dave

Hottie Dave
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

The deck hand on our boat cruise was super cute. His name was Dave and we <3ed him!

Snorkeling

Kate and I just had the most amazing morning. We had to get up early (REALLY early!) 5:45 and be to a dock by 6:30. But it was so worth it. We got on the Frogman II and headed out to Molokini (see pic below), a crescent shaped, crater island that has fantastic snorkeling. On the first place to snorkel we saw bunches of tropical fish and neat coral formations. Then we got back into the boat and headed over toward Maui and "turtle town". On the way, we went right through a school of spinner dolphins, small dolphins (they get to be about 75 pounds that's it) that spin around when they jump out of the water. They were so cool! they like to swim right through the wake of the boat. Then we got to turtle town and saw these big sea turtles that would just swim right up to you. We weren't allowed to touch them though, it was a $10,000 fine because they're a protected species.
This was definitely the highlight of my trip so far! Tonight, we're having dinner with an old friend of Kate's who just happens to live on the island and tomorrow we're doing the drive to Hana. more pics when we get back from that. It should be amazing.

Molokini

Molokini
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

More Spinner dolphins

More Spinner dolphins
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Spinner dolphins

Spinner dolphins
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Anne Waving

Anne Waving
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Aren't I a dork!?

Along our walk

Along our walk
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Lava rock

Lava rock
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Some of the rocks we were on top of that we saw water crashing into!

Walk among the waves

Kate and I just went on a hike along the shore. It was super cool. It went on this path that went right along the water. we had to go through some resorts and backyards but it was really fun. Now as Kate pointed out, we both thought we would be really annoyed if it rained at all, but because it was a bit stormy, the waves were huge and because we were walking along these huge lava rock formations, we saw water crashing up and over the rocks. Anyway, it was really cool. Thanks, Brian and Hools for pointing it out to us!
See pics from along the walk above.

Kanapalli Beach

Kanapalli Beach
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Sunset from our condo

Sunset from our condo
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

The view from our condo

The view from our condo
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

We're there!

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

On the way to the airport!!

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Cookie on the bus

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

first stop, seattle city bus

first stop, seattle city bus
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Lola and me numero dos

Lola and me 002 copy
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

She is a chihuaua, so sometimes I speak in Espanol to her.

Lola and me

Lola and me 001 copy
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Isn't she a darling?

Maui Blog

So tomorrow, kate and I are leaving for our vacation in Maui! We'll be in Seattle for a late night tomorrow night, and then fly out to Maui at 8 am Friday morning. We land at noon and I expect to be on the beach by 1! So for the next week, this will be the Maui Blog. Hope you enjoy our vacation pictures!

Celebrity sighting

Fine, if you don't think Bill Rancic is enough of a celebrity sighting, today I sat in 2 meetings with Brian Williams. THAT is a true celebrity encounter. He's incredibly nice, funny, intelligent and has the coolest blue eyes.

Bill Rancic

For all of you apprentice fans out there, I met Bill Rancic today (the winner of season 1). It looked like he was running errands around town, hardly the high powered job they depcit him having on the show. He was super cute though. ;)

Pooh-hols

I know I said you should be watching the Colbert Report, but for anyone who isn't, and happens to be watching the baseball game, HOLY CRAP!! That home run was huge! Albert Pujols is the man.

Chairy

This is my new chair! As you can see it is a nice cushiony chair and it also folds up so it doesn't take up too much space. Ah the joys of Urban living.

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

btw- if you're looking for a nice folding cushiony chairy, head to Urban Outfitters, they're only $39.

The Colbert Report

Everyone should watch it (or at least Tivo it and watch it tomorrow for those of you who go to bed early). Premieres tonight at 11:30/10:30c on Comedy Central. Right after the Daily Show. It's gonna be great!

Poodle in a wheelchair

I was just out and about this afternoon, I went to Kmart, Kiehls and an organic grocery store. On my way from Kmart to Kiehls, I happened to notice a older gentleman pushing a wheelchair. As I came up behind him, I realized that it wasn't his wife or other blonde curly haired woman sitting in the wheelchair, but it was a blonde poofy-haired poodle. I'm not sure if the poodle was incapacitated or just spoiled but there it was, sitting in this wheelchair enjoying its ride around the city. The man was also singing skat as he pushed the poodle down the street. It was an interesting scene. Unfortunately, the picture I took with my camera phone, didn't save properly. Dang!

Cosmic Cantina

This is the new vegetarian/vegan/organic mexican restaurant that I also recently discovered. I've had the vegan DELUXE nachos twice now. Cosmic Cantina! It's really good.

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Happy Birthday to you

Happy burthday to you
Happy birthday dear Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Happy birthday to you
<3

Vegetarian Pizza

So I just discovered on my way home this GREAT new pizza place called, as you can see below, Viva Herbal. There is pizza and pasta , again as you can see below, and ALL of it is vegetarian and even some of it is vegan. They have whole wheat crust even, and it's only 2 blocks from my apartment, AND they deliver! I love New York

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

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Brooke Shields

I just saw her in the elevator. She's REALLY tall, REALLY skinny, and REALLY pretty.

New Jersey

Today I spent my second full day out in Secaucus, NJ. It's an interesting place. It takes 2 trains and a shuttle to get there. A significant amount of rain fell there today and yesterday and when I was on the shuttle, I saw a number of cars abandoned in these puddles on the streets that were at least 3 feet deep. One street had cars parked along the sides of it like you would usually see, but you could only see the top half of the cars because the puddle was so deep, and then smack dab in the middle of the street there was an abandoned Audi, I don't think it could go any further!
I also met one of my co-workers today who says "Coaw-fee" among other New Jersey accented words. It's OAwesome!

Monsoon

Today I got my first taste of true east coast weather. So in Seattle, although people think it rains a lot, that is just not true. It doesn't get NEARLY as much rain as other places, and today, I'd like to put NY at the top of that list of other places. I think we got more rain today in NY than I saw all last year in Seattle. I could hear the rain pouring down all night long, and by the time I got ready to leave for work, the streets were rivers and lakes instead of streets. So i braved it. I had to hold my umbrella with my right hand because my bag was so stuffed full of stuff that I couldn't close it and I needed to keep my computer dry so pretty much my entire left arm and leg were out of the cover of the umbrella (my legs were hopeless anyway since it was raining so hard it bounced back UP when it hit the ground). Needless to say, I was a wet mess by the time I got to the subway, and it's only 4 blocks and 1 avenue away. It's an interesting feeling to stand at the door of your apartment and know that you don't have any other way of getting to work, than walking through the downpour. Walking from the house to the garage and from the covered office parking into the office is just not an option.

Yankee Staduim

This place is unbelievable. Of all the baseball games I've been to, I've never heard/seen/felt anything like the crowd at yankee stadium. Honestly, I think if you come to Yankee stadium, neutral about who you're rooting for you 1. WILL have a good time and 2. WILL like the Yankees by the time the game is over. It's magnetic.

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Finally!

Ok, so I know this still looks like a totally messy room, but believe me, it is MUCH better than it was when I started yesterday. I have actually found a space for everything and see that pink stuff, yep, that's floor! It's been revealed. I feel really good about this room and apartment now.

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

I took the subway today

So last night at about 5 as I'm just about to head out the door, the news comes across that the terror level has been raised on the subway because of a credible threat. Certainly not a comforting thing to hear, but also not something that's going to stop me from doing what I need to do. So I went and had drinks with a coworker and some of his coworkers (he works in sales so he sits with the MSN Sales office just 2 doors down from me) and then after that ventured down into the subway. I got on the express train by mistake, so that meant extra time on the train backtracking back uptown for a few stops and then getting on the right train. There was definitely police presence when I got on, as a matter of fact, there were a huge number of ambulances and police cars right by the stop I got on, that's right by Radio City Music Hall, and David Gray was playing there last night so it probably had something to do with that. Anyway, I got on the train and didn't feel one bit scared.
Then this morning I got up and read a bit more of the details about what's going on, marched over to the subway, got on, and came to work. My thought, the chances of anything happening to me are extremely slim and I'm not going to rearrange my life because of the threat. I've always thought, life is full of so many chance things that happen, I'm not going to be reckless and dangerous (if I saw a terrorist with a bomb run onto the train, I wouldn't follow him!) but I'm also not going to hole up in my apartment until they've cleared the world of anyone wanting to do harm.
So if anyone read anything about the subway here, let me assure you, as someone who was just on it less than an hour ago, it's definitely safer than they make it sound on the news and I plan on taking it home, and indefinitely.

Puppy

Lola, my new roommate in her new hoodie. Isn't she adorable?

after 6 hours of unpacking...

after 6 hours of unpacking...
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

the load

the load
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

Kenin!

Kenin!
Originally uploaded by akeegangu.

My first night out

I had my first night out in NY tonight! YAY! It was very fun. Kenin was in town playing at the Tribeca Rock Club so I headed down there at about 9:30. I took the subway, the A train from Columbus Circle (59th street) to Chambers street (below 1st street) and my first funny experience happened on the way down. I'm sitting on the train, and a gentleman stands up and says "Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to share something with you. I am from Louisville, Kentucky and I used to work for Philip Morris. I used to make cigarettes. Do you know what they put in cigarettes? Tar, nicotine, iodine.....etc. God bless you all, please don't smoke." He repeated the ingredients a number of times. I certainly felt inspired not to smoke.
Then I got to the club, Kenin wasn't there, so I had to pay. that's ok, it was only $10. So then I got inside, sat down and watched the band that was on before Kenin. Right before they went on, the 2 gals sitting next to me introduced themselves. There was Jenn and Kirsten. We were instant friends, well Ok, Jenn and I were. She works in publishing in NJ (the company that publishes the "for Dummies" books!!) and I think we're going to continue to be friends.
Jenn and I took the subway home together because neither of us wanted to go alone, but neither of us wanted to pay for a cab either. On the subway ride home, I saw these 4 kids (it's 1am mind you) riding ALONE on the subway. They couldn't have been more than 12 but they talked like they were 25. The piece of conversation I heard went something like this: "so she's going to get off at 180th (that's in Harlem) and then we'll get off at 188th, and then we'll go by your house, and then meet her out at her house" "Oh no she won't get off at 180th, I will not let her get off this train by herself at 180th!" Well duh!! Who were these kids' parents!? They were wearing hoochie mama outfits complete with huge hoop earrings that were bigger than their heads! This is a completely different world here.
All in all, it was a great night. Fun concert, cool new friend, great people watching!