World Hum has an article that brought back some memories of when I used to be a total bitch to Trader Joe’s. Ironically, I ceased being a TJ shopper when they did exactly what I was hoping they would do: open a store in NYC. Let’s turn the clock back to pre-NYC TJ, when we would make the drive to either Westfield, NJ or Hewlett, NY just to load up on some low price groceries and random snacks. “Oh look! These cookies do not contain hydrogenated oils!” An entire day would be gone when we returned home and all tired to cook up what we just bought. Even when we daytripped to various points around the area, I would check the Trader Joe’s site to see if there was some location close to wherever we were going. The next thing you know, we would return from a day at a beach in Long Island with several full TJ bags. When we found out there was a Paramus location, we just kept coming up with excuses to hit Campmor, and oh by the way, get some groceries at Trader Joe’s as well.

It looks like the siesta is no longer such a foreign concept in our puritan society. A company called Yelo just launched a power nap station over in Midtown which offers a more inviting, not to mention, a cleaner alternative to that communal office couch or the germ pit known as the subway. Prices start at an astounding $12 for a 20 minute snooze. It could be well worth it if you’re like me who crash out around 3pm everyday. Keep in mind that this is still New York City where people rush to get their Zen on at yoga. Imagine a bunch of folks in haste to take a nap?!

Whenever I recommend a Chinatown restaurant, I feel obligated to remind the reader that this is C-town so don’t expect good service. The Shanghainese food joint New Green Bo is no exception. In fact, it can even define C-town service. On the other hand, it also epitomizes the typical no nonsense, hole in the wall that serves up delicious food. At first glance of the 100 plus items on the New Green Bo menu is completely overwhelming. Go for what made this joint famous: the steamed dumplings. Many patrons swear by the pork or the crab, but the vegetable ones are just as excellent. An order makes a good appetizer for a large group, but can be an entire meal for a couple. Give the greasy fried scallion pancakes a try as well. If there is still a bit of room left in the stomach, order a plate of mei fun for the table. Stir-fried just right, it’s one of the finer mei fun in all of Chinatown.

New Green Bo, 66 Bayard St, New York, NY 10013
[photo by: The Amateur Gourmet]

The burning desire to move out of my New York is nearing a fever pitch as of late. We’ve always had the desire to pack up and go, but no other place in US was all that appealing to us. Ideally, we’d would become expats in some far off island or in an Asian metropolis. It’s almost reverse migration. Most folks leave home to head to NYC for work, excitement, or starting a new life. Having lived here all our lives, the city doesn’t hold this sense of liberation for us. Frankly, it’s a bit tiresome to see the same subway cars, buildings, and skylines every single day. San Francisco was fun but not for us, Philly is too close, Boston is… well Boston is Boston. We hear Portland, Oregon is slamming, but the job market there is rather thin. The midwest isn’t our cup of tea either. Now we’re considering Seattle. No, it’s not for the grunge history, but we’ve been hearing some great things from a pal who just moved there.

It’s a slower pace city than NY with decent job prospects. The State of Washington seems quite progressive being the only State that had a governor of Chinese descent. Seattle is ethnically diverse. Of course, the proximity to the lush natural environment will give us change of scenery from the current daily pavement. So off we go to drop in and check up on our pal and check out the city. In about 3 weeks, it’s off to the Pacific Northwest we go.

[skyline photo by: kenofseattle/flickr]
[public market photo by: sárah/flickr]

Oh bless you Mud Truck! You giant orange former bread truck, how I love thee. I gravitate to you like children running to Mr. Softee parked in front of a playground in the summertime. You’ve spared me the embarrassment of paying almost 2 bucks for my 3pm fix. You’ve spared me from having to deal with the douchebags at Porto Rico. You’ve given me hope, and a swift caffeinated kick in the ass to get through the work day. Oh Mud Truck… will you do me the honor of getting a spot in midtown around the East 30s? You will make the happiest person in the world.

[Mud Coffee]
[photo by: wallyg/flickr]

Perhaps reeling from the decade plus lame-ization of Chinese New Year celebration, Mayor Mike decided to hold a regulated fireworks display at Columbus Park. The display lasted a mere fifteens minutes, but because it was freezing cold, it felt like much, much, longer. It was a pretty neat show, but I can’t think of what made it particularly Asian-themed.

[photo by: TrekkerPanda/Flickr]