2.07.2010
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!
Milana and Dolan did not end up coming by as they were too tired and fly out super early tomorrow morning. Although it would've been great to see them, it worked out for the best in the end, since David and I had a lovely Super Bowl Sunday together, just the two of us. Some good eats were made and eaten. Photos next ! x
Super Bowl Spread
The menu for the Super Bowl festivities this evening:
- Spicy Chipotle Hummus
- Guacamole
- Spicy Baked Chicken Wings
- Roasted Vegetables with Thyme & Garlic (beets, potatoes, carrots)
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
It now looks like Dolan and Milana, who are in town from Berlin, may come around... so I think I will add a polenta dish to this (always afraid someone will go hungry). Grilled polenta squares, perhaps? The leftover pesto should go nicely with it.
I don't know much about football, but I do like cooking food for the Super Bowl festivities.
- Spicy Chipotle Hummus
- Guacamole
- Spicy Baked Chicken Wings
- Roasted Vegetables with Thyme & Garlic (beets, potatoes, carrots)
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
It now looks like Dolan and Milana, who are in town from Berlin, may come around... so I think I will add a polenta dish to this (always afraid someone will go hungry). Grilled polenta squares, perhaps? The leftover pesto should go nicely with it.
I don't know much about football, but I do like cooking food for the Super Bowl festivities.
Saturday Brunch: Skirt Steak & Grilled Portabella Mushroom
Made pesto marinated skirt steak with grilled portabella mushroom for brunch yesterday. David loved it. The photos are kind of blurry, but you get the idea. First time making skirt steak, so I am still getting meat prep and cook time correct, but about 3 minutes each side on the broiler (high), then rested for 5 minutes for medium rare. Marinated in pesto (basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt) over night. Easy and delicious!
2.05.2010
In Honor of Super Bowl Weekend
Let's be serious -- David and I don't watch football. Or most sports, except tennis, figure skating and, if it's the Olympics, gymnastics, occasional swimming and diving in the summer, maybe skiing in the winter (in addition to figure skating, of course). American football isn't exactly our passion. In fact, the only thing we know about the two teams competing this Sunday is that on one team is Kim Kardashian's boyfriend, and on the other is Kendra's husband (ladies of the E! reality shows).
But this weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, and Super Bowl Sunday-related foods ARE of deep interest to us. And also the commercials and the half-time show. As I blogged a couple of years ago, we have a little bit of history with Super Bowl Sundays in our house-hold; and of course, I love chicken wings, and have made them at home a couple of times for a healthier baked version. I recently tried Bobby Flay's spicy chicken wing recipe -- mostly for the sauce, as I modified the cooking method to baking, instead of frying. It worked wonderfully, so I thought I'd share the recipe here, in honor of Super Bowl Weekend. NOTE: Bobby Flay fries his wings, and then coats them with the sauce -- this is a typical method of making buffalo/spicy/sauced chicken wings. I modify this recipe by lightly searing the wings, then putting it all in a baking pan. I then add the sauce, cover the wings with it, and then bake it. At 350F for about 1 hour (or until cooked). Any sauce leftover can be used as a side dipping sauce.
- Bobby Flay's Spicy Chicken Wings
We're just a chicken-wing-eatin'-not-really-watching-football party of two. But we're looking forward to it. I plan on making some spicy hummus and guacamole, too, and perhaps roasted brussels sprouts or crispy sauteed broccoli and garlic for the veg. David, who is not a beer drinker, has a nice organic cider ready.
Game on!
But this weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, and Super Bowl Sunday-related foods ARE of deep interest to us. And also the commercials and the half-time show. As I blogged a couple of years ago, we have a little bit of history with Super Bowl Sundays in our house-hold; and of course, I love chicken wings, and have made them at home a couple of times for a healthier baked version. I recently tried Bobby Flay's spicy chicken wing recipe -- mostly for the sauce, as I modified the cooking method to baking, instead of frying. It worked wonderfully, so I thought I'd share the recipe here, in honor of Super Bowl Weekend. NOTE: Bobby Flay fries his wings, and then coats them with the sauce -- this is a typical method of making buffalo/spicy/sauced chicken wings. I modify this recipe by lightly searing the wings, then putting it all in a baking pan. I then add the sauce, cover the wings with it, and then bake it. At 350F for about 1 hour (or until cooked). Any sauce leftover can be used as a side dipping sauce.
- Bobby Flay's Spicy Chicken Wings
We're just a chicken-wing-eatin'-not-really-watching-football party of two. But we're looking forward to it. I plan on making some spicy hummus and guacamole, too, and perhaps roasted brussels sprouts or crispy sauteed broccoli and garlic for the veg. David, who is not a beer drinker, has a nice organic cider ready.
Game on!
The Good Life at Home
David and I have evolved into a very much home-bound couple. I've fallen into a groove of cooking at home, almost daily, and really enjoy it. It's amazing what one can cook and make for oneself if one put one's mind and effort to it. I know this idea isn't a revelation to people most everywhere, but most New Yorkers don't tend to cook the majority of the time, it's too easy to eat out or get takeaway. So I'm pretty happy with the cooking-at-home-ness I have achieved. Also, I've gotten much better at not letting food items go bad in the fridge due having forgotten their existence or not getting around to using them in time. Actually, once on a roll -- i.e. you've got most everything you need, just picking up whatever grocery necessary, no big shops needed -- it's nice to go home after work to cook, it gives me a space to focus on the cooking and not much else, clears a certain amount of head-space. Sure, cooking after work sometimes means we eat at 11pm or so, especially if I am trying a new recipe -- but David is an eager eater, for which I am grateful. Come to think of it, I should start posting some dishes I try along with recipes on this blog, as cooking has become a big component in my daily activities these days. Although I still like to go out to eat, I've discovered that I like to know what I eat more and more -- and most things I crave to eat, I can make at home. So I have taken up the task of doing so. Some of my recent culinary endeavors include: roasted brussels sprouts (we loved them at Casa Mono and I decided to try to replicate their style); BBQ oven baked chicken wings; bone-in porterhouse steak (perfectly medium rare!); vegetable frittata with grueyre and parmesan cheese; spicy hummus; chipotle chili with shredded chicken, black beans and corn with avocado relish. I've become a big fan of the Food Network website for recipes, and so when bored, I troll around the recipe section. Just type in the food item you want to cook and you will get hundreds of recipes; or you can look at recipes by your favorite chefs. David loves Bobby Flay style cooking, so I have perused quite a few of his. I find Michael Chiarello accessible, easy yet elegant. And of course, I love Ina Garten, aka Barefoot Contessa for home-cooking items, like bread pudding.
Here are some recipes I have made and it came out successfully - some of the reader/user reviews are helpful/interesting, too -- click on the name of the dish for the link!
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Bisteca All Firoentina (bone-in porterhouse steak) -- I found this cook time to be perfect! So easy, meat comes out perfectly. I followed the method using the oven. (**For those of you who use CELCIUS, remember these recipes are in FARENHEIT)
- Shaved Fennel Salad with Oranges, Dill & Cress -- wonderful, light and delicious. Works with other leafy greens as well, such as arugula or herb salad mix.
That's just a few that have recently become staples in our home-cooking repertoire. I'll begin to post more as I take on new recipes.
There are two other reasons for our becoming more and more happily home-bound: (1) video games and (2) Netflix. I got David a Play Station 3 for Christmas, which he LOVES. I am not good at game playing, but luckily I am a good watcher of someone playing video games, so this works out very well. Most people think I am bizarre for this quality, but it's true -- I enjoy watching other people enjoying playing video games. I am really really bad at most video games and it is far more stressful for me to play than to watch. We have loved the Wii, but PS3 offers a different game-playing experience, primarily because it's in HD. Some of the games have incredible HD graphics and animation, it's akin to watching a film.
One of the capabilities that PS3 has over Wii is it can stream movies from Netflix. Being members of Netflix, we not only get 2 dvd rentals at a time and watch movies/shows online, we can stream a lot of movies for free directly onto our TV via the PS3. In this way, getting a PS3 seemed a clever thing to do. We have Rock Band now, too, so our apartment is pretty much tricked out for hours of fun. We've got Wii, we've got PS3, Rock Band, karaoke, we've got Netflix movies delivered and also streaming... we are all set for a good night at home, with some home-cooking and wine.
So, mostly since Christmas, we've opted to stay in rather than go out too much. When we do go out, we have been selective. We've had some friends over for brunch and video games, and this has been a big success since we can hang out, play games, eat and drink mimosas in the comfort of our own apartment. Good times.
Now, onto thinking about what to cook this weekend... x
Here are some recipes I have made and it came out successfully - some of the reader/user reviews are helpful/interesting, too -- click on the name of the dish for the link!
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Bisteca All Firoentina (bone-in porterhouse steak) -- I found this cook time to be perfect! So easy, meat comes out perfectly. I followed the method using the oven. (**For those of you who use CELCIUS, remember these recipes are in FARENHEIT)
- Shaved Fennel Salad with Oranges, Dill & Cress -- wonderful, light and delicious. Works with other leafy greens as well, such as arugula or herb salad mix.
That's just a few that have recently become staples in our home-cooking repertoire. I'll begin to post more as I take on new recipes.
There are two other reasons for our becoming more and more happily home-bound: (1) video games and (2) Netflix. I got David a Play Station 3 for Christmas, which he LOVES. I am not good at game playing, but luckily I am a good watcher of someone playing video games, so this works out very well. Most people think I am bizarre for this quality, but it's true -- I enjoy watching other people enjoying playing video games. I am really really bad at most video games and it is far more stressful for me to play than to watch. We have loved the Wii, but PS3 offers a different game-playing experience, primarily because it's in HD. Some of the games have incredible HD graphics and animation, it's akin to watching a film.
One of the capabilities that PS3 has over Wii is it can stream movies from Netflix. Being members of Netflix, we not only get 2 dvd rentals at a time and watch movies/shows online, we can stream a lot of movies for free directly onto our TV via the PS3. In this way, getting a PS3 seemed a clever thing to do. We have Rock Band now, too, so our apartment is pretty much tricked out for hours of fun. We've got Wii, we've got PS3, Rock Band, karaoke, we've got Netflix movies delivered and also streaming... we are all set for a good night at home, with some home-cooking and wine.
So, mostly since Christmas, we've opted to stay in rather than go out too much. When we do go out, we have been selective. We've had some friends over for brunch and video games, and this has been a big success since we can hang out, play games, eat and drink mimosas in the comfort of our own apartment. Good times.
Now, onto thinking about what to cook this weekend... x
Online Time Capsule
Looking back, I used to blog more regularly. I created this blog in 2007, when our life was becoming so full of work travel that it seemed the best way to keep a record of ourselves and have a way for our friends and family to peek into the events in our life at their leisure. The blog proved useful for us when we returned to certain cities, too, as we had written about memorable restaurants and could refer to the blog if we couldn't recall the name. Recently we wanted to know when we did our first cleanse - our own memories were hazy. All we needed to do was to consult the blog! Handy.
But in the last two years my blogging/journal-keeping has dwindled - I suppose in part because most people who would read this blog is on Facebook, and I am aware they can keep abreast of our life through that social networking medium. Sometimes, it felt repetitive to write a whole blog when a simple status update did the trick (lazy or concise?). And of course, as we got busier and busier, always packing, unpacking, and packing again, setting up here, there, getting used to a place and then going home, writing it all up, in an interesting way, seemed too great a task.
I'm hoping to change this for 2010. I know I already missed January. But here's to February.
Going back to read the first few entries of this blog is interesting -- it's like a time capsule. Me and David, knowing we were in for an adventure, deciding to keep a record of ourselves. I know it's less than 3 years ago, but it's a funny thing looking back at ourselves who don't yet know they will become us, in the future.
Not that's we've changed drastically, not in an epic sense. But some things have changed, little things, things for which the new version has become the "norm" for us, that it is funny to be reminded that these things weren't always this way in the very first entries of this blog, before little changes. The blog entries capture bits of us in story and photos, in their moments of time.
I'm hoping to leave more blogged moments for the 2010 component of our Time Capsule
So here goes.
But in the last two years my blogging/journal-keeping has dwindled - I suppose in part because most people who would read this blog is on Facebook, and I am aware they can keep abreast of our life through that social networking medium. Sometimes, it felt repetitive to write a whole blog when a simple status update did the trick (lazy or concise?). And of course, as we got busier and busier, always packing, unpacking, and packing again, setting up here, there, getting used to a place and then going home, writing it all up, in an interesting way, seemed too great a task.
I'm hoping to change this for 2010. I know I already missed January. But here's to February.
Going back to read the first few entries of this blog is interesting -- it's like a time capsule. Me and David, knowing we were in for an adventure, deciding to keep a record of ourselves. I know it's less than 3 years ago, but it's a funny thing looking back at ourselves who don't yet know they will become us, in the future.
Not that's we've changed drastically, not in an epic sense. But some things have changed, little things, things for which the new version has become the "norm" for us, that it is funny to be reminded that these things weren't always this way in the very first entries of this blog, before little changes. The blog entries capture bits of us in story and photos, in their moments of time.
I'm hoping to leave more blogged moments for the 2010 component of our Time Capsule
So here goes.
1.18.2010
HAPPY 2010!!!
Happy New Year!!!
First post of the year... here's to trying to be more frequent this year.
David and I had a wonderful holiday season and a fabulous New Year. We're in New York for the time being, for the foreseeable future until the spring, so we are enjoying our time at home, very low-key-like. Cooking, television, Netflix movies, video games... we're loving being home.
During our time on New York ground, David has been busy putting together his website and choreographic reel, which can be found HERE (click me).
This winter, we are toying with the idea of going snow boarding... toying... because really I want David to be careful (i.e. he is a dancer/choreographer by trade, and broken anything is bad news). But David has never gone skiing or snowboarding or generally spent the winter in New York, so we think perhaps a trip down the bunny slope is not a bad idea, if we are super duper super careful. Maybe. I'm not sold, so maybe not, but at least we are "contemplating" it (which for David seems like a step closer than he was to snow boarding). We shall see...
Otherwise, no big plans so far... Trying to keep healthy. We're looking to do another 5-day cleanse to kick off the year right in a week or so. David has also begun a new gym/training regime, to which I decided I will tag along with much lighter weights. I did my first day with him this weekend, which was very successful but now I am in SO MUCH PAIN. I have not been in this much muscle pain since... high school volleyball camp, when in the initial days I had to walk down the stairs backwards. I can *just* about walk like a normal person; I have difficulty sitting down, because my quads hurt so much. But I am guessing this is all good pain... and at some point I will not feel like a cripple.
12.19.2009
Oh Christmas Tree!
This winter will mark our first full winter in New York -- since we were married, we have always relocated to a foreign city around or after the New Year to begin a new production of DD -- we have spent winters in Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Berlin... but never a full winter in the US. We are excited at the prospect of being home for a significant period. To kick off our winter and holiday season appropriately, we have decided to get a Christmas tree! Something we did not do last year, since we were busy around the holidays and then moving to Berlin.
Here are a few snapshots of our tree-acquiring process, taken by my trusty Blackberry.
David carrying our selected Christmas tree back to our apartment. We bought it from the Christmas tree vendor just down the block... good times!
Christmas tree, decorated! Our apartment smells so lovely... Hooray!
Here are a few snapshots of our tree-acquiring process, taken by my trusty Blackberry.
David carrying our selected Christmas tree back to our apartment. We bought it from the Christmas tree vendor just down the block... good times!
Christmas tree, decorated! Our apartment smells so lovely... Hooray!
12.15.2009
HOLIDAYS GREETINGS 2009
MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON 2009!!!Well 2010 is nearly upon us -- 2009 has been another year full of travels and activities. Thanksgiving was a wonderful time, after which I promptly got a little "under the weather"... but I've pulled together now and hope to welcome Christmas and the New Year in fine condition, ready for the holiday parties.
David has been busily finishing his choreography reel and website, which you can view HERE. Spending time back in Berlin was great, since he was able to film more footage from the show. It's all very exciting. And his photos are gorgeous -- I have got myself a very handsome husband indeed.
I hope to do a "Best Of 2009" series of photos to catch up on all the blog updates I've missed on our various events... so stay tuned.
For now, wishing everyone a very merry holiday season!!! xoxo
11.26.2009
Back in NYC... and onto THANKSGIVING!
David and I returned from Berlin last week... it took us that week to recover from the go-go-go situation at work, being abroad, then coming back home, being jet-lagged and trying to get back into the New York groove of things. We LOVED being back in Berlin, though, and had a fantastic time -- our trip coincided with the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was a fantastic event for which to be around. And most wonderfully, Val visited us that weekend and we had ourselves an awesome good time. Steve also came through Berlin over the 3 weeks we were in Germany. With Steve we spent a Berlin Halloween, which was fantastic. We will post pics as soon as we can (I know we are getting behind pictorially!).
In addition to having a fantastic social time, we were successful at re-casting -- we found a lovely new "Baby," an actress who is still in acting school but who has an immensely appealing and beautiful quality, who I hope will fit well into the company. Eleanor is incredibly happy with her, which makes me feel very successful with the casting indeed. All other necessary slots have been offered, too.
And now we are onto Thanksgiving tomorrow! Tomorrow morning I shall make my usual truffle-scented turkey... as well as truffle gravy, to bring to Eleanor and Michael's house for a large, international Thanksgiving gathering. Today I spent all afternoon baking blue and yellow corn bread muffins from Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill cookbook. I made 4 dozen muffins plus a loaf, it took me the bulk of the afternoon. I also made cranberry sauce, and roasted beet roots for a beet root salad. Tomorrow I shall make some corn bread stuffing. David is enjoying taste-testing my submissions to the Bergstein-Goldman Thanksgiving feast indeed.
Anyway, so onto our next event now back in NYC. We shall post pics of our last months soon xoxox
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!!!
In addition to having a fantastic social time, we were successful at re-casting -- we found a lovely new "Baby," an actress who is still in acting school but who has an immensely appealing and beautiful quality, who I hope will fit well into the company. Eleanor is incredibly happy with her, which makes me feel very successful with the casting indeed. All other necessary slots have been offered, too.
And now we are onto Thanksgiving tomorrow! Tomorrow morning I shall make my usual truffle-scented turkey... as well as truffle gravy, to bring to Eleanor and Michael's house for a large, international Thanksgiving gathering. Today I spent all afternoon baking blue and yellow corn bread muffins from Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill cookbook. I made 4 dozen muffins plus a loaf, it took me the bulk of the afternoon. I also made cranberry sauce, and roasted beet roots for a beet root salad. Tomorrow I shall make some corn bread stuffing. David is enjoying taste-testing my submissions to the Bergstein-Goldman Thanksgiving feast indeed.
Anyway, so onto our next event now back in NYC. We shall post pics of our last months soon xoxox
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!!!
11.07.2009
IN BERLIN
Been too busy to update the blog... but we have been back in Berlin for the last 2 weeks and we have one more week to go. We are doing a re-cast - not a big re-cast numbers-wise, but a big re-cast for me because I need to find a new BABY. Always tricky..... and somewhat stressful.
Anyway we now have a weekend and happily Val has arrive for a visit - so we are going to do some sightseeing and lots of fun-having!
Hooray!
Anyway we now have a weekend and happily Val has arrive for a visit - so we are going to do some sightseeing and lots of fun-having!
Hooray!
9.15.2009
a lil' grab bag of our summer
(David and I diving in Grenada)
Long time, no posts. David and I have had a full summer - and our very first summer when we weren't moving cities and beginning a new show. Although it is ALWAYS great to have work, especially work that allows us to live and work together, we have very much appreciated our very first summer of non-relocating and non-show... we have to experience it sometime (one supposes), and it's better after a good solid stretch of work.
Our summer season was GREAT. We went from working in London, to wedding in Scotland (congrats Katie and Magnus!), a drive from Scotland through the British countryside down to Heathrow, a villa holiday in Grenada (where we learnt to dive), mountain biking in Vermont, wedding in Boston, to more mountain biking in Vermont. Although perhaps very active and not necessarily always relaxing, we have had one heck of an adventurous summer and I've got a very happy sportivo husband to prove it.
Here are some snapshots of our summer, in brief:
Amazing tree that looks like an elephant man...
Beautiful stone walls throughout our country drive from Scotland to England!
An adorable inn where we stayed a night as we journeyed back to Heathrow...... And then a short while later, we journeyed onto Grenada, where we stayed in an unforgettable villa for 10 days...
Grenada has gorgeous beaches...
... and incredible local, organic fruits, with which to make (organic local rum) drinks...
On a boat to Carricou Island, just north of Grenada...
Some of many gorgeous Grenada waterfalls we explored...
Fish Friday in Gouyave means LOADS of fried fish...
This sign gave us a chuckle (@ Fish Friday)
Nutmeg tree...
More waterfall action shots...
Pink Gin Beach...
Organic rum distillery (amazing!)
Our very own salt water pool at our villa...
... and perfecting fresh fruit cocktails....
Then we're off to VERMONT for some serious mountain biking!
Perfect day for a bike ride
At the top of Killington
Deer sighting from the kitchen window...
Grillin' some Korean-style steak... (awesome)
Then we're off to a weekend in Boston for a wedding... where we visit our favorite restaurant Clio, have an incredible meal topped off with a deliciously decadent dessert...
After which we're back in Vermont, back to mountain biking, hoping to work off that decadent dessert...
That's my bike on the lift, ready for downhill action...... and we did some trail rides, too, and even saw a BEAR, but clearly not long enough to take a photo. BUT IT WAS AMAZING!
Awesome summer, 2009!
David and I underwater in Grenada... we go everywhere together...
8.21.2009
Quick Update!
How time flies!
Since we've returned from Grenada, we've spent a week in the mountains of Vermont, hanging out with Eleanor and Michael... not to mention mountain biking over trails as well as downhill on ski slopes. David is officially having his best summer EVER. (And I am having my most sportivo/active summer to date.) We still have numerous photos post... we're getting behind here... but first, we're off to Boston tomorrow for the weekend. My friend Lourie (dear lovely friend since high school) is getting married!!! We are thrilled to be able to attend, and looking forward to being in Bean Town for the weekend. We take the train up tomorrow morning. David is already looking forward to eating some Boston Cream Pies.
A proper catch up soon!
Since we've returned from Grenada, we've spent a week in the mountains of Vermont, hanging out with Eleanor and Michael... not to mention mountain biking over trails as well as downhill on ski slopes. David is officially having his best summer EVER. (And I am having my most sportivo/active summer to date.) We still have numerous photos post... we're getting behind here... but first, we're off to Boston tomorrow for the weekend. My friend Lourie (dear lovely friend since high school) is getting married!!! We are thrilled to be able to attend, and looking forward to being in Bean Town for the weekend. We take the train up tomorrow morning. David is already looking forward to eating some Boston Cream Pies.
A proper catch up soon!
7.31.2009
Back in the Big Apple
David and I returned safely to New York this afternoon. It's good to be back at home, although it's strange to not see mango and breadfruit trees everywhere we look all of a sudden.
We shall post some pic soon. xoxo
We shall post some pic soon. xoxo
7.26.2009
Lovin' Life and Livin' Large in Grenada
A very quick post --
David and I have spent 7 days in Grenada already -- and we LOVE the island and have had an incredible time. Our villa is simply perfect for us, we already want to come back! We have done 2 of our 4 open water dives here -- we will do 2 more tomorrow, after which, crossing fingers, we shall be CERTIFIED DIVERS! The 2 dives we did were beautiful and amazingly fun; we had a lovely, chilled out instructor with whom we finished our final confined water dive as well as our 2 open water dives. Beautiful good times. We saw a fabulous array of fish, from massive lobsters to scorpion fish to very rare pipe fish (kind of like sea horses, but in pipe form). Grenada is a gorgeous, lush island with incredible vegetation. Although the locals all emphasize that the island is still very much recovering from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island does not lack in beauty or greenery. Currently it is mango season, which means we eat mangoes everyday and all the time, fresh and freshly juiced into cocktails with local organic rum. A big bag of mangoes costs $10 EC, which is less than $4 US. Amazing. And they are all organic. We have eaten some amazing local cuisine, richly derived from local fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, seasoned with local spices (Grenada is called Spice Isle); we have snorkeled, dove and sat on the beach (or rather, I sat on the beach and read while David snorkeled in search of ocean creatures), as well as hiked the rain forests. We have interacted with the local community: we have been to a hidden local bar off the beach; we get chicken from the Jamaican jerk chicken grillin' guy on the roadside; we buy fruit from the lady at our favorite local fruit stand by the road; we went to Fish Friday alongside the locals, etc. etc. We have 4 more days left, which seems so soon... but we intend to make the most of our stay.
We shall post photos and blog more when we get home. For now, MORE RUM!
David and I have spent 7 days in Grenada already -- and we LOVE the island and have had an incredible time. Our villa is simply perfect for us, we already want to come back! We have done 2 of our 4 open water dives here -- we will do 2 more tomorrow, after which, crossing fingers, we shall be CERTIFIED DIVERS! The 2 dives we did were beautiful and amazingly fun; we had a lovely, chilled out instructor with whom we finished our final confined water dive as well as our 2 open water dives. Beautiful good times. We saw a fabulous array of fish, from massive lobsters to scorpion fish to very rare pipe fish (kind of like sea horses, but in pipe form). Grenada is a gorgeous, lush island with incredible vegetation. Although the locals all emphasize that the island is still very much recovering from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the island does not lack in beauty or greenery. Currently it is mango season, which means we eat mangoes everyday and all the time, fresh and freshly juiced into cocktails with local organic rum. A big bag of mangoes costs $10 EC, which is less than $4 US. Amazing. And they are all organic. We have eaten some amazing local cuisine, richly derived from local fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, seasoned with local spices (Grenada is called Spice Isle); we have snorkeled, dove and sat on the beach (or rather, I sat on the beach and read while David snorkeled in search of ocean creatures), as well as hiked the rain forests. We have interacted with the local community: we have been to a hidden local bar off the beach; we get chicken from the Jamaican jerk chicken grillin' guy on the roadside; we buy fruit from the lady at our favorite local fruit stand by the road; we went to Fish Friday alongside the locals, etc. etc. We have 4 more days left, which seems so soon... but we intend to make the most of our stay.
We shall post photos and blog more when we get home. For now, MORE RUM!
7.13.2009
since we've been in NYC...
Life has been full and hectic since we returned to NYC.
For one, I turned 30. I had a terrific, terrific birthday, which made the transition into the new decade smooth and wonderful. Although busy with A Wonderland, David went all out to make my 30th birthday memorable -- gorgeous flowers delivered first thing in the morning, an incredible gift, amazing card, and a fabulous dinner at a Japanese restaurant we'd never been to before in the city. Fantastic day. Truly.
And then David worked non-stop on A Wonderland. While there were some obstacles (such as losing a dancer 2 days before show opening), the show opened and was over-sold for all 4 nights of the run. On the last night, a whole row had to be added, it was standing-room only. David's choreography was very well received, and his dancing, too -- yes, he danced in one of the numbers himself! Having had to replace one of the dancers unexpectedly at the last minute, he found that the new, replacement dancer could not learn everything in time, confidently. One of the numbers was quite complicated and fast, and so David decided to dance that section himself. EVERYONE raved about David's dancing. I think it was perhaps the most surprising and best part of the show for our friends, who have never seen David dance live.
Despite the packed and all-too-short rehearsal period, with no budget to speak of, the show was a great experience for David. It presented challenges different than those he's faced in DD. I for one love the show, I am so proud of David for having been part of the project. It was exciting, if at times harrowing. One of the reviews said this about David's choreography:
"...sharply choreographed by David Scotchford... watch for the dancers, they manage to live large within their tight muscled choreography" -- Michael Bettencourt (Scene4Magazine QReviews)
Good times.
Next up for us? -- A VACATION! We're off to Grenada a week from today. Today we signed up to take intensive scuba dive classes this weekend. David is very excited about diving, and I am, too, although quite nervous, too. Simply, I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach and by the pool.
For one, I turned 30. I had a terrific, terrific birthday, which made the transition into the new decade smooth and wonderful. Although busy with A Wonderland, David went all out to make my 30th birthday memorable -- gorgeous flowers delivered first thing in the morning, an incredible gift, amazing card, and a fabulous dinner at a Japanese restaurant we'd never been to before in the city. Fantastic day. Truly.
And then David worked non-stop on A Wonderland. While there were some obstacles (such as losing a dancer 2 days before show opening), the show opened and was over-sold for all 4 nights of the run. On the last night, a whole row had to be added, it was standing-room only. David's choreography was very well received, and his dancing, too -- yes, he danced in one of the numbers himself! Having had to replace one of the dancers unexpectedly at the last minute, he found that the new, replacement dancer could not learn everything in time, confidently. One of the numbers was quite complicated and fast, and so David decided to dance that section himself. EVERYONE raved about David's dancing. I think it was perhaps the most surprising and best part of the show for our friends, who have never seen David dance live.
Despite the packed and all-too-short rehearsal period, with no budget to speak of, the show was a great experience for David. It presented challenges different than those he's faced in DD. I for one love the show, I am so proud of David for having been part of the project. It was exciting, if at times harrowing. One of the reviews said this about David's choreography:
"...sharply choreographed by David Scotchford... watch for the dancers, they manage to live large within their tight muscled choreography" -- Michael Bettencourt (Scene4Magazine QReviews)
Good times.
Next up for us? -- A VACATION! We're off to Grenada a week from today. Today we signed up to take intensive scuba dive classes this weekend. David is very excited about diving, and I am, too, although quite nervous, too. Simply, I am looking forward to relaxing on the beach and by the pool.
7.01.2009
back in NYC, onto summer
Back in NYC after a fantastic weekend in Edinburgh, followed by a drive through the Lake District, a stop in Yorkshire Dales, more driving and a flight out of Heathrow. Although battling a bit of jet-lag, we hit the ground running NYC-style -- David is rehearsing A Wonderland, I'm back in the office. But there's a distinct "summer-ness" in Manhattan, perhaps inspired by the 4th of July weekend.
6.28.2009
Congratulations Katie & Magnus!
(Just outside of The Hub, where Katie and Magnus were married, before we traveled by old fashioned double-decker bus to Prestonfield for the reception)
Congratulations to the happy, beautiful couple. xoxo
6.20.2009
Once more, to the airport!
It's 4:50AM here on Saturday in NYC - I am all packed up and about to go downstairs for my car pick-up to the airport. I'm on my way to London!
Yay!
Yay!
6.14.2009
David in London, Tomoko in NYC
David departed early this morning for London -- he has arrived safe and sound, and is now across "the pond" from me, still in New York. It's that time of the year again, the London new cast rehearsals, and so David will begin rehearsing the new members tomorrow. I will join him this Saturday -- not for business this time, thank goodness for our frequent flier miles! We will remain in London until Friday, June 26th, when we fly up to Edinburgh for our friends' wedding.
We've decided to explore the UK countryside on our way back to Heathrow Airport, from where we return to New York on Tuesday, June 30. We shall hire a car and drive back down from Edinburgh, stopping along the way to stay in Yorkshire Dales. We found a quirky inn called the Wensleydale Heifer -- should be interesting! We are really looking forward to the wedding - it is the wedding of our dear friends Katie and Magnus. Katie and I met 10 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. David and I met Magnus when we lived in London leading up to the premiere of the West End DD -- they were dating then. They are a lovely couple, and we stayed with Katie's parents with Katie, our friend Val (whom I also met 10 years ago at the EdFest), and Magnus during the festival that summer and had a fantastic time. David and I have seen Val, Katie and Magnus whenever we could when we pass through London, and Val has come to visit us in Chicago recently (and Utrecht before that). So the wedding promises to be GOOD TIMES with our favorite UK folks -- it will be a wonderful occasion and our very first Scottish wedding!
Now I will just have to get through this week solo in New York as I prepare to leave very early Saturday! x
We've decided to explore the UK countryside on our way back to Heathrow Airport, from where we return to New York on Tuesday, June 30. We shall hire a car and drive back down from Edinburgh, stopping along the way to stay in Yorkshire Dales. We found a quirky inn called the Wensleydale Heifer -- should be interesting! We are really looking forward to the wedding - it is the wedding of our dear friends Katie and Magnus. Katie and I met 10 years ago at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. David and I met Magnus when we lived in London leading up to the premiere of the West End DD -- they were dating then. They are a lovely couple, and we stayed with Katie's parents with Katie, our friend Val (whom I also met 10 years ago at the EdFest), and Magnus during the festival that summer and had a fantastic time. David and I have seen Val, Katie and Magnus whenever we could when we pass through London, and Val has come to visit us in Chicago recently (and Utrecht before that). So the wedding promises to be GOOD TIMES with our favorite UK folks -- it will be a wonderful occasion and our very first Scottish wedding!
Now I will just have to get through this week solo in New York as I prepare to leave very early Saturday! x
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