My triumphant and resigned return to blogging

I recently contributed this to an online discussion board, and it seemed an appropriate platform for my re-entrance into the world of blog. Hope you're ready for an onslaught of SONIA!! stay tuned for more of my feelingzz...

in response to an article about setting out to accomplish your dreams...

Why do dream stories always begin with the working class father and mother who dream of riches, success, and fame for their children? Oh right, America.

Not to be overly cynical, but I feel right now that at this point in my life, I'm kind of over dreams. I'm a senior now, and all I get is, "So what are you gonna do when you graduate?!" or "Tell me about your goals!" Like, enough. I have infinite envy at this point for drifters, hitch hikers, and traveling sideshow men at this point. Individuals that are free from the responsibility of rent, utilities, medical insurance, relationships, completely immersed in the present. And all the while I fantasize about their freedom, I know I could never, ever live like that, so absolutely unguided and spontaneous. I need structure, rules, commitments. I'm well on my way to my own American success story: daughter of a self-employed carpenter and public high school teacher from a small, rural upstate NY town travels to the big city for college and a bright future. So far so good. So long as I'm happy. Fulfilled. There's a dream. Why can't we seem to think that simply anymore?

Bowery Mission casts its net

I think this van has uncovered Jesus' true mission from the heavens. That would be saving the souls of sea kittens.

Mary Lorson

Sooo at the request of my sister Cara, I ventured to the Living Room on Ludlow this Saturday night, with my dad in tow. Who was I there to see? Mary Lorson, who happens to be my Cara's English teacher at Cascadilla. It was, in one word, delightful. In two, absolutely delightful. She's a beautiful singer, songwriter, and performer. She's who jenny lewis should want to grow up to be. Damn my sister's lucky.

check her out at: www.myspace.com/marylorson

East Village Eats & Treats

Manhattan's East Village is home to a eclectic collection of trendy, cheap, and yummy munchies. From fastfood sushi at Teriyaki Boy to noodle bars like Momofuku, and of course ice cream and frozen yogurt, there are dishes to satisfy even the most picky persons. We stopped by 3 local haunts that are good anytime:day or (especially) night.

Pommes Frites serves up fresh belgian cut fries during the day and well into the night for hungry bar-hoppers. Walking into the amazing smell of fried potatoes and then facing the daunting task of deciding on a sauce for your pommes is a challenge for any food lover. We found it especially hard to leave the hole in the wall shop and step back onto 2nd Ave.









Dumpling man is a modern take on a traditional Chinese treat. The assembly line production is viewable to all the customers as they wait for their choice of dumplings that are filled with pork, chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even pumpkin. T-shirts, buttons, bags of frozen dumplings, and even underwear are available for loyal customers that want to take the adorable dumpling man mascot home with them.

The dumplings come steamed or fried. The steamed ones are especially doughy and chewy!

On our way home we passed 16 Handles, a newcomer to the frozen yogurt craze that pinkberry and Red Mango have capitalized on. We found it a little too cold for anything frozen, and instead opted for classic vanilla cream puffs from Beard Papa, just west of Astor Place on Broadway. Fresh, light, creamy, and surrounded by a delicious pastry shell. Beard Papa is what all cream puffs want to be when they grow up.




Stay Hungry!

BENCH-PRESSING SNOWMAN FOUND!!!!

For those of you who have heard my horrible renditions of one of my favorite stories from this american life, an act from the super, then you'll appreciate this almost as much as i did. it's the simple things in life really. 

*sigh, this is priceless

Now I know what I should have wished for for my birthday.

RAWR!!

Keeping House

I started my internship in housekeeping on Friday at the Doubletree Times Square. Both Friday AND Saturday I managed to pull myself out of bed at 7AM and make it up to the hotel by 8AM. Mazeltov Sonia. So far, I'm learning a butt-load of stuff, from how to make a bed military style, to what to check for in a room, how to annoy customer care, how to keep up with floor manager maria, to where to find creamer for the coffee machine in the team lounge. It may not the the Plaza, but for now and for me, it's a perfect fit (just like the towels I have learned to fold into shapes that hold other decorative towels).

On this trip to Ikea...

...I was actually able to explore how they renovated the pier, instead of waiting for a coveted spot on the ferry (apparently people like to stay inside when its 6 degrees in the city). I love waterfronts, and although, as my mom complained, their attempts to explain the function of the many landmarks they preserved only led to more questions of the original purpose, you still have to give them kudos for not removing everything all together. It amazes me how much brooklyn has changed, and how much it will continue to gentrify. Brooklyn, unlike queens, has a foundation that was not built around suburban sprawl. I hope it maintains its diversity and pride through the development that is inevitable.

Poison Sumac

Last Saturday, we kind of had a snowstorm in the Northeast. And I was kind of driving home from my girl alex's in fishkill. I had made it back through 4 hours of worsening roads, when, about 4 miles from home, I lost my rear wheels. Of course. Luckily, no one was on the road when it happened, because I did a significant radius of sliding before pummeling straight into a bunch of sumac. The thing about where I live, is people ALWAYS stop to see what happened (I still haven't decided if it's because they are truly concerned, or if they just love a crisis). A friendly stranger drove me home, and my dad and I dug my car out the following day when the snow had stopped. Lesson learned? slow the f#$K down Sonia, and sometimes it is okay to accept rides from strangers. Enjoy the damages below!!

As I recall...

As a fellow praguer pointed out on fb, last year tonight was the first Mecca night of the spring semester. I would say that night is a very good sum of my entire experience in CZ. It was FUN, SURPRISING, and most importantly, ENLIGHTENING. It was where first went out with what would become my best friends, learned how certain persons could disappoint, and above all, I met my beautiful bartender. Oh Andrew, how you raised my spirits and adrenaline. Even if we only shared moments, I thank-you. And thank-you praha, for the most amazing 4 months of my life to date.

miluju praha a Česká republika!

Resolutions of mine in 2009!

On this, the 4th evening of the new year, I am laying the outline for my 2009 resolutions. Proposed:

1. Blog more. This being my first post in 2 months, I retain far too much useless information for my benefit. For the benefit of the common good, I resolve to release my eccentricities, inner angst, fancy finds, and candid commentaries to the citizenry of unfortunate souls who frequent this, the biddy blog.

2. To the best of my ability, perform no less than 50 sit-ups and 15 (increasing to 20) push-ups on a "daily" basis. This may be my most difficult resolve, as I am afflicted with the deadly sin of sloth as of late.

3. On the theme of sloth, I also seek to develop a more responsible work ethic, because leaving 15 page papers to the night before is hazardous to my health.

4. Be less awkward in introductions and interactions with acquainted peoples. This is for my future professional and social benefit. Those who I am already BFFLz with worry not. I will be as awkward and clumsy as ever in your sweet presence.

5. Be more fiscally responsible. Eating in NYC is my vice. It's hard for me to say no to good food. We'll see how that works out...

Outline complete. Updates may/may not follow. Cheers and salame!!!

BOOTS

They was on sale. I bought them. I love them.

Hunter Lady Northhamptons, Olive.

The next step is to buy the 7 different colored tassels that may be affixed to the tops for that true elitist british fox hunter feeling. If you need me, I'll be inside my boots for the next 6 months.

5 Reasons I'm sad Sarah Palin is no longer running for VP:

1. It's just so gosh darn unfortunate we don't get to see that cute little smile of hers up on the big fancy television screen no more.

2. No more Tina Fey SNL cameos.

3. She's back in Alaska, threatening the survival of the local moose population.

4. It'll be slightly harder to hate on the GOP without her.

5. I really wanted to see prego doped up Bristol Palin at the inauguration in January with her child husband.

McDonald's Monopoly opens and breaks my <3

Sooooo I was super excited because today with my Southern Chicken Sandwich value meal, I won (thanks to the Monopoly Man) ANY McDonald's Breakfast Value Meal. Fellow lovers of McyD's b-fast, know how crushed I was when, once home, I discovered my ticket, good as a golden, GONE from my wallet. Pain. I feel it. But, like any dysfunctional relationship, I'll go back. Monopoly's well under way, so I have some catching up to do.

So far:

Electric Company

States Ave

Oriental

Praying for Broadway and Park Place

Keep hope alive.

No Pants

There seems to be a running theme in my room this year. Today, me and Maddy ran into our apartment, each went our separate ways (me bathroom, and her bedroom), only to reemerge simultaneously and collide in the kitchen - with no pants. Absolutely too much. It just seems to be the first thing that crosses our mind once we're home. And it's inappropriate. And its absolute love. So take your goddamn pants off and discover the freedom you're missing.

OMGOGMFODJFLSDLKJD!@!!!!!!

Thanks must go out to condensed soup. enjoy yourself bitches.

This morning marks the second day in a row I've had breakfast at the Landmark (Grand St. between Centre and Laff). I always liked this place, but the last 48 hours have completely re-affirmed my love for diners, and my faith that cheap, delicious food is still to be found in shabby, but endearing environments in Manhattan. I don't know where else you can get french toast, coffee or tea, and ham, bacon, or sausage for $5.25. Unheard of.

And its not just the food. Oh no. The wait staff comprises of 3 chinese (Cantonese speaking?) ladies, who, in the most stereotypical accent and sing-song voice I've ever heard in my life, shout your order to the kitchen, and then, once your food arrives, forget you exist. When you've lost all hope that your check will ever arrive, it does, and once you see the total, all is forgiven.

Today I had the particular pleasure of hearing an elderly french couple who spoke virtually no english, attempt to converse and convey their breakfast needs to the waitress. It was amazing. I think the only words they both understood were, "Oui oui oui oui oui." Thank god for the universal language of signing, pointing, and repetition. 2 boxes of special K and 2 mugs of tea later, another satisfied table, another amazing episode of what would be, a spectacular reality show.

Under the Sea

I eated them all!!!!!

Thanks must go out once again to the glucksman ireland house for filling the voids in my social life. Saturday I tagged along on an MA program field trip through lower Manhattan. Beginning in Nolita, we explored the crypt of Old St. Patrick's Cathedral. I must admit, it was a bit of a let down. Not nearly as creepy and dark and dingy as I would have liked for a 200 year old catholic church. So after hearing way too much about dead irishmen and their resting places, we walked, in the torrential rain, down to wall street. Stopping briefly in front of the Emigrant Savings Bank, City Hall, and St. Paul's Church. Our final destination was Ulysses. Ulysses is located on that oh so quaint section of Pearl Street next to a dozen other "period" pubs and restaurants. However, despite its overpriced and overly authentic atmosphere, not only was a happily able to consume a basket of baby calamaris, but I also had the pleasure of staying way too long to avoid the rain, entertained by the characters of irish study, Harp, and my trusty supervisor. I have the best job ever. period.

just because

need i say more? DID YOU SEE THE SPEECH LAST NIGHT?!?!

A few reasons to take the FREE water taxi to ikea in redhook if you haven't already...

1. It's FREE.

2. It's a nice, 15-minute ride around governor's island and the shipyards of brooklyn.

3. You can have swedish meatballs to refuel between trips.

4. It's FREE!

5. If you take it as the sun is setting/has already set, you'll see all of lower manhattan, the brooklyn and manhattan bridge, waterfalls (for now), and the statue of liberty all alight and at a fantastic vantage point.

Basically, I look forward to the next time ikea beckons me. It's just a pleasurable experience.